Kimberley LaMarque Orman is a clinical assistant professor of Communication and Media Management at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.  Her research encompasses both the field of communication and performance studies. Her particular interest focuses on public speaking from a performance perspective, group persuasive presentations and communicative arguments using classical and modern literature.  Professor LaMarque holds a BA from Columbia University; MFA from American Conservatory Theatre and studied classical theatre at the National Theatre of Great Britain with Sir Anthony Hopkins. Prior to Fordham, Kimberley was an associate professor of Communication and Director of Forensics at Tennessee State University, where she created and developed a national recognized speech program.

Edward Hogikyan, an attorney by training, is currently the Senior Vice-President, Marketing at NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism, and partnership organization for the City of New York. He oversaw NYC’s role in the creation of Fashion’s Night Out with Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, is a member of the Fashion2020 team of retail & fashion CEO’s through NYC Economic Development Corporation, manages NYC Restaurant Week and the City’s involvement with art and design related initiatives. Prior to NYC & Company, Ed worked primarily in advertising account management at both global and boutique agencies including DDB Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide, Berlin Wright Cameron, and Margeotes Fertitta Powell.

Rafat Ali is the CEO/founder of Skift, a business intelligence startup that offers news, data, and and services to the travel & leisure industry and business travelers. Previously, he was the founder/CEO of paidContent and ContentNext, which he sold to UK’s Guardian News and Media in 2008, and left in 2010. Prior to that, he was managing editor of Silicon Alley Reporter. Rafat was the Knight Fellow at Indiana University, where he completed his Masters in Journalism, 1999-2000. Prior to that he completed his BSc in Computer Engineering, from AMU in Aligarh, India.

San Francisco-native David Kaufman completed his undergraduate education at Brandeis University and Graduate studies at NYU.  He is currently Editor of Travel and Home/Real Estate at The New York Post.  Prior to this, he wrote about travel, real estate, politics and culture for publications including The Financial Times, How to Spend It, Monocle, The Wall Street Journal, Wallpaper, Departures, Architectural Digest, Details and both the US and UK editions of Conde Nast Traveler. He was also International Travel Editor for American Express Magazines.