BridgingTheGap

Glenn is the Vice-President of Communitech, an organization that helps tech companies start up and succeed. He leads a team that helps tech companies and corporate innovation partners advance their digital and data strategies. He is also the former Chairman of the Blue Sea Philanthropy (BSP). As founding Board Chair, built the board to oversee the development of BSP as a public foundation. To date, 300+ charitable partners have shared in almost $20M through our innovative Partner Grant program. This week on #BridgingTheGap, Glenn will offer tips on how to secure business partnships and explain why businesses should consider partnering with startups.

Alan is an entrepreneur, investor, as well as the Co-Founder of MetaVRse. Through MetaVRse Alan has entered into the world of virtual and augmented reality experiences, becoming a leader in business applications for AR/VR and providing insight into this exploding field of technologies. Before starting MetaVRse, Alan developed an AV production & DJ company, Star Productions Inc, which lead to the creation of the EMULATOR, the world’s first touchscreen DJ System. This week on #BridgingTheGap, Alan will discuss where the future of technology is headed, and what that means for entrepreneurs and business professionals.

This week, our host, Kelly Lovell, will recap on this month's podcasts, sharing top leadership tips learned from our expert guests. Kelly will touch on what she's learned from several of our expert guests including Ollie Forsyth, John Fistolera, Sara Potler-LaHayne, and John Baker. Tune in to hear Kelly's top three leadership tips for youth getting started on their journey.

This week on #BridgingTheGap, our expert guest, Sara Potler-LaHayne will discuss the importance of non-traditional learning for youth. Sara is the Founder & CEO of Move This World. A life-long dancer and previous professional performer, Sara was a Fulbright Scholar in Bogotá, Colombia when she authored, implemented, and evaluated the original Move This World curriculum. Her company, Move This World equips leaders with a set of evidence based, developmentally aligned, creative tools to manage daily stresses, and to give people the skills to collaborate and support one another to succeed. The organization has equipped over 150,000 individuals across school districts and organizations, with the tools to strengthen their mental and emotional wellbeing. During the podcast, Sara will touch on the role Move This World has in non-traditional learning. She will tackle questions like: Why is it important to encourage non-traditional methods of learning? How do creative approaches to learning ensure success?

Is post-secondary education necessary for entrepreneurs? It seems like many of the industry’s great innovators might think otherwise. Steve Jobs (Apple), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Michael Dell (Dell), Evan Williams (Twitter) and Travis Kalanick (Uber) all share the same education journey -- one that ends in dropping out of school. Should aspiring entrepreneurs follow in the footsteps of these successful innovators? Or are there other ways to find success in the business world? This week on BridgingTheGap, Ollie Forsyth and John Fistolera will come together to discuss the best ways for youth to get started on their business career or entrepreneurial journey. Now an 18-year-old entrepreneur, as well as CEO of the Budding Entrepreneur Magazine, Ollie Forsyth left school at age 16 to pursue his entrepreneurial goals. John Fistolera on the other hand, is the Assistant Executive Director of Corporate and External Affairs at DECA, who works to improve business education in school. This week, John and Ollie will discuss whether a formal business education is necessary for entrepreneurs, or if there are other avenues entrepreneurs can take to start a business.

John Fistolera is the Assistant Executive Director of Corporate and External Affairs at DECA, who works to improve business education in school. He was a member of DECA in high school and served two terms as president of California DECA and one term as DECA’s National President. John has now been working with DECA for 16 years. He is responsible for developing strategic partnerships that drive DECA’s mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. During this episode, John will reflect on his journey in the business world and offer tipsfor youth looking to pursue a career in business.