About Us

Dr. Amir Gandomi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics at Frank G. Zarb School of Business. He has a joint appointment with the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health. Prior to Zarb, he was an Assistant Professor in Ted Roger's School of Management, Ryerson University.

Dr. Gandomi's research interests include optimization (convex and nonconvex), machine learning, causal inference, and natural language processing (NLP) with a focus on applications in healthcare and marketing. In healthcare, Dr. Gandomi collaborates with leading scientists and clinicians in the US, Canada, and China to draw insight from medical big data using state-of-the-art statistical and machine learning methods.

Dr. Gandomi has been awarded over $350,000 in research grants and scholarships. He is a recipient of Lawrence A. Stessin Prize , Dean's Research Award, and two Grant Receipt awards at Hofstra.

One of his publications was recognized as a “Hot Paper” by Web of Science as it received enough citations to place it in the top 0.1% of papers in the field of Social Sciences. This article is currently among the top 10 most-cited articles among over 34,000 Web of Science articles with Big Data as their topic. For the complete list of his publication, please refer to his Google Scholar Profile.

Dr. Gandomi has extensive experience in designing and developing Business Analytics curricula and degree programs. He currently serves as the chair of school and departmental curriculum committees at Zarb.

Richard N. Hayes, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship in the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, USA. At Hofstra, he is the primary entrepreneurship professor and was responsible for completely redesigning the undergraduate entrepreneurship major. He is an advisor to the entrepreneurship club (Hofstra University Startups) and director of the Entrepreneurship Challenge, an innovative partnership between Hofstra and Capital One Bank. His research has been published in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Executive, the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and the African Journal of Business Management. In addition, his teaching evaluations are among the highest in the business school. Prior to joining the faculty at Hofstra, Dr. Hayes was a member of the faculty in the School of Business at North Carolina Central University where he was twice named Graduate Teacher of the Year and once named Undergraduate Teacher of the Year. Deeply committed to global entrepreneurship and particularly to entrepreneurial development in Africa, Dr. Hayes also holds an appointment as a Visiting Associate Professor in the Faculty of Management at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Richard has also taught at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, the Lagos (Nigeria) Business School and Africa University (Zimbabwe). He is the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer of the International Academy of African Business and Development (IAABD) and will be the entrepreneurship track chair for the 2018 Africa Academy of Management (AFAM) meetings that will be held in Ethiopia. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in Corporate Finance from Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA), where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the United States’ premier academic honor society, a Master of Business Administration from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University Divinity School (Durham, NC).

Lutisha S. Vickerie completed her Ph.D. in the Organization Management Program at Rutgers School of Business, with a concentration in entrepreneurship, organizational theory, and global affairs. Prior to joining Hofstra, she taught various Entrepreneurship, Ethics, and Negotiation courses as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers and an assistant adjunct professor at Baruch College Zicklin School of Business. Dr. Vickerie's research interests span both micro and macro levels of analysis. In one research stream, she uses neo-institutional theory to examine the institutional logics supporting policy initiatives and the influence on entrepreneur responses. In a different research stream, Dr. Vickerie advances a venture formation perspective in formal and informal markets to identify entrepreneurial drivers and switching mechanisms in domestic and international contexts. She specializes in using qualitative field research methods to understand the interplay of individuals’ experiences with organizational and institutional phenomena more broadly. At the 2017 USASBE Conference, Dr. Vickerie received Best Conceptual Paper Award and Best Doctoral Student Paper Award for her work on interdisciplinary research paradigms across the aforementioned fields. Dr. Vickerie received her B.A. in Economics from Rutgers College. She also holds a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law – Newark and is admitted to the bars of New York and New Jersey. Prior to her academic career, she worked as an attorney, representing a multinational firm and its subsidiaries on international business regulation and policy matters. She also served as co-founder and Vice President of Fair To Women, Inc., where she advocated on behalf of women across the world facing socio-economic marginalization. Dr. Vickerie uses her knowledge in organization management, entrepreneurship, business ethics, and global affairs to contribute practical solutions for sustainable socio-economic development and political justice for indigent people.

Laura Fetter is the Acting Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship and Business Development at the Hofstra University Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Scott Skodnek Business Development Center (BDC). She is also Director for the Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) where she provides oversight of the program funded by Empire State Development that has been successfully operating at Hofstra University since 1991 and is one of the founding EAC’s in New York State. Laura also assists with planning and implementing many different programs for entrepreneurs including training in QuickBooks Online accounting software and Digital Marketing workshops for small businesses. She also provides technical assistance to business owners completing the New York State Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) application and performs analyses of applications submitted to Empire State Development through the Certification Assistance Program (CAP) grant. Laura has dedicated the past 15 years to working with aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners to assist them in their quest to grow and scale their business, providing one-on-one mentoring and fostering them into structured programs to meet their specific needs. Laura also worked hand-in-hand with businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, providing guidance on available disaster loans and grants and continues to assist applicants with the Small Business Recovery Grant. Laura earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University and is also a New York State Notary Public. Laura is a recipient of the 2021 New York State MWBE Impact Award.

Kenia is the Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship and Business Development at Hofstra University. In her role, she supports the growth of small businesses by providing them with guidance and connecting them with resources through programs like the state-funded Entrepreneurship Assistance Center and ideaHUb, a New York State Certified Business Incubator. Kenia manages all of the marketing for the entrepreneurship programs, organizes events including panel discussions with diverse entrepreneurs, collaborates with faculty, and supports students through mentorship as they build entrepreneurial skills. Prior to her work at Hofstra University, Kenia started a self-care company called SavvyGems and worked with underserved teens in New York City and Long Island teaching yoga, self-care, and leadership in English and Spanish. She has customized trainings for teens, the special needs community, immigrants, and teachers. Kenia has led trainings for hospitals, various government agencies, executives, and for employees at Rikers Island. She is a certified yoga teacher and an Amazon best-selling author. Kenia won a Verizon Innovative Leaders Award in 2018 for work through SavvyGems. In 2021, Kenia won an Educator award from the Nassau County Office Of Hispanic Affairs.

April Jones, B.A.-Psychology - St. John’s University; M.A.-Government and Politics - St. John’s University. April Jones has extensive administrative experience in both academic and corporate settings. April provides program support for the Entrepreneurial Assistance Center Program (EACP), MWBE Certification Assistance Program (CAP) grant and other programs at the Business Development Center and Center for Entrepreneurship.

Mica Rencher is the Assistant Dean of Programs at the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In this role, Mica works with students as they develop their innovative and entrepreneurial ideas and supports the Institute’s efforts in growing businesses in the community. Prior to her role at Hofstra, Mica was an Assistant Dean where she helped students to navigate a myriad of academic decisions including imbedding study abroad opportunities into their academic portfolios. Mica earned her B.A. in Psychology from St. John’s University and her M.A. in Psychology from Columbia University.

Erick Hunt is the Director of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Hofstra University, where he oversees the dynamic programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. The Institute's flagship, the ideaHUb incubator, serves as a collaborative workspace, promoting networking opportunities and prototype development at the Maker Space. 

Prior to his current role, Erick served as the Director of Research Partnerships and Technology Transfer at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). In this capacity, he played a key role in integrating industry engagement, technology licensing, and economic development functions to enhance collaborative research and technology commercialization. Erick's strategic efforts involved identifying, pursuing, and managing partnerships with private-sector companies, federal agencies, and non-federal entities to advance BNL's scientific mission.

During his tenure as a detailee in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), Erick served as Commercialization Executive. In this role, he led OTT's Innovation Workforce Team, focusing on STEM outreach, university partnerships, and workforce development. Erick was instrumental in developing the COVID-19 Technical Assistance Program (CTAP), showcasing his commitment to addressing contemporary challenges through innovation.

With a diverse professional background, Erick coordinated legal operations at Oerlikon and administered contracts at BAE Systems. His career commenced as a Contracting Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Erick holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston College, a master's degree in work and labor policy from Empire State University, and a Juris Doctor from Stetson University.

Avinanda (Avi) Mukherjee is the Assistant Director of Grant Writing and Management at the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) where she works closely with the leadership team to pursue funding opportunities to assist IIE in accomplishing its strategic goals. Avi has over eight years of experience in successfully driving and managing faculty-led multi-PI, multi-institutional, interdisciplinary research, and training proposals at public and private R1 institutions of higher education. She completed her master's degree in advertising management in 2014 from the College of Communication at Boston University with a focus on communication research, marketing strategy for new and emerging media, and consumer and business intelligence.

Olivia Nadolny is the program administrator in the Insitute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Hofstra University. She provides administrative support to the Business Development Center and the Entreprenurial Assistance Center, assisting with the development and implementation of various business programs.

Olivia has a B.A. from Eastern Connecticut State University in communications and an M.A in communication arts and media relations from the New York Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Hofstra, she worked in the marketing field, overseeing digital media planning and corporate communications. She has experience in direct response sales, copy writing, public relations, traditional/digital marketing and analytical reporting.

Joy Machelle Williams is the Associate Director for Community Engagement and Initiatives at the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Hofstra University, where she leads efforts of the Entrepreneur Assistance Center and its bi-annual program.

Joy is also the CEO and Founder of SoulJoy Wellness, a lifestyle wellness media brand dedicated to empowering Black women mind, body, and soul through live and on-demand programming. SoulJoy Wellness is committed to advancing health literacy and equity, working closely with community-based organizations to champion these causes.

Before founding SoulJoy Wellness, Joy served as Senior Director of Sponsorship Development at ESPN, where she led brand integration for Studio Production. Her career at ESPN also included roles in Ad Sales Development for International Production and International Business Operations, leveraging her expertise in finance, budgeting, and organization. During her tenure at ESPN, Joy was elected to Women In Cable Telecommunication’s (WICT) prestigious Betsy Magness Leadership Institute.

Joy's professional also held to role as Assistant Vice President at JP Morgan Chase, where she was selected for their highly competitive Leadership Development Program. Her diverse experience in traditional and digital media spans such organizations such as HBO, MTV, CBS, and Cablevision.

Joy holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Vassar College, a Master of Arts in Media Studies from the New School University, and an MBA with a concentration in media and finance from Columbia Business School. Notably, she made history as the first Black woman elected Student Body President at Columbia Business School.

Mike Seiman is the CEO & Chairman of Digital Remedy, a digital media solutions company leading the tech enabled marketing space, he co-founded as an undergraduate college student at Hofstra University in the early 2000s. The company has grown quickly and is now a major player within the crowded digital advertising landscape. The rapid growth of Digital Remedy, formerly CPXi, led to its inclusion on Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest growing privately held advertising/marketing companies in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015. Mike was selected as a semi-finalist in Ernst & Young’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ initiative in 2010 and 2013, and as a finalist in 2009 and 2014. He was recognized by the American Marketing Association, receiving their prestigious '4 Under 40' award in 2015 and received the SmartCEO Future 50 award in both 2015 and 2017. In his free time, Mike serves on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Hofstra University. He also focuses on numerous philanthropic initiatives including sitting on the boards of the H.E.S. (Hebrew Educational Society non-profit community center) and continues his long-time support of Children International, where he spearheaded the development of community centers in both Guayaquil, Ecuador in 2010 and Barranquilla, Colombia in 2014. A fan of the arts, Mike has produced a feature length film distributed by Lionsgate.

Pina M. Campagna is a partner at Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP (CDFS) in Melville. Ms. Campagna's practice encompasses both patent and trademark IP protection for U.S. and international business clients, with a particular concentration in trademark and design patent matters. She focuses her practice on counseling clients and assisting them in protecting their intellectual property rights in the United States and foreign countries. Over the past 12 years, Ms. Campagna has been instrumental in developing the firm’s trademark practice. Her extensive trademark practice includes conducting clearance searches and analysis and providing opinions as to registration and use, preparation and prosecution of trademark applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office, sending and responding to cease and desist notices, representing clients in front of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in Appeals, Oppositions, and Cancelations, providing litigation support in trademark infringement cases, counseling clients regarding domain name disputes and protection, and domestic and international trademark portfolio strategy. She also conducts trademark due diligence portfolio investigations and prepares various trademark-related agreements pertaining to concurrent use, consents, licenses and assignments.

 Ms. Campagna's design practice includes conducting freedom to operate searches and analysis and providing non-infringement opinions as to trade dress or design patent, due diligence studies, preparation and prosecution of design patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office, sending and responding to cease and desist notices, providing litigation support in design patent infringement cases, and counseling clients regarding domestic and international design patent portfolio strategy. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, Ms. Campagna's patent practice includes conducting freedom to operate searches and analysis, patentability studies, due diligence studies, patent application preparation and prosecution, counseling, and portfolio management in a wide variety of disciplines related to the biological and chemical sciences. Ms. Campagna also manages all incoming foreign patent application filings and prosecution from our foreign counterparts and is active in maintaining those relationships with them. 

Ms. Campagna followed her passion for science by attending Hofstra University where she earned a B.S. in Biochemistry with a Biology minor. In 1999-2000, she began her career as a research biochemist for Estée Lauder, conducting skin research while at Hofstra. She then attended Albany Law School of Union University where she earned her J.D. Ms. Campagna returned to Estée Lauder after law school by taking on the role of patent consultant in 2004. Ms. Campagna is admitted to the NY Bar and the U. S. Supreme Court, as well as the Eastern, Southern, and Northern District Courts of New York. She is also registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Tom Garry serves as an attorney leader at Harris Beach PLLC on economic development and public finance projects involving all phases of a commercial and residential development from site plan applications to final approvals. He represents developers and municipalities in litigation involving such matters as land use and zoning, and breach of contract. Garry is recognized for his experience in election law and represents clients in New York state courts, including the Appellate Divisions and the Court of Appeals. He represents municipalities and serves as special counsel to many towns and local agencies and has provided legal advice to municipalities and their agencies on issues such as the development and implementation of a master plan, the creation and impact of municipal easements and restrictive covenants, compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the creation of planned development districts, zoning overlay zones, transportation issues and smart growth projects. He is a former member of the Long Island Regional Planning Council, an agency charged with developing Long Island's growth strategy. Representative matters include: New York state counsel for the Hillary Clinton Presidential campaign - Hillary for America. Garry has acted as counsel to numerous New York political campaigns including statewide and as Counsel to the Town of Babylon on Wyandanch Rising, a transit-oriented development project, and Counsel to Catholic Health Services of Long Island, advising on economic development projects.

After more than 25 years leading growth oriented companies in a senior executive capacity, Kevin Hesselbirg currently serves as board member and advisor to multiple private entities ranging from start-ups to firms with more than $100M in annual revenues. Kevin, a three-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO), was first named CEO of OpenLink Financial after previously serving as OpenLink’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer. OpenLink Financial is a leading global software developer of financial and energy, trading and risk management solutions with more than $300M in revenue, 1200 employees, and offices in 9 countries. Thereafter, he became CEO of Primatics Financial, a leading SaaS provider of finance and risk solutions for the banking sector. Kevin was more recently the CEO of The Gemini Companies, a leading fund administrator serving more than 600 mutual, private, and hedge funds. As CEO, he led multiple transactions with various private equity firms eclipsing more than $2B in capital activity. Kevin began his career with the Private Owned and Emerging business group at Ernst & Young. Hesselbirg received a B.S. from Fordham University.

Bob Hussey, MBA International Finance, BSBA Management/Finance Georgetown University. Bob is a New York based, seasoned financial, marketing, operations and technology executive, who after a 10 year career in Fortune 100 multinational packaged goods and media companies, became a successful entrepreneur. He founded the U.S.’s first and largest direct broadcast satellite radio network – POPRADIO Corp – led it’s NASDAQ IPO and eventual $100+ million sale to Heritage Media/News Corp. In recent years, Bob served as CEO of Digital Lightwave Inc. ( NASDAQ ), Chairman of NUR Macroprinters ( NASDAQ/Israel based, before being sold to HP ), Chief Restructuring Officer ( CRO ) of HC Wainwright & Co., the U.S.’s oldest securities broker-dealer. Bob has also acted as Brand Consultant to Dubai based Apparel UAE. Today, he is the lead Director of Digital Remedy, one of the U.S.’s leading independent ad tech, ad network and consumed media publishers, NYC based Amphion Capital Partners, and Eco Water Technologies, a Florida based company that holds 10 “issued” patents for processing municipal wastewater. On a personal note, Bob is Treasurer of the Mercedes Club of N.Y., and Preservation Long Island, while also serving for over 10 years as a Trustee of Old Westbury Gardens. He’s a competitive Trap/Skeet shooter, sailor and skier. He and his wife, Debi, live in Garden City and are the proud parents of 5 adult children.

Richard is President and CEO of Northwell Holdings and Ventures, the for-profit arm of Northwell Health, which encompasses venture investments, commercialization of internal innovation and development of strategic commercial relationships. In his role, Richard builds new relationships with private organizations and curates innovative ideas within Northwell to drive improvements in patient care and create diversified revenue streams for the health system.

Mr. Mulry has more than 25 years of health care administration and operations experience. Previously, he served as the senior vice president for operations within Northwell Ventures, and worked with a variety of clinical service lines overseeing operations, finance, growth and quality management.

Mr. Mulry joined the health system in 2015 after working for Catholic Health Services of Long Island, where he was senior vice president responsible for the physician network strategy and development within the $2.2 billion, six-hospital health system. Previously, Mr. Mulry was executive director/CEO at University Physicians of Brooklyn at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and held various leadership positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. From 2003 through 2007, he also served as vice president of practice and revenue management for Northwell Health.

Mr. Mulry holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Michael’s College and a Master of Public Health in health policy management from Columbia University, School of Public Health.

Lauren Nichols is the President of 3G Warehouse, Inc., a rapidly growing Third-Party Logistics company. Ms. Nichols’ company provides fulfillment services for companies looking to ship product to both stores and consumers. Her superior staff handles all types of products such as inbound receiving from manufacturers to picking, packing and handoff to outside carriers who then deliver to your local stores or to a consumer’s house. 3G has moved over 500,000 packages to houses across the USA in 2020 and shipped out thousands of truckloads of products to various retailers in the USA.

Presently, Ms. Nichols’ company is a WBE (Woman Business Enterprise) and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certified company that operates 900,000 square feet of warehouse space in NY, NJ and SC. Her goal has consistently been to provide companies reliable, cost-effective fulfillment and storage solutions. Ms. Nichols’ company stands out because it values honesty, transparency, and efficiency. Each client knows they will receive superior service which focuses on the small details that make a big impact.

Ms. Nichols’ roots run deeper than just her company’s location on Long Island. She was born, raised, and educated on Long Island. She attended Hofstra University where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education. She went on to teach Third Grade at Brentwood UFSD for several years prior to entering the business world. Ms. Nichols credits her time as a teacher for her ability to communicate clearly and patiently while business is flourishing.

Ms. Nichols’ goal is to become a leader in the industry while keeping honesty and transparency at the forefront. She strongly encourages more women to enter the logistics field!

Barbara B. Roberts is Entrepreneur in Residence at both Columbia Business School and Hofstra University. She is also former NY Chair of Tiger 21 and a speaker and writer about all stages of entrepreneurship, innovation, family businesses and the economic progress of women. An economist by training, previously Ms. Roberts held senior positions on Wall Street and was the first woman to serve on Dean Witter’s board of directors. As president and CEO at the stock photography company, FPG International, now part of Getty Images and the museum audio tour company, Acoustiguide, she successfully built and sold both companies. Ms. Roberts has served as chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Small Business and Agricultural Advisory Committee and as a member of the Suffolk County NY Planning Commission. As Entrepreneur in Residence she has helped to launch hundreds of start ups, is an active angel investor and serves on the boards of several private companies. Ms. Roberts is the author of four whitepapers about entrepreneurs: Life after an Exit, The Owner’s Journey, Women’s Entrepreneurial Journeys and Flightpaths. She is certified as a master coach by the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara and trained in facilitation and mediation. Ms. Roberts has an Economics and Philosophy degree from Goucher College.

Dave Rubenstein is a seasoned executive with a 41 year successful track record in a global business environment. He received his BA from Hofstra University and started his career as a recording engineer at A&R Recording Studio in NYC. After Dave’s training at the studio, Dave became the National Technical Manager for Agfa’s magnetic tape division followed by being National Sales Manager for Sony Magnetic Tape Products. Post Dave’s time at Sony he assumed the position of Executive Vice President of Technicolor Video Cassette and later as a result of an entrepreneurial endeavor to reinvent the high speed VHS duplication process, Dave joined Cinram International Inc. and advanced to becoming its CEO and trustee. Under Dave’s leadership, Cinram became the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of packaged entertainment media with 18,000 employees, and 23 facilities across North America and Europe serving Warner Bros., Twentieth Century Fox, Lions Gate, MGM, Universal Home Video, Warner Music, Sony Music, Universal Music, EMI Music and many others.

After 16 years at Cinram, Dave capped off his formal career as President of Sony DADC Americas, the division of Sony that manufactures CDs, DVDs, Blue-Ray and PlayStation discs for Sony Music, Sony Pictures, Sony PlayStation and Disney Home Entertainment. During Dave’s career he was the chairman of the Content Distribution Association, the most respected trade association in the package home media entertainment sector.

Today Dave is an Executive Partner at Salt Creek Capital, a Bay area private equity firm. He currently resides in Manhattan and can be contacted at dave@daverubenstein.com.

Ron Yakuel is the founder and CEO of FragranceX.com. Founded in 2001, FragranceX.com is a fast-growing ecommerce company that distributes authentic brand name fragrances at discount prices to consumers and businesses worldwide. FragranceX.com was recognized three times in Inc magazine’s fastest growing privately held companies. Ron received a bachelors from Hofstra University and his MBA from Fordham University.