Kenneth Heskett

Everett Ackerman

Biography

Everett was a 2016 graduate of Champlain who stayed in the Burlington area after graduating to fulfill a role at a local Marketing agency. Through the years, Everett grew his skills and expertise in a number of strategic positions at New Breed Marketing. After 5 years, Everett started his own consulting firm, focused on helping local startups build their revenue growth potential through aligned Marketing, Sales and Operations focused activities. Everett now is a Principal Account Executive at New Breed, Co-Founder at Oakheart Accelerator, Co-Franchise Owner of GoliathTech Twinstate and teaches Marketing classes at Champlain College.

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Teresa Anderson

Biography

Marketing communications executive with strong B2B and B2C brand-building expertise. Track record of success developing and implementing brand and growth strategies. Successfully built teams to advance organizational priorities through brand development, acquisition, retention, customer engagement, consumer research, digital, and sales. Results oriented, consensus builder, team player, and motivational leader.

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Erika Austin

Biography

Erika Austin is a Digital Marketing Consultant specializing in SEO, Advertising and Analytics with 15 years of developing data-driven digital marketing strategies and campaigns. Erika has been working with agencies and other marketers to improve their skills and offer a new data-driven perspective on their marketing efforts.

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Robert Bloch

Biography

Arguably, Robert Bloch has had three careers. He “retired” in 2019, but for the twelve years prior, he had been mentoring and supporting student entrepreneurs, both commercial and social, as Director of Champlain College’s innovative BYOBiz (Build Your Own Business) program, precursor to today’s CIE, and teaching in the Stiller School. Robert’s first career was in the corporate world beginning with eight years in brand management at General Foods and later as the Chief Marketing and Sales Executive worldwide for both Four Seasons Hotels and Marriott. This was followed by eight years as an entrepreneur, starting two companies, one successful the other not so much.

Robert has three grown children and four grandchildren. He enjoys motorcycling, the outdoors, golf, gardening, teaching and renovating a home with my wife Nancy. He holds a BA in Government from Cornell University and a MBA from Harvard University.

Robert is very excited about getting to know you and helping you explore the fascinating world of business and your potential role in that world.

Favorite Quote

“Be the ball.”

—Ty Webb

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Fritz Burkhardt

Biography

Fritz Burkhardt teaches finance and economics courses in the Stiller School of Business.

Fritz holds a PhD in Finance from Northwestern University, an MBA with High Honors from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, and a B.A. from Middlebury College in Economics and Russian and East European Studies with Honors.

Fritz has worked on Wall Street as a research analyst covering Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and in London as an investment banker in mergers and acquisitions.

Fritz is a Chartered Financial Analyst, is Vice President of CFA Society Vermont, and is the Chairperson of Vermont Educational & Health Buildings Financial Agency.

Fritz has taught finance classes at Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame and Champlain College. He encourages students to develop the analytical and critical thinking skills to make good decisions for themselves personally and professionally.

Fritz’s research interests include private equity, investment banking, and agency issues. He consults on financial matters, with recent work focusing on private equity, financial institutions, and healthcare fields.

Fritz is an accomplished Ultimate Frisbee player, winning multiple national championships and one world championship.

Distinctions & Awards

Ultimate Frisbee: Beach World Champion 2015 Grand Masters Division, U.S. National Champion 2013 Grand Masters Division, U.S. National Champion 2010 Masters Division, 2008 Masters Division
University of Chicago: Dean’s Award of Distinction for outstanding social and community contributions
Northwestern University: Zell Center for Risk Research Fellowship
Middlebury College: Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, Frederick C. Dirks Award for Outstanding Achievement in Economics

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Favorite Quote

“Why be a song when you can be a symphony.”

—Tim Booth

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Charles Bush

Biography

Chuck Bush is a visiting professor at the Stiller School of Business, where he teaches entrepreneurship, accounting, and finance and has played a supporting role at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. His classes are informed by his professional expertise as well as his involvement in Vermont’s thriving startup and venture capital community.

Before joining the Stiller School of Business, Professor Bush was an adjunct professor at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Students recognized his exceptional teaching abilities and deep knowledge of finance with the Golden Apple teaching award in 2019. Professor Bush played a pivotal role in the establishment of CSUN’s Advanced Financial Modeling Boot Camp (AFMBC), a program that has successfully prepared over 150 high-performing students for careers in financial services at top tier institutions.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Professor Bush remains actively involved in the corporate world through his company, Great Road Capital, Inc. (GRC). Since its inception in 2004, GRC has been dedicated to helping businesses innovate and thrive. With over 30 years of experience in strategy consulting and investment banking, Professor Bush has provided invaluable guidance to companies across various sectors, including media, SaaS, healthcare, edtech, and fintech.

Professor Bush views every teaching opportunity as a chance for mutual learning. With a steadfast commitment to inspiring and empowering the next generation of business leaders, Professor Bush strives to create an engaging and supportive classroom environment. He welcomes connections with students and colleagues, whether through social media or personal conversations, as he is dedicated to supporting their growth and fostering their success.

Professor Bush started his career at strategy consulting firm Monitor Group (now Monitor Deloitte) in Cambridge, MA and was an investment banker at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in Los Angeles, CA. He received a BA in Economics from Harvard College and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

• FINRA SIE, Series 7, Series 79, Series 63
• Institute of Management Accountants, Member

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

Finance:

• A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel
• Flash Boys by Michael Lewis

Brain science, meditation & mindfulness:

• Your Brain at Work by David Rock
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein

History:

• Presidential biographies, including anything written by Doris Kearns Goodwin
• King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild
• The Pity of it All by Amos Elon
• The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman

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Kimberly Byrd

Biography

Professor Kimberly Byrd is an instructor in the Richard P. Stiller School of Business at Champlain. She was born in the Republic of Panama and lived there until she was 18 years old. Her family owns several businesses including a construction company, a property management company, a personal training company and a landscaping company.

She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting with honors. She then tackled the Certified Public Accountant exam and passed. She worked for several years in the business world and decided to take on the challenge of a master’s degree in accounting. She felt the best option for her to accomplish this goal was online classes due to her workload, family schedule and many responsibilities. She knows personally what a sacrifice it is to make the commitment to attend college while having so many other obligations. She also graduated with honors from her master’s program.

She loves being a student and learning about the ever-changing accounting field. She knows personally how important and reassuring it is to have an instructor who is there for you and wants you to succeed. She has been in the accounting profession for over 28 years and had been teaching accounting online for over 16 years. She has worked in private, public, governmental, and non-profit organizations. She has also worked for several accounting firms.

She says she enjoys Champlain because she has a true passion for teaching and finds it rewarding to interact with students on both a professional and personal level. She says she enjoys having students from all over the country and collaborating with them to make the most out of their learning experience at Champlain.

Distinctions & Awards

Francine Page Excellence in Teaching Award

Favorite Quote

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

—Thomas Jefferson

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Damian Dunbar

Biography

Dr. Dunbar thoroughly enjoys bringing his leadership expertise into the educational environment to share his experiences and bring coursework alive. He is highly experienced in employee development and training, human resources, financial analysis, budget operations, personnel development, and leadership management. He served in the United States Army as an analyst for the United States Government. While on active duty, he served as an instructor, writer, developer, and program evaluator at the United States Army Finance School located at Fort Jackson, SC. His primary motivation for working in education is his experience, interest, and passion for developing others’ talents and defining their goals.

Throughout his career, he has been highly dedicated to the learning, training, and advancement of others. He incorporated professional and adult learning and education into each position. He has 30 + years of experience developing programs to assess workforce capabilities and deficiencies, allowing individualized programs to enhance employee skills and he enjoys doing this for his students. His goal in the online classroom is to create a comfortable and interactive learning environment based on respect rather than fear of the subject matter. To achieve that, he builds a strong rapport with his students to be presented in an environment conducive to learning. Likewise, communication is essential to an effective teaching and learning process in the academic setting.

Distinctions & Awards

Certified Defense Financial Manager (American Society of Military Comptrollers)

Publications & Abstracts

PUBLICATIONS & ABSTRACTS

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

Kappa Alpha Psi, Woodbridge Alumni Chapter

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People
• A People’s History of the United States
• Reckless Endangerment

Favorite Quote

“Education and work are the levers to uplift people.”

—W.E.B DuBois

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Christopher Ewing

Biography

Professor in business and psychology, consultant and Six Sigma Black Belt. Leader of healthcare teams and call centers. Author and researcher on Cultivated Leadership™.

Publications & Abstracts

Living Your Leadership: Grow Intentionally, Thrive with Integrity, and Serve Humbly

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

• Horizon Research Publishing Corporation, Peer Editor
• Mensa, Member

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• Bass, B.M. (1985). Leadership and Performance beyond Expectations. New York: Free Press.
• Greenleaf, R.K. (1977). Servant Leadership. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press.
• George, B. (2003). Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Favorite Quote

Humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak, but of the strong.

—Pope Francis

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Thomas Funk

Biography

Thomas Funk is a lifelong digital marketer and ecommerce business manager who joined Champlain College as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing in 2020. He is currently an Adjunct Instructor teaching digital marketing and analytics.

His business background includes stints as Ecommerce Director at Ann Clark Ltd, Marketing Director at Gardener’s Supply Company, and Senior Manager of Keurig and Green Mountain Coffee where he led email marketing, paid search, SEO, the loyalty program and a 165K-member subscription business. As VP of Marketing at Timberline Interactive, he performed online marketing for Wine of the Month Club, Terry Precision Cycling, Lake Champlain Chocolates, VBT Bicycle Vacations, Garrett Wade, Dakin Farms and Liberty Orchards. Prior to Timberline, he helped build and manage the websites of Vermont Teddy Bear Company and PajamaGram.

Funk is frequent conference speaker and the author of three business books: Advanced Social Media Marketing (Apress), Social Media Playbook for Business (ABC-CLIO) and Web 2.0 and Beyond (Praeger).

Publications & Abstracts

Advanced Social Media Marketing: How to Lead, Launch, and Manage a Successful Social Media Program

Social Media Playbook for Business: Reaching Your Online Community with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and More

Web 2.0 and Beyond: Understanding the New Online Business Models, Trends, and Technologies

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

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Jessie Leigh Gagnon (Hough)

Biography

Jessie is a passionate writer, producer, and anthropologist who lives for games, film, and interactive media. Her creative side has melted over and fused to her project management side, and she thrives on opportunities to solve problems, hit milestones, mentor others, and make a positive impact in the lives of people and projects. With over eleven years in the game industry, Jessie has worked on AAA titles like League of Legends and volunteers time for organizations like Women in Games. She has a track record of happy, healthy, interdisciplinary teams and successful projects that shipped with clarity of vision, data-informed decision making, and an empathetic, people-driven focus. A specialist in crunch prevention and conflict resolution, she dedicates much of her spare time these days to helping developers with traditionally marginalized identities learn to thrive in game development.

Distinctions & Awards

Lambda Alpha Anthropological Honors Society, Global Citizenship Certificate,

Publications & Abstracts

“Cosplay,” World Book Encyclopedia; 2014
“Escape from the Mainstream: The Japanese Cosplay Youth Subculture,” Franklin Pierce University; 2008, Temple University Japan; 2010

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

American Anthropological Association

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, by Jesse Schell
• Agile Game Development, Clinton Keith
• The Little Book of Hygge, Meik Wiking

Favorite Quote

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

—Margaret Mead

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Lindsey Godwin

Biography

Lindsey Godwin, Ph.D. is a professor, practitioner, and possibilitizer who has a passion for creating transformational learning spaces for individuals and organizations. She holds a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution George Mason University, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, where she studied with the founding thought leaders in Appreciative Inquiry. She currently holds the Robert P. Stiller Endowed Chair of Management in the Stiller School of Business at Champlain College (Vermont, USA), where she also serves as the Academic Director of the David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and the lead faculty for the MS in Leadership and MS in Organization Development & Human Relations programs. An acclaimed instructor, she earned the Edward Lyman Phelps Professorship, Champlain College’s highest recognition for a faculty member. A sought-after international speaker, consultant, facilitator, and author, her article on “Earthshot OD” was recently named one of the most impactful articles of all time for the field of Organization Development. Learn more about Lindsey’s work at lindseygodwin.com.

Distinctions & Awards

Edward Lyman Phelps Professorship

Publications & Abstracts

View my work.

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Favorite Quote

“Anyone can slay a dragon, but try waking up every morning & loving the world all over again. That’s what takes a real hero.”

—Brian Andreas

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Rebecca Holt

Biography

Becky began her career in journalism, where she was an award-winning newspaper and online editor for 20 years. She then spent a decade as a nonprofit development and communications director. Since 2016, Becky has helped nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals (youth and adults) learn how to share their stories through interactive workshops, personalized trainings, and one-on-one coaching. She also writes creative fiction for young adults. Becky has a Bachelor’s of Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Distinctions & Awards

Gannett Supervisor of the Year (2008)
Missouri Lifestyle: National Award for General Excellence, First Place (2008)
Vermont Press Association: Outstanding Website, Daily (2008)
Gannett Chairman Award (2007)
Missouri Lifestyle: National Award for General Excellence, Second Place (2007)
Missouri Lifestyle: National Award for General Excellence, First Place (2004)

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

• Member of Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, University of Missouri Alumni Association
• Church Street Marketplace Commissioner, City of Burlington, Vermont (2019-present; current Vice Chair)

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Favorite Quote

“The sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it’s here is up to us. Journey wisely.”

—Alexandra Elle

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Mitchell Miller

Biography

Dr. Mitchell Miller, CFP®, is an entrepreneur, educator, author, and practicing Certified Financial Planner®, currently residing in Florida.

In a previous career, he was a corporate executive and senior manager for twenty-plus years with such global, integrated professional service firms such as KPMG LLP, Arthur Andersen LLP, and Lincoln Financial Advisors. Dr. Miller is privileged to have served as a vice president for a private, Miami-based, $150 million financial services organization and for more than 14 years was a regional consultant and manager for a publicly held corporation.

Dr. Miller’s most memorable corporate accomplishment, though, was being recognized by his corporate sponsors on numerous occasions for leadership excellence, and for receiving manager of the year awards for the ability to manage, recruit, hire, train and develop people.

Academically, Dr. Miller earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Brooklyn College, Master of Business Administration in Corporate Finance from Pace University’s graduate school of business, and attended the College for Financial Planning, completing the CFP® Professional Education Program. Dr. Miller’s DBA in finance was earned from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University. His dissertation subject was Modern Portfolio Theory.

As a practicing Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Dr. Miller provides investment advisory and financial planning services for his clientele. He’s also actively involved with scholarship activities, researching, writing, and publishing investment-related articles.

Dr. Mitchell Miller, DBA, CFP®

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Tanesha Morgan

Biography

BS Finance
Master of Business Administration
MS Healthcare Administration
PhD Public Policy

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Nicole Morris

Biography

Professor Morris left a successful corporate career to fulfill a life-long dream of sharing her passion of accounting with students in the classroom.
She has held several positions, including senior auditor for KPMG and controller for a local credit union. After obtaining her CPA license and CGMA certification, Professor Morris spent five years in various positions of increasing responsibility in the Finance Department at IDX Systems Corporation, which was acquired GE Healthcare during her tenure. Her positions centered around the implementation of Sarbanes Oxley, revenue recognition, and Six Sigma process improvement. In 2008 she joined the faculty at Champlain College. During her time at Champlain College, her academic experience includes classroom and online teaching of undergraduate accounting courses and business/management courses (with a particular focus on certified B Corps), as well as administration and curriculum development.
Professor Morris is a dedicated and committed member of the CPA profession. Locally, she is a member of the Vermont State Society of CPAs. On a national level, she was selected as one of twenty-eight young professionals from across the country to attend the inaugural AICPA leadership academy in the summer of 2009 and continues her commitment with the AICPA. In 2017, Professor Morris received two local honors, Vermont Business Magazine Rising Star award and as a Woman to Watch by the Vermont State Society of CPAs.
Outside of classroom, Professor Morris is devoted to Stiller Women in Business and helping B Corps harness the own capacity for impact. Her deepest values are family, community, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Distinctions & Awards

On a national level, she was selected as one of twenty-eight young professionals from across the country to attend the inaugural AICPA leadership academy in the summer of 2009 and continues her commitment with the AICPA. In 2017, Professor Morris received two local honors, Vermont Business Magazine Rising Star award and as a Woman to Watch by the Vermont State Society of CPAs.

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

• VTCPA
• AICPA
• B Academics

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Favorite Quote

“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

—Margaret Mead

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Kerry Noonan

Biography

Kerry Noonan holds a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in Folklore & Mythology from UCLA, and her research focuses primarily on new religious movements, and women’s roles in various religions; she has published articles on Catholic Charismatic women, online religious communities, feminist witchcraft, Goddess spirituality, and New Age religious folk art, and is also a specialist in Celtic folklore, and Chinese vernacular religions. Kerry often incorporates these topics into her Core classes, and twice led a travel course about Harry Potter. She also co-teaches the FLM capstone. Kerry was a professional actor in theater, TV, & film in Los Angeles, appearing in Friday the 13th Part VI, The New Twilight Zone, China Beach, Knot’s Landing, Mr. Belvedere, Family Ties, and Taxi, plus on stage with the Los Angles Theater Center, South Coast Rep, Arizona Rep, the Grove Shakespeare Festival, and co-founded City Stage. She was part of the Irish traditional band The McGuffins. For Champlain Theatre, Kerry directed Rough Magic: A Shakespeare Compilation, Sweeney Todd, The Lion in Winter, and Blue Stockings, as well as appearing as Gertrude in Hamlet, and is now the adviser for The Champlayers. She has been a contestant on Jeopardy! and Win Ben Stein’s Money.

Distinctions & Awards

Champlain College Diversity Award: International 2013; Faculty Internationalization Initiative Grant (Champlain College) 2009

Publications & Abstracts

Publications & Abstracts

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

• American Folklore Society
• American Academy of Religion

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

One of my favorite books is The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin. I’m also a Tolkien nerd, and a Jane Austen fanatic. I could go on and on …
A movie that I love is Fanny & Alexander, directed by Ingmar Bergman.

Favorite Quote

“The idea is like grass. It craves light, likes crowds, thrives on crossbreeding, grows better for being stepped on.”

—Ursula LeGuin, The Dispossessed

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Joseph OGrady

Biography

Professor Joe O’Grady has taught nearly a dozen different business courses during his 35+ year career at Champlain College. Currently he focuses on the fields of Human Resource Management, Problem Analysis & Decision Making, and Creativity & Innovation in Business. He fulfilled a three-year term as Chair of the former Division of Business. He has led and served on numerous college committees and task forces influencing strategic planning, new curriculum development, hiring, and faculty compensation. Since 2017 he has served as the College’s Faculty Ombudsman, providing advice and conflict resolution support to faculty.

Joe is a past recipient of the Edward P. Lyman Professorship in recognition of his outstanding contributions to teaching, service and student engagement at Champlain.
Before joining Champlain, Joe worked in various positions in the public and private sectors in two countries. For two years, he participated in research at the University of Vermont studying Vermont’s farm and rural economy and supporting undergraduate economics classes. While there, he developed an innovative methodology to measure the economic value of honeybee pollination to a rural economy which has since been applied by agronomists in four continents. Joe also worked in golf and resort operations, as a market researcher, and as a consultant with the Small Business Administration. He began his career as an analyst in a business development agency of the Canadian government.

Joe’s holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Prince Edward Island; a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Plymouth State University; and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Vermont. For more than 35 years he has maintained national certification as a “Senior Professional in Human Resources” (SPHR).

Distinctions & Awards

Edward P. Lyman Professorship (2005-2007)

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

Member: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Favorite Quote

“Every single social and business issue of our day is a business opportunity in disguise.”

—Prof. Peter Drucker

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Joseph Paquin

Biography

Joseph joined Champlain in 2023 in the Stiller School of Business as Adjunct Faculty. Joseph’s career has been focused on business and information technology. Currently he is a Director of Information Technology for the Vermont Judiciary. He has held various information technology roles in State government including Senior Software Developer and IT Business Analyst. Before his service in government, Joseph was in management in the private sector managing businesses greater than $100m. Joseph is passionate for education and experiential learning. He holds his Bachelors of Science in Networking and Telecommunications and a Master’s of Business Administration in Information Technology Leadership. In his spare time he volunteers with local government and works on his homestead with his family.

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Parthiv Patel

Biography

Pat Patel has lived and worked in 3 different countries (India, the UK, and USA). He comes from a pioneering industrial family which started the Agricultural Tractors and Earthmoving Machinery Manufacturing industry in India. He worked in the family business for two years as a Management Trainee after graduating with his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Bombay. After successfully completing the Management Trainee program, he moved to London where he worked for an affiliated British company that provided crankshafts and related parts to his family’s tractor and earthmoving machinery company.

In 1980, he moved to the United States to begin his graduate education, and he earned his Master of Business Administration degree, double majoring in Finance and Marketing, from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequent to getting his MBA, he moved to San Diego, California, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Information and Decision Sciences from San Diego State University.

After completing the two Master’s degree programs, he began his professional career in the Investment Software, Database, and Quantitative Modeling business with a leading Chicago based company called Zacks Investment Research, Inc. where he rose to become Vice President and Regional Manager for the company’s Los Angeles office. After working at Zacks Investment Research for 9 years, he worked directly in the Institutional Investment and Mutual Fund industry for 4 years as Vice President at Putnam Investments in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1998, he started his own business in the hospitality industry and he purchased two franchised hotels which he owned and managed for 9 years with his team of professional hotel managers and staff. He subsequently sold the properties and the business to a Houston,Texas, based hotel company.

He was hired by Champlain College in 2009 to teach in the business school, and he has been teaching a variety of business courses ever since at the Stiller School of Business. During his time at Champlain College, he also earned his Doctorate degree in Business Administration. In 2022, he was offered and he accepted the additional position of Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Distinctions & Awards

Distinguished Service Award for serving as President of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• Enlightenment Now by Howard Gardner
• Guns Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
• Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

Favorite Quote

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

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Marie Segares

Biography

Marie Segares is a career intrapreneur in the non-profit health and education industries with expertise in program development, launch, and expansion. Her experience includes deployment as an assistant officer in the Community Relations unit at the American Red Cross in Greater New York during Disaster Response 787 (September 11 World Trade Center); managing administrative operations of a federally-funded public housing community health center for an academic medical center in the South Bronx; co-founding a public high school in Downtown Brooklyn; and developing an online bachelor’s degree-completion program for a faith-based, historically Black college in Dallas.

Dr. Segares earned her AB in Sociology from Barnard College, her MPH in Sociomedical Sciences with a concentration in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from Columbia University, her MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Leadership & Change Management from New York University, and her EdD in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University. Dr. Segares has taught business, entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, human resources, management and organizational behavior, marketing, health education and public health, and health care management courses at the undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate levels in traditional/face-to-face, online, and hybrid learning environments. Her previous appointments were as an associate professor and director of the MS in Management program at St. Francis College and as an auxiliary professor and coordinator of the Health Care Management MBA program at Molloy College.

Dr. Segares is also an artisan entrepreneur, creating digital content to self-publish and for major crafts manufacturers and publishers. Her areas of research interest include artisan entrepreneurship, creative business, microenterprise, leadership, small business marketing, and gender and diversity in entrepreneurship and organizations.

Publications & Abstracts

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RMOcEWyWDomWOefX0yLzqk514dxlOZRc/view?usp=sharing

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Barrie Silver

Biography

Barrie is an innovative, mission-driven marketing and communications professional who is passionate about social justice and social change and has been helping organizations share their stories for more than two decades.

Having spent the majority of her career working in the nonprofit sector (for large organizations like Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and hyperlocal ones like CCTV Center for Media & Democracy) she says she “specializes in performing miracles on shoestring budgets.” She is also a consummate volunteer and has been on the board of Slow Food Vermont since 2015.

A lifelong learner, Barrie likes to collect and archive information, craves to know more, and is energized by other people, new ideas, and, of course, her students.

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

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Dana Steinhoff

Biography

Dana Steinhoff is an Assistant Professor of Game Production and Project Management in the Game Studio at Champlain College. She holds an MFA in Emergent Media from Champlain College. She teaches interdisciplinary teams to create interactive digital products while learning about leadership, interactive design, team dynamics, and agile project management methodology.

Steinhoff co-founded and served as the Executive Director of Rad Magpie, a Vermont-based non-profit organization that is doing its part to dismantle the patriarchy and white supremacy in video games by radically empowering underrepresented voices through video game development. Previously, she managed the Exquisite Corpse Company, an avant-garde immersive theater company in NYC. She currently consults on app and video game development projects in the Burlington area, including at Champlain’s own Emergent Media Center.

Steinhoff enjoys renovating her Winooski home and acting, most recently with Vermont Stage. You may be able to catch her performing in her cover band Dana and the Dads (limited engagements).

Distinctions & Awards

Academic Innovation Award 2023, Champlain College: For work completed on Re/Imagining Science DEIBJ Committee

Publications & Abstracts

My reflection on the evolution of Rad Magpie, the nonprofit organization I cofounded to support marginalized video game developers.

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Favorite Quote

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

—Anais Nin

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Jennifer Vincent

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Keith Wade

Biography

Dr. Keith Wade is an accomplished professional with over 18 years of business and finance experience, having worked with renowned Fortune 500 companies such as Ford Motor Company and Pitney Bowes. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in developing yearly plant budgets for Powertrain, amounting to more than $80 million. His responsibilities included ensuring the overall compliance of income statements across multiple companies and creating strategic roadmaps for future growth and income at Ford Motor Company.
In addition to his impressive corporate background, Dr. Wade boasts extensive academic expertise. He has successfully facilitated online classes covering various subjects, including finance, business, supply chain, project management, and organizational behavior. His ability to effectively impart knowledge in these areas has made him a valuable asset in the educational field.
Dr. Wade holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where he laid the foundation for his career. He later pursued and obtained an MBA in Business from the University of Detroit-Mercy in Detroit, Michigan, further enhancing his skills and knowledge. Committed to advancing his education, he went on to complete a Doctorate in Business from Argosy University, solidifying his expertise in the field.

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Peter Wehr

Biography

Peter Wehr has been an Adjunct and Instructor at Champlain College since 2011 teaching Game History and Game Production. Working mostly with first and second-year students, Wehr works very closely with student game production teams teaching them to function effectively to implement their game concepts.

Wehr has worked in academia and the entertainment industry for over four decades specializing in project management and developing infrastructure for new technologies for museums, games, film, television, CR-ROM, DVD, kiosks, and the web. Wehr has been fortunate to work with a variety of industry leaders such as the Smithsonian, HBO, PBS, the Rolling Stones, Sony, CBS, Pepsi, and Dilbert. While working in NYC in the independent television and film postproduction industry, Wehr created a reputation for taking on untraditional and unusual media projects. As one coworker pointed out to him “Whenever you are in a launch meeting, I know it is going to be an interesting ride.”

In his spare time, Wehr plays and coaches soccer, hikes, kayaks, Nordic skis, and snowboards, dabbles with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, reads history, and listens to a wide variety of music.

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Craig Winstead

Biography

Dr. Craig Winstead is a highly experienced and accomplished academic leader. His career has been a testament to his versatility, with significant corporate and scholarly contributions. In the corporate world, he honed his skills during his 12-year tenure at Verizon Communications, where he specialized in management. His expertise spanned sales, marketing, training, leadership, quality program management, and project management. In academia, he was a dedicated educator at Saint Leo University for 12 years, serving as a department chair for seven years.

His teaching experience encompasses various higher education levels, including undergraduate, MBA, and DBA programs. Notably, he was pivotal in developing project management, supply chain, and management programs at Saint Leo. He has served as the Dean of the Stiller School of Business at Champlain since 2023.

Dr. Winstead’s research interests focus on ethical decision-making, moral business leadership from an international perspective, technological advancements in higher education, and applying project management principles across various industries. He frequently speaks at academic and industry conferences and has published his work in reputable journals.

Dr. Winstead holds a PhD in Organizational Management from Capella University, an MS in Leadership and Business Ethics from Duquesne University, a master’s certificate from George Washington University, and a BA in Theater Arts from Bowdoin College. Additionally, he holds the highest certification, Project Management Professional (PMP), in his field.

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