ARTS, MUSIC & THEATRE
Chuck Burgi
Drummer in Billy Joel’s Band since 2006
Chuck Burgi grew up listening to the exotic sounds of the ‘Big Band Era” played constantly by his parents in their home in NJ. While he was thrilled by their music, Chuck never thought that he would make a living as a professional musician. As fate would have it, a chance viewing of the Beatles first television performance on The Ed Sullivan Show completely transformed his life. Starting in his senior year of high school, Chuck has been fortunate to be performing and recording with such famous artists as guitarist Al Di Meola, Hall and Oates, Diana Ross, Jon Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, and Blue Ӧyster Cult. After a three-year stint with pop star Enrique Iglesias, Chuck debuted on Broadway drumming for the musical Movin’ Out, which featured the music of Billy Joel and the choreography of Twyla Tharp. While playing the final shows of Movin’ Out, Billy asked Chuck to join his band and he has continued for the past 20 years performing sold out shows throughout the world with The Piano Man, often with guest artists like Sting, Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks. Highlights of his career include “The Last Play at Shea” final concert to close Shea Stadium and the 10-year residency at Madison Square Garden. When he is home, Chuck splits his time between caring for a herd of wild deer, teaching privately, and creating motivational workshops for various age groups that have at their core, his passion for music, drums, and drumming.
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Amy Goff
Lead vocalist and session singer for famed rock musician Meat Loaf
After graduating from college, Amy Goff moved to Germany to launch her professional music career and quickly rose to the top of the European charts, touring extensively with her band, BLIND DATE. While working as a sought-after session vocalist across Europe, she met legendary artist Meat Loaf, leading to a seven-year tenure performing and recording worldwide as a member of Meat Loaf and The Neverland Express. After relocating to Manhattan, Amy continued her success as a session singer and live performer, producing critically acclaimed choral albums for Time Life Music. She also became a prominent voice in the New York advertising community for more than two decades, singing on and co-writing hundreds of national television and radio campaigns for major brands including Ford, Barbie, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Subaru, KFC, Sears, and Chevrolet. Amy currently serves as lead vocalist for the cover band OCD (One Chick with Dudes), performing throughout the tri-state area alongside her husband, drummer Chuck Burgi. Amy also founded Lunch Lady Foods, a Northern New Jersey–based catering company specializing in vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free cuisine made with locally sourced, primarily organic ingredients.
Cheryl Dennis
General Manager of Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre
Cheryl Dennis is the Managing Director of Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway and has spent more than twenty years behind the scenes of some of the American theater’s most acclaimed work. As a general, company, and theater manager, she has contributed to over 40 distinguished and award-winning productions including Just in Time (with Jonathan Groff), An Enemy of the People. American Buffalo, Oklahoma!, Once on This Island, and Fun Home, with show management credits ranging from Barefoot in the Park and Golda’s Balcony to Metamorphoses, True West, tick, tick…Boom!, and The Last Five Years. Cheryl is a graduate of Fordham University, a member of The Broadway League and The Broadway Woman’s Alliance, and a strong proponent of arts in education.
Todd Doney
Fine artist, illustrator, and art educator
Todd won his first art competition at the age of 3. His drawing of Casper the Friendly Ghost in a local television station competition won first prize – a rocking horse. “I don’t remember doing the drawing, but I do remember the rocking horse,” said Doney. Growing up, Todd had two loves – sports and art. He hoped to continue his baseball career in college, but a knee injury ended that dream, hastening his decision to pursue a career in art at the prestigious American Academy of Art in Chicago where he was awarded the Union League Scholarship. His freelance illustration career has spanned over 35 years, during which he has worked with advertising agencies, publishing companies, sport teams, and others. His client list includes AT&T, Budweiser, Charles Scribner’s & Sons, Eddie Bauer, Field & Stream, Golf Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and the Chicago Bears among others. Todd’s gallery work includes one-person shows at the Morris Museum, Broadfoot & Broadfoot Gallery in Boonton, MPAC, and a group show at Drumthwacket, the Governor’s official residence, in Princeton. Todd is also a professor of art at the County College of Morris in Randolph, where he teaches drawing, painting, and foundation classes. Much of the inspiration for his work comes from the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, adjacent to his home.
Michael Hollick
American actor and Broadway performer currently performing in Disney’s The Lion King
Michael Hollick is a veteran Broadway actor, award-winning voice performer, and passionate educator with a decades-spanning career across stage, screen, and interactive media. He is best known for his starring roles on Broadway in Tarzan, Jumpers, and currently The Lion King, as well as his groundbreaking performance as lead character Niko Bellic in Grand Theft Auto IV, a video game for which he provided both voice and motion capture—earning him a Spike TV Video Game Award for Best Performance and contributing to the game’s record-breaking $500 million launch week. On television, he has appeared in Law & Order, Sex and the City, Guiding Light, and Hawaii Five-0. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s BFA musical theater program, Michael is a seasoned arts educator teaching master classes in acting and movement at the Sacramento Theatre Company and Louisiana’s NOCCA Arts Conservatory. He is also deeply involved in local arts education, running a theatre camp in his hometown of Mountain Lakes and working closely with the cast of the Mountain Lakes High School productions.
AUTHORS & JOURNALISTS
Nat Cassidy
Bestselling and Bram Stoker award-nominated horror writer, actor, and playwright
Nat Cassidy is a national bestselling and Bram Stoker award-nominated author whose works include Mary (“One of the Best Horror Novels of All Time” – Audible), When the Wolf Comes Home (“A classic” – Stephen King), Nestlings, and Rest Stop. Esquire described him as one “of the best horror writers of this generation” and among the writers “shaping horror’s next golden age.” His award-winning plays have been produced across the country, including Off-Broadway and with Washington National Opera. Nat has also guest-starred on shows like Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Bull, Quantico, FBI, and many others. His newest release, a short story collection titled I Know a Place, features an introduction by Stephen King and will be available wherever books are sold on May 5, 2026.
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Kelley Rae O’Donnell
Award-winning actor, voiceover artist, producer, and writer
As an award-winning actor, voiceover artist, producer, and writer, Kelley was made a company member of Off-Broadway’s highly acclaimed LAByrinth Theater Company in New York City by Philip Seymour Hoffman & John Ortiz. Her film credits include No Hard Feelings with Jennifer Lawrence, The Irishman with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. TV credits include Tommy (CBS), Invasion (APPLE TV) The Blacklist (NBC), Shades of Blue (NBC), and Like So Many Things (IFC). Kelley can voice many different accents including Southern, Texan, New York, Boston, British, German and Russian. Given 24 hours, she can prepare most dialects. She is also a creator and performer of original comedy content for companies like WeTV (Women’s Entertainment Television).
Emily Laber-Warren
Distinguished science journalist and editor
Covering topics in health, psychology, and the environment, Emily is a freelance writer for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Psychology Today, Scientific American and previous senior editor at Popular Science, Women’s Health, and Scientific American Mind. She is the author of a series of Science Journalism Master Classes published by The Open Notebook, an organization that equips journalists with the skills, tools, and community support they need to produce evidence-based reporting to inform the public and empower society. She also heads the Health & Science Reporting Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
CULINARY ARTS & FOOD ENTREPRENEURS
Yianni (John) Arvanites
Co-Founder & Co-Owner of LOKL Café
Together with his close friend and business partner Panos Stogioglou, Yianni co-founded LOKL Café with the vision of creating something more than a traditional coffee shop. For Yianni, LOKL represents a personal journey into the artistic side of coffee culture, where precision, hospitality, and creativity come together to create meaningful experiences for guests. Closely involved in the life of LOKL, Yianni shares a passion for sourcing exceptional coffee, building relationships with producers, and creating spaces where people can slow down and connect. This successful model has resulted in three locations – the flagship on South Street in Morristown, 340 Mt. Kemble Avenue, and their newest café in Soho, NYC. As a CPA and a co-owner of Integrated Payroll Systems, Yianni’s background is rooted in business and finance. He also served as Mayor of Roseland, NJ, reflecting his commitment to public service and community leadership. Balancing structure with creativity, he studied piano for many years, developing a deep appreciation for rhythm, discipline, and artistic expression. Known for his quick wit and natural stage presence, Yianni is also an excellent stand-up comedian, bringing humor and warmth to the LOKL community and reminding everyone that coffee and laughter are both meant to be shared.
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Panos Stogioglou
Co-Founder & Co-Owner of LOKL Café
As the co-owner of LOKL Café, Panos is guided by the belief that uncompromised quality is an act of respect – respect for the farmer, for the craft, and for the guest who walks through the doors. A main component of his work involves traveling to coffee farms across Latin America to source coffee directly and build relationships with producers. These journeys, along with his exploration of food cultures around the world, shape the philosophy behind LOKL, where every coffee served has a story, an origin, and a name. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Panos earned a BSc in Epidemiology and Public Health before moving to the US to pursue his passion for visual communication and photography, completing a BA in Studio Art and Photography. After a twenty-five-year corporate career in marketing and advertising, he is also now the owner of a marketing and advertising agency where he works with businesses on branding, storytelling, and strategic communication.
Angela Liu
Founder & CEO of Crispy Green
Angela Liu is the founder and CEO of Crispy Green, a U.S. based snack company best known for its freeze-dried fruit products. Born and raised in China, she came to the US to study and built a 15-year career as a drug discovery scientist in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. In 2004, driven by her entrepreneurial vision and passion for wholesome food, Liu founded Crispy Green to address a gap in the market for convenient, minimally processed, and nutritious snacks. Under her leadership, Crispy Green launched its flagship Crispy Fruit line—100% pure freeze-dried fruit with no added sugar or artificial ingredients—and grew it into a leading brand in the healthy snack category. Today, Crispy Green products are sold nationwide through major retailers and online platforms. Liu remains deeply involved in product innovation and brand strategy, advocating for simple, accessible, and better-for-you food choices. An avid traveler who loves to explore new cultures and places, Liu has been to 60+ countries in all 7 continents from the Arctic to Antarctic. In her spare time, she explores her creativity through glass and metal work, particularly valuing the collaborative process with her husband.
Luck Sarabhayvanija
Founder & Chief Business Officer of Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG)
As Founding Partner of Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG), Luck is behind acclaimed culinary destinations such as Ani Ramen House, pastaRAMEN, Mori Mori, and MM by Morimoto. The chef-driven global hospitality company is reimagining how restaurant brands connect with culture, creativity, and community and has several high-profile chef collaborations in development including a second location of MM by Morimoto at the Vail Mansion in Morristown to open later in 2026. Luck’s passion for hospitality began in his family’s restaurant, Tuptim Thai, the first Thai restaurant in Montclair, NJ. Inspired by his parents’ work ethic, he opened his first concept, O Thai, in Vancouver in 2006, worked with the Glowbal Restaurant Group, and went on to help launch the buzzed-about NYC venue Beauty & Essex. In 2014, Luck opened Ani Ramen House in Montclair, which quickly earned a devoted following and praise from The New York Times for its “alluring” menu and vibrant energy. Its success led to the creation of Montclair Hospitality Group. MHG’s standout concept pastaRAMEN, created with James Beard–nominated chef Robbie Felice, generated national buzz with celebrity guests and sold-out pop-ups. The group then partnered with famed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto on Mori Mori and MM by Morimoto, further elevating MHG’s profile. Luck lives in NJ with his wife, singer-songwriter Anne Fernando, and their three sons.
DATA SCIENCE & AI
Guy Gomis
SVP, Global Practice Leader – AI, Tech, Data & Analytics/Insights at BrainWorks
As a leading global executive recruiter for more than 30 years, Guy has forged strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Nike, GM, Walmart, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Starbucks. Establishing BrainWorks’ AI, Tech, Data & Analytics/Insights practice in 1995, Guy and his team have conducted thousands of searches across a broad range of industries including CPG, Retail, Financial Services, Pharmaceutical, and Health Care. His experience and knowledge across and within industries provide him with a unique ability to partner with clients in attracting top talent to drive business growth. Originally from Senegal, Guy came to the U.S. on a basketball scholarship from the University of Maine, where he earned a B.S. in Economics and an M.B.A., was a 4-year letterman in basketball and co-captained the team in his senior year. He also played professionally in Belgium.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Jeff Andrilenas, EVP, PG, LHG, LEG
VP & Environmental Lead at TBLS Environmental Advisory Services
Jeff has been a maverick all his life, including as a West-Coast-native geologist who has lived in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, and California, including the wine country. He was moved to NJ by a company interested in rain harvesting and found a home on billion-year-old granite on a lake, where art, music, and culture are at his fingertips. Jeff is an expert in PFAS, the “forever chemical” including since 2016, for the environmental justice community, Carneys Point Township, NJ, plaintiff, which is home to the DuPont/Chemours-owned Chambers Works site, a 1500-acre, 140-year-old chemical plant that is the birthplace of Teflon, the oldest PFAS site in world (under the Delaware Memorial Bridge at south end of the Turnpike). Along with 3M, the case just settled for $2B, the largest ever in NJ’s history. Jeff’s profile is one of the most viewed according to LinkedIn, where he is a frequent contributor on the environment (including PFAS) with 200,000 views annually on his posts and 4,000 followers. Jeff was honored by NJ Commerce & Industry Association (CIANJ) in 2024 as “Environmental Leader”, is a voting member of ASTM’s Environmental Division, and a frequent speaker at PFAS National and International Conferences. He has a passion for Asian and Southwestern cuisines, wine collecting, and jazz.
HEALTH & PHARMA
Sarah Alspach
EVP & Chief Communications Officer at Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
As Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at BIO, the largest trade association representing the biotechnology industry based in Washington, DC, Sarah’s job is to build support for policies that enable research and development in new medicines and vaccines. On any given day that means talking about US vaccine recommendations, drug pricing, biotech investments, tariffs and trade policies or advances in rare disease (sometimes all before lunch!). Before BIO, Sarah led communications, government affairs and patient advocacy at the gene therapy company, bluebird bio. She also served as Chief Communications Officer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis and spent more than 10 years at GSK. She received her B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin and is a devoted fan of Texas Longhorn football. In addition to winning an office competition for her homemade macaroni and cheese, her biggest accomplishment is summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2024 as part of an expedition that raised more than $2 million for sickle cell research.
Nana Danso
VP, US Dermatology Marketing Lead at Pfizer
Nana Danso serves as Vice President of the U.S. Dermatology Franchise at Pfizer, where he leads strategic efforts to advance equitable dermatologic care. With over 25 years of cross-industry experience—including two decades in pharmaceuticals—he has held key leadership roles across Dermatology and Rheumatology. Known for his patient-centric approach and servant leadership, Nana champions innovation, inclusion, and mentorship. He earned his MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA in Mathematics from Wesleyan University. Outside of Pfizer, he is an award-winning speaker, magician, and author of Real Magic: Breaking Through the Illusion of Success.
Matthew Grossman, MD
Interventional Gastroenterologist at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center
“I originally wanted to be a game show host—Bob Barker was my role model. However, what fulfills me most is serving others.” Dr. Matthew Grossman is an interventional endoscopist and gastroenterologist with the Atlantic Digestive Health Institute at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center. He specializes in diagnosing and treating complex and precancerous conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, using minimally invasive, state of the art techniques to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes. Recognized for his expertise in advanced endoscopic procedures, he has performed thousands of interventions and is frequently consulted for the most challenging cases. His areas of focus include ERC—Pendoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic submucosal dissection and resection, endoscopic suturing, bariatric endoscopy, POEM— procedures, Zenker’s diverticulectomy, Barrett’s esophagus management, pancreatic cyst evaluation, and other innovative, incisionless approaches that offer patients alternatives to traditional surgery. Dr. Grossman earned his medical degree from Rutgers/UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, completed his internal medicine residency at Columbia University Medical Center, and pursued fellowships in gastroenterology at NYU Medical Center and advanced therapeutic endoscopy at Lenox Hill Hospital. Active in clinical trials and research, he has authored numerous peer reviewed publications and frequently presents nationally on advances in endoscopy. He is a Fellow of the New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, a member of several national GI societies, and is fluent in Spanish.
Kristen Johnson, PhD
Distinguished scientist, Immunology Discovery at Johnson & Johnson
Kristy Johnson is an accomplished scientific leader who has spent her career at the cutting edge of drug discovery. Specializing in the fields of inflammation and rare disease, she has led teams from early-stage research through clinical development, shaping the strategies behind therapies that have the potential to change lives. Kristy brings a rare perspective: bridging science, people, technology and partnerships to drive novel drug development. This includes identifying emerging therapeutic areas, determining what constitutes actionable science and outlining decision making in a high-paced and competitive ecosystem. From collaborating with top academics and clinicians to working alongside patient foundations, she operates where innovation meets real human need. She’s a published author, patent holder, trusted voice in advancing new therapeutic ideas, and mentor for the next generation of scientists. Kristy has had an unusual life journey, moving to NYC on her own at the age of 16 to train as a classical ballet dancer before earning her PhD at Columbia University. She has hiked the Inca Trail and was married in a ceremony performed by the Maasai tribe in Kenya.
LAW & EQUITY
Thomas Prol
NJ State Bar Association past President & Partner at Sills Cummis & Gross law firm
Tom Prol is the first openly gay state bar president in NJ history and co-wrote NJ’s “Marriage Equality” legislation which was signed into law by Governor Murphy on January 10, 2022. On June 14, 2023, Governor Murphy appointed him Chair of the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission, the state’s “fiscal watchdog” agency overseeing state election campaign financing. Tom is a governor and state captain at the American Bar Association as well as general counsel to the Municipal Clerks’ Association of New Jersey. With his MPH degree from Emory University, he oversaw the state bar’s Pandemic Task Force in 2020-2024. He is a vocal advocate on issues of equity and access to justice and argued the defense of the NJ Criminal Justice Reform Act and the NJ Anti-Bullying Act. Tom has appeared and co-authored numerous briefs before the NJ Supreme Court and served as adjunct professor at Seton Hall University and NY Law Schools. He was Associate General Counsel at NYC’s Department of Consumer Affairs. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Prol was an enforcement officer at USEPA and a volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps in Nepal. He lives in Asbury Park with his Jack Russell terrier, Sparky.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY – In Honor of America’s 250
Ken Magos
Host, Series Creator, and Executive Producer of Drive By History
Ken Magos is a television host, producer, arts educator, and lifelong storyteller who loves connecting people with history, culture, and the performing arts. He is the creator and on-camera host of the PBS series Drive By History and its companion show Drive By History: Eats, which explore the fascinating stories hidden behind New Jersey’s roadside historical markers—and sometimes the food that surrounds them. Since launching the series in 2015, Ken has worn nearly every production hat, guiding each episode from research and interviews to final broadcast. Prior to 2015, Ken’s ‘life tour’ enjoyed a few memorable stops – he performed as a professional opera singer in the United States and Italy, helped build a New York City based investment banking firm focused on Latin America, served as managing partner of a corporate consulting firm, and led a corporate graphic design studio. Today he splits his time between television production and the classroom, where he shares his love of performance with the next generation as an adjunct professor of voice at Kean University. Whether he’s in a classroom, rehearsal hall, or standing beside a roadside historical marker, Ken is happiest doing what he enjoys most—telling great stories.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Gary Lynch
Founder & CEO of The Risk Project
Gary Lynch is part strategist, crime fighter, artist, and a lifelong learner whose career has never fit neatly into a single category. As Founder and CEO of The Risk Project, Gary draws on decades of experience as a Partner at Booz Allen Hamilton, Global Head of Supply Chain Risk at Marsh, and Chief Information Security Officer at JPMorgan Chase and Prudential. He has advised heads of state, NSA directors, C-suite executives, and Fortune 500 boards on turning uncertainty into competitive advantage. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce as a founding member of the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness and an advisor to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Network, he has been ranked #1 among the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders on Risk by Thinkers360. Gary has authored four books. The latest, Uncertainty Advantage: Single Point of Failure or Opportunity? was released in early 2026. He serves as a Sr. Executive SERC Fellow at the University of Maryland and has lectured at MIT, McGill, and NYU. Gary’s edge comes from living a life most executives don’t live – he served as a firefighter and OEM coordinator during COVID, earning a Silver Medal of Valor and a U.S. Secret Service Commendation for his 9/11 crisis response. His diverse background includes investigating multi-million-dollar cybercrimes, leading forensics in a landmark prosecution alongside the DOJ, working as a DJ, and playing guitar. Gary brings the same intensity to everything: the fireground, the boardroom, the stage, and the page.
WELLNESS & AGING
Brian Lawrence, LNHA, CPA, MBA
President & CEO of FellowshipLIFE
Brian Lawrence is a respected leader in the healthcare and Life Plan Community industry with more than three decades of progressive leadership experience. He joined FellowshipLIFE in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2006. As President and CEO since 2009, he leads FellowshipLIFE’s senior executive team and oversees Healthcare, Medical and Wellness Services, Independent Living, Long Term Care, and Home and Community-Based Services. A Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Public Accountant, combining financial discipline with operational expertise, he works closely with the Board to advance strategic growth, strengthen performance, and expand access to aging services across multiple communities. Brian also launched FellowshipLIFE Management Services to extend the organization’s best operational practices and leadership culture to like-minded providers. In 2019, he received the LeadingAge New Jersey President’s Award in recognition of his contributions to the aging services field. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, from Seton Hall University and an Executive MBA in Finance from NYU Stern School of Business.
Ron Weiss, MD
Dual board-certified physician in internal and lifestyle medicine at Ethos Primary Care
Dual Board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, Ron Weiss, MD is a primary care physician in New Jersey and New York, who serves as Executive Director of Ethos Primary Care and as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Practicing and living on a 300-year-old, 342-acre organic, regenerative farm in Long Valley, NJ, Dr. Weiss is not only a physician but also a botanist and farmer. His work focuses on the powerful relationship between food, health, and the land that produces it, using a food-as-medicine approach to healing from chronic illness and optimizing wellness. He has been featured in top media, including The New York Times, The New York Post, The Today Show, New Jersey Monthly, and the feature-length documentary, “Eating You Alive.” Dr. Weiss received his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at George Washington University Medical Center. Additionally, he holds a dual baccalaureate degree in botany and music, from Rutgers University.