Programs

Senior Investment Advisor

Abhijeet Bhutra is tasked with maintaining strong relationships with clients at his company. He regularly provides thought leadership, education and insights to clients on issues related to charitable and retirement assets. He manages portfolios in accordance with applicable fiduciary standards and the client’s investment objectives. He works with each client to determine asset allocation based upon their unique needs.?He also supports the development of new business relationships.

Prior to PNC, Abhijeet was at J.P. Morgan Asset Management for 11 years. He served as a senior member of the chief investment officer team, managing multi-asset discretionary portfolios for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Prior to that, he worked in the chief financial officer function, covering Latin American clients, and as a consultant at Fidelity Institutional Investment Management.

Abhijeet graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from The University of Texas and a master’s degree in finance from London Business School. Abhijeet currently sits on the boards for Fund for Educational Excellence and Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership.

R&D Director

Amaia Montoya-Goni oversees the research and development of the polyolefins product and analytical sciences group of Specialty Catalysts business. She joined W.R. Grace in 2016, after a 16-year career at The Dow Chemical Company. During her tenure at Dow, Amaia contributed to different plastics application areas, developing new products and applications at the customer interface. Prior to joining Dow, Amaia spent two years at the University of Eindhoven, NL, doing postdoctoral research on durable coating applications. Amaia holds a Ph.D. in polymer science from the University of Strathclyde and Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of the Basque Country UPV-EHU. 

Vice President of Development and Outreach

Andrew Steele leads a dynamic team responsible for all development, fundraising and outreach efforts. Prior to joining LIRS, Andrew was the assistant vice president for advancement and director of campaigns at his alma mater, Wittenberg University. Before serving in that capacity, Andrew was the director for global mission funding at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, overseeing $30+ million of revenue as part of a successful five-year, $250 million comprehensive campaign. An avid traveler, Andrew annually returns to South Africa and Lesotho, where he once lived and co-founded BLOOM Africa, a nonprofit organization. 

Director, Technical Consulting

Bill Norris has 19 years of public and private accounting experience. He helps clients implement and apply technical accounting guidance related to business combinations, revenue recognition under ASC 606, leases under ASC 842, convertible debt instruments and cross-border projects in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and foreign generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), as well as several other technical topics. He also has extensive experience planning and executing financial statement, internal control and compliance audits, as well as providing quarterly reviews, debt compliance reports and management letter comments. He specializes in providing professional services to large SEC registrants and private companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, in a variety of industries. 
 
Bill has worked with public and private companies on international accounting matters in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan and various countries within South America. He works with clients on identification of differences between US GAAP, IFRS and other foreign accounting principles through the use of heat maps and impact assessments. Bill also helps companies perform full conversions from US GAAP to IFRS or other foreign accounting principles and vice versa. 

Director, Carrier Sales

Brooke Gary is responsible for driving sales strategy, execution, revenue generation and profitability improvement across the contractor and manufacturer segments with Tessco. Prior to leading the sales team, Brooke managed Tessco’s program management and order management teams, leveraging her analytical skills and understanding of the carrier ecosystem to execute on key customer deliverables and internal process improvements. Brooke graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. 

Senior Project Manager

Daren is responsible for the contract execution and profit and loss for the A320neo/Leap1A Nacelle Program to Safran Nacelles and Airbus. Prior to taking on this role, Daren spent more than 20 years in various engineering and management roles within the aerospace engineering sector. His focus was design, manufacturing and certification of complex hardware and systems, project planning and management, resource and performance planning, and life cycle management. He has a passion for building and leading teams to solve complex problems and deliver impactful business results. 

Daren holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University, a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a project management professional certification from the Project Management Institute. 

Director of Strategy and Mission Solutions

Jon Ferko is a broad-based executive with demonstrated leadership in operations, strategic planning and communications, business development, program and p&l management, change management, labor relations and public affairs. Jon has a track record of driving growth, reducing costs, improving operations and creating innovative solutions for complex business problems of large, global and multinational organizations. 

Recruited by the White House, the Governor of Pennsylvania, and fortune 500 companies, he has a reputation for spear-heading high-profile initiatives focused on the organization’s toughest challenges. His passion is working with people and leading organizations. He builds vertical, horizontal and cross-functional relationships, cultivating a culture of collaboration and transparency to yield organizational success. 

For over two decades, Jon has operated at the intersection of industry, finance and public policy. Politically savvy and a trained spokesperson, he has significant experience inter-facing with media and governments at the local, state federal and international levels to develop and execute corporate strategies to influence public policy, enhance corporate name recognition and reputation and generate business. 

Director of Business Analytics for the Americas, Supply Chain

With more than 12 years of experience, Shannon Hatmaker is a trusted supply chain partner with a passion for aligning people, systems and processes to drive success. She is skilled in building and leading teams, data analysis, financial planning, supply chain operations, customer service and implementing business applications and analytics tools. Shannon attended The Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in strategic communications. 

Director of Global Risk Compliance and ERM

Sergey Hayrapetyan is an economist with extensive experience in general and program management, systems design, operations (including supply chain) and governance, risk, and compliance. 

His journey to relief and development work started when, at the age of 11, he witnessed the destructive earthquake in Armenia that has taken more than 25,000 lives. Living in the disaster zone and later going through post-disaster hardships, Sergey received humanitarian aid as part of the international response. Inspired by the power of giving and kindness in response to the immediate need in rebuilding communities, Sergey began volunteering, and later, working for humanitarian relief agencies. He has been with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) since 2001, where he has been part of CRS’ work in Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa, Central Asia and, now, worldwide in a global capacity. 

Sergey leads the design, application, and oversight of meaningful, applied and responsible risk management and compliance systems with an emphasis on mission, culture, people, strategy and performance. Through continuous improvement, his focus is on balancing risk mitigation with efficiency for operational excellence. He provides strategic direction and oversight to CRS’ global risk & compliance. 

He is a member of Humentum’s Government Relations Advisory Council and leads the Governance Risk and Compliance Community on Humentum Connect. 

Vice President of Human Resources (Americas)

Scot Johnson is a seasoned human resource professional, offering more than 15 years of progressive experience in strategic human resource functions, organizational development, workflow process improvement and staff productivity. He is adept at executing change initiatives, high-impact L&D and leading human resource departmental turnarounds. 

Scot is a successful leader of change initiatives that obtained positive business results through situational leadership, cohesive team building and business planning skills. He is also a proven business partner, providing on-going strategic human resource direction to geographically decentralized and highly matrixed organizations as a member of senior management teams. 

Manager of International Development

Sarah Kozyn is an international development specialist and leader with 10 years of experience managing international development programs focused on economic growth and agricultural development. In her current role, she leads the division’s strategy in economic growth and agriculture. Sarah is also the technical project officer on two of Abt’s projects: a community-based agriculture and nutrition program in Uganda and a horticulture program in Egypt. 

Sarah began her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, where she focused on urban agriculture. She completed a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University in December 2021 and holds a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. 

Senior Director of Information Technology

Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, North America

Erin McAninch leads planning, reporting and forecasting for the company’s largest market. She has worked in corporate finance for 13 years. Prior to her current position, she was employed by T. Rowe Price and Northrop Grumman. Erin is driven by the creative art of telling a story with numbers and continuing to find process efficiencies.  

Director of Marketing and Microbiology

David Newsome is an experienced global marketing leader with a demonstrated history of working in the medical device industry. David is skilled in technical support, sales, life sciences, medical devices and marketing strategy. He has a strong marketing professional background with a Bachelor of Medical Science degree in human biology from the University of Western Sydney. 

Global Marketing Manager

Tracy Pugh has extensive experience in business development, sales and marketing of brands, products and professional solutions and services in the United States and abroad. She is adept at organizational management and has developed effective, profitable initiatives for several Fortune 50, 100 and 500 organizations, as well as those in the small business and nonprofit sectors. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and later a Master of Business Administration degree in marketing, at which time she formally began her career in marketing management after spending many years in market research and as a microbiologist.  

Director of Strategy

Felicia leads strategic plan implementation and drives priority economic development programs for the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

Prior to taking on this role in 2022, she served as the FDI Team lead and regional manager for Asia at the Maryland Department of Commerce. From 2013 to 2017, Felicia worked at the United States Department of Commerce, where she helped lead SelectUSA, a presidential initiative, during its transition from an unfunded startup to a globally-recognized organization. She served as deputy assistant secretary for textiles, consumer goods, and materials for the Obama Administration.

Before her government service, Felicia led the Asia regional corporate responsibility and sustainability practice for APCO Worldwide, where she managed, trained and motivated a multicultural team across 11 offices in six countries. She has engaged with stakeholders on a wide range of critical issues, including sustainability, STEM education, biodiversity, foreign direct investment, labor standards, human rights, public health and consumer safety. 

She got her start in 2000 through the Princeton in Asia program in Guangzhou, followed by a yearlong adventure as tutor and translator for Chinese superstar Zhang Ziyi. 

General Manager

Jeremy Riddle started his career with BalTerm as a stevedoring superintendent in 2003. He later served as stevedoring and fleet operations manager prior and an operations manager. In 2015, Jeremy assumed the role of general manager of Logistec’s CrossGlobe brand in the Port of Virginia. Jeremy has served as the general manager of BalTerm since his return to Baltimore in 2018. He is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine transportation. While in school, he also earned a U.S. Coast Guard license as a Third Mate, Unlimited Tonnage. Jeremy earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Johns Hopkins University and holds a Certified Port Executive  professional designation. 

Global Procurement Manager

Philip Robertson has eight years of experience leading various categories and global strategic sourcing for McCormick & Co, PepsiCo and Welch’s. These strategies drive business transformation, risk mitigation and bottom-line cost-savings delivery. At McCormick, he is the global procurement manager responsible for mustard and tomato products, supporting McCormick’s high profile condiment brands and businesses. Prior to McCormick, he led PepsiCo’s citrus ingredient sourcing and Commodity Risk Management for PET Resin, PepsiCo’s largest spend category. Prior to PepsiCo, Philip was a grower relations representative for Welch’s Foods Inc, working directly with Welch’s grape farmers and manufacturing facilities.  

Philip recently separated from the Army National Guard at the rank of captain. His most recent position was instructor, Officer Candidate School, Vermont Army National Guard. Prior to that he held numerous company grade leadership positions as a field artillery officer. Philip has a Bachelor of Science degree in agroecology from Penn State University, where he also completed the Army ROTC program. 

Head of Global Sales, Business Aviation Digital Solutions

Michael Shearer focuses on growing their business aviation channel through his leadership and support of a diverse and global sales team. With close to two decades in business aviation, he has contributed to developing the channel from startup business to a leading supplier in the connectivity and flight operations segment. Prior to his leadership role Michael was instrumental in the launch and growth of the business aviation channel into Southeast Asia and Latin America, where he developed a deep appreciation for the cultural differences for doing business in international markets. 

Program Manager

Rebecca Sinel provides full-service support from inception to delivery for in-person and virtual programs. She works closely with the SNI team and clients to ensure successful project management and high impact learning experiences. 

Prior to joining SNI, Rebecca spent 14 years as a program manager and museum educator at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. She graduated from Bank Street College of Education with a Master of Education degree in leadership in museum education, and the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history.  

Head of Integrated Marketing

Since joining the T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc in 2018, Lauren Smith has been head of integrated marketing in the U.S. Intermediaries division. While she’s spent her career in the financial services industry, her most recent position prior to joining T. Rowe Price was with Invesco, where she was head of channel and product marketing and led marketing strategy globally for Jemstep, Invesco’s robo-advisor platform. 

Lauren earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She holds a Series 7, 24, and 63 licenses with FINRA. 

Director of Channel Operations

Derek Trott draws on his training as a mental health professional to empower more than 2,000 employees in the day-to-day operations of a Prometric Test Center. Prior to this current role, Derek led teams and efforts focused on strategic and capacity planning, business analytics, corporate development, and B2B and B2C sales. He holds a master's degree in psychology from Washington College, as well as a certificate of advanced study in psychology from Loyola University Maryland. Derek is an ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and is an active thought leader in the quality community through several peer-reviewed publications.  

Chief of Staff, Director - Global Experience

Samantha Wingrove is a results-oriented marketing professional with nearly a decade of experience managing brand strategy and communications for multi-billion-dollar brands. She collaborates closely with multi-functional leaders to plan, produce, execute and evaluate comprehensive, strategic marketing plans. She has a demonstrated history of working in the consumer, financial services, and sports industries. And she is skilled in integrated communications, public relations, social media, advertising, crisis communications and more.