David Standen is a seasoned entrepreneur, business professor, trainer, and coach with extensive experience in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East. He has collaborated with fellow entrepreneurs in various capacities, from academic settings to hands-on coaching during the startup process. Since 2007, he has developed eleven business plans and helped raise over $24 million in startup funding for clients.

Susanne (Sue) Robins is a highly experienced teacher, trainer, and facilitator with a 25-year career that spans both the public and private sectors. With a proven track record in leadership, sales management, negotiation, marketing, software development, and program development, Sue brings a wealth of expertise to her work in employee training and professional development. She is known for her ability to create and deliver highly engaging and targeted training programs, particularly in the area of business soft skills, which have proven to be both impactful and effective for professionals across various industries.Sue is the owner and principal trainer at Ascend Training Solutions, a company dedicated to designing, developing, and facilitating customized employee training and leadership development programs. Ascend Training Solutions has worked with organizations in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, delivering training solutions that are designed to meet the unique needs of each client and foster employee growth and success.Sue’s educational background includes a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in Education from Mount St. Mary’s College. In addition to her work at Ascend, Sue has served on the Governing Board of the Culver City Unified School District, a role she has held since November 2013. Her passion for helping individuals and organizations reach their greatest potential is at the heart of her professional journey, and she considers it the most gratifying aspect of her career. Through her work, Sue continues to inspire and equip leaders and employees to excel in both their professional and personal lives.

Dave Nagy is a highly respected leader with over thirty years of experience in lean implementation and organizational change. Throughout his career, Dave has specialized in guiding companies through the transformation from traditional functional models to empowered self-directed team cultures. His expertise lies in helping organizations streamline operations, improve efficiency, and foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment.As a principal at Bolero Associates LLC, Dave has dedicated his efforts to areas such as change management, leadership development, financial improvements, teaming, team problem-solving, and the integration of lean quality management systems. His contributions to the field extend beyond consulting, as he has written articles, served as a speaker at numerous industry conferences, and delivered keynote addresses. Notably, Dave was part of the review team for the textbook Management: Meeting and Exceeding Customer Expectations (10th edition, w/CD-ROM) by Warren Plunkett, highlighting his influence in shaping management education.In addition to his consulting and speaking engagements, Dave has been involved in academic instruction for more than 15 years, primarily at UC Irvine Extension. He is an instructor for the Advanced Certificate Program "Business Administration for Internationals", as well as a teacher of various management-related classes. His commitment to education was recognized in 2014 when he received the Distinguished Instructor Award from UC Irvine Extension.

Patricia Bravo is a seasoned HR professional and instructor at the University of California, Irvine Extension. She specializes in enhancing employee engagement by empowering leaders to use empathy effectively. Through her company, Bravo For You, LLC, Bravo offers coaching, facilitation, and toolkits to help organizations strengthen their leadership and organizational development. Her extensive experience spans over 20 years in various HR roles at prominent companies such as Starbucks, FileNet (IBM), and J.D. Edwards (Oracle). Bravo holds a BA in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR and SHRM-SCP). As an instructor, Bravo shares her insights and experiences with students, focusing on practical strategies for leadership development and organizational growth. Her teaching approach emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership, equipping students with the skills needed to foster positive and productive work environments.

Margaret Meloni is the President of Meloni Coaching Solutions, Inc., a company focused on helping project managers navigate the human side of project management. With a background in IT project management and PMO leadership, Meloni has supported project managers at prominent organizations such as Occidental Petroleum, Northrop Grumman, and Toyota Motor Credit. Her expertise lies in soft skills training for project managers, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal skills in successful project execution. Meloni holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA from California State University, Long Beach, and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP). She is a contributing author to "101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career" and has written for PM Network. Meloni is a dynamic speaker known for her engaging teaching style, which combines inspiration, common sense, and humor. She has received the UCLA Distinguished Instructor award, recognizing her excellence in teaching and mentoring.

Rob Stone is a seasoned project manager and instructor at the University of California, Irvine Extension. With a background in civil engineering, he has expanded his expertise to work across various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and more. Stone's professional experience spans multiple continents, including the United States, Europe, Africa, Australia, China, and the Middle East. Stone holds a Master's in Education and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and in Six Sigma. His teaching approach emphasizes hands-on project management techniques, focusing on delivering projects on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards. As an instructor, Stone shares his extensive industry experience with students, equipping them with practical skills and strategies for successful project management across diverse industries.