2021 Entrepreneur Day Speaker Bios

Mary Chen, M.Sc., CGBP

As a first generation immigrant and an entrepreneur, I have always loved adventures. Getting to know
others and discovering new worlds through learning had since become a very important part of my life,
which continued on after college. After a sundry of jobs in various fields I returned to graduate school to study Counseling at Wake Forest University in 2000 and eventually received my master’s degree in Child Development from UNCG in
2004.

After graduation it took me several tries to discover that my passion was in entrepreneurship. This
discovery and the love for languages led to the launch of my first company Chen Language Services, TM
LLC in 2008, providing Asian language translation and interpreting services to local businesses.
As the 1st ATA (American Translators Association) certified English-Chinese translator in North Carolina,
I have worked with many organizations across various industries both in the public and the private
sector. During the process of helping clients overcoming language barriers, I have also developed
knowledge, skills and experience in cross cultural communications and later on in international business
development. Obtaining the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) certificate in November 2018
has opened even more doors for me both in business and in life. I currently offer international business
consulting services through my other company, Chen Global Services, TMLLC.

Besides international business development, I am also passionate about connecting the Asian
community with the other members of the society. In the past 20 years, I have helped many local
nonprofit cultural and professional organizations in North Carolina, either serving as a board member or
providing pro bono services. In addition I also enjoy mentoring new immigrant entrepreneurs with
unique challenges caused by language barriers, cultural differences, as well as unknown factors in
starting and running a business in a new country.

Donna Ray Berkelhammer, Esq.

I’m a lawyer and I’m also a small business owner. Like you, I get what that means – all the hats we have to wear and the pressures that come along with running a small business. I understand how complex the legal world can seem and yet how often you need to face it as an entrepreneur.

To help, I’ve built my practice on a simple and important mission: to support, direct, and protect you. Whether it’s entity formation, contracts, trademarking or our other services, I’ll do just that. I’m here to support you, to provide a clear understanding of your legal situation, to collaborate with you on which direction to take, and to be a reliable, professional member of your team. I am ready to protect you and your business.

That’s why I founded Legal Direction® in 2015 here in the North Carolina Triangle — because you deserve a lawyer who cares about your needs and is invested in walking that path with you. We take the head-spinning world of law and help you understand what’s most relevant for you. We make time for you when need arises. We work on a project basis wherever possible instead of by the hour, which gives us flexibility with pricing and payment. In short, we do everything we can to take care of the legal side of your business. Because when you can trust that it’s handled, you can get back to all the other hats you have to wear.

Dr. David Huff, DC

Winner of various awards—Small Business Person of the Year 2020, NC Doctor of the Year 2020, Logan’s Chiropractic Science Award for Competence, Passion, and Selflessness—Dr. David Huff brings a bounty of hopes for improving Greensboro’s health. With a sharp business mind, heart for Greensboro, and amazing adjusting hands he opened Greensboro to help his hometown heal from the inside out. For the last 3 years he’s devoted every working minute to innovating the best model for patient-centered care. He is happy to share the ups, downs, triumphs, face plants, and fails of this bumpy journey.

Dr. Amanda Szabo-Huff, PhD

While patients may recognize Amanda through her bright, warm presence in the clinic or at street fairs across the city, she has taken on the task of re-branding chiropractic for the modern Greensboro family. Dr. Amanda also has dedicated years to studying what makes tech startup communities thrive despite the intense risk and resource scarcity entrepreneurs face, finding that relationships and communication are crucial to entrepreneurial success. Using this knowledge, her PhD in Organizational Communication, training in social analysis, and her deep empathy for others, Amanda makes the clinic and our larger mission what it is. And she’s always game to nerd out on all things community health, communication, and husband-and-wife entrepreneurship.

Kerri Lindley

Kerri Lindley, principal of KCL Creative, brings a fresh perspective to each client’s creative. While her designs have won awards, the best measure of her work is the success her clients achieve as a result of her branding, design and digital work. She earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in graphic design from Appalachian State University and honed her skills working with several noted advertising agencies. Recognizing business owners’ needs for effective creative services without the overhead of a traditional agency, Kerri launched KCL Creative in 2002. KCL Creative has the flexibility and depth to address nearly any creative need, from new branding to web development, print and digital media.

Simon Komolos

Simon Komlos is a serial entrepreneur and currently serves as Chief Design Officer and Co-founder at Zogo Finance. Simon was class of 2017 at UNCG and focused on Computer Science and Entrepreneurship.

Melody Burnett

Melody Burnett is the President of Visit High Point, formerly the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau (HPCVB). She has over 20 years of destination marketing and management experience in the Triad and a degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism with a minor in business from UNC-Greensboro. She holds a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University as well as certification from the Guilford County Non-Profit Consortium in non-profit leadership management. Currently, she serves on the boards of Southwest Renewal Foundation, Business High Point Chamber of Commerce, High Point Economic Development Corporation, High Point Market Authority, Piedmont Triad Film Commission, Guilford County Hotel Association, Forward High Point, High Point University Board of Visitors, North Carolina Travel Industry Governor’s Council, and numerous committees of ad hoc projects in High Point. She formed the DRIVE High Point Foundation as the investment arm to Visit High Point’s destination development work to position High Point as a vibrant destination that visitors will enjoy, and that locals will want to promote. Melody is married to her husband, Brian of 16 years where they have a ten-year-old daughter, Autumn (named after the couple’s favorite time of year)!

Susan S. Wells

Susan S. Wells, an educator, innovator and pioneer in the field of digital learning, innovative learning spaces and Makerspace design and development, is the founder of TechTerra Education. TechTerra Education is a company with a global reach and urgent mission – STEM Literacy for All. The company finds the most innovative tools for teaching and learning across the globe, supports developers in understanding classroom fit for STEM tools, builds STEM tool curriculum, provides professional development in STEM and Makerspaces, and offers STEM programs. Susan served as a Technology Strategist with groups across the country and internationally, and focused on STEM, innovation and technology in the K12 education setting. She is past President of the International Society of Education and Technology (ISTE) Mobile Learning Network and served as K12 Education Outreach Coordinator for Shodor, a National Resource for Computational Science Education. Susan is a seasoned international speaker and presenter. She is the author of Foundations of Makerspaces, was named an EdTech Awards Leadership Finalist in 2018 and 2019, EdTech Awards Trendsetter Winner 2020 and included in top 100 Edtech “Minds Behind What’s New and What’s Next” 2020-21.

Drew Matthews

Born in Greenville, N.C., Drew followed in his sister and mother’s footsteps, performing in as many musicals as possible. As he grew older and entered high school, he fell in love with tennis. Attending college on a tennis scholarship, Drew put a hold on performing. After graduating from North Carolina State University, Drew became a tennis professional. While teaching a tennis lesson to a T.V. actor, he was encouraged to study acting classically and pursue it for the camera, in addition to the stage. He has been doing so ever since.

Drew is also a TEDx Speaker (How to Be a Successful Liar), as well as a private film and TV coach, a husband, and a father.