You won’t want to miss Forward 2024.
Meet Our Speakers
Sharing the most important lessons learned, success stories, and ideas for improving your events in the years to come, our speakers will inspire you to take your organizations to the next level and think about how you can serve and reach your community better than ever.
Zac Clark - Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Release Recovery
Connect with Zac on LinkedIn
Zac Clark is a mental health, wellness, and addiction recovery advocate, motivational speaker, philanthropist, and business executive who founded and serves as CEO of Release Recovery: a full- service substance use disorder and mental health organization – with multiple facilities throughout New York –that offers transitional living, interventions, case management, and other essential family and recovery support services.
Zac is also the founding board member of Release Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to remove financial barriers to treatment for those who can’t afford it – specifically those in underserved communities through DEI, LGBTQIA+, and women’s scholarships. The foundation also works to build community to break the stigma around addiction and mental health.
Zac also serves on the board of trustees of Caron Treatment Centers, an internationally renowned organization dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare and treatment – and where Zac began his own recovery journey 12 years ago.
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In 2020, Zac came to widespread acclaim by openly addressing his addiction and recovery on ABC’s “The Bachelorette.” He uses his large platform to spread hope and raise awareness – especially among young people – about the crucial mental health and addiction issues that plague our country today.
Zac has partnered with global brands, including Reebok, Rhone, and Poland Spring. He grew up in Haddonfield, NJ, is a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan and sneakerhead, played college baseball, and has seen his favorite band Pearl Jam play more than 30 times. He’s finished 12 marathons, as well as completed the coveted Goggins Challenge – raising nearly two million dollars in the process on behalf of Release Recovery Foundation and Caron Foundation. He lives in New York City.
Alejandra Salazar - Founder & CEO at CROING Creative Agency
Connect with Alejandra on LinkedIn
Alejandra is the Founder and CEO of CROING, part of the 0.1% of creative agencies founded by a woman. She is also the founder of CROINGERS, a creative holding company. Alejandra focuses her work on people and how to bring brands closer to them.
Originally from Venezuela, she has lived in 7 countries, including Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Spain, and the US, which gave her a deep understanding of local nuances and how people adopt social media and innovation.
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She speaks about Marketing, Social Media, Innovation applied to Creativity and Marketing, Female Leadership, and Hispanic/Latino/x marketing. Alejandra serves as Women. NYC advisor, mentor at The New School - Parsons, and has been invited as keynote speaker by Adweek, Inter Miami Stadium, City of Miami, EY, Women.NYC, Latinas in Tech, Black LinkedInMan Talk Tech, Art Center College of Design, and The New School - Parsons, among others.
Connect with Alejandra:
Email: alejandra@croing.com
CROING Agency Socials:
Alex Kerr - CEO & Founder at Trajektory
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn
Alex Kerr, CEO of Trajektory, brings a blend of quantitative, strategy, and marketing expertise to his present role. Trajektory helps the world's biggest teams, leagues, brands, and agencies maximize their sponsorship revenue through real-time insights. Trajektory's mission is to provide stress-free data management that visualizes, assesses, and accurately values your partnership data in real-time. Our tools help groups better activate sponsorships by saving them time with our automated data-cleaning technology and provide unparalleled insights with our advanced demographics and proprietary valuation methodology.
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Prior to Trajektory, Alex oversaw and managed business intelligence and marketing departments at major brands like ShopYourWay and team entities such as Monumental Sports & Entertainment (NHL Capitals, NBA Wizards, WNBA Mystics, eSports Team Liquid, Capital One Arena, and more). Alex earned a B.A. in Economics from Kenyon College and an M.B.A. from Duke University’s, The Fuqua School of Business. It was there he discovered the importance of effectively building teams and operational efficiencies.
Burhan Sebin - Head of Research at Venture Miami
Connect with Burhan on LinkedIn
Burhan Sebin has over five years of experience in technology and innovation. In his current role as Head of Research at Venture Miami, his responsibilities include fostering the tech ecosystem in South Florida by connecting key stakeholders such as founders, funders, and talent, and analyzing trends in the sector and aspects of quality of life to foster technological growth in the region.
His experience includes roles at international companies, as well as a background in tech entrepreneurship providing him with a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and startup development. Burhan spearheaded the Built in Miami incubator program, a six-month initiative supporting tech entrepreneurs with Miami's resources to establish new companies.
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He also serves as the Convener of the Miami Advanced Air Mobility Committee. This role entails collaborating with federal agencies(FAA, USDOT, NASA) and industry leaders to integrate Advanced Air Mobility solutions in the region.
He is also the founder of Miami AI Hub, a community focused on shaping Miami as an artificial intelligence hub. Also an advisory board member of AI2030 which is an initiative aimed at harnessing the transformative power of AI to benefit humanity while minimizing its potential negative impact.
Committed to knowledge sharing, Burhan delves into data, entrepreneurship, and AI through his weekly newsletter, "Generative Letters"
Kristen Simmons - Brand Marketing Manager at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn
Kristen is a seasoned professional in sports marketing and communications, with experience spanning various sports entities and the PR agency sphere. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL she now resides in Miami, FL, after earning her B.A.J.M.C from the University of South Carolina.
Kristen spent time in New York City's PR industry before returning to South Florida, where she ultimately took on the role of Brand Manager & Marketing Strategist for her hometown team, the Miami Dolphins. There, she gained extensive and diverse experience in integrated marketing across industries including American football, motorsports, tennis, and entertainment, and worked with her team to bring the Miami Dolphins brand to life for new and emerging audiences.
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Currently, Kristen serves as the Brand Marketing Manager for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, dedicated to bringing the world's biggest and most innovative tournament to the North American market. Similarly to her work for the Miami Dolphins, she works with her team to create and infuse the new and exciting FIFA World Cup 2026 brand into an emerging market in the world of soccer.
In her free time, she enjoys obnoxiously cheering on her Miami HEAT and finding new recipes to cook for her loved ones.
Tamara Pluviose - Director of Product at West Marine
Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn
Tamara believes in making the customer the hero of a brand's story -- it's her job to keep that a core focus in all digital experiences.
With a career spanning over 15 years, Tamara has honed her skills as a product leader, digital strategist, and data/insights storyteller. Her experience, both on the client side and in consultancy, has been instrumental in optimizing and creating new digital experiences that cater to customers' unmet needs.
Tamara has led cross-functional teams with expertise in digital marketing and strategy, user experience/research, and product ownership spanning various industries in travel, financial services, insurance, non-profit, beauty, retail, telco, and beyond.
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Currently, Tamara heads up eCommerce Marketing & Operations for West Marine, a national retailer dedicated to providing boating enthusiasts with the top-rated supplies and accessories they need to enjoy a day on the water.
In her spare time, she focuses on meeting her annual goal of exploring at least one new destination. When not exploring the world, she supports local charities, especially those involving Haiti, women, and children.
Meet Our Emcee:
Marc Goldman
Marc Goldman is a passionate and inspiring voice in the event industry, known for his ability to bring people together, create unforgettable experiences and contribute to the human spirit. As the owner and operator of Event Voice and a true partner in presentation, Marc can be seen and heard at dozens of events annually serving roles from host/emcee to organizer to consultant.
The award-winning announcer is the long-time voice of the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team. At the mic, he also enhances the experience for clients including the UFL, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Pacers Running, SHRM, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and numerous annual running events including the Route 66 Marathon and the DC Half.
Marc has created public relations, sponsorship, marketing and social media campaigns for venues, destinations and events ranging from the opening of DC’s state-of-the-art arena to one of the largest marathons in the world. Based in DC, but always ready to travel, reach out to Marc to support your planning or for your event voice.
Connect with Marc on LinkedIn
Past Forward Speakers
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Faron Kelley
Vice President, ESPN Wide World of Sports, runDisney and Disney’s Water Parks
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Zena Keita
Partnerships, The Athletic
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Randy Crooks
Director of Loyalty at Barry’s
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Meaghan Praznik
Head of Communications at AllTrails
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Michael Shaw
Senior Vice President, Head of Brand | Experience | Innovation, Miami Marlins
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Orlando Gadea
Global VP Customer Experience Transformation at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
