ZARB SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Marc Alpert serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Loews Corporation, a Fortune 250 New York Stock Exchange listed diversified holding company with subsidiaries in the insurance, energy, hospitality and packaging industries.  Marc joined Loews in 2016 after 30 years at the international law firm Chadbourne & Parke where he served as Head of the Public Companies Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. He has significant experience advising on strategic decisions, corporate transactions and securities, corporate governance and dispute resolution matters.

Marc is responsible for managing Loews’ legal affairs, including with respect to mergers, acquisitions and other corporate development transactions, securities offerings, financings, litigation and other dispute resolution proceedings, SEC reporting, corporate governance, board matters, risk management, employee issues, real estate matters, commercial agreements, and strategic and operational initiatives.

The Legal 500 has included Marc in its United States and New York General Counsel Powerlists and named Marc a Leading Lawyer in Mergers and Acquisitions in several of its publications.

Marc graduated Hofstra (Zarb) with a B.B.A. in Accounting, cum laude, in 1983 and SUNY Buffalo with a J.D., cum laude, in 1986. He is a recipient of an Alumni Achievement Award from Hofstra and a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University at Buffalo School of Law. Marc also serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the University at Buffalo School of Law.

Camella leads the Enterprise Partnerships Strategic Initiatives and Execution team within Platform Solutions at Goldman Sachs. Previously, she was head of business and change management for OTC derivatives and futures. Earlier in her career, Camella held various roles in operations in London and New York. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs Camella worked at Barclays Capital in various roles in operations and finance. Camella earned a BBA in International Business from Hofstra University and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Fordham University in 2005.

Nina Batson is the former Director and Global Head of Internal Audit Regulatory Engagement at Barclays. With over 30 years of experience in banking and finance, she has worked at MUFG, Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, and JPMorgan Chase. Her extensive background includes commercial paper conduit financing, compliance, tax operations, accounting, risk management, regulatory reporting, syndications, conduit administration, supply chain finance, audit-related functions, and securitization deal execution.

Since 2009, Nina has been actively involved in the Financial Women’s Association (FWA) and is currently serving as its Immediate Past President for 2023–2025. She made history as the first Black and 58th President of the FWA, holding that position from 2021 to 2023. Her previous leadership roles include FWA President-Elect and Leadership Council Chair from 2019 to 2021, Executive Vice President of the FWA in 2018, Vice President of the FWA’s Engagement and Resources Division in 2017, Membership Chair in 2016, Membership Co-Chair in 2015, Head of the FWA Membership Committee Ambassador Program in 2014, and FWA President Circle Relationship Manager from 2009 to 2019.

Nina received Hofstra’s Zarb School of Business Alumni of the Year Award in 2024. CIO Views Magazine recognized her as one of the ten Most Successful Black Businesswomen Making a Difference in 2023. Additionally, in 2022, Crain’s New York Business named her one of 105 Notable Black Leaders and Executives. She was also honored with the Markets Choice Awards’ Women in Finance: Excellence in Social Responsibility Award.

Nina serves on the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Equity & Opportunity Advisory Council and Hofstra’s Zarb School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. She holds Series 79 and 63 certifications and earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Certificate in Accounting from Hofstra University.

Yxa is an Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase Bank, where she is a Treasury Services Product Manager in the Corporate and Investment Bank division. Yxa also served as Americas Regional Head for the Bank Network Management group and as the Global Head of Relationship Management and Americas Regional Sales Head within the Depositary Receipts business. Additionally, Yxa worked as a Client Experience and Compliance Program Manager at the firm.

Before joining JPMorgan Chase Bank in 1999, Ms. Bazan worked as an Equity Research Analyst and as an Investment Banker at Credit Suisse in New York and as a Fixed Income Research Analyst at Crédit Agricole Indosuez in Paris and in London.

Yxa earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Business from Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business, where she also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University, where she teaches a course in Negotiation and serves on the Alumni Advisory Committee.

Ms. Bazan is a Board member of the New York Peace Institute and has served as a volunteer judge in negotiation competitions that form part of the American Bar Association program for law school students. She speaks Spanish, French and Portuguese and resides with her family in New York City, where she is actively involved in her community.

Alan J. Bernon is President & CEO of DFA Dairy Brands, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.  It is the leading U.S. producer of fluid milk and dairy products with annual revenues of approximately $8.6 Billion.  The company operates 54 manufacturing plants in 26 US States and employs 13,500.

He is Past Chairman of the National Fluid Milk Producers Promotion Board (MilkPEP) and a past board member of Milk Industry Foundation.

Alan is a founding partner of Sequel Holdings, a Dallas based private equity firm, and has served as an Advisory Partner and investor since its formation in 2002.  He is a member of the Investment Committee of Sequel and serves on the board of directors for a number of their portfolio companies.

In addition to his business responsibilities, Bernon has spent the past three decades deeply involved in a variety of community and philanthropic organizations.  He has served as a director of more than a dozen nonprofits related to education, youth services and medical research.  Currently, he is a Trustee of Hofstra University and its immediate Past Chairman, and a member of the Dean’s Council of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.  Bernon has been the recipient of numerous awards for his community service, including those given by the YMCA, the Lion’s Club, the Brain Tumor Society and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Mr. Bernon received a B.B.A. degree in Finance and Economics from Hofstra University in 1976.  He was awarded Alumnus of the Year in 1986 and was the recipient of the Award for Alumni Achievement in 1996.  At the Hofstra Gala in 2017 he was honored for his service to the university and awarded the Presidential Medal.

He and his wife, Carol, have three children and reside in Dallas.

PJ is a proud graduate of Hofstra University (BBA in Finance & Banking, 1996) where in addition to his studies he was a member of the Men’s Lacrosse Team and served as a Resident Assistant.

PJ spent over 20 years working in the financial services sector.  He has extensive experience advising companies, governments, and financial sponsors on capital raising and M&A financing.  PJ has led over 50 IPO’s in his career and has played a leadership role in over $100 billion of capital raised across various markets (equity, debt, convertible bonds, bridge loans, etc.)

Following his graduation from Hofstra University in 1996, PJ worked at Chase Manhattan Bank (now JPMorgan) in a management training program.  He spent time in New York and Houston, Texas.  After working for three years, Paul attended the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC – Chapel Hill, where he received his MBA with a concentration in Finance in 2001.

PJ began his post-MBA career working for Lehman Brothers in 2001.  He was part of the Debt Capital Markets (DCM) group within Lehman’s Investment Banking Division, focusing on companies in the Natural Resources and Power sectors.  In 2008, Barclays purchased the North American business of Lehman Brothers and PJ and his teammates moved to Barclays.  In 2010, PJ transitioned into Equity Capital Markets (ECM), and ultimately led the Natural Resources ECM effort for the firm.

In 2013, PJ joined UBS as a Managing Director to lead their Energy and Power ECM effort.  There he helped build a team that generated over $150mm in revenue for the firm in his first full year (2014).
Most recently (from 2015 to 2020), PJ was a Managing Director at Bank of America, where he led the Energy, Power and Renewables Equity Capital Markets team.

Throughout his financial services career, PJ has been active in the recruiting, training and career development of analysts and associates.

In 2020, PJ came back to Hofstra, where he has been an Adjunct Professor of Finance.  He has taught Money & Capital Markets (FIN 141), Financial Skills for Life (FIN 031), and is currently the faculty advisor to the Berliner Broadlieb Family Student Managed Investment Fund.  In addition, he serves on the Zarb School Dean’s Advisory Board and the SMIF Advisory Board.

PJ is married (Mara), has two daughters (Maya and Leah), and currently resides in Cold Spring Harbor.

Kenneth Brodlieb is chairman of East Hills Auto Group, an automobile franchise consisting of five stores, including a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram dealership in Greenvale; a Subaru dealership in Roslyn; and three Chevrolet showrooms located throughout Long Island.

Mr. Brodlieb has been a distinguished friend and benefactor of the University for more than two decades. He has established several scholarships at Hofstra, including: The Kenneth and Theodore Brodlieb Distinguished Professorship, the Andrea and Kenneth Brodlieb Endowed Law School Scholarship, The Kenneth Brodlieb MBA Endowed Scholarship and Kenneth Brodlieb Endowed Scholarships. He has also pledged scholarship dollars as one of the lead capital campaign gifts for the Frank G. Zarb School of Business.

Mr. Brodlieb has been a mentor for Zarb students for many years. Currently, he sits on the Frank G. Zarb School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and is a past member of the President’s Leadership Council. He attended the Nasdaq closing bell ceremony in honor of Nasdaq and Hofstra’s Minds on the Markets program, which teaches high school students about financial markets. Mr. Brodlieb graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is also a Hofstra parent – his son Timothy graduated with a BBA in banking and finance in 1989.

Since 2007, in addition to his public company and not-for-profit board duties, Mr. Charney has served as a business strategist and financial advisor to CEOs, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Previously, from 1970 through June 2007, Mr. Charney was a senior audit partner at Ernst & Young, LLP, a registered public accounting firm, retiring as a practice leader in the Americas Quality and Risk Management Group. Mr. Charney currently serves as the audit committee chairman of Kenon Holdings, Ltd., as well as a member of the compensation committee and the audit committee chairman of TG Therapeutics, Inc.

Andrew F. Corrado is the President of Peapack Private Commercial in New York, bringing over 35 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry. His distinguished career includes serving as Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial and Private Banking – Northeast, as well as Senior Vice President and Group Director at Flagstar Bank, formerly known as Signature Bank.  Prior to that, Andrew was Senior Vice President and Head of Professional Services and Private Banking at Capital One Bank, managing offices in NY, NJ, DC, Louisiana and Texas.

Andrew’s expertise spans a broad range of retail and commercial/private bank financial services, including profit and loss management, marketing and product development, strategic planning, data analytics, business development and sales management, banking and call center operations, compliance and customer experience.

He holds a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from Bryant University and an M.B.A. in Marketing Management from Hofstra University.  Andrew is actively involved in his community as a Treasurer of the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, Board and Finance Committee Member of United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, Board Member of the Dr. Richard Barnett Foundation, a past President of the Hofstra University Alumni Foundation and a current member of the Dean’s  Advisory Board for the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University.

Michele Cusack is a healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience. As Northwell Health’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, she manages the health system’s day-to-day finance operations. Ms. Cusack also oversees all financial reporting, financial planning, overall budgeting, treasury services and internal audits.

In addition, Ms. Cusack manages various corporate financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, tax management and other financial functions that collaborate with revenue cycle, managed care and operational teams across the organization.

Previously, Ms. Cusack was deputy chief financial officer, finance, where she developed and executed tax strategies, arranged for debt financing, monitored and optimized revenue cycle functions and operations, oversaw financial reporting and planning, monitored legal issues impacting the organization and the industry, maintained relationships with external auditors and government agencies, and developed the financial sophistication needed to manage population health and risk-based contracts.

A certified public accountant, Ms. Cusack has an administrative role on the Finance and Audit Committees of Northwell’s Board of Trustees. She is also a member of Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and sits on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island.

Prior to joining Northwell, Ms. Cusack worked at Deloitte & Touche. She holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University.

Andrew F. Corrado is the President of Peapack Private Commercial in New York, bringing over 35 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry. His distinguished career includes serving as Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial and Private Banking – Northeast, as well as Senior Vice President and Group Director at Flagstar Bank, formerly known as Signature Bank.  Prior to that, Andrew was Senior Vice President and Head of Professional Services and Private Banking at Capital One Bank, managing offices in NY, NJ, DC, Louisiana and Texas.

Andrew’s expertise spans a broad range of retail and commercial/private bank financial services, including profit and loss management, marketing and product development, strategic planning, data analytics, business development and sales management, banking and call center operations, compliance and customer experience.

He holds a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from Bryant University and an M.B.A. in Marketing Management from Hofstra University.  Andrew is actively involved in his community as a Treasurer of the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, Board and Finance Committee Member of United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, Board Member of the Dr. Richard Barnett Foundation, a past President of the Hofstra University Alumni Foundation and a current member of the Dean’s  Advisory Board for the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University.

Frederick Davis, Jr. is the tax practice leader at Mitchell & Titus, LLP. He has over 22 years of public accounting experience specializing in servicing public companies, tax-exempt organizations and entrepreneurial businesses. He is a certified public accountant in New York and Maryland.

Mr. Davis primarily focuses on serving clients in the areas of corporate tax, not-for-profit organizations, employee benefit, payroll, accounting and financial transactions. He has a strong background in high-profile issues such as corporate reorganizations, capitalization, accounting methods changes, domestic tax audits and international tax. With his experience in non-profit organizations, he provides clients with valuable insight into the rules with respect to unrelated business income, public support test, functional expenses, program activities, and the mix of non-profit and for-profit activities. He has served as the tax partner on numerous engagements for major non-profits, consumer product conglomerates, energy, insurance, banking, media/entertainment and utilities. Mr. Davis also advises the firm’s employee benefit plan audit group on tax and legislative changes that may affect the firm’s clients.

Prior to joining Mitchell & Titus, Mr. Davis served as a tax partner at former “Big Five” firm Arthur Anderson. He has a Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law, a Master of Science in taxation from Long Island University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Hofstra University. He has also completed the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University program titled “Building a High-Performing Minority Business.” Mr. Davis has co-authored several articles for trade publications on various tax topics. His articles have been featured in The Journal of Bank Taxation and Real Estate Weekly, among other publications. Furthermore, Mr. Davis was also admitted to the Bar in New York and New Jersey.

Mr. Davis is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Mr. Davis serves on the AICPA’s tax practice and procedures committee as well as on NABA’s corporate advisory board. He is also a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Davis is a member of the American Bar Association, New York Bar Association, Metropolitan Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

His external activities also include serving as past president of Hofstra University’s National Alumni Organization, as treasurer on the board of trustees for Vision of Hope Development Corporation, a New Jersey community-based, not-for-profit organization, and as treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter. Additionally, Mr. Davis served on the deacon board of the New Hope Baptist Church of Newark, New Jersey, and is the treasurer of One Hundred Black Men, Inc. (New York).

Michael DeDomenico currently serves as the Managing Partner and Owner of Avnatar Capital LLC and was recently named to the Board of Advisors for Aircapture, LLC. He is also a Partner at real estate firm Stellar Luxury Homes and Development Co.

Avnatar Capital is a business investment and development firm, which deals with real estate, technology, private equity and start-up capital. The company has over $20 million in investments. Stellar Luxury homes and Development Co. develops, designs, builds and markets custom homes in the Connecticut and New York areas.

Mr. DeDomenico has an extensive history with air capture and carbon utilization, backing his appointment to the advisory board for newly created firm Aircapture, LLC. Previously he served as a Director for Tech Air Companies, a leading and growing provider of industrial, medical and specialty gases (now AirGas).

He formerly held the position of CEO of NuCo2, the only national provider of beverage grade carbon dioxide certified using ISBT guidelines and draught beer grade nitrogen gas solutions to the restaurant and hospitality industry. At NuCo2 he also served as a director and Chair of the Board.

In 2013, NuCo2 was sold to Praxair, the largest industrial gases company in North and South America for over $1 Billion. Prior to working at NuCo2, Mr. DeDomenico had served as president and CEO of Praxair subsidiary Praxair Distribution.  He had been employed by Union Carbide Corp. in various capacities since 1969 and when Praxair was spun-off by Union Carbide in 1992, he was named president of Praxair Canada.  The following year he was appointed president of Praxair Europe and in March 1998 was named president and chief executive officer of Praxair Distribution.

Mr. DeDomenico graduated from Hofstra University in 1969 with his BS in economics. As a Hofstra alumnus he has served as a generous benefactor of the University by establishing annual and endowed scholarships. He also serves on the Zarb Dean’s Advisory Board.

Gregory (Greg) Faranello is the Executive Director, Head of U.S. Rates for AmeriVet Securities. AmeriVet is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Broker Dealer and Minority Business Enterprise.

Greg has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, which has been centered around fixed income and a core expertise in the trading, distribution and business development of global interest rates.

His career began as a fixed income derivative analyst with Credit Suisse, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs.

Following Goldman Sachs, Greg moved to the buy side as an assistant portfolio manager on the international bond desk with Deutsche Bank Asset Management. In a move back to the sell side, Greg filled leadership roles as Managing Director and FICC management member for RBS Greenwich Capital, WestLB, Espirito Santo, and RBC serving as head trader and risk manager responsible for the build-out and development of several trading desks.

Most recently, Greg served as Head of Rates for Roberts & Ryan Investments.

Greg attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and later earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from Hofstra University in banking, finance and international business.

Greg is a CFA Charterholder and member of the CFA Institute, NYSSA, Money Marketeers of NYU, and has served on the Dean’s Advisory Board of Hofstra University’s Zarb School since 2012. Additionally, he is registered with his FINRA Series 7 and 63.

Nan Ferrara is executive vice president of Continuous Improvement (CI) for Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), which helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings — to get ready to retire better.

Ferrara oversees Voya’s automation efforts, as well as the company’s Continuous Improvement (CI) efforts, a key driver of Voya’s strategic transformation that she has led since joining the company in April 2012. Under Ferrara’s leadership, the CI management system has been integrated across the company, creating a high-performance culture that has led to dramatically improved business results. Ferrara spearheads Voya Reimagine, an enterprise effort designed to drive innovation and enhance the employee and customer experience. Ferrara also serves on Voya’s Executive Committee.

Previously, Ferrara held the title of senior managing director of operations for Voya, providing oversight of the operations strategy. Ferrara’s thoughtful leadership skills, expertise and results-driven approach helped build high-performing teams and greater collaboration among Voya’s ongoing business and support functions.

Ferrara’s more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry also includes leading the divestiture separation team at AIG before joining Voya. She served as operations executive of the Financial Services Division earlier in her career, providing leadership and working directly with operations leaders to improve the customer experience and enhance efficiency by leveraging process improvement practices and technology. Ferrara also has served in a number of senior leadership roles at J.P. Morgan Chase, where she focused on customer service and engagement.

Ferrara is a member of the Hofstra University Zarb School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville. She serves on the Board of Directors for VFI SLK Global Services Pvt. Ltd. — a joint venture between Voya and SLK Group. Ferrara was recently named to the National Diversity Council 2020 Power 50 list, which honors executive women for their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Ferrara received her Master of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University.

Mr. Flora is a principal and co-founder of Quality Plus & Associates, a partnership that specializes in internal audit services. He is also a member of the Cooper Group, the management consulting firm that was established by Cynthia Cooper. He is a retired Chief Audit Executive of AXA Financial.

Mr. Flora has over 40 years in internal audit beginning his career as a staff auditor in 1971 with Bankers Trust Co.  During his thirteen years at Bankers Trust, Paul rose to the position of Vice President and Deputy Auditor, specializing in audits of the trust and securities businesses.  In 1984, Paul joined National Westminster Bank as Vice President and Deputy Auditor.  At NatWest his responsibilities included: Director of Professional Practices and Vice President in charge of all financial auditing for both the domestic bank and the parent bank’s subsidiaries in North America.  Paul joined AXA Financial (formerly, Equitable) in December of 1993 as Deputy Auditor, was promoted to Chief Auditor in July 1994 and Senior Vice President in March of 1996.  He retired from AXA Financial in September 2007.
 
Mr. Flora is a Certified Construction Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Trust Auditor, Certified Bank Auditor, and a Certified Financial Services Auditor.  Throughout his career Paul has been active in several professional associations.  He was an original member of the Board of Directors of the National Society of Chartered Bank Auditors (NSCBA) and served as President of the Society from 1987 through 1992.  He served as a Board member of Bank Administration Institute’s New York Chapter for seven years and Chapter President for two years.  He is a member of The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Past President of the New York Chapter, serves on the Chapter’s Board of Governors, and was also a long-standing member of the IIA’s Financial Services Advisory Board, and Learning Solutions Committee.  Paul is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Insurance Internal Audit Group, and the National Association of Construction Auditors. He also has served on the Audit Committee of the American Nurses Association. He was a co-chair of IIA’s 2016 International Conference which was held in New York in July of 2016, and be attended by 2500+ internal auditors from around the world.

Active in the U.S. Army Reserves for more than 28 years, Mr. Flora retired in 1996 as Lieutenant Colonel. The majority of his reserve time was spent in various intelligence positions with the National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Chief of Staff for Intelligence at the Pentagon. While on active duty in Vietnam, he received an Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star.
 
Mr. Flora graduated in 1968 with a BS degree from Hofstra University in New York. Since graduation he has been active with several Hofstra alumni groups including the Hofstra Veterans Alumni Association which he helped establish in the 1980’s. He served as chairperson for his 1968 reunion committee was the Alumni Organization’s Vice President for Services for five years, and currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for Hofstra University’s Zarb Business School. Paul also serves on the Internal Audit Advisory Council for St. John’s University.

Bill Fried is a partner and co-chair of the Litigation Department, where he focuses on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on construction and real estate disputes, trust and estate litigation, and business divorces. Bill’s clients, which include financial institutions, corporations, real estate owners, sponsors, developers, contractors and construction professionals, rely on his tenacity and resourcefulness to successfully resolve even the most contentious disputes.

He has significant experience counseling clients through the alternative dispute resolution process, either through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, and has substantial trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts.

Real Estate and Construction Litigation

Drawing on his extensive experience in construction, development, finance and investment, Bill frequently advises prominent members of the real estate industry, including owners, developers, financial institutions, sponsors, design professionals, construction professionals and condominium boards. Bill’s clients benefit from Bill’s aggressive representation of their interests in construction defect disputes, mechanics liens, breaches of contracts, professional malpractice, and a wide range of related matters.

Complex Commercial Litigation

Bill’s commercial litigation experience is broad, and he is frequently called on to resolve high-profile disputes. Recently, Bill has advised sports memorabilia giant Lelands in the settlement of federal litigation involving NFL legend Jim Brown’s 1964 championship ring, a real estate developer in the successful resolution of multi-state litigation stemming from the cancelled development of a $2.5 billion W Hotel in Las Vegas, and a member of a prominent real estate family in a business divorce involving $200 million in real estate assets.

Private Clients Litigation

High-net-worth clients and financial institutions also turn to Bill to resolve significant trust and estate disputes. He frequently advises clients on highly-charged will and trust contests, business and asset valuations, and Article 81 guardianship proceedings in New York State Supreme Court.

Bill is also a member of the Board of Directors and General Counsel of the West Harlem Community Organization, Inc. 

Maria A. Grasso is Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary of Flushing Financial Corporation and Flushing Bank. She joined the Bank in 2006 as Chief Operating Officer and was elected Corporate Secretary in 2007. Maria is responsible for several of the company’s strategic initiatives including mergers and acquisitions, corporate-wide change management, process reengineering, expense management, and Customer Experience. She also manages Human Resources, Compliance, BSA, Operations, and the Customer Service departments for the bank. Maria had previously managed the Retail and Ethnic Markets, Business Banking, Government Banking, Digital Banking, Marketing, and Sales areas. Maria has been in the banking business for more than 39 years, beginning her career with Chase Manhattan. Prior to joining Flushing Financial, she held the title of Senior Vice President and Division Head of The Bank of New York for Long Island and Queens, where she oversaw an organization of 102 branch locations that served the personal and small business banking needs of customers in those markets.

Maria is currently a member of the National Board of the American Kidney Fund, President of the Hofstra University Zarb Business School Alumni Association. She is currently the Secretary and a former Chair of United Way of Long Island’s Board of Directors. Maria is a former chairperson of the Retail Banking Division Committee of the New York Bankers Association and has been a director and trustee for several of their subsidiaries. Recently, Maria was inducted to the Sachem Hall of Honor. She was also named to the LIBN Business Influencers list in Banking and Finance and was inducted into the Long Island Business Hall of Fame. Maria was also recognized by Crains as a 2021 Notable Woman on Wall Street and as a 2019 Notable Woman in Banking and Finance. Maria is a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. Maria has also been honored by Hofstra University as Alumna of the Year and by the United Way of Long Island with the Anthony J. Stupore Memorial Live United Champion Award. Charitable organizations have benefited from Maria’s leadership and support throughout the years. As an advocate of volunteerism, she has volunteered for the March of Dimes, Long Island Care, Bias Help of Long Island, Women’s Fund of Long Island, the American Cancer Society, and American Heart Association. Maria has a BBA in Finance from Hofstra University and an MBA in Marketing from Adelphi University.

Function and specialization

Advises private equity and other asset management firms on fund and holding company structuring, multinational strategic acquirers with due diligence and acquisition structuring of portfolio investments with a wholistic view of the entire PE enterprise.

Education, licenses and certifications

• BBA Finance, University of New York at Buffalo
• MBA in Accounting with distinction, Hofstra University
• CPA, State of New York
• Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Background
Jeff is a partner at KPMG in New York with more than 26 years of experience in providing domestic and international tax and advisory services to private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and real estate funds and their portfolio investments, investors and principals.

Prior to joining KPMG , Jeff was a partner at another Big Four firm where he served as the Global and Americas Private Equity Tax Leader as well as serving a diverse mix of private equity and venture capital funds.

Professional and industry experience
Jeff’s responsibilities have included fund structuring, domestic and international advisory on acquisition, operation, divesture of portfolio investments, asset acquisitions, the creation of business structures outside of the United States, tax planning for inbound investments, financial modelling and complex partnership and corporate tax compliance for his clients.  Jeff has advised his clients in structuring their worldwide investments to reduce taxes and improve the cash returns realized by their global investor pools including numerous cross-border transactions throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.  Jeff has had responsibility for large and complex tax engagements serving the fund, management company, portfolio investments and principals.

Outside Activities/Affiliations

• Hofstra University – Zarb School of Business – Dean’s Advisory Board
• Glen Head Country Club – Finance and Membership Committees
• Adaptive Sports @ Mount Snow – Program for disabled persons to train and enjoy skiing
• Ironman Triathlon Competitor and Finisher – Competitive Age grouper in Full and Half Ironman races

“I lead teams that are dedicated to servicing clients in Greater NY and New England through best in class service and comprehensive wealth management solutions.”

EXPERIENCE
Before joining Northern Trust in 2003, he worked at U.S. Trust Company for eight years, where he served as a Senior Vice President in its high-net-worth planning group. Prior to that, he worked at AYCO Company LP as a Senior Financial Planner and was a member of the firm’s investment planning committee.

EDUCATION
He holds an MBA and a BBA from Hofstra University. 

CREDENTIALS
He’s the President of the Northeast Region, Wealth Management. He is a CIMA and CPWA designations holder.

INTERESTS
He’s married with two children and loves to spend as much time as he can with his family, and they especially enjoy spending time at the beach. He is also an avid golfer.

EXPERTISE
As President of the Northeast Region. He is responsible for managing all aspects of the market, which includes Northern Trust’s New York City, Greenwich, CT, and Boston, MA offices. His responsibilities encompass client service, talent acquisition and management, new business development and brand awareness.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
He’s a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts and the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA). He is also a member of the Board of Trustee’s on the American Associates of the National Theatre. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University, in addition he is active with the Long Beach Island Foundation and The Greater NY YMCA development committee. He was a past board member and member of the finance committee for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

As a creative and market-savvy Real Estate Investment Executive, Shegun Holder has a proven ability to maximize long term sustainable value and investment performance. Leveraging a highly disciplined strategic approach, curiosity towards emerging trends and technologies, deep understanding of real estate fundamentals, market expertise/visibility in several primary markets (Boston MA, New York NY, Washington DC and London UK), and an extensive network of key influencers, Shegun has focused his career on partnering with the innovation economy.

Shegun is currently the Vice President of Portfolios at Knotel and a member of the Knotel Management Committee. As a leader at Knotel, Shegun has global oversight for maximizing long term sustainable portfolio performance and managing key partner relationships. Shegun also served as General Manager for the New York region – Knotel’s largest business unit – with overall P&L responsibility for at least 40% of the company’s revenue. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Jamestown, where he led the teams responsible for the New England region and parts of New York, the strategic direction and overall performance of the regional portfolio. Shegun has been instrumental in the adaptive reuse of iconic urban assets, such as One Times Square (New York, NY) and the Innovation & Design Building (Boston, MA), and executing unique partnerships with innovators, such as Uber, Hello Alfred, Industrious, HqO, Reebok, Living Proof, Autodesk and GingkoBio. Prior to Jamestown, he led the regional portfolio efforts and joint venture activities for JPMorgan Asset Management – Global Real Estate in several East Coast and Midwest markets. Over the course of his career, he has also held various positions of increasing responsibility at Simon (formerly the Mills), The JBG Companies, Credit Suisse First Boston and Andersen LLP.

Shegun earned his MBA, Finance and Entrepreneurship from The Wharton School and his BBA in Accounting from Hofstra University. He serves on the advisory boards of Zarb School of Business at Hofstra. He is a member of the Real Estate Executive Council. He also served on the boards of Hudson Square Business Improvement District, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Long Island City Partnership and Community Board 9 Brooklyn.

Howard Kahn is Founder & Managing Member of Pivot Point Securities, LLC an investment banking firm and Pivot Point Consultants, LLC which provides management consulting services. Howard and the Pivot Point entities have extensive experience in challenging business situations in need of strategic alternatives, capital, and/or creative business solutions.

Howard is a licensed investment banker and a Registered Representative of BA Securities, LLC; an SEC Registered Broker-Dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC. He holds FINRA 79, 63, and SIE certifications.

Howard has represented strategics and private equity in the sale or acquisition of over 50 businesses, ranging in size from $30MM to $330MM, and aggregating to over $1 billion; as well as raised institutional capital for a variety of corporations. He began his consulting business in 2001, advising C-level executives on growth and turn-around strategies, capital raising, and the sale and/or acquisition of a variety of companies.

Prior to his investment banking and consulting career, Howard held a series of management and executive positions at well-know companies. He began his career in the amusement parks and attractions business, where he served on the Board of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and received the IAAPA’s annual Service Award for the most valuable service to the Industry by an individual. Howard then led Madison Square Garden’s sales teams, including season subscriptions and group sales for the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. He led sales for LIVENT, which at the time was the largest global producer of live theatrical entertainment. Howard also served as Senior Vice President & General Manager of Cendant’s Auto and Leisure direct marketing businesses, a $125MM business with 800 employees.

Howard received his MBA from The Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University and his BA from Binghamton University. He serves on the Zarb School’s Dean’s Advisory Board, served on the Advisory Board for Marketing and International Business, and chaired the MBA Alumni Association.

Kevin is the Managing Director & Founder of KMK Advisors, LLC. With over 30 years of experience, Kevin’s expertise includes financial accounting, auditing (external/internal), and advisory services in the retail, consumer, distribution, and manufacturing industries. Kevin works closely with Audit Committees to assist them in fulfilling their oversight responsibilities. He interacts with senior executives providing input and points of view on critical business issues including cost optimization, Omni-channel, strategic growth initiatives and business plans. Kevin has experience in due diligence, risk management, acquisitions and divestitures, SEC reporting and compliance, public offerings and issuances, internal controls, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Prior to founding KMK Advisors in 2024, Kevin led Grant Thornton’s Retail & Consumer Brands Industry Practice as an Advisory Partner. He also served as an audit partner for six years. In addition, Kevin served as Vice President Accounting & Finance at multi-channel retailers including Lord & Taylor, J. Crew Group, Inc., Vince Holding Corp. and Ann, Inc. His early career experiences included Arthur Andersen LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).

Professional qualifications and memberships

• Certified Public Accountant, New York
• New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)

Education
Kevin has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Hofstra University.

Robert G. Kuchner, CPA, PFS, is a Retired Partner from Marks Paneth LLP- effective January 2020 . He was a partner in its Business Management and Family Office services group, serving a diverse spectrum of privately-owned companies and their owners, in individual tax and clients in the theater, media and entertainment industry.

Prior to merging with Marks Paneth LLP, he was the Managing Partner of Rosenberg, Neuwirth & Kuchner, CPAs, P.C., a Manhattan-based accounting firm that he founded in 1990. He played an active role in that firm’s growth and development until it combined with Marks Paneth LLP in 2013.

Prior to forming Rosenberg, Neuwirth & Kuchner, he was employed at a Big Four accounting firm where he served as the director of small business services for its middle market services group serving a broad spectrum of clients in the manufacturing, distribution, publishing, banking and finance, leasing and transportation industries, as well as professional services firms. He has been involved in many initial public offerings, leveraged buyouts and acquisition transactions as well as numerous consulting engagements. He also participated in a one-year rotation as a member of the professional standards review group, which was responsible for that firm’s quality control.

Mr. Kuchner has been awarded the personal financial specialist (PFS) designation by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). He is a member of The All-Star Financial Group a national association of CPAs who specialize in financial and tax planning for clients with high-net-worth and/or unique circumstances.

Education
Hofstra University, Frank G. Zarb School of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration, Public Accounting

Professional Memberships
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants
New Jersey State Society of Certified Public Accountants

Charitable Organizations

Hofstra University, Frank G. Zarb School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board
President Emeritus, – and current board of Deans’ Advisory Board

The Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ – Member of the Federation Board of trustees, Audit Committee, Jewish Community Foundation board of Trustees and Investment committee.
Past President, Jewish Community Foundation, Past Israel/Overseas Chair, Past Federation President- Jewish Federation of Central NJ- (Now part of Greater MetroWest NJ Federation)

Jewish Agency for Israel
Member, Budget and Finance Committee
Chairman, Audit Committee

Jewish Federations of North America
Past Assistant Treasurer
Past Member, Executive Committee, Member, Budget and Finance Committee and
Chair of the Audit Committee

Rutgers Hillel – President

UJA-Federation of NYC –Past Co-Chair, Theater Group of the Entertainment, Media and Communications Division

North American Friends of Amcha Israel -Treasurer

American Symphony Orchestra – Past Honorary Trustee of the

New Dramatists – Member Executive Committee

Daniel Maccarrone is a Managing Director and Co-Head of the Global Investment Manager Analysis (GIMA) team at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management based in New York. Mr. Maccarrone is responsible for leading the evaluation and selection of alternative and traditional investment strategies.  Mr. Maccarrone was previously the Head of Alternative Investments within GIMA.  Mr. Maccarrone came to Morgan Stanley via the MSSB joint venture; he originally joined Citi Wealth Management in 2006.    Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Maccarrone was as an equity analyst at the Galleon Group, the Agnos Group and Moore Capital Management, covering the Internet, Media and Technology sectors.  Mr. Maccarrone received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Business Administration from Hofstra University.

Douglas L. Maine is a Senior Advisor to Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, a 200+year-old, privately held, Wall Street financial services firm. Maine is a Director for public company Veea (edge computing) and four private companies: Olympusat (cable content and distribution), Paladin Artists (talent agency), Seismic (robotic clothing) and Quest Technology Management (IT Services). He has previously served on the Board of five public companies (Albemarle, Rockwood Holdings (acquired by Albemarle), Orbital-ATK (acquired by Northrop Grumman), Acreage Holdings (acquired by Canopy Growth) and BroadSoft (acquired by Cisco) and eleven private companies which were acquired by strategic or financial investors. Maine joined IBM as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President in 1998. In that role, he was responsible for all financial, treasury, tax, business development, internal audit, and real estate activities, as well as IBM Global Financing Corporation. He later was general manager of two operating units and retired in 2005. Before joining IBM, Maine was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of MCI (now part of Verizon) from 1991-1998 and prior to that he held a variety of sales, operating and financial leadership roles during his 20-year career. Maine is an Executive in Residence at Columbia University Business School, Chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Hofstra University Business School and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Temple University Business School. He was a two-term member of the Advisory Board for the PCOAB which is the Federal Regulator of the Auditing profession. He has a business interest in the Arts and has produced Broadway musicals, concerts and film events and is on the Board and the Executive Committee of the Bedford Playhouse. Maine has a BS from Temple University and an MBA from Hofstra University.

Mark P Matthews is a financial services executive with over 3 decades of experience serving in senior roles at a number of global financial institutions.  He has had the opportunity to lead globally diverse teams in Capital Markets, Operations and Technology with a focus on strategic transformation.

Mark graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Janice McFadden BBA ’87, MBA ’92, was at Goldman Sachs from 1990-2013 as the Head US trader for Goldman Sachs investment Partners and is now Capital Market Risk Sr. Associate at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She is a member of the Zarb Dean’s Advisory Board and the Zarb alumni association. Janice is involved in a number of non-profits.

As Chief Investment Officer and Deputy Comptroller for Asset Management, Steven Meier oversees investments for the five New York City retirement systems.

Mr. Meier brings over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, previously serving as Assistant Treasurer and Interim Chief Investment Officer for the Connecticut Office of the State Treasurer Shawn T. Wooden, overseeing the investments of Connecticut’s $40 billion public pension system. Previously, Meier spent 17 years at State Street and State Street Global Advisors, where he rose to Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for Global Fixed Income, Currency, and Cash Management, overseeing over $900 billion in assets. In addition, he was a member of SSGA’s Investment Committee for over 10 years, with responsibility for more than $2.3 trillion in Global Investments.

Prior to his time at State Street, he worked at Credit Suisse First Boston as Director, Global Head of Fixed Income & Money Market Electronic Trading and Senior Trader in their Global Financing Group. His experience also includes roles at Oppenheimer Capital, Merrill Lynch Capital Markets, and Irving Trust Company.

Meier is a CFA Charter Holder and certified Financial Risk Manager. He holds an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business and a BBA from Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business.

As the director of Global Operations, Charlie leads the teams responsible for the operational and technology infrastructure that supports Wellington Management clients, As the former director of Global Operations, Charlie lead the teams responsible for the operational and technology infrastructure that supports Wellington Management clients, prospects, and consultants. The group included Client Investment Services and Tech, Client Transition Services, Client and Portfolio Tech and Ops, Private Investment Tech and Ops, Derivative Tech and Ops, Client Operations, and Fund Services. These groups are responsible for the technology and operations required for:

• Delivering high-quality, accurate, and professional materials and data, including presentations, questionnaires, and reporting
• The account opening process, transitions, terminations, and asset-in-kind activity
• Managing the firm’s accounting, reconciliation, client operations, cash, loan and corporate actions processing
• Building and supporting the firm’s private investments infrastructure
• Building and supporting the firm’s derivative infrastructure
• Providing a wide array of services for Wellington-sponsored fund including designing and managing the platform’s global operating model, data and technology infrastructure, and extensive network of service providers.

InvesTech Operations works closely with Wellington’s investment and client platforms to support fund-related investment, client service, product development, and governance activities.

In addition, Charlie participated in several industry associations, including the Asset Management Group of SIFMA and ISDA. He has served on several Wellington Management cross-functional committees including the Managing Director Advisory Committee, Counterparty Review Group, Wellington Trust Company NA Board of Directors, WM Japan Board, WM Board, Global Governance Committee, Counterparty Review Group, Strategic Relationship Advisory Committee, Hedge Fund Oversight Committee, and the Error Resolution Council.

Prior to this role, Charlie served as the director of Client Services Group (2016 – 2020), director of Fixed Income Operational Risk (2013 – 2015) and the director of Investment Data and Derivative Services (2005 – 2013). Before joining Wellington Management, he spent over 13 years in investment banking operations at JPMorgan, during which time he held several positions in New York, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

Charlie received his MBA from New York University (Stern, 1997) and his BBA from Hofstra University (1991).

As Senior Vice President, Finance & Accounting for the Brooklyn Nets, Josue Napa oversees all financial operations for the NBA franchise and its affiliated entities, including the Long Island Nets, Nets Gaming Crew, and Nets & NY Liberty Foundation. With a distinguished career marked by leadership through multiple ownership transitions and financial transformations, Josue has solidified his reputation as a key leader within the league. His expertise extends to ownership transactions, league reporting and audits, budget and forecasting, capital planning, and fostering a reputation for excellence and collaboration among NBA finance peers.

As a certified CPA with a robust background in finance and accounting, Josue previously held a key role in the financial transformation at Mediavest, USA, a Publicis Groupe company, as its Director of Finance, and managed global audit portfolios across diverse sectors as Manager at PwC.

Beyond his professional achievements, Josue, a native of Peru, is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community service. He served on the board of directors for the ALPFA New York Chapter, led the Junior Achievement/ PwC Mentoring Program and served on All Star Code’s finance committee. Recognized as one of Prospanica NY’s Top Latino Leaders under 40 and featured in Hispanic Executive Magazine as a Top Latino Executive in Sports (2024), Josue’s influence transcends his professional realm. Josue holds a distinguished position on the advisory board of AVANCE, the leading organization dedicated to advancing Latinos in the realm of sports, alongside other senior executives in the industry.

Josue holds a degree from the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

As current Chief M&A officer and prior President, Chief Commercialization Officer, and CFO of Aditxt, Corinne is inspired by the Company’s innovative strategy, reimagining the way companies pursue innovation. She has a passion for making a difference in the lives of her coworkers while they work together to achieve the Company’s mission.

Corinne is a widely regarded global financial executive. She draws on more than 30 years of global financial and operational experience and has developed a reputation for building strong relationships with key stakeholders, along with an in-depth knowledge of strategic acquisitions, financial markets, and the vast international regulatory environment. Her global perspective and experience over the past three decades results in deep expertise in executing financial and business strategies, as well as M&A, leverage recapitalizations, private equity investing, organizational management, and infrastructure development.

“Innovation is not just about the way Aditxt develops products. We also work each day to innovate the way we work as a team to ensure every idea is considered and everyone’s ideas are part of a valued contribution.”

Before joining Aditxt, Corinne built an impressive resume, holding senior financial leadership roles for several world-class organizations, including Managing Director of Finance at BlackRock Investment Management LLC. Other experiences include Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at BlackRock Capital Investment Corp, Chief Financial Officer for the AIG Capital Partners Global Private Equity Emerging Markets group with $3.0 billion in assets under management, Chief Financial Officer of several publicly traded Business Development Companies, and Chief Financial Officer for Pinebridge Capital Partners LLC. Corinne began her distinguished career with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, ultimately holding the role of Senior Manager of Business Assurance for Consumer Products, Technology, Manufacturing, and Middle Market industries for almost a decade. Corinne holds an MBA in Finance from Hofstra University.

Michael Pantelogianis joined Apterra Infrastructure Capital in February 2024 as Co-Chief Executive Officer to create a direct lending platform for infrastructure lending at Apollo Global Management. Michael is a banker of approximately 30 years and has specialized in the financing of infrastructure assets over that period of time. Michael has crafted a career based around originating, structuring and syndicating large complex non-recourse financings with a sell-side banking orientation. Prior to Apterra, Michael co-led Investec Bank’s infrastructure sector globally for the previous 10 years, which included establishing Investec’s presence in the US market. Before Investec, he held a variety of senior originating positions at WestLB AG, JP Morgan Chase (formerly Chase Securities Inc.) and The Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. Michael holds an MBA from the Lubin Graduate School of Business at Pace University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Hofstra University.

Jeffrey Phlegar is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, responsible for setting the firm’s strategy and leading the organization as it implements these goals across its fixed income and equity business. This includes oversight of the portfolio management teams, enterprise risk, sales and new product development. He is a member of the firm’s Board of Managers and leads the Senior Leadership Team. Jeff also serves as Vice Chairman of New York Life Investment Management International, the international arm of New York Life Investment Management. He joined MacKay Shields in December 2011 after 18 years of service at AllianceBernstein, where he served most recently as president of Special Opportunities and Advisory Services, responsible for building a variety of new business initiatives, including the firm’s new alternatives platform.

From 2004 to 2008, Jeff co-led AllianceBernstein’s fixed income division as executive vice president and chief investment officer. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm’s fixed income business, including oversight of its portfolio management, research and risk management teams, client relationships worldwide, as well as the development and implementation of new products and successful strategies for distribution, servicing and technology/operations.

Jeff’s previous roles at AllianceBernstein included serving as Director of U.S. Fixed Income and Insurance, Director of Liquid Markets/MBS and portfolio manager for Taxable Fixed Income & Insurance. Prior to joining AllianceBernstein in 1993, he had portfolio manager responsibilities at Equitable Capital Management and served as a fixed income product specialist at Dreyfus Corporation.

Jeff earned his MBA from Adelphi University and a BBA at Hofstra University. He was been working in the investment industry since 1987.

 Mike Pintek is the president of Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions at Cardinal Health. Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions develops, manufactures, compounds, dispenses and delivers more than 12 million time-critical patient-specific doses annually to thousands of customers via a network of nuclear pharmacies and manufacturing sites that span the United States. 

Prior to assuming the role of president in August 2021, Mike was senior vice president of Commercial Operations and Business Development for the Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions business where he led all aspects of the commercial and business development operating functions including strategy development, sales, marketing, pricing, partner management, business intelligence and analytics. 

Mike has deep and broad global experience in the healthcare and life science industries. Before joining Cardinal Health, he served as chief operating officer at Luminex Corporation until 2014, where his responsibilities encompassed all aspects of the company’s operating functions. He also held several senior leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Roche, including his last position as head of Roche’s Global Transfusion Medicine business. Additionally, he has served in leadership roles with Ventana Medical Systems and Abbott Laboratories’ Diagnostics Division. 

Mike serves on the board of directors for the Cardinal Health Foundation, the Council on Radionuclides & Radiopharmaceuticals, and Watkins+Conti Products Inc. He also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Value Initiative Industry Alliance. Additionally, Mike serves as the Executive Sponsor for the Disability Advocates Network (DAN) ERG. 

Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and has successfully completed executive education programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 

Michael P. Psyllos is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alma Bank (since 2017) and also serves as Vice Chairman of the Bank’s Board of Directors (since 2015). Alma Bank is a full-service community bank with branches and offices located throughout New York and New Jersey. Mr. Psyllos oversees all aspects of the Bank’s operations, including Strategic Planning, Financial Services, Lending, Banking, Information Technology, Risk Management, Operations, and Regulatory Compliance.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Psyllos was a Founder and Managing Principal at Breakwater Capital Partners. He also held senior positions at several investment banks and financial services firms, including Millstein & Co., Caprok Capital, and Citigroup Global Markets. Earlier in his career, he worked as an asset manager for an international real estate developer and practiced law, specializing in real estate and finance.

Mr. Psyllos holds a B.B.A. in Public Accounting from Hofstra University, an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from New York University—where he was a Stern Scholar—and a J.D. from the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where he served as Professional Articles Editor for the International Law Review Journal. He is admitted to practice law in both the New York State and Federal Bars.

Deeply committed to community service, Mr. Psyllos has spent decades serving on the boards of trustees and advisory boards of various philanthropic and community organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Leadership 100 Fund, where he also chairs the Investment Committee. Additionally, he serves on the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and on the Board of Trustees of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Psyllos has also been invested as an Archon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle.

Jessica is a NY based Partner and the Global Internal Audit Leader. She brings over 25 years of vast audit (external and internal), risk, compliance, banking, and emerging technology expertise, honed at prominent financial services and payments institutions.

In addition to guiding businesses on internal audit transformations, BSA/AML assessments, Sarbanes Oxley projects, and regulatory readiness and remediation, Jessica concentrates on the effects of emerging technologies on the audit function. She co-leads the noteworthy EY x MIT CAE Luminary series, advising top management on opportunities, risks, and governance issues tied to emerging tech, particularly AI. Jessica was a speaker at the imminent Imagination in Action AI Conference, a combined initiative by MIT and Forbes, in April 2024.

Between her tenures at EY, Jessica served as the VP and Portfolio General Auditor at a large, global payments institution leading Risk (including CCAR), Compliance (including AML) and Banking portfolios while acting as the primary internal audit liaison for regulatory agencies.

She is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager and holds a BBA in Accounting from Hofstra University.

Passionate about inclusivity, Jessica is the Financial Services Risk Consulting People Leader. She holds a prominent role on the North American Board of the Institute of Internal Auditors and is a long-standing active member of the Long Island Chapter having served as President. Furthermore, she’s a member of the Hofstra University Frank G. Zarb School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. Dedication to philanthropy has led her to chair the 2024 NYC Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and join the Executive Council of GlamourGals Organization.

Lawrence Roman is a graduate of Hofstra University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He has more than 30 years of experience in the mechanical construction industry in estimating, purchasing, and executive management. Mr. Roman is currently the CEO of WDF Inc. WDF Inc. has been involved in the plumbing and mechanical systems in hundreds of New York’s premiere projects including The Freedom Tower, Time Warner Building, 15 Central Park West, the Goldman Sachs Building, Baruch Houses, and many other iconic buildings.

WDF has also worked for NYCHA, NYCSCA, NYCDEP, Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, the New York State Dormitory Authority, the New York City Transit Authority, NYPA, MTA, CUNY and many other New York City & State Agencies and Authorities. WDF Inc. has completed work on (7) projects at the rebuilding of the Trade Center, including Towers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Following Super Storm Sandy, WDF Inc. was involved in the Rapid Repair projects for the NYCDEP and NYCHA employing hundreds of union plumbers, fitters, and tin-knockers around the clock in order to get the people in the Rockaways back into their homes on a super accelerated basis.

Mr. Roman is also a Past President of and 2008 Silver Shovel Recipient from the Subcontractors Trade Association and was an award recipient from “Contractor’s for Kids” and the Boy Scouts of America. In addition to his extensive and notable career, Mr. Roman enjoys and collects French Bordeaux wines and owns several thoroughbred race horses. Mr. Roman and his family support a number of charities focused on the research of Alzheimer’s disease, cancer research, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and many other important charitable endeavors.

Kim has been based in London since 2004 and spent 18 years of that time working in political risk advisory. Kim specialises in relationship building by engaging with the prospective clients, to bring them specific expertise, to help them make informed investment decisions.

Kim joined Paratus and Partners in April 2024. In a pivot to her previous roles, she is working as a specialist energy price risk insurance broker. P&P is a start-up boutique insurance broker – the world’s first fuel and freight price insurance – targeted to the shipping, aviation and renewable energy industries.

Previously, as a Partner at Flint Global, Kim led an expansion of their work by building a research product that targeted a wider financial client market for Flint. As a Managing Director at Teneo, she was responsible for building new business for the Political Risk Team, with a focus on global markets clients, insurance companies, and multinational corporations. Prior to that, Kim helped start up the London office for Eurasia Group and was responsible for building a successful UK and European business.

Earlier in Kim’s career, she spent five years working at BBVA in NY/Madrid, in equity capital markets and later in equity sales trading. Kim started her career at Bear Stearns, first as an intern in the research and marketing departments, where she leveraged relationships to obtain a full-time position on the equity capital markets/syndicate team and worked closely with c-suite clients and buy-side investors during the IPO/New issue roadshow process.

Brian Ruane is Senior Executive Vice President and Global Head of BNY’s Clearance & Collateral Management business, and a member of BNY’s Executive Committee.

As Global Head of Clearance & Collateral Management, Brian’s focus is to provide clients with digitally enabled, resilient infrastructure to settle, safekeep, finance and manage their post-trade inventory and collateral obligations. In addition to those responsibilities, Brian is the CEO of BNY Government Securities Services Corp., and leads the firm’s credit services, real estate and corporate trust businesses.

Brian was a key voice on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Triparty Repo Infrastructure Reform Task Force, which drove systemic changes to ensure that the triparty repo market functions effectively and efficiently. He also served on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Working Committee on The Future of the US Government Securities Markets.

A frequent speaker on market structure, digital trends and triparty repo, Brian’s recent papers include The Future of Wholesale Funding Markets, The Pandemic Stress Test: US Government Securities Clearance and Repo, The Meteoric Rise in US Treasuries and Future Proofing of the US Treasury Market.

Prior to his current role, Brian led Global Client Management, Alternative Investment Services and Prime Services.

Brian is a member of the Board of Directors SIFMA, Dean’s Advisory Board of Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business, and the Board of The Irish American Partnership.

John Stacconi is a Managing Director and Global Treasurer for Jefferies Group LLC, the world’s largest independent investment bank. John has held this role since joining Jefferies in 2012. John is also the Treasurer for Jefferies Financial Group, an NYSE listed investment company and the ultimate parent of Jefferies Group. As a member of Jefferies senior management, John is a member of the Firm’s risk, operating and new business committees. He also chairs the Firm’s Global Asset and Liability committee. John is a board member for various Jefferies operating entities.

Prior to joining Jefferies, John was International Treasurer at Nomura Securities, the largest investment bank in Japan from 2010-2012. At Nomura, John was responsible for the Treasury function in the Americas, EMEA and Asia ex-Japan.

Prior to 2010, John spent his entire career at Bear Stearns where he was a Senior Managing Director and the Treasurer of Bear Stearns Securities Corp.

John graduated from Hofstra University in 1985 with a BBA in Finance.

John lives in Sands Point, NY with his wife and three children.

Elizabeth Velez spearheads the over half a century established Velez Organization, one of the longest established and successful construction services firm in the region. To her credit are over forty billion dollars of significant educational, healthcare, and large-scale projects throughout NY.  Today, Ms. Velez is a sought-after advocate by numerous public and private institutions on economic development, legislative issues, and the building industry.

Appointments/Boards:

• Chair – New York Building Foundation
• Former Board Member – Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Governor Appointee)
• Member of the Board – NYC Economic Development Corp (Mayoral Appointee)
• Chair Emeritus- NY Building Congress–first person of color/second woman in 100 years
• Trustee – NYC Police Foundation, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of NY, and Boricua College
• Commissioner – Congestion Pricing Review Board
• Chair – NYC Mayor’s Diversity and Inclusion Board
• Served
  • NYS and NYC COVID Pandemic Advisory and Recovery Board
  • NYS Stands with Puerto Rico Recovery & Rebuilding Committee
  • NY Memorial Commission for Hurricane Maria.

In addition to numerous awards and recognition:

• “Manhattan Power 50” 2018 -2024
• “Construction Industry Power 50” 2019-2024
• “Diversity Advocacy 100” 2020-2024
• “Latino power 100” for 2020-2024
• Crains NY Business 2021 “Diversity Advocate of the Year
• Puerto Rican Heritage Award from Comite Noviembre recognizing her work in Puerto Rico.

Ms. Velez is a BBA and MBA graduate from Hofstra University.

Ed is a retired finance executive and currently a Limited Partner and Advisor at NYCA Partners, a FinTech focused Venture Capital firm, and is an adviser to several venture backed financial technology firms.  He is also an adjunct professor at Hofstra University where he also proudly serves on the Board of Trustees.

With over 35 years of executive level financial services experience, Ed has held numerous senior positions in the United States and Europe.  He has managed multiple disciplines and held positions including CFO, Treasurer, Head of Operations, Technology and General Services, and has established and run a highly profitable structured products business. He has worked at organizations including Citigroup and Fannie Mae.

Upon Fannie Mae entering conservatorship during the housing finance crisis, Ed joined the new management team as Executive Vice President and Head of Operations, Technology, and General Services. He led the efforts to stabilize and streamline the company’s infrastructure and established critical risk functions such as information security, business continuity, vendor risk management and disaster recovery while building new capabilities for the future of the housing finance industry.

A forward thinking leader, Ed has built businesses from the ground up, conducting due diligence on potential acquisitions and led the integration of multiple acquisitions.  He is a disciplined risk manager, having overseen business exits, balance sheet restructurings, and operational risk mitigation, while aligning corporate objectives with employee incentives.

He believes in running a transparent operation by setting corporate goals and objectives that align to a shared vision, establishing a common culture, clearly defining success measurements, assigning accountability and responsibility, setting milestones and monitoring progress through a strict governance process. Ed has had a focus on operational efficiency constantly driving down operating costs with an additional focus on increasing quality and risk reduction.

Ed earned a B.S. degree in accounting from St. John’s University and an MBA from Hofstra University.

Jeffrey Weiner joined Marcum in 1981 and has led the Firm since 1990, when he was named Managing Partner. In June 2017, he was named the Firm’s first Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. Under Mr. Weiner’s leadership, Marcum has grown from a single-office firm of 20 employees to a firm ranked among the largest in the United States.

Mr. Weiner has steadily expanded the Firm’s global footprint through organic growth, strategic mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures in major business markets across the country and overseas. Today, Marcum LLP is one of the largest independent public accounting and advisory services firms in the nation, with offices throughout the U.S., as well as select international locations. Headquartered in New York City, Marcum provides a full spectrum of traditional tax, accounting and assurance services; advisory, valuation, and litigation support; managed accounting services; and an extensive range of specialty and niche industry practices. The Firm serves both privately held and publicly registered companies, as well as nonprofit and social sector entities, high net worth individuals, private equity funds and hedge funds, with a focus on middle-market companies and closely held family businesses.

Mr. Weiner has been single-minded in diversifying Marcum’s services and capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the Firm’s clients, a key factor in the Firm’s continuing growth. In addition to the core tax and accounting business,

Mr. Weiner has built a multiservice organization providing a comprehensive range of professional services, including accounting and advisory, technology solutions, wealth management, and executive and professional recruiting. The Marcum Group companies include Marcum LLP; Marcum Technology LLC; Marcum Search LLC; Marcum Staffing LLC; Marcum Financial Services LLC; Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP; Marcum Wealth Management, LLC; and Marcum RBK (Ireland) Limited.

A strong advocate of leveraging technology for business solutions, Mr. Weiner established Marcum as an early pioneer of technology strategies to modernize traditional accounting processes and drive efficiency, productivity and growth for the Firm and its clients. Technology is a fundamental platform of his vision for Marcum’s future, rooted in his belief that wholesale change is coming to the accounting industry and the ways that firms will service in their clients in the future. His technology charter for Marcum is business innovation, digital transformation, digital customer experience, data analytics, and security/risk management. One result is Marcum’s Robotic Process Automation (RPA) service, designed to automate repetitive manual processes and streamline data-driven functions to help clients reduce their operating costs and improve efficiency through the use of “bots.” Another is Marcum Pulse, a unified enterprise platform that brings together multiple service lines in a single operating window to streamline client service and provide real‐time performance metrics. Such initiatives have earned Marcum recognition nationally and regionally, for technology leadership by LEA Global: the Leading Edge Alliance in 2018 and as a Best Accounting Firm for Technology, by Long Island Business News in 2019.

In 2016, Mr. Weiner became the first U.S. accounting firm leader to be twice named an “MP Elite” by Accounting Today. In inducting Mr. Weiner into the exclusive ranks of elite accounting firm managing partners, the publication noted his achievement in continually growing Marcum’s revenue, reach and relevance. “[Mr.] Weiner was a member of our inaugural class of the MP Elite in 2012, and it’s no accident that he returns this year – he’s one of the most admired firm leaders in the country, and continues to lead Marcum to new heights, remaining just as aggressive in both M&A and organic growth. When he first made the list, we noted his national drive; now we can note his international

drive, with a major presence in China. He keeps the firm innovative with new offerings in practice areas like LGBT services, cybersecurity, and alternative investments, and built a stable of affiliated companies in wealth management, technology, executive search and more…Weiner is truly one of the Elite,” the editors wrote. The MP Elite are a group of accounting firm leaders “who point the way to the future, who set the best practices that others follow, and who lead the most successful, most admired firms.”

Mr. Weiner has been recognized by Accounting Today as one of the industry’s Top 100 Most Influential People and was voted one of its Top Five Most Admired Peers in a national poll by Inside Public Accounting. He was profiled as a New York City CEO in four consecutive annual issues of Leaders magazine, which highlighted the nine core values that are the foundation of Mr. Weiner’s management ethic for Marcum. Mr. Weiner was named a New York Icon by Long Island Business News, which recognized his leadership in growing Marcum from a local Long Island accounting firm into a top-tier national service provider. In November 2018, he was inducted into the Long Island Business Hall of Fame.

In addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Mr. Weiner leads Marcum’s entertainment practice and is a nationally recognized expert on personal business management for the entertainment industry. He is also credentialed as a film and television producer, most recently debuting Treadstone, a series for USA Network based on the spy agency created by Robert Ludlum in his Jason Bourne novels, in October 2019. He previously produced or executive produced several installments of Universal Pictures’ Bourne film franchise, including Jason Bourne (2016), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), and The Bourne Supremacy (2004), starring Matt Damon in the title role, and The Bourne Legacy (2012), starring Jeremy Renner. He was also executive producer of The Hades Factor, a mini-series that aired on CBS television in April 2006.

Mr. Weiner is a founding member of LEA Global, an international association of independent accounting firms operating in 110 countries, and is currently its vice chairman. LEA Global has honored Marcum with LEA Edge Awards for industry excellence in several categories, including Mr. Weiner’s blog, Thoughts of the Week. In 2017, the association named Marcum Innovative Firm of the Year. LEA’s then-president noted: “Whether it’s IT, leadership development, community service, strategic planning, marketing, succession planning or client service, this firm seems to perpetually be on the leading edge. It has grown into a powerhouse with resources from coast to coast and beyond through creativity, effective planning, cultural innovation and empowering leadership.”

Marcum was also the recipient of the LEA Innovative Firm Initiative of the Year Award in 2012; in 2016, the Marcum Foundation was honored with the Edge Award for Outstanding Community Service, capping its first full year as a national charitable organization. Mr. Weiner has also been distinguished with the LEA On the Edge Innovation Award, which recognizes an individual who has made an enduring and pioneering contribution to the public accounting profession.

Professional & Civic Affiliations

LEA Global: the Leading Edge Alliance, Founding Member
Long Island Business Development Corporation, Advisory Board
The CPA Journal, Editorial Board
The Children’s Medical Fund of New York, Vice President, Executive Board Member
Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Board Member

Frank G. Zarb is a senior advisor to Promontory Financial Group, LLC and a senior advisor to Angeleno Group. He was an Executive in Residence at Columbia University Business School for eight years.

Mr. Zarb served as chair and CEO of the National Association of Securities Dealers from February 1997 until November 2000. He served as chair and CEO of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (a NASD company) from January 2000 until February 2001.

Mr. Zarb was chairman, chief executive officer and president of Alexander & Alexander Services, Inc., a global organization of professional advisors providing risk management, insurance brokerage and human resource management consulting services from offices in more than 80 countries, from June 1994 through January 1997.
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Zarb was vice chairman of The Travelers, Inc. and chairman and CEO of Smith Barney, a Travelers subsidiary, which he joined in 1988. He was named group chief executive on June 24, 1993.

During his tenure at Smith Barney, Mr. Zarb oversaw international growth in the firm’s diversity and its clientele. His responsibilities at The Travelers included direct management of Primerica Financial Services, American Capital Management Research, RCM Capital Management, and corporate administration and legal functions.
Before joining Smith Barney, Mr. Zarb was a senior partner of Lazard Freres & Co. From 1978 to 1988, he was responsible for a broad range of investment banking activities, focusing on international finance, and acted as financial advisor to governments around the world.

From 1974 through 1977, Mr. Zarb was the senior official for all United States government energy-related activities, serving as executive director of the Cabinet-level Energy Resources Council, administrator of the Federal Energy Administration, and assistant to the president for energy affairs (the “Energy Czar”). He led the nation’s energy response to the first major oil embargo. Prior to these appointments, he had been associate director of the Office of Management and Budget from 1973 to 1974, and served as assistant secretary of labor between 1971 and 1972. He served in various assignments with the Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations.

Before entering public service, Mr. Zarb acquired considerable experience in the securities industry where he began his career with Goodbody & Co. in 1962. He served in various capacities for predecessor firms of Shearson Lehman Brothers, as executive vice president of marketing, operations and investment banking, as well as chairman of the executive committee.

He has served as a director on 13 public company boards. He was chairman of Long Island Power Authority, the New York State agency responsible for overseeing the restructuring of the electric power system of Long Island.

In 2003 the governor of New York named Mr. Zarb chairman of the New York State Commission on Education Reform, a bipartisan group of educational, business and community leaders who worked together to reform New York State’s educational system. In 2001 the governor of New York appointed Mr. Zarb to the board of directors of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, an organization charged with overseeing the development of the downtown New York City area following 9/11.

In 1999 the governor of New York named Mr. Zarb chairman of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, a body assembled to lead a state effort to turn around Nassau County’s financial crisis.

Mr. Zarb is a member of the board of trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation. He is a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Hofstra University, and currently serves as Chair Emeritus. Hofstra named its business school after Mr. Zarb.

Mr. Zarb was a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Homelessness in New York City and led the Privatization Task Force of the New York City Partnership. He also served as chairman of the Council for the United States and Italy.

Frank G. Zarb, who earned a BS and an MBA in business from Hofstra University, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by the University and received the school’s Outstanding Scholar Award. The Georgetown University McDonough School of Business also conferred an honorary doctorate on him in 2000.

He served eight years in the United States Army Reserve and retired with the rank of captain.

Areas of interest: Financial crises and public policy

Frank Zarb is a partner in the Corporate Department of Proskauer Rose LLP and a member of the Capital Markets Group, where he concentrates his practice on equity finance and a wide range of regulatory matters under U.S. federal securities laws.

He counsels public and private companies, hedge funds and family offices, and market intermediaries and other financial institutions on a wide range of transactional and securities regulatory compliance matters including:

• Equity investments and dispositions in public and private companies
• Public company registration, disclosures and preparation of periodic reports
• Tender offers, equity lines, proxy contests, SPACs, and other highly regulated transactions
• Regulation M, Regulation SHO, Forms 13F and 13H, insider trading and other trading issues
• Corporate governance and stock exchange listing standards
• Federal and state proxy requirements as well as shareholder proposals and communications
• Regulation of financial intermediaries, including trading of public and private equity, and complex and novel trading structures
• Advocating with the SEC on behalf of a market intermediary related to back-office processing matters.

Frank’s practice is both domestic and international, beginning with his experience in senior positions with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a member of the staff of the SEC’s Office of International Corporate Finance, Frank advised U.S. companies seeking to do business in the EU, Asia and the Middle East, as well as companies from those regions doing business in the U.S., or otherwise seeking to comply with the U.S. securities laws.  In the Office of Chief Counsel, he focused on federal proxy rules, and supervised a team of staff members that provided guidance in the course of proxy season.

Prior to joining the Firm, Frank was deputy general counsel/chief securities counsel for Bristol Myers Squibb Co. in a new position required by the SEC. Prior to joining Bristol-Myers, Frank was a corporate partner with Morgan, Lewis & Brockius.

Frank is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, and he provides significant pro bono assistance to non-profit social service institutions in the Washington, D.C. area.