The Committee 

Shawn Ryan Randleman

Shawn Ryan has been a strategic solution architect for startups and small businesses for over 20 years. A New Yorker for over a decade now, he has worked with companies on growth, funding, and expansion strategies.

Mike Laskaj

Mike has worked in finance for most of his career and is currently a data strategist at one of the world’s fastest-growing macro hedge funds. Mike is a native New Yorker who in addition to his day job writes and produces music. He has been attending First Wednesday since 2013.

Sal Monaco

Sal has been working in trading and trading technology for nearly twenty years and is currently working at Hudson River Trading. He has been attending First Wednesday for four years and looks forward to continuing the great tradition.

Derek Wallis

Born and raised in New Zealand, Derek Wallis has worked on Wall Street for over 20 years, including thirteen years as a trader for George Soros. In 2007 he founded a fundraiser for veteran causes held annually at the Intrepid Museum in New York City. He trains in jujitsu at Renzo Gracie Academy alongside his son (10) and daughter (13), as well as serving as President of the Parents Association at Dwight School.

Guiddalia (Lia) Emilien

Originally from Haiti, Guiddalia is the Founder/Principal of Brixton Manor, a New York-based full-service commercial and residential real estate firm. She enjoys the theater/ballet, hiking, traveling, and the arts, among other activities.

Geraldo Paris

Geraldo operates at the intersection of finance and technology and currently leads index sales to the Hedge Fund client segment at MSCI. He is a New York native and attended Penn State for his undergraduate studies and NYU Stern for his MBA.