Alan is the Summit Chair and President of the Wharton Club of Washington, DC. His dedication to the School and the Club resulted in his becoming a recipient of the Club’s Joseph Wharton Award and Wharton’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award. During his tenure, the Club has had 15 successful conferences, including the five Innovation Summits that have stimulated, connected and empowered a diverse group of innovators and entrepreneurs within and well beyond the Wharton alumni network.
An accomplished business attorney with the highest rating, “a v,” from Martindale-Hubbell, Alan’s career has been split between private practice (now in business and general practice) and public service. He received a Distinguished Service Award for his decade of service as a Senior Trial Attorney at the Federal Trade Commission after two years at the Justice Department. Alan earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School following his undergraduate work at the Wharton School.
Alan is the Summit Chair and President of the Wharton Club of Washington, DC. His dedication to the School and the Club resulted in his becoming a recipient of the Club’s Joseph Wharton Award and Wharton’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award. During his tenure, the Club has had 15 successful conferences, including the five Innovation Summits that have stimulated, connected and empowered a diverse group of innovators and entrepreneurs within and well beyond the Wharton alumni network.
An accomplished business attorney with the highest rating, “a v,” from Martindale-Hubbell, Alan’s career has been split between private practice (now in business and general practice) and public service. He received a Distinguished Service Award for his decade of service as a Senior Trial Attorney at the Federal Trade Commission after two years at the Justice Department. Alan earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School following his undergraduate work at the Wharton School.
Ruwan Salgado is Principal of Strat8gy International, LLC, an international management consultancy, and was a Partner at Sino America Investment Partners, a venture seeking to assist Chinese companies with investing in the United States. He has expertise in business development, project management, operations, financial management and analysis, and strategic planning. As a management consultant in and outside of the U.S., Ruwan has worked with senior government officials and corporate executives in a wide range of industries including oil, mining, healthcare, finance/capital markets, education and agribusiness. He has served in general management, strategic planning, business development, operations and finance roles with both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Early in his career, he gained experience in venture capital at Calvert Ventures, which established the first socially responsible venture capital fund, helping to manage its portfolio companies and identify and assess new investment opportunities. More recently, Ruwan served as the Executive Director of World Links, an internationally award winning (e.g., from the World Economic Forum etc.) and innovative spin-off from The World Bank that focused on leveraging information and communications technology to improve global education. While at World Links, he spoke on educational technology at international conferences in Africa, Asia and the U.S.A. Ruwan served for over a decade as the President of the University of Chicago Booth School’s alumni club in the Washington, D.C. area and was co-founder and co-Chair of its Entrepreneurs’ Advisory Group, which provided monthly pro bono advise to Washington, DC area entrepreneurs. He serves on the White Flint Implementation Advisory Committee tasked to advise Montgomery County, Maryland’s Planning Board on the implementation of the County’s multi-billion dollar White Flint Sector Plan. Ruwan has an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago and an M.Phil. in Economics from Oxford University. He received both a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Engineering from Swarthmore College.
Ruwan Salgado is Principal of Strat8gy International, LLC, an international management consultancy, and was a Partner at Sino America Investment Partners, a venture seeking to assist Chinese companies with investing in the United States. He has expertise in business development, project management, operations, financial management and analysis, and strategic planning. As a management consultant in and outside of the U.S., Ruwan has worked with senior government officials and corporate executives in a wide range of industries including oil, mining, healthcare, finance/capital markets, education and agribusiness. He has served in general management, strategic planning, business development, operations and finance roles with both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Early in his career, he gained experience in venture capital at Calvert Ventures, which established the first socially responsible venture capital fund, helping to manage its portfolio companies and identify and assess new investment opportunities. More recently, Ruwan served as the Executive Director of World Links, an internationally award winning (e.g., from the World Economic Forum etc.) and innovative spin-off from The World Bank that focused on leveraging information and communications technology to improve global education. While at World Links, he spoke on educational technology at international conferences in Africa, Asia and the U.S.A. Ruwan served for over a decade as the President of the University of Chicago Booth School’s alumni club in the Washington, D.C. area and was co-founder and co-Chair of its Entrepreneurs’ Advisory Group, which provided monthly pro bono advise to Washington, DC area entrepreneurs. He serves on the White Flint Implementation Advisory Committee tasked to advise Montgomery County, Maryland’s Planning Board on the implementation of the County’s multi-billion dollar White Flint Sector Plan. Ruwan has an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago and an M.Phil. in Economics from Oxford University. He received both a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Engineering from Swarthmore College.
Brian Barnett founded The Barnett Company, Inc., a strategy consulting and advisory firm based in McLean, Virginia, in 1993. During his career, he has launched, led and consulted to projects and businesses in 38 countries across Africa, Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, Middle East, Pacific Rim, the former Soviet Union and the United States. He has worked in industries that include agriculture, agribusiness, environmental products and services, finance and information technology.
The Barnett Company, Inc., advises investors on building a portfolio of compelling agriculture-food businesses; and entrepreneur, corporate, government and multi-lateral clients by bringing new vision, fresh perspective, strategic analysis, innovative solutions, action plans and execution and/or monitoring. The Barnett Company also assists private sector clients in advising, evaluating and launching potential ventures, partners, projects and new lines of business.
Mr. Barnett received his Bachelor of Science degree with Distinction from Cornell University and his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He also earned the Certifications: Amazon Web Services - Business Professional; IBM Top Gun Sales; and Verizon Partner Program Sales; and enjoys contributing to the Harvard Business School Club, Washington DC Agricultural Roundtable and the Controlled Environment Agriculture Advisory Council at Cornell University.
Brian Barnett founded The Barnett Company, Inc., a strategy consulting and advisory firm based in McLean, Virginia, in 1993. During his career, he has launched, led and consulted to projects and businesses in 38 countries across Africa, Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, Middle East, Pacific Rim, the former Soviet Union and the United States. He has worked in industries that include agriculture, agribusiness, environmental products and services, finance and information technology.
The Barnett Company, Inc., advises investors on building a portfolio of compelling agriculture-food businesses; and entrepreneur, corporate, government and multi-lateral clients by bringing new vision, fresh perspective, strategic analysis, innovative solutions, action plans and execution and/or monitoring. The Barnett Company also assists private sector clients in advising, evaluating and launching potential ventures, partners, projects and new lines of business.
Mr. Barnett received his Bachelor of Science degree with Distinction from Cornell University and his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He also earned the Certifications: Amazon Web Services - Business Professional; IBM Top Gun Sales; and Verizon Partner Program Sales; and enjoys contributing to the Harvard Business School Club, Washington DC Agricultural Roundtable and the Controlled Environment Agriculture Advisory Council at Cornell University.
Hector Del Castillo is a growth expert and advisor specializing in mid-market software and technology companies. With over 17 years of experience, he helps businesses achieve sustaining or accelerated growth by building high-performing teams, optimizing processes, and implementing innovative strategies. His expertise drives significant improvements in profitability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, positioning companies to outperform their competition and scale effectively.
Hector Del Castillo is a growth expert and advisor specializing in mid-market software and technology companies. With over 17 years of experience, he helps businesses achieve sustaining or accelerated growth by building high-performing teams, optimizing processes, and implementing innovative strategies. His expertise drives significant improvements in profitability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, positioning companies to outperform their competition and scale effectively.
Mr. Edwards focuses on working with companies who are driving the energy transition. Rob is an energy industry executive and strategic advisor on global Next-Gen energy solutions and investments. Rob brings more than 20 years of diverse leadership and advisory experience supporting senior decision makers in the private sector (JPMorgan Chase, Tesla, Edison Mission Energy, DTE Energy), and in government (Department of Energy Loan Programs Office). As a recognized thought leader in Next-Generation Energy Solutions, he brings together public and private stakeholders to develop, structure, and implement multibillion-dollar energy projects in the United States and around the globe, furthering society's transformation to a decentralized, decarbonized, durable, digital grid.
Rob has spent 25 years in a series of roles in banking, project development and finance, government service and law focused on companies and projects in the climatetech, renewable energy, electric vehicles and related sectors. Rob has led more than $15 billion in energy and automotive project finance and energy M&A transactions.
Rob served the first Director of Outreach and Business Development at the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (2021-2022) and as a Senior Presidential Appointee (non-career SES) the Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy at the Department of Energy during the Obama Administration (2009-2011).
Rob excels in working cross-functionally with legal, finance, sales, and operations to develop innovative solutions that help clients and customers achieve sustainability strategies worldwide. In 2010, Rob was selected by Vantage Point Partners to participate in its 100 Clean Tech Leaders held at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Sundance, Utah and in 2015 Rob was selected as one of 21 nationwide leaders to participate in the National Renewable Energy Lab's Executive Energy Leadership Program.
Mr. Edwards focuses on working with companies who are driving the energy transition. Rob is an energy industry executive and strategic advisor on global Next-Gen energy solutions and investments. Rob brings more than 20 years of diverse leadership and advisory experience supporting senior decision makers in the private sector (JPMorgan Chase, Tesla, Edison Mission Energy, DTE Energy), and in government (Department of Energy Loan Programs Office). As a recognized thought leader in Next-Generation Energy Solutions, he brings together public and private stakeholders to develop, structure, and implement multibillion-dollar energy projects in the United States and around the globe, furthering society's transformation to a decentralized, decarbonized, durable, digital grid.
Rob has spent 25 years in a series of roles in banking, project development and finance, government service and law focused on companies and projects in the climatetech, renewable energy, electric vehicles and related sectors. Rob has led more than $15 billion in energy and automotive project finance and energy M&A transactions.
Rob served the first Director of Outreach and Business Development at the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (2021-2022) and as a Senior Presidential Appointee (non-career SES) the Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy at the Department of Energy during the Obama Administration (2009-2011).
Rob excels in working cross-functionally with legal, finance, sales, and operations to develop innovative solutions that help clients and customers achieve sustainability strategies worldwide. In 2010, Rob was selected by Vantage Point Partners to participate in its 100 Clean Tech Leaders held at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Sundance, Utah and in 2015 Rob was selected as one of 21 nationwide leaders to participate in the National Renewable Energy Lab's Executive Energy Leadership Program.
For most of his career, Frank Ganis has been immersed in innovation. He has always been enthusiastic about developing, launching and improving game-changing or even life-changing products and services which leverage digital technology.
Frank became immersed in the principles of strategic planning and technology development while working as a software engineer at the great idea factory, AT&T Bell Labs. During his decade there, he worked on a series of distributed database applications which are precursors to today’s cloud offerings, and a futuristic interactive television platform with programming and features that are forerunners to the metaverse. Thanks to AT&T’s sponsorship of Spaceship Earth in EPCOT, he was also trained in the detailed discipline of Disney Imagineering.
Currently, Frank is Senior Advisor and Board Member of the DC Archangels where he participates in review teams to evaluate early-stage companies for investment readiness and growth potential. Industry segments include smart cities, urban agriculture, artificial intelligence, drone applications, digital healthcare, online education, eldercare and immersive entertainment.
Frank is also a member of the Enhanced Digital Solutions consulting consortium. His success at working with clients to improve their businesses is grounded in experience in EdTech (Blackboard, Sylvan Learning), financial services (Capital One, USF&G) and telecom (AT&T, MCI). Career highlights include:
• Launching Gradarius, a Calculus Learning Platform that leverages AI so students can solve problems online in a step-by-step manner and receive real-time feedback and guidance.
• Growing the Gilfus Education Group by crafting leading-edge education solutions for school districts, colleges, universities, corporate training companies, academic publishers and toy manufacturers to promote institutional efficiencies and improve student success.
• Negotiating and managing strategic partnerships at Blackboard, Inc. to create new eLearning applications. Partners ranged from technology leaders (Microsoft, Oracle, Dell, Google, Intel) to major academic publishers (Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin) to early-stage online education companies.
• Improving and expanding Sylvan Online, the first large-scale online tutoring programs to deliver live multimedia instruction between teachers and students.
• Pioneering a series of Web-based products at Capital One for teens and young adults, along with free Internet access and the company’s first Web site for auto loans,
• Leading the Multimedia Commerce Group at USF&G Insurance and introducing online insurance sales through a collection of targeted Web sites for consumers, small businesses, large corporations and independent sales agents.
• Collaborating at MCI/News Corp. Internet Ventures, on the development of YourMoney.com, a pioneering Web-based personal finance community. Also participating in the design of the first Web sites for retailers such as Macy’s, Brooks Brothers and Neiman Marcus’ Horchow Catalog.
A life-long learner, Frank earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Penn State, an MSE in Computer and Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from The Wharton School.
For most of his career, Frank Ganis has been immersed in innovation. He has always been enthusiastic about developing, launching and improving game-changing or even life-changing products and services which leverage digital technology.
Frank became immersed in the principles of strategic planning and technology development while working as a software engineer at the great idea factory, AT&T Bell Labs. During his decade there, he worked on a series of distributed database applications which are precursors to today’s cloud offerings, and a futuristic interactive television platform with programming and features that are forerunners to the metaverse. Thanks to AT&T’s sponsorship of Spaceship Earth in EPCOT, he was also trained in the detailed discipline of Disney Imagineering.
Currently, Frank is Senior Advisor and Board Member of the DC Archangels where he participates in review teams to evaluate early-stage companies for investment readiness and growth potential. Industry segments include smart cities, urban agriculture, artificial intelligence, drone applications, digital healthcare, online education, eldercare and immersive entertainment.
Frank is also a member of the Enhanced Digital Solutions consulting consortium. His success at working with clients to improve their businesses is grounded in experience in EdTech (Blackboard, Sylvan Learning), financial services (Capital One, USF&G) and telecom (AT&T, MCI). Career highlights include:
• Launching Gradarius, a Calculus Learning Platform that leverages AI so students can solve problems online in a step-by-step manner and receive real-time feedback and guidance.
• Growing the Gilfus Education Group by crafting leading-edge education solutions for school districts, colleges, universities, corporate training companies, academic publishers and toy manufacturers to promote institutional efficiencies and improve student success.
• Negotiating and managing strategic partnerships at Blackboard, Inc. to create new eLearning applications. Partners ranged from technology leaders (Microsoft, Oracle, Dell, Google, Intel) to major academic publishers (Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin) to early-stage online education companies.
• Improving and expanding Sylvan Online, the first large-scale online tutoring programs to deliver live multimedia instruction between teachers and students.
• Pioneering a series of Web-based products at Capital One for teens and young adults, along with free Internet access and the company’s first Web site for auto loans,
• Leading the Multimedia Commerce Group at USF&G Insurance and introducing online insurance sales through a collection of targeted Web sites for consumers, small businesses, large corporations and independent sales agents.
• Collaborating at MCI/News Corp. Internet Ventures, on the development of YourMoney.com, a pioneering Web-based personal finance community. Also participating in the design of the first Web sites for retailers such as Macy’s, Brooks Brothers and Neiman Marcus’ Horchow Catalog.
A life-long learner, Frank earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Penn State, an MSE in Computer and Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from The Wharton School.
Jeffrey Hausfeld, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., has served on the national board and committees of specialty medical societies since he began his practice in Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic Surgery in 1982. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at George Washington University School of Health Sciences and an alumnus of the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Hausfeld is widely published in the medical literature, is the pioneer of innovative laser surgery techniques, is the author of a lay oriented medical book on snoring and sleep apnea, and has appeared on numerous local and national television and radio shows as a medical expert.
He has also served as a health care consultant, spokesperson, and executive coach for multi-national pharmaceutical companies, health care firms, as well as the U.S. military. Dr. Hausfeld stepped down from his clinical duties after receiving a Masters in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Hausfeld is presently developing assisted living facilities specializing in Alzheimer's and dementia care.
He serves as a consultant to several healthcare/life science startups in diagnostics, devices, biotech and Health IT. He also serves on the Investment Advisory Board of the Center for Innovation Technology's Life Science Gap Fund. The fund supports promising healthcare and life sciences ventures in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Hausfeld is the Chairman and Founder of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (www.sopenet.org ), a global network focused on educating healthcare and life science professionals in Bioentrepreneurship and Innovation.
Dr. Hausfeld is orchestrating the Series B Financing of BioFactura (www.biofactura.com) and acted as the lead investor in this round. He will serve as Chairman of the Board of BioFactura as well as their Chief Medical Officer as the company develops its Biosimilar platform as well as its novel Bio-defense therapeutics.
Jeffrey Hausfeld, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., has served on the national board and committees of specialty medical societies since he began his practice in Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic Surgery in 1982. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at George Washington University School of Health Sciences and an alumnus of the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Hausfeld is widely published in the medical literature, is the pioneer of innovative laser surgery techniques, is the author of a lay oriented medical book on snoring and sleep apnea, and has appeared on numerous local and national television and radio shows as a medical expert.
He has also served as a health care consultant, spokesperson, and executive coach for multi-national pharmaceutical companies, health care firms, as well as the U.S. military. Dr. Hausfeld stepped down from his clinical duties after receiving a Masters in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Hausfeld is presently developing assisted living facilities specializing in Alzheimer's and dementia care.
He serves as a consultant to several healthcare/life science startups in diagnostics, devices, biotech and Health IT. He also serves on the Investment Advisory Board of the Center for Innovation Technology's Life Science Gap Fund. The fund supports promising healthcare and life sciences ventures in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Hausfeld is the Chairman and Founder of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (www.sopenet.org ), a global network focused on educating healthcare and life science professionals in Bioentrepreneurship and Innovation.
Dr. Hausfeld is orchestrating the Series B Financing of BioFactura (www.biofactura.com) and acted as the lead investor in this round. He will serve as Chairman of the Board of BioFactura as well as their Chief Medical Officer as the company develops its Biosimilar platform as well as its novel Bio-defense therapeutics.
Diana Van Dyke, DDS MPH, is a dentist who writes spy novels, general fiction, and nonfiction. She was an Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, has edited dental journals, and practiced privately.
Like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the Scottish physician who created Sherlock Holmes, she began writing fiction between patient appointments. She ultimately won the top prize for unpublished fiction in the United States and was also a three-time finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier award.
She is currently the Past President for the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary. Diana holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a certificate from the Yale Writer's Conference.
Diana Van Dyke, DDS MPH, is a dentist who writes spy novels, general fiction, and nonfiction. She was an Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, has edited dental journals, and practiced privately.
Like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the Scottish physician who created Sherlock Holmes, she began writing fiction between patient appointments. She ultimately won the top prize for unpublished fiction in the United States and was also a three-time finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier award.
She is currently the Past President for the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary. Diana holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a certificate from the Yale Writer's Conference.
Laurie Wiggins is a seasoned advisor, entrepreneur and engineer. She has over 35 years of experience advising and leading companies and projects to success in IT and aerospace, and related SaaS companies. She is passionate about helping companies achieve investment, high revenue and high profit growth. She has founded and led several businesses and provided clients with business and engineering expertise. She publishes articles and conducts webinars and panel discussions on organic and scaling growth strategies for SaaS and hardware companies.
Laurie Wiggins is a seasoned advisor, entrepreneur and engineer. She has over 35 years of experience advising and leading companies and projects to success in IT and aerospace, and related SaaS companies. She is passionate about helping companies achieve investment, high revenue and high profit growth. She has founded and led several businesses and provided clients with business and engineering expertise. She publishes articles and conducts webinars and panel discussions on organic and scaling growth strategies for SaaS and hardware companies.