United States
Dr Norris Krueger, Delegate to Kauffman Foundation’s Landmark ESHIP Meet-up for Global Ecosystem Builders, has been appointed as High Commissioner for the United States. High Commissioner Krueger represents the United States in the International Academics Committee of the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum.
Norris.Krueger@wbaforum.org
Very few are able to make a difference in academe, in education, and in entrepreneurship, but Dr Norris Krueger has managed to keep moving the needle for each, with proven, recognised expertise in growing entrepreneurial thinkers and entrepreneurial communities. While considered a leading thinker on how to grow entrepreneurial ecosystems, he has paid his dues as an entrepreneur and as entrepreneurial champion, serving as the Co-Organizer for Idaho Startup Weekend, the regional coordinator for Global Entrepreneurship Week, and the lead organiser for 1 Million Cups. Dr Krueger is a World Entrepreneurship Forum delegate, a delegate and presenter at Growing Entrepreneurial Communities, and an invited delegate to the Kauffman Foundation’s landmark ESHIP meet-up for global ecosystem builders. Armed with professional educator training, Norris is also a thought leader in entrepreneurial learning. His Ohio State program was decorated by the US SBA for innovativeness. His Boise State TEAMS entrepreneurship program earned 6 national and 2 global best practice awards. TEAMS blended project-based learning and community outreach with the motto ‘Students Are Our Secret Weapon!’ Twice elected as an officer in the Academy of Management and ICSB, Dr Krueger chairs AoM’s Global Scholar Development Committee. He is also an External Fellow for the Max Planck Institute for Economics, a Senior Research Fellow for the School for Advanced Studies at the University of Phoenix, a Senior Subject-Matter Expert at OECD/EU HE Innovate and Entrepreneurship360, and is the most-cited (Two articles are the top three most-cited articles for two different ‘A’ journals) scholar in his specialty – and his research continues to grow as he collaborates globally.
UNITED STATES
Shaillee Chopra, Healthcare Technology Strategist, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Chopra will represent Usa in the Global Startup Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Shaillee.Chopra@wbaforum.org
I am a healthcare technology strategist by trade. I have over 25+ years of experience in global digital healthcare and analytics space wherein I have held various operational roles such as Chief Data Officer, Chief Global Strategist, Global lead for digital health and transformative care. I specialize in developing and activating innovative digital solutions that generate measurable value and create performance excellence. I currently run a healthcare strategy firm based out of U.S.A. I have proven track record to help multinational organizations in developing strategic plans that leverage digital health innovations (including but not limited to automating care pathways for women’s health, mental health, community health and engagement in global markets; integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain driven and medical device integrated health ecosystems that create broad outreach and captures market share that is in accessible while generating positive ROI against investments) to create market advantage, activate tangible impact. Through my experience in global markets, I am adept at factoring in social, economic, cultural and political/policy impact on health care pathways that must be planned for in the strategy and activation framework. I have designed and led many multi layered governance structures that engage stakeholders in decision making, monitoring and execution of actionable strategies. I am also a fierce advocate of mental health and wellbeing. I believe that this silent epidemic of our modern society has gaps in adequate focus/funding and innovation due to stigma and lack of resources. Through global advocacy on digital platforms and via speaking opportunities, I endeavor to highlight programs and organization that are putting in place programs that tackle normalizing the conversation, elevating focus, leveraging innovation and creating widespread access to coping and treatment so we can make tangible IMPACT.
United States
Shahid Chishty, Chief Investment Officer, Portola Valley Partners, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Chishty will represent Silicon Valley in the Global Startup Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Shahid.Chishty@wbaforum.org
I am a German citizen (US Permanent Resident) with 30 years of global investment banking, venture capital / private equity, strategic advisory, entrepreneurial / startup and not-for-profit experience. I am currently working with cutting-edge international startups in Silicon Valley (including AI/ML, AR/VR, IoT, Robotics, etc) as well as on global impact and sustainability projects and have worked with international corporations, management teams, investors – including many of the leading VCs & Private Equity firms – and governmental organisations on numerous investments, mergers, acquisitions, disposals and corporate restructurings as well as on international growth, business development, fundraising, group strategy and the whole spectrum of corporate finance transactions. I have worked at highly respected institutions including Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch, and have enjoyed investment and entrepreneurial experience and interests in wholesale and retail as well as finance, technology and real estate businesses internationally. In terms of institutional mergers and acquisitions, I have led and mentored teams of expert bankers undertaking every stage in the advisory and acquisition process from market research and analysis to identification of acquisition candidates, valuation, transaction negotiation and due diligence as well as acquisition and corporate financing and fundraising. I have exceptional data and financial analysis skills and have worked on the most complex and highly sophisticated financial products and models. I have advised both private and publicly listed corporations on more than a dozen M&A and principal finance transactions valued in US$ multi-billions and on fundraising, capital increases and IPOs valued at over US$ 500million. In addition, having managed a Euro 2 billion multi-currency, multi-nation, securitised products vehicle, Rhein-Main Securitisation group, and having advised publicly listed corporations, I have in depth experience and knowledge of fund management, global treasury, regulatory and management reporting functions as well as public accounting issues and requirements. Furthermore, I have gained significant experience in corporate and business development having actively developed, implemented and managed cross-functional strategic business initiatives for companies including Merrill Lynch, in coordination with EMEA Executive Management, the Global Heads of Strategy and the top Group Executive Management of Merrill Lynch. On an organisational level, my experience includes business development and organisational structuring, client / customer relationship management, personnel training and mentoring, marketing, systems implementation, strategy development and implementation and turnaround management, including with companies that I have personally owned. I have senior level contacts among corporations, management teams, investors and governmental organisations around the world. I have also lived and worked in Nigeria (born), the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa and the United States and have travelled extensively all over the world. I completed the majority of my education at leading institutions in the United Kingdom including Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood and the University of Southampton where I gained a Joint Honours Degree in Business Economics and Accounting.
United States Of America
Eli Velasquez, Director of Venture Development at VentureWell, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Velasquez will represent United States of America in the Global Startup Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Eli.Velasquez@wbaforum.org
Eli Velasquez is the Director of Venture Development at VentureWell. In this role, he oversees the development of new and ongoing early stage innovator programs, and leads the global investors program on behalf of the U.S. State Department. He also serves as a faculty member and advisor to the Venture Capital Institute, LLC, the world’s oldest venture training organization. Prior, he was the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Technology Commercialization for the Texas Tech University System. He is an NSF I-Corps Nationally Certified Instructor and co-founder and Executive Director of the Lubbock Angel Network, the 4th most active angel investor network in Texas in 2017. He has deep expertise in commercialization, angel & venture capital, and innovation strategy. His efforts in Texas led to over $20M in funding for startups, entrepreneurship programs, and proof of concept funds. During his first two-years at Texas Tech, he also served as Director of the Greater West Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (RCIC) where he implemented a myriad of innovation initiatives, including a technology accelerator and an SBIR/STTR Center. He also raised three innovation funds totaling $2M under management focused on funding acceleration, university startups, and industry-university partnerships. His efforts significantly advanced the entrepreneurial ecosystem in West Texas. The initiatives generated more than a $6M return in grant awards, follow-on funding, and sponsorships in two years. Prior to that, Mr. Velasquez served as Executive Director of Innovate El Paso. Through his tenure, he helped six organizations access $9.5M from the state of Texas Emerging Technology Fund. He also managed the Camino Real Angel group conducting deal screening, due diligence and portfolio management. He went on to co-found El Paso’s first technology business incubator, recruited El Paso’s first full-fledged patent firm, and launched one of only three applied entrepreneurship programs for women in Texas. Upon returning to his native El Paso in 2005, he was the Technical Director for the Bi-National Sustainability Laboratory, an organization that promoted the commercialization of technology-based projects on the U.S.-Mexico border. He was responsible for developing commercialization and incubation programs, along with intellectual property awareness and protection strategies. Before that, Mr. Velasquez worked for The Boeing Company in southern California, initially within Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) group where he was assigned to the Delta Family of Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles. In his last two years at Boeing, he worked as an Intellectual Property Consultant within Boeing’s Intellectual Property Business (IPB) unit. He obtained a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University and his J.D. degree with an Intellectual Property Certificate from Whittier Law School.
United States Of America
Joynicole Martinez, Director of the Research and Development of the World Woman Foundation, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Martinez will represent United States of America in the Global Woman Leaders Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Joynicole.Martinez@wbaforum.org
Joynicole Martinez Dr. Joynicole Martinez is CEO of The Alchemist Agency, a management consulting firm serving leading executives, corporations, and organizations. Dr. Martinez has over 20 years of experience providing capacity-building services, including strategic planning and organizational design with a focus on leadership and executive training and coaching, performance and change management, fund development and impact measurement. In addition to her extensive work in the healthcare industry in compliance, patient experience, interoperability, multidisciplinary team building, diversity & inclusion training, and board development, Joynicole has developed projects and garnered funding for initiatives that reach across disciplines to strengthen population health and wellness. Her grant writing has won millions of dollars toward advancing the community serving missions of her clients. Dr. Martinez is an award winning speaker and trainer and has presented at numerous local, state, and federal conferences. Her list of clients includes the Health Care Compliance Association, Microsoft Corporation, Women Economic Forum, Ritz Paris, North Carolina Association of Certified Professional Accountants, Ellevate, NASDAQ, Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, American Veterans Association, and Women Influence Community. Joynicole has trained executives across North and South America and in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Russia, United Arab Emirates, and the Caribbean. As a champion for equity and human capital development, Dr. Martinez serves as the Director of Research for the World Woman Foundation. Dr. Martinez is a featured member on SheSource, an online brain trust of female experts on diverse topics designed to serve journalists, producers, and booking agents. She is an inaugural member of the Peace50 (P50) Community, an engagement group that proposes policy recommendations related to peace. As contributor to the invitation only Forbes Coaches Council, she provides expert advice on leadership, management, and business innovation. Dr. Martinez serves as the United States Chair for Housing and Development for the All Ladies League (India), is the US Ambassador for Diplomatic World Magazine and is a staff contributor to North Carolina’s oldest minority owned newspaper, The Carolinian.
United States
Sharesz T. Wilkinson, Forbes Councils Member and Strategic Advisor, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Wilkinson will represent Wilkinson USA in the Global Woman Leaders Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Sharesz.T.Wilkinson@wbaforum.org
She is a multiple award-winning Forbes Councils member and Strategic Advisor, international speaker, author, entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. She was a nominee for the 2019 Tällberg / Eliasson Global Leadership Prize, received the Global Woman Economic Forum WEF 2018 Award ‘Exceptional Women of Excellence’ as well as the ‘Humanitarian Fellow’ Award from Rotary among several others. Headquartered in Boston (USA). The Speech Improvement Company (TSIC) has been THE go-to communication skills training company for leaders, organizations, Fortune 100 companies, and individuals in business, entertainment, sports and politics around the world for over 50 years. TSIC taught at Harvard and MIT and previously worked with the White House. Sharesz T. Wilkinson represents TSIC in SE Asia and around the globe. Her contributions were published online on Forbes.com, BBC, Thrive Global and in international Magazines such as Authority Magazine, Hollywood Weekly, Legend. She was interviewed on multiple platforms such as VoiceAmerica Influencers, EPN, Positive Phil Show (USA) and many more. Sharesz T. Wilkinson is the author of the book ‘Obstacle Buster TM — How to Create Big & Bold Shifts for Lifelong Success’ - an awareness booster for ambitious achievers aiming to reach and maintain top-level performance and results.
UNITED STATES
Shaillee Chopra, Healthcare Technology Strategist, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Chopra will represent Usa in the Global Startup Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Shaillee.Chopra@wbaforum.org
I am a healthcare technology strategist by trade. I have over 25+ years of experience in global digital healthcare and analytics space wherein I have held various operational roles such as Chief Data Officer, Chief Global Strategist, Global lead for digital health and transformative care. I specialize in developing and activating innovative digital solutions that generate measurable value and create performance excellence. I currently run a healthcare strategy firm based out of U.S.A. I have proven track record to help multinational organizations in developing strategic plans that leverage digital health innovations (including but not limited to automating care pathways for women’s health, mental health, community health and engagement in global markets; integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain driven and medical device integrated health ecosystems that create broad outreach and captures market share that is in accessible while generating positive ROI against investments) to create market advantage, activate tangible impact. Through my experience in global markets, I am adept at factoring in social, economic, cultural and political/policy impact on health care pathways that must be planned for in the strategy and activation framework. I have designed and led many multi layered governance structures that engage stakeholders in decision making, monitoring and execution of actionable strategies. I am also a fierce advocate of mental health and wellbeing. I believe that this silent epidemic of our modern society has gaps in adequate focus/funding and innovation due to stigma and lack of resources. Through global advocacy on digital platforms and via speaking opportunities, I endeavor to highlight programs and organization that are putting in place programs that tackle normalizing the conversation, elevating focus, leveraging innovation and creating widespread access to coping and treatment so we can make tangible IMPACT.
UNITED STATES
Shaillee Chopra, Healthcare Technology Strategist, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Chopra will represent Usa in the Global Startup Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Shaillee.Chopra@wbaforum.org
I am a healthcare technology strategist by trade. I have over 25+ years of experience in global digital healthcare and analytics space wherein I have held various operational roles such as Chief Data Officer, Chief Global Strategist, Global lead for digital health and transformative care. I specialize in developing and activating innovative digital solutions that generate measurable value and create performance excellence. I currently run a healthcare strategy firm based out of U.S.A. I have proven track record to help multinational organizations in developing strategic plans that leverage digital health innovations (including but not limited to automating care pathways for women’s health, mental health, community health and engagement in global markets; integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain driven and medical device integrated health ecosystems that create broad outreach and captures market share that is in accessible while generating positive ROI against investments) to create market advantage, activate tangible impact. Through my experience in global markets, I am adept at factoring in social, economic, cultural and political/policy impact on health care pathways that must be planned for in the strategy and activation framework. I have designed and led many multi layered governance structures that engage stakeholders in decision making, monitoring and execution of actionable strategies. I am also a fierce advocate of mental health and wellbeing. I believe that this silent epidemic of our modern society has gaps in adequate focus/funding and innovation due to stigma and lack of resources. Through global advocacy on digital platforms and via speaking opportunities, I endeavor to highlight programs and organization that are putting in place programs that tackle normalizing the conversation, elevating focus, leveraging innovation and creating widespread access to coping and treatment so we can make tangible IMPACT.
UNITED STATES
Shaillee Chopra, Healthcare Technology Strategist, has been appointed as Senator at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Senator Chopra will represent Usa in the Global Startup Committee of the Grand Assembly.
Shaillee.Chopra@wbaforum.org
I am a healthcare technology strategist by trade. I have over 25+ years of experience in global digital healthcare and analytics space wherein I have held various operational roles such as Chief Data Officer, Chief Global Strategist, Global lead for digital health and transformative care. I specialize in developing and activating innovative digital solutions that generate measurable value and create performance excellence. I currently run a healthcare strategy firm based out of U.S.A. I have proven track record to help multinational organizations in developing strategic plans that leverage digital health innovations (including but not limited to automating care pathways for women’s health, mental health, community health and engagement in global markets; integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain driven and medical device integrated health ecosystems that create broad outreach and captures market share that is in accessible while generating positive ROI against investments) to create market advantage, activate tangible impact. Through my experience in global markets, I am adept at factoring in social, economic, cultural and political/policy impact on health care pathways that must be planned for in the strategy and activation framework. I have designed and led many multi layered governance structures that engage stakeholders in decision making, monitoring and execution of actionable strategies. I am also a fierce advocate of mental health and wellbeing. I believe that this silent epidemic of our modern society has gaps in adequate focus/funding and innovation due to stigma and lack of resources. Through global advocacy on digital platforms and via speaking opportunities, I endeavor to highlight programs and organization that are putting in place programs that tackle normalizing the conversation, elevating focus, leveraging innovation and creating widespread access to coping and treatment so we can make tangible IMPACT.