Paul transforms companies into high-growth organizations, enhancing their value through continuous improvement and excellence. He is an expert at navigating complicated business dynamics, assessing an organization’s culture and talent, and finding new, untapped opportunities to spark innovation and drive revenue.
Paul is a people-first leader. His exceptional track record of selling and acquiring software companies is matched by his fire for leadership and his passion to empower individuals to reach their highest potential. Paul’s career has been built on performance, powered by diverse and talented teams that consistently surpass expectations.
Many significant milestones mark Paul’s career. He played a leadership role at AOL during its transformative years from 1997 to 2003 and contributed to the turnaround and rapid growth of a global business communications company in the early 2000s. Paul successfully led the acquisition and sale of London-based Moreover Technologies to Lexus/Nexis Reed Elsevier in 2014. He also co-founded and grew cybersecurity startup Nehemiah Security through its successful sale in 2020.
Paul has a passion for working with companies to help them flourish. He holds an MBA in Finance from Pace University.
Laurie has spent her career in business development and marketing for global professional services firms. Her work has included the deployment of corporate growth plans, the development of brand messaging, and the design of sales and communications initiatives focused on the customer experience. In 2021, Laurie founded Fellowship Advisors, a sales and marketing consulting firm dedicated to helping purpose-driven, early-stage businesses grow.
Developing long-term, trusted relationships with customers, partners, suppliers, and team members has been integral to her success. Over the years, Laurie has served as the Chief Customer Officer for a global consulting firm, the President of a privately-held firm specializing in the turnaround of distressed organizations, and as the Senior Vice President of Global Client Services at ESI International (now KornFerry), where she was responsible for client sales and operations. She began her career at AT&T, as District Manager for mid-market commercial clients in Washington, DC.
In these roles, she has supported global energy, construction, and manufacturing organizations as well as small and mid-sized mission driven companies seeking triple bottom-line growth—prioritizing people, purpose and profit.
An alumna of The George Washington University, Laurie earned a Master of Business Administration in Marketing, and a Masters Certificate in Project Management. She graduated from The University of the South with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry & Geology. She completed Executive Education in leadership at Yale University. Laurie also serves on multiple boards, with a heart for helping others.
Founding Principal of The Idyeas Group, a distinguished consultancy specializing in global health and scientific management solutions, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Idyeas Group excels in delivering expert project management services for public health and life science initiatives on a global scale. Their expertise extends to coordinating the development, deployment, and oversight of cutting-edge health information systems and digital health technologies.
Dr. Essiet-Gibson actively supports the DMV startup ecosystem in various roles, including as a TEDCO Advisor, a member of the management committee for the Maryland Tech Council’s Venture Mentor Service, and as Deal Lead for She’s Independent Investments, an angel group based in Boulder, CO.
With a remarkable track record spanning more than twenty years within the US Army and US Public Health Service, Dr. Essiet-Gibson has overseen multimillion-dollar programs for esteemed institutions such as the NIH, CDC, DoD (WRAIR), and HHS (BARDA). Her driving force lies in the application of digital health advancements and technological breakthroughs to tackle intricate health challenges. Leveraging her proficiencies in project management, federal government procurement, and strategic alliances, she empowers clients to effectively expand successful innovations across national and international settings.
Dr. Essiet-Gibson holds a PhD in Public Health, an MPH in International Health Policy, and an MS in Technology Management. She completed the Yale University Global Women’s Leadership Program and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®). She is married with one son.
Dan Polk’s career is a testament to his expertise and dedication as a consultant and advisor. With over 25 years of experience, Dan has built a world-class network of national and international investors, political, and social leaders who trust his guidance and insight.
Dan has played a pivotal role in advising on multimillion-dollar mergers, acquisitions, and private equity placements. His intuitive sense of timing, stakeholder management, and investment strategy has resulted in significant annual revenue growth for his clients.
Dan’s commitment to meaningful relationships and his ability to understand client priorities sets him apart. His involvement in the coordination of the publication and film adaptation of “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young showcases his diverse skill set and dedication to his clients’ success.
His global experience includes leading teams for the National Prayer Breakfast, advising international leaders, and spearheading economic initiatives in Afghanistan. Dan’s strategic acumen and operational leadership have made him a trusted advisor for heads of state, government officials, and key stakeholders.
Dan attended Covenant College and lives with his wife in Northern Virginia. His passions include fly fishing and spending time with his family. With his vast experience and insights, Dan continues to provide unparalleled guidance and support in his consulting role.
A seasoned consultant and advisor with over 20 years of experience in leadership roles, Bobby’s career is marked by a commitment to fostering meaningful relationships and driving impactful initiatives.
From 2001 to 2006, Bobby served as the Director of the Faith-Based Office at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the George W. Bush administration. He led efforts to integrate faith-based organizations into public health initiatives, creating the Compassion Capital Fund and developing the Mentoring Program for Prisoners’ Children and the Access to Recovery Program. Prior to this, Bobby was the Director of FaithWorks Milwaukee from 1999 to 2001, where he developed programs to support community development and secured federal and state welfare-to-work funding.
Bobby holds a BS in Health Education from Penn State University, where he played football and was part of the team that won the championship title. Beyond his professional achievements, he is passionate about cooking for his family and friends and is an avid golfer. Bobby’s vast experience and insights continue to make him a valuable consultant and advisor, providing unparalleled guidance and support.
A dynamic professional with a multifaceted career spanning marketing, web development, real estate, property development, personal development, and spiritual guidance. His expertise and leadership make him an invaluable asset for companies seeking to elevate their strategic initiatives and achieve sustainable growth.
With over 20 years of experience in real estate, property development, and investing, Tim has sold over 1,000 homes. His innovative strategies and client-centric approach have consistently delivered outstanding results, earning him a trusted reputation in the Washington DC real estate community.
Tim is also the founder of The Life Plan, a pioneering digital platform designed to help users identify their life’s purpose and achieve their ultimate vision. By integrating personal development with actionable strategies, The Life Plan empowers individuals to unlock their full potential and navigate their life journey with confidence.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Tim previously served as a chaplain for a professional baseball team for 11 years, highlighting his commitment to holistic well-being and community support. This role honed his ability to provide empathetic leadership and foster meaningful connections.
Tim’s diverse background and visionary leadership make him an exceptional consultant, offering dynamic solutions and driving transformative results in today’s competitive business landscape.
Chris helps clients recognize and capture opportunities that lead to transformational growth in a global marketplace. At Salt Global, he advises founders and executives on new market entry, go-to-market strategy, innovation, growth strategy and digital strategy. He is a seasoned entrepreneurial thought partner, organizational leader, coalition-builder, and problem solver whose work has impacted over $100 billion in global commerce, generating surges in revenue, conversions and leads for clients.
Chris advises clients on geopolitics, trade and investment promotion, emerging markets and trade remedies, informed by over a decade of advising Cabinet-level government leaders on a broad range of highly visible international trade issues. Prior to entering the private sector, he was Director of Trade Enforcement at the White House’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, where he served as an internal consultant to senior executives on quantitative aspects of the U.S. – China trade war. He also developed successful strategies for winning multi-billion-dollar trade disputes, advised on negotiations between the U.S. and other countries, developed partnerships across the federal government, led multidisciplinary teams of experts, and managed various capacity-building projects. Chris led U.S. government investigations into unfair international trade practices at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
Chris is based in Austin, Texas and serves clients all over the world.
What you’ll notice first about Steve is his warmth and genuine interest in understanding your perspective. But don’t be fooled, behind that friendly demeanor lies a razor-sharp mind and a wealth of experience.
Steve is a seasoned cross-functional leader with over 15 years of experience building and turning around teams for middle-market and venture-backed tech companies serving global brands like Google, Capital One, GE, and Accenture. Steve excels in delivering solutions to complex challenges with a rare blend of strategic acumen, operational leadership, and go-to-market expertise.
However, his ability to nurture talent is what sets Steve apart. A teacher at heart, his career started as a Lecturer at Baylor University. Now, he takes pride in mentoring up-and-coming leaders for PE-backed technology companies and venture-backed startups.
At the core of Steve’s approach is a steadfast commitment to the Golden Rule—treating others with the same respect, empathy, and consideration he would wish for himself. This philosophy permeates every interaction and has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor and valued collaborator.
Steve holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baylor University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Acton School of Business. Most importantly, he’s a devoted family man who finds joy in the simple things—woodworking, reading, and spending time with the loves of his life, his wife, Bryn, and their Min Pin, Shae.
