IMs. Avakian is a specialist in technology development and how to apply it across the world. In 1975 she became one of the first registered agents for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.Her international experience expanded when she became the liaison to World Trading and Shipping, Ltd, in 1986, one of the first companies to help American and European firms explore opportunity in China.Karen's passion is creating business in sustainable development, which she accomplished with Vapor Tech in Belgium, and Water Safe Solutions in the US.She received her BA in English Literature from Wellesley College in 1967, where she was Secretary of the Shakespeare Society. In her spare time, she enjoys reading on the beach. She resides in New York, New York.
Jim T. Chong (aka the “Wok Star”) is an accomplished Hybrid Publicist, Radio Personality, Media / Virtual Platform Expert as well as Master Virtual Emcee that represents American Martial Arts Alliance Institute/Foundation, CrossGroup Networking as a Co-Founder, the Global Chamber Cooperative, Future Development Youth Center, the Floyd Armstrong brand (from The 5th Dimension) who is the founder of Music Therapy For Veterans as well as other business and cause based national entities. He is also a licensed and award winning financial professional and business strategy/digital marketing consultant.
Jim has served on various Executive Boards of businesses, cause-based organizations, as well as non-profits and is a well-known community leader that has been a prominent advocate for cultural diversity and entrepreneurship.
Having been featured on various collaborative best selling books including his own anthology “Breaking Barriers: Decisions That Elevate People from Ordinary to Extraordinary”, his latest series of books to be released will focus and be themed on “Take Center Stage: Because The World Needs Some Heroes” which serves as a catalyst for a national endeavor that will celebrate and congratulate the champions during the pandemic times. Along with being a professional writer, ghost writer, and best selling international author, journalist and media consultant, Jim has instructed many on how to articulate their story through not just writing, but speaking as well.
His latest venture includes helping guide organizations on virtual platforms while facilitating meetings for chambers and business groups both “live” and virtually. Jim is also helping support/elevate talent in the virtual space and also is focused on helping others stay connected and thrive during these times. By creating global awareness of the “Golden Rule” and supporting businesses and entrepreneurs through CrossGroup Networking (Founded by Mike Hayes) which is designed to help people overcome the trauma of the lockdowns, Jim focuses on helping give real life practical skills in the New Normal Economy.
Jim has served as a professional mentor, facilitator, and Master Emcee having served hundreds of events with audiences up to the thousands and has been a staple and advocate for many cultural and cause-based organizations.
On the personal side, Jim is the father of 2 children and has spent many years also serving actively as a caregiver for his father before help passed away right after Christmas in 2020 and had served on the Executive Board of Healings In Motion, a non-profit dedicated to Stroke Awareness and Brain Health.
He is proud to serve as the publicist for Harmonetik Music and all that it stands for during these times as it is the key for recovery of Mental Health for Veterans and also the general populous. His core life is represented by his passion to “Bring things together to make something better.”
Will is a seasoned business development consultant with experience in a variety of industry operating on 5 continents. He excels at facilitating and maintaining B2B and B2G relationships for his clients. In the past two years, his focus has been cyber security risk mitigation. Will is a proud alumni of North Carolina State University in his hometown of Raleigh, NC, where he studied Economics with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. After spending most of his career in New York City and Washington, DC during COVID he's been residing in his Carolina log cabin with a stack of books and his dog.