Guests
Phil Johnson graduated from Bates College in 2006 with a degree in Economics. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City, NY, where he worked for three years in equity and fixed income trade support at Dominick and Dominick and JPMorgan. He joined the 2009-2010 class of GRS Interns in the Spring of 2009, and is working with the Business Development team in Cape Town, SA. In his free time, Phil enjoys soccer, skiing, fishing, and is ever so slowly learning to surf. Grassroot Soccer Website
As a combat veteran, Christopher Loverro provides a unique perspective as a writer, director, and actor when it comes to telling stories about the modern warrior. He served as an Army Reserve Staff Sergeant attached to the Army’s first Stryker Brigade Combat Team. During his time in Iraq he participated in a plethora of missions along the full spectrum of warfare. In addition to their war-fighting mission, his Combat Brigade conducted numerous humanitarian operations to include providing relief supplies for over 2,000 refugees. Because of his civilian background as a police SWAT team operator, SSG Loverro helped with some of the training for the Iraqi police and designed and implemented the Defensive Tactics Training program for the basic training battalion in Mosul where he helped train 600 new Iraqi Army recruits. Christopher Loverro has a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley in Peace and Conflict Studies and has studied at the [...]
Rodney Ray is a West Monroe, LA native and a successful businessman. Ray owns three businesses, one of which is the first major film production company in Northeast Louisiana entitled R-Squared Productions. Prior to his business ventures, Ray served in the United States Navy and earned a degree from Louisiana Tech University. Ray had written, produced and directed numerous theatre productions before entering the film world. Prior to the release of his first feature film “Flag of My Father,” Ray wrote and directed two short films: “Desires of the Heart,” and “Mumbai Baby.” He has recently expanded into documentary filmmaking with “We Call Them Heroes” and “Price of Freedom.” “Heroes” captures the sorrow, strength and victory of Vietnam veterans who have waited up to 45 years to open the door to their past, while “Price” takes a glimpse into soldiers’ prospective of each American conflict since WWII. Ray is a [...]
Mike Bowers joined People to People Ambassador Programs, the leader in global educational travel experiences, in 2008 as Senior Director, Health & Safety. As the only educational travel organization to employ a full-time director of travel health and safety, People to People Ambassador Programs solidifies its position as a safety leader in the tour operations market. As Senior Director, Bowers offers more than 30 years of experience in travel safety and operations management. He takes pride in the organization’s ability to take all necessary steps and then some, in order to ensure that every person traveling with People to People Ambassador Programs is safe. Heavily involved in carrying out day-to-day safety operations, Bowers oversees the execution of health and safety initiatives such as: safety incident analysis, employee training programs and customer and employee communications. First and foremost, he provides his safety expertise and guidance to ensure the safety and well [...]
Monique Pean was raised in Washington D.C. and has traveled the world, visiting more than 30 countries. Monique is thankful that her mother, Gail, solidly encouraged her to pursue her love of art. She credits her inspiration to the art and cultures encountered during her travels to destinations such as Haiti, Bali, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, China, Greece and more. With a Haitian father and American Jewish mother, Monique was no doubt inspired by her own heritage. Before founding her accessories company, Monique worked in finance and took fashion design classes in New York for three years. Monique graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics. Click here to visit her website Monique Pean is an American artist whose practice is focused on fine jewelry, sculpture, painting and furniture. Her studio is based in New York City. Her work explores themes of space, temporality, identity, and [...]
Chef Ned Bell is one of Canada's foremost culinary talents. Born in the Okanagan, British Columbia's wine country, Bell has always had a passion for cooking and is steadfast in his vision and drive to create new, imaginative dishes with fresh, local ingredients. Bell began his career in Vancouver working under two local restaurant legends: first under the tutelage of Le Crocodile's Michel Jacob and then as Sous Chef for Rob Feenie's Lumiere restaurant. In 1997 Bell set his sights eastward where he enjoyed successful stints as Executive Chef at Niagara on the Lake's Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery, and at Toronto's Accolade and Senses restaurants where he earned significant recognition by the city's culinary cognoscenti. During his time in Toronto, Bell was a regular on Food Network Canada's "Cook Like a Chef." Ready to make his mark on the up-and-coming Calgary restaurant scene, the new millennium saw Chef Ned Bell moving [...]
Hamzah Jamjoom is a passionate young Saudi Arabian film student who returns to his home country as one of the principle characters in the MacGillivray-Freeman film, ARABIA 3D. Born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Hamzah came to study in the U.S. at the age of 17 and is now completing his graduate work in film studies at Chicago’s DePaul University. His driving dream is to join a youthful generation of scientists, thinkers and innovators in Saudi Arabia who he believes will fulfill the potential and spearhead a new Golden Age for his country. One of Hamzah Jamjoom’s most notable accomplishments is his work on the IMAX feature film ARABIA 3D, where his experience filming with IMAX cameras in remote deserts and vast oceans gave him a keen eye for capturing and personifying the beauty of nature and of Saudi Arabia. ARABIA 3D went on to win numerous awards for [...]
Willy Porter released his debut CD, "The Trees Have Soul" in 1990. In 1994, he released his second independent CD entitled, "Dog Eared Dream." The song "Angry Words" became a top-10 staple on Triple AAA radio stations around the country. This radio success established Porter as a nationally recognized artist, and he would ultimately sign with Private Music/BMG in 1995. European and American tours with Rickie Lee Jones, Tori Amos and The Cranberries followed. In 1999, he signed with San Francisco-based Six Degrees Records and released the folk-pop gem, "Falling Forward." National tours commenced with legendary artists Paul Simon, Sting, Jeff Beck and Jethro Tull. In 2002, Porter brought seemingly disparate elements together on his eponymous self-titled disc, "Willy Porter." In 2003 he released the solo live album "High Wire Live.". Porters' combined experience at both major and independent record labels ultimately fueled the drive to release a wider variety [...]
Sean Kanan is an actor who is best known as the deviously sexy Deacon Sharpe on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the number one show on daytime television. Kanan is set to begin filming the lead role in the feature film, MY TRIP BACK TO THE DARKSIDE, directed by Shane Stanley. Recently Kanan starred in ABRACADABRA, directed by Julie Pacino. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Early in his career, Kanan was chosen at an open call by Oscar winning director, John Avildsen from over 2,000 hopefuls for the role of Mark Barnes in THE KARATE KID III. He went on to use his martial arts skills again in the feature CHAOS FACTOR and co-starred in the films EXTREME LIMITS and CARPOOL GUY. Kanan’s popularity in Italy and ability to speak Italian garnered him the lead role in the film, SONS OF [...]
Geir Ness was born in Oslo, Norway to a humble home and loving parents who taught him that the greatest gift anyone could offer in life is to love, care and share with those less fortunate. His mom taught him that you should never give up on your dreams, to stay focused on your goals, get a good education and with dedication and hard work you will succeed. Early in his teenage years, he knew that he wanted to do something with his life that had meaning and would make a difference in the lives of other people. He started working as volunteer at a specialized school for handicapped and disabled children. This volunteer work gave Geir a lot of experience and a better understanding of how important it is to give love and kindness. In return Geir received from these kids so much more than he could ever expect. [...]
Caroline Baron’s many producing credits include the Oscar nominated film Capote, the cross-cultural hit Monsoon Wedding, winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and numerous awards worldwide. Baron began her career as the production manager on the cult classic film, The Toxic Avenger. Over the years, she has served as the associate producer for the hit television series The Wonder Years and co-produced such films as Center Stage, Flawless, Addicted to Love, The Santa Clause, and Mira Nair’s Kama Sutra. She also produced the NBC miniseries Witness to the Mob with Robert DeNiro and coproduced the documentary Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer for PBS. She is currently the Executive Producer of Another Night, directed by Paul Weitz and starring Robert DeNiro. In 1999, motivated by reports of families who fled their homes in Kosovo to seek refuge in crowded camps in Macedonia, [...]
Stephen Shore, Ed.D., is an assistant professor at the Ammon School of Education at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism. He focuses his research and teaching on matching best practices to the needs of people with autism. In addition to working with and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Dr. Shore presents and consults internationally on educational and social inclusion as well as on adult issues pertaining to relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his numerous books, articles, and DVDs. Nonverbal and diagnosed at age two and a half with "Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies," recommendations for institutionalization were rejected in favor of parent-based intensive early intervention and support. Dr. Stephen Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), on the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America (ASA), as past President of The Asperger's Association of New England (AANE), and [...]
