Meet Our Speakers
Meet the scientists, economists, artists, filmmakers, Olympic Medalists, entrepreneurs, CEOs, US Presidential and Congressional advisors, and accomplished professionals available for California schools and community events.
Showing 58 of 58 speakers
Francois Melese Ph.D
Ph.D., Economist
View BioDr. Melese is Professor Emeritus Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School. He has served as advisor to NATO, Congressional Budget Office and U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
C. Michael Hogan Ph.D.
Ph.D., Physicist
View BioDr. Hogan is a physicist who founded a USA based environmental science think tank. He has served on the National Academy of Sciences, advising the President and Congress on environmental issues.
Ann Marie Sayers
Ohlone Tribal Chair
View BioMs. Sayers, a Mutsun/Ohlone; as a tribal leader she has extensive knowledge of Ohlone heritage including specialized skills in historic herbal medicine and art.
Lawrence Samuels
Author
View BioSamuels is an American author. He ran the Future of Freedom Conference series in Southern California, and was president of the Rampart Institute in Santa Ana, CA.
David R. Henderson
Ph.D. Economist
View BioDr. Henderson is a fellow with the Hoover Institution, and a senior fellow of the Fraser Institute. He served as a senior advisor to the US President in energy and health policy.
Gary W. Lopez
Ph.D., Marine Biologist
View BioGary W. Lopez is a scientist, filmmaker, author,and fine art astrophotographer.He collaborated with explorer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau as a writer and producer.
James Ferguson
US Olympic Medalist
View BioJames Ferguson is a seasoned Business Executive and Olympian. He has managed Global Sales and Marketing in Mexico, Hungary, Japan, Germany, and France.
Sheriff Tina M. Nieto
Monterey County, CA, Sheriff
View BioSheriff Nieto has over 33 years in law enforcement. She is the first elected Latina Sheriff in the history of California. Earlier she was Police Chief in Marina, CA.
Michael E. Gibbs
Ph.D., Youth Entrepreneurial Expert
View BioDr. Gibbs is an entrepreneur and internationally recognized speaker on international negotiation and process redesign. He taught at Penn State & the University of Texas.
Mike Buffo
Filmmaker
View BioBuffo produces educational videos, documentaries, and event videography; he is Carmel’s #1 ranked videographer as rated by Lens of the New Peninsula.
Thomas Lee
Meteorologist
View BioThomas Lee is a ret. scientist for the US Government; he has spoken in France, the UK and South Korea. He was chair of the Committee on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography.
Vicki Nohrden
Public Service
View BioMs. Nohrden has spent 25 years as a family advocate and community leader. Her extensive public service has included family liaison in the juvenile justice system.
Stephen Altman
Filmmaker
View BioStephen Altman is a production designer and art director best known for Gosford Park, Ray and Gross Pointe Blank films. He is a Hollywood Academy Award nominee.
L. Dean Forman
Ph.D., Charter Schools
View BioForman founded John Adams Academy, a 4500+ scholar K-12 charter school in Roseville, CA and further schools in Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, and an online school.
Jennifer Perlmutter
CASI Speaker
View BioWith a lifelong interest in the creative merging of art and crafts, her career began with gilding, paint and other media. She produced chinoiserie, artwork and deep, layered finishes on high-end furniture. Much of this work has been featured in LA’s Pacific Design Center and in the homes of celebrities and art collectors worldwide. Since 2001, Perlmutter has devoted herself to fine art, exploring metal leaf, watercolor, acrylics and oils. She ultimately found her niche in mixed media on wood and canvas, which she continues to use as her predominant medium today.
Carolina Fernandez Rodrigues
Marketing Executive
View BioMs. Fernandez has been in senior leadership positions in Fortune 500 hi-tech companies. She served as Director of Global Executive Marketing at VMware and an executive role in at Cisco.
David Quinnert
Pension Expert
View BioQuinnert has served as President of Ad Compensation, Inc. San Francisco, CAd staff in accounting and information technology. He previously served at Arthur Andersen.
Charles Roberts
CASI Speaker
View BioCharles Roberts served in the U.S. Navy, beginning in Japan during his midshipman cruiseand serving on USS Rogers. He then served on three submarines, including a tour as navigator of the Polaris Missile submarine USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628) operating from Guam. Completing an MS in Oceanography at the Naval PG School, he was the Commanding Officer of an Oceanographic Unit on USNS Chauvenet surveying the coasts of the Philippines and southwest Korea. He spent two years at the British Hydrographic Department in Somerset, England, then at the Defense Mapping Agency, then as Supt. of the U.S. Naval Observatory when VP George H.W. Bush was living in the VP Residence there. The Naval Observatory serves as the astronomical observatory for the DoD, and also maintains the world’s most precise clock systems.
Kanyon Sayers-Roods
Poet
View BioSayers-Roods is a Mutsun-Ohlone and Chumash California Native. Kanyon’s art has been featured at the De Young Museum, The Somarts Gallery and Gathering Tribes.
Bill Schramm
Ph.D., Meteorologist
View BioProfessor Schramm served at the World Meteorological Organization, a UN Agency. He also served at the UN and was the head of an office of the National Ocean Service.
Michele Altman
Luxury Real Estate
View BioMichele specializes in luxury coastal properties. In Hollywood Hills, she is a part of the entertainment community of artists & filmmakers, and expert on power undergrounding.
Steve Snodgrass
CFO
View BioSnodgrass has served as the CFO of Granite Rock; broad public service: President of Cabrillo College Foundation; Chair, Dominican Hospital Community Board.
Rene Romero Schuler
American Painter and Sculptor
View BioRené Romero Schuler is an internationally noted painter and sculptor, known for powerful and emotive female figurative works that explore vulnerability, and human connection. Her figures often depict ballerinas, and express beauty extant in all beings. Her works are directly connected to her strong belief in the power of femininity and to the stories women have to tell. Embracing the contrast between perceptions of femininity and the complexity of female lives–sometimes not conventionally “pretty”, but fascinating and powerful–her work offers and independent , strong and beautiful vision of womanhood that provokes and empowers other creatives.
Dalila Epperson
Entrepreneur
View BioMs. Epperson has founded two small businesses. She is an expert in the US Constitution and was a U.S. Congressional California District 19 Candidate.
Edward King
Radio Broadcaster
View BioKing is a senior executive experienced in computer systems and finance. His background includes work in France, Italy, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
Lillian Barbeito
Producer, Director, CEO
View BioArtist, producer, and director, Founder and CEO of Carmel Dance Festival. Contemporary dance performer and co-founder of a world-renowned non-profit organization.
Ashley Bennett Stoddard
Sculptor and Painter
View BioSculptor and painter, notable for unique designs in bronze and steel media. Voted best sculpture gallery in Carmel, California.
Dr. Quinn Kennedy Ph.D.
Psychologist
View BioDr. Quinn Kennedy earned a PhD in Psychology, widely published in the field of Cognitive Aging; her work is featured in NPR, New York Times and Science.
Robii Dotson Ph.D.
Psychologist
View BioGraduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dr. Dotson is a psychologist with a career as U.S. Air Force Officer, leadership instructor, human relations professor and radio broadcaster.
Winston Boyer
Photographer
View BioInternationally noted photographer with dozens of one man exhibitions. In collections of Chicago Art Institute, Crocker Museum, Stanford Museum, Corcoran Gallery, Washington DC.
Nicole Dorfman
Writer
View BioNicole Dorfman is a community leader, writer and business owner. She has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Claudia Worthington Hess
Venture Capitalist
View BioClaudia Worthington Hess, AAA (Appraisers Association of America) MBA is a certified fine art appraiser in the SF Bay area.
Danny Bernstein
Venture Capitalist
View BioDanny Bernstein is the Managing General Partner of HawkTower, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on Underleveraged California, including the Central Coast.
Ken Cranstone
Certified Financial Planner™
View BioKen Cranstone is a Certified Financial Planner™ working in an independent wealth management organization in Monterey, California.
Katie Bruzzone
Coach & Consultant
View BioKatie Bruzzone is a life coach, innovation consultant, and creator on a mission to creatively and strategically design solutions to the world's most complex problems.
Steve Scherner
Real Estate
View BioScherner is experienced in alternative real estate investment analyses, and has also operated his own real estate development company.
Gene Nelson Ph.D.
Radiation Biophysics
View BioDr. Nelson is experienced in nuclear power plant operations and radiation effects.
Michelle Magdalena Maddox
Photographer
View BioMichelle Magdalena Maddox is a noted California Central Coast photographer and magazine publisher.
Joseph Curl
Nuclear Energy Expert
View BioJoseph Curl is experienced in nuclear power, and has also served as electric grid operator for the U.S. western region.
Robert L. Campbell
Physicist
View BioRobert Campbell is a physicist with experience in high technology R&D, with focus on seawater desalination.
Dr. Julie Kenner
Dermatologist
View BioExpert in clinical dermatology, advanced diagnosis technology and telemedicine.
Dr. James Newman
U.S. Astronaut
View BioExperience in space travel and as a NASA scientific researcher.
Monica Johnson
Artist
View BioMonica Johnson is a contemporary abstract painter based in Carmel, California.
Dr. Josh Kittleson
Biologist
View BioAdvanced research in genetic sequencing and biotechnology materials innovation.
Penelope Wasserman
Nutritionist
View BioExpert in Nutrition and Fitness, including Corporate Presentations.
Jennifer Nader
Registered Dietitian
View BioExpert in nutrition and workplace wellness programs.
Mel Ahlborn
Contemporary Artist
View BioArtist with skills and knowledge in the history of Illuminated Manuscripts.
Ashley Yeates
Lawyer/Designer
View BioAmerican lawyer and interior designer, who created an entire furniture line.
Kat Hardisty
Conservation Biologist
View BioHardisty is the Preserve Manager for Rana Creek Preserve.
David Hurwitz
Marketing/Software Executive
View BioDavid Hurwitz is a Carmel Valley researcher, citizen journalist and analytic modeler.
David O'Neil
Real Estate and Construction
View BioDavid O’Neil is a Real estate and construction professional
Christopher Bonavico
Institutional Asset Manager
View BioChris has over 30 years experience in institutional asset management.
Ronald Stein
CASI Speaker
View BioRonald Stein, P.E., Energy Consultant on Energy Literacy, Ambassador for Energy & Infrastructure, Co-author of the Pulitzer Prize nominated book “Clean Energy Exploitations”, policy advisor on energy literacy for The Heartland Institute, and The Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, and National TV Commentator- Energy & Infrastructure with Rick Amato.
Caroline Hogan M.S.
Wildfire Ecologist
View BioCaroline is a land manager and wildfire practitioner.
Remieh Scherzinger
CASI Speaker
View BioRemieh Scherzinger is a licensed professional civil/environmental engineer in the state of California and has 25+ years of experience in the management of water, recycled water, wastewater, and electric utilities. He has served in organizations such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Petaluma, Sonoma County Water Agency, and the Nevada Irrigation District. He is currently the general manager of the Marina Coast Water District and Groundwater Sustainability Agency where he manages an annual budget of approximately $60 million dollars with a staff of 60 employees. The District is a county water entity and an independent special district which serves 10 land use jurisdictions and a population of about 47,000 people.
Brad Imamura
Environmental Health Specialist
View BioBrad Imamura - Environmental Health Specialist
