Tuesday, May 20th
Chad Foster
CEO & KEYNOTE SPEAKER, BLIND AMBITION
Read Chad E. Foster’s resume and you know he’s a rainmaker. A billion-dollar revenue generator, a job creator, a tech innovator. What’s not so obvious? He’s blind. And when he speaks to audiences, he shares a powerful message: His loss of eyesight as a young adult didn’t hold him back. Instead, he embraced obstacles as opportunities.
Chad became the first blind executive to graduate Harvard Business School’s leadership program and did what Oracle said couldn’t be done, becoming the first to create CRM software for the visually-impaired. Turning adversity into advantage, he thrived at a Fortune 500 company, directing financial strategies that resulted in billions in revenue, industry-leading growth, and best-in-class margins despite hypercompetitive market conditions.
Today, Chad teaches this same overcomer mindset to companies around the world, breaking down the anatomy of resilience using his tried and tested tools to empower people to emerge from setbacks stronger, sleeker, and resolute to succeed. He believes in helping others turn their challenges into opportunities, a mission that he values even more than his eyesight.
Connecting inspiration to implementation™, Chad provides a roadmap for overcoming obstacles and achieving the impossible. His keynotes are a blend of heartfelt stories, entertaining delivery, no-fluff truth-telling, and practical strategies tailored to empower individuals and teams to transcend their limitations. With Chad, audiences receive actionable insights on fostering a mindset of growth and resilience, driving them to redefine their boundaries.
His keynotes are not just talks; they are transformative experiences that ignite change, inspire action, and unlock potential. When you invite Chad to your event, you’re securing a catalyst for positive transformation, leaving your audience motivated, equipped, and eager to tackle their challenges with newfound vigor.
Chad Willardson
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, PACIFIC CAPITAL
Chad Willardson is the President and Founder of Pacific Capital and is a Certified Financial Fiduciary, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor, and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. 5x best selling author, “Stress Free Money”. “Smart. Not Spoiled”, “Beyond the Money”. “Fit for Wealth”, and “Wealth Wired Differently and Co-Founder of GravyStack, a new banking app that helps kids manage money. Chad is also the Co-Host of “The Smart Money Parenting Show” #2 Podcast on Apple worldwide for Parenting. Kids & Family.
Before founding Pacific Capital, he spent 9 years at Merrill Lynch, where he ranked in the top 2% of over 16.000 Financial Advisors nationally. Chad is passionate about financial education and believes that with the right tools and resources, people can be empowered to make smart money decisions. He loves to help people organize their financial life, clarify their goals, and make decisions that lead them to a successful and fulfilling life.
He’s been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc… Yahoo Finance, Investment News, NASDAQ, U.S. News & World Report, Entrepreneur magazine, etc. A native of Southern CA Chad and his wife have been married since 2001 and have five children.
Marnie Blanco
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INDUSTRY RELATIONS, PACASO
Marnie Blanco is recognized as an industry innovator and real estate veteran with 22 years of experience in the industry. Previously, Marnie oversaw Industry Relations for dotloop that managed strategic partnerships with the leading brands in real estate along with MLSs, associations and third-party integration partners. Prior to dotloop, Marnie was the Vice President of eBusiness for RE/MAX LLC, leading technology innovation, product management, product marketing, training and support for the network’s broker and agent technology platforms.
Marnie is born and raised in Colorado. She is married with two daughters. Both girls play competitive volleyball and thus is where the family spends a lot of their time. Marnie also loves to travel and is a self-proclaimed connoisseur of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Arushi Kapoor
FOUNDER, THE AGENCY ART HOUSE
Arushi brings over a decade of diverse experience to The Agency Art House, spanning art collection, private advisement, philanthropy, curation, and entrepreneurial ventures. She is known for creating immersive art environments in residential, hospitality, and institutional settings, bringing her boundary-pushing, visionary perspective to every project. The core of Arushi’s mission is simple: to change the art world for the better.
This driving purpose includes an intentional focus on nurturing diversity in the industry and empowering emerging artists. As one of the youngest and most influential female art dealers, Arushi’s innovative approach to curation and promotion has earned the trust of collectors and artists alike. She specializes in acquiring high-value blue-chip artworks in both primary and secondary markets, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in the art world.
She is actively involved in organizations such as the UNICEF Next Gen Board, the Young Collectors Board at the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, LACMA’s Future Arts Collective, and Tate Modern’s South Asian Acquisitions Committee. She is also the author of Talking Art, which has been featured in prestigious museums, including Tate Modern in London.
Moira Boyle
SENIOR DIRECTOR, GLOBAL HEAD OF LUXURY, ALTRATA
Moira Boyle is a Senior Director and Head of Global Luxury with Altrata and a graduate of the University of Virginia. With over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, her specialty is collaborating with clients to create custom data centric solutions.
Wednesday, May 21st
Julie Faupel
FOUNDER & CEO, REALM
Julie Faupel is the Founder and CEO of REALM, a global membership for top real estate professionals. REALM involvement is by invitation only and the services offered feature a patented technology platform that enriches client data and improves the overall real estate experience for agents and their clients. Prior to the launch of REALM, Julie co-founded Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates which is the largest Real Estate Company in the Teton Region and the 2011 and 2014 recipient of the coveted Christie’s International Real Estate Global Affiliate of the Year award. In addition to being a Principal of JHRE Associates, Julie is a Partner in the Teton region’s most successful real estate team.
Prior to her real estate success, Julie has 12 years of management and consulting experience for luxury hotels and small businesses. Julie has served on the Jackson Hole Community Foundation Board for the last 8-years, she is the former Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, has served on the Christie’s International Real Estate Global Advisory Board and she is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, Global One Chapter. Julie and her husband are avid supporters of entrepreneurship as trustees of the Silicon Couloir and independent investors in a number of start-up ventures. They are dedicated community contributors through numerous organizations including Co-Challengers of Old Bill’s Fun Run, Rungius Members of the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and Sponsors for the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts.
In her spare time, you will find Julie skiing, hiking, biking, paddle-boarding and enjoying Jackson’s active lifestyle with her husband and their dogs.
Mark McLaughlin
CHIEF REAL ESTATE STRATEGIST, COMPASS
A visionary leader in the real estate industry for more than 20 years, Mark McLaughlin’s success is founded in collaboration, early adoption of technology applications, open communication and a keen emphasis on fact-based decisions. He has been highly effective in building dynamic organizations and developing successful business partnerships by establishing clear, measurable objectives for his team and clients. McLaughlin personally directs key strategic initiatives with intense passion and draws on various experiences to achieve elite performance.
By the time Compass had acquired Pacific Union in 2018, McLaughlin had grown the San Francisco-based brokerage’s sales volume from $2.2 billion in 2009 to more than $14 billion, ranking as the 5th-largest residential real estate brokerage in the US. At mid-year 2020 the business was on pace for $20 billion in sales volume in 2021.
This unprecedented growth is the result of McLaughlin’s 4 core strategic competencies: 1) a quantitative vision for fiscal success, 2) an entrepreneurial, performance-based mindset, 3) an innovative use of technology and 4) an unwavering commitment to deliver exceptional client services and shareholder results.
McLaughlin has been at the forefront of industry innovations by enabling his real estate professionals to have a voice in which marketing and educational programs allow them to best serve their clients and grow their businesses. These initiatives have shaped his companies’ service offerings and put cutting edge tools in the hands of every team member to better serve their clientele. McLaughlin was named San Francisco Business Times top CEO in 2017, was honored as RISMedia CEO of the year in 2013 and has been consistently recognized by Inman News and the T3 Swanepoel rankings as one of the top 10 most influential industry executives. Under his leadership, Pacific Union International was named Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate of the Year, in 2013, and Top Real Estate firm in the world by the International Properties Awards in London in 2018.
Kathleen Black
FOUNDER & CEO, KATHLEEN BLACK COACHING & CONSULTING
Kathleen Black is North America’s leading Real Estate Team Coach and Trainer, delivering her proven success techniques to Agents and Teams around the world. Kathleen Black has worked with thousands of agents, and hundreds of teams, attributing their growth to her systems and coaching to the tune of billions in additional sales volume annually across her client network. With 80% of her clients top 1% producers nationally, she will help you expand, at a fraction of the time and cost, using the same tried, tested, and true “KBCC Ultimate Expansion Strategy” that powers her client growth.
Egypt Sherrod
REAL ESTATE BROKER, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER, MEDIA POWERHOUSE & SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR, INDIGO ROAD FAMILY OF COMPANIES
Egypt Sherrod is a true powerhouse, whose multifaceted career spans real estate, design, entrepreneurship, and media. As a renowned real estate broker, designer, author, life coach, and serial entrepreneur, Egypt has carved out a dynamic space in each of these industries. She is perhaps best known as the host and executive producer of HGTV’s top-rated show “Married to Real Estate”, which drew over 19 million viewers in its debut season. Now in its fourth season, the show continues to rank among HGTV’s top five programs and is set to broadcast in more than 82 countries, by this February. Egypt’s television presence also includes hit shows like “Flipping Virgins” and the long-running “Property Virgins”, where her expertise continues to captivate audiences.
Since her twenties, Egypt has been at the forefront of wealth education and real estate, becoming a trusted authority in these fields. Today, she is the Founder & CEO of the Indigo Road family of companies, which encompasses Indigo Road Realty, a leading residential brokerage; Indigo Road Design Group, offering premier design services; and Indigo Road Home Furnishings, her signature home decor line.
Egypt’s accolades are a testament to her influence and impact. Recently awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Stillman College, she has also received multiple industry honors, including nominations for the NAACP Image Award and Critics’ Choice Award. Egypt’s remarkable achievements have earned her the honor of ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, a Proclamation from the City of Atlanta declaring August 23rd as “Egypt Sherrod Appreciation Day” for her philanthropic contributions, and recognition by the 100 Black Women organization as a trailblazer in real estate. Most notably, Inman News named her the “Global Influencer of the Year.”
Yet, despite her many professional accomplishments, Egypt considers motherhood her most significant achievement. As a mother to three beautiful daughters—Harper, Kendall, and Simone, she balances her career with a true commitment to her family. Egypt and her husband, Mike Jackson, have been happily married for 14 years and have created a popular podcast, “The Marriage & Money Podcast with Egypt & Mike”, where they share insights on business, relationships, faith and family. Together, the dynamic duo both maintain their efforts to build a personal and professional legacy that continues to inspire everyone they encounter.