2nd Annual Students + Leaders Conference

It is perhaps the greatest of testaments to the belief in our future and desire to pass knowledge on to this future that 9 of the most incredible leaders I have the privilege of knowing agreed to speak to students at our firm's annual conference for college students. On Friday, November 5th, 2005, Jeffrey Robinson Ph. D, Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations and Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Fritz Desir, Managing Partner, Thurst360, an interactive marketing agency; Jorge Cano-Moreno, Publisher/Co-Founder, Urban Latino Media Group, LTD; Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Director/Co-Founder, FUEL Outdoor; Simone Kelley, Founder, Give N Take Network; Nancy B. Schess, Co-Founder Gotham Groups; Ekrem Nurhan, Founder / President, Young Professionals of New York City; Honorable Herman Badillo, Founder, 100 Hispanic Men, Inc.; and Peter Weedfald, Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing & New Media, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. spoke to NYU Stern business students at the 2nd Annual Students + Leaders Conference: Entrepreneurs & Networking Leaders presented by Stern Student Scholars and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation department at NYU, and sponsored by this firm.

The half-day conference drew an intimate, classroom-sized audience, which benefited immensely from the top-notch content and extremely generous networking opportunities provided by these leaders. Based on follow-up conversations I had with students and speakers, as with our 1st such conference, jobs were offered, business got done, and new members were welcomed into networking circles. There's no greater gratification for all our hard work than such wonderful news. Please continue to read our reviews of the subject matter in the following reports: "Starting a Business", "Joining a Networking Group", and "The Power of Partnerships".

This page is formated for printing. Add it to your brochure. . Privacy Policy . Get a fresh perspective on strategy.

Click on names for Bios

creative by Theresa Evangelista

Jorge Cano-Moreno, Publisher/ Co-Founder, Urban Latino Media Group, Ltd.

At age 22, Jorge Cano-Moreno co-founded SOL Concepts, a graphic design company, whose clientele ranged from Hip-Hop acts and apparel companies, to community development projects. At the age of 24, Jorge-Cano Moreno branched out to become one of the founders of Urban Latino Magazine.

Urban Latino Magazine is a New York based, bi-monthly magazine that boasts a circulation of over 110,000 readers nationwide. In as little as 3 years the magazine grew from earnings of $18,000 in 1996 to $747,000 in 1998. In 2001 Urban Latino Magazine was awarded the "Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year" award by Hispanic Magazine.

In May of 2001 Urban Latino Magazine moved its' operation to el diario/ LA PRENSA, to launch Urban Sofrito, a monthly bi-lingual supplement which takes the best of Urban Latino Magazine and el diario/ LA PRENSA and creates a vehicle to attract readers to both publications.

On April 7, 2002 the Urban Latino brand extended into Urban Latino TV, a 13 episode TV show airing on Metro TV, a regional cable channel in the New York metropolitan area. In October 2002 Urban Latino TV launched to 28 markets and can currently be seen on network television in 52 markets. In 2002 Urban Latino TV received the prestigious "Imagen Award" for "Best National Informational Programming" category.

Jorge Cano-Moreno has always felt that there is a lack of media outlets for Latinos. Leading this new Urban Latino Renaissance into the eyes of the commercial and mainstream market, Jorge Cano-Moreno presently serves as President of Urban Latino Media Group, Ltd.

top

Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Co-Founder/Director/Director of Business Development, Fuel Outdoor, LLC

As one of the founders, of Fuel Outdoor LLC a 1.5 million plus; pioneering out of home media company, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova is the head of Fuel's Business Development Division and a member of the Board of Directors.

Prior to his involvement with Fuel Outdoor, Sergio was an advisor for TD Waterhouse Group Inc. advising senior management. Prior to TD Waterhouse Sergio Founded and ran Sales and Public Relations at Ink Ladder Media LLC a graphic design firm. Mr. Fernandez de Cordova also founded and still operates The Edgewater Residential, an 18 year old New Jersey monthly newspaper with 25,000 plus circulation.

Mr. Fernandez de Cordova serves as an Honorary Chairman of Senator Tom Reynolds’ NRCC’s Business Advisory Council.
Sergio is also a member of various networking organizations including the prestigious Friars Club.

Sergio Fernandez de Cordova is a graduate of Rutgers University.

top

Simone Kelly, President/CEO of Gots To Have It, Marketing

In 1994, while still in college and working part-time for BMG Entertainment, Simone worked hard at establishing a friend's independent record label. With much perseverance, she was successful with her grass-roots marketing efforts. She gained the Hip Hop label some street credibility while attracting the interest of a major investor. When she realized that she had landed her friend a lucrative deal, there was no question that marketing was the field she wanted to be in.

From this success, the vision for Gots To Have It, Marketing was born. Launched in December of 1996, Gots to Have It (GTHI) specialized in helping businesses with identity branding, online marketing and Web design.

As GTHI celebrates its eighth year anniversary, Simone Kelly has expanded her focus to building new brands that reach and influence today's entrepreneur. The experienced writer will continue to write her monthly Gots To Have It, newsletter which provides proven insights and tips from highly respected marketing professionals and entrepreneurs. These tips have included items such as implementing a direct marketing program, event promotions and developing better business relationships.

On another front, the company also owns Gots To Have It, Getaway and the Own Your Power Workshops, which provides a more hands-on approach for members and other intrigued professionals. The Gots To Have It, Getaway, which is scheduled for Spring 2005 in Bermuda, is a weekend retreat that helps spread GTHI's message by showcasing business coaches and various experts from the fields of health, fitness, relationships, and spirituality. Own Your Power is a monthly workshop series on personal and business development. These events teach attendees to discover new ways to take control of their business, health, spirituality, sexuality and mental health.

The most popular and strongest of Ms. Kelly's brands is the infamous Give 'N Take Network for women. The Give 'N Take Network has grown from small gatherings of businesswomen to one of the most respected networking events in the New York Tri-State area. In short, the all-female networking event is a barter/exchange organization, bringing people and businesses together to create opportunities and to provide a support system for start-up companies. Sixty percent of Give 'N Take members have landed new clients through its strong network of serious professionals.

These business expansions allow GTHI to strategically cross-promote into various demographics and at the same time lets members interact face-to-face with the same professionals who coach them in the newsletters. To Ms. Kelly it was the next logical step.

Ms. Kelly enjoys a wonderful reputation as a friendly, efficient, business savvy leader destined for success. Her resume is not one to overlook. She brings eight years of experience to the table and has worked with an array of companies such as Isaac Hayes Productions, HBO, Sister2Sister Magazine, The Oscar Bond Salon, Arista, BMG Entertainment, Black Enterprise, Dr. Catrise Austin of V.I.P. Smiles and many more.

Simone Kelly graduated from Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus in 1996. She has a Bachelor's of Science degree with a concentration in Marketing and Advertising. She received a scholarship from the Industrial Technology Assistance Corporation and the "Creativity Award' from the American Marketing Association.

In addition, Simone has taken various Internet and music-marketing courses at New York University and has a Design Essentials certificate from The Macintosh Learning Center. Simone is the founder of "Give 'N Take," a skills-exchange networking group. She is also a dedicated member of MOBE (Making Opportunities for Business and Entertainment), and Redibis (a community for people of color in the IT industry).

Through it all Ms. Kelly is self-assured of her success. "I couldn't have asked for a better career", Ms. Kelly says. By developing a strong support system she helps grow women-owned businesses and empower many to turn their "side hustles" into their full-time careers. "When you're having fun helping others achieve success, it doesn't feel like work at all. Having my GTHI allows me to help others build their businesses and experience what I am now experiencing...Freedom!"

top

Ekrem Nurhan, Founder / President, Young Professionals of New York City

Ekrem Nurhan currently works for Citigroup's Sales & Trading -- Structured Derivatives Fixed Income. Prior to Citigroup, he worked for KPMG as a consultant/manager in financial risk management and Andersen as a consultant/sr. financial analyst in financial risk management.

As the son of a Turkish diplomat, he lived in Turkey, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France and Italy. Ekrem received his B.A. in Finance from De Paul University in Chicago and is currently pursuing his CFA designation.

top

Nancy B. Schess, Labor and Employment Partner, Klein, Zelman, Rothermel & Dichter, L.L.P.

Nancy Schess is a partner in the law firm of Klein, Zelman Rothermel & Dichter. Klein Zelman is a boutique firm that practices in the areas of labor and employment law. Nancy represents businesses, both locally and nationally, in diverse industries including finance, entertainment, building services, manufacturing and transportation. She provides advice and counsel to help her clients successfully manage their personnel assets.

Nancy works closely with clients to develop and implement preventive personnel policies and strategies to foster litigation free workplaces. She develops and delivers customized training programs on topics including "Prevention of Workplace Harassment", "How to Conduct a Defensible Internal Investigation", "Tips on Effective Performance Management", and other compliance issues concerning the workplace. She also handles claims before federal, state and local courts and administrative agencies including human rights agencies and various Departments of Labor.

Nancy is a frequent speaker for professional associations and other groups, and has appeared on television and radio, on various workplace related topics as well as in connection with her networking activities.

Nancy is also the co-founder of Gotham City Networking, Inc., a group that was started in 1997. Gotham is a networking organization based in Manhattan but which now has 17 operating groups with approximately 400 members locally, regionally, domestically and internationally. Nancy also chairs the Women's Division of Gotham and is a Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of the Gotham City Foundation.

top

Honorable Herman Badillo, Partner, Fischbein Badillo Wagner Harding

Mr. Badillo is a founding partner of the full service law firm of Fischbein Badillo Wagner and Harding. Prior to founding his firm, Mr. Badillo was appointed as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York (by Governor George E. Pataki), and served in that role until June 2001, when he resigned to run as Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City. (He lost the primary to Michael Bloomberg).

In 1970, Mr. Badillo ran for and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives from the 21st Congressional District which included portions of the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan in New York City. He thus became the first Congressman of Puerto Rican origin in the history of the nation. He was reelected to Congress in 1972, 1974, and 1976. In Congress, he served on the Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs, the Committee of the Judiciary, and the Committee on Education and Labor.

After having served in Congress for seven years, Mr. Badillo resigned in January 1978 in order to be appointed Deputy Mayor of New York City in charge of rebuilding the South Bronx by Mayor Edward I. Koch. He served as Deputy Mayor for Management and Deputy Mayor for Policy.

Prior to serving in Congress, Mr. Badillo was elected Borough President of the Bronx in November 1965, becoming the first Borough President of Hispanic origin in the history of New York City. And prior to being elected Borough President, Mr. Badillo was appointed by Mayor Robert F. Wagner Commission of the New York City Department of Housing Relocation in November 1962. He was the first full Commissioner of Hispanic origin in the history of New York City.

Mr. Badillo is married to Gail H. Badillo, who is a public school teacher at Wagner Middle School in Manhattan. His son, David, is a visiting associate professor of History, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.

Mr. Badillo is the author of "A Bill of No Rights: Attica and the American Prison System" published in 1972, and recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from City College. He serves on many civic community organizations, including as President of 100 Hispanic Men, Inc. and a member of the Board of Trustees of Brooklyn Law School.

He is also on the Board of "K-12, Inc." an online school which provides education from Kindergarten through the 12th Grade on the internet. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Asta Funding, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASFI), a diversified consumer finance company.

top

Peter Weedfald, Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing & New Media, Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Peter Weedfald is an industry veteran with more than twenty-five years of experience in sales, marketing, technology and operations. As Samsung's Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and New Media for North America, he oversees strategic partnership marketing and communications direction, including marketing, advertising, content development, public relations, CRM, corporate research, internet infrastructure and programming, B2C and B2B e-commerce, corporate partnerships, retail - detail sales and marketing operations, corporate philanthropy and trade show management for all Samsung Electronics America operations in North America.

Before joining Samsung, Mr. Weedfald served as EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Bigfoot Interactive, a leader in permission-based email marketing, creative and consulting services. Previously, he was EVP of Global Marketing & General Manager of Appliances at ViewSonic Corporation, where he spearheaded the world branding, product management, communications and strategic partnership efforts.

As Publisher and Senior Vice President at IDG's flagship technology publication, ComputerWorld, Mr. Weedfald helped re-energize and refocus both their newspaper and online publishing business. He also served Ziff-Davis, for 9 years in various executive VP Publisher position's over such magazines and web sites as Computer Shopper, Windows Sources, PC Magazine, MacUser, PC Week and others.

Before going into publishing, Mr. Weedfald held executive VP level sales and marketing positions for nearly ten years with Lanier Business Systems Worldwide, a leading word processing, PC Technology and digital voice processing company.

Mr. Weedfald graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1976.

top