Stern Strategy Team

From advising individuals on their career paths to representing book authors to consulting for large corporations, Danny Stern helps clients find and project the distinct voice needed to build thought leadership and disrupt industries. With deep roots in the lecture business, he has collaborated with leading visionaries and change agents shaping the future of business…

Since joining Stern in 2006, Ned Ward has had the opportunity to counsel and learn from some of the brightest minds in business. His client experience ranges from professional services and consulting to accounting and technology and AI, among other vertical industries. A lifelong student, he is always searching for new ways to hone his…

Passion is what drives Ania Trzepizur to do the best possible job for her clients every day. She doesn’t see her work as transactions but as relationships and connections. As Vice President, Ania focuses on client relations, business development and agency operations. She is also adept at building collaborative relations amongst client organizations, competitor agencies…

Multifaceted business development executive Sumy Lee came to Stern with expertise in financial services and start-up leadership. In addition to having strong client acquisition, relationship management, presentation, and communication skills, Sumy is adept at cross-functional, cross-cultural team leadership and multi-stakeholder engagement. Fluent in English, German and Korean, Sumy has worked extensively with international companies, including…

A licensed attorney, Dan Masi enjoys making deals and pairing customers with the perfect speaker to fit their needs. As an account executive, Dan partners with customers to think outside the box to increase the effectiveness of planned events and maximize value for all parties involved. He has a background in the baseball industry where…

Eveline Brownstein is a senior human resources professional whose expertise is in working with business owners to align the HR function with the achievement of the company’s strategic goals plan.  She also has extensive experience delivering customized training to supervisors and C-suite executives in important areas like performance management and employee engagement.  Eveline holds a…

Kristen Soehngen Karp’s role spans the entire agency, giving her a unique opportunity to collaborate with multiple teams and clients on business and legal affairs. As in-house counsel, she provides legal advice regarding commercial contracts, marketing, intellectual property, and more. She also drafts and negotiates contracts, including advisory, publishing, talent, confidentiality and new clients. Beyond…

A former educator, Whitney Jennings is intimately familiar with the ever-changing education landscape. She specializes in connecting our education experts with audiences who are helping shift the global conversation about how and where learning happens. Whitney also translates her business experience to our full roster of speaker clients, providing strategic direction for marketing and sales…

Paige Russell has over a decade of experience in the lecture business prior to joining Stern. With a background in a wide variety of industries including colleges and universities, healthcare, technology and finance, she has seen firsthand the lasting impact that connecting the right audience with the right speaker can create. Stimulating deeper conversations on…

Katie Balogh brings over 25 years of executive level support experience to the table and takes pride in our commitment to clients. Katie combines a meticulous focus on the details of supporting Stern’s team, clients and customers alike with a “big picture” appreciation of the vital ways our speakers are impacting their industries and the…

With more than 20 years of experience, Debby Goldwasser has a proven track record of senior-level executive support. She has a strong ability to streamline processes, maximize efficiency and foster professional relationships within organizations. Debby’s philosophy centers on what role she can play in helping others find solutions. Her vast experience, along with an in-depth…

A master storyteller, Jen Zottola has helped our clients successfully shape and share their narratives for more than 15 years. Fusing creativity with strategy, she is relied upon for her messaging counsel and content creation. Jen also leads account teams in the implementation of integrated programs designed to elevate visibility and demand for thought leaders…

Stephanie Heckman continually works to infuse creativity into client programming. In her role, she directs the day-to-day efforts of account teams and drives the agency’s conference relations competency; helping her clients reach new audiences and make valuable face-to-face connections. Relied upon for her strategic thinking, Stephanie has been instrumental in the development and implementation of…

Though a strategist at heart, Gabby Apuzzo is equally passionate about storytelling, helping clients shape and share theirs in meaningful, inspired ways. Specializing in executive visibility and social media, she focuses on elevating and amplifying leaders’ voices through creative yet strategic programming. Gabby is relied on for her innate ability to bring people and ideas…

Melissa Ingalsbe came to Stern with experience directing the speakers bureau at a NASA Research Park-based benefit corporation in Silicon Valley. Her work in strategic relations naturally evolved to include advising client organizations on executive education and customized leadership programs. Aligning leaders with the right experts to help broaden their understanding of the accelerated pace…

Justin Louis has been in the business of messaging and influencing for more than 20 years through his time in the broadcasting industry. Strategizing the delivery of clients’ messages and amplifying them to wide audiences, his content has been consumed by millions of readers. As a former on-air personality and brand management specialist, Justin knows…

Meg Barbolini Virag is a writer and online community professional with over a decade of experience activating clients and building communities. With a passion for learning and a curious mind, Meg is always on the lookout for new and emerging ideas to make the world a better place. As a former Program Coordinator and Community…

Helping brands and businesses use the latest marketing best practices to improve their bottom lines is one of the things Brandon Pantano loves to do. Since 2009, he has owned and operated businesses and led marketing efforts for startups and mid-size businesses to Fortune 500 companies. His areas of expertise include integrated marketing strategy, business…

Alan Helimsky has kept his finger on the social media pulse for over 10 years. He believes that to stay on top of the ever-evolving social media landscape, you must be able to evolve with it. A self-proclaimed ‘Jack of all Trades’, Alan strives to always better his knowledge and expertise in all facets of…