Links:

• LinkedIn

CEO and Director | InvestUS

Bio:

Ms. Burns’ financial career spans more than 30 years and includes roles as an institutional investment officer in New York City, financial officer at a New Mexico start-up company that became the largest publicly-traded company in the state, and Chief Lending Officer for a community bank.

Ms. Burns began her career as an investment officer for Mutual of New York from 1981-1988 and TIAA-CREF from 1988-1998. In these roles she honed her ability to determine key factors for business sustainability, profitability and growth in a wide variety of industries. During her investment career, she analyzed more than 3,000 businesses and invested more than $3 billion. During the 1990s, Ms. Burns developed expertise in structured finance and emerging market finance including project finance, asset-backed securitization, and infrastructure construction lending. Throughout her 17 year investment career in New York, Ms. Burns managed a portfolio of fixed-rate privately-placed debt, met with management of these companies on a regular basis, tracked financial performance, and monitored compliance.

Ms. Burns returned to extraordinary New Mexico, her birthplace, as a senior member of the initial team that developed an innovative lending platform at Thornburg Mortgage Inc. (TMA). Ms. Burns was responsible for all financing arrangements for TMA, issued over $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities, and managed TMA’s relationships with the rating agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, securities underwriters, warehouse lenders and securities investors. The Thornburg Mortgage origination and servicing platform had the lowest delinquency and default rates in the US.

Ms. Burns’ most recent corporate position was Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Kirtland Federal Credit Union. From 2012 to 2014, Ms. Burns provided management consulting services through her firm, Crystal River Advisors LLC.

An Albuquerque, New Mexico, native, Ms. Burns graduated from Albuquerque Academy. She earned a BA in Economics from Princeton University. As an undergraduate, Ms. Burns was a research analyst for Burton G. Malkiel, head of the Economics Department at Princeton and author of the New York Times best-selling book, “A Random Walk Down Wall Street.” Ms. Burns has also earned an Executive MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Previously, Ms. Burns hosted her own radio show, “Business Dimensions – Expert Insights for Your Business,” on Sundays at 5 PM on 770 KKOB AM radio.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

 Links:

• LinkedIn

Assistant Vice President | Investments, HL Investments

Bio:
Derek Green is the Assistant VP of Investments for HL Investments, the outside investment arm for the Green Family and Hobby Lobby. His responsibilities include oversight and ongoing deployment of a global investment portfolio.

Previously, Derek worked for Hobby Lobby as a Real Estate Analyst, where he developed site selection and sales forecasting tools. Prior to Hobby Lobby he started and sold a services company and was an Industrial Engineer Supervisor at UPS.

Mr. Green attended the University of Oklahoma and Executive Education programs at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia Business School.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

Links: 

• LinkedIn

Managing Partner | KNGDM Group

Derrick has been challenging the status quo ever since being born in Lancaster, PA. Attending Coatesville area high he became the #1 player in the state. He studied Business management at Georgia Tech and later received his MBA from the university of Miami. Being drafted into the NFL as a first round pick in 2010 was the realization of a childhood dream but that wasn’t the end of his story. Playing for the Tennessee Titans over the last 9 years has been a rewarding and refining experience.

Derrick has a passion to change the narrative of a traditional athlete. Taking an interest in Tech investments as well as introducing career opportunities to youth has been a passion for Derrick. As of late Derrick has ventured into the Impact investment space while aligning his finances with his overall life values and striving to create a better legacy. Derrick is also a family man, Married with 2 children and his faith is the centerpiece of his life.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

 Links:

• LinkedIn

Former Managing Partner | Accenture

Bio:

Dick Blanc is a former managing partner with Accenture, LLP and adviser to multiple Fortune Global 500 and startup companies.

Today, he is an active seed stage investor and adviser to founders of several startup companies. Blanc also serves as director of the Cedarville University Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

Bio:

Don established Simmons Capital Group in 1988 and became one of the first fee based registered investment advisor firms in Upstate New York. With over 30 years’ experience in portfolio design and management, business continuity and estate planning and income tax preparation Don continues to serve as chairman of the company’s Investment Committee. Don has also been a founding partner for other businesses including Real Estate Development, IT Staffing as well as the fastest growing HR consulting firm in New York’s Capital Region.

In 2007 Don learned of an international fund which is focused on economic and social development throughout the poorest regions of the world. Don soon began to utilize his business experience and training to serve as a business mentor and coach with some of the small business held by the fund. He now serves in a deeper capacity with the fund and makes numerous trips each year to, “places you wouldn’t choose for a vacation,” so that he can connect with like-minded business owners and collaborate with like-minded investors. Through the global network of relationships developed by the fund, pressing needs of businesses and their employees are uncovered. Don is passionate about collaborating to bring intellectual, technical and financial solutions to support sustainable wholistic transformational impact within missional businesses among the least reached and most impoverished regions of the world.

Life:

Don has been married to Amy since 1989. Their home is a hub of activity for their four children and a steady stream of guests. In addition to family, Don’s passions include flying an antique (1948) seaplane, mentoring small businesses in the poorest regions of the globe, cooking pizza in his wood fired pizza oven and serving as a board member for numerous charities.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

Bio:

Donnie’s enthusiasm for Tyson Foods and his self-effacing humor are contagious. Appointed to his role as president and CEO in 2009, his passion is the hallmark of his tenure at the company, which he joined in 1980. Daily, he guides Tyson Foods to be a company with a conscience, focused on feeding the world great, affordable food, while also making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Through his career, Donnie has worked to learn every angle of the Tyson Food business. He joined Tyson, working in poultry operations for seven years in Tennessee before moving the company’s headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, where he started as a commodity buyer. He was named director of commodity purchasing in 1991 and during the next several years added complementary responsibilities to his management portfolio. He was named senior vice president of logistics, purchasing and information systems in 2006. In 2007 Donnie was named group vice president of operation services, which included oversight of engineering, food safety and quality assurance, as well as environmental health and safety. He moved into the company’s consumer products division in 2008 and was named senior group vice president of poultry and prepared foods in early 2009, the same year he was appointed as president and CEO.

Life:

A native of Tennessee, Donnie graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in animal science.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR