Nick Gross is the founder of Gross Labs, his family office, incubation, and investment firm founded in 2019. He is also the active CEO and founder of Find Your Grind, a student-led learning and self discovery software in K12.

The Gross Labs ecosystem includes the K12 learning technology company Find Your Grind; an investment portfolio of over 50 companies, including X Games, 100 Thieves, Breakaway Music Festival, Beatbox Beverages, and more; a music division with John "Feldy" Feldmann with artists including Mod Sun, The Used, and The Veronicas; and minority stakes in DC Pickleball Club and Liga MX Club Necaxa. Gross also built Los Angeles recording studio and content facility The Noise Nest.

Gross has had an extensive music career as the drummer for Sony Epic and MTV recording artist Open Air Stereo, and more recently, girlfriends, a pop-punk duo with Apple Music & MTV host Travis Mills. Girlfriends has recently toured in 2023 with Avril Lavingne and Machine Gun Kelly. He has parlayed this experience in the music industry into a career as an entrepreneur within both the music and entertainment industries.

In 2018, Gross launched Find Your Grind- a software in schools that helps students discover who they are and where they want to go. Find Your Grind started hosting nation-wide speaking tours in high schools and major college campuses w/ partners Amazon Prime Student, TikTok, Twitch and more.

In addition to his business ventures, Gross is the Executive Director of the Find Your Grind Foundation- a non profit focused on enriching the lives of the next generation through sports, education and music. In addition to the Find Your Grind Foundation, Gross sits on the board of The Gross Family Foundation.

Nick is on the advisory board of Breakaway Music Festival.

Coby is a dedicated mortgage professional with a passion for helping families achieve the American dream of homeownership. Born in New Orleans, raised in Nashville, and now residing in Las Vegas, he has always been committed to giving back to the communities he has called home. Through local government, service organizations, and community outreach, he has worked to create opportunities for others to reach their goals.

As the owner of Living Large Las Vegas and a board member for Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Charter Schools, Coby brings a deep passion for education and financial empowerment. He offers a wide range of loan products, including conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, to help individuals and families secure their dream homes. From the initial consultation to the final closing, he is dedicated to providing expert guidance, answering questions, and ensuring a smooth financing process.

Coby is proud to serve the Henderson, NV team at America’s #1 Retail Mortgage Lender and looks forward to assisting clients on their journey to homeownership.

CSMC President, Sandro Lanni, was searching for a better school for his children, unsatisfied with his options he decided to start a charter school.

He quickly realized that charter schools needed financial and business support that he did not have. He used his professional experience to launch an organization that provides expert back-office support services at affordable rates with input from education leaders he met along the way.

Kurtis Blow, born Kurtis Walker on August 9, 1959, is a legendary rapper, producer, and entrepreneur widely regarded as one of the founding figures of hip-hop music. As the first rapper to sign with a major record label, he played a crucial role in bringing hip-hop from the streets of New York to mainstream audiences. His influence spans decades, shaping the genre’s evolution and inspiring generations of artists.

Blow made history in 1979 when he became the first rapper to be signed by a major label, Mercury Records. That same year, he released the groundbreaking single “Christmas Rappin’”, which sold over 400,000 copies, proving that hip-hop was not just a passing fad but a cultural movement. However, it was his 1980 hit “The Breaks” that cemented his legacy. The song became the first certified gold record in hip-hop history, selling over half a million copies and establishing the commercial viability of rap music.

Throughout the 1980s, Kurtis Blow continued to release a series of influential albums, including Kurtis Blow (1980), Deuce (1981), and The Best Rapper on the Scene (1983). His music was known for its socially conscious lyrics, party anthems, and pioneering production techniques. In addition to his own career, Blow was instrumental in mentoring and producing for future legends such as Run-D.M.C. and The Fat Boys, further shaping the sound and direction of hip-hop.

Beyond music, Kurtis Blow has been an advocate for social change and youth empowerment. As an ordained minister, he has used his platform to spread messages of positivity, faith, and community engagement. He has also been involved in numerous initiatives promoting the preservation and recognition of hip-hop culture, including his role as the Chairman of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which celebrates the genre’s rich history.

Accolades and Achievements:

• First rapper to sign with a major record label (Mercury Records, 1979).
• First rapper to earn a gold-certified single with “The Breaks” (1980).
• Released 15 albums, many of which contributed to the foundation of hip-hop.
• Produced for and mentored future hip-hop icons, including Run-D.M.C. and The Fat Boys.
• Pioneer of early hip-hop music videos, appearing on platforms such as MTV when rap was still emerging.
• Inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the genre’s growth and evolution.
• Founding Chairman of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, dedicated to preserving hip-hop’s history.
• Recognized by various hip-hop organizations and institutions for his lifelong contributions to the genre.
• Ordained minister and advocate for social justice and community programs.

Kurtis Blow’s legacy is one of innovation, perseverance, and groundbreaking achievements. As one of hip-hop’s true trailblazers, his impact on music and culture is undeniable, paving the way for future artists and ensuring that the art form he helped pioneer continues to thrive.

Nada Lena Nasserdeen is an internationally acclaimed thought leader, visionary, and advocate for personal and professional empowerment. As the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, she is a two-time #1 best-selling author and a two-time TEDx motivational speaker. 

Over the past five years, Nada and her team have inspired and transformed the lives of over 100,000 individuals worldwide, equipping leaders and teams with the tools to excel and thrive in dynamic environments.

Through her company, Rise Up For You, Nada has partnered with an impressive array of clients, including Fortune 5 corporations, industry-leading tech and pharmaceutical organizations, small businesses, and educational institutions. Leveraging their proprietary soft skills framework, the Rise Power Up Method, they’ve extended their influence to more than 50 countries, redefining success through innovative programming and transformative development.

​Nada’s expertise and dynamic voice have been showcased on hundreds of podcasts and radio shows, as well as prestigious stages such as TEDx, Google, The California HR Conference, and The World in Leadership Diversity Conference. She has shared the spotlight with iconic figures like Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Adam Grant, Sharon Lechter, and David Meltzer, solidifying her reputation as a leading authority in leadership and self-development.

​Her work has garnered media attention across prominent platforms, including Apple TV, Bloomberg, Canada’s Global TV, Radio Canada, and Amazon Prime TV. Nada can also be seen as one of the few female co-hosts of The Office Hours, a groundbreaking talk show that features interviews with celebrities, athletes, and world-renowned entrepreneurs.

​In 2023, her extraordinary contributions to leadership and personal development were celebrated with a Times Square billboard in New York, a testament to her unparalleled impact.

​Nada’s deepest passion lies in giving back. She is especially proud of her philanthropic efforts with underprivileged youth, including teaching essential soft skills to young men and women in juvenile detention centers—a commitment that earned her the prestigious OC Sheriff’s Award."

Eliot Sloan is an American musician best known as the charismatic lead singer of Blessid Union of Souls—a band that captured hearts in the 1990s with its blend of heartfelt lyrics and memorable melodies. Sloan’s soulful voice and genuine songwriting helped define the band’s signature sound on hits like “I Believe” and “Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me),” resonating with fans around the globe.

Before his breakthrough in the music scene, Sloan honed his craft through years of performing and writing songs that speak to real-life emotions and experiences. His work with Blessid Union of Souls not only established him as a dynamic frontman but also showcased his ability to connect with audiences on a deep, personal level.

Beyond his role in the band, Eliot Sloan has remained committed to exploring new creative avenues, engaging in various musical projects and collaborations over the years. His passion for music and dedication to authenticity continue to inspire listeners, proving that great art comes from the heart.

Ben Lesser was a prisoner in Auschwitz, Dachau, and Buchenwald Concentration Camps. He is also the last surviving occupant of the Dachau death train. Since surviving the Holocaust, he has led a successful professional life and raised a family. He is the founder of the Zachor Holocaust Remembrance Foundation and Zachor Learn, a free online Holocaust curriculum for schools around the world. Join us as Ben shares his story and answers any questions classes may have.

Steve Binder is an American producer and director. He found success behind the camera on television shows showcasing music, when he was only in his early 20s. He was also influential in creating music programs with racially and ethnically diverse casts, featuring a variety of musical styles. Steve is an Emmy and ACE award-winning producer, director, writer, educator, and Golden Globe nominee. In 1968, Steve conceived, directed, and produced ELVIS, The ‘68 Comeback Special. TV Guide called this landmark event “the second greatest musical moment in television history next to the Beatles' debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.” Steve also proudly served in the U.S. Army in Europe as an announcer for the Armed Forces Radio network. He is currently an active member of the Directors and Producers Guilds of America and serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California.

Jedidiah Collins, a former NFL player turned Certified Financial Planner, faced financial challenges in his sports career, leading him to pursue financial education. He founded Money Vehicle, an education technology company, with a mission to provide engaging financial literacy curriculum, empowering individuals, including professional athletes and young professionals.

Glenn Jacobs is currently serving his second term as Mayor of Knox County, TN. Prior to becoming Mayor in 2018, Jacobs enjoyed a successful career in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)—most notably under the stage name “Kane”—culminating in his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020. A staunch fiscal conservative and fierce advocate for limited government, during his first term, Jacobs delivered on his campaign promise of no tax hikes as well as pushed back against government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his second term, he is prioritizing workforce and economic development to make East Tennessee even more competitive in a rapidly evolving innovation-based global economy. Glenn and his wife, Crystal, have two daughters and two grandchildren.