Director Finance/Active CPA/Roles in Public Accounting, Private Industry (Publicly Listed Companies and Privately Held) including KPMG, Nissan, Omnicom and AbbVie. Functional Experience in Staff Development, Accounting Operations, Budgeting, Cash Management, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, SOX implementation, and Management of Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss. I’ve been a CSUF Mentor since 2016 and have enjoyed leveraging my career experience to guide student teams, it’s also been very gratifying to give back to the California State Education System.

CTO, Founder & Technology Advisor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/afifisamah/

Product Development • AI & Technology Strategy • MVP Scoping • Technical Architecture • Production Readiness • CTO Coaching

Samah Afifi is a CTO, founder, and technology advisor who helps early-stage founders turn ideas into products that ship and scale. She works hands-on with startups on applied AI, MVP strategy, and technical architecture, and mentors founders on technical feasibility, tech stack decisions, and what to build versus buy; navigating through the complexities of building for production.

Curtis Chan is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, business mentor and board advisor. He is the CEO/founder of two OC based high technology brand marketing and public relations agencies, whose clients range from the Global Fortune 500 to venture capital funded startups. He played key executive roles early on in helping to pioneer and usher in both professional digital audio and digital video technologies for the recording, broadcast, cinematic and post-production industries. He also played key executive roles in helping to develop and market data storage technologies. His expansive background spans four decades in ever increasing executive roles in operations, business development, engineering and sales/marketing in the information technology, media & entertainment, storage and networking, and other related high technology industries. He is an active mentor and senior advisor to many established and VC backed start-up companies, small businesses and incubators, and has over four decades of experience in brand marketing, management consulting, company turnarounds, and public relations. Mr. Chan is celebrating his 24th year as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and mentor for the Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics. He is an editorial board member for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers; contributing editor to many US and international trade publications; mentor/advisor to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a member of the President’s Green and Gold Society; and board advisor to Pepperdine University's Most Fundable Companies program and the TAYO Legacy Foundation.

Founder of College Ed. Tech.

I am the Founder and CEO of CWM, College Ed. Tech is a global personal and professional mentoring company that helps college students make wise college and career decisions. Since 2019, I have led a team of mentors who provide personalized guidance, access to resources, and opportunities to network with industry experts. My mission is to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators by unlocking their potential and purpose.

With over 28 years of experience in the music and media industry, I have developed substantial expertise in social networking, new media, and marketing communications. I am also a contributor, writer, and vlogger at Thrive Global, where I share mentoring tips for life in and out of college. I am passionate about helping others achieve their goals and dreams, and mentoring is the key to success and happiness.

Passionate Marketer and Entrepreneur

Sal Chavez is a dedicated data-driven marketing professional, and entrepreneur deeply committed to addressing critical challenges in education and business growth.

"Sal brings a wealth of expertise to the table, spanning areas such as ad specialty, promotional marketing, graphic design, branding, entrepreneurship, project management, creative strategy, digital design, print manufacturing, social media, sales, and rapid marketing campaign planning and execution."

As the visionary founder of VSUALdigitalmedia, a social enterprise, Sal is driven by a mission to bridge the skills gap faced by students and businesses in today's evolving landscape. He envisions a collaborative platform that empowers students with hands-on marketing experience, aligning financial success with social impact.

Sal's journey began at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where he recognized the importance of people skills and portfolios for success. This realization fueled the creation of VSUALdigitalmedia, where students not only learn but also contribute to the success of businesses, thereby accelerating community and economic development.

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Sal is a dedicated mentor at CSUF's Center for Entrepreneurship, firmly believing in the transformative power of mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Sal's ultimate passion is promoting equality through education and mentoring, envisioning a world where collaboration and shared knowledge drive prosperity for individuals and businesses alike.

Connect with Sal on LinkedIn: Sal's LinkedIn Profile

Matt Elenniss, MBA, co-founded an AI-driven hedge fund and ran it as COO, then served as CTO of an AI lab, where he built a production AI system in three months. He mentors CSUF entrepreneurs on turning ideas into shipped products.

Christina D. Gallegos CEO and Founder, Gradient Coast LLC [email protected] Christina Gallegos: Visionary Leader and Trailblazer Christina Gallegos is the Founder and CEO of Gradient Coast LLC, a distinguished minority-and-women-owned management consulting firm based in California. Under her leadership, Gradient Coast LLC has become synonymous with innovation, excellence, and transformative impact across various industries. Before founding Gradient Coast LLC, Christina held pivotal roles in product, pricing, and strategy at Fortune 50 companies. Her illustrious career includes spearheading the development and launch of innovative products and applications, and leading strategic initiatives across technology, media, entertainment, healthcare, and consumer products sectors with industry giants such as Google, Disney, Nielsen, Johnson & Johnson, and Coca-Cola. With over 20 years of experience, Christina is renowned for her ability to drive positive change and deliver exceptional experiences through innovative products and services. She has a remarkable track record of solving complex problems, bringing products to market, and driving significant revenue growth through strategic management, pricing, efficient operations, customer segmentation, and targeted product marketing campaigns. Christina holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing from California State University, Fullerton. She also possesses certifications in Project Management (PMP) from California Institute of Technology and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from DeepLearning.AI and Stanford. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid traveler and adventurer, having summited Mount Kilimanjaro and completed an Ironman triathlon. Christina treasures time spent with her family and continues to seek new challenges.

Stephan Gallon has had 20 successful and rewarding years in the automotive industry. He has worked in marketing and strategy for auto manufacturers such as Mazda and Nissan, ad agencies part of the Omnicom Group, and data analytics firm S&P Global. Stephan also founded his consulting company, Axl Strategy Consulting, and now leads auto partnerships at Comcast Advertising.

Stephan is passionate about education and mentorship. He received a double MBA from UCLA and the National University of Singapore, one of the top institutions in Asia. Stephan has participated as a mentor to CSUF's marketing for entrepreneurship class since 2021. He is also a coach to UCI students at the Merage School's Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Independent Business

Like Warren Buffet and Meredith Whitney, I began my business career at age 9 on a newspaper route. By age 14 I had earned my PHD: Poor, Hungry and Driven! My professional career spanned 40+ years in retail with national chain stores including Alpha Beta, Albertsons, Sav-On Drugs, Longs Drug. I worked in various roles beginning as store manager. Over those 40 years, I held a variety of leadership positions. One of the most interesting roles was Senior VP of Marketing for American Stores. We operated 254 stores in 57 markets. From town to town, our major competitors tended to be local chains or independents; so our business model was extremely entrepreneurial.

Self Employed Consultant

I am an experienced product development and program delivery manager with a broad international experience in the USA, Europe, and Asia. I have a good understanding of technology to drive business growth and efficiencies, and hands-on experience with meeting with clients, identifying their business, technology, and human resource needs, and proposing solutions to address those needs. I also have a strong delivery background with in-depth project management and team building experience. I worked in both start-up as well as well-established organizations, spanning multiple industries such as Insurance, Mortgage Processing, Educational Products, and Office Workflow Management.

Investor, Small Business Owner, Academic and Small Business Mentor

Majority owner of Small Business for 20 years serving the Electronics industry. Lifelong investor in public markets and in income-producing real estate. Experienced mentor for countless small businesses while in SCORE (since 2012) and mentoring of teams at CSUF in New Venture Creation courses.

See linkedin.com/in/william-bill-greenfield-0ba33332

Phil is the founder and Managing Director of Integro Capital LLC, a private equity real estate firm based out of Fullerton, CA. Previously, Phil managed commercial portfolios over $200 million, has assisted finance companies charter the development of ERM risk infrastructure, chaired executive committees, raised capital, built teams, and pioneered an auto fintech platform. He has been on the board of startup non-profits and is passionate to contribute to the growth of the local startup ecosystem.

Originally from Pakistan, I came to the USA at the age of eighteen after having finished my high school. I joined the University of Texas in Arlington and studied Architecture. Following graduation in 1978 I went to work for corporate America and essentially worked for two companies for a combined period of approximately eleven years in various positions of increasing responsibility, mostly in Business Development and Marketing.

I left my second employer, Lockheed, in 1989 to start my own business, Source Graphics. My start up investment was approx. $3000. Over the next thirty-four years I built the business into one of the leading Additive Manufacturing Solution Providers in the Western United States. In 2023 my company was acquired in a Private Equity led buyout. I stayed on board to transition things till July of 2024 and then formally retired.

My wife and I live in Anaheim Hills. We have two sons. One is in Dallas; he runs his own AM Manufacturing company. We have two grand daughters from him and his wife. The younger son lives in Seattle and works for Microsoft as an Electrical Engineer. He is married but as, yet they have no children.

We spend a lot of time traveling to Dallas and Seattle now to see our sons and family. Outside of that I like to volunteer and work with different organizations including CSUF, Shine, Score and ICYL.

Retired

Career focus in the tour and travel industry, owned and managed my own company, managed/directed retail and division corporate entities, last position VP Client Services.

Versatile product and engineering leader with 25+ years' expertise in semiconductors, connected devices and AI. Proven in strategic leadership, zero-to-one innovation, and scaling tech-driven solutions globally. Valedictorian MBA and MSEE. Passionate about societal impact.

David has over three decades of leadership experience at some of the world's largest semiconductor corporations, including Toshiba America Electronic Components, Advanced Microdevices, Fairchild Semiconductor, and United Technologies. Since 2002, he has served as an Executive Coach to various business owners and executives.

His career has spanned Electronic Design, Application Engineering, Procurement Management, Sales and Marketing Management, Business Systems Implementation and Analysis, and Operations. David is the founder and CEO of dbkAssociates, Inc., a change management consulting and executive coaching firm for business executives. He also serves as a group Chairman for Vistage Worldwide.

David keeps abreast of current business management through professional speaking, writing, and consulting on corporate governance and business best practices. He engages business entities in all economic sectors, including universities, public utilities, not-for-profit corporations, for-profit, public, and private companies. In addition, he has served as an expert witness on corporate governance issues.

Education and Credentials

David holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He is a Board Certified Coach (BCC) with the Center for Credentialing & Education and a HawkEye Certified Veterans Development Coach (CVDC). David is a lifetime Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) member and sits on the California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) advisory board.

Rich Kozak is a mentor and guide to experienced, heart-centered professionals and entrepreneurs determined to make Higher Level Impacts. He’s deeply experienced – 48 years of defining, languaging and launching Brands. He shares straight talk you can trust with the deep experience you can count on. Rich is the most present, heart-connecting, clear-speaking, deep-listening, worldly, and caring Branding Expert you will ever meet personally. And it's not about Branding. It’s about using the unique gifts we’re each given in the most significant ways to impact people’s lives and the world we touch. A Certified Global Branding Consultant with decades alongside partners worldwide impacting hundreds of industries guiding companies, Rich now shares his gifts only with individuals -- heart-centered professionals and entrepreneurs. . Rich Founded RichBrands, whose work provides CLARITY aligning everything an individual Brand says and does. As CEO of IMPACT DRIVEN Publishing, Rich guides client authors in planning, writing and publishing books that act as strategic milestones to move their brand forward. He guides Brands through a simple, yet powerful 7-STEP process so it Comes Alive! His Brand Promise? Get CLARITY for the IMPACTS You Will Make and STEPS for ”The Brand YOU Will Become.”

CSUF Master of Science in Software Engineering

Sean is currently a Master's Student at CSU Fullerton studying software engineering. Prior to this, he has full-stack software developer experience as well as helped start a new business unit for robotics at Amazon, Amazon Scout. He has prior experiences in tech startups, venture capital as well as PE/M&A. He has two Bachelor of Arts from Boston University.

Tony Liu is a seasoned business trial attorney with a passion for guiding entrepreneurs through the complexities of business relationships. Growing up, he witnessed the hardships his parents faced due to ill-fated partnerships, which fueled his determination to help others make wiser decisions. With over two decades of legal expertise, including an LL.M. in taxation and trial advocacy, Tony offers strategic counsel through his 'Focus Law Model,' helping businesses prevent legal entanglements and navigate challenges. As a mentor in CSUF's entrepreneurial program, he is here to support students' journey to success and foresight.

Ms. McCafferty is responsible for the finance, accounting. treasury and administrative functions of the firm and various developments. She has more than 20 years' experience in the financial services industry, focused on private companies and on Family Real Estate portfolios ($100mm). Together with her husband, their investment activities included the acquisition and expansion of unencumbered cash flowing local car washes, commercial property with tenants and acquisition and development of a proposed 25-unit luxury apartment complex in Fullerton California. Her experience comes from previous leadership roles with several organizations, including Liberty Tax Service, Ebro Accounting and Consulting, Inc. (a registered CPA firm), Honey baked Hams, and Haynie and Company.

Ms. McCafferty began her professional career as a CPA working for a regional accounting firm. She was driven as an entrepreneur in 2005, she invested her own capital as an area developer and franchisee of Liberty Tax. At the time, Liberty Tax was on the Forbes top ten list of businesses to invest in and top ten fastest growing franchises. In just 12 years, she grew the business from $34k in annual revenue to about $3mm and was recognized as one of the top area developers in the Nation. In 2006 while running the Liberty Tax business Ms. McCafferty launched her own accounting firm, Ebro Accounting and Consulting catering to high-net-worth clients and businesses. She successfully sold all businesses between 2018 and 2020 to focus her efforts and expertise as the CFO of the real estate development business she and her husband Greg started in 2014.

Angel, a proud graduate from CSUF in 2019, is an accomplished digital marketing strategist known for creating digital solutions that excel. With a track record of successful projects and a passion for enhancing online experiences, he is committed to delivering value and results.

President of Thin Metal Sales, Inc.

I do things. Some of them well.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) / With Private Equity and International Experience / CPA (inactive) / CGMA / Orange County, CA

I provide strong leadership and sound financial decision-making to public and private companies. During the past 18 years, I initiated the CFO function in four national, middle-market companies (two private equity-owned). My industry experience includes: consumer products, private equity, retail, construction, advertising/marketing, alternative dispute resolution, public accounting.

William (Bill) Purpura is a CSUF alum (BSME '75, MSME '79, MBA '83 plus multiple Certificates in S/W Engineering). He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), SEC Registered Investment Advisors (RIA, retired) as well as a California licensed Professional Engineer (PE). He has also been nationally recognized for his expertise in both System Engineering & Project Engineering.

He retired at 60 as a Boeing Senior Systems/Project Engineer (P6) after a 43-year career spanning the Electric utilities, Utility Pollution Monitoring, Aerospace, and Financial sectors. He spent his last 36 years in Aerospace focusing on business development and execution of next generation defense programs.

He is an acknowledged expert in business development/proposals, Systems of Systems architectures, & Technology roadmap for advanced technologies. Also recognized for his expertise in the creation of Intellectual Property (awarded 20 US patents plus 3 Boeing trade secrets).

Concurrently over most of his aerospace career he also managed a multi-million-dollar private Investment Fund that he had co-founded and finally closed out three years ago.

Author of two articles published in industry magazines, 7 national & 16 Boeing Technology Excellence Conference/PM Conference papers, and 60+training courses utilized across the Boeing Enterprise.

Amy Rice, as the Youth Education Manager for Women Founders Network, introduces to and educates high school girls and college/graduate students about venture capital. She has worked for numerous years in leverage buyouts, banking, merchant processing and education. For the past five years she has enjoyed advising and mentoring entrepreneurs.

I can provide assistance in the areas of business startups, strategic planning, sales, digital marketing, and information systems. As a business executive and consultant, I have had over 40 years' experience in multiple disciplines with organizations of all sizes, from startups to multi-national corporations.

Education: B.S. University of California at Los Angeles, MBA University of Southern California, J.D. Loyola University School of Law

Results-driven senior-level manager with wealth of experience building value for hardware/software development organizations in startup, turnaround and rapid growth environments. Technical leadership background with proven results in advanced product R&D, engineering operations, business development, mergers and acquisitions, budget formulation and establishing and maintaining strong customer relationships. Excellent team-building, organizational, communication and relationship-building skills. Co-founded a market leading developer/supplier of computer peripheral add-on products. Adept in the execution of design methodologies to optimize project results, control losses, improve product quality, and achieve strategic goals. Excellent team building, organizational, communications, and relationship building skills.

Kim is a dynamic CEO and seasoned executive with a distinguished career in the consumer goods and retail. Her expertise spans both public and private companies, where she has held leadership roles that highlight her strong foundation in technology, go-to-market strategies, supply chain management, merchandising, and operations. Most recently, Kim served as the CEO of Rachio, a leading venture-backed IoT company with over one million customers. Prior to Rachio, she held key executive positions at major retailers, including Senior Vice President at Walmart and Vice President at Home Depot. In addition to her executive leadership, Kim is a trusted advisor to private equity and venture-backed companies. She provides interim and consulting services. She is also an Executive in Residence for Miramar Digital Ventures. Kim has also served the boards of both public and private organizations. She holds an MBA from the Paul Merage School of Business at UCI and a BA from Bryn Mawr College. Kim is passionate about mentorship and works with Octane, CSUF and the University of California, Irvine to mentor and advise students. View her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-sentovich

Business consultant and angel investor specializing in healthcare, tech, and education.

Adam Totounji is a seasoned cybersecurity entrepreneur, political leader, and visionary strategist. As Managing Partner at Cynexlink, he has scaled a multi-million-dollar enterprise and is committed to driving transformative change on both local and national stages.