Nikki Pounds, MHRD, SPHR, SHRM-CP is an accomplished business executive with over 25 years of Human Resources expertise. Nikki is a speaker, award winning author of the book, The Leader Who CARES: Guiding Human Resource Practitioners to Navigate Workplace Environments, and she is the CEO of HR Unequivocally^®.

HR Unequivocally^® partners with organizations to create sustainable HR strategies and they provide a variety of customized training, coaching, and talent development solutions for current and emerging leaders. She is a certified DiSC^® partner, Emotional Intelligence practitioner, and DEI professional. Nikki’s passion is empowering leaders to success by equipping them with the tools they need to meet and often exceed their goals

Carl Gould is a worldwide leading authority on business and entrepreneurship. As an entrepreneur, he built three multi-million dollar businesses by age 40; and as a consultant, he has helped companies like Allstate, American Idol, USA Olympic Track, IBM, McGraw-Hill and the US Army. His company, 7 Stage Advisors has mentored the launch of over five thousand businesses and is one of the farthest-reaching business mentoring organizations in the world. Carl has worked with multiple Inc. 500/5000 fastest-growing companies and is a founding member of the International Association of Coaches. Gould has been the recipient of many awards including 2 prestigious Stevie Awards for – Entrepreneur of the Year. Carl has written multiple books on the subject of business strategy, leadership and sustainable growth. He co-authored “Blueprint for Success” with Stephen R. Covey and Ken Blanchard; and his best-selling book, “The 7 Stages of Small Business Success”, lays out the formula for HyperGrowth. In 2016, ‘Biz Dev Done Right” became a #1 Best Seller on Amazon.

Marco Ríos is a seasoned Business Consultant and captivating Speaker. With over 14 years of strategic leadership, Marco has established himself as an authority in guiding businesses through cultural barriers towards inclusive growth. His forte lies in evaluating project financial viability, and steering businesses towards sound investment decisions with confidence. Currently serving as the Hispanic Business Consultant at the South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SCSBDC), Marco provides invaluable consultancy services, empowering Hispanic business owners with strategic marketing, negotiation strategies, financial projections, and more. As a dynamic speaker, Marco inspires actionable change, empowering organizations to reach their full potential. Whether it's breaking through cultural barriers or optimizing business strategies, Marco Ríos is your trusted partner for driving sustainable growth and fostering inclusivity within your organization.

Learn more about the SCSBD at www.scsbdc.com

Learn more about Marco at www.marcoriosgrowth.com

Terrell Turner is the managing partner of a NY Times-recognized accounting firm, 40 Under 40 Black CPA an two time 40 under 40 Global Finance Influencer. Terrell and his firm are focused on making accounting and finance less complicated for business owners through bookkeeping, CFO services and consulting. Outside of running the firm Terrell host two podcast “Stuff Your Accountant Isn’t Telling You” and “Law Firms & Finance” to help create more resources to aid business owners. In the 2020 while starting his firm Terrell realized that a lot of business owners did not have the same access to business leaders like he did.

Prior to starting the accounting firm and media company Terrell refined his finance, accounting and business skills over 13+ years through various finance leadership roles. His career started in public accounting with Ernst & Young and progressed with multiple Fortune 500 companies that led to his last role of Director of Finance for a private equity backed tech company. All of this experience are being used to help his small and mid-market sized clients win while creating a company where his staff can develop and grow as professionals.

Nathan has a passion for transforming businesses and empowering people. Voted one of Greenville's 50 Most Influential people, he’s spent the last twenty years working in the world of analytics, strategy, technology and international business, bringing to life smarter ways to get things done. He is the founder of Kiona Technologies, a global data science company operating in North America and Europe. Nathan is also the co-founder and executive advisor of the Upstate SC LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, which fosters safety, prosperity and empowerment for the Upstate LGBTQ+ community.

Previously, he led award-winning technology teams at DuPont and BlueCross BlueShield, guiding enterprise systems from concept to implementation. As a serial entrepreneur, Nathan builds companies with the guiding principles of inclusiveness, excellence and empowerment.

A graduate of Duke University Graduate School and the USC School of Business, Nathan has a boundless curiosity and lifelong fascination for the weird and wonderful world around us. He is the co-parent of a lovely 13-year-old munchkin who attends 9th grade in Greenville County. As a bisexual human who often feels like an outsider, he utilizes his own experiences to give voice and strength to folks who may otherwise feel.