The GSMI Team


Heather Fox, Senior Director of Digital Marketing
Heather leads the charge in the branding and efficacy of websites and digital marketing campaigns across all GSMI properties. Heather focuses on developing strategies for website optimization, search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO), social media and GSMI’s affiliate program. Heather comes to GSMI after working in business development, digital marketing and acting as lead contributor in the creation and launch of a proprietary advertising platform for a children’s web browser and search engine.

Heather is originally from Arizona, and attended the University of Southern California where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Cinema-Television. She began producing music videos in 1996, launching into a career in television development, production and the field of visual effects. Heather spent 14 years working in the entertainment industry before transitioning into the world of digital marketing. Heather moved to San Diego in 2010, is an avid reader and enjoys travel and spending time on the beaches of La Jolla with her family.

heather.fox@gsmiweb.com
Ben Zvaifler, Director of Event Production and Content Manager
Ben Zvaifler is a Conference Director and the Content Manager for the Global Strategic Management Institute. Ben is responsible for the research, communication, development, organization and execution of conferences and trainings relating to topics of technology and strategic management. Ben leads production for the Cloud Control Conference, Cyber Security Strategies Summit, GRC Summit, and Enterprise Tomorrow Conference and Exhibition. Ben also leads development of the VentureEngine Startup Competition, a Launchpad for companies who are seeking funding and support of new enterprise technologies.

Along with his production responsibilities Ben acts as the Content Manager and Senior Editor for TechAxcess.com, an enterprise focused technology blog. As the content manager Ben composes articles, manages a team of writers and edits contributor work. Before joining GSMI Ben gained experience working as a freelance author and residential real estate assistant in Southern California.

ben.zvaifler@gsmiweb.com
Jessica Drew, Sales Director
Jessica is responsible for delegate and sponsorship sales for multiple events at GSMI. She is focused on meeting our client’s needs through a diplomatic approach in cultivating client relationships. Her experience transcends several industries including social networking, finance, education, travel and fitness.

Jessica is originally from Long Island, NY and attended the State University of New York at New Paltz where she was an accomplished short stop for their softball team. She enjoys current events, volunteering on political campaigns and spending time with her cat, Thomas Jefferson

jessica.drew@gsmiweb.com
Kara M. Mignanelli, Esq, Director of Legal Compliance & Education, In-House Counsel
Ms. Mignanelli recently returned to GSMI as the Director of Legal Compliance & Education and In-House Counsel. In her new role, Ms. Mignanelli oversees numerous aspects of the business, including, but not limited to, keeping a pulse on the most current regulations and compliance requirements affecting corporations as well as working to ensure quality and professionalism in all aspects of the business. In early 2009, Ms. Mignanelli collaborated with GSMI to create the Governance, Risk Management and Compliance conference.

Prior to her return to GSMI, Ms. Mignanelli was the managing associate at Boyd Contreras LLP. Her practice focused primarily on civil litigation involving business disputes. Ms. Mignanelli's litigation experience includes business litigation, partnership and contract disputes, personal injury, labor and employment law, trade secrets misappropriation, and legal malpractice. Before practicing law, Ms. Mignanelli was Director of the Social Policy Center at the Performance Institute where she managed conference production staff and successfully executed over 30 conference and training events, accounting for the largest profit generating center of the company. She also created and implemented multiple e-newsletters focusing on best practices and performance management for Health and Human Services and Nonprofit Performance Management.

Ms. Mignanelli obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Relations from Rutgers University. She earned a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law and is a licensed member of the State Bar of California. She is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Lawyer's Club of San Diego.

kara.mignanelli@gsmiweb.com
Matt Skraby, Director of Video Production and IT Management
Matt Skraby is the Director of Video Production and IT Management for GSMI. As a Producer, Matt’s responsibilities include research, communication, development, organization and execution of Green Data Center Conference events. As well as conference production Matt serves as the video production director for GSMI. Video production duties include on-site filming, editing, publishing session videos, mp3's, and webinar production. Matt also serves as the website presentation manager which includes uploading presentations, and managing users.

As well as his other responsibilities Matt is the onsite audio/visual tech for GSMI events. This includes the smooth operation of presentations,transition of sessions, and audio/visual components within the presentation.

matthew.skraby@gsmiweb.com
Mike Scharbarth, Director of Operations
Michael is an accomplished professional with over six years of operations experience. He is in charge of event management including scheduling, logistics, travel and correspondence for national and international events. He is also responsible for preparing event materials and guest speaker trip agendas. At the chief liaison between producers and guest speakers, Michael works diligently as the central hub, communicating effectively and efficiently. As a GSMI team member, Michael has played a key role in weekly discussions focusing on promoting the growth of the company, reviewing business tactics, and implementing new organizational procedures.

michael.scharbarth@gsmiweb.com
Tim Suski, Sales Director
Tim’s responsibilities include sales and marketing, creating media partnerships and developing relationships with event sponsors. He is currently working on developing these events: Cloud Control Conference and Exhibition, Quality Assurance Masters Training and GSMI's GRC Summit and Trainings. Tim’s sales and marketing background comes from nationally distributing and marketing progressive Printing Technologies for International Paper for several years.

Tim graduated with a BA in Business from the University of San Diego. He also had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain along with backpack and travel around Europe. During his time off Tim enjoys traveling, trail running, rec sports and anything involving water (ocean, lake or river).

tim.suski@gsmiweb.com
David Adams, Sales Director
David is currently a Sales Director at GSMI. His duties have also included conference production, social media marketing, event management as well as extensive work in our non-profit division. He graduated with honors from the University of Southern California in 2010 with a degree in International Relations and emphasis in Middle East Studies. David traveled extensively throughout Lebanon and Syria while studying Arabic at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Lebanon. David brings a global perspective to our team and is a key player in GSMI’s international events.

David was born and raised in San Diego and currently lives in the community of South Park. On any given day you can find him in his favorite neighborhood of Little Italy where his family operates the historic Acme Piano Company. David enjoys writing music with his guitar, traveling, the outdoors and writing about himself in the third person. Be sure to follow his blog posts about social media marketing on www.socialaxcess.com

david.adams@gsmiweb.com

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