If we are lucky, our life stories are complimented by a few, unique relationships we forge. Life, like chapters in a book, introduces new characters that in some way contribute to the overall plot of the narrative. However, there are only a select few characters that are capable of, and indeed claim, a leading role. These people determine the outcome of the story.

The membership of the  Catalyst Group is diverse. We span geographic regions, we occupy different industries and, often, our individual passions vary. However, we are bound by one common denominator; every member of our team is committed to claiming a leading role in the story of life. We challenge and support one another towards this end.

We discuss relevant questions designed to broaden the depth and scope of our thinking. These questions are drawn from a wide spectrum, ranging from current events to pertinent philosophical questions. We leverage the team’s collective attributes to educate one another, share perspective, and offer realistic solutions to these questions. Solutions are meant to be creative yet pragmatic; they must work within the constraints of a real world setting.

This process is designed to exercise innovative thought leadership, which will serve as the cornerstone of our individual and collective success in the future.

Each member brings a prerequisite history of achievement forged through resourcefulness and ambition. Our individual stories, when aggregated, construct the story of the Catalyst Group.

CATALYST GROUP FEATURED MEMBERS

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Emile Chin-Dickey, LEED-AP is a Principal at ZeroEnergy DESIGN where he manages sustainability consulting projects. Cases range from marketing studies, to building improvement cost-benefit analyses, to developing spending strategies for clients pursuing green building grants. Building projects have included net-zero energy single family homes, high performance multifamily complexes, and high end condo buildings in Nigeria. Previously, he worked as a Consultant at Kaiser Associates in its corporate strategy practice. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Cornell University.

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Marcus Howard is a highly motivated, creative and versatile entrepreneur with years of experience in marketing, financial advising, public speaking, and project management. He is especially skilled at building effective, productive working relationships with clients, team members, and volunteers. Currently, Marcus is a social media consultant with Urban Street Media and the President of Antermology, Inc.

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Brad Hargreaves is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of PickTeams, the creators of the GoCrossOffice teambuilding program and GoCrossCampus gaming network. Since founding PickTeams in 2007, Brad has been featured in the New York Times, MTV News, Sports Illustrated and CBS News, where he was recognized as a creator of some of the most popular and fastest-growing games for 18-24 year olds. Prior to founding GXStudios, Brad attended Yale, where he was President of the Yale Entrepreneurial Society and co-founded Yale’s first university-run entrepreneurship initiative.

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Srujan Linga is a trader on the Quantitative Volatility Trading Desk at Goldman Sachs. Before Goldman, Srujan attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned his masters in electronic engineering and computer science. He earned his BS from the Indian Institute of Technology, where he graduated valedictorian.

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Brett Staron is a consultant with IBM Global Business Services in Washington, DC. He graduated with High Honors from Michigan State University in 2008 with dual bachelor degrees in International Relations and Economics, with a specialization in Political Economy. Brett has led and conducted several research projects with a focus on higher education, family structure, and political systems and their influence on the standard of living in both industrial and developing economies.

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Antonio Valla has an interest in all issues urban. He has a masters degree in urban planning from Harvard University with an undergraduate background in history, economics and religion from Dartmouth College. He is currently working on innovative public-private real estate development in downtown Newark, NJ. Antonio believes that the future of the places where we live, work and play can and should be environmentally and socially responsible.

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Andrew Verstein is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University. He is located in Shanghai where he teaches corporate law at Fudan University and East China University of Political Science and Law. A recent graduate of the Yale Law School, Andrew researches and writes on American securities and tax law, criminal procedure, and professional ethics. His research is informed by professional experiences at large international law firms, the federal government, and non-governmental organizations.

Andrew graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College. Andrew enjoys theater and serves on the board of directors of Odyssey Productions, advising on legal, business and artistic matters.

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Kevin Walsh graduated from Georgetown University where he majored in Government. While there, he was captain and MVP of the men’s swim team. After college, Kevin worked in the U.S. House of Representatives, first with the Committee on Financial Services and later as a legislative assistant for Congressman Michael Oxley. Currently, Kevin earned his law degree in 2009 from the University of Virginia. In October, he will join the Groom Law Group in Washington, DC as an associate specializing in employee benefits and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) matters.

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Megan Yonke is a consultant at IBM Global Business Services in Washington, DC. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Economics. Her research has focused on international community economic development topics, ranging from the role of entrepreneurship in emerging industries to the impacts of foreign direct investment and trade. She has worked extensively with Michigan State Government officials, as well as local governments and civic associations.