Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

BrainTrust

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson is a leading domain expert on beauty and wellness and a three-time co-founder with two exits. Today, Kendra is Founder and CEO of BrainTrust, a global brand marketing firm and BrainTrust Founders Studio, the largest membership-based platform dedicated to Black founders of beauty and wellness companies. She also is a General Partner in the adjacent BrainTrust Fund, dedicated to investing in breakthrough Black-led brands that serve the future majority. A transformative brand builder, Kendra is the secret ingredient in guiding and monetizing more than 200 influencer-driven brands that have collectively generated more than $100MM in revenue. Kendra has created and launched seven brands in partnership with celebrities and influencers. Among her firsts, Kendra has the distinction of being one of only 100 Black women ever to have raised more than $1MM in investment for her first company.

Deisha Barnett

UPS, Strategic Communications

Deisha is Vice President of Strategic Communications at UPS where she leads storytelling targeting UPS’s workforce and external stakeholders around the globe guiding communications strategy focused on the company’s commitment to its people and its approach to environmental, social and governance issues.

Previously, Deisha led the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s brand communications team and was the organization’s first head of Diversity and Inclusion. Deisha has also held leadership positions at Walmart, and her nonprofit service includes: the executive advisory council for the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications, the board of the Atlanta Press Club, the board for the Grady Health Foundation, and the board for Next Gen Men and Women.

Deisha is a proud wife, mom and alumna of Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a concentration in public relations.

Steven Skoler

Friend Skoler & Co

Steven Skoler has over 30 years of experience working as an investor/operating manager with growing middle market companies. Current and former Board memberships include Accessories Marketing, Inc., Ballet Jewels LLC, Box Services, LLC, CNC Global Limited, Event Photography Group, Inc., Hopkins Manufacturing Corp., Kenlin Pet Supply, Inc., Madan Plastics, Inc., Salon Lofts Group LLC, and Woodstream Corporation. Mr. Skoler has also served as the President of Madan Plastics and a Vice President of Kenlin Pet Supply. Mr. Skoler holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from The Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Cheryl Moss

Friend Skoler & Co

Cheryl Moss has over 19 years of investor experience and has been a member of the Friend Skoler & Co. team since 2006. Ms. Moss currently serves as an Observer on the Board of Directors of Hex Performance. Prior to joining Friend Skoler & Co., Ms. Moss was a Senior Analyst at Prudential Private Capital, where she originated and managed a portfolio of private placement fixed income investments. Ms. Moss earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business with concentrations in Finance and Accounting.