Professor Shane Frederick is the Richard Ely Professor of Marketing at the Yale School of Management. His research focuses on preference elicitation, framing effects, intertemporal choice, and decision-making under uncertainty. 

He is the creator of the cognitive reflection test, which has been found to be "predictive of the types of choices that feature prominently in tests of decision-making theories, like expected utility theory and prospect theory.

Before coming to Yale SOM, he was associate professor of management science at Sloan School of Management at MIT. Prior to MIT, he was a research associate and lecturer at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs at Princeton University. He has authored papers with, among others, Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, emeritus of Princeton University.

Shane holds a PhD in decision sciences from Carnegie Mellon University, an MA in resource management from Simon Fraser University, and a BS in zoology from the University of Wisconsin. 

Arthur W. Thomas III, MDIV, EDP is the Founder and CEO of Integrity Solutions Group LLC, where he guides individuals in realizing their personal and professional dreams and goals. As a solutions-driven expert, he collaborates with people to help them discover their path to flourishing.

Mr. Thomas is the former Director of Mission Investing and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, where he leads cross-sector collaboratives that create strategies for increasing equity and empowerment. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School, where he enhanced his ability to evaluate ethical outcomes of community empowerment programs and build strategic partnerships to reduce socio-economic inequities. He also holds a Bachelor's from Cornell University

Prior to this, Mr. Thomas had a career in finance and residential real estate development. His current board memberships include ClimateHaven, Glendower Group CDC, Divine Grace Foundation, and the University of Bridgeport's Innovation Advisory Board.

Passionate about faith’s role in justice work, he co-chairs the Faith in Action outreach ministries at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church and is in the ordination process with the American Baptist Convention.

A healer at heart, Mr. Thomas is dedicated to using innovation, real estate, and entrepreneurship to disrupt the cycle of poverty in under-resourced neighborhoods.

Kobéy Smith is the Coordinator of Inclusive Growth at the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. In his role, he leads both the Small Business Council and the Diversity & Inclusion Council, ensuring that entrepreneurs, startups, and minority-owned businesses have access to the resources and networks necessary for success. Through one-on-one business counseling and strategic partnerships, he works to strengthen the competitiveness of small businesses in the marketplace. He earned his B.A. in Graphic Design (2020) and M.B.A. in Management (2021) from Albertus Magnus College. He is also the host of the Chattin' with Kobéy podcast. A podcast that discusses the power of overcoming adversity, entrepreneurship, and mental health awareness.

Philip Rigueur, MPA, MBA, is President of the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP), leading efforts to revitalize underserved communities through real estate, hospitality, entrepreneurship training, and the $200M “ConnCAT Place on Dixwell” project.

With 15+ years in healthcare leadership at Hartford Healthcare and Aetna, Phil focuses on sustainable economic models that drive innovation, education, and investment.

A Cornell and MIT Sloan graduate, he was the first Board Advisor to BlackGen Capital, Cornell’s first minority-owned student investment fund, and launched a deep-tech bootcamp in Tunisia recognized by MIT.

Phil serves on Hartford’s Redevelopment Agency, was Chair of the Hartford Board of Education, and is on the University of Saint Joseph’s Board of Trustees. He also advises Open Startup International, supporting African startup ecosystems.

In 2023, he gave the keynote at AfricArena’s AI & DeepTech Summit in Tunisia, discussing AI’s global impact in emerging markets.

A champion for equity and innovation, Phil is committed to eliminating blight and fostering inclusive economic growth.

Latisha Douglas, Vice President & Co-Founder of the CMWP Foundation, Inc., is a Black woman entrepreneur who understands firsthand the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the business world.

Her leadership is driven by a deep commitment to creating opportunities and dismantling systemic barriers that hinder the success of socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Latisha’s leadership fosters an inclusive ecosystem where disadvantaged women entrepreneurs can excel.

She leverages personal experiences and expertise to offer tailored support, mentorship, and resources addressing the unique challenges faced by minority and disadvantaged women entrepreneurs.

As a Data Scientist, Latisha brings significant expertise to the CMWP project, focusing on financials, data analytics, and investments.

She has extensive experience leading workshops and training on various business topics and serves as a mentor for graduates of local business accelerator programs.

Latisha is pursuing a dual Master’s degree in Data Analytics and an MBA in Technology from the University of Connecticut (UCONN).

Latisha’s comprehensive background in data analytics and her leadership in business training make her an invaluable asset to the CMWP project, where she will lead workshops, provide technical assistance, and mentor women entrepreneurs to help them achieve their business goals.

Christopher Gray is the CEO and co-founder of Path, an AI-powered platform that helps students and professionals prepare for exams in IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admissions. Path offers practice questions, full-length exams, and personalized study plans to make high-quality test prep accessible and affordable.

Prior to founding Path, Christopher co-founded Scholly, an app designed to help students find scholarships and pay off student debt. Scholly gained national attention on Shark Tank, securing a deal with Daymond John and Lori Greiner. With over 5 million users, Scholly has helped students secure more than $100 million in scholarships and was later acquired by Sallie Mae to expand its mission.

Christopher also serves on the Board of Directors for Camelback Ventures, an organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in education and social impact.

DéVon Christopher Johnson is the founder and CEO of BleuLife Media Group, a multimedia company with platforms like BleuMagazine.com, Bombshellbybleu.com, the Average Black Guy podcast, and ShopBleuLife.com.

DéVon began his career at Def Jam Records, collaborating with artists like Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, and Rihanna, before moving on to Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. After transitioning to publishing, he built Bleu Magazine into a global media empire focused on inclusivity and diversity. He advocates for the importance of print media in communities of color and works to close the digital divide for the BIPOC population.

A native of Queens, New York, DéVon now resides in Harlem. In 2020, he co-founded the Black Owned Media Equity & Sustainability Institute (BOMESI) to support diverse media founders in securing equitable opportunities.

Stacey Hightower is the CEO of Omnicom Specialty Marketing Group, overseeing global P&L performance, digital transformation, and new product development across agencies focused on consumer and retail experiences. Under his leadership, these agencies have developed market-leading products that use data and technology to transform brand-consumer engagement.

Before becoming CEO, Stacey was the COO of Omnicom Specialty Marketing Group, leading strategic investments and growth initiatives. Prior to that, he was a Director at AlixPartners, where he delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in value creation while advising CEOs and Boards.

Stacey serves on the Board of Trustees for Washington University in St. Louis and is a board member of City Music Cleveland and ideas42. He earned an MBA from Yale School of Management and a BBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

Shondra Washington, a former professional dancer, transitioned from the world of dance to HR, serving as an analyst at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, AIG, and Jefferies Investment Bank. At Jefferies, Shondra made a significant career shift into technology investment banking after working in HR at the start of her career.

After her experience as a tech investment banker, Shondra founded TBC-Capital, a fractional CFO and accounting firm that specializes in accounting, business development, and strategy services for VC-backed companies and small businesses. Under Shondra's guidance, TBC-Capital has helped her clients secure over $40M+ in funding and grow to be valued at more than $100M.

Shondra is also the CEO and co-founder of Black@, now Catalyst Labs. Through Catalyst Labs, she has forged partnerships with notable institutions such as Andreessen Horowitz where she runs a non-profit supporting Black digital artists, and Benedict College who chose Catalyst Labs as their partner to run the inaugural Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Shondra is a dedicated traveler who once lived in Costa Rica. She is an enthusiast for Michelin-starred meals and a connoisseur of culture. Still deeply passionate about dancing and all things art, she possesses a brilliant sense for selecting music and dedicates her spare time to studying fashion designers and fashion houses.

“Resources to Develop Wealth in New Haven” Panel

Samantha (Sammi) is the President & CEO, 628 Digital Design. She is a distinguished multi-award-winning entrepreneur and content engineer with over twenty years of experience in executive-level, corporate, and professional writing and digital content design. She is also a recognized business coach, committed to the advancement of the Black community.

As an astute businesswoman and serial entrepreneur, Sammi has launched several companies, including 628 Digital Design, a certified B Corp, and full-service digital content design, marketing, and consulting agency.

Sammi also provides business coaching, technical assistance for grant sourcing and writing, and business certification support. 628 Digital Design is a certified minority, woman-owned small business (WOSB). Sam’s Word is also a certified Small, Minority, and Women Business Enterprise (S/M/WBE) and a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DOT DBE). Sam’s Word is also a certified Black Business Enterprise (BBE) through the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

Sammi is also the Founder and President of CMWP Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization (ESO), and it’s membership program, the Collaboration of Minority Women Professionals. CMWP provides targeted entrepreneurial support for Black and minority men, women, and children entrepreneurs.

Sammi received the 2023 Wharton Knowledge for Impact Award, allowing her to participate in the Neuroscience of Business: Innovations in Leadership and Strategic Decisions program through the Wharton School. Sammi is also a graduate of the Morgan Stanley Small Business Academy 2022 inaugural cohort. Sammi has also earned certificates in Women’s Entrepreneurship and Women’s Leadership through the eCornell/Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship. Sammi is the recipient and member of the 2023 Business Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club (NANBPWC) New Haven Club. Sammi is also the recipient of the 2023 New Haven Biz Women in Business Award, the 2022 CT Entrepreneur Awards, and the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce 2020 Women’s Achievement Awards for Community Impact. Sammi also received the 2021 Leadership Award from the Collaboration of Minority Women Professionals.

Sammi sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation, B Local CT, and Orchard House. In 2024, Sammi was selected to serve as an Advisory Council Member at the Harvard Business Review. Sammi earned a Master’s in Health Care Administration from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration / Human Resource Management from York College – CUNY. Sammi is also a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and Notary Public. She is in the process of becoming a Six Sigma Black Belt.

“Founding and Building Sustainable Businesses”

Dean is Founder and Principal of Forenoon Ventures, LLC., focusing on social impact investing. He scales startups, advises social impact fund managers, and guides institutional and private investors in finding mission related investments. He has 25 years institutional investments experience including the Yale Investments Office and the Private Equity Team at The Church Pension Fund.

Dean has an MBA in Finance from the Yale School of Management and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University. He has been an entrepreneurship teacher and judge at the Queens (NYC) Economic Development Corporation StartUP! Business Plan Competition and a judge at the Columbia University Venture Competition Tech Challenge. He is a speaker and advisor for the BAJ Accelerator at Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute in NYC and was recently a member of the Product Development Committee of The Board of Directors for Oikocredit US. He is also a Board Member of the St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation in Patterson, NJ. He resides in New Jersey.

Dean’s participation in diversity initiatives at SOM began in 1997, while a first-year student, when he worked under the leadership of Richard Silverman, the former Director of Admissions. He was co-chair of the Minority Student Group and also a member of the mixed SOM Soccer team that won the Yale Intramural Championship Cup.