Experts

Meet Zac Stern, a young visionary with a keen mind in business and love.Earning a coveted spot at the NYU Stern School of Business was just the beginning of Zac's early success. While still in school, Zac interned at UBS, AIG, Stifel, and Rosecliff Ventures. After realizing that he enjoyed the world of startups, he worked full-time as a VC his Senior year at Stern and was promoted to associate upon graduation in 2020. At the same time, Zac founded an angel investment group with three other friends called O-Ventures, which raised over $1M and funded various top companies within the consumer space. While working as a venture capitalist, Zac got to see Innovation firsthand and realized after seeing the 50th pitch deck for a dating app that the matchmaking market was oversaturated. Still, no one was looking at what came after the match. With an ear toward opportunity and a desire to fill an unmet need, Zac went right to work building an app so everyone could have better relationships. Official was born, a next-generation social media app built to help couples have healthier and happier relationships. After being honest with his employer about moonlighting with his project, Zac was congratulated by being flat-out fired. This proved to be a gift, as Official became his sole focus as of October 2020. After being interviewed by the Mayor of Miami and going viral on TikTok, Official's beta crashed from too many people mobbing the platform. After taking the feedback and putting out an MVP In July, the app once again was overrun with over 85k people signing up for the platform In a week., putting the app at #5 within the US on Apple's Lifestyle Charts. The team raised from top Investors such as Global Founders Capital, Gaingels, and various notable angels, bringing the funding to 750k. After a much-awaited hiatus, Official Is back and Is here to redefine what It means to date, and really, what It means to be Official.

Zack Bates is a visionary hospitality and marketing professional with a proven track record of success. As the founder of Private Club Marketing in 2009, he has been sought after by some of the world's most iconic private members' clubs to implement strategies that protect and preserve their legacies, such as the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, The Riviera Country Club, Gleneagles Resort, The Vintage Club, Mayacama Golf Club, San Francisco Yacht Club, Peninsula Hotels, and Montage Hotel Group.With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Bates began his career at ClubCorp in 2003, where he quickly rose to the top of the list among 200+ global properties for member retention and sales. He was recognized in 2015 by Platinum Clubs of America and Platinum Clubs of the World as their preferred Membership Marketing Firm.Bates' passion for connecting high-net-worth golf enthusiasts and country club members to unique golf and real estate content around the globe led him to found Club Estates, a digital platform that has reached over 1M views in its first year. The platform offers an invitation-only and curated list of luxury golf, city, yacht, and country club real estate on the market.In addition to his professional achievements, Bates is an active board advisor to Sport at the Service of Humanity, a cooperative between the Vatican, U.N., and the International Olympic Committee. He is also a dedicated father to his two children and enjoys golf, travel, food & wine, community, and the arts. He resides in Newport Beach, CA.

Hailing from the picturesque town of Granbury, Texas, Zach Maxwell has become a formidable force in the political landscape of the Lone Star State. With an academic foundation from Baylor University, Zach Maxwell's journey into the political realm has been nothing short of remarkable.From the bustling campaign trails to the hallowed halls of the Texas legislature, Zach Maxwell has been at the forefront of some of the most pivotal moments in recent Texas political history. Notably, Zach Maxwell played a role in Governor Greg Abbott's inaugural gubernatorial campaign, a testament to his strategic prowess and dedication. This dedication was further recognized when, in 2016, Texas Insider Magazine awarded him for orchestrating the best-run Texas House campaign for the Republican primary in House District 60.But Zach Maxwell's influence wasn't limited to the campaign trail. Serving in the Texas Senate during the 84th legislature in 2015, he transitioned to the Texas House as a Chief of Staff, continuing his service through the 85th and 86th legislatures. His commitment to transparency and accountability led him to take a brief hiatus for investigative journalism. During this period, he exposed and highlighted local corruption. He also traveled extensively, engaging with grassroots organizations, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to make a tangible impact both locally and in the legislature.Today, while Zach Maxwell is venturing into the world of Real Estate alongside his wife, building a community lifestyle brand, his heart remains deeply rooted in Texas politics. As the Senate District 22 Platform Committeeman for the Republican Party of Texas, he played an instrumental role in crafting the 2022-2023 Republican Party of Texas platform.Media outlets have been quick to recognize Zach Maxwell's contributions. Featured in CNN's "Deep in the Pockets of Texas" and NBC's "Against All Enemies", he has consistently sought to expose corruption, aiming to dismantle a two-tiered justice system. His testament to intellectual honesty and consistency, as well as a great dislike for bad actors is clearly but respectfully present, even if that means casting a difficult light on outspokenly likeminded political figures. His vast experience has made him a sought-after voice on Texas public policy, having influenced and crafted key pieces of legislation and policy initiatives.In a state known for its larger-than-life personalities and fierce independence, Zach Maxwell stands out as a beacon of integrity, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the people of Texas.

A serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of management experience, Co-Founder of MTC Global and Rest® Yong Zhou has successfully introduced dozens of international businesses and teams from across the world to China by helping them localize their business for the Chinese market. With the firm belief that digital transformation is the future of manufacturing and recognizing a trend of the globalization of Chinese enterprises, Zhou continues to utilize his international management experience, working closely with top manufacturers to help them build brands for overseas markets.Graduating from the University of Birmingham with an undergraduate degree and an MBA, Zhou utilized his entrepreneurial skills to found his first company. Eventually acquired by American education group, KAPLAN, he then received tens of millions in investment from a leading venture capital institution for his next venture.Zhou’s mission is to use digital means to transform traditional manufacturers and help connect them with consumers to better understand and quickly respond to their needs. He aims to continue bringing positive changes to stagnant industries and build modern solutions empowered by new science and technology advancements for current demands.Zhou grew up in Shanghai and currently resides in Hangzhou, China. When not helping to build brands he enjoys time traveling with his family.

For information on the Caribbean, and specifically St. Maarten / St. Martin.

Will Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of WHOOP, which has developed next generation wearable technology for optimizing human performance and health. WHOOP members include professional athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, fitness enthusiasts, military personnel, frontline workers and a broad range of people looking to improve their performance. WHOOP has raised more than $400 million from top investors and is valued at $3.6 billion, making it the most valuable standalone wearables company in the world. Ahmed has recruited an active advisory board that consists of some of the world’s most notable cardiologists, technologists, marketers, and designers. Ahmed was named to the 2021 Sports Business Journal 40 under 40 list as well as 2020 Fortune 40 Under 40 Healthcare list and previously named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Ahmed founded WHOOP as a student at Harvard, where he captained the Men’s Varsity Squash Team and graduated with an A.B. in government.

Contemporary artist WhIsBe has established a formidable reputation in both the renegade world of street art but also the mainstream art world encompassing the museum, gallery and arena of public installations. Regardless of where he works, the artist remains anonymous. His moniker, shorthand for “What is Beauty”, is at once innocuous and sweet and introduces more substantive themes of cultural examination and subversion that underline much of his body of work.WhIsBe attended New York’s School of Visual Arts; however, the art techniques he utilizes are largely autogenous. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s ingenious use of commercial imagery coupled with Jean-Michel Basquiat’s disruption of public space, WhIsBe wanted to share his message with a broad spectrum of people, not only those who have access to museums and galleries, and began putting up self-sanctioned work in the street in 2011. WhIsBe has since gone on to generate more and more content that sparks thoughtful dialogue and nuanced socio-awareness. Using a subversive formula of colliding seemingly innocent images with meaningful messages, WhIsBe’s subtle alterations to known designs irrevocably disrupt their meaning. For instance, in his iconic Vandal Gummy series, WhIsBe places the beloved sugary treat against a prison mugshot background, gripping an identity placard in between his gelatin paws. This juxtaposition between the nostalgic and the sinister has become a hallmark of WhIsBe’s body of work—in presenting attractive images that viewers initially feel safe absorbing, WhIsBe cleverly and strategically encourages them to examine their own critique of problematic institutions.WhIsBe has partnered with charities and corporations ranging from the Art Works Charity Foundation to Charity Water to Red Bull to COACH and has exhibited work at notable events including: Art Basel through Castle Fitzjohns Gallery, Context & Art New York, and Art Southampton through the Keszler Gallery. In 2016, he collaborated with the New Museum in New York City to create a large-scale installation of three-dimensional, polychrome Vandal Gummies as well as a series of limited-edition prints. In 2017, publications such as business insider, Vice HBO and Forbes wrote articles focusing on the artist along with the MOCO Museum Amsterdam acquiring a seven-foot tall “Vandal Gummy” sculpture. Also in 2017, WhIsBe was invited among select significant contemporaries to create work for 4 World Trade Center's 69th floor and commissioned to place a seven foot tall “Vandal Gummy” sculpture for the buildings lobby centerpiece.In a bold move in 2024, WhIsBe extended his Vandal Gummy concept into a tangible venture, launching a line of Vandal Gummy Bears candies. This initiative bridges his art with confectionery, continuing his commitment to challenging perceptions and engaging audiences in novel and unexpected manners.

Wendy Herman is a dynamic fashion industry and retail executive with 20+ years of experience and deep-rooted expertise in intimate apparel. Her core competency lies in her transformative approach to the fashion sector, particularly in revolutionizing teens & young women's bra drawers through her pioneering intimate brand, BRABAR. In 2017, BRABAR was born from Wendy's firsthand challenges in finding suitable bras with her then 15-year-old daughter, igniting her mission to pivot the focus from body image to self-love and proper fit. Wendy combines her journey as a mother of three and her vast industry experience to redefine comfort and confidence in young women's lives. Her notable contributions include working on launching significant intimate lines for Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Yummie. Aspiring to be a changemaker, Wendy’s vision extends beyond mere brand success; she aims to empower the next generation of women, positioning herself as a leading figure in creating impactful, positive change in the intimate apparel landscape.

ABOUT: Wayne Boich— Founder & CEO, Reserve Padel | Chairman & CEO of Boich Investment GroupWayne Boich is the CEO and Founder of the leading luxury lifestyle brand in the United States, Reserve Padel.  In 2022, Wayne organized the largest padel tournament in U.S. history, the Blockchain.com Miami Padel Open, which showcased top international players from around the world and raised over $2 million for local charitable causes. Among the attendees were prominent figures such as Jimmy Buffet, Vince Vaughn, Ludacris, Wyclef Jean, Jimmy Butler, Alonzo Mourning, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Shane Battier, among others. A year later, in February 2023, Wayne launched Reserve Padel— a versatile brand that focuses on establishing premier padel clubs nationwide, expert court installation and management, lifestyle apparel, and hosting various events, exhibitions, and tournaments. The launch of Reserve Padel heralded the opening of Miami’s most luxurious padel club, Reserve Miami Seaplane, followed by Manhattan's inaugural padel club, Reserve NYC Hudson Yards. By April 2024, Reserve introduced its first members-only club in Miami's Design District, further cementing its status as a leader in the padel industry. Today, Reserve operates three elite padel clubs, with ambitious expansion plans underway for 2024-2025. Renowned for merging sport, wellness, and luxury lifestyle experiences, the brand is committed to redefining the future of padel, by introducing and enhancing the fastest-growing sport worldwide.  Beyond padel, Wayne serves as Chairman and CEO of Boich Investment Group, where he oversees global investment strategies and a diverse U.S. real estate portfolio, including hotels, offices, and residential projects.

Victoria Mankoski is the owner and interior designer of Free Spirit Designs. She hopes to share her design expertise to inspire you in your home through Free Spirit Bundles. Her mission at Free Spirit Bundle is to surprise and delight you with unexpected, high quality, unique finds for your home. She believes there is something beautiful about every design style, and that is why you’ll always receive an inspiring collection of eclectic home décor every quarter. Each luxury home décor subscription box builds on the next creating a beautiful collection and sense of home. Elevating every room in your house is effortless with the Free Spirit Bundle. She sources and craft all of our products with care, ensuring that every treasure you receive is unique, and beautiful, just like you.

Veronica Konecke is the Co-Founder and CEO of Aloisia Beauty, a Latina-owned skincare brand born from a shared frustration over the lack of clean skincare that truly delivered long-lasting results. With over 20 years of experience in biotech, diabetes care, and international business, Veronica blends her expertise with a deep passion for creating high-performance, skincare.Growing up commuting between San Diego and Tijuana, Veronica’s unique cross-cultural perspective fueled her commitment to developing products that connect to her roots while utilizing cutting-edge science. In 2018, alongside her co-founders Chrissy and Nicole, Veronica partnered with one of South Korea’s top skincare labs to craft a product line that merges Korean beauty innovations with clean, natural ingredients.Under Veronica’s leadership, Aloisia Beauty has helped thousands of women discover healthier, glowing skin. The brand is committed to sustainability, eco-friendly practices, and transparency, ensuring that each formula reflects their dedication to both quality and environmental responsibility.As a mom, Veronica values teaching the importance of self-care and embraces plant-based skincare traditions that are passed down through generations. Through Aloisia Beauty, she strives to empower women by enhancing their natural beauty, boosting their confidence, and promoting long-term skin health.

Vanessa Valiente is San Diego's #1 Personal Stylist and creator of VSTYLE, the first and longest standing fashion blog in America's finest city (Est. 2007). She has worked with numerous celebrities and was voted a “Top Stylist” by Modern Luxury and FINE magazine. Vanessa is also the author of, The Personal Stylist’s Handbook, the bible for aspiring stylists. Vanessa has been featured in The Washington Post, InStyle, The Zoe report and BOF.