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Lori Tauber Marcus, Founder, Courtyard Connections, LLC

Marty Pompadur

Media Industry Executive & Former EVP of News Corporation

Mr. Pompadur joins Divon Academy's Executive Advisory Board after a prolific and distinguished 60 year career as an executive within the media industry. He entered the field in 1960 when he joined American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (ABC, Inc) and went on to become president of Ziff Corporation and later, Chairman and CEO of RP Companies’ various partnerships operating 12 television stations, 25 radio stations and numerous cable television systems. Pompadur went on to become EVP of News Corporation and then Chairman of News Corp Europe, where he negotiated the merger of Stream and Telepiu to create Sky Italia, now one of the world’s most successful Pay-TV businesses.

Other notable executive positions included becoming the senior advisor to Oliver Wyman, and Global Vice Chairman of Media and Entertainment for Macquarie Capital.

Marty Pompadur is currently a board member of four public companies: Nexstar Media Group, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Golden Falcon Acquisition Corporation, and Troika Media Group. Previously, he held board positions with Imax Corporation, ABC. Inc, BSkyB, Sky Italia, Premier World, Fox Kids Europe, Metromedia International and Elong.

Joli Divon Saraf

Chief Operating Officer

Joli joins Divon Academy after serving for more than 14 years as the Assistant Director of the Security Studies Program (SSP) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA. Prior to that she held several roles within government and the non-profit sectors in London (UK), Ottawa and Montreal, Canada.

Joli brings over 20 years of diverse management, outreach, strategic relationship development, financial planning, and administration experience. In her capacity at MIT, she worked and collaborated with the US House and Senate, US military, major think tanks, donors, and other universities both in the US and internationally.

Joli earned her BA degree in History from Birkbeck College, University of London and her MA degree in International Business and Management from the University of Westminster, London, UK. She is also the recipient of MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences 2016 Infinite Mile “Inclusion Award” for excellence in promoting a collaborative and diverse work environment that is positive, supportive, and welcoming to all.

Jofi Baldrich

Chief Business Development Officer & VP Trainin

Jofi Baldrich is a highly respected executive coach, instructor and business leader who has spent over a decade working with CEO’s and C-suites executives through YPO; a global leadership community of chief executives with members in more than 130 countries.

During his tenure at YPO, Jofi has helped countless business leaders navigate the complexities of their personal and professional lives and bring out their best selves, in order to maximize their leadership and company’s growth and development.

Jofi is excited to bring his know how and expertise to help the next generation of young professionals develop the soft skills and strategies needed to thrive in today’s workforce.

Previously Jofi served for 10 years as President of Baldrich & Associates, Inc. the largest private managing general agency in Puerto Rico focused on the banking and auto industry.

Jofi has been married for 27 years to his wife Greta and they live in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They have three amazing children: 22-year-old twin girls María Teresa and Ana Paulina and their 17-year-old son José. He likes to spend his free time with his family, and whenever he can, he loves to travel.

Stephanie Kitchiner

Director of Client Engagement

Stephanie is a passionate communicator with a background in performance, art and philosophy. Her experience includes roles within art sales, property management, young adult life-skills project coordination, and virtual administration, including research and outreach for entrepreneurs, business owners and podcasters.

She has a keen interest in high quality service, innovation and companies that prioritise the enhancement of lives. She believes in the power of critical thinking, emotional literacy, teamwork and lifelong learning. Stephanie currently lives in the UK.

Amstel

CHO (Chief Happiness Officer)

Amstel has spent the past 8 years bringing smiles to the faces of everyone he meets. Wherever he goes, kids and adults alike stop to marvel at our fluffy boy! Often thought to be either an “Ewok” or real-life stuffed animal, Amstel will always greet you with a happy wag of his curly tail.

Nicknamed Smiling Dutchmen, Keeshonds are a breed that originate from Holland, radiate a permanent joyfully grin, and are by nature gentle and very vocal. Thanks to his strong communication skills, Amstel participates in company Zooms with the goal of spreading warmth and happiness to his colleagues.

When Amstel is not sleeping, eating treats (often!) or going for walks, he is dedicated to driving a positive mindset and EQ while creating an atmosphere of happiness and calm at the Divon Academy.

Larry Namer

Founder, E! Entertainment Television | President/CEO, Metan Global Entertainment Group

An entertainment industry veteran with close to 50 years professional experience in cable television, live events and new media, Larry Namer is a founding partner of Metan Global Entertainment Group (MGEG), a venture created to develop and distribute entertainment content and media specifically for Chinese speaking audiences in China and abroad. In 2018, the company launched the MGEG Film Fund I and serves as managing partner. He is also the executive producer on the recently announced feature film “EMPRESS," a new travel series for the China audience titled "Explore The World," and an executive producer of the new crime series "Nova Vita." He is a co-founder of the recently launched lifestyle platform https://www.beautykween.com/.

Mr. Namer is the co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, a company now valued at over four billion USD, and the creator of several successful companies in the United States and overseas. Among those companies are Comspan Communications that pioneered Western forms of entertainment in the former Soviet Union and Steeplechase Media that served as the primary consultant to Microsoft’s MiTV for developing interactive TV applications.

Early on, he was named the youngest general manager of a major cable system at Valley Cable TV (VCTV) in Los Angeles. His vision and direction garnered VCTV several Emmy and Cable ACE award nominations, as well as recognition by Forbes magazine as the national model for local cable television programming. In 1989, he was awarded the prestigious President’s Award from the National Cable Television Association. He was honored with the “Outstanding Contribution to Asian Television Award” at the 19th Asian Television Awards in Singapore, and received the International Media Legacy Award at the 2017 Elite Awards Foundation Gala. He was the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2018 Hollywood Tribute Awards and the 2019 Hollywood China Night, presented by the American-Chinese CEO Society, both in celebration of the Academy Awards®. In July 2019, he was awarded The Tribeca Disruptor Award at the Novus Summit, held at the United Nations.

Lori Tauber Marcus

Founder, Courtyard Connections, LLC

Ms. Marcus serves as an independent board director for several companies: Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. (NYSE: FDP), 24 Hour Fitness, and Phunware (NASDAQ: PHUN), a provider of software that powers mobile apps. Until recently she also served on the boards of DDC (DNA Diagnostics Center), Golub Corporation (owner/operator of the Price Chopper/Market 32 chain of grocery stores) and Talalay Global (provider of high-end mattresses and pillows). She is also a board member for SHARE Cancer Support and Vice Chairman of the Board for the MMRF (Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation). She comes to board work after a long career as an operating executive in leading consumer companies — PepsiCo, The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Keurig Green Mountain, and Peloton Interactive. In addition to her board director work, Ms. Marcus serves as a board advisor to early-stage direct-to-consumer, tech-enabled companies. She is a founding member of the Band of Sisters, along with (5) former PepsiCo colleagues, speaking frequently on diversity, equity and inclusion. She also serves as an executive coach to c-suite executives. Ms. Marcus earned her BS degree in Marketing from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

Adam Kahan

President of ABK Associates Former VP, Ryerson University

Adam is President of ABK Associates, Inc. consulting to the not-for-profit industry on strategic planning, marketing and communications, board and staff and organizational development and resource development. Prior to this he was Vice President, Advancement of Ryerson University where he led the rebranding of the University into one of the top universities in Canada. He is a respected leader and strategist who has led nonprofit organizations in Israel, South Africa, the UK, the United States and Canada. Under his leadership these organizations raised over $4 billion.

Aida Rodriguez.

Managing Director and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Ascension.

Aida C. Rodriguez is Managing Director and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Ascension: a national minority owned boutique recruiting and staffing firm serving the interests of law firms and corporate legal departments across all practice areas and specialties.

An experienced business leader with over twenty-five years in the legal industry, Aida provides consulting and services to law firms and corporate legal departments on organizational measures, human capital, strategy development, operational management and talent structure design. An educator at heart, Aida is a strategic advisor on career advancement, personal branding and the art of business development.

Arjun Saraf

VP of Finance and Administration, New Haven Mortgage Income Fund

Born in Toronto and raised in New Delhi, India. Arjun completed his undergraduate degree at Carleton University in Prelaw and Economics and went on to achieve his CA designation. He has held leadership roles multiple organizations during his time at Carleton University such as the Indian Students Association and Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In addition to his CA he also holds an Exempt Market Dealer License and a Mortgage Agent license. He has experience volunteering in Toronto as well as internationally in India and Peru – and has sat on the board of other Not for Profits Organizations. Along with his current position of VP Finance and Mortgage Administration, Arjun also does work with Gulf Stream Day Care which is the basis for his passion in childhood development and education.

Brandon Allen

CMF, M.Ed., CCP

We all know it's about outcomes. Brandon is a master of transformation, facilitating the gap between uncertainty and results while engaging both new and experienced leaders to move organizations into action. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance, a master’s degree in Human Resource Development, is a certified coach, one of only 40 Certified Master Facilitators in the world. He has been training and facilitating since 1999 with organizations spanning the spectrum from small non-profits to Fortune 50 companies. His confident, easy, and fun style puts participants at ease while maintaining focus for both strong personalities and reluctant participants alike. In short, Brandon delivers a program with experience, energy, and a style that brings the content to life!

Kathleen Fyfe

Kathleen Fyfe is passionate about assisting individuals and organizations to grow and develop, creating positive impact personally and for the greater community at large. Drawing from decades of experience as a respected facilitator, instructor, and coach, she customizes her work with each client to serve their needs. Having spent more than a decade as Program Director of Leadership and Management programs with a Countywide Chamber of Commerce in Upstate New York, she now works with companies and individuals throughout the United States through Fyfe Consulting. An acknowledged impact sector, or nonprofit expert, she also works with governmental, public, and private companies. A Culture Sleuth, Change Strategist, and Community Builder, certified DiSC facilitator and trainer, and certified Culture Talk Specialist, she helps to create strategy, improve communication, and build teams. She focuses on her work and life in general through her personal and company motto, “What Else is Possible?”

Barry Kaplan

Barry Kaplan inspires leaders and their teams to declare what they want and coaches them to access their power to make it happen. Barry’s coaching wisdom comes from his experience leading teams in the tourism industry ranging from COO of a 200-store chain with over 2,000 employees; division president and board member of a public company in dining, entertainment and travel; and cofounder and senior executive of a twenty-one-company roll up in leisure travel. He has coached hundreds of executives and works extensively with leadership teams and YPO Forums. Barry is the co-author of The Power of Vulnerability: How to Create a Team of Leaders by Shifting Inward.

Vicki Salemi

US Representative, Career Management

Vicki Salemi is a nationally recognized career expert, author, former corporate recruiter, speaker, spokesperson, and columnist. Her expertise is consistently sought after by top tier media outlets — she's shared her expertise on Good Morning America, The Today Show, MSNBC, Scripps Networks (nationally syndicated segments), The New York Times, NBC News, Yahoo!, and more. She writes for Forbes and The New York Post and has also penned bylines for The Chicago Tribune, The Cut, Vulture, BBC.com, and more. Unleashing insight from 15 years of experience in corporate recruiting and training/development and international human resources at KPMG, Deloitte and McGraw-Hill Financial, Vicki's passionate about empowering job seeking professionals with insight and first-hand knowledge from the halls of HR. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Lafayette College, during which time she studied "abroad" at McGill University in Montreal. She earned her management certificate from Cornell University. When Vicki's not working, she's planning her next trip to Italy.

Melanie Novis

Melanie Novis has spent decades earning the nickname the ‘speech whisperer’ as President of Corporate Speech Consultants. Her sophisticated teaching techniques have transformed podium-shy clients into motivated, confident and articulate speakers, who can not only advance their business goals but also master high-impact communications.

Melanie works with national and international clients from newly promoted executives to seasoned multinational chief executives. While each client is unique, they all seek to improve their public speaking and presentation skills, develop their communication capabilities and enhance their leadership presence. With Melanie’s help, they accomplish just that – and in the process achieve a new level of success.

Melanie is the author of Canadian Public Speaking and a recipient of the University of Toronto's Excellence in Teaching Award. She holds a Licentiate from Trinity College of London and graduated from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, with a HPTD, specializing in speech.

Sarah Lang

Sarah Lang is a professional certified coach (PCC, CPCC) and a public speaking and leadership instructor. She facilitates workshops and training around the world, supporting business leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives to grow their presence, confidence and poise.

Sarah's approach combines technical skill-building with mindset coaching, helping clients go from nervous and apprehensive to skilled and confident public speakers, ready to take on greater speaking roles and seize new professional opportunities.

Sarah teaches leadership and communication skills at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and works with the Information and Communications Technology Council as an employment-readiness coach. She also coaches at Rotman Commerce, helping students develop and deliver business pitches. Sarah certified as a coach with CTI, known as the ‘Harvard’ of coaches training, and received her PCC accreditation through the International Coaches Federation. She obtained her M.A. from the Munk Centre for Global Affairs, at the University of Toronto.

Adam Lazarus

Adam Lazarus is an internationally acclaimed instructor and corporate speech consultant who is widely known for his ability to motivate and support his clients, hone their communication skills, and promote the confidence they need to bring their messages to life.

Adam is driven by a creative spark. He works with the world’s leading visionary thinkers and artists in board rooms, on film sets, and on stages across the globe to help them reach the next level in their leadership roles. As an award-winning theatre practitioner, he brings the art of stagecraft into the boardroom. This helps his clients tap into their authentic voice and captivate audiences with newfound confidence.

In addition to his consulting work, Adam teaches at the University of Toronto and at the National Theatre School of Canada. He holds an honours degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and University of Leeds in England and a certificate of Education from L’Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, France.

Gary Wexler

Creative Thinking & Collaboration Skills

Gary Wexler is a professor of Team Creativity, Advertising, and Nonprofit Marketing at the University of Southern California’s (USC) Annenberg School of Communication, the world’s Number One ranked Communication School. Gary also teaches Team Creativity to visiting Chinese business leaders at California State Long Beach’s International Training Center. Gary came to teaching having been award winning copywriter and creative director creating campaigns for clients ranging from Apple to Coca Cola. He also has enjoyed a career in Nonprofit Marketing, Communication and Creative Team training worldwide with clients ranging from the foundations of Steven Spielberg to the Ford Foundation to United Ways and the Lambi Fund of Haiti. Gary is a consultant, an author, a speaker, a yogi and a grandfather.

Lee Gardenswartz, Ph.D

Diversity & Inclusion

Lee Gardenswartz, Ph.D. is a pioneer in the field of diversity and inclusion, having spent over 40 years providing consulting and training to a variety of national and global clients. She is a partner in Gardenswartz & Rowe and the Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Institute. In addition to direct client relationships, she has co-authored a series of books including Managing Diversity: A Complete Desk Reference and Planning Guide (1993, 1998, 2010), which won the book of the year award from SHRM, Diverse Teams at Work (1995, 2003), The Global Diversity Desk Reference (2003) and Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse World (2008).
Among her clients are NASA, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Farm Credit Services of America, Harvard Medical School, University of Wisconsin, Cox Communications, IRS, Notre Dame University, Union Bank, Zenith, Sempra Energy, Oregon State Bar, Boeing, Shell Oil Company, and Progress Energy.

Anita Rowe, Ph.D

Diversity & Inclusion

Since 1980 Anita has provided consulting and training focusing on diversity, inclusion and emotional intelligence to a variety national and global clients. Her work has helped them build productive and inclusive work teams, create inter-cultural understanding, gain emotional intelligence skills to increase effectiveness and leverage the potential of diversity in the workplace. She is a partner in Gardenswartz & Rowe and the Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Institute.

She has co-authored a series of books including Managing Diversity: A Complete Desk Reference and Planning Guide (1993, 1998, 2010), The Diversity Tool Kit (2010), Managing Diversity in Health Care (1998), The Global Diversity Desk Reference (2003) and Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse World (2008). Among her clients IRS, Harvard Medical School, NIKE, Starbucks, Cox Communications, NSA, Notre Dame University, Union Bank, Zenith, Entergy, Kaiser Permanente, Oregon State Bar, Boeing, Shell Oil Company.

Jorge Cherbosque, Ph.D

Diversity & Inclusion

Jorge Cherbosque, Ph.D. is the co-director of the Staff and Faculty Counseling Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, clinical psychologist and partner in the Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Institute. He is also an organizational consultant and trainer specializing intercultural communication, managing diversity, team building and emotional intelligence. He is the co-author of Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse World and has conducted workshops on leadership, team building and multicultural/diversity management for many public sector organizations and world-wide corporations. Dr. Cherbosque is a native of Mexico and brings a tricultural/trilingual background to his work with organizations and individuals wrestling with diversity issues. He has been a marketing research consultant for Lincoln-Mercury, Ford Motor Company, AT&T, and other Fortune 500 corporations. Among his clients are Young Presidents' Organizations (YPO); Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO); Los Angeles Fire Department; Security Personnel at Eastridge Mall and McKesson Water Products.

Yvonne Gomez

Confidence Building, Focus & Motivation

An Olympic, World and Professional figure skater and two time Emmy nominated TV Sport and Entertainment Director, Yvonne has performed alongside some of the most well known athletes and artists in the world. She has competed at the highest levels of sport, toured alongside Brian Boitano and Katerina Witt to sold out stadium arenas and directed such artists as Seal, Barry Manilow, Ray Charles, Burt Bacharach, Andrea Bocelli, Smokey Robinson, and Aretha Franklin. With degrees in sport and performance psychology, and working affiliations with leading neuroscientists , Yvonne has turned these unique experiences into a highly successful mental high performance coaching career, working with many corporations, business leaders and multiple world, Olympic, professional, collegiate and junior athletes. In each case, Yvonne’s mental performance strategies and tactics place a premium on building individual resilience to a variety of stress based conditions, situations and competitive pressures. Plus, she has great stories!

Brenda Pearson

DA Master Instructor

A career in the Career Management field was destiny for Brenda when as a child her favourite board game was one called 'Careers'. Since then, she has pursued an educational path that was at the intersection of psychology and business with a Degree in Psychology & Consumer Studies followed by post-graduate studies in Human Resource Management, Personal Brand Management and has recently became a Certified Happiness Life Coach. Brenda comes with over 20+ years of progressive experience across Career & Talent Management. She has contributed to the career acceleration and development of individuals from a wide range of organizations such as Nike, Carleton University, the Canadian Olympic Committee and through multiple roles at Ivey Business School; ranked #1 Businessweek. From logging in ~10,000 hours of coaching and interviewing, she maintains that her students have become her greatest teachers. Brenda has played a critical role in helping many of these students transition into their dream companies. From these experiences, she has developed a strong expertise in all things Career Management, which includes the design, delivery and execution of multiple career-related programs and coaching sessions. Brenda’s biggest motivation comes from helping individuals to find their voice, their differentiation and their "true fit" and marrying this with finding a career where an individual can bring their full selves to work everyday.

Mana Saranj

Advisor

An accomplished real estate developer and businesswoman with a passion for education, Mana manages the coordination of events and programs for Divon Academy. Having lived through a revolution and 8 years of war before immigrating to Canada where she started her own business as a single mother, Mana is passionate about helping others achieve their potential.

Sanjiv Chopra

MD, Professor and Author, Harvard Medical School

Sanjiv Chopra is a distinguished professor of medicine and former Faculty Dean for Continuing Medical Education at Harvard Medical School. He is the recipient of numerous teaching awards and is a best-selling author and highly acclaimed motivational speaker. More about Dr. Chopra at www.SanjivChopra.com

Kathy Gardarian

Award Winning Business Executive

Kathy is an award winning businesswoman, author of "Feet to the Fire", and founder and CEO of Qualis International, a California-based sales and distribution company. She has served as a director on many boards, including Vans Inc., The World Business Academy, Chapman University, The Gorbachov State of the World Forum, and the Woman's Leadership Board at Harvards JFK School. She lives in Newport Coast, California.

Amb. Haile Menkerios

Former U.N. Undersecretary-General

Haile is the former U.N. Undersecretary-General and head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (2013-2018). A highly respected diplomat, Haile was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for his role in helping broker peace between Sudan and South Sudan as the latter earned its independence. Previously, Haile served as Eritreas first ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the U.N. His is a graduate of Brandeis and Harvard Universities.

Jay Rosenzweig

Founder of Rosenzweig & Company

Jay Rosenzweig, founder of Rosenzweig & Company, is an internationally renowned social impact entrepreneur, investor, humanitarian, trained lawyer, and leadership strategist. He consults to public and private companies, including large global corporations; emerging growth to mid-sized businesses; professional services firms; and private equity and venture capital firms. Immersed in global human rights causes, advocating against racism, antisemitism and all forms of hate, Jay has been internationally recognized for the Annual Rosenzweig Report on equality which has received endorsements and contributions from influencers including Justin Trudeau, Alyssa Milano, Sheryl Sandberg, Deepak Chopra and Andrew Yang. Jay has been featured in several publications, including The New York Times, Forbes, The Guardian, Business Insider, BNN Bloomberg, Cheddar, The Times of Israel, Globe & Mail, National Post, Toronto Star, Huffington Post, and Thrive Global. Jay earned three degrees at McGill University and completed the Harvard Law School Negotiation Program, taught by expert negotiator Roger Fisher, author of Getting To Yes.

Michael Varenbut

MD, MBA, Physician and Entrepreneur

Michael is a physician and an entrepreneur, experienced in building world-class healthcare companies and organizations with a strong social purpose. He endeavours to combine his knowledge of healthcare with his business acumen to create healthcare companies that benefit all stakeholders. More on Dr. Michael Varenbut at www.michaelvarenbut.ca

Helen Pink

School Board Chair
Former Marketing Executive with the Financial Times

Helen Pink draws on 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, where educating, guiding and inspiring people to achieve their greatest potential was just one focus. In addition, working in the b2b market, Helen used her commercial skills to launch a new online-based offering across Asia for the Financial Times, while applying persuasion and collaboration to achieve the number one position against the more well-established competitor offerings.

After 5 years in Asia, Helen returned to Europe to manage a commercial team selling an offering for a partner of the FT. She then decided to take some time to focus on her family, which gave her the opportunity to get involved in education. Since 2006, Helen has been fully involved in her children’s schools, including being head of the Parents’ Organisation of an International, accredited British School for 3 years. This role enabled Helen to get to know the bones of the school, understanding its objectives and challenges. She helped the staff reexamine how the school was communicating its key competencies and achievements, not only the academic ones but also the soft skills that are becoming more important in today’s world.

Educated in the United Kingdom, Helen is British, but has lived in the Netherlands, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore which gives her an international perspective and understanding of the differing needs of individuals in a global business world.

Stephen M. Kosslyn, Ph.D

President of Active Learning Sciences, Chief Academic Officer of Foundry College

Stephen M. Kosslyn is President of Active Learning Sciences, Inc., and is Chief Academic Officer of Foundry College. He previously was the Founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the Minerva Schools at the KGI. Before that, he was the director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences and Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Prior to that, he spent three decades at Harvard University, where he was chair of the Department of Psychology, Dean of Social Science, and Lindsley Professor of Psychology. Kosslyn received a B.A. from UCLA and a Ph.D. from Stanford University, both in psychology. His research has focused primarily on the nature of visual cognition, visual communication, and the science of learning; he has published 14 books and over 350 papers on these topics. He has received numerous honors, including the National Academy of Sciences Initiatives in Research Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, three honorary Doctorates and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Michael J. Gelb

Creative Thinking & Innovation Expert

The world’s leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development, Michael J. Gelb is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, executive coaching and innovative leadership. His clients include DuPont, Emerson, Genentech, Merck, Microsoft, Nike and YPO. In 2003 Michael received a Batten Fellowship in Innovation from The University of Virginia and co-directed the acclaimed Leading Innovation Seminar at the Darden Graduate School of Business for more than 10 years. In 2020 he became a Senior Fellow at the Center for Humanistic Management and a member of the Leading People and Organizations Advisory Board at Fordham’s Gabelli School. Michael teaches Innovation Leadership for the Gabelli Masters of Science in Management and EMBA programs.

Michael is the author of 17 books including How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, Discover Your Genius, Innovate Like Edison, and The Art of Connection: 7 Relationship Building Skills Every Leader Needs Now. Michael’s books have been translated into 25 languages and have sold more than one million copies.

Michael is also a gifted teacher of the Alexander Technique, a 5th degree black belt in aikido and is a professional juggler who has performed with the Rolling Stones.

Leonard Haynes, Ph.D.

Former Education Advisor to the White House & University President

A former senior director with the Department of Education, and former executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as an HBCU president, Dr. Haynes brings a combination of policy and practical experience that will strengthen Strategic Education’s support of HBCUs and the students they serve. Widely recognized for his work in education, he has also counseled numerous organizations, such as the Ford Foundation and the Merck Corporation. He earned his BA from Southern University, an MS from Carnegie Mellon University, his PhD from Ohio State University. He is also the recipient of 14 honorary degrees, the 2018 White House Initiative on HBCUs Distinguished Service Award now known as the Leonard L. Haynes III Distinguished Service Award, and the Servant Leader Award from the United Methodist Church for his work on behalf of HBCUs.

Dr. Terence Underwood

Diversity, Inclusion & Equality

Dr. Underwood is the Founder of The National Association of Minority Speakers (NAMS). He is a growth-minded, inclusive thinker with more than 20 years’ experience optimizing learning outcomes with deep expertise in inclusion, leadership development, and anger management. His expertise in organizational development spans across global industries including non-profits, technology, financial services, and higher education.

Divon Academy works in partnership with NAMS and its instructors to provide companies with the highest quality Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs. Dr. Terrence Underwood’s availability and pricing is by-request only given the high demand.

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Leige Doffoney

DA Master Instructor

Educational and Career Consultant with leadership and management experience in community colleges. Experience in mentoring college and career students, and professionals in finding paths to successful life experiences. MS in Counseling. BS in Psychology from Occidental College. Currently connecting with non-profits and educational grantees to secure journeys for student success.

LaNae S. Croxton

DA Master Instructor

LaNae S. Croxton believes that the alignment between organizational strategy and employee engagement helps organizations to retain talent and maximize results.

LaNae is a human resources executive with 30+ years of experience in delivering leadership, professional development, and coaching solutions. She enjoys working with businesses that are experiencing organizational change. An avid reader from childhood with a lifelong desire to learn and to teach, LaNae holds two masters’ degrees, including an MA in American literature and an Executive MBA in Finance.

Using the power of storytelling, LaNae is a skilled facilitator and trained coach who employs 360-degree feedback tools to assist others to be their “best” selves. She believes that feedback is a gift that “if received in that framework” can assist individuals to maximize their potential and achieve their goals, both personally and professionally. An advocate of mentoring, LaNae works with minority college students and shares tools and techniques that equip them to succeed in today’s changing workplace.

Chris Asper

DA Master Instructor

Chris Asper is a leadership coach with over 14 years of experience in Human Resources. He specializes in creating inclusive workplaces and developing first-time managers & leaders. He has an MBA from the Ivey Business School and has worked in Organizational Development, where he oversaw leadership development, employee engagement, and diversity & inclusion initiatives for an international non-profit.

In order to help companies’ become more inclusive, Chris created "Disrupting Your Unconscious Bias." This workshop provides participants with the tools they need to identify and address personal biases at work.

Flory Achammer

DA Master Instructor

I am driven to help people improve their holistic well-being, through better connections. Most of my days are on running two start-ups; Brave Penguin, a community activation agency that designs and facilitates space for belonging. The other Wondr; an app which improves human connectivity whether it is with strangers, friends, or family. I also work with YPO as a Certified Forum Facilitator, training high performance individuals on how to grow within a community.

My background in hospitality management at the Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne forged a high standard for serving people, and my sales & marketing experience allowed me to turn my words into stories. Through my impactful initiatives I was invited to become a One Young World ambassador, where I get to discover and learn from grass-root projects changing the world.

Yahli Ozery

Director of Student Affairs

Yahli is a marketing and communications professional with a background in the Creative School from Toronto Metropolitan University. His experience includes branding and marketing for a variety of establishments, including the Ministry of Education, creative agency Chaos Club Digital, and individual artists.

Outside of work, Yahli's passions include music, martial arts, chess, and reading. Yahli aims to use his experience to create a lasting and meaningful impact wherever he goes.

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Elan Divon

President & CEO of Divon Academy; Author, Speaker, and Education Entrepreneur

Elan Divon is a Harvard-trained author, speaker, and founder of Divon Academy: an organization that helps young people develop essential work, life, and leadership skills that companies want, but that technology has disrupted and Covid has stunted at a time when they're needed most.
Elan’s clientele includes Fortune 500 companies, universities, and schools where he works to train and develop the next generation of professionals and young leaders and prepare them for the future workforce. His work has been recognized by influencers such as NBA board Chairman Larry Tanenbaum, wellness guru Deepak Chopra, and former U.N. Undersecretary General, ambassador Haile Menkerios....

Prior to Divon Academy, Elan co-founded a social venture to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs which he launched on NASDAQ, and co-created the world’s first 3D printed book featuring essays from educators, business leaders, and Nobel Laureates to celebrate the centennial of Einstein’s Relativity Theory.

Elan holds Masters degrees from Harvard and Brandeis Universities where he graduated with distinction and a B.A. from University of London’s Birkbeck College. Elan is also the host of The Un-Disruptable, a podcast that explores how to future-proof your career or company in age of disruption.

Dr. Kira Banks

Psychology Professor at St. Louis University, Global Expert on Equity & Inclusion, and Co-Founder of the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity

Dr. Banks’ decades of experience allow her to help individuals and institutions in corporate America, Hollywood, Broadway, non-profits, K-12 schools, colleges, and communities. She is known for making complex and controversial topics accessible. She co-founded the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity at Saint Louis University, where she is a Professor of psychology. In the St. Louis region, Dr. Banks’ thinking helped shape racial equity initiatives as a consultant for the Ferguson Commission.

Dr. Banks’ work has influenced the thinking of producers, executives, showrunners, actors, writers, and crews across the entertainment industry. From the inception of an idea through the finished product, Dr. Banks works with productions to ensure they are cultivating an inclusive climate. She has also contributed to children’s programming through her work with Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. In addition to helping organizations integrate equity and inclusion into their work for long-term change, she also helps organizations authentically navigate publicity crises and current events...

Dr. Banks is co-principal of The Mouse and the Elephant, a firm which develops customized curriculum for diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives. In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Banks has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed outlets, including American Psychological Association journals such as American Psychologist, Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, and Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. She has also contributed to The Harvard Business Review and popular media outlets like CNN, The Atlantic and The Guardian. Dr. Banks received her BA from Mount Holyoke College, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and is currently a trustee, and received her MA and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Today, Dr. Banks’ podcast—Raising Equity—helps people develop an equity mindset at home and in the workplace.

Amanda Russell

Marketing Professor, Author, and Director of 'The Global Centre for Influence' at the University of Texas, Austin

Amanda Russell is widely respected as a business leader, professor, author, and marketing consultant. She brought her former life as an Olympic-level athlete to the boardroom as the Founder of Interesting Agency, a fitness subscription platform turned digital marketing agency, and now to the classroom at some of the top universities around the world.

Amanda directed and launched the first-of-its-kind influencer marketing program in partnership with Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business (ranked #1 in the world for marketing) and has now taken the helm as Director, to pioneer the global Center for Influence at the University of Texas at Austin this coming 2023, which will create partnerships, degree programs & vast opportunities with top experts, companies and institutions around the world...

She is a trusted advisor to companies including Lamborghini, Cedars Sinai, Zico, and Lionsgate and speaks across the globe on the future of marketing. She has been a featured speaker at Harvard, Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, NYU, London Business School, Bocconi University (Italy), HEC Paris, and the University of Stockholm.

Mark Bowden

World Renowned Communication Expert, Keynote Speaker and Best Selling Author

Mark Bowden is a world-renowned body language expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. Voted multiple times Global Gurus’ #1 Body Language Professional in the world, Mark’s unique GesturePlane system of nonverbal communication helps audiences maximize the power of using their own body language to stand out, win trust, and gain credibility every time they communicate.

Founder of communication training company TRUTHPLANE®, Mark’s live and virtual keynote speeches and training prove invaluable to business leaders and teams from major organizations across the world including Zoom, Shopify, Real Madrid, Toyota, KPMG, American Express, the US Army and NATO; and prime ministers of G7 nations. Mark has years of experience training business and political leaders across the globe on how to use their body language both live and over digital media most effectively for superior communication...

His bestselling books on body language and human behavior, translated into multiple languages, are: Winning Body Language; Winning Body Language for Sales Professionals; Tame the Primitive Brain; and Truth & Lies, What People are Really Thinking. Mark is a popular instructor for Canada’s #1-ranked EMBA program at Kellogg-Schulich School of Business, and he is President of the National Communication Coach Association of Canada.

Mark’s highly acclaimed TEDx talk “The Importance of Being In-Authentic” continues to reach tens of millions of people, as does his own YouTube Channel and the weekly YouTube sensation “The Behavior Panel,” with over 90 million views, and he is a regular expert appearing on the Dr Phil Show. He is a go-to media commentator on the body language of politicians, celebrities and public figures, appearing regularly on CNN, CBS, and Global News, and he is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and GQ Magazine.

Andrea Harry Bibbs

Founder and CEO of The ACB Group

Andrea Harry Bibbs is the Founder and CEO of The ACB Group, a boutique media and marketing consulting firm she founded in late 2022. Bibbs brings her more than 20 years of experience in the media industry to help small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed through press exposure, strategic partnerships and more.

Prior to starting The ACB Group, Bibbs spent more than 22 years at Warner Bros. Discovery (previously Turner Broadcasting and WarnerMedia.) In her last role there, she served as the Vice President of Marketing and Studio Operations with Warner Bros. Discovery’s Ad Sales division. In that role, she developed strategic opportunities for clients and spearheaded new operational strategies to maximize process and efficiencies for the ad sales marketing and brand studio teams.

Bibbs also previously served as the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy for WarnerMedia News and Sports (WMNS), which included CNN Worldwide, Turner Sports, Bleacher Report and WarnerMedia Studios. There, she was responsible for driving the division’s DE&I strategy, core vision, and internal and external programs and opportunities that drove awareness of the team’s efforts. In addition, she formed strategic partnerships with external stakeholders, including industry and community organizations.

Outside of the office, Bibbs is passionate about sharing her life and career experiences with students and industry organizations. The Toronto native has been a speaker, moderator and panelist at many industry events on the subjects of DE&I, media, advertising and more. Some recent speaking engagements include The University of Georgia, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), University of Toronto and Atlanta Film Festival's Creative Conference.

In 2022, Bibbs was named to the first-ever cohort of the ADCOLOR Leaders program. In 2021, Bibbs was recognized by the National Diversity Council as a DEI Champion and in 2020, she was awarded Cablefax’s inaugural D&I Champion Award for her work in this space.

Elan Divon

President & CEO of Divon Academy; Author, Speaker, and Education Entrepreneur

Elan Divon is a Harvard-trained author, speaker, and founder of Divon Academy: an organization that helps students and young professionals develop work, life, and leadership skills that companies want but technology is eroding at a time when they’re needed most.

Elan’s clientele include Fortune 500 companies and universities where he has trained thousands of students and young professionals on how to land jobs, lead teams, and multiply their impact. His work has been recognized by influencers such as NBA board Chairman Larry Tanenbaum, U.N. Undersecretary General Haile Menkerious, and wellness guru Deepak Chopra. Elan holds a BA from the University of London, and Masters degrees from Brandeis and Harvard Universities.

Class 1: Road Map for Success

This workshop with provide you with a roadmap and strategy for success irrespective of industry or your vocational path. You will discover the three biggest predictors of long-term success and the skills companies want and you will need to thrive on the job. You’ll also discover five universal ‘stress triggers’ caused by disruption and learn how to better navigate them in order to manage change and uncertainty, enhance your wellbeing, and be a step ahead of the competition.

Outcomes: You will leave the workshop with a road map and strategy for your professional development, a better understanding of the workforce, and with an ‘accountability partner’ to work with for the duration of the program.

Class 2: Finding Purpose

In this workshop you will discover what “purpose” truly means and learn how to bring clarity to your life and goals. You will identify your signature strengths, understand how to unlock your own purpose, and learn how to connect your values with the values, vision and mission of the company you are working for. In the process, you will learn how to make yourself indespensible to your peers, future clients and team, and become a person of significance.

Outcomes: You will leave this workshop with a clear understanding of how to find, follow, and bring purpose to your job and career, while tapping into your signature strengths and core values. You will also set monthly and and annual goals, with clear action items to work towards.

Class 3: Make Stress Your Superpower

In this workshop, you will unlock the DNA of stress and discover 5 science-based tools to manage and minimize it. More importantly, you will learn how to harness stress that arrives with high stakes, deadlines, and pressure into higher performance and productivity.
In the process, you will develop a different orientation towards tension and ‘discomfort’ and begin to view stress in a way that can enhance your performance and overall health and wellbeing.

Outcomes: You will learn how to minimize and diffuse unnecessary stress, but also how to harness 'good stress' towards achieving your goals and aspirations.

Class 4: Developing High Performance Habits

In this workshop, you will learn about the power of habits, how they are formed, and how they effect life outcomes. You will then select from a menu of habits proven to enhance mental, emotional and physical well-being and performance, and create a habit plan to support your goals (as outlined in class 2). You will then join teams and take part in a ‘21-day habit-challenge.’

Outcomes: You will develop habits to enhance your wellbeing, focus, academics, and collaboration skills and take part in a habit challenge along with other learners and participants.

Class 5: Mindset Masterclass

This class will help you identify and eliminate limiting beliefs and expand your horizon of what you believe is possible. You will learn how to hack your mindset, look at problems from multiple perspectives, and redefine your relationship with ‘failure’ and setbacks. You will also come to understand that ‘seeing is not believing’ but believing is seeing – and learn how to harness the power of your mindset to create the conditions for success and prosperity.

Outcomes: You will leave this class with a greater ability to take initiative and problem solve, handle set-backs, deal with adversity, and be relentless in the pursuit of your goals. Most importantly, you will learn how to think and ‘see’ beyond your present limitations.

Class 6: EQ 101 & Conflict Management

You can’t influence other people’s emotions if you can’t manage your own. In this class, you will learn how. First, you will discover the power of emotions in influencing human behavior, perception, and the decision-making process. You will then discover a three-step strategy to regulating your emotions and leaning how to respond rather than react when emotionally triggered. Finally, you will also learn how to give and receive constructive feedback and disagree with other people without being disagreeable.

Outcomes: You will leave this workshop with the ability to better understand and regulate your emotions, manage conflict, and handle criticism and feedback.

Class 7: Building Better Relationships and Growing Your Network

During this workshop, you will learn about the art and science of human connection, and how to cultivate it. You will learn how to sharpen your listening skills, build rapport with people who are not like you, demonstrate empathy (verbally and non-verbally), and connect with colleagues or someone you just met at an event in a way that build trust and deepen the relationships.

Outcomes: You will leave this class with 7 proven tools for building relationships, trust, and influence, and take on a challenge to become a ‘positive emotional influencer’

Class 8: Standing Out Through Storytelling

“Those who tell the stories rule the world…” In a world of information overload where attention is a prized commodity, being able to cut through the noise and communicate your story or mission isn’t a bonus. It’s a must. Whether preparing for a class presentation, meeting, or job interview, you will learn how to use storytelling to forge deeper connections, communicate ideas effectively, and ultimately influence and lead.

Outcomes: You will learn how to tell your story and that of your company, product or service, and how to answer the proverbial ‘tell me about yourself question’ in interviews and meetings.

Class 9: Breaking Through & Defining Success

In this workshop you will learn about rites of passage and how you can leverage periods of transition and uncertainty in you life, into opportunities for personal and professional growth. You will come to see your own transition to the workforce as a rite of passage and learn how to find your own voice and individuality in the process. You will then come full-circle and integrate everything learned throughout the course to think critically about success and what brings you fulfillment and joy in life.

Outcomes: You will understand how to leverage challenging moments and set-backs into ‘initiations’ that lead to personal / professional growth. You will also expand your definition of success and learn how to bring more fulfilment to your studies and lives.

Class 10: The Art & Science of Influence and Persuasion

This course is designed to empower students with the verbal and nonverbal skills and strategies to effectively influence and persuade others in professional settings. Students will learn how to ethically, confidently, and practically navigate the complex world of persuasion and influence by understanding the most up-to-date science around human behavior. Areas of training will include building rapport, crafting persuasive messages, handling objections, and leveraging psychological principles for successful outcomes for everyone. Students will develop a deep understanding of the art and science of influence and persuasion and how to apply it to better achieve personal, professional, and global goals.

Outcomes:
- Master the key principles of influence and persuasion and apply them confidently.
- Develop communication skills that build rapport and positively connect with others.
- Learn techniques to craft persuasive messages that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Acquire strategies to counter resistance, overcome objections, and move to action.
- Understand the responsibilities of influencing and persuading positively.

Class 11: Deliver Your Genius Presentation or Pitch: Confident Communication Skills

This course will equip students with verbal and nonverbal skills and strategies to confidently deliver impactful presentations or pitches that captivate audiences and drive results. Students will learn how to effectively structure their presentations, engage their audience, and deliver their message with authenticity and confidence. Topics covered include storytelling techniques, slide design, vocal delivery, body language, handling Q&A, and managing nerves. Students will hone their presentation or pitch skills and elevate their communication to a more compelling, confident and competitive level.

Outcomes
- Master the essentials of workplace storytelling to create compelling communications.
- Learn effective techniques for slide design and visual aids to enhance impact.
- Develop confident vocal delivery and body language to engage and influence audiences.
- Acquire strategies for handling challenging questions and managing audience pushback.
- Build self-awareness to manage nerves and confidently boost presentation performance.

Class 12: Equity & Inclusion

Student will explore the basic concepts and terms that are foundational to understanding DEI. The session begins with developing a common vocabulary and inviting students to reflect on concepts such as equity, diversity, inclusion, and social identities. They will be introduced to definitions and the concept of the built landscape to understand how the concepts and terms are distinct and overlap. Supplemental work will challenge them to identify their “why” for engaging in this work along with reflection exercises to build capacity for applying the concepts to themselves and their spheres of influence.

Outcomes: Students will have a personal “why” for the importance of this topic; understand basic concepts and terms related to equity; And how their social identity influences their sphere of influence

Class 13: Equity & Inclusion (Part 2)

Students explore advanced concepts and terms that are foundational to understanding how to put DEI into action. These skills will help them be more effective in creating equitable and inclusive teams and environments. The session continues to add to the common vocabulary from part 1 inviting students to reflect on concepts such as microaggressions, unconscious bias, and effective dialogue. They will be given stories and scenarios and invited to think about how they might respond. Language for different responses will be provided to help them consider various perspectives and what, if any response, feels like a feasible option for them. Supplemental work will challenge them to go beyond understanding concepts to building capacity for action in their spheres of influences.

Outcomes: Students will expand their vocabulary as it pertains to equity; have options for how to respond to microaggressions; and will have a plan for ways they can influence their spheres of influence to make them more equitable and/or inclusive

Class 14: Personal Branding Master Class

We all leave digital breadcrumbs and a digital footprint online. When taken together, these breadcrumbs create an overall brand and image of how other people, particularly employers, perceive us. In this master class, students will learn how to take control of and build their online personal brand in ways that help them stand out, get noticed, and improve their desirability as job candidates. They will learn how to manage their online brand to ensure it reflects their values, strengths, and puts their best self forward.

Outcomes:
Students will take actionable steps to enhance (or launch) their LinkedIn profile, as well as other social media channels they are present on.

Class 15: Time Management & Putting it all Together

Time. It’s the one non-renewable resource we all have that cannot be acquired, bought, or traded. In this class you will come to appreciate the value of time but realize that you don’t have to chase it. You will learn practical tools and a system to better manage your time, minimize procrastination, and enhance productivity.

Outcomes:
You will conduct a time audit and create a time management plan for use in college, at work, and in life.

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Yesha Panchal

Manager, Outreach and Partnerships

With an educational background of Bachelors in Engineering and a certified associate degree in project Management with a special interest in marketing and communications, Yesha focuses on outreach, connecting with people from various backgrounds and interests to build partnerships for different initiatives. As a project manager, Yesha has also worked on ad campaigns, social media marketing projects, and brand identity.

While not working, Yesha loves to read anything and everything about marketing and people and absolutely loves to cook.

Divon Academy is a leader in soft skills training for students and young professionals.

Divon Academy is a leader in essential skills training for students and young professionals in the 0-5 entry level bracket.

Meet our Founder

Elan’s Story

The DA Team & Executive Advisory Board

DA Guest Faculty & Master Instructors

Honorary Circle

Honorary Circle

Schedule a
Free Consultation

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About Us

Divon Academy is a leader in soft skills training for students and young professionals.

Divon Academy is a leader in essential skills training for students and young professionals in the 0-5 entry level bracket.

Meet our Founder

Elan’s Story

The DA Team & Executive Advisory Board

DA Guest Faculty & Master Instructors

Honorary Circle

Honorary Circle

Schedule a Free Consultation

Success!

Get In Touch

Thanks for contacting us! A member of our team will reach out to you soon.

Get In Touch

Get In Touch

Thanks for contacting us! A member of our team will reach out to you soon.

Elan Divon

Dr. Kira Banks

Amanda Russell

Mark Bowden

Read more about...

Elan Divon

Class 1: Road Map for Success

Class 2: Finding Purpose

Class 3: Make Stress Your Superpower

Class 4: Developing High Performance Habits

Class 5: Mindset Masterclass

Class 6: EQ 101 & Conflict Management

Class 7: Building Better Relationships and Growing Your Network

Class 8: Standing Out Through Storytelling

Class 9: Breaking Through & Defining Success

Class 10: The Art & Science of Influence and Persuasion

Class 11: Deliver Your Genius Presentation or Pitch: Confident Communication Skills

Class 12: Equity & Inclusion

Class 13: Equity & Inclusion (Part 2)

Class 14: Personal Branding Master Class

Class 15: Time Management & Putting it all Together

Get FREE Access to the Guide Here

Schedule a
Free Consultation