Dynamic and motivated professional with a proven track record of generating and building imperative business relationships, managing and spearheading complex projects from concept to completion, designing business route to market strategies for some of the world’s largest beverage alcohol importers and suppliers, and coaching individuals within and outside of Martignetti Companies to success. Skilled in building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions during challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations for executive leadership and C-suite management, and develop opportunities which further establish organizational goals, key producer KPIs, and exceed key supplier and customer goals and objectives.
Selected as one of Boston Business Journals 2019 40 Under 40 honorees, as well as Martignetti Companies Women of the Vine & Spirits 2019 representative. Nicole was featured in Boston Voyager Magazines 2019 “Most Inspiring Stories” section and currently serves as co-chair of Martignetti Companies 2020 Women’s Beverage Alcohol Symposium, as well as an active member of Martignetti Companies 2019 Corporate Mentorship Committee. An active member for the past four (4) years with Mass Mentoring Partnerships Cheers to Mentoring and Champions of Mentoring Committees, as well as MMP’s 2019 Falmouth Road Race Fundraiser. An active volunteer with Hillel at Boston University, Jewish Federations of North America National Young Leadership Cabinet, JDC, and Keshet.
10+ years of initiating and delivering sustained results and effective change for the world’s most highly recognized beverage alcohol producers such as DIAGEO, Moet Hennessy USA, Remy Cointreau, Pernod Ricard USA, Proximo, Treasury, E&J Gallo, and William Grant & Sons across Massachusetts, against a wide range of on-premise customer bases including but not limited to MGM Springfield Casino, Encore Boston Harbor Casino, Gillette Stadium, Fenway Park, Big Night Entertainment Group, Varano Group, and DePasquale Group.
Major experience lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams to bring about fundamental change and improvement in strategy, process, and profitability – both as a leader and sales consultant.
Mark Eldridge has been in the staffing and consulting industry since he graduated college. Through his experience, Mark noticed a need for reliable, highly specialized resource services and solutions. This observation led to the launch of ALKU in 2008! During ALKU’s years in business, its unique Have Fun Working Hard™ culture and exponential growth have been recognized with several prestigious awards. The company operates on the simple belief that if you give the right people the correct tools, everything else will fall into place. Mark’s laser focus on personnel development has helped ALKU create more than 18 revenue teams and a best-in-class corporate infrastructure.
Tim Ostrander is a Senior Advisor at the Ayco/Goldman Sachs office in Boston. With just under 20 years of experience, Tim specializes in providing guidance to senior corporate executives. His areas of expertise include benefits and compensation maximization, tax compliance, estate planning, wealth transfer, investment strategy, and risk management.
Since joining the firm in 2004, Tim has made significant contributions in various positions within the financial counseling business at Ayco/Goldman Sachs. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the successful opening of the Boston Ayco/Goldman Sachs office in 2015. Throughout his tenure, Tim has earned a reputation as a trusted and accomplished wealth advisor. His skill set and deep understanding of the financial landscape have led to him becoming the primary advisor for over ten CEOs and four senior Private Equity partners.
Tim earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from SUNY Geneseo and his MBA from Union College. He holds his Series 3, 7 and 66 licenses. Additionally, Tim serves on the foundation board at SUNY Geneseo and is the vice chairman of the finance committee.
Tim currently resides in Needham, MA with his wife and three sons. In his free time, you can find Tim on the sidelines of various athletic fields coaching his kids, on top of a mountain during the winter, or sneaking in a quick 18 holes whenever the weather allows. A perfect day for Tim would be spent on Lake George, out on the water, alongside family and friends.
Warren K. Zola serves as the Executive Director of the Boston College Chief Executives Club, a program of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. Long recognized as one of the world’s premier business forums, the Boston College Chief Executives Club hosts prominent CEOs of global companies for an audience of business leaders. Previously, Zola served as Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs in the Carroll School of Management for 10 years.
As an attorney and thought leader in the business of sports and sports law Zola is frequently contacted by national media outlets for his insights and perspective. He is an adjunct faculty member in the Carroll School’s departments of Business Analytics and Business Law & Society, where he teaches Sports Law and The Business of Sports, and he has written scholarly articles for legal textbooks, books, law reviews, and newspapers.
Zola earned a B.A. with Honors from Hobart & William Smith Colleges, a J.D. from Tulane University, and an M.B.A. from Boston College. He has been an active member of the Massachusetts Bar since 1993. Zola serves on the Board of Directors of three non-profit organizations: Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Mass Mentoring Partnership, and You Can Play.
Jacqueline Conrad is a seasoned communications, marketing, and public relations strategist with over three decades of diverse and impactful experience. A passionate communicator and brand architect, Jacqui has a proven track record of helping organizations amplify their voice, engage key audiences, and elevate their brand presence across sectors.
Driven by a deep commitment to mission-focused work, Jacqui combines excellence with empathy—ensuring every project not only meets but exceeds expectations. Through Delacruz Communications, Jacqui leads a team specializing in premier business communication solutions tailored to the unique needs of clients—from grassroots initiatives to nationally recognized entities.
Whether crafting branded communication packages or designing multi-platform campaigns, Jacqui and her team deliver strategy-driven, results-oriented outcomes that resonate and endure.
Ms. Conrad most recently served as Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Skidmore College, a highly ranked private liberal arts institution with 2,500 undergraduate students, 40 academic majors, 19 varsity athletic teams, and more than 100 student clubs. In this role, she led the institution’s brand strategy and external communications, advancing Skidmore’s visibility and reputation nationally. Prior to Skidmore, Ms. Conrad served as Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Public Relations at Cambridge College, a mission-driven, non-profit institution serving over 4,500 adult learners. With a commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and access, Cambridge College has long been a lifeline for diverse, non-traditional students—many of whom have faced systemic barriers to higher education. Under Ms. Conrad’s leadership, the college earned its first-ever national accreditation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), a significant milestone that continues
to attract and support Latino/Hispanic students.
Her commitment to excellence extends well beyond her professional work. Jacqui is President Emeritus of the Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) and served as a founding steering committee member for both Amplify LatinX and Chica Project, two organizations working to uplift and empower diverse leaders across Massachusetts. Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick, she also served as a board member of the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority (HEFA).
Over the years, Jacqui has led communications and marketing strategy for a wide range of mission-aligned clients, including State Street, Meet Boston, the Lawrence Public Schools, Urban College of Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, La Alianza Hispana, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA), and Colgate-Palmolive, among others. Jacqui earned a Master of Science in Communications Management from the Simmons College Graduate School of Management and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Sociology from Suffolk University. She is also a graduate of Northeastern University’s StreetWise MBATM program, a
nationally recognized executive training program for small business leaders.
Ms. Conrad’s superpower is her unwavering commitment to equity, rooted in consensus building, clarity, and consistency—a powerful blend that continues to transform organizations and communities alike.
Hilina D. Ajakaiye is Chief Strategy Officer for the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP). Respected globally as a visionary leader in destination marketing, tourism strategy, and economic development, Hilina has a proven track record of driving economic growth, fostering inclusive tourism, and leading transformational initiatives in the 3rd largest industry in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is recognized for her strategic innovation, financial acumen, and community-driven leadership.
With nearly 20 years of leadership experience—including 15 years at Ahold Delhaize overseeing $805M in operations—Hilina brings deep expertise in strategic planning, workforce development, and financial management. She is also the founder of the R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference and serves on multiple boards promoting equity and business innovation.
A first-generation Ethiopian immigrant, Hilina holds an MBA from Northeastern University and is a Certified Destination Management Executive. Her leadership has earned her honors such as Rhode Islander of the Year and the NPG Impact Award. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive growth, global connection, and community-driven leadership.
Esha is a management consultant professional with the PwC US Advisory Practice. She has over 10+ years of experience in Analytics Consulting. She has accumulated breadth of experience while working for clients across Healthcare Providers, Health Insurance Companies, Pharma & Life Sciences, Airlines, Retail and Professional Services industries. She has led several consulting engagements which involve hypothesis development, generating actionable insights from data, developing and implementing strategy and business development.
With over 9+ years of experience in leading multicultural teams and applying strategic thinking, project management and data science skills to solve complex problems, Esha is committed to giving back to the community through active commitment to the organization’s mission.
Colin Burch was named Vice President, Marketing and Broadcasting in January 2017. In this role he is responsible for guiding the organization’s marketing efforts with a particular focus on the club’s digital and social media strategies with MLB, promotional ticketing initiatives and a host of platforms designed to bring children and families closer to the game. During his tenure, Burch has coordinated and implemented marketing plans and broadcast logistics for a variety of non-baseball events at Fenway Park including Polartec Big Air, Capital One Frozen Fenway, and the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic.
Burch’s broadcasting responsibilities include overseeing the club’s relationships with its broadcast rights holders including Entercom Boston (WEEI), New England Sports Network (NESN), and Red Sox Spanish Radio. He also serves as a liaison between the club and Major League Baseball’s broadcast rights holders in ESPN, FOX/FS1, TBS and the MLB Network. In addition, Burch manages the licensing of the club’s intellectual properties in the film, television, and commercial industries.
Since beginning his Red Sox career as an intern during the 2003 season, Burch has worked for the club in a variety of marketing and broadcasting roles, most recently as Sr. Director, Marketing and Broadcasting.
A native of Ruxton, MD, Burch graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2004. He and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Wellesley, MA with their daughters, Belle and Lily.
Joseph Corazzini he/him/his is a proven leader in driving organizational change and advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) across education and community organizations. Having served in senior roles, including Vice President at Clark University and Assistant Superintendent for Framingham Public Schools, he has led transformative youth centered initiatives aimed at facilitating access and eliminating barriers to student success. He also played a key role in creating one of the first nationally recognized Promise Neighborhoods and currently serves on multiple boards, continuing his commitment to sustainable community impact, youth development and equity in public education.
A seasoned corporate executive and team leader, Melina Cortes-Nmili brings over a decade of experience driving strategic growth and innovation across the healthcare industry. With deep knowledge spanning Patient Services, Commercial Growth Strategy and Product Innovations, she has led high-performing teams and delivered results in complex, fast-paced environments. Her corporate background has shaped her ability to navigate multi-dimensional challenges, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and execute transformative initiatives across the healthcare value chain.
In parallel with her corporate career, Melina is also a self-taught designer and visionary entrepreneur, known for blending business acumen with creative innovation. In 2011, she founded Lalla Bee, a high-end fashion brand specializing in modern, unique, and bespoke professional attire. Recognizing a gap in the market for elevated yet accessible fashion for workingwomen, she launched the brand to create clothing that prioritizes quality, individuality, and confidence. Under her leadership, Lalla Bee has grown into a respected label featured in prestigious boutiques across the U.S., Canada, and the Dominican Republic.
Melina’s designs have been showcased at international fashion shows, and Boston Magazine named her Best Designer of Boston in 2023 and 2025. Her unique ability to bridge the worlds of business, healthcare, and fashion reflects her dynamic leadership and commitment to empowering others through thoughtful design and bold strategy.
Amy Huchthausen is the Head of Operations at Lucea Health. Prior to her current role, Amy served as Chief Operating Officer at Stavvy, a mortgage tech startup for nearly four years. Before entering the tech industry, Amy spent over 20 years in college sports management, including a decade as Commissioner of the America East Conference. She served on the Women Leaders in Sports Board of Directors and numerous NCAA committees during her college athletics career which included roles with NCAA, ACC, Missouri Valley and Big East. In addition to serving on the MMP Board of Directors, she is on the Board of Advisors for GBH and The Zone, a mental wellness platform for athletes, and sits on the Knight Commission for Intercollegiate Athletics. Amy has an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and she received her MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Sandeep Kumar is a Business Transformation and Consulting Leader for Financial Services at EY. In his current role, Sandeep is responsible for client engagements, client value propositions and building relevant capabilities at global scale for wealth, asset management and retirements sector. As EY’s Americas Retirement Technology Leader, Sandeep partners with clients to deliver large business led and technology enabled transformation engagements.
He has 26+ years of experience managing client engagements globally and leading large digital business transformation initiatives for leading financial services institutions. His global experience spans across US, India, China and Europe working with multi-cultural teams. He is passionate about helping clients solve their problems by connecting the dots between business, technology and operations to create long-term value.
Sandeep brings valuable experience, innovation and insights re: leadership and management challenges faced by large wealth & asset management firms that are burdened with fragmented legacy-technologies.
As a thought leader and a hands-on, problem-solver, Sandeep brings a broad and balanced perspective of right-sourcing strategies. He has led large deals and engagements “lifting-out” capabilities, transitioning to ODCs/GCCs and transforming these to next-gen capabilities.
Sandeep believes in the purpose of building a better working world by leveraging his knowledge, skills and experience to empower people with the right mindset needed to navigate what’s next and become the transformative leaders the world needs.
Sandeep holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical & Electronics.
Deb Lawrence is a Senior Vice President at Bank of America in the firm’s Global Commercial Banking division. In her role she leads a team of professionals to deliver a full array of commercial and investment banking products and services to mid-sized companies headquartered in the Boston area. She is responsible for helping clients achieve their strategic objectives through lending, treasury and liquidity management, hedging advice, international expansion, and corporate finance recommendations. She has been involved in numerous syndicated credit facilities and public equity offerings to assist in M&A and buyout activity. She also connects individuals at client companies she works with to the Merrill Lynch and Private Bank divisions of the Bank that provide personal banking and wealth management services.
Prior to her current position, Deb led Fleet National Bank’s Massachusetts Professional Services Banking Division. Previous positions included leading the National Staffing Services Banking Division, and managing various portfolios of mid-sized companies in many different industries.
Deb has been with Bank of America and its predecessor Fleet Bank for over 25 years. She started her banking career as a management trainee at Shawmut Bank in the Commercial Banking Training and Development Program. She has a B.A. with a History major from Gordon College, and an M.B.A. with Highest Distinction from Babson College. Deb is passionate about many charitable causes throughout New England and has been involved with numerous not-for-profit organizations over the years. Most recently she serves as a Board Member for the United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley and the Mass Mentoring Partnership.
Caitlin Thompson is a Managing Director at KPMG LLP, where she is a recognized leader in the insurance sector. Drawing from her personal experience growing up in a military family, Caitlin understands the importance of consistent advocates and is deeply committed to the power of mentorship. She is known for her strategic leadership, financial acumen, and passion for community service.
With over 15 years of experience, Caitlin has a proven track record of leading financial statement audits, internal control reviews, and attestation services. In recognition of her leadership potential, she was selected to be part of KPMG’s Rising Stars class of 2023, which included bespoke development programming with a focus on career navigation and credentialing. Beyond her client work, she is a national facilitator for insurance and audit training programs, and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Caitlin’s commitment to her community is demonstrated through her service as the Chair of the Ways & Means Committee for her town’s school board, where she provides critical fiscal oversight. She is an active member of the Women’s Bond Club of Boston. Caitlin holds a Master of Professional Accountancy and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the College of William & Mary and is a licensed CPA. As a mother to three school-age children, she is passionate about ensuring all young people have the supportive relationships they need to thrive.
David Ureña is an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Before joining the Civil Rights Division, David worked with immigrant worker communities and low-income New Yorkers in New York City as an employment lawyer at the Community Development Project of the Urban Justice Center (now an independent non-profit organization named TakeRoot Justice) and MFY Legal Services (now named Mobilization for Justice). David attended Fordham Law School and the University of Pennsylvania.
Jim Connolly, National Bank Holdings Corp
Edmund F. Kelly, Liberty Mutual Group
Regina M. Pisa, Goodwin Procter
George Neble, Retired from EY
Jacqueline Conrad, Skidmore College
Warren K. Zola, Boston College Chief Executives Club
Rev. J. Donald Monan, S.J., Boston College
