Amy Fix
Amy Fix is an accomplished intellectual property attorney and partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Raleigh, NC. With a specialized focus on patent preparation and prosecution, she works extensively in the fields of pharmaceutical, agricultural, and polymer technologies. Beyond her legal practice, Amy is actively engaged in her community as the Vice Chair of the City of Raleigh Historic Cemetery Advisory Board and a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the Triangle Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She also serves as a Liturgical Minister at St. Francis of Assisi in Raleigh and is a dedicated team manager for her children’s club soccer teams.
Currently participating in Leadership Raleigh, Amy’s group is collaborating with the local non-profit Oak City Cares to support fundraising and community outreach initiatives. In her personal life, Amy and her husband, Scott, are proud parents of two daughters, Katie and Libby, who are both involved in various team sports. The family deeply values the educational opportunities that sports provide, recognizing that youth athletics not only promote physical fitness but also instill essential life lessons in social skills, discipline, perseverance, and respect.
Tamara Simpkins Franklin
Tamara serves as the Chief Digital, Data, and Analytics Officer at Marsh, bringing a wealth of experience in digital transformation and strategic leadership. Previously, she held the position of Vice President of Media and Entertainment Solutions for North America and Vice President, Chief Digital Officer for North America at IBM. In these roles, she was instrumental in strategic planning, business development, customer acquisition, and driving revenue growth through digital channels.
With over twenty-five years of experience leading digital initiatives for large multinational organizations, Tamara has honed her expertise at prominent companies, including Scripps, Time Warner, and Motorola. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard University. Residing in Princeton, New Jersey, Tamara is a proud mother of two children.
Vincent Harkins
Vincent Harkins is an accomplished leader in Facilities, Operations, and Planning with over 30 years of experience in higher education, healthcare, and industry. As the Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management and Construction at American University, he oversees a portfolio valued at over $1 billion, managing a $60 million annual budget and a team of 180 employees. His strategic initiatives have resulted in significant improvements, including a 30% reduction in the university's carbon footprint and substantial cost savings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, Vincent served as Vice President of Facilities Management at ARAMARK Corporation, where he managed client relationships in various sectors. His commitment to workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives reflects a dedication to fostering a vibrant and sustainable community.
Dr. John Sorochan
Dr. John Sorochan, originally from Calgary, Alberta, is a leading expert in the design and maintenance of sustainable sports turf surfaces. With a turfgrass management career that began in 1988 and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2002, he is currently a Distinguished Professor at the University of Tennessee and the Director of the UT Center for Athletic Field Safety. His research focuses on enhancing turfgrass performance and safety for athletic fields, leading initiatives for the upcoming FIFA World Cups and managing over 35 sports turf studies.
In addition to consulting for FIFA, Dr. Sorochan advises the NFL Players Association on field safety and collaborates with MLS and MLB. His global experience includes overseeing soccer pitch installations for La Liga teams such as Real Madrid CF and Valencia FC, as well as conducting turf research in Argentina. An accomplished educator, he has published over 83 journal articles, secured more than $12 million in funding, and received multiple accolades for his teaching and innovations in turfgrass technology. Residing in Knoxville, TN, he enjoys traveling and supporting his sons in their sports activities.
Jason Bedford
Jason is a dedicated education advocate with over 20 years of experience in sales, strategy, and operations at prominent education technology companies. As the Senior Vice President of Education and Head of Domestic Go-To-Market at Class Technologies, he has successfully driven the company's growth from prototype to $50 million in annual recurring revenue within a remarkable 24-month period. His background as an educator in both urban and suburban settings informs his strategic insights, enabling him to foster a culture of continuous improvement and build high-performing teams that deliver significant results in the K-20 market.
Throughout his career, Jason has held leadership roles at esteemed organizations including Education Elements, eSpark Learning, Dreambox Learning, and Blackboard Inc., where he focused on client engagement, product innovation, and market strategy. His collaborative approach with education leaders emphasizes creating inclusive solutions and driving transformative change in learning environments. A results-oriented leader, Jason is committed to helping clients achieve their goals through innovative processes and metrics, while also nurturing the next generation of leaders within his teams.
Stephen Kroll
Stephen Kroll brings over 25 years of experience in audit, consulting, operations, and financial leadership to enhance program and service delivery organizations. He excels at identifying new revenue streams and streamlining operations to achieve strategic objectives. His career began with auditing major defense contractors, where he managed complex corporate structures and financial systems like Deltek Cost Point and Oracle’s ERP (now NetSuite). At the Department of Veterans Affairs, he developed an innovative audit program for pricing that remains in use nearly 30 years later, alongside creating preventative internal controls with Ernst and Young consultants for over 45 organizations, including USAID and CDC contractors.
As Vice President of International Operations and a consultant, Steve has led workshops and audits in more than 45 countries, focusing on effective internal controls and clear cost allocation models. He recently supported a $125 million foundation with 119 Member Associations, optimizing financial processes through NetSuite’s ERP system to enhance reporting accuracy and minimize audit risks. His consultancy in Kenya involved refining policies and fostering proactive communication within organizations. A graduate of Loyola University Maryland with a BA in Accounting, Steve is a former CPA who has built his practice, Steve Kroll and Associates, LLC, on referrals, reflecting his dedication to client success.