2025 Emory Goizueta Entrepreneurship Summit Founder's Address
David Glattstein
David Glattstein graduated with a BBA in Finance from Emory University's Goizueta Business School and has an MBA from The Wharton School. After Emory, David became immersed in the investment world. His significant experience in investing and helping small businesses grow, led him to join forces with Dr. David Bessler in co-founding Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG). From his research and experience, David recognized the veterinary industry lacked innovation and entrepreneurship. He believed a successful and reimagined veterinary business model required being fully invested in its customers and staff. This meant a full revamp of the customer experience as well as the need to foster a robust team culture. With a better way in sight and a partner in Dr. Bessler, who shares the same vision for vet med, David is building the world’s veterinary emergency company—bringing a revolutionary customer experience to as many people and their pets as possible. This experience at VEG has translated to a 90 NPS, nearly 100 locations and close to a $1 billion of revenue.
JEFFREY CHERNICK
https://www.jeffreychernick.com/
A former Wall Street wealth manager, Jeffrey Chernick is a 3x founder (1 exit, 2 acquisitions), advisor (7 companies, 3 VCs), and angel investor. Jeffrey has been featured by more than 30 media outlets including Techcrunch, Forbes, the LA Times. His company RideAmigos is the leading commuter management platform, taking millions of cars off the road annually. With over 20 million downloads and $12 million raised, his visual caller ID app, Vyng, boasts 5 billion videos played across 170 countries (acquired by Siprocal). Jeffrey is an inventor of 21 US Patents and guest lectures at Pepperdine University’s Entrepreneurship MBA Program. In his spare time, Jeffrey DJ’s across the world with neon drum sticks.
DUSTIN FINKEL
Former CEO and Founder
Dustin Finkel is an accomplished leader in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, known for managing multimillion-dollar brands and startups. He has expertise in go-to-market strategies, operations, and financial strategy. Finkel has held transformative roles in companies like Tender Belly and Awakened Foods, contributing to their growth and innovation. Starting his career at Goldman Sachs, he later impacted General Mills, WhiteWave Foods, and Abbott Nutrition. He also appeared on Shark Tank, founded MacGray LLC, and started a snack company (KaPop! Snacks & Awakened Foods), which became the fastest-growing snack in the Natural Channel for two consecutive years and was recognized as the top-selling snack on Amazon in 2021. He also mentors multiple entrepreneurs in the community as they move across crucial tipping points in business development. Driven by this track record, The University of Colorado, Boulder, recruited him to teach business classes to its undergrad and graduate populations.
VANESSA JESWANI
Co-Founder – Nomad Lane
Vanessa Jeswani is the Co-Founder of Nomad Lane, a brand of travel bags and accessories designed for those who are always en route. After traveling to 40+ countries and struggling to find a bag that met her high standards for organization and style, she and her husband set out to create their own. What started as a search for the perfect carry-on has grown into a trusted brand with 5,000+ five-star reviews, built for expert travelers who refuse to settle for less.
Before launching Nomad Lane, Vanessa spent nearly a decade leading multi-million-dollar digital marketing programs for major companies in New York City. That experience in branding and strategy shaped Nomad Lane’s mission: to help even the most seasoned travelers feel proud of their skills and equipped for every journey.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Vanessa moved to the United States to attend Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Now based in Miami with her husband and two kids, she’s constantly testing new ways to pack smarter, move better, and make travel feel effortless—even with little ones in tow.
ADAM KING
Co-Founder, CEO - 1587 Sneakers
Adam King lives, breathes and sleeps sneakers, and is passionate about the AAPI community. He is the co-founder and CEO of 1587 Sneaker- the first Asian American sneaker brand that celebrates our culture and tells authentic stories. He previously worked at Reebok, adidas, Pastry and KOIO (lots of sneakers ha). During his sneaker journey he has held roles in product marketing and development, sales, logistics, social marketing and production. His best friend is Obi Wan Cat-nobi, his cat.
OMER SATTAR
Co-Founder, Co-CEO – Sightline Payments
Omer is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Sightline Payments, playing a pivotal role in establishing the company’s vision as well as overseeing new business development and strategic partnerships. As an early innovator of payments in gaming, he was one of the first to define the omnichannel experience for the industry, envisioning the roadmap and solutions necessary for operators to provide a smoother and richer user experience for its patrons. Previously, he was the president of UB Ventures, a service provider to the prepaid card industry, and the senior vice president of cash access services for Global Cash Access, Inc. (later rebranding to Everi).
GLEN SURNAMER
COO – Pensare LLC
Glen Surnamer is an interdisciplinarian who brings diverse experience across many industries, including healthcare, finance, ag-tech, publishing, industrial, collectibles, and technology. After 14 years in the public markets as an NYSE Specialist and COO of the US operations of a global broker-dealer, Glen pivoted in 2009 to focus on small businesses. Over the last 14 years he has been a serial startup founder, an operating partner for a private equity firm, an executive for several early-stage companies, and a strategist/advisor. He has a deep passion for innovation, digital transformation, and empowering entrepreneurs, inventors, and subject-matter experts to bridge the gap from ideas and vision to products and services in market. As COO of Pensare LLC Glen works with the firm’s clients and partners on finance, operations, strategy, and governance. A New Yorker by background, Glen now lives in Los Angeles. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern and a BA in English from Emory University. He is a very mediocre but extremely enthusiastic guitar player.
COLIN MCINTOSH
Founder, CEO - Sheets & Giggles
Colin is founder and CEO of well-known sustainable bedding brand Sheets & Giggles. Featured on Good Morning America's 2025 Sleep Week segment just last month, Sheets & Giggles is famous for their sustainably made sheets, pillows, and mattresses, now with hundreds of thousands of customers.
Giving back is important for Colin, and Sheets & Giggles has donated $250,000+ to charity since founding, including planting tens of thousands of new native trees in areas around the US that need reforestation.
In 2024, Colin also launched a side passion project, an AI resume review service called SheetsResume.com, that will generate nearly half a million dollars in its first year of operation. Colin is a former recruiter, and his popular online resume advice has helped millions of people improve their resumes over the years.
CAMERON DUNCAN
Co-Founder, CEO - Axle
Cameron Duncan (B17) is the Co-Founder and CEO of Axle, a universal API for insurance backed by Y Combinator, Google, and angels from industry leaders like Plaid and Cox Automotive. Axle helps companies like Hertz, Avis, and Fortune 500 lenders instantly verify insurance and monitor ongoing coverage, creating a frictionless user experience and reducing operational risk through better-informed decisions.
Prior to co-founding Axle alongside fellow Emory alumni Armaan Sikand (C15) and Nihar Parikh (B17), Cameron led a product team at Clutch (acquired by Cox Automotive), where he enabled iconic brands like Porsche to introduce new ways to own and access vehicles. In 2023, he was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Atlanta for his work at Axle.
Passionate about solving problems at the intersection of business, technology, and design, Cameron mentors early-stage founders—sharing insights and lessons learned along the way. When he’s not writing code (when the team lets him) or helping customers design the future with Axle, you’ll find him making furniture, exploring design and architecture, golfing, or snowboarding.
DAVID GASPAR
Co-Founder, Head of Innovation – Gather
David Gaspar is Partner & Head of Innovation at Gather, a consultancy that designs, builds, and manages startups inside Fortune 500 companies to ignite innovation and create sustainable growth. Gather proudly lists a diverse set of clients from IBM to Forbes, to TD Ameritrade to MetLife and is currently listed by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5000 fastest growing privately held companies in America.
Dave developed his keen business and financial competencies advising clients on a range of financial transactions in the investment banking division of Jefferies & Company, and then as an M&A and business strategy specialist at GE Capital. Prior to joining Gather, he was the COO and CFO for Hitviews.com, the world’s first influencer marketing company, where he developed the initial monetization strategies for the industry.
2025 Summit Schedule
4:00 - 5:15PM
SUMMIT KEYNOTE FEATURING DAVID GLATTSTEIN
GBS 130
5:15 - 6:15PM
SUMMIT x KEGS NETWORKING RECEPTION
Coke Commons + Jenkins Courtyard
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
10:00AM - 12:30PM
LUMINARY PANELS + BREAKOUTS
GBS 208
12:30 - 1:15PM
LUNCH + SPOT ELEVATOR PITCHES
GFC W525
1:30 - 4:00PM
FINAL ROUNDS OF PITCH THE SUMMIT
GBS 304
The objective of the Pitch the Summit competition is to provide Emory undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to learn how to effectively pitch an idea for a new venture. Winning individuals and teams will receive guidance, financial support, and in-kind contributions in order to move the venture forward.
A pitch verbally outlines an entrepreneurial concept or idea in a short period of time. Participating individuals or teams will have the opportunity to pitch their idea to panels of judges, with the most successful pitches advancing through three rounds of competition.
