Compassion Happens

The Compassion Happens Team

Jerry Conti, Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board

Jerry is a proven and successful entrepreneur, businessman, and professional business/life coach with over 16 years of experience in executive roles within the direct sales industries. Jerry had a successful corporate career with a family business. He then transitioned into the direct sales industry, where he has successfully run several multi-million dollar direct sales businesses, including an international team of over 10,000 Arbonne International consultants. Jerry co-founded a Telecomm Network Marketing company called Wealthnet Inc. - now a publicly traded company known as inContact, which is a successful a call center and software provider. He also launched several educational companies in the direct sales industry, including Effortless Networker University- a coaching and mentoring company whose clients included distributors from direct sales companies including NuSkin, Amway, Infinity2, ForMor, Melaluca, Tahitian Noni, InnerLight, Univera, YTB and Arbonne International. In 2008 he partnered with Hilton Johnson Productions to create TrainingU.com, an elite Joint Venture speaker's platform that generated over $800,000 in coaching sales in just 8 months. Jerry serves on the advisory board for The I AM Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit located in San Diego, CA. He was also featured in the recent documentary film "The Compass".

Jessica Conti, Founder, President and Board Member

Jessica Conti, Founder & President, is a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, with a strong background in sales, marketing, team building, leadership and personal motivation. As a national award winning senior sales executive in the automobile industry, she was recognized for building long-term relationships to meet the needs of her clients. She also headed the sales department for a national Home Automation company, and managed automation projects for new construction and multi-million dollar residential estates. Jessica and her husband Jerry have successfully partnered in two direct sales businesses, most notably providing leadership for an international team of over 10,000 International consultants. As President of the Business Networkers International Carlsbad, CA chapter, Jessica's leadership played a key role in building the fastest growing Chapter in the US. Jessica serves on the advisory board for The I AM Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit located in San Diego, CA. She is also featured in the upcoming documentary film "The VOW" (Voices of Women).

Michael Assum, Business Consultant – Implementation Strategies, Co-Founder and Board Member

Michael Assum, Consultant, is a successful entrepreneur and businessman with a strong background in startups, mergers and acquisitions, organizational development, continuous improvement, rapid sustained growth, and improved competitive effectiveness. Mike's background includes management positions with Procter & Gamble, Raychem, and as an officer in the US Navy Nuclear Power Submarine Program. Mike has served on the Board of Directors of five different companies, and taught graduate courses in Management of Productive Operations. He holds an undergraduate degree focus in Math and Physics, with additional graduate education in nuclear engineering, organization development, and business.

Jim Farren, Co-Founder & Board Member

Jim Farren, Co-Founder & Vice-President, is a successful entrepreneur, businessman, public speaker, and former corporate top 100 marketing executive for Honeywell. He became engaged in media and communications in 1981 when he was a marketing director and national cable company's liaison for the team that launched a nonprofit satellite network for EWTN, a global Catholic television network. Jim's experience is anchored in his graduate studies in psychology from USM and organizational change and leadership management studies from Adizes Graduate School in Santa Barbara.

Lori Waller, Co-Founder and Vice-President of Operations

Lori Waller, Co-Founder, is a successful Professional and Personal Life Coach with 20 years of experience in the Travel and Tourism industry. She has rich and diverse experience in the areas of business management, financial analysis, sales, corporate training, and development. She holds certifications as a Performance Consultant, Master Results Coach, Trainer and Practitioner of NLP. Lori also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance from San Diego State University.

Hermia Nelson, Co-Founder and Executive Coach

Hermia is a successful entrepreneur and executive coach. She achieved a million dollar direct sales in 18 months at age 19 as the top sales and trainer of Rena Ware Distributors Pte Ltd. in Hong Kong. She started her first real estate investment in the age of 20 in Hong Kong. Upon leaving HK for New York city at the height of her career, Hermia was a Personal Financial Consultant with Standard Chartered Bank in 1989. In the past 7 years she has founded and managed two real estate development companies specializing in historic brownstone restoration in Harlem, NYC. She is also a certified Passion Test facilitator as part of her coaching practice. She has dedicated many years to humanitarian work and has been a board member of the Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund for 8 years. She is also a member of Humanity Unites Brilliance. Hermia is also an executive producer of the inspirational feature film "Indelible." She holds a BA in Economics from Columbia University and an MBA in Management from Fordham Business School.

Sylva Dvorak, MS, PhD, Director of Product Development & Cause Marketing

Sylva Dvorak's expertise is in social and cause-related marketing. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, is a Certified Health Education Specialist and holds a PhD in Psychoneurology and Integrative Health. Sylva has had numerous Fortune 100-500 clients including: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Unocal, Arco, Deloitte & Touche, Pfizer, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Prudential, Herbalife, Amway, and cause-motivated clients such as Spirituality for Kids, DKT do Brasil, and One World Projects.

Currently, her business clients are organizations that are dedicated to humanitarian efforts and she has a private practice based in Pacific Palisades, California and Hawaii. She has published numerous articles, contributed chapters to books and is completing her first solo authored book. Sylva has dedicated her life to spiritual pursuits, has spent 20 years studying health, healing and the inner workings of the mind.

Sylva is originally from the Czech Republic; her passion is to help others find their personal freedom, which forms the foundation of all her work.

Greg Stinson, Chief Technology Officer

Greg Stinson, Consultant was an original member of a startup technology consulting firm which grew to over 100 employees, with revenues of $9 million. He managed over 40 engineers at client sites and was personally responsible for $2.5-4.0 million in sales for 5 consecutive years. As a Vice President, Greg grew another technology consulting firm in Los Angeles, CA from to over 35 employees, with revenues in excess of $2 million dollars in just one year. Greg is a graduate of the Tony Robbins Mastery University program, and has extensive training and speaking experience as well as project management, and Fortune 500 consulting experience. He also has over seven years experience in the personal development industry as a consultant working with both well known speakers and authors. He has managed business process, marketing, affiliate & joint venture relationships, social media strategy and overall business operations.

Ed Rholl, Managing Director of CHI Consulting Group

A former practicing attorney, investment banker, entrepreneur and educator, Ed Rholl has worked with early-stage companies in more than fifteen industries to achieve formation, growth, funding and expansion. From his work with hundreds of people for nearly two decades, Ed has learned to identify the barriers entrepreneurs face--internally and externally--and how to overcome those barriers in order to turn a powerful vision into a profitable company. As Executive Director of the Internet Bar Organization, Ed was responsible for forming and structuring programs related to human rights and economic development opportunities for people on several continents. He was also a key founding strategist for the I AM Magic Foundation and Intelliversity. Driven by a strong passion for education and coaching, Ed was Director of Business Development for INET Legal Network and founder of Transformative Law. In these positions, Ed developed some of the first live Internet-based continuing education programs for the legal profession. Ed is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin (B.A.), Marquette Law School (J.D.) and Georgetown University Law School (LL.M. International Law).

Julie Levin, Business Consultant – Planning & Operations and Board Member

Julie Levin began her career as a temporary secretary in Houston, TX, working for a local land surveying company "while looking for a real job". 25 years later, as a co-owner and President/COO of the Boston-area branch of that same company, she and her partner sold the business to a major title insurance company and Julie “retired” from that industry. At the time of the sale, the business had peaked with 2 active companies (local and national) under her direct management control, with over 75 employees and subcontractors working together to achieve over $8mill annual gross revenues. With the experience of starting and growing an operational business from inception to a thriving, profitable and debt-free enterprise, Julie has turned her attention to consulting and mentoring emerging women entrepreneurs, as they work on manifesting their small business dreams.

Jeff Klein, Business Consultant, Working For Good

As CEO + Activator for Working for Good, LLC, Jeff is the lead producer and process facilitator of the company's Cause Alliance Marketing campaigns, based on the model he developed over the last decade working with organizations including the Esalen Institute, the National Geographic Society, GlobalGiving,, Peace Cereal, O.N.E. Natural Experience (Coconut Water), Healthy Child Healthy World, among others.

Jeff and his Working for Good team are currently producing the 2010 Catalyzing Conscious Capitalism Summit for the Conscious Capitalism Alliance, and consulting to the Natural Enlightenment Institute, Generocity/Haiti Onward, Trust Across America, and Compassion Happens, among others.

An enthusiastic practitioner of conscious leadership and conscious business, from 2005 – 2009 Jeff served as Executive Director & Chief Activation Officer for FLOW, an organization dedicated to liberating the entrepreneurial spirit for good, co-founded by John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market. Through FLOW Jeff developed programs around Conscious Capitalism, Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs and Peace Through Commerce. He is a founding director of Conscious Capitalism, Inc., the new name for FLOW and new home of the Conscious Capitalism movement.

Jeff was one of the visionaries and driving forces behind Private Music record company sold to BMG in 1996, the career of Yanni, the Spinning fitness program, Seeds of Change organic seed company, and ChiRunning. Jeff wrote his new book, Working for Good: Making a Difference While Making a Living, to support conscious entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, leaders, and change agents at work.

Fondly known as Spiderman, Jeff enjoys dancing, running, Yoga, martial arts, body surfing, and moving in general, and is recognized for moving fast and for activating movement.

Velco Farina, Business Consultant, Working For Good

As Co-founder of Working For Good, LLC, and Director of Business Design, Velco uses his experience in business model transformation, change management, strategic assessment and market analysis to support Working for Good Companies. Trained in Industrial Engineering and with MBAs from SDA Bocconi and UCLA, Velco spent the last ten years working in strategic planning, financial modeling and business and corporate development at McKinsey, Sapient, Bain and most recently American Express where he received the 2009 Chairman’s Award for Innovation. Embracing a new model for business, Velco’s background in traditional business consulting provides a platform in core practices. He assists Working for Good Companies as they integrate conscious business practices and engage their stakeholders to establish a more resilient and sustainable business ecosystems. He brings the rich artistic tradition and passion of his Italian heritage and family to his work of developing companies as holistic systems.

Billy Ethridge, Executive Director of Investor Relations

Billy Ethridge's expertise is in deploying cross-functional teams to rapidly, systematically and authentically build organizational networks. As an executive with Relocation Marketing Services LLC, CardGard Transaction Services Inc. and EuroDebit -- Europe's largest payment processor -- Billy's leadership consistently resulted in critical strategic partnerships, affiliate programs and social media success.

As co-founder and executive of Coordinated Benefits Corp., Billy co-created the first employee benefit brokerage and consulting firm in the USA to offer auto and homeowners insurance as an employee benefit. Clients included major hospitals: TriCity, Sharp and Scripps. As CEO of The Affinity Group, he served as marketing & sales consultant for various companies including Capital Life Insurance Company, The Principal Group (previously The Banker's Life) and Citigroup.

His early career as a professional musician and singer/songwriter contributed to his natural team-building and communication skills. In addition, his graduate education in Philosophy (Logic & Linguistic Analysis) provided him with a rich perspective to approach any organizational anomaly, problem or opportunity.

Donna Freher-Lyons, Director of Business & Community Development

Donna Freher-Lyons has more than 20 years expertise in business administration and conference management; in both corporate and non-profit cultures. Managing an 850-member scientific educational association, she directed administrative and operational activities, overseeing all logistical and sponsorship details for conferences featuring over 100 speakers and 1000 attendees. Additionally, she developed and conducted educational seminars, directed the training of staff, and provided oversight and guidance in areas directly related to growing a business; such as advertising, newsletters, membership campaigns and media relations. As assistant to Dr. Jean Houston, one of the principle founders of the human potentials movement, Donna assisted in the creation and development of workshops of cross-cultural, mythic and spiritual studies. Her present work is additionally supported by her graduate studies in spiritual psychology at USM, as well as her interest in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and visionary entrepreneurship. A long-held desire to utilize perennial wisdom and universal success principles to facilitate personal and professional growth in individuals, companies, and the broader community, continues to propel her forward.

Joseph N. Casas, General Counsel

A business owner himself, Joseph is "the entrepreneur's lawyer." He regularly advises business owners on a wide variety of topics including corporate structuring and organization, corporate transactions, strategic alliances, and protection of business ownership. His wide-ranging trial experience includes the defense and prosecution of complex matters including business and commercial torts, personal injury, contractual disputes, fraud, and securities claims. Prior to starting Casas Law Group, Joseph was a litigation attorney for the national firm of McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP where he defended various Fortune 500 companies in complex matters including wage and hour class action employment litigation and securities litigation. Joseph has also taught courses on Evidence and Trial Advocacy as an Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Casas was recently selected as one of San Diego Metropolitan's eighth annual "40 Under 40" exceptional young business and civic leaders.

Kevin Thompson, MLM Attorney

Kevin Thompson is a MLM attorney, entrepreneur, and agent of change. He’s the founder and president of the Law Office of Kevin Thompson that specializes in providing legal services for start-up network marketing companies. Prior to starting The Law Office of Kevin Thompson, Kevin gained valuable experience while serving as Chief Counsel for Signature Management Team, LLC, also known as Team, one of the largest providers of sales aids for distributors in the network marketing industry. In January of 2009, he launched Advanced Advocates, an exclusive platform for law students across the globe, and he recently published a widely read, 80 page ebook on the changing state of the law in the network marketing industry. Prior to joining Team, Kevin was an associate at Lewis, King, Krieg, and Waldrop in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he handled personal injury litigation. He graduated law school from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

Jay Leisner, MLM Consultant - Compensation & Organization

Jay brings over twenty-three years of unparalleled business experience and success to the direct selling industry. Prior to launching Sylvina Consulting, a business strategies and technology consulting company, he worked for 13 years with a major direct selling software provider as a software developer, project leader and business analyst. Jay has contributed in many ways to the success of implementations at Creative Memories, Jafra Cosmetics UK, Matol Botanical, NuSkin, Nutrition for Life, NSA, Shaklee, and Usana. His in-depth experience working with major companies and new enterprises, his broad knowledge of this marketing channel and his understanding of many types of businesses, have earned Jay the respect and admiration of direct selling companies, peers, and employees alike.

Bill Hyman, MLM Consultant - Sales & Training

Bill Hyman is one of those rare individuals that has mastered an industry. Having been in the Network Marketing Industry since 1979, Bill has been in the top 1% of every company he has joined and has owned his own Network Marketing company.

Unlike so many industry trainers who have not actually achieved huge success in MLM, yet claim to be qualified to train on how to do it, Bill has built organizations in excess of 200,000 people, spanning dozens of countries and has made millions of dollars in this amazing industry.

These days Bill spends his time speaking, training and consulting for Network Marketing companies large and small, as well as coaching others in the steps to success in MLM.

Mark Middleton, Technology Architect

Mark has been involved in Internet Systems Development for the last 15 years. He takes complex structures and makes them elegantly simple. He is an expert in MySQL, PHP, PERL and online technologies used to develop and deploy enterprise-grade systems. With experience in Graphic Communications in the Marketing Industry, he leverages technology to transparently deliver corporate messaging, product sales and collaborative tools that directly make an impact on the bottom line. He's passionate about technology and wears the title "Geek" proudly. With a foundation in nuclear engineering in the US Navy, he focuses his post-military career on creating high-tech solutions for common communication problems. Since 1996, he has been developing commercial Internet systems benefiting companies such as Nike, Capitol Records and MTV. Mark was a co-founder of Humanity Unites Brilliance (HUB) a forbenefit humanitarian impact company. As former Chief Technology Officer, he had the privilege of leading the technology team to create an infrastructure for more than 5000 distributors in a dozen countries around the world.

Jessica Krewson, Brand Consultant & Graphic Designer

Jessica Krewson is the founder of designKREW, a Los Angeles based design firm created to support and empower businesses and entrepreneurs with their visual marketing materials, visual identity and business development. With a kind, conscious and caring environment designKREW creates the opportunity for companies to tell their story through solid visual materials that connect them to their demographic. Jessica has a degree in both Business Marketing and Graphic Design and has helped her clients recieve brand recognition while respecting their bottom line. As the founder of designKREW, Jessica manages and creates branding and graphic design strategies internationally with clients in the US, Europe and Asia.

Kristen Hugins, Copywriter

Kristen Joy Hugins is a professional writer, editor and proofreader. Her wide range of client work includes: creative writing, web content, business plans, articles, marketing materials, email campaigns, newsletters, press releases, book chapters, resumes and bios. With six years of professional experience and a BA from Principia College in both English and Philosophy, she holds herself to the highest standards of writing with a fresh, articulate voice and thoughtful, strategic planning for each project she encounters. Her management experience in for-profit (DataPreserve), non-profit (Cedars Camps) and online businesses (SimplySlimLiving.com) has given her a critical understanding of the needs of business owners and the powerful impact of words on customers, employees, investors and the bottom line. She blogs at JoyfullCommunications.com.

Gabriel Valdez, Web Developer

Gabriel Valdez, Web Developer: Gabe is the CEO GabeVDesigns a San Diego based Webdevelopment Company that has extensive knowledge of design principles and backend Web Development integrations. Gabe is consider by many to be one of the best in the world. He offers creativity and uniqueness within his designs as he raises the bar on every design to bring something new and appealing to his clients. His development background is extensive which made Gabriel in charge of all Blog and eCommerce solutions. Before joining Compassion Happens Gabriel managed the web marketing campaign and merchant accounts of San Diego, CA based VitalityWeb. VitalityWeb is the leading online retail Health Products distributor in the nation.

Johanna Salazar, Multi-Media Advisor

Johanna Salazar, Creative Consultant, is a successful media professional with a strong background in television production. She held key production positions at MTV Networks and Viacom. At Viacom, she was responsible for overseeing and coordinating more than 100 television shows over a period of six years. After learning the power of how multimedia can be used to effect positive change, Johanna became a partner of ACENETH, LLC, a company whose mission is focused on education, enablement, and empowerment of social entrepreneurs via documentary films and television programming. Johanna holds degrees in journalism and international studies from St. John's University.

Gloria Camacho, Multi-Media Advisor

Gloria Camacho, Creative Consultant, is a successful media professional with a strong background in film and television production. As a production manager at Viacom Networks in New York City, Gloria built an impressive career that led her towards social entrepreneurship. Gloria capitalizes on her experience as a partner in ACENETH, LLC, a company whose mission is focused on education, enablement, and empowerment of social entrepreneurs via documentary films and television programming. Gloria holds a degree from Florida International University.