The People Behind the Competition
Co-Chairs
Partner, Hinckley Allen
Peggy focuses her practice in the area of corporate and securities law with extensive experience in organization, acquisitions, sales, mergers, recapitalizations and other reorganizations of both publicly and privately-held corporations, partnerships and limited liabilities companies, and in personal and business tax planning. She has extensive experience in handling equity and debt securities offerings, both fully registered public offerings and exempt private placements and venture capital financings, ongoing SEC regulatory compliance and reporting, and investment company, investment adviser and broker-dealer registration and regulation. Peggy has in-depth knowledge of financial institution regulation and has experience in computer and other high technology law, including software licensing and copyright and trademark protection.
Partner, KLR
With more than 15 years of public accounting experience, Anthony has worked with clients in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, professional services, distribution, and employee benefit plans and chair’s KLR’s Emerging and Start Up Business Services Group. Named to the Providence Business News 2011 class of “Forty under 40,” he frequently speaks at business forums across southern New England, Anthony is a member of Betaspring and the Cambridge Innovation Center, and serves on the United Way of Rhode Island Finance Committee and as an advisory board member of Community College of Rhode Island. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Science in Taxation degree, both from Bryant University.
Advisory Board
Socially Responsible Entrepreneur; Impact Investor; Owner, Plant City
Kim has been a successful retailer and business leader for more than 30 years, starting in the management and buying departments of Jordan Marsh and Macy’s. She is former owner of the home store Teapots & Tassels, Co., where she was awarded “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 1991 by SBA and “Citizen of the Year Award” in 2005 for her Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by Chamber of Commerce. In 2010 she co-founded, with her 15-year-old daughter, Ava Anderson Non Toxic, the safest full line of personal care and home cleaning products, sold via direct sales. With the support of 20,000 independent sales representatives, the business educated millions of American families about the dangers of harmful chemicals in conventional products for humans and the environment. In 6 years it reached a $60M run rate, was honored by Inc. Magazine, Fortune and Entrepreneur, and was acquired in August 2016. Kim is a board member of Social Enterprise Greenhouse.
Vice President, Commercial Banking, Washington Trust
Jason is responsible for developing and maintaining commercial banking relationships throughout Washington Trust's market area. Jason has more than 15 years of commercial banking experience, most recently with Citizens Financial Group. During his banking career, he has worked closely with distributors, manufacturers, medical practices, and professional service firms. He holds an M.B.A from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College.
Vice President/Small Business Relationship Manager, Bristol County Savings Bank
With more than 20 years in the banking industry, David has held numerous leadership positions prior to his current role at BCSB, including Vice President/Relationship Manager at TD Bank in Providence, Rhode Island; Vice President - Business Banking Officer III for Citizens Bank, Easton, Massachusetts; District Executive with Sovereign Bank, Fall River, Massachusetts; and Area Sales Manager for BankRI in Providence. He previously served in the community as a Board Member for Junior Achievement of Rhode Island in Warwick and as a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Women & Enterprise in Providence. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island in Kingston where he earned his bachelor's degree in Finance.
CEO, Envision Technology Advisors
Todd has been providing IT services nationally for over 20 years and draws inspiration and insight from participation in a wide range of executive boards and industry associations. He has an extensive background in strategic planning and implementation of business technology solutions, and is the founder of his firm Envision Technology Advisors. As a presenter, Todd speaks throughout the country on a variety of technology and business topics including digital transformation, cybersecurity, leveraging the data economy, and integrating user psychology into IT strategic planning and services. He founded his firm in 1998, and today enjoys engaging with his team on technology transformation projects representing almost every business vertical. In his free time, Todd works with several non-profits. He is a board member for RI Public Radio, and volunteers for organizations including The Groden Center, American Red Cross, RI Foster Forward, and the Rutland Rescue Mission.
Partner, Hinckley Allen
As a member of Hinckley Allen’s Corporate & Business group, Meaghan has represented businesses in a variety of corporate, capital market and commercial transactions, including mergers, stock and asset acquisitions, venture capital investments and public notes offerings. She routinely advises clients on a range of corporate, regulatory, contractual and governance matters and is a member of the Firm’s Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection group. Prior to joining Hinckley Allen, Meaghan was a corporate associate at a top international law firm where she represented companies, private equity firms and financial institutions in a variety of capital market transactions, including debt and equity offerings, exchange offers and initial public offerings. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Sam Glasscock III on the Delaware Court of Chancery following her graduation from Duke University School of Law.
Marketing Manager, Cox Business
As part of the Cox Business Northeast Marketing team, Suzette manages marketing campaigns, communications and sales incentives. She’s also a liaison for local organizations, media partners and events. Suzette leads the team that produces Get Started Rhode Island, a pitch competition for early stage entrepreneurs and she’s involved with an internal group that promotes the Clifton Strengths philosophy. Due to her involvement with Clifton Strengths, she has lead several workshops for Prepare Rhode Island. She also enjoys mentoring students and peers.
Director of Strategic Initiatives at Delta Dental of Rhode Island
Jennifer is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Delta Dental of Rhode Island and manages the corporate venture initiatives for the company and its sister companies. She analyzes emerging industry trends and recommends expansion opportunities, partnerships, and business process improvement. Prior to joining the team, Jennifer was the Executive Director of Cherrystone Angel Group and remains on its Steering Committee. She also serves on several boards including the RI Business Competition and the Chamber's Innovation Providence, while also mentoring for the MassChallenge and Social Enterprise Greenhouse programs. Jennifer graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bryant University with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Legal Studies. She received the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key, awarded to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative academic average, as well as the Jack H. Rubens Leadership in Finance Award.
Managing Director, RIHub
Annette is Managing Director of RIHub, Rhode Island’s Innovation Hub. Over the past 20 years she has founded 3 high-tech startups and raised over $30M from Venture and Angels in our region. She is a pioneer in the online advertising and mobile markets. Early in her career she worked with Fortune 1000 businesses, ran a global program for the MIT Media Labs and headed up operations for a global telecommunications consultancy. She is a recognized leader at the intersection of technology and business model possibilities. Her strengths include customer growth, online advertising and marketing, leveraging emerging technology for new product development, and Software as a Service (SaaS) innovations.
Partner, Sprout CoWorking
Zachary is a founding partner of Sprout CoWorking, providing services to businesses and organizations in Rhode Island, the North East and Worldwide. In addition, he is the Managing Consultant of Remuneration Resources, a business consulting firm helping employers develop and implement pay and incentive programs and HR business processes. Zachary’s experience includes over 30 years working as an executive and internal consultant in major global corporations and as an external expert supporting smaller organizations as they address a full range of engagement and development issues. He has been responsible for cultural and employee related due diligence and integration in M&A and other deal activities. His practical experience is complimented by a Masters in Industrial and Labor Relations, a JD, and an MBA in Finance. He serves on a variety of community boards including the Greater Providence YMCA, the Providence Community Library and the Town of Warren Economic Development Board. He has taught compensation, organizational development, and management at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Working with the Rhode Island Business Competition give’s Zachary joy and the opportunity to learn and to share what he has learned.
Director, Bryant University Entrepreneurship Program
R. Işıl Yavuz is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and the Director of Entrepreneurship Program at Bryant University. Dr. Yavuz’s research investigates the interactive role of cognition and context in the early internationalization, innovation, and performance of high technology new ventures. Her work has so far been published in Journal of Business of Venturing and Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, and Small Business Economics among others. She has also written a book, titled “Outsider Entrepreneurs.” Dr. Yavuz received her PhD in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Minnesota. She was awarded a Kaufmann Dissertation Fellowship Award and Carlson School Doris McNamara's Women Dissertation Fellowship Award and a Kauffman Firm Survey Best Dissertation Award for her doctoral dissertation. She holds a master’s degree in Social Psychology and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Middle East Technical University (METU).
Executive Director
Beth has been the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Business Competition since September 2019. Beth is an entrepreneur who has launched solo or with business partners four companies over the course of her career. Presently she is the President and Founder of Beth Carter Enterprises, a thriving business providing workshops and presentations, executive, business, and career coaching, and the DISC, Motivators, and 360 assessments. Beth is a recognized speaker and trainer/facilitator on a wide variety of topics, including leadership, personal branding, communications, and team building and serves as a “thought partner” for business leaders of small and Fortune 500 companies, business owners, and those that want to have more fulfilling careers.
Beth also is the President of Carter Consultants Ltd., an international executive search firm she founded in 1991. Previously, she worked in the Executive Search practice of two of the Big Four accounting firms and a global executive search firm.
She is a Certified Professional Coach and an Adjunct Professor at Bryant University for both the undergraduate program and the Executive Development Center as well as at Roger Williams University. Beth is a blogger and has also published numerous articles for various publications and websites and has co-written a book.