School of Business & Management Speaker Series

Designed as a platform for engagement and connection, this series brings together our valued stakeholders, alumni, students, faculty, donors, and local business community leaders, for compelling talks, interactive panels, and enriching networking opportunities. These events highlight SBM’s commitment to thought leadership and the latest in cutting-edge business practices, offering fresh insights that inspire, inform, and connect. Whether you want to gain fresh insights or just expand your network, these events offer a meaningful way to strengthen your knowledge and connection with SBM and NDNU. With 4-6 events planned annually, there’s always something new and exciting on the horizon. We hope to see you there!

Learn More About Each Webinar Below

Upcoming Events:

AI’s Impact on Business and Careers

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on “AI’s Impact on Business and Careers”, where industry leaders will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way organizations operate and the skills professionals need to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. From reshaping strategy and decision-making to creating new opportunities (and challenges), this conversation will provide valuable insights for anyone looking to understand how AI is redefining the future of work.

Date: December 4, 2025
Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Zoom

AI Panel

Nandini Nayak

Digital Transformation Leader
Member, NDNU Board of Trustees

A seasoned digital transformation leader, Nandini Nayak, PhD has held senior leadership roles at Hewlett Packard, Accenture, and the U.S. Federal Government, driving complex human-centered transformation programs. Most recently, she served as a Presidential Innovation Fellow in Washington, D.C., focusing on artificial intelligence initiatives at the federal level. With expertise spanning strategy, design, policy, research, and change management, and a scholarly background in Cognitive Psychology, Dr. Nayak is passionate about applying technology to create positive impact and value for organizations and individuals alike.

Phillip Walker

CEO, Network Solutions Provider
Member, NDNU Board of Trustees

Phillip Walker is the CEO of Network Solutions Provider, a southern California company that develops and implements technology-optimized business solutions to improve clients’ productivity, profitability, and efficiency. He has won numerous awards for his leadership over the past 13 years at Network Solutions Provider. Walker also plays a dynamic role in social responsibility initiatives worldwide, and he had been widely recognized for his and NSP’s philanthropic leadership in creating a top corporate social responsibility program. He is also launching several green tech incentives and diversity in tech programs.

Vikram Sharma

Co-founder and Partner, Global Vision Hotels

Vikram Shrama is a Co-founder and Partner at Global Vision Hotels which owns and operates hotel assets across the United States. Vikram has 35 years of operational, management, strategic planning and business consulting experience across a wide variety of industries including hospitality.

Yanyan Lu

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Yanyan Lu is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing compassionate and culturally informed therapy to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University and currently offers both in-person and remote sessions through her private practice. Before transitioning into the mental health field, Yanyan worked as a Staff Software Engineer at LinkedIn. Her unique background in the tech industry gives her a distinct perspective when supporting clients navigating high-pressure careers and life transitions.

Robert J. Garrison

Principal Assistant County Attorney, County of Rockland (NY)

Robert S. Garrison, Jr., Esq. is Principal Assistant County Attorney for Rockland County, where he advises on technology and legal affairs, including developing AI usage policies and modernizing the County’s IT infrastructure. An attorney licensed in New York, New Jersey, and California, he holds an LLM from New York University School of Law and brings extensive experience from roles in the U.S. Department of Justice, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, and private practice. A lifelong advocate for innovation, he actively integrates generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Lexis AI into his legal work to enhance productivity and efficiency across the public sector.

Minfeng Lu

Machine Learning Lead
Meta

Minfeng Lu is a Machine Learning Engineer at Meta, specializing in large-scale recommendation and ranking systems. Her work advances privacy-preserving machine learning and cross-domain modeling to improve conversion signal quality and deep-funnel optimization. Previously at Zoox, she developed predictive ML systems for self-driving vehicles.

Smita Kolhatkar

Assistant Head for Innovation, Responsible AI and Ed Tech
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, Palo Alto

Smita is the Assistant Head for Innovation, Responsible AI and Ed Tech at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, Palo Alto. She brings twenty years of experience as an educator, transitioning from a fifteen-year career in the hi-tech field. Her K-12 experience includes roles as a classroom teacher, administrator, and Ed Tech leader. She is highly involved in the Computer Science Teachers’ Association (CSTA) and is passionate about introducing maker and computer science to young students.

Past Webinars & Events:

Amplifying Your Presence: Navigating YOUR Career – Advice from an Executive Recruiter
February 20, 2025

Unlocking AI Potential: Debunking Common Myths
September 18, 2024

The Present & Future of Remote Work
June 6, 2024

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State Authorization for Online Programs

The Department of Education requires that institutions offering online or distance learning programs outside of their home states must seek authorization to operate from regulatory bodies in those states. Each state has a different set of requirements when it comes to allowing out-of-state colleges and universities to offer online degree programs to its residents.

Notre Dame de Namur University is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, NDNU will make employment decisions irrespective of the staff member’s race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (a cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the NDNU will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if they are otherwise qualified to perform all essential functions safely and do it without undue hardship to the NDNU. Inquiries regarding the College’s equal opportunity policies should be directed to the Human Resources Department via email at hr@ndnu.edu. NDNU admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Mark Dee

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist.

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry Hill

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Jeff Cox

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome Nadel

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.