Mentors will meet with you virtually to help you define and analyze your needs and challenges and work with you to develop solutions.
Below is an evolving and growing list of our BEA Mentors. Please read below for more information and contact bea@blackconnect.org with questions. If you would like to volunteer as a mentor, please complete the enrollment form. If you need legal advice or legal assistance please visit our Small Business Legal Services Program.
Note: The BEA Program is open to Entrepreneur, Small Business, or College Student members of Black Connect. If you are not a member, you may join at blackconnect.org/join
Meet Our Mentors!
The BEA is fueled by a team of entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals and executives from around the world with rich and wide ranging business backgrounds and areas of expertise. Our mentors volunteer their time to share their knowledge and experiences with the aim of helping Black Connect members minimize risks, avoid mistakes, and build sustainable businesses.
Leonides is a Product Development and Design Leader with global ecommerce and retail experience with a proven track record in the fashion business. Accomplished brand builder with speed-to-market expertise, capable of analyzing runway, market trends, customer research data and competition in order to deliver a customercentric approach to fashion design.
Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in math and computer science and he has 30+ years experience in information technology. He enjoys sharing his experiences to empower small businesses.
Darren is a software engineer with 14 years of professional experience. He is available to provide technical assistance to internet businesses
Alan Gehami has over 30 years of sales and business development experience working with both early-stage startups and established market leaders. Alan specializes in helping entrepreneurs strategically analyze their market dynamics, how well their solution fits the market, and how to differentiate themselves against competitors for sustainable profitable outcomes.
Delvin has two decades of experience working in sales and marketing, and helping re-structure businesses for profitability through partnering organizations with resources to take the next step in their evolutionary process.
AVAILABLE TO HELP LAUNCH OR GROW A BUSINESS
Renato is both an attorney and an entrepreneur. He is a partner at Barclay Damon LLP, where he practices in the IP and corporate areas of the law, assisting clients with contracts, licensing, complex business transactions, IP strategies, patent and copyright applications, and dispute resolution. As a registered patent attorney with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Renato has represented innovators in the areas of software, hardware and electronics in a wide array of industries. Renato has a passion for helping in the launch of startups and new technologies. In addition, Renato is a serial entrepreneur and inventor named on multiple patents.
Scott has over 30 years of experience in Enterprise Software Sales and Leadership. He joined ServiceNow in 2009 and initiated the Sales Development Department. In his current role, Scott is responsible for Operations and Enablement for the Global Demand Center. Before joining ServiceNow, Scott was the Vice President of Sales at Active Network, a Sports Technology software company. He has also held Sales Leadership positions with Kronos, Profit 21 Systems, Hyperion Solutions (Oracle) and GERS Retails Systems. Scott earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Kim is a results-driven tech marketing and operational leader with demonstrated success and a solid reputation for driving actionable, measurable programs that grow customers and revenue. Kim has domestic and international experience in strategy, planning, general management and all areas of marketing.
Philiph has owned and operated and operated 3 companies, two of which are currently in operation MVP Services and M. Godoi Official. He has extensive experience in building and managing teams, operations and strategic growth. Philip has more than 12 years of experience with leading and building business strategy for his own businesses, and 3 years working at booking.com helping to develop regional strategy.
Amanda manages a group of technical procedure writers at one of the top 5 banks in the United States. She can mentor in English or writing, training, procedures, process improvement, problem solving, and networking.
Shannon has a MBA with a focus in Product Management and Entrepreneurship from Boston University. She is a start-up founder and a mentor for MIT’s global entrepreneurship program where executive leaders come from all around the world for one week to build startups.
Daisy has a M.S.Organizational Management and a Business Coaching Certificate. She currently owns a podcast and has previous experience in tech support, human resources and restaurant management.
Mawuli is the Founder and CEO of Tartplus, a decorative artifact manufacturing business enterprise. He is also the Founder and Manager of International Development Opportunity Initiative, a social enterprise that is into capacity building, training and mentoring of entrepreneurs and young graduates who want to build and or grow their own business or social enterprise. Mawuli holds Master of Arts Degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Governance and Advanced Executive Certificate in Project Management. Mawuli is an award winning entrepreneur from Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Christopher is a small business banker at Wells Fargo with over 100 clients in his book of business. Christopher enjoys helping his clients start their businesses and reach their financial goals. He helps his clients manage their cashflow and Christopher works hand in hand with other partners who help his clients grow their businesses.
Arnaldo is a financial and business advisor. He has experience helping business owners in the United States develop strategic plans to maximize profits while remaining in compliance in laws and accounting regulations.
Dwight is an accomplished interdisciplinary engineer and successful entrepreneur with over 18 years of technical, project management, business plan development & execution, intellectual property and product life cycle (concept to market) experience.
Mary graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with majors in Marketing and Management and minors in Leadership and Entrepreneurship. She has helped build and grow several businesses in addition to full time working in several corporations, including in the marketing technology space and programmatic advertising space.
Kevin Lau is a performance-driven, innovative and ROI-focused, customer marketing professional and digital/online marketing strategist with 11+ years of experience as an industry thought leader in customer advocacy, social media/digital advertising, event marketing, digital marketing and community management. His subject matter expertise encompasses managing the entire customer life cycle, formulating customer retention strategies, leveraging advocate marketing best practices, and data-driven decision making. He is the owner of Breakthrough Solutions, a digital marketing agency. In 2019, Kevin was the recipient of two awards from Influitive including Advocate Marketer of the Year and Best Advocate Marketing Program.