Speakers

Jeffrey R. Dorschuck Administrative Vice President
Regional Manager Business Banking
M&T Bank
Jeff started his banking career with M&T Bank in 2003 as a summer teller while in college and has since served in numerous roles within the Retail and Business Banking divisions. He currently serves as the Business Banking Regional Manager overseeing Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, and Southern Westchester. As a believer of being active in the community, Jeff sits on the Board of Directors of Helpusadopt.org and is a member of the Union League Club of NY. He is also currently an honors student at the Consumer Bankers Association’s Executive Banking School. Jeff was born and raised on Long Island, graduated from Penn State, and later completed his MBA in Executive Management at St. John’s University. Jeff is married to Danielle and they have a daughter named Isabella in addition to a mini-Goldendoodle named Sydney. He is an avid traveler who also enjoys playing golf, being with friends and family, going to the beach, skiing, and staying active. He has an interest in history and is a supporter of the NY Mets, NY Jets, and Penn State football.
Jeffrey R. Dorschuck Administrative Vice President | M&T Bank
Business Banking Regional Manager 350 Park Avenue, 5th Floor New York, NY 10022(P) 212 350 2039 | (C) 201 468 4476 jdorschuck@mtb.com | mtb.com
Lola Gazivoda
Team Leader
Business Banking
M&T Bank
Lola is currently a Team Leader – Vice President, managing a team of Relationship Managers within M&T Bank’s Business and Professional Banking Group. Lola joined M&T Bank in 2013 and has over 15 years of business banking experience. Prior to joining M&T Bank, Lola held other positions with Chase Bank & Capital One Bank.
Lola was born and raised in Albania and came to the USA at the age of 14. She is very proud of her heritage and is involved with many community nonprofits tied to her roots. She is also involved with other nonprofits, such as, March of Dimes & Bronx nonprofit, Grace Outreach, serving low income women of all ages with pursuit of higher education. She is a past board member of Childcare Council of Westchester and Chairwoman of the Westchester chapter of Vatra Organization.
She resides in Bedford with her husband John and their three children – Daniel,19, Nicoleta, 16 and Julia, who is 5.
Lola Gazivoda
Vice President | Team Leader
Business & Professional Banking
120 White Plains Road Suite 300 Tarrytown, NY 10591(Cell) 914-268-7975

Ashvini Persaud
Vice President
Sr. Business Banking Relationship Manager

M&T Bank

Ash is a tenured business banking professional with 16 years of experience in banking, lending, insurance and financial services. She has dedicated most of her time working with entrepreneurs and organizations, supporting clients on SBA funding matters, Credit Solutions, Escrow/Nota banking, Cash Management, Treasury and Merchant Services.

Recently, she volunteered her time to providing COVID related resources to the business and health care community. She and a team of volunteers were able to secure significant ppe-masks supplies, making donations and deliveries to several hospitals, health care centers and front line organizations in New York City and Connecticut.

New York Business Solutions Center nominated her for Crain’s 40 under 40 in 2020 and presented her an award for her work within the business community. She has an honorary citation by New York State for her work in community service in 2019.

Ash has an adventurous spirit and believes life is too short to not go the extra mile for others. She loves spending time with her funny grandmother of 88 and twin sister, Ush. She and her sister celebrated their 10th Leap Year birthday in 2020.

Attended: Queens College, CUNY & Columbia University

Affliations: AABANY, SABANY & Network Of Bar Leaders, Green FAD Museum, International Museum of The Saree

Professional Experience: JP Morgan Chase, Capital One, New York Life, CUNY Ashvini Persaud | apersaud@mtb.com | 917.224.0616| www.mtb.com

Linked In: Ashvini Persaud

Tom’s experience in the field of financial planning and wealth management has spanned over 16 years, having handled investment portfolios of various sizes. Tom’s personal approach to investment management allows him and his team of investment professionals to develop a comprehensive strategy in order to provide the soundest investment decisions based on each clients individual financial needs. Ingrained in the company and in his colleagues is a culture of transparency, openness, and trust that is evident in the way Gateway Investments handles each and every account.

Mr. Santucci holds the distinction of being a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), which represents successful completion of a rigorous academic program conducted in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business as well as a high level of credibility, integrity and knowledge.

Having served as a Financial Advisor with Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley Wealth Management) then as Vice President of Investments with UBS Financial Services, Tom specialized in wealth management and retirement planning. He has also established an investment advisory business, managing assets for individual investors to small and mid-sized businesses, as well as large corporations, non-profit organizations and family foundations.

Prior to working in the financial services industry, Tom practiced law for 12 years, earning his Juris Doctorate degree from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College. Tom was an associate at Shaw, Goldman, Licitra, Levine and Weinberg, P.C. and later served as a managing partner of Santucci, Denkberg, and Wasserstein.

Tom is an active participant in numerous civic and charitable endeavors.

Meredith R. Miller is a business and employment attorney and legal educator. She is Professor of Law at the Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. In addition, she is founder and principal of Miller Law, PLLC.

Since beginning her career as a law professor in 2004, Meredith has taught law school classes in writing and research, contracts, civil procedure, business organizations and employment law. More recently, she has spearheaded the development of a curriculum for law students that intend to operate their own practices. Her teaching has been recognized more than once with a “Professor of the Year” award from her students.

Meredith’s scholarly papers are widely cited in influential law journals and leading law school casebooks. Her writing focuses on contract, employment and business law; she has lectured on these topics throughout the world.

Meredith passionately believes that her knowledge should extend beyond the classroom and her teaching aims to reflect the realities of law as it is actually practiced. In addition to her work as a law professor, Meredith continues to represent businesses in transactional matters and consult and co-counsel with other attorneys on litigation, arbitration and appeals in corporate, commercial, employment and real estate matters. She also has experience working with non-profit organizations. She is a past President of the LGBT Bar Association and Foundation of Greater New York ("LeGaL") and continues to serve on the Board of Directors; she is President of the Network of Bar Leaders.

Russell Safirstein is Partner in Charge of Anchin Digital Risk Solutions LLC (ADRS), a newly formed subsidiary that delivers and develops technology-driven risk and compliance advisory, and analytics-based services.

A Senior Executive and a progressive thinker, Russell has been successful in bringing non-traditional solutions to an ever-changing work environment by combining audit, accounting, risk, compliance and technology in successful business engagements. He is a proven risk, audit and technology leader with more than 25 years of experience advising clients in a wide range of industries, including financial services, healthcare and management consulting. Russell is a highly regarded and sought after speaker on issues related to technology, audit and risk practices.

Prior to joining Anchin, Russell was a Partner with Prager Metis Technology, leading their AI and Machine Learning initiatives, in addition to their cybersecurity and risk advisory practices. He also co-founded Paracon Group, and led its advanced analytic delivery platform as well as the balance of its risk advisory services. He was the General Auditor for Liquidnet, where he started the Internal Audit function of this growing organization. As the Deputy General Auditor for MetLife, he was able to transform the internal audit function through technology and business process improvements. For nearly ten years, Russell was SVP and Chief Auditor for Roslyn Savings Bank.

Russell received his B.B.A in accounting from Adelphi University.

Ms. Binda is an attorney at Binda & Binda PLLC, providing unparalleled service to our city’s residents and businesses. Ms. Binda has extensive legal and governmental experience in addition to a long history of serving the community. Binda previously served as a Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of State and in the West Wing of the White House. In between government tours she practiced financial services and technology law at Alston & Bird LLP.

Ms. Binda also recently served as the Executive Director of the Jamaica, Queens Business Improvement District (BID). Under her tenure, Governor Cuomo awarded Jamaica the #1 award for downtown revitalization, Jamaica was named the #1 hottest neighborhood in NYC by the Wall Street Journal and Streeteasy, and she won NYC’s Small Business Services Neighborhood Challenge Grant for the BID.

Binda has been named both Business Leader of the Year and Community Leader of the Year in Queens. She is on the board for the NY Hall of Science, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens and Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation. Binda co-hosts podcast “NYC Starting Up” and teaches for the School of Business at The City University of New York - Medgar Evers College. Ms. Binda graduated from Duke University, Georgetown Law and is an Oxford University Lord Rothermere Scholar.

Steven D. Lando, CPA, is a tax partner and Tax Leader of the Firm’s Services Group at Anchin. He has over 30 years of experience at Anchin and is a founding member of the firm’s Law Firm Group. Steve spearheads the Law Firm’s Group with Anchin’s Co-Managing partner, Russell Shinsky. Collaboratively, the team manages a wide array of law firms including both Partnerships and P.C.’s.

Steve specializes in advising law firms and attorneys, high net worth families as well as a diverse group of domestic and international business enterprises including PR and advertising firms, technology businesses, investment funds, acquisition companies, real estate owners and developers. He regularly consults with firms and businesses on various topics including state & local tax issues such as economic nexus and the market based sourcing rules, succession planning, minimizing the tax consequences of PC to LLP conversions, establishing sophisticated pension plans to maximize owner contributions without undue burden on the business, mergers & acquisitions, and most recently the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) under the CARES Act.

Steve has lectured tor various sectors including banks, law firms, real estate companies, and professional development organizations including the ALA of NYC. His writing has been featured in publications such as the New York Law Journal and Law Office Administrator. He has previously served on the State and Local, and Interstate Taxation Committees of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA).

Clarence Stanley is Director of the Bronx Small Business Development Center at Lehman College, and also Board of Directors of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) works to assist Bronx-based businesses in their expansion and encourages additional businesses to open or relocate to Bronx County. The BOEDC also manages the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment, working with businesses and building owners to reduce energy usage and utilize environmental technologies to reduce the environmental issues facing the Bronx.

Stanley, who has directed the Small Business Development Center at Lehman College since 2000, said the BOEDC and Lehman College have similar goals.

“Our shared mission is to enhance the opportunities and economic conditions for Bronx residents,” said Stanley. “This appointment will help us integrate this mission and vision for the community.”

[The Bronx is where Stanley’s knowledge is invaluable, particularly in the growing wholesale food industry.]

In addition to serving as Director of the Small Business Development Center, Stanley teaches at Lehman College, and has previously taught at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn and Mercy College. Before joining Lehman in 2000, he worked in business banking for more than 25 years at Citibank.

Stanley holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baruch College (CUNY) and an MBA in Finance from Long Island University. He is a U.S. Army veteran and serves on the Board of Directors of the Educational Opportunity Center in Yonkers, NY.

Sara Golan | Associate Broker
Nest Seekers International
THESERHANTTEAM

As an Associate Broker/ Managing Director with THE SERHANT TEAM of Nest Seekers International, Sara Golan knows that the foundation of any successful relationship comes from empathy and trust. It is why she treats each of her clients—whether they be a first-time home buyer, a private seller, or a multi-million dollar developer—as a genuine partner, using her vast wealth of knowledge and experience to guide them in a way that makes sense for their diverse lifestyles and goals

An immigrant from Guyana, Sara was raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn. While it was the picturesque townhomes and row houses of this neighborhood that first sparked her interest in real estate, her professional journey in the industry began 20 years ago as an assistant for a real estate developer/investor. Working in Brooklyn and Queens, she gained valuable experience in construction, management and sales. From there, Sara honed her knowledge of home financing and mortgages by working in the lending industry for 5 years, and followed that by co-owning a real estate development office.

Since 2012, Sara has been focusing on residential sales in Brooklyn—including neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy/ Bushwick, Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights.She co-manages Ryan Serhant’s Bedford-Stuyvesant office with her husband, Joshua, and together they work with local developers to customize, market, and sell newly renovated properties. As a brownstone specialist, her expertise in design and construction management and her ability to sell for above market prices are invaluable assets. Sara is more than comfortable working with people of all backgrounds and professions, and is well-versed in both buy-side and sell-side transactions.

In those rare moments when she isn’t showing homes or prepping a new listing, Sara can likely be found traveling abroad, spending time with her family or volunteering at the Boro Park location of Masbia, a soup kitchen that serves over 2 million meals a year. In those even rarer moments when she isn’t doing any of that, she is without a doubt doing Pilates. The Golans own several investment properties in Brooklyn and are investors in Olmsted, a Michelin-rated eatery in Prospect Heights.



Sara Golan | Associate Broker
Nest Seekers International
THESERHANTTEAM
WSJ Top 5 Sales Team Nationwide 2015-2019
326 Tompkins Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11216
O 646.443.3788
C 718.812.7799

I am an astute entrepreneur and purpose-driven marketing consultant, who uses technology to deliver innovations that boost productivity and overall efficiency. As the founder and CEO of [Include business name], my goal is to develop effective ways to harness web technology. I bring vast experience across multiple facets of the IT industry. With my technical knowledge, I have successfully held integral positions, leading to bottom-line results. As a Marketing Consultant, I find it fulfilling to design systems that can evolve any organization.

Furthermore, I bring a rare ability to drive change through strategic creativity. I passionately work with all sizes of businesses to increase their traffic, revenue, and design strategic campaigns to help them win. My strength lies in value, relevance, and bringing businesses to an incredible height of authority in their niche.

To excel in your field, you need to work smart. By combining non-standard SEO methods, utilizing tools in conjunction with creative manual performance and tasks, I can help you get the attention you desire.

Specialties: Web technologies, driving start-up and corporate operations, leading brand development, project management, strategy, marketing, planning, IT management, innovations, investing, business development.

South Asian Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens

Michael Pilla
Founder, Creative Evangelist
Michael has built his career at the crossroads of art, technology, and marketing.



He has held creative leadership positions with iVillage.com and ModemMedia, overseeing the creation of websites and interactive advertising for Fortune 500 companies, including Clinique, Ford, IBM, GE, and UBS. He founded Pilla Creative Marketing in 2003 to bring the power of online marketing to businesses and non-profit organizations — creating digital branding campaigns (websites, social, and email marketing) for such companies in such diverse industries as Arts & Entertainment, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.



He holds a BFA from Pratt Institute, a Mini MBA in Social Media from the Rutgers Business School, Certificates in Content Development and Web Analytics, and he is a Certified Solution Provider for Constant Contact.



Michael has taught internet and digital design courses at Pratt Institute, Pace University, Mercy College, and is currently an Adjunct Professor and the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University.



In addition, Mr. Pilla conducts workshops and webinars on how businesses can get the most from Social Media and E-Mail Marketing. He has spoken at events for The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, The Arts and Business Council of New York, Microsoft’s Mega Marketing Week, The Center for Non-Profit Success, The New York Public Library’s Small Business Resource Center and the Off-Broadway League.



His Blog, PillaTalks, provides insights on media and marketing.



He is also the author of You Ought to Be in Business. A Practical Guide for the Self Employed. It has been called “A humorous guide for the serious entrepreneur.” Written for everyone with a dream, a laptop, and a mild sense of desperation.

Rafael A. Roger is the Executive Director of SBA 504 Lending for The Business Initiative Corporation of New York (“BICNY”). Founded 1998 years ago, BICNY helps entrepreneurs and companies gain access to private and public funding around New York State.

Rafael is responsible for developing SBA 504 loans by connecting banks and other referral sources in New York State. In addition to overseeing the further development of SBA 504 lending, he oversees BICNY’s SBA 504 loan portfolio. BICNY has been featured in Crain’s Magazine, including the “NY Area’s Largest SBA-Guaranteed Loans” list. BICNY has provided over $80 million in loans to businesses in The Bronx and throughout New York State which helped leverage over $305 million from banks and private equity investments. As of September 2019, these loans have retained and created 3,011 jobs. BICNY has received three “Bronze Awards” from the US SBA New York District Office.

Rafael represents the Borough of the Bronx on 5 Business Improvement Districts and is a member of the Brooklyn Hispanic Chamber. Prior to joining BICNY, Rafael worked in the healthcare and insurance industries. Rafael obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Economics from SUNY Empire State College. He was raised in the Bronx and attended Fordham Prep.