Jennifer Alvarado, CPA, is an Assistant Professor at East Los Angeles College. Jennifer’s professional experience includes both private and public sector experience working as Controller for real estate development firms as well as the Manager of Finance for the Orange County Great Park. Working with the launch team from Babson College, Jennifer co-created the Financial Statement Workshop curriculum.
Jackee McNitt-Engles is an accomplished executive coach and consultant specializing in the areas of leadership, innovation and change, and talent development. She teaches in Claremont Graduate University’s (CGU) Community College Professional Leadership Certificate Program, in the University of La Verne’s MBA and Masters in Leadership degree programs. Her deep corporate experience stems from 15 years managing training and communication functions for Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank. As VicePresident of Employee Communications for Wells Fargo, she served as a communication strategist and manager for eight acquisitions and a variety of other large scale corporate changes including diversity programs, reorganizations, and major human resources and benefits redesigns.
Kirk Canzano, CPA, is a full-time LBCC faculty member teaching primarily Accounting courses including Introductory, Financial, Managerial, Spreadsheet, and QuickBooks Accounting. Kirk has many years of business experience and continues to consult for both small and large business organizations. In addition to working in public accounting with Ernst & Young, he has held executive positions in large multinational companies spanning a variety of industries. His career background includes accounting, financial analysis, marketing analysis, financial planning, strategic planning, project management, and major information system implementations.
Oscar Edwards is the Managing Member/President and CEO of Higher Growth Strategies, LLC (HGS), specializing in the utilization of various research and analysis methodologies that lead to superior design and implementation of financial statement analysis, capital needs forecasting and business modeling. Oscar serves as a business coach and mentor to small business owners, facilitating business growth, acquisition and exit opportunities. Mr. Edwards has more than 30-years of experience as a consultant in the private, government and municipal sectors, including Utilities: Electric, Gas, Water, Telecom; Transportation: Roads/Highways, Heavy Rail, Light Rail, Commuter Rail, Bus Transit, Automotive,Ports; Municipal: Safety, Police/Fire, Public Works, Water, Healthcare andEducation.
Chris Lam is a dynamic and versatile marketing professional with nearly 18 years of experience "unclogging" digital marketing challenges. She acts as strategic advisor for direct to consumer products and serves as marketing director for other service brands. In addition, she manages email, acquisition, website, blog, social media, paid media, influencer relations, content marketing, and SEO. She teaches Digital Marketing Nuts & Bolts and Social Media Essentials workshops to micro and small businesses, and likes to make those community connections for others.
Deborah Olson, PhD, is Associate Professor of Management and Leadership at the University of La Verne. Deborah has developed and delivered courses in Leadership, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, Leading Change and Managing Conflict. She has also developed Travel Study Courses focused on Organizational Design and Behavior which included: Costa Rican Business Program, Business and Culture in London/Paris, Business and Culture in Italy, Designing Effective Organizations, Business and Culture in China, Business and Culture in Prague and Budapest, and Latin America. Deborah facilitated student team-based learning projects using active learning principles and reflective journaling to facilitate understanding and integration of concepts.
Farshad Rafii was an associate professor of technology management at Babson College where he taught MBA and Executive Education courses on business strategy, product development, technological innovation, operations management, and manufacturing strategy. Prior to joining Babson College, he was on the faculty at Boston University’s School of Management. Farshad is also the Founding Director of the Center for Technology and Enterprise at Babson College, an industry-funded center for conducting research on how business enterprises can best create and leverage technological innovation for competitive advantage.
Lily Quiette is with Infinity Business Solutions (IBS), known for their expertise in diverse business training programs and business development. Her areas of expertise include instructional design, project management, compliance/quality improvement, business development and facilitation. Lily has 20 years of international management experience and expertise across multiple industries including utilities, banking, construction, IT, universities, healthcare, and non- profit organizations.
Brandon Shamim is a strategist, business development specialist, and executive coach with over 20 years of experience integrating management, operations and external affairs for diverse Fortune 500s, small and mid-sized businesses, and public agencies. During his career, he has led public affairs and marketing for a national think‐tank and market leading Fortune 100financial services company; and conducted legislative affairs for a regional transportation agency. He also served as interim director for a U.S. Department of Commerce initiative at USC.
Karen Carr-Crawford has over 20 years of documented success and progressively responsible experience in entrepreneurship, small business consulting and training, marketing management, strategic planning, branding strategy and key message development, marketing plan development and campaign execution. A successful “hand’s-on” marketer, Karen has worked with owners and senior staff to help them generate revenues in both the B2B and B2C space through development of relevant growth strategies, branding strategies, and business-process improvement tools.
Dr. Jorge “Chevy” Chavarin is a bilingual (English/Spanish) retired U.S. Marine. He is the CEO/Owner of JOChavarin Consulting Group LLC whose firm specializes in professional management development training, executive coaching, business consulting/advising and educational services. In addition to his own practice, he serves as a Business Expert/Advisor for numerous SBDC Centers within the LA network where he provides expertise in financial analysis, developing cash flow projections, business planning, legal business structure(s), personal and business credit and attaining small business certifications. Chavarin has a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Brandman University and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University as well as several certifications.
Warren Cooley previously served as the Managing Director of the Entrepreneur Center operated by the VEDC, as well as serving interim stintsas VEDC’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to these C-suite positions, Warren served as Vice President ofMarketing and Communication, and Vice President of Operations. Over the past 49 years, Warren has completed 400 economic planning studies for a wide range of clients in the recreation, resort and real estate fields. He has provided consulting services to 2,500 businesses; taught more than 200 business classes and workshops; and, facilitated a number of planning workshops for public agencies and non-profit corporations.
Susan DeLand has extensive experience in strategic and financial planning, all aspects of retail, including systems acquisition and implementation, KPI, profit analysis, marketing and strategic growth in business. Susan works with companies to build startups and grow established enterprise in brand management and identity, product development and licensing. She has served on the executive management teams of The J. Paul Getty Museum, Aquarium of the Pacific, the Autry National Center.
James Hansen served a 34-year career in the public sector as assistant city manager, community development director and economic development director for cities in Washington and Southern California. After serving in these positions, Jim began a consulting career and was retained by the City of Long Beach Economic Development and Redevelopment Departments to assist small businesses.
Max Ordonez is an established entrepreneurial executive with diverse experience in strategic and financial management, accounting, operations and project management. His experience encompasses almost 20 years in the financial services field with companies ranging in size from start-ups to more established small and medium-sized enterprises. Serving in various capacities including Chief Financial Officer and Controller, he has significant experience in both public and private accounting, finance and program management. Mr. Ordonez has been responsible for strategic plan development, business development, client management, forecasting and operational/financial reporting for various clients.
