The Distinguished Business Speaker Series is sponsored by:
Distinguished Business Speaker Series
The Distinguished Business Speaker Series, launched in 2021 with the opening of Harold Alfond Hall, home of Husson's new College of Business building, includes dynamic speakers from a variety of disciplines. Its main objective is to educate students, alumni and community members on the challenges facing businesses and related professions, as well as to inspire those who will become our future leaders.
Past Speakers
Navigating Change: Economic and Financial Planning Strategies for the Future
PANELISTS
Dr. Steven Cunningham
Dr. Steven Cunningham is the Dr. Phil Grant Distinguished Professor of Management and Economics at Husson University. He started his career as a research mathematician and statistician, and later switched to economics. Since earning a PhD in Economics, he has worked for over 30 years as an economist. He worked as an economist at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, DC, served on the board of directors of a national sports organization, was founding director of the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis, was President, Director of Research and Education, and Chief Economist of the American Institute for Economic Research, and is an emeritus professor at the University of Connecticut. He has worked with governments and government agencies at every level, including heads of state. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC), working on economic development issues in Maine. He has given speeches all over the country and has appeared frequently on local and national television and radio as an expert in economics and finance. He has advised corporations, industry groups, and government agencies. He has published over 100 articles and his graduate students have gone on to careers with federal and state agencies, international organizations like the IMF, the World Bank, the Central Bank of Chile, and the Bank of England, and in universities like Cambridge University, the University of Athens, and Trinity College.
Dr. Jia Liu
Dr. Liu has a B.A. in Financial Management from the Beijing Jiaotong University, and an M.S. in Management Science and Engineering from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. She also holds an M.S. in Finance and an M.S. in Economics from the University of Kansas, and finally a Ph.D. in Economics with specialization in International Finance from the University of Kansas. Dr. Liu has extensive work experience in consulting, teaching, and research. Her work has been published in academic journals as well as non-academic publications. She has often been quoted in the national media, such as The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, U.S. News & World Report, etc. Before she joined Husson, she worked as a research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research.
Ryan Bartlett '15
Ryan Bartlett, a Bar Harbor/Trenton native, joined VanceGray Wealth Management Inc. in 2012 as an intern while attending Husson University. A proud alum of Husson, Ryan earned the Finance Honor Award in 2015 for excellence in pursuit of his degree in Business Administration. Since graduating, he has been involved with the Husson Alumni Association, serving as chair, vice chair, and leading sub-committees on the board.
Ryan is a fully registered Investment Advisor Representative and is also licensed to provide life, health, and long-term care insurances. He recently completed the CFP Certification Professional Education Program as part of his pursuit in becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. Ryan is also actively working on his MBA in Personal Financial Planning. He spends a significant amount of his time with clients and helping them achieve their personal financial goals. When Ryan's not in the office, you can find him training for his next upcoming IRONMAN race, completing projects around his home in Bangor, or enjoying the great Maine outdoors!
Sven Bartholomew
Sven Bartholomew has nearly 20 years experience working for community banks in Maine. He began his career working for Bangor Savings Bank, holding various roles including Senior Vice President. Five years ago, Sven joined Camden National Bank as Senior Vice President leading the Business Banking department. Sven is also a Governor appointed Commissioner for the Maine Municipal Bond Bank. He has an undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Maine at Farmington and MBA from Husson University.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
Lynne Coy-Ogan, President and CEO of Husson University
Dr. Lynne Coy-Ogan is the seventh President and first female CEO of Husson University in Bangor, Maine. She became president on July 1, 2024.
A passionate educator, President Coy-Ogan began her career as a teacher and then advanced to school administrator roles in K-8 schools in Maryland and Maine. In 2002, she was honored as Maine's National Distinguished Principal. President Coy-Ogan has served in leadership positions at Husson for nearly 20 years, first as Dean of the School of Education and most recently as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
President Coy-Ogan has served on numerous state task forces for issues related to leadership, curriculum reform and assessment practices. She has chaired and participated on accreditation teams for New England Commission of Higher Education and program reviews for the Maine Department of Education throughout Maine, New England, Europe and the Middle East.
A firm believer in the power of mentorship, President Coy-Ogan often speaks about the mentors who encouraged her to push her boundaries throughout her career, beginning with her time as an undergraduate student at Boston University. President Coy-Ogan earned a B.S. from Boston University, a M.S. from Johns Hopkins University and an Ed.D. from Liberty University.
She is a mother of two grown daughters and lives in Bangor with her husband.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/4tTbHtwqYLo
Senator Susan Collins, '97H
Susan Collins, '97H, Maine’s senior United States Senator, was first elected to the Senate in 1996. She ranks eleventh in Senate seniority and is the most senior Republican woman. She serves as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and as the Ranking Member of the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Subcommittee. She is also a member of the Aging Committee; the Intelligence Committee; and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
Senator Collins has earned a national reputation for working across party lines. For the last eight consecutive years, she has ranked as the most bipartisan member of the U.S. Senate. Known for her Maine work ethic, Senator Collins has cast more than 7,800 consecutive votes and holds the longest perfect voting record in the history of the U.S. Senate. Throughout her Senate service, Senator Collins has been a champion of small businesses. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Senator Collins authored the Paycheck Protection Program, which provided a lifeline to tens of thousands of Maine small employers and supported the jobs of hundreds of thousands of Mainers.
A native of Caribou, Maine, Senator Collins graduated Phi Beta Kappa from St. Lawrence University and joined the staff of then-Congressman and later Senator William Cohen. She was appointed director of the Small Business Administration’s regional office in Boston by President George H.W. Bush, and she was the founding executive director of the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business at Husson University in Bangor, Maine.
Senator Collins received Husson University’s honorary doctorate of public service in 1997.
Steve Smith, CEO, L.L. Bean
On January 4, 2016, Stephen Smith became the fourth president and CEO of L.L.Bean.
Steve began his career in 1992 at J. Walter Thompson in New York City. He moved to Maine in 1997 and rose to become the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Resort Sports Network. In 2002, he began his retail career at Hannaford Supermarket and this launched nine years at the Delhaize Group where he gained experience in merchandising, commercial planning, marketing and customer relationship management in the US and Belgium.
In 2011, Steve joined Walmart International as SVP and General Manager of Sam's Club and Chief Marketing Officer for Walmart China in Shenzhen, China. There he gained general management responsibility, integrating e-commerce into the core business and improving annual sales growth. A year later, Steve became Chief Customer Officer of ASDA (part of Walmart International), a $30+ billion food, fashion and general merchandise omnichannel business in the United Kingdom. In 2015, Steve became Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer for Yihaodian (part of Walmart Global Ecommerce), a pure e-commerce business located in Shanghai.
Steve is a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he studied Art History and Physics. He grew up in Westchester County, New York and Amherst, Massachusetts. He spends summers on Canada Lake in the Adirondacks at a lake house that has been in his family for generations.
Steve is very active in outdoor sports and enjoys a wide variety of activities. He and his family are excited to be in Maine where they have deep ties and where they can embrace their love of the outdoors and commitment to the community.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://youtube.com/live/CyJ-j6Lax8E
Bettina Doulton, Owner/Operator of Cellardoor Winery
When Bettina first visited Cellardoor in December 2006, she immediately fell in love with the 200-year-old buildings and 68-acre farm. Knowing the Winery was for sale, she realized her longtime dream to run a small business when she became its owner in 2007. Leaving behind a 21-year career at Fidelity Investments managing mutual funds and people, and feeling more reflective after having finished breast-cancer treatment in 2006, Bettina fully embraced that new chapter in her life. On any given day, you may find her greeting guests in the tasting rooms, driving the tractor or forklifts, or punching down grapes during harvest.
Bettina is dedicated to sharing Cellardoor Winery, Maine wines, and all the beauty of Maine with as many visitors as possible. To that end, she founded the Maine Wine Guild and its statewide Wine Trail.
Bettina has found complete joy in the people she works with and the guests who visit. She wants everyone to have a highlight each day and hopes a visit to the Winery will give guests a break from the rat race she remembers all too well.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://youtube.com/live/3zrxcaYhRl4
Timothy J. Dentry, President and CEO of Northern Light Health
On April 1, 2020, Tim Dentry became president and CEO of Northern Light Health (NLH), having served as NLH Chief Operating Officer for the prior three years. Mr. Dentry brings a wealth of experience in organizational and cultural transformation, care delivery model integration, and quality, service and economic performance growth.
Prior to joining Northern Light Health, he focused his career on international health delivery improvement, from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi, with institutional backing from Yale University and Johns Hopkins Medicine. In the United States, Tim has held executive positions with success in growing markets, new service development, and physician and health system partnerships. Mr. Dentry is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland's MBA and Bachelor of Science programs, as well as a Fellow in International Health from Yale University.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://youtube.com/live/fKj5s0nJXdo
Tony Shurman, President and CEO of Jasper Wyman and Son ("Wyman's")
Tony Shurman is president and CEO of Jasper Wyman & Son (“Wyman’s”), one of the largest brands of frozen fruit in the United States with its most notable offering being wild blueberries. Founded in 1874, Wyman’s is a family-owned business headquartered in Down East Maine with an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, corporate social responsibility and innovation. Tony joined the company in 2017 excited by its growth prospects, the opportunity to enhance health through the remarkable wild blueberry and the chance to live and work in Maine.
Prior to joining Wyman’s, Tony led the Post Foods breakfast-cereal business which includes brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, Grape Nuts, Pebbles and Post Shredded Wheat. Earlier in his career he worked in brand management roles on a diverse range of brands from Trident chewing gum to Advil. In 2000, he founded a breath-mint company he built over six years that launched multiple innovative products in the United States, Mexico and Asia. Tony has experience living and working across a number of geographies including Japan, Europe, Brazil, South Africa and the United States. Tony lives with his wife, two sons and two dogs in Yarmouth, Maine.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://youtube.com/live/38duFDNxW2Y
Tess Gerritsen, Author
Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D.
While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic thriller, was followed by eight more romantic suspense novels. She also wrote a screenplay, Adrift, which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson.
Her books have been top-3 sellers in the United States and number one bestsellers abroad. She has won both the Nero Wolfe Award (for Vanish) and the Rita Award (for The Surgeon). Critics around the world have praised her novels as "Pulse-pounding fun" (Philadelphia Inquirer), "Scary and brilliant" (Toronto Globe and Mail), and "Polished, riveting prose" (Chicago Tribune). Publisher Weekly has dubbed her the "medical suspense queen."
Her series of novels featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles inspired the TNT television series "Rizzoli & Isles" starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.
Gerritsen's first medical thriller, Harvest, was released in hardcover in 1996, and marked her debut on the New York Times bestseller list. Her suspense novels since then have been: Life Support (1997), Bloodstream (1998), Gravity (1999), The Surgeon (2001), The Apprentice (2002), The Sinner (2003), Body Double (2004), Vanish (2005), The Mephisto Club (2006), The Bone Garden (2007), The Keepsake (2008; UK Title: Keeping the Dead), Ice Cold (2010; UK Title: The Killing Place), The Silent Girl (2011), Last to Die (2012), Die Again (2015), Playing with Fire (2015), I Know a Secret (2017) and The Shape of Night (2019). Her books have been published in forty countries, and more than 40 million copies have been sold around the world.
Additionally, she is also a filmmaker. Gerritsen and her son Josh have just completed production of a feature-length documentary, Magnificent Beast
Now retired from medicine, she writes full-time and lives in Maine.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk8oJRtXFKI
John Stiker, CEO of Stonewall Kitchen
John Stiker is currently the CEO of Stonewall Kitchen, LLC. Headquartered in York, Maine, the Stonewall Kitchen brand began in 1991 as a line of jams, sauces and other distinctive, high-quality products sold at local farmers' markets. Today, Stonewall Kitchen is the premier specialty food and home goods platform in North America, having completed seven acquisitions in the last four years. A true omnichannel business, the company boasts more than 8,500 wholesale accounts nationwide and internationally; a thriving catalog and online division; eleven retail company stores from Connecticut to Maine, and four manufacturing facilities throughout New England.
Prior to Stonewall Kitchen, John was a Senior Operating Partner at Centre Partners, a leading middle market private equity firm. Previously, he served as the CEO at Distant Lands Trading Company, a vertically-integrated coffee company with farms and mills in Costa Rica and Colombia. Before that, John was an executive with increasing levels of responsibility at Bumble Bee Foods, helping grow the company from $400 million in revenue to over $1 billion.
He started his career as a brand manager for Procter & Gamble, after serving four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy. John has triplet sons who are all currently serving as officers on active duty in the Army and Navy.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN3KrkB1cCM
Matthew R. McHatten, President/CEO, MMG Insurance
Matthew R. McHatten joined the Company in 2001 and as of January 1st, 2023, he is the President & CEO of the Company. Previously, he has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Clerk, Senior Vice President of External Operations, Vice President, and Marketing Director. Mr. McHatten holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Maine and also has attended several executive development programs. He was previously employed by Key Bank’s Corporate Banking Division as a Vice President and
Relationship Manager. Mr. McHatten is a Board Member of the Aroostook Partnership and serves on the Strategic Communications Council of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC). He is past Chair and member of the University of Maine
Business School Advisory Board, past Chair and member of the NAMIC Management Conference Board, and past Chair of the Aroostook Partnership. He is a past member of the Hartford Steam Boiler Advisory Board, past President and past member of the Presque Isle Rotary Club, and past President and member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Association. Mr. McHatten is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, recipient of the NAMIC Merit Award and was named to the 2010 MaineBiz Next List, an award presented annually to ten individuals recognized as being influential in the future of Maine’s economy. In 2019, Mr. McHatten was awarded the prestigious President Abram W. Harris Award by the University of Maine Foundation.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD14Hf2EcKs
Sean Riley, President and CEO, Maine Course Hospitality Group
Sean Riley has been in the hospitality business for 5 decades, managing properties from a 19-room motel to a company with 24 hotels and close to 700 associates. In 1989 he joined, what is now, Maine Course Hospitality Group, which was a restaurant company with one hotel and 7 restaurants.
Over time, MCHG divested of its freestanding restaurants and focused on developing and operating hotels. The current portfolio of 24 hotels, is comprised of 9 Marriott’s, 12 Hilton’s and 3 independent. Maine Course also works with third party investors to help develop and manage hotel projects.
In addition to its existing 24 hotels, MCHG is involved with two mixed use projects under development in Florida, as well as two hotels in New England all valued at close to $150 M
Riley has served on local chamber boards and state wide boards like the Maine Innkeepers and Maine Tourism Association. Currently, he sits on the Owner Advisory Councils for Hilton and Marriott, as well as numerous committees and serves as an incorporator with Androscoggin Bank. His wife and two children work within the company and his 6 -year-old grandson and 3-year-old granddaughter are in training.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iX1IkCKAgk
Dajuan Eubanks, President, Maine Celtics
Dajuan is a Vice President with the Boston Celtics and serves as the President of the Maine Celtics — the NBA G League Team affiliated with and owned by the Boston franchise. He joined the organization in its inception in 2009 as Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. Dajuan was promoted to Team President in 2014 after two seasons as the team Executive Vice President. In 2019, he helped lead the team's acquisition by the Celtics. Dajuan was named NBA G League Executive of the Year for the 2019-20 season.
Before joining the team, Dajuan worked in the experiential marketing industry for 13-plus years with several leading agencies. During this time his role and responsibilities varied from project management to client services to business development and sales, where he worked with a variety of Fortune 100 clients across the country.
Dajuan is a former player and Goodwill Ambassador of the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters where he performed extensively around the world with the organization, entertaining thousands of fans. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, Portland Regional Chamber, Androscoggin Bank, Maine State Community Chamber, USM Foundation, and a co-founder of Blue Wave Basketball —a youth basketball development program established in Portland in 2011. A graduate of Rice University with a B.A. in Business Management, he grew up in Alabama and Texas, and has resided in Portland, Maine with his daughters since 2005.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=962ZLQ6O9OY
Kyle Poissonnier, '08, Owner and Founder of Catalyst for Change Wear.
Kyle Poissonnier, '08, is a Smithfield, Maine native now residing in Biddeford. Kyle is the owner and founder of Catalyst for Change Wear. A clothing company based out of Biddeford, Maine. CFC Wear uses their clothing to raise funds for various charities and causes with a heavy emphasis on mental health and suicide prevention and awareness. Since 2016, they have raised close to $100,000 for 40 charities and organizations. The items allow people to tell their story through a wide range of items that are printed by hand in Biddeford Maine at their facility. The most popular being their Just a kid from Maine design. Owned by over 40,000 people the design that put CFC Wear On the map is a reminder of where you’re from and a point of pride for many. As of now CFC WEAR is owned by 1 in every 35 Mainers, present in all 50 states, and over 40 countries.
Kyle was inducted into Husson University's Alumni Hall of Fame as a Young Alumnus in 2012. He has appeared on Fox News, CNN, NBC and been a featured Ted Talk “TedX” Speaker. He has spoken to over 20,000 students ranging from grade schools to universities. More than that he is avid angler, dog dad, and a perfectly flawed human trying to let others know through his work it’s ok to not be ok.
Keep Doing What You’re Doing.
A saying that I grew up hearing from my grandfather. Later, during the most difficult time in my life found it’s true meaning. A father figure who introduced to me the beautiful simplicity of life and the outdoors. Using this saying and becoming more in touch with my mental health allows for better work, for better inspiration of others. When someone does something with all their heart they allow others to dream, to be inspired, to be loved. My profession happens to be a clothing company owner/maker/artist but it is completely applicable to every job, especially those for folks sitting in the audience. Allow me to explain.
To access a recording of the event, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/_8TgXHialkw?feature=shared
Mary Prybylo, MSN, RN, President, St. Joseph Healthcare and St. Joseph Hospital, Senior Vice president, Covenant Health
Mary Prybylo became the President of St. Joseph Healthcare/St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, Maine in 2011. Having worked in patient care as a Registered Nurse, and later receiving her MSN, Mary brings an understanding and compassion for people, health and care, along with extensive experience in both leadership and administration.
Prior to her time at St. Joseph Healthcare, Mary served as the Chief Operating Officer at Waterbury Hospital Health Center, where she was responsible for operations, physician partnerships and strategic initiatives that supported the delivery of patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Prior to this, Mary held several positions including the Director of Community Care Management and Vice President of Managed Care and Operations within the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut system, as well as Vice President for Patient Care Services at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, CT.
To view a livestream of this event, please follow this link:
https://youtube.com/live/Sfc4siJ5Bqk?feature=share