Skip to main content

DST Entrepreneurship Series Workshop 3 Speaker Bios

Page 1


The Journey to Profitability & Sustainability: Real World Wisdom for Growth & Success

Janet Hill Smith

Janet Hill Smith is Vice President of Operations for Kairos Logistics LLC, a minorityowned and operated transportation and logistics company based in New Jersey. She brings extensive experience in operations leadership, global logistics, and strategic sales, with a career spanning corporate enterprise and entrepreneurship Previously, Janet served as a global sales director with UPS in the healthcare division, supporting complex supply chain solutions and leading high-performing sales teams and initiatives in regulated environments across the globe This background informs a practical, results-driven perspective on operational excellence, leadership, and organizational growth In addition to executive leadership, Janet serves in governance and advisory roles, including Second Vice President of the YWCA Northern New Jersey Board of Directors, and holds leadership positions with the Morristown Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc She is also an active member of The North Jersey Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. These roles reflect her deep commitment to service, philanthropy, leadership development, and community engagement

Janet is a graduate of Geneva College, a Christian institution in her home state of Pennsylvania, where a degree in communications provided a strong foundation for a career centered on leadership, advocacy, and impact Janet values her faith and her family deeply. She is married to Mark Smith, Sr. and together, they are the parents of three sons and four beautiful grandchildren

Tina Allen

Tina Allen is an accomplished insurance professional, entrepreneur, and founder of Greeknificent Apparel & Merchandise, a growing lifestyle brand that celebrates the culture, pride, and legacy of Divine Nine organizations. Tina maintains a successful corporate career and has also built Greeknificent into a recognizable brand rooted in cultural expression, quality merchandise, and authentic community connection

Her professional background includes regulatory compliance, product development, underwriting operations, cross-functional project management, and international insurance experience Tina brings a practical and grounded perspective to entrepreneurship, shaped by the discipline of corporate leadership and the creativity, resilience, and sacrifice required to grow a business while working full-time

As a business owner, Tina has learned firsthand how to manage competing priorities, navigate risk, serve customers, and turn an idea into an impactful venture without losing sight of excellence in her professional career.

Her story reflects the reality of many entrepreneurs who are building their dreams while honoring their responsibilities Through her journey, Tina offers honest insight, humility, and encouragement for aspiring business owners who are learning how to balance work, purpose, and entrepreneurship

Dr. Linda Lynn-Wright

Dr. Lynda Lynn-Wright is an accomplished educator, entrepreneur, and community leader with over 30 years of experience advancing educational equity, strengthening families, and delivering high-impact early learning initiatives Her career reflects a sustained commitment to excellence, service, and advocacy for children and underserved communities

A Newark, New Jersey native and first-generation college graduate, Dr Wright brings a values-driven approach grounded in faith, resilience, and service She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a Specialization in Special Education, a Master’s degree in Education and Educational Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, along with New Jersey certifications as a School Administrator, Principal, and Preschool–Grade 3 Teacher. After beginning her career in the legal field as a paralegal, Dr. Wright founded Three Stages Childcare & Learning Center in 1994

The organization operates through a dual not-for-profit and for-profit model, enabling collaboration with the East Orange School District while sustaining private early learning programs Today, she oversees four early learning centers in East Orange, New Jersey, as well as Three Stages Transportation, supporting both her schools and district partners.

Dr Wright’s work focuses on delivering high-quality early childhood education, closing opportunity gaps for children in underserved communities, and fostering equitable access to learning through strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies She also serves as an adjunct professor at the County College of Morris, mentoring the next generation of educators and leaders in education and psychology. Her leadership extends to public service, including serving as a member of the Hanover Township Board of Education (2021–2023), where she chaired the Personnel Committee and served on Curriculum and Public Relations Committees, as well as participating on the Morris County Executive Board of Directors

Dr Wright’s contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Grand Master Ted R Green, Sr Award, the She-Hero of the Year Award, and the 2026 Empower the Village North Star Award, acknowledging exemplary leadership and business success as a community role model. Guided by faith, family, and service, Dr. Lynda Lynn-Wright continues to build sustainable pathways of opportunity and a legacy for children, families, and communities

Scan to Read Bios

The Journey to Profitability & Sustainability: Real World Wisdom for Growth & Success

Ayo Sanderson Wilson, Esq.

Ayo Sanderson Wilson is the Founder, President and CEO of Empower The Village, Inc (ETV), a data-driven, New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on restoring Prosperity, Peace, and Power to Black and historically marginalized communities. ETV prioritizes the wealth, health and empowerment of community members within its multistate footprint

Ayo earned her JD from Columbia University, School of Law and BA from The Johns Hopkins University She is married and has two adult children She is an experienced, results-oriented strategist, business executive, attorney, community organizer and leader committed to accelerating the development and execution of innovative and impactful solutions that address complex social, racial, and economic justice issues

Ayo began her professional career practicing law and serving in other corporate leadership roles for nearly 20 years at several Fortune 500 companies, including Verizon, T-Mobile and BAE Systems, after working as an associate with prominent law firms in New Jersey and New York - Lowenstein Sandler LLP and Akin Gump LLP. She also founded her own law practice focused on real estate, and commercial transactions, Sanderson Wilson, LLC, as well as a business and nonprofit advisory consulting firm, Brainstorm 4U

Ayo served as an Executive Director for the US Pharma Division of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, leading the Strategic Alliances & Advocacy team within the Public Affairs & Communications department

Ayo also served as VP of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and Head of the Comcast NBCUniversal Strategic Operations & Giving department managing a ~$400M annual budget

Ayo’s professional, nonprofit career began as Executive VP and COO in 2019 for a 100+ year old local nonprofit supporting the education, enrichment and wellbeing of multi-generational community members

In parallel with her professional career, Ayo currently serves as a Board Member for the Community Foundation of New Jersey and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, Better World Leadership Council, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and the African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, and has served in leadership positions within many community organizations over the past 3 decades.

Dr. Maryse Manasse

Dr Maryse Manasse graduated from Science High School in 1998 She graduated in 2002 from the College of Saint Elizabeth with a B S in Chemistry. After four years, she graduated from New Jersey Dental School in 2006 She realized that she wanted to pursue specialty training and continued an additional three years of Prosthodontic specialty training at New Jersey Dental School She completed her residency training and started working in the field immediately. She was recruited as a faculty member at New York University College of Dentistry, where she holds a Clinical Assistant Professor title in the Arthur Ashman Department of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry She also holds a Masters in Education with a concentration in Adult Learning. She is a Diplomate and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). She is a fellow of the International College of Dentistry

Dr Manasse has published various scientific and peer-reviewed articles She provides her clinical expertise to residents about prosthetics and implant dentistry. Bridging the gap to academia and clinical experience is a passion that she enjoys. She is currently active in many various professional organizations and provides various community outreach programs to local community areas: nationally and internationally She is an active lecturer as a course director, presenting in local study groups and in community health fairs. Currently, she is the President-Elect of the American Academy of Prosthetic Dentistry In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and long nature walks She is in private office at Executive Dental Studio in Cranford, New Jersey where she specializes in Prosthodontics.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook