Board of Governors

Andrew Bjornson is a seasoned design leader who is passionate about empowering young creative to find pathways to careers in design fields. Andrew is an alumnus of Rochester Institute of Technology, with a BFA in Industrial Design Program and Associate Degree in Graphic Design. He has many decades of experience in footwear and action sport product design, working on Inline and Advanced Concept teams at brands such as Vans, New Balance, and Reebok, in addition to freelance design. He has led intern programs and collaborative experiences with college and high school programs. He is currently Senior Director for the digital footwear and apparel product design teams at Vans.

Andrew has designed and lead teams of designers creating industry leading product such as snowboard boots, bindings, helmets, and all types of footwear including running, cross training, basketball, outdoor, and more. He holds patents for several of the innovative projects on which he has worked. Andrew believes in a collaborative approach to design using consumer insight, athletic performance testing, and global trend research to produce solid solutions.

Andrews philosophy is, Patience and Persistence. There are no overnight successes. Success comes from failure. Like trying a new trick in snowboarding or skateboarding; you know you will wipe out- you just need to keep getting up, figuring out what went wrong, and try something different until you succeed.

Ryan Wilson aka ThankYouX, an artist from Southern California, began his artistic career in 2009. Starting as an acclaimed yet anonymous street artist, over the last fifteen years, his work has evolved into experimentation with geometric forms, pixels and layered abstraction that is now internationally recognized.

As a proponent of emerging technology, ThankYouX expanded his artistic practice in 2020, when he started exploring and creating digital blockchain based artwork. He quickly became one of the leaders in the space, bridging the gap between traditional art and Web 3.

Notable moments include his solo show ‘Inertia’ at Sotheby’s gallery in LA, a collaboration with Hans Zimmer, inclusion of his work in institutions like the The Museum of the Future in Dubai and The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, partnerships with major auction houses as both an artist and curator, and his groundbreaking solo project, “State Of The Art” which blends digital and physical art in ways that push both mediums forward. ThankYouX has big plans for 2025, which include a digital installation in London and solo exhibition in Paris.

Richard Holbrook has been helping companies create innovative and commercially successful products and brand positioning strategies for over thirty five years. As a 1981 Industrial Design graduate of the prestigious Art Center College of Design, he was recruited by several international automobile brands, and accepted a position with PSA Peugeot Citroen as part of the companys first Global Design Center in Paris, France.

In 1985 he left PSA and established his independent studio with initial clients Casablanca Fan, Dacor, Herman Miller, Thermador, Tropitone Furniture and other industry leadings brands. In 2000, Holbrook formed dna, a joint venture with client Teknion,. As CEO and Creative Director, Holbrook led a team that designed and delivered a new line of products including seating, storage, desks and accessories, as well as a ground-breaking website created to allow customers to specify custom configurations with a drag-and-drop interface. In 2003 Holbrook returned to his independent product development practice, initiating projects with new partners including Bernhardt Design, Brown Jordan International, Gunlocke Furniture, Office Depot and Staples.

Zeina J. Collins is an attorney, philanthropist, business owner, author, and fashion enthusiast, recently featured by Riviera Magazine as a Woman of
Style. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, she left the country during its civil war to relocate to the U.S., a move that made her what she considers, the definition
of the American Dream. After graduating from UCI and earning a B.S. in Biology, Zeina received her Juris Doctor and is licensed to practice in
California and Hawaii. She currently manages a law firm in California where
she lives with her husband and four children. Zeina is the author of Haute Mama, a modern-day no-nonsense book on balancing motherhood, love, a career, health and happiness with style and grace.

Lynn Jochim is a leader and collaborator in the evolution of cities of the future throughout California.

FivePoints inclusive and mixed-use communities include Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine, FivePoint Valencia (formerly Newhall Ranch) in Los Angeles County, and FivePoint Candlestick / The San Francisco Shipyard in San Francisco. Together, these mixed-use communities will include approximately 40,000 residential homes and 23 million square feet of commercial space, while generating approximately 288,000 jobs during construction and $54 billion in activity for the California economy.

As a designer, planner, and landscape architect with 30 years of experience, my ethos is rooted in the pursuit of nature-inspired solutions that elevate human well-being. I passionately believe that projects are most impactful when they seamlessly integrate relevant and meaningful natural systems and solutions. Grounded in a deep understanding of the natural environment, my approach unfolds through a series of harmonious and interconnected layers, all aimed at achieving tangible objectives.

With experience spanning diverse cultures and geographical terrains—from India and China to Australia and the United States—I have come to appreciate the paramount importance of thoroughly grasping the intricacies of each project’s locale. I am fascinated by the interplay of localized ecosystems, cultural subtleties, climatic variances, and economic considerations in the problem-solving process. A hallmark of successful projects often lies in their ability to adeptly embrace local conditions and innovate in their integration.

My purpose today is to guide development towards a healthier and more impactful model. I lend my experiences to help developers create meaningful solutions with the natural environment and human behaviors at their core. Having worked throughout the US and internationally, my passion and purpose are to lead and mentor a more meaningful process connecting clients and fellow designers in placing a priority on “what makes a place healthy.” This applies both to the work created and to the process. A successful model should not function by basing its focus on profits, but on the benefits a design creates for the environment, the people who use it, and the pride the team has in its creation.

Phil is a seasoned C-Suite executive, proven entrepreneur, and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience building and scaling some of the most recognizable brands in hospitality, consumer products, and entertainment. His approach has earned him numerous industry awards, including Advertising Age’s “Marketing Elite Top 50” and recognition as a two-time “40 Under 40” honoree.

Phil’s expertise lies in creating and developing impactful brands and strategies across diverse sectors, working with Family Offices and Venture Capital. He has served as Chief Marketing Officer for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where he created the iconic REHAB brand, developed the REHAB Energy Drink, successfully sold to Monster. He co-founded Nomadic Entertainment, acquired by the NFL and was partner at an athlete representation firm sold to Wasserman, he has held leadership roles at PepsiCo (Mountain Dew) and was an Operating Partner at Raptor Capital Private Equity.

Shalala has served as a trusted advisor for major capital projects, including Brookfield Asset Management, DLJ Credit Suisse, Stockbridge Capital, Sound West Group and the W Hotel brand on commercial developments. His expertise extends to managing and advising enterprise brands on complex hospitality, gaming, consumer products and lifestyle projects.

Phil’s passion for consumer brands and the lifestyles they represent has driven his success in managing multiple exits in hospitality, beverage, sports, entertainment and technology. He is the current founder of The Critical Co, a Venture Studio and Strategy platform identifying investable opportunities while remaining actively engaged as an advisor to startups and capital markets.

With a deep understanding of branding, investment strategy, and operational excellence, Phil Shalala brings unparalleled expertise to the discussions and is committed to driving long-term value creation across industries.

Mr. Shopoff has more than 45 years of real estate and investment experience. His expertise includes the acquisition, development, and sale of new and redeveloped residential and commercial properties throughout the United States, as well as partnership structures, debt placement, venture capital, and investment underwriting.
He has acquired over 1K properties on behalf of his various entities, including the acquisition of over 8K apartment units and the entitlement of over 15K lots of land
suitable for single-family or multi-family development, as well as millions of sqft of commercial projects.

Dedicated and accomplished professional with a bold career transition from 18 years in commercial real estate/property management to a prominent figure in the emerging art field. Born and raised in the artistic landscapes of Mendocino County, Liz brings a unique blend of business acumen and a deep appreciation for art. An alumna of Biola University, her journey has been marked by a strong work ethic, commitment to excellence, and a keen ability to understand and embrace emerging art and artist. Liz is an avid art collector with a deep passion for various forms of artistic expression. She actively supports and promotes emerging artists, contributing to the vibrancy of the local art scene. Liz is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the artistic landscape of Southern California, with a focus on the dynamic Los Angeles art community.