Current Mentors

About Me: With a dynamic career spanning 23 years, I am Gabriel Arguello, the Founder and CEO of Rent 2 Own Trailers since 2017 and Titan Food Trailers since 2021. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship from St Mary’s University, and my entrepreneurial journey has been marked by success in both the financial and food industries.

Financial Expertise: Trained by renowned insurance firms such as USAA, Northwestern Mutual, Farmers Insurance, and MassMutual, I bring extensive experience as a Financial Advisor. Proficient in Merchant Cash Advances and Invoice Factoring, I collaborated with national finance companies like Ondeck and Ascentium Capital, leveraging my expertise in risk management, strategic prospecting, alternative financing, and sales closing techniques.

Mobile Food Industry Pioneer: Venturing into the food industry six years ago, I co-own four successful brick-and-mortar restaurants and two highly efficient food trailers in Houston and South Texas. Recognizing a lucrative yet neglected niche, I applied my financial acumen to establish Rent 2 Own Trailers as the leading force in the mobile food business in the USA.

Awards and Recognition: Recipient of multiple awards as a Financial Advisor and Insurance Agent, my dearest accolade is the "Trailer Dealer Houston 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 ward."

Passion for Boating: Away from the business world, my lifelong passion for boating has seen me at the helm of various vessels. I have logged over 200 hours navigating the waters of Florida and the Bahamas. A certified captain, I undertook a rigorous at-the-Helm Training course in 2023.

Family and Lifestyle: Residing in Houston, TX, with my wife (CFO of our companies) and two young daughters, I am not only dedicated to business but also committed to creating memorable moments with my family.

Nada Ahmed is a corporate leader turned entrepreneur, innovative strategist, leadership coach and angel investor with expertise in Innovation and Leadership. She is the author of Amazon bestseller Determined to Lead: The Disruptive Woman’s Guide to Stop Playing Small and Transform your Career through Agile Leadership. Nada is a recognized thought leader on the topics of leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and women in the workplace. She has been featured in various publications and is a speaker at conferences and events around the world.

As the founder of Agile Leadership, she guides businesses toward the forefront of change through customer-centric design thinking, agile methodologies and leadership training. She also serves as leadership and career coach for female corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. Nada has 15 years of corporate leadership experience in the Energy and Maritime Industry and has spent most of her career in Houston and Norway. Nada serves on the Board of Directors for Greig Maritime Group and Climatepoint. Nada was recognized on the 2020 list of the top 50 women in technology in Norway and was on the 2021 list of high-achieving leaders under 40 awarded by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

Nada is the host of Something of Nada podcast, where she explores entrepreneurial stories of determination focusing on first-generation immigrants and underserved leaders. To find out more, visit her website: www.nadahmed.com

Eric Alfuth is an investor and advisor with over 20 years of experience. He is the managing partner of Caymont Ventures, focusing on early-stage venture capital investments along with providing financial and strategic advisory to emerging companies. Prior to forming Caymont he was CFO of several energy companies ranging from start-ups to a publicly traded entity.

Before becoming a corporate executive, Eric was part of a high yield credit hedge fund and managed a $4 billion international fund for AIG Investments. He began his career as an equity research analyst with Prudential Securities for a #1 ranked Institutional Investor team.

Eric is president of the Houston Angel Network and on the board of the Texas A&M MBA Program. He holds two degrees from Texas A&M University and a Masters from Harvard University.

Mr. Luis Ángel García-Álvarez is a distinguished leader in the immigrant Latino community. He is currently the co-founder and president/CEO of the non-profit organization System for Education Empowerment and Success (SEDES). Additionally, he is a co-owner and President of Human Capital Solutions, a staffing company. Holding a Master's degree in Human Rights and International Law from the European Institute Campus Stellae (Santiago de Compostela, Spain), Luis has demonstrated his dedication to the Hispanic community in the United States.

As the founder and current president of SEDES, Luis has provided leadership, direction, and inspiration to thousands of Latinos in the Houston area by promoting education as the foundation for achieving success.

Some of Luis achievements include:

2021 Hispanic Heritage Award – 2021 Hispanic Heritage Award as a community activist and proclamation of October 5 as Luis Angel Garcia-Alvarez Day.

2021 MLS – Wells Fargo Community MVP – Houston Dynamo FC – Award as the Most Valuable Player of the community – MLS – Houston Dynamo 2021.

Houston Mayor's 2018 Leadership in Education Award.

Luis has served on the following programs and committees: Harris Health System - Gulfgate Health Center Advisory Board, Harris County Youth Advisory Board, Superneighborhood #51 delegate, HISD Superintendent's Public Participation Committee, among others.

Kristin Banks is a Certified Business Performance Advisor (CBPA) with Insperity. In her role, she helps small and mid-size business leaders find people-tailored solutions, in human capital management; so they can focus more time on producing profitability for their organization. She truly enjoys helping businesses succeed, so communities prosper.

Previously, she worked in hospitality sales management and training delivery, with Marriott

International for 16.5 years. There, she led hotel sales/marketing teams across Texas, before taking on the sales training program for Select Service brands in the US and Canada, at Marriott’s headquarters (Bethesda, MD). Through her career upbringing in hospitality, Kristin has excelled in transformational sales leadership, client relationships and rapport, project management and logistics, stakeholder collaboration, planning and organization. She is the recipient of the Sales Leader of the Year award, Community Service Sales Leader of the Year award, Outstanding Sales & Marketing Advisory Council Award (via Concord Hospitality), and Direct Sales Leader of the Year (via Marriott International).

Kristin graduated from Sam Houston State University with a B.A. in Mass Communication and is currently working, part-time, on her MBA through their online program. She is happily married to Christopher, and truly enjoys raising their children (Gabriel, Katelyn and Bradley) together everyday!

In her spare time, Kristin leads The Josh Paul Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded to honor the legacy and impact her oldest brother and UH alum (Joshua Paul Schwarz) made in education, before losing his cancer battle in October 2019. She honors his memory through special events that include some of his greatest passions: music, health & fitness, and education. Funds raised from those special events go towards a scholarship fund that supports students that have faced adversity and wish to continue their education beyond high school. Graduating high school seniors, in Brazosport ISD, CCISD and Pasadena ISD, are eligible to compete through an essay and application submission every year! www.JoshPaulFoundation.org

Kristin is truly looking forward to the opportunity to both be a resource, and to learn from, tomorrow’s leaders within WCE

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Steven understands how to build solutions perfect for each client's unique needs. As a graduate and current mentor of the University of Houston’s leading entrepreneurship program as well as the nation’s number one sales program, Steven was involved in leadership and mentoring programs throughout his education, preparing him for a commitment to provide each client with the highest level of service and professionalism. His innovative approach to corporate team building, company processes, and high standards for customer satisfaction has proven to be a very successful business model in financial services. Upon entering the Mortgage Industry, Steven quickly became the top loan officer in his company within six months due to his keen focus on customer satisfaction and loan structuring. Since then, Steven has continued to grow his career to the point of being recruited and named Managing Director of the Prestige Lending Group in July of 2023, a residential mortgage company in Texas producing over $100MM. During his first year as Managing Director, Steven has overseen the growth of The Prestige Lending Group by over 400%, growing into multiple other states while also spearheading the formation of the commercial lending division. Steven is the co-founder of a new real estate investment firm, Real Estate Assets and Lending (R.E.A.L.) where they help fund large developments for home builders and other similar opportunities and just accepted a board position with The Kader Agency of Goosehead Insurance, one of the top insurance agencies in America. Steven obtained two Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at the University of Houston with Minors/Certificates in Psychology, Advanced Sales, Sales for Social Impact, and Global Business. He currently resides in the Memorial community in Houston and enjoys a very close and active family.

Additionally, Steven is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha where he received their Scholar, Leader, and Gentleman Awards. Steven is extremely active in his faith and leads a community group with his wife, Jennifer at his home church. Hobbies include fellowship with family and friends, food, Houston collegiate/professional sports, and outdoor activities.

The year is 1979 and I’m just 3 years old. I’m running around in my parent’s 1,800sq ft shop, the first one of its kind in Culver City, CA (Suburb of Los Angeles). I grew up in the business, from the moment I woke up to the aroma of my mom’s samosas cooking to the last meal of the day with some dals, sabzi & chutney. My parents are great cooks and its their recipes & love that go into all of our great products. Who is this? Suneel Chander, CEO & founder of Rani Brand Authentic Indian Products. A visionary leader and the driving force behind Rani Foods, LP, a leading ethnic food importer & manufacturing company based in Houston, Texas. In 40+ years as a family owned company, Rani Foods have taken great pride in bringing our products to your tables and having them well received in over a dozen countries. With his passion for culinary excellence and commitment to quality, Suneel has transformed Rani Foods into a trusted name in the industry. Suneel's journey in the food industry began with humble beginnings. After completing his formal education in the University of California Riverside, he worked his way up through various roles in the food manufacturing sector, gaining valuable experience and insights along the way. His dedication, resourcefulness, and innovative mindset distinguished him as a rising star in the industry. In 2005, Suneel founded Rani Foods with a clear mission: to bring the authentic flavors of international cuisine to households across the globe. Under his leadership, Rani Foods has grown exponentially, expanding its product range and distribution networks. Today, the company offers a diverse portfolio of premium sauces, spices, and condiments that cater to the discerning tastes of consumers worldwide. Leading the way in the DTC (direct to consumer), Rani has become number one in its respective categories on Amazon, Walmart, Target & other marketplaces, beating out billion dollar companies like McCormick’s & Tones. Suneel's leadership style is characterized by his strong emphasis on collaboration and nurturing talent. He believes that the success of any organization lies in its people, and he actively fosters a culture of creativity, innovation, and inclusivity within Rani Foods. Suneel's ability to inspire and empower his team has resulted in a highly motivated workforce that consistently exceeds expectations. Beyond his role at Rani Foods, Suneel is committed to making a positive impact on the community. He actively supports various philanthropic initiatives, particularly those focused on food security and education. In his free time, Suneel enjoys exploring new cuisines, traveling, and spending time with his family, mainly his twin daughters. He is an avid learner and continuously seeks opportunities to expand his knowledge and stay at the forefront of industry trends. As a visionary CEO, Suneel Chander has revolutionized the food industry with his unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and social responsibility. Through his leadership, Rani Foods has become a symbol of excellence, bridging cultures and bringing joy to countless households around the world.

Chris was born in Chicago, IL, lived in Cleveland, OH and arrived in Texas in the mid 60’s. He graduated from the University of Houston in December 1977 with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After three tumultuous years in the restaurant business, he entered the printing business and has held various roles from sales executive to president. He is married to his lovely wife Glenda and they have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. He enjoys reading, an occasional round of golf, movies, and a good single malt. Chris has mentored 8 students and considers working with the Wolff Center students among the best experiences he has enjoyed.

David has over 40 years experience in the energy service sector including 20 years living abroad with Schlumberger in engineering, commercialization and management roles. His family moved to Texas in 2000 where David has worked in C-suite roles for public and private companies including a pre-IPO company, 2 growth companies, and 2 turnarounds. With eight years CEO and board experience he now finds himself chairman of a minerals and mining imaging company and consulting for two entrepreneurial companies trying to penetrate the energy sector with disruptive technologies.

David's leadership style is centered around candor, collaboration and personal commitment. Graduating with a BSc in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1980 he went on to advanced management studies with; UPenn - Wharton School of Business , London School of Economics and INSEAD, France.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Day has brought her unique passion, intellect, and “sheer willingness” to her mission to develop communities and improve lives through education and economic sustainability. Her body of work demonstrates that she has always been on the front end of service, challenging the status quo in order to create, deliver and preserve programs that change lives. Armed with postgraduate non-profit training, Day started her results-driven career as a program director for a 15-branch youth mentorship program involving 800 youth and 200 volunteers. Since then, she has strengthened the administrative and fiscal operations of several organizations; helped to prepare thousands of young people for college and life responsibilities; created a Student Leadership program, launched two women’s business center; developed a premier Women of Color program, managed a total of eight million in annual budget dollars; and raised in excess of $3.5 million in grant funding.

Today, Dr. April Day applies her seasoned communications, collaboration, team building and strategic thinking abilities to her role as president of the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA). The WBEA is a leading third-party certifying organization that serves close to 800 certified women-owned business enterprises representing six billion dollars in revenue and more than 40,000 jobs in 94 Texas counties and oversees their SBA Resource Center-WBEA Women’s Business Center collectively supporting over 1,500 women in business annually.

Under April’s leadership, the WBEA has enjoyed increased membership, efficiency and revenues; received more than half a million media impressions; completed a global trade mission to China, launched four capacity building programs for women in business, and ushered in over $6 Million in access to capital for women owned business. Additionally, she developed a Giving Tree scholarship and mentoring program for start-ups and a non-profit management and business ownership college internship program. No stranger to service, Dr. Day credits her amazing team and WBEA network for the impact WBEA has been afforded the opportunity to achieve. dr. Day’s primary role is to facilitate procurement connections, enhance organizational performance, and increase capacity and opportunities for women-owned businesses through coaching, funding, procurement, education, and executive networking. Dr. Day launched WellDays, a wellness company providing comprehensive burnout reduction and leadership services to elevate, enhance, and engage life fully through wellness, self-care, and self-discovery. In her quest to help other lead and live fully, Dr. Day launched the Executive Women’s Retreat held annually for the past three years in Mexico. WellDays is intentional about redefining success and optimizing our best lives in service without sacrificing health. Dr. Day gives back to the community by her service in volunteering, shopping, and dining. You can catch her on multiple boards within the non-profit and business community, serving as an adjunct faculty in the College of Business for Texas Women’s University, corporate business trainer for Houston Community College, sought after magazine contributor and presenter on transformational leadership, organizational performance, self-care, and burnout reduction. She has been recognized as DMARS Magazine Top 30 Influential Women in Houston, Wealthy Sisters Network International Impact Award, Houston Women’s Magazine 50 Influential Women in Houston, North American University Community Leaders Award, Houston’s Hero Award, and Houston Business Journal Women who mean Business Award. A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, April earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Houston and an MBA and Doctorate from Our Lady of the Lake University. She is a proud UH Cougar, Nonprofit Leadership Alliance alum, Houston Leadership alum, American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow, and member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. April spends her downtime with her 5 children, 1 grandchild, reading, traveling and living fully.

Bright Futures Consulting, LLC Director, 1999 -present. My company provides clients with informed, timely, and personalized guidance and support to be empowered to achieve educational and career goals. BFC emphasizes personality and interest testing using the Birkman Advanced Report. Our clients range from middle school students to mid-life career-changers. Each one receives customized solutions to their unique educational needs.

Director, College Counseling at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Houston, 2001-2007. Developed the college guidance program that served as the model for the Accreditation team of the Southeast Association of Episcopal Schools.

Director of College Guidance at Second Baptist School, 1997 - 1999. Provided the academic and college planning, coaching and support for 250 high school students at one of Houston’s premier private secondary schools.

Instructor at The United States Air Force Academy, University of Houston at Clear Lake and San Jacinto College. Developed curriculum and instructed: Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Perspectives in Psychology Seminar and Interpersonal Communication for Leadership.

Professional Counselor at the Gulf Coast Center, 1990 – 1993. Conducted individual, group, and family counseling with middle and high school students at risk for dropping out of school.

Colonel, United States Air Force. Active Duty, 1977 – 1985. Reserve Duty, 1985 – 2007 Including fifteen years as a U.S. Air Force Academy Admissions Liaison Officer to Houston’s private schools.

Uzma is a dedicated professional with over 16 years of Shell experience at asset assignments and in global roles. Proven track record of effectively managing HSSE risks and leading projects through all phases of project lifecycle to deliver maximum business outcomes.

Uzma Kamal is a distinguished professional celebrated for her exceptional leadership skills and expertise across diverse areas. With a solid grounding in Shell's business principles, core values, and HSSE, Uzma has excelled in building, developing, and motivating global teams to achieve optimal outcomes. Her ability to navigate high-stress situations with maturity, particularly during organizational changes, showcases her resilience and adaptability.

In the realm of projects and program management, Uzma has demonstrated hands-on and leadership experience in executing Capital projects across their entire lifecycle. Her track record includes leading projects that consistently met or exceeded industry competitive metrics, delivering on-time and on-budget. Uzma has also played a crucial role in implementing Value Improvement Practices and developing Top Quartile plans, contributing to enhanced project delivery.

Uzma's proficiency extends to managing IT programs and addressing gaps identified in audits, ensuring the delivery of central services. In operations and supplier management, she has successfully delivered operational improvements through projects and streamlined service onboarding. Uzma's adept use of Major Incident processes for issue resolution underscores her strategic problem-solving skills.

Possessing a broad knowledge of enterprise technologies, Uzma has demonstrated expertise in data and analytics technologies, leveraging them effectively to create business value. Her understanding of technical functional expertise in process control, operational technology, and field telecommunications has contributed significantly to service provision and improvement across various lines of businesses.

With a rich background in Downstream assets and global roles spanning Upstream, Integrated Gas, Downstream, and P&T businesses, Uzma is adept at business stakeholder management. Her core competence lies in delivering solutions that meet business requirements while adhering to standards, schedules, and cost frameworks.

Birgit Kamps was speaking 5 languages by the age of 10, and lived in 5 countries with her Dutch parents, prior to becoming an American citizen. This laid the foundation for her ability to quickly understand a company’s culture, read people, and identify leadership blind spots. Upon graduating from the University of Houston Bauer School of Business, Birgit worked and was promoted several times in both public and private companies for her ability to quickly engage people in working together to attain desired results. A decade later, she decided to start her own company. Applying her own formula to successfully hire and develop a very high performing team, she grew her firm, HireSynergy, to an Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Company and a Best Company to Work for in Texas. During that time, Birgit was appointed as a Board Member of the Gulf Coast Workforce Commission where she served for three terms, including as the Chair of the Education Committee. After successfully building HireSynergy, Birgit sold the company to a national Employment firm and then spent the next year raising her young daughter and planning her next venture. Hire Universe LLC was the result – a leadership consulting practice that brings a unique brand of advice to venture capital and private equity firms and supports high-performing enterprises in achieving their mission. Birgit is often referred to by her clients as the “Human X-Ray Machine” for her ability to quickly identify hiring blind spots, prevent costly hiring mistakes, and provide effective guidance for performance and conflict resolution issues. By supporting clients in discovering leadership blind spots, Birgit accelerates their company’s success, and they find that they can also enjoy a higher quality of life. She applies the same principles as a Board member, focusing on empowering the Board and the company’s executives to collaborate in a way that provides meaningful and effective performance feedback, while optimizing their partnership and desired outcomes. Birgit is also the creator of the “CEO Blindspots®” podcast, where 200+ leaders have shared their best practices and blind spots with other executives via 15-minute podcast episodes. Spotify acknowledged the “CEO Blindspots®” podcast for having the “biggest listener growth in the USA” (733%), and for having “listeners in 16 countries.” https://ceoblindspots.com/podcast/ She is currently serving as President of Hire Universe LLC, Host of the “CEO Blindspots®” podcast, and Board Member for a select number of companies. https://ceoblindspots.com/

Louis Kirchem is a retired food service executive with over 35 years experience in leading and mentoring others. His career started in 1974 after attending the University of Houston. He was the General Manager for a local restaurant group for 6 years and was then recruited by Sysco Foods in Houston, TX. After starting in sales Louis was quickly promoted to Vice President of Sales, Vice President of National Accounts, and Vice President of Marketing. Seventeen years later in 1997 he took over as the Corporate Vice President of National Accounts for International Multifoods based in Denver, CO. Over the next 14 years Louis played a key role in several successful acquisitions and mergers, including Roma Foods and Performance Food Group. His last 5 years he served as President of Performance Food Group in Portland, OR. Louis is known for his leadership, team building and negotiating skills.

With a passion to serve and give back, Louis currently mentors in Katy ISD, co-chairs on a Development Board for a new parochial elementary school, and is an active Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. All of which support youth education and values.

Louis lives in Houston and is strongly committed to his faith, family and the sharing of his business and personal experiences with young entrepreneurs in hope of making a fundamental difference in their lives. He has been a WCE Mentor since 2018 and was Mentor of the Year in 2022.

A third generation Houstonian, John earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University (B.A., Accounting and Economics), magna cum laude, in 1982, and his law degree from The University of Texas Law School, with honors, in 1985.

John’s law practice is and has always been limited to litigation, with an emphasis on health care liability defense and commercial disputes. He became Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law in 1990 (recertified in 1995 and 2000), and in Civil Trial Law in 1991 (recertified in 1996 and 2001).

John is also a co-founder and former director of Trivie, Inc., a company that began in the app in the gaming space, and transitioned into a “gamified” learning reinforcement tool used by private and public companies, universities, and hospitals.

John serves on the Board of the Healthcare and Nursing Education Foundation, and is Chair of its Governance Committee. He runs a small non-profit, the Landa Family Education Foundation, which funds scholarships and supports other charitable endeavors. He has also served on other non-profit boards.

John has a passion for writing, and so far is a failed songwriter, but that story isn’t over. He also enjoys teaching, reading, exercise, mentoring, hiking, birdwatching, and sports spectating. He spends most weekends on a farm in Schulenburg, where he is involved in wildlife management. He is also a business “news-aholic” and enjoys studying and investing in the stock market. He is married, with three children and a grandchild.

Wendy Lee was a rockstar in the corporate world. She has 20 years of coaching, mentoring, training and development, employee relations, and conflict resolution experience. Her unique combination of envisioning practical solutions, mapping out a clear path forward with accountability and compassion, truthful insight, and heart-centered approach allowed her to make a significant impact on thousands of employees she served. From entry level to corporate executives, she lived by her philosophy as Senior Vice President of HR to “Have Respect and Dignity for the HUMAN in Human Resources.”

In 2018, she ventured into the entrepreneur arena and founded LeadHERship Revolution. She is a certified Transformational Life Coach and Self-development Retreat Leader and helps people, in both their personal and professional lives, overcome challenges and expand their personal development. She believes deeply that all people are worthy of leading a potent and powerful life, can create a living they love, and impact the world in revolutionary ways! Wendy also enjoys her time as an international motivational speaker and best-selling author, yogi, animal and human advocate, and for real rockstar, as the lead singer of a top 40 band!

Fatima Maniar works in Strategy and Project Management with several years of experience working in process improvement, governance, strategy, and quality within the healthcare industry. Fatima comes to Collaborative Health Systems from the corporate Quality and Compliance team where she was the project manager for HEDIS®; prior to that role she managed strategic projects within the Analytics and Reporting team. Fatima’s direct contributions to process improvement led to submitting HEDIS® results earlier and receiving great audit feedback in the final audit reports from the HEDIS® auditors. Fatima possesses a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Houston. Fatima currently lives in Houston, Texas with her 16-year-old son, Gabriel and her French Bulldog, Napoleon Bruno.

Greg Marconi is the Managing Partner at Virtelis, a real estate private equity firm based in Houston, TX, and a Partner at Trube Corporation, a real estate development firm located in Austin, TX. He is primarily focused on acquisitions and developments across a variety of real estate asset classes. He is also a Director at Newmark, a global real estate consulting firm, where he advises on different real estate and financing strategies for various corporations. Prior to founding Virtelis, Greg was a co-founding partner at Post Lake Capital Partners where he led the acquisition and development activities of the firm. He has 15 years of experience within the real estate industry and has transacted on over $3 billion during his career. While maintaining his consulting practice, he is currently developing projects with a combined value of over $200 million.

Greg holds a Biomedical Science Degree from Texas A&M University, where he was also engaged in numerous activities such as the Texas A&M University Ice Hockey team and Texas A&M University Cycling team. He furthered his education with certificates in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Stanford University, Financial Modeling from New York University, and Commercial Real Estate Development from NAIOP. He currently holds a broker's license in the State of Texas.

Greg actively participates in organizations such as NAIOP, CoreNet, and Urban Land Institute, and is also a member of Fellowship in Discipleship, USA Hockey Association, and the Texas A&M Alumni Association.

Greg is married with a 22-month-old son and is expecting a daughter in January of 2024.

Kathi has over 30 years of experience in the graphic communications industry, specializing in marketing supply chain management, strategic program development, and advertising production services. She has worked with clients such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, VF Branded Apparel, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Whataburger, and USAA. Kathi believes in exceeding customer expectations and embraces challenge for change. She studied Radio and TV Broadcasting at Stephen F. Austin State University, is a National Member of the American Marketing Association, and a past Board Member of the Direct Marketing Association. Active in the community, Kathi is a Group X Spin Instructor at the Katy Family Y, a 12-time finisher of the MS 150, and has served as a Mentor for WCE six times, with her daughter, Ashley, graduating from the program in 2013.

Sajeev earned an MBA from the University of Houston, and made the transition from pure marketing to a hybrid marketing role as a journalist for Hagerty Media, the automotive media division of Hagerty Insurance (NYSE: HGTY). Currently, Sajeev spearheads several initiatives to create world class content, and digital marketing through social media. In his spare time, Sajeev likes to work on his antique cars, play the drums, and indulge his interest in fine arts and design.

Catherine Bell Vincent McIntyre, a resident of Fredericksburg, Texas, is the founder of Ninth Generation, LLC. She attended St. Thomas’ Episcopal School in Houston and has a B.A. from Texas A&M University. She comes from an entrepreneurial family, having grown up in the Cellar Door Restaurants which her great grandfather, N.C. Bell, founded in Houston in the 1950’s. Her parents, Charles and Susanne Vincent, graduates of the University of Houston, also founded restaurants, Lavaca Bay and Café Ba Bahia in Houston in the 1980’s. In addition to the family restaurant businesses, Catherine has worked as sales representative for Drilltec, a Houston manufacturer, as Southwest Sales Manager for Newport Steel Corporation, a U.S. pipe manufacturer and as legislative aide for a Texas State Representative who was head of the Harris County Delegation.

Catherine and her husband of 32-years, John, raise Bonsmara cattle and quarter horses on the ranch in Refugio, Texas. They have three daughters, Findley, Laurel and Susanna, and one granddaughter, Eleanor Grace. Catherine enjoys riding horses in the pasture, reading history and volunteering as a mentor to the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship.

Thanks to the inspiration of the WCE, Catherine is now an assistant curator for Glory and Grime; the Art and Life of Susanne Vincent. This exhibition at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas, January 13 – March 2, 2024, is a tribute to the perseverance and determination of artist, Susanne Vincent, Catherine’s mother. The exhibition began with the dream Catherine had the night of August 23, 2020, that the art studio would be hit by the approaching hurricane. The family saved hundreds of paintings and moved them to the last available storage unit in town. The dream unfortunately came true. Hurricane Laura roared into Southwest Louisiana with a vengeance, destroying the 120-year-old barn and its second-floor art studio. Vincent’s paintings survived to tell the story of the people of the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast who live through storms and somehow thrive.

Clark Neumann graduated from WCE in 2015. Since then, he has taken on various roles in the fresh food, farming and agricultural industries. In 2016 he launched Radicle Fresh Juice, a company producing and selling cold pressed juices on the UofH campus, where he gained much of his perspectives and hard skills on running (and failing with) a small business. From there he helped start an indoor urban farm in south Houston selling microgreens to restaurants and wholesale distributors.

In 2018 he was accepted into the U.S. Peace Corps Community Economic Development Sector as a Small Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development Volunteer. Living and working at an NGO for orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia, Africa he oversaw and conducted training on the management and execution of a Namibian social security commission grant. Through the grant his organization launched a 2,000-layer hen poultry house, generating employment for the local San Tribe community and revenue for the NGO. In March of 2020 his Peace Corps service was cut short -- he moved back to Texas and has been a full-time farmer ever since. His most recent project, T+H Farms, is a 64 acre farm in La Grange, TX owned by Thompson + Hanson and the Tiny Boxwoods Restaurant group. In this role he started all food production programs from conception including an 8,000 square foot market garden, a regenerative / pasture raised beef program, pastured poultry for eggs and honey production. He currently lives in La Grange with his fiancee, Ariana and dog, Basil where he manages over 100 acres of property and spends his days building on the skills and perspectives needed to become a successful farmer, a better partner to his fiancee and a loving, reliable member of his family, friends and community.

Patrika Romano, CEO and Woman Business Owner of BHG Printing for Success, has been leading, guiding, and advising the small business community in the screen printing, promo and vehicle wrap industry for 20 years. Get tagged, Get Wrapped, Get Noticed! Patrika is the Sales & Service Manager for BHG Printing and is based on the Northwest side of Houston. With her retail and banking background she brings a wealth of knowledge and life skills that have attributed to her success today. Patrika graduated with an associate degree with Houston Community College, earned her Series 6 and 63 licensing during her banking career, and is an Alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, CoHort 8. She is the founder of His Butterfly Kisses, a faith-based ministry empowering and giving back to all ages.

Carlos boasts over two decades of entrepreneurial expertise in energy, commodities, and data management technologies. Throughout these years, he has pioneered various platforms for energy trading, commodity investments, and data technology ventures.

In 1999, Carlos launched Dayscript, a trailblazing content management firm, leveraging a proprietary system to create content and securing a substantial edge in the market during the dot-com boom. Dayscript has provided data and content services across Latin America from six different countries for more than two decades. Carlos divested his interests in 2020, and now, Dayscript has amalgamated into Hiberus, a European consortium based in Spain.

He was also instrumental in advancing the Colombian commodities trade by establishing "Trenaco" in 2005, Colombia's inaugural independent entity for trading and logistics, primarily in crude oil and coal. Trenaco's strategic placement in Geneva, Switzerland, facilitated access to key international markets and established trade finance and commodity dealings with prominent European banks. By 2012, Trenaco SA was recognized as a leading enterprise in Colombia, positioned 74th among the top 100 corporations, and Carlos executed a successful exit the same year.

Over the past ten years, Carlos has also instituted two private equity funds, focusing on the investment and progression of logistics and technology sectors, amassing more than USD 50 million from institutional backers in Colombia and Singapore. In 2011, he pioneered Colombian energy futures by launching a trading desk, the first in the nation for energy derivative trading.

In 2014, he founded Silver Red Trading SA in Switzerland and expanded its operations to the US, where it generated sales surpassing USD 300 million in its initial year. After he departed from Silver Red Trading in early 2017, Carlos committed to cultivating Xofia-World.

Xofia-World, an environmental asset management enterprise, is committed to enhancing sustainable solutions. It applies proprietary technologies and methodologies to firms striving for Net-Zero emissions. The firm is distinguished by its innovative approach of linking mitigation assets with structured financial products and crafting novel financing and execution strategies for emission mitigation and reduction.

As a results-driven professional, Kimberlee has a veneration for problem-solving and finding contemporary ways to make projects more efficient, timely, and to the satisfaction of the customer. Her career was focused on implementing various clinical innovation projects. In 2022, Kimberlee decided to change career paths and utilize her experience to transition to Campus Recruiting. It gives her pure joy to support students as they embark on their career journey.

During Kimberlee’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family (husband and two children), traveling, and eating great food.

Sam is a native Houstonian and a WCE Graduate of 2016. Sam is the CEO of Amstill Roofing, Houston's largest residential re-roofing contractor, with over 30 employees and more than 1,000 jobs completed per year. Amstill has achieved a 30% year over year growth average since 2017. The business exceeds $16M/YR in annual revenue, is forecasting $20M in 2024 and is currently opening two additional locations to push the growth of the business to $30M/YR. He understands the importance of people and the value of understanding the why behind the business. In his spare time he has a secondary business which is a brick and mortar boardgame / miniatures store which generates $600,000/yr with an average transaction of $44. Sam enjoys spending time with his fiance, their dog Waffles, playing sports, outdoor activities, and travelling.

Travis Zimmerman brings a distinctive and multifaceted background to WCE Mentorship. His journey began with a commitment to service, showcasing both dedication and discipline in one of the most challenging roles within the military as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) in the U.S. Air Force. Travis's honorable completion of service marked the transition to a new chapter—one where financial planning and entrepreneurship took center stage.

Motivated by a keen interest in entrepreneurship and financial matters, Travis pursued and successfully earned degrees in both finance and entrepreneurship from the University of Houston. His academic excellence and innovative perspective did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded the prestigious "Future Texas Business Legend" Scholarship by the Texas Business Hall of Fame. Travis's commitment to excellence continued, and he graduated magna cum-laude among the top-ranked Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship class of 2019.

Travis holds key designations and licenses, including FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 Registrations, showcasing his expertise in financial management. Additionally, he is armed with his Texas Life and Health Insurance License, adding another layer to his comprehensive skill set.

At the core of Travis's business philosophy is a resolute commitment to securing financial futures. His mission is to guide individuals towards their goals through tailored strategies that drive financial success. Drawing on a unique blend of military precision and an entrepreneurial mindset, Travis excels in crafting effective and personalized financial plans. His ability to navigate complexities with the precision learned in the military, coupled with the innovative thinking honed in WCE, positions him as a dynamic force in the financial planning landscape, and he’s eager and excited to be a mentor to the class of 2025.

Travis is the founder of Momenta Tech, a software agency in the industrial space. Momenta Tech builds custom web apps, WordPress sites, and provides SEO and consulting services to mid market companies. Travis’ side project, punchlistzero.com, provides engineering and career education to over 50,000 new engineers and students every month.

Travis holds a bachelors in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M and a MBA from the University of Houston Bauer.