FORGE Fireside

Past Event Recordings

FORGE Fireside with Aadil Diwan- March 2024

 

In this episode, Brian chats with Aadil Diwan, the Co-Founder & CTO of Safkan Health a medical device company focused on Ear Care. Aadil is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering

FORGE Fireside with Marcia Dawood- February 2024

 

In this episode, Brian chats with Marcia Dawood about the psychology of money and doing good by doing well. TEDx speaker and host of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia walks the talk and holds investments in over 50 early-stage companies and funds. She is committed to expanding support for diverse companies that overcome the world’s biggest problems and accelerate positive change.

FORGE Fireside with John Dearie- October 2023

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with John Dearie, John spent nine years at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York where he held positions in the Banking Studies, Foreign Exchange, and Policy and Analysis areas. He was appointed an Officer of the Bank in 1996. He is the co-author of Where the Jobs Are: Entrepreneurship and the Soul of the American Economy.

FORGE Fireside with Harry Wilcox- September 2023

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Harry Wilcox, General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, a life sciences venture capital company that invests in biotechnology, life sciences, health and sustainability companies. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship. 

FORGE Fireside with Ray Flores- April 2023

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Ray Flores, President of Flores Concepts, a Tucson-based management and creative company overseeing restaurants, airport cafes, and catering businesses. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship. 

FORGE Fireside with Cindy Jordan of Pyx Health- March 2023

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Cindy Jordan, CEO and Founder of Pyx Health, a new, inclusive paradigm of health and wellness that is improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship. 

FORGE Fireside with Kameron Norwood- February 2023

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Kameron Norwood, the Co-Founder of PackDash, a company that provides multi-channel fulfillment services to e-commerce brands, helping those brands grow and succeed with premium, personalized, and cost-efficient service. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

FORGE Fireside with Pueblo Vida - January 2023

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks Linette Antillon at Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, a passionate group of desert-dwellers committed to attaining the highest level of quality and consistency in the craft beer world. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

FORGE Fireside with Santa Claus- December 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman interviews Santa Claus - the CEO of Christmas about how he deals with supply chain issues to meet the most important deadline of the year. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship. 

FORGE Fireside with Allie Burns- November 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Allie Burns, CEO of Village Capital, where she oversees a team dedicated to unlocking capital for entrepreneurs who have been traditionally overlooked by early-stage investors. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship. 

FORGE Fireside with Rafael Tapia Jr. - October 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Rafael Tapia, the FORGE Mentor in Residence for the Native FORGE, a program built to encourage tribal entrepreneurship. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

FORGE Fireside with Shelley Miles-September 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Shelley Miles, CEO of Singleton Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to build financial literacy. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

FORGE Fireside with Zach Yentzer- April 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Zach Yentzer, Executive Director of Tucson Young Professionals, a group of diverse young professionals working together to showcase Tucson as a place for growth and prosperity. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

Career Opportunities with US Patent and Trademark Office- April 2022

 

In this hour long presentation with Jeffrey Palenik and Cathleen Hutchins from USPTO, learn about the many job and internship opportunities involving patents and trademarks.

Top 5 Things Entrepreneurs Wished They Knew About Patents and Trademarks- April 2022

In this hour long presentation from a panel of USPTO representatives and entrepreneurs, learn about their patent and trademark experiences and what they would have done differently.

FORGE Fireside with Ben Waber- March 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Ben Waber, President and Co-founder of Humanyze, a workplace analytics company that utilizes a wearable sensor to collect data and measure organizational health. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

FORGE Fireside with Blake Johnson & Scott Cohen- February 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Blake Johnson and Scott Cohen, University of Arizona alumni and co-founders of Byte, the better and faster (at-home) teeth aligners. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

FORGE Fireside with Kent Cheeseman- January 2022

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Kent Cheeseman, CEO of Hamilton Distillers Group. The Hamilton Distillery based in Tucson, Arizona is nationally known for its portfolio of American single malts — Dorado, Classic, and Old Pueblo. FORGE Fireside is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

Ask me Anything: Starting Something New in The Old Pueblo- December 2021

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with community representatives from FORGE, Startup Tucson, Community Investment Corporation, Tech Launch Arizona, and UA Center for Innovation about the people and programs in Tucson that can help you put your business idea into action. Ask-me-Anything is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship. 

Ask me Anything: Kevin Groman- November 2021

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Kevin Groman, Co-founder and Managing Partner for the Sonoran Founders Fund as well as the founder and owner of Crown Canyon Capital. Kevin Groman drives impact as an entrepreneur, investor, advisor, consultant, inventor and board member. Ask-me-Anything is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

Ask me Anything: John Lai- October 2021

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with John Lai, UA Alum as well as Chairman, President and CEO of Mister Carwash. John played a key role in crafting the company’s employee-first culture and relentless focus on continuously improving the customer’s experience. Ask-me-Anything is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

Ask me Anything: Entrepreneurship and The Government- October 2021

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with a panel of experts on opportunities and resources for entrepreneurs interested in working with the US Government. Ask-me-Anything is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

Ask me Anything: Matt Van Horn- July 2021

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with UA Alum and co-founder and CEO of June Oven, a company that build do-it-all smart convection ovens that make cooking perfectly easy. Ask-me-Anything is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

Ask me Anything: Ava Sadeghi- May 2021

 

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with UA Alum Ahva Sadeghi, co-founder and CEO of Symba, a venture-backed and all-female founded tech startup on the future of work. Ask-me-Anything is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.  

Ask me Anything: Allie Burns- April 2021

In this episode, Brian Ellerman speaks with Allie Burns, CEO of Village Capital, that she joined Inspired by the opportunity to reinvent the way we back new ideas and support entrepreneurs who are creating a more equitable and sustainable world. Ask-Me-Anything is a one-hour conversation about programs and ideas that are growing entrepreneurship.