7 Questions with leaders of small and medium enterprises

Name: Ken Zwerdling

Current title: Founder & CEO

Current organization: Global Expansion, Inc.

During the past 35 years, Ken has held leadership positions in multiple Fortune 500 companies, as well as 4 startups (3 of which were global) as well as a position as the Director of Human Resources and Technology at a local non-profit. His varied experience focused on Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Operations, Accounting/Finance, Purchasing, Technology, Sales, Marketing, Startups, International Entrepreneurship, Business and Strategic Planning and Economic Modeling.

Previously, Ken was the founder and CEO of New VentureZ Business Solutions, Inc., a management consulting firm specializing in the preparation of business, strategic, capital and marketing plans for emerging and expanding companies. Ken also founded, grew and after 15 years, sold Foreign Translations, Inc. a global language translation and interpreting company with over 3000 translators in 50 countries. The company serviced global organizations and the United States Government/Military during both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also founded Foreign Staffing, Inc. a global staffing and recruiting firm specializing in recruiting staff for global companies in over 100 countries. He also spent 5 years in Accounting and Finance with CRSS, Inc (now Jacobs Engineering) and 5 years with Ryder System in Miami. Ken started his career in New York City with Goldman Sachs as an Accountant.

Ken has an undergraduate degree from the State University of New York in Finance and Economics and an MBA from Nova’s Graduate School of Business. He has also received the Patriotic Employer Award from the United States Department of Defense for hiring military service veterans as full-time employees and interns for several of his companies. Ken has published articles in Global Trade Magazine titled “Hire Education – Employee Laws when expanding into Europe” and has been a Guest Lecturer – for Clemson University’s Graduate School of Business on the subject of "Managing Your Career".

For the past 4 years Ken has been the CEO of his 4th startup, Global Expansion, Inc. The company focuses on Career – Job Search Coaching, Outplacement and Career Transition Services, Global Recruiting and Employer of Record Services and as a Global Remote Work Consultant helping both professional that wish to work remotely and companies that wish to transition from brick and mortar organizations to remote/virtual ones with no physical offices.

Name: Kyle Havlicek-McClenahan

Current title: CEO

Current organization: Scales Technologies

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Kyle has spent the past decade studying, working and (emphasis) living in Switzerland, France, Alaska and Norway. An avid hiker, skier and naturalist, his passion for the outdoors contributes to a deep sense of connectedness with the ecosystems around him, including social, collaborative and community ecosystems. This fascination with how we interact led him to build Scales, a platform that fundamentally reimagines how people, process and knowledge connect in organizations and across communities and networks using automation and artificial intelligence. In his free time, Kyle loves to read, cook and spend time in nature.

Name: Michael Yinger

Current title: CEO

Current organization: ResumeSieve, Inc.

Michael Yinger has been in the talent acquisition space for almost 20 years, most recently as the Global Lead of Growth, Strategy and Product Management for PeopleScout. His previous experience in the space includes Aon RPO as Global Delivery Leader, Randstad Sourceright as VP of Implementation and Technology, and as an independent consultant specializing in process and implementation for multiple clients. A well tenured business executive, Mr. Yinger brings expertise in technology, business design, and strategy to The Sieve, as well as a passion to enhance the experience of all the participants in the recruitment process. He and his family live in Charlotte, NC, where they take time to enjoy the outdoors and regional entertainment, taking advantage of the mild climate.

Name: Marta Ariño Barrera

Current title: CEO

Current organisation: ZINET MEDIA GROUP

(before G+J España)
Chairman Asociación de Revistas – ARI
Owner & Founder Editorial PINOLIA

Actualmente es CEO de Zinet Media Group, -antes G+J España-, y anteriormente fue la Directora General de la unidad de revistas del Grupo Zeta. Previamente ocupó la Dirección General de RBA Coleccionables, y la Dirección de Marketing de Vanguardia Publicaciones.

Degree in Economics from the University of Barcelona, MBA in Business Administration from ESADE, and Master of New Challenges from Harvard Business School.

She is currently CEO of Zinet Media Group, -before G + J Spain-, and previously she was the Managing Director of the Zeta Group's magazine unit. Previously, he held the General Management of RBA Collectibles, and the Marketing Management of Vanguardia Publications.

It is part of the Executive Management Tutoring Program with the CEOE. She is Associate Professor of the Master in Publishing at Pompeu Fabra University, Associate Professor in the Master in Marketing at La Salle University, participates in the Mentoring in Management Program for executives with the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) and Grupo Bertelsmann, and operates as an investor in different Start-Ups.

Name: Ross Overline

Current title: CEO

Current organisation: Scholars of Finance

Ross is the Co-Founder & CEO of Scholars of Finance (SOF), a fast-growing organization that inspires character and integrity in the finance leaders of tomorrow. SOF brings together leading investors and finance executives to teach undergraduate students how they can make an impact through finance and investing.

Name: Saville Williams

Current title: CEO

Current organisation: Scholar Connections

Passionate Youth Development Professional driven to decrease wealth disparities through education!

Name: Sridhar Ramasubbu

Current title: CFO

Current organisation: Brillio

Seasoned senior finance executive with experience in turning around tech start-ups to growth & enhanced profitability. Have worked in both public & private companies. M&A, IPO experience. Managed team dispersed across the globe and good experience in country expansion initiatives.

Name: Nicole Martin

Current title: Chief Empowerment Officer

Current organisation: HRBoost LLC

Nicole Martin is Chief Empowerment Officer and Founder of HRBoost, LLC, a HR Shared Services consulting firm based in Chicago, Illinois. In recognition of her professional excellence as well as her community, Nicole has been honored by multiple organizations including most recently as one of Mirror Review’s 10 Game Changing Women in 2019. Awardee for Business Excellence by the Chicago Daily Herald, and a 2016 Enterprising Women of the Year Champion by Enterprising Women Magazine. A sought-after expert, her knowledge and advice have been featured in newspapers and magazines throughout the country. In addition, Nicole is the host online of HR in the Fast Lane and contributing writer for the Chicago Business Journal. Nicole has authored, International Literary Award and Amazon Best Seller, The Talent Emergency, the accompanying Talent Emergency Guidebook, The Human Side of Profitability, The Power of Joy & Purpose, and her newly released co-authored book No Fear Negotiation for Women. She will be the opening Keynote for the Women’s Health and Empowerment Conference in Paris in June 2021 for her book, The Power of Joy and Purpose. Nicole serves on a number of Boards dedicated to Human Capital, Culture and HR Excellence of which include Best & Brightest® Companies to Work For, Social Service in the community and Women in Business. To learn more about Nicole, go to www.hrboost.com or www.nicolemartin.live

Name: Sharonda Allen

Current title: Executive Director

Current organisation: Operation Grow Inc

Sharonda Allen, MPA is a Social Philanthropist, Author, Educator, Nonprofit Founder, Educational Consultant, Curriculum and Grant Writer, Singer, Public Speaker, Climate Reality Leader, TV Talk Show Host, and Service Learning Facilitator..

Name: Bret Heinrich

Current title: President and CEO

Current organisation: Wings of Hope

Bret Heinrich is President and CEO of Wings of Hope, a 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 1962 that changes and saves lives through the power of aviation. Wings of Hope operates the Medical Relief & Air Transport (MAT) public benefit flight program in the United States, and works with partners to deliver humanitarian service on a global basis. Wings of Hope is a two-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and maintains top ratings on GuideStar and CharityNavigator. Prior to joining Wings of Hope, Bret served as Chief Development Officer of St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation, an organization dedicated to a mission of empowering elders and their caregivers through choices and options that foster a vital life. Bret’s experience also included roles with the OASIS Institute and The Laurasian Institution. Bret is a Past-President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), St. Louis Regional Chapter and also a member of the Association’s International Board of Directors. He served on the Kirkwood School District R-7 Board of Education where he achieved advanced board member certification, and is also a Past-President of the Kirkwood School District Foundation Board of Directors. He serves as a member of the Kirkwood Arts Foundation Board of Directors. Nationally, Bret serves as Vice Chair on the Albuquerque Oasis Board of Directors and has served in leadership roles on other nonprofit boards. Bret is an Adjunct Instructor in the Washington University and the Webster University Nonprofit Management Programs and has made presentations throughout the United States and internationally. Bret has a bachelor’s degree in English from Eureka College, in Eureka, Illinois, and an MFA from Western Illinois University, in Macomb Illinois. In 2005, Bret earned his Certified Fundraising Executive credential. He is an ordained minister through the General Council of Christian Churches.

Name: Sharmila Mathew

Current title: Founder

Current organisation: Digi Optimization

I am the founder of Digi Optimization. I founded Digi Optimization in August 2020. We are an online internet business providing digital marketing services to businesses. Before Digi Optimization, I have worked with Wipro, Convergys, and Certification Planner. With over 17 years of experience, I have worked in various fields which includes customer service, quality analyst, content management, and digital marketing services.

Name: Samantha Newport

Current title: Founder

Current organisation: The Room – Psy

I am the founder of ‘The Room – Psy’ (www.theroompsy.com), Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology (Hons), BPS member, and proud environmentalist. I have other experience and training in law, business, and social media. I initially set up The Room – Psy to compliment my training as I continued along the academic path towards becoming a psychiatrist. The aim was to provide information, incite debate and reduce stigma surrounding everything psychology and mental health. Since then, my professional aims and the purpose of the brand has changed and evolved to incorporate more information beyond mental distress and disorder, to cover wider and deeper topics concerning health, society, wider aspects of psychology and environmentalism. I am currently working to expand my team and the platform, as well as qualify as a Humanistic Psychotherapist so I can further help people with their mental health and life goals.

I felt very alienated from my surroundings growing up and dealt with some significant challenges, setbacks, and mental health issues. This led me to develop a great deal of resilience as well as some really important values, which I utilise in everything I do. I strongly believe that life shouldn't just be about turning a profit or how many credentials you've got next to your name, but to contribute something valuable to this planet whilst you're on it. I believe that we all have a duty to do more and be better, and that success and progress cannot happen without being mindful of this principle.

This principle is part of why I do what I do with The Room – Psy. I get a significant amount of happiness and satisfaction knowing that my fabulous Featured Writers and I, aren’t just putting out great and free content to inspire change and educate - but that our work really does help people with their struggles, identity and sense of belonging in this cluttered, ego-centric world that we share. I wanted to design an online space to give people the opportunity to share something valuable that they write/create and expand current literature, free from agenda or academic politics.