• Keith Zakarin serves a team lead of the Duane Morris Education industry group and is a member of the firm’s Partners Board. Mr. Zakarin exclusively represents private postsecondary schools and colleges. His representation of these schools nationwide includes such diverse areas of law as student and employee litigation, regulatory and administrative counseling and litigation, mergers and acquisitions, accreditation counseling and advocacy, employment counseling and risk management.
• Zakarin is not just an attorney representing colleges; he also owned and operated an accredited private college for thirteen years.
• Zakarin is a 1986 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of California at San Diego.

• Keith Zakarin serves a team lead of the Duane Morris Education industry group and is a member of the firm’s Partners Board. Mr. Zakarin exclusively represents private postsecondary schools and colleges. His representation of these schools nationwide includes such diverse areas of law as student and employee litigation, regulatory and administrative counseling and litigation, mergers and acquisitions, accreditation counseling and advocacy, employment counseling and risk management.
• Zakarin is not just an attorney representing colleges; he also owned and operated an accredited private college for thirteen years.
• Zakarin is a 1986 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of California at San Diego.

Matthew Kennedy Stewart is co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, and SMJJ Investments. NSG has grown from a small Southern California-based business into an international company located throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to his role at NSG, Matt serves on the board of directors for multiple organizations. He is past chairman of the global board for the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), a worldwide-business network comprising over 14,000 leading entrepreneurs representing more than 142 chapters located in 46 countries.

Matt is consistently recognized for his leadership and management expertise. He has earned the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal and the OC Metro 40 Under 40, and he was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Finalist. He has traveled extensively across the world speaking on the topics of entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and business development. In particular, Matt is passionate about mentoring millennials and generation Z. He regularly provides his entrepreneurial insight to high-profile print and online publications. Matt has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur magazine, Inc. magazine, and Fox Business News and on ABC, CBS, and more. Matt is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and lives in Laguna Niguel, California with his wife, Jill, and their two children.

Matthew Kennedy Stewart is co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, and SMJJ Investments. NSG has grown from a small Southern California-based business into an international company located throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to his role at NSG, Matt serves on the board of directors for multiple organizations. He is past chairman of the global board for the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), a worldwide-business network comprising over 14,000 leading entrepreneurs representing more than 142 chapters located in 46 countries.

Matt is consistently recognized for his leadership and management expertise. He has earned the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal and the OC Metro 40 Under 40, and he was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Finalist. He has traveled extensively across the world speaking on the topics of entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and business development. In particular, Matt is passionate about mentoring millennials and generation Z. He regularly provides his entrepreneurial insight to high-profile print and online publications. Matt has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur magazine, Inc. magazine, and Fox Business News and on ABC, CBS, and more. Matt is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and lives in Laguna Niguel, California with his wife, Jill, and their two children.

Rachel Friend is a Mindset Coach & Relationship Expert who has made it her mission to help you find more joy on the journey by tapping into the power of your mindset. She specializes in giving you the tools to shift your perspective so you can experience the life changing effect it will have in your personal & professional world. She believes that once you learn how to harness the power of perception, you can navigate any situation and connect more meaningfully with others — a solid recipe for joy. With a Masters Degree in Human Communication, Rachel has taught her methodology in the University setting and is excited to show you what your life could look like with a limitless perspective.

Rachel Friend is a Mindset Coach & Relationship Expert who has made it her mission to help you find more joy on the journey by tapping into the power of your mindset. She specializes in giving you the tools to shift your perspective so you can experience the life changing effect it will have in your personal & professional world. She believes that once you learn how to harness the power of perception, you can navigate any situation and connect more meaningfully with others — a solid recipe for joy. With a Masters Degree in Human Communication, Rachel has taught her methodology in the University setting and is excited to show you what your life could look like with a limitless perspective.

A truly effective account services professional not only understands the central roles of listening and asking the right questions, but how creative and media play integral parts in ensuring campaign success. Tammy has spent more than two decades honing this craft, guiding industry giants in Healthcare, Education, Finance, and Travel and Hospitality to success. Tammy is proactive in working with cross-functional teams in Digital, Traditional Media, and Tech.

“Service is much more than being there when a client needs you,” explains Tammy. “It’s being proactive in planning and strategy and overturning every stone necessary to push campaign performance.” It’s this approach that is currently achieving outstanding results for EXACTA’s Clients.

A truly effective account services professional not only understands the central roles of listening and asking the right questions, but how creative and media play integral parts in ensuring campaign success. Tammy has spent more than two decades honing this craft, guiding industry giants in Healthcare, Education, Finance, and Travel and Hospitality to success. Tammy is proactive in working with cross-functional teams in Digital, Traditional Media, and Tech.

“Service is much more than being there when a client needs you,” explains Tammy. “It’s being proactive in planning and strategy and overturning every stone necessary to push campaign performance.” It’s this approach that is currently achieving outstanding results for EXACTA’s Clients.

Media buying and planning is a science and an instrumental part of every successful campaign. With veteran media strategist, Jackie Post, at the helm of EXACTA’s omni-channel media services department, every marketing effort is on-target, cost-effective, and aligned perfectly with client objectives.

Over the years, her keen sense of negotiation and her extensive advertising and marketing know-how in both digital and traditional formats have been key in the overall growth and success of our clients in Healthcare, Education, Finance, Travel and Hospitality, and e-Commerce.

“Great creative needs the right platform and audience to succeed,” Jackie professes. “Never underestimate the power of media planning and placement with the right message.”

Media buying and planning is a science and an instrumental part of every successful campaign. With veteran media strategist, Jackie Post, at the helm of EXACTA’s omni-channel media services department, every marketing effort is on-target, cost-effective, and aligned perfectly with client objectives.

Over the years, her keen sense of negotiation and her extensive advertising and marketing know-how in both digital and traditional formats have been key in the overall growth and success of our clients in Healthcare, Education, Finance, Travel and Hospitality, and e-Commerce.

“Great creative needs the right platform and audience to succeed,” Jackie professes. “Never underestimate the power of media planning and placement with the right message.”

Liz Augusta, RN, MSN, LNCC, CPHQ, CPHRM is the Clinical Risk Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.  She has worked with the Department’s Risk Management and Patient Safety team since completing her training as a Legal Nurse Consultant in 2001.  Currently, she assists the Department in multiple roles involving risk management, patient safety, system-wide education, and program development.

Prior to her arrival to Health Services Administration, Liz was the hospital-wide shift Nursing Supervisor, Emergency Department Charge Nurse, and Emergency/Trauma Nurse at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.

Liz is a frequent speaker, both locally and nationally, on several patient safety and risk management topics, with a special interest in the patient perception of medical error in the provision of healthcare.  She imparts a unique perspective in her publications and speaking engagements as both a nurse and consumer of healthcare.

Liz Augusta, RN, MSN, LNCC, CPHQ, CPHRM is the Clinical Risk Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.  She has worked with the Department’s Risk Management and Patient Safety team since completing her training as a Legal Nurse Consultant in 2001.  Currently, she assists the Department in multiple roles involving risk management, patient safety, system-wide education, and program development.

Prior to her arrival to Health Services Administration, Liz was the hospital-wide shift Nursing Supervisor, Emergency Department Charge Nurse, and Emergency/Trauma Nurse at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.

Liz is a frequent speaker, both locally and nationally, on several patient safety and risk management topics, with a special interest in the patient perception of medical error in the provision of healthcare.  She imparts a unique perspective in her publications and speaking engagements as both a nurse and consumer of healthcare.

Kathleen Rosales has over 35 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse. 26 of those years were spent full time at the bedside in acute patient care, with the last 18 years spent in Cardiothoracic ICU where she recovered patients following high risk open-heart surgery, heart transplants, and lung transplants. Currently, Dr. Rosales is a full time Professor in the RN program at the Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing in Glendale. Dr. Rosales completed her PhD studies at the University of San Diego where her research focused on the use of clinical simulation to advance nursing practice. Her current research interest is focused on the phenomenon known as failure to rescue, in particular the inability of RNs to recognize signs and symptoms of a patient experiencing a medical crisis, with competent follow-through interventions.

Kathleen Rosales has over 35 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse. 26 of those years were spent full time at the bedside in acute patient care, with the last 18 years spent in Cardiothoracic ICU where she recovered patients following high risk open-heart surgery, heart transplants, and lung transplants. Currently, Dr. Rosales is a full time Professor in the RN program at the Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing in Glendale. Dr. Rosales completed her PhD studies at the University of San Diego where her research focused on the use of clinical simulation to advance nursing practice. Her current research interest is focused on the phenomenon known as failure to rescue, in particular the inability of RNs to recognize signs and symptoms of a patient experiencing a medical crisis, with competent follow-through interventions.

Kimberly Porter has been a Registered Nurse for over 26 years and has worked at the bedside providing direct patient care for over 22 years. Her background in bedside nursing includes medical-surgical nursing, post-anesthesia care nursing, and over 13 years as an emergency room nurse. Dr. Porter currently serves as the lead educator for Emanate Health’s nurse residency program and emergency department nurse training program where she led her team in achieving the program’s Accreditation with Distinction status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Dr. Porter works in collaboration with Glendale Community College’s (GCC) SIM team to provide simulation training to newly hired Registered Nurses and novice Emergency Department nurses. Dr. Porter received her doctorate degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University in 2018. Her doctoral research examined how nurses can recognize and respond to signs of clinical deterioration to prevent failure to rescue.

Kimberly Porter has been a Registered Nurse for over 26 years and has worked at the bedside providing direct patient care for over 22 years. Her background in bedside nursing includes medical-surgical nursing, post-anesthesia care nursing, and over 13 years as an emergency room nurse. Dr. Porter currently serves as the lead educator for Emanate Health’s nurse residency program and emergency department nurse training program where she led her team in achieving the program’s Accreditation with Distinction status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Dr. Porter works in collaboration with Glendale Community College’s (GCC) SIM team to provide simulation training to newly hired Registered Nurses and novice Emergency Department nurses. Dr. Porter received her doctorate degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University in 2018. Her doctoral research examined how nurses can recognize and respond to signs of clinical deterioration to prevent failure to rescue.

Valerie Shay began her teaching career as a middle school English, History, and Drama teacher in Ontario, California while completing her MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University. Valerie was acknowledged by Inland Empire Magazine as one of the Inland Empire’s Top 10 Teachers as a first year teacher and subsequently became a literacy coach during her 4th year as a classroom teacher. She later served as an ELD coordinator at two Southern California High Schools.

Valerie has gained experience as a developmental reading and composition instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina a technical college and as an ESL instructor and faculty trainer at the College of DuPage in Chicago, Illinois. She has been a lead school reformer mentoring educators and stakeholders in under-performing schools throughout America’s Midwest and served on the AdvancedEd team and helped with the accreditation process for several urban high schools.

Adding international scope to her practice, Valerie worked in China as a teacher-trainer and curriculum designer for Disney English. Upon returning to California, she accepted an English teaching adjunct position at another private sector college before advancing to the role of Director of Education. In August 2019, Valerie joined the SEC team as Associate Director of Faculty Development where she is honored to work alongside dedicated and talented Team Members who serve their communities with both passion and compassion.

Valerie Shay began her teaching career as a middle school English, History, and Drama teacher in Ontario, California while completing her MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University. Valerie was acknowledged by Inland Empire Magazine as one of the Inland Empire’s Top 10 Teachers as a first year teacher and subsequently became a literacy coach during her 4th year as a classroom teacher. She later served as an ELD coordinator at two Southern California High Schools.

Valerie has gained experience as a developmental reading and composition instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina a technical college and as an ESL instructor and faculty trainer at the College of DuPage in Chicago, Illinois. She has been a lead school reformer mentoring educators and stakeholders in under-performing schools throughout America’s Midwest and served on the AdvancedEd team and helped with the accreditation process for several urban high schools.

Adding international scope to her practice, Valerie worked in China as a teacher-trainer and curriculum designer for Disney English. Upon returning to California, she accepted an English teaching adjunct position at another private sector college before advancing to the role of Director of Education. In August 2019, Valerie joined the SEC team as Associate Director of Faculty Development where she is honored to work alongside dedicated and talented Team Members who serve their communities with both passion and compassion.

Dr. Margaret Avila is a nurse administrator/educator whose practice spans more than forty years. Her practice has followed three pathways: academia, management/administration and clinical specialties in Women’s Health, Gerontology and Public Health Nursing. Dr. Avila graduated from St. Vincent’s College of Nursing which was affiliated with St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s College. She has earned two graduate degrees: in healthcare management from California State University, Los Angeles and nursing from California State University, Long Beach respectively. She attended the University of San Diego for her PhD in nursing.

Dr. Avila consults with leading private and public university nursing programs at A.D.N., B.S.N. and M.S.N. levels.  In 2016 she stepped down from the CDU Board of Trustees to assume the position of Term Dean of the Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing (MMDSON). Her focus was the reinvigoration of the school’s programs, starting with the Entry Level Masters (ELM) Program and including the MSN-FNP and post-masters certificate programs. The key elements included providing an empowering environment that facilitates student focused learning along with faculty driven overview and accountability for student success.

Dr. Avila has served in large healthcare systems administratively, such the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Nursing Director. Under her tenure the nursing department earned a number of awards and national recognition for infrastructure enhancements that directly resulted an innovative public health nursing practice model.  This model has been is in many of the community health/public health nursing textbooks.

In addition, her experience with health systems from county level public health nursing departments, to non-profit community clinics has/continues to contribute to the enhanced quality of client care, agencies’ infrastructure efficiencies and maximized the productivity of personnel.

Dr. Margaret Avila is a nurse administrator/educator whose practice spans more than forty years. Her practice has followed three pathways: academia, management/administration and clinical specialties in Women’s Health, Gerontology and Public Health Nursing. Dr. Avila graduated from St. Vincent’s College of Nursing which was affiliated with St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s College. She has earned two graduate degrees: in healthcare management from California State University, Los Angeles and nursing from California State University, Long Beach respectively. She attended the University of San Diego for her PhD in nursing.

Dr. Avila consults with leading private and public university nursing programs at A.D.N., B.S.N. and M.S.N. levels.  In 2016 she stepped down from the CDU Board of Trustees to assume the position of Term Dean of the Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing (MMDSON). Her focus was the reinvigoration of the school’s programs, starting with the Entry Level Masters (ELM) Program and including the MSN-FNP and post-masters certificate programs. The key elements included providing an empowering environment that facilitates student focused learning along with faculty driven overview and accountability for student success.

Dr. Avila has served in large healthcare systems administratively, such the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Nursing Director. Under her tenure the nursing department earned a number of awards and national recognition for infrastructure enhancements that directly resulted an innovative public health nursing practice model.  This model has been is in many of the community health/public health nursing textbooks.

In addition, her experience with health systems from county level public health nursing departments, to non-profit community clinics has/continues to contribute to the enhanced quality of client care, agencies’ infrastructure efficiencies and maximized the productivity of personnel.

Tom Leu is the founder of The Education Edge™ and brings a decade of experience as a former instructor and Academic Dean. Tom is a dynamic keynote speaker, corporate and collegiate trainer, professional photographer, and radio host. Tom’s clients include, colleges, universities, higher education associations, fortune 500 companies, and the entertainment industry.

• Founder of The Education Edge™
• Former Academic Dean & Psychology Instructor
• MS Psychology / BS Sociology
• Certified Professional Coach & Certified Body Language Trainer
• Author of 21 Days of Distinction & Musician’s Corner® books
• Professional Photographer and Radio Host

Tom Leu is the founder of The Education Edge™ and brings a decade of experience as a former instructor and Academic Dean. Tom is a dynamic keynote speaker, corporate and collegiate trainer, professional photographer, and radio host. Tom’s clients include, colleges, universities, higher education associations, fortune 500 companies, and the entertainment industry.

• Founder of The Education Edge™
• Former Academic Dean & Psychology Instructor
• MS Psychology / BS Sociology
• Certified Professional Coach & Certified Body Language Trainer
• Author of 21 Days of Distinction & Musician’s Corner® books
• Professional Photographer and Radio Host

Elizabeth Keifer Herron, a founding partner of PEAC Student Loan Assistance, is currently a member of the executive management team of CARS. Elizabeth provides client services, community outreach, and is the chief compliance specialist for the family of companies. Serving on numerous committees for higher education associations, she presents at many workshops and conferences; her presence in Washington, DC enables her to access up-to-the-minute information on a variety of legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry. Prior to founding PEAC in 1992, Elizabeth was the chief lobbyist for the Career College Association (now CECU) and served as an experiential educator for Outward Bound Professional, facilitating corporate teambuilding workshops to improve organization efficacy. She received her BA with honors in Political Science and Economics from Douglass College of Rutgers University, and resides in Washington, DC with her husband and two boys.

Captain Dean Viana has been in the fire service for over 25 years and currently holds the position of Fire Captain/Paramedic for the Beverly Hills Fire Department.

Captain Dean also has certifications as Fire Chief Officer, Fire Officer, State and County Licensed Paramedic, Urban Search and Rescue, American Heart Association Instructor, and Hazardous Materials expert.

He has been assigned to presidential details for President Obama, President Clinton, President Ford, and Vice President Biden.

As a professional Fire Captain/Paramedic, he responds to emergency medical and fire alarms, trained in fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, participates in community service, and is certified to teach and educate paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and educators in fire/medical/disaster emergencies.

Captain Dean started Celebrity CPR in 2004 when he saw the need of educating the public in life saving skills. “After responding to thousands of people during emergency calls and seeing many times that nobody is rendering aid to save a life, I knew that offering private education to families and organizations was extremely important”.

Captain Dean Viana has been in the fire service for over 25 years and currently holds the position of Fire Captain/Paramedic for the Beverly Hills Fire Department.

Captain Dean also has certifications as Fire Chief Officer, Fire Officer, State and County Licensed Paramedic, Urban Search and Rescue, American Heart Association Instructor, and Hazardous Materials expert.

He has been assigned to presidential details for President Obama, President Clinton, President Ford, and Vice President Biden.

As a professional Fire Captain/Paramedic, he responds to emergency medical and fire alarms, trained in fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, participates in community service, and is certified to teach and educate paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and educators in fire/medical/disaster emergencies.

Captain Dean started Celebrity CPR in 2004 when he saw the need of educating the public in life saving skills. “After responding to thousands of people during emergency calls and seeing many times that nobody is rendering aid to save a life, I knew that offering private education to families and organizations was extremely important”.

Over her 40 year nursing career, Dr. Cylke (Kat) has developed a wide scope of practice in the areas of clinical patient care, nursing administration, regulatory compliance and nursing education. Her doctoral research resulted in a $750,000 federal grant being used to help Las Vegas employers better transition newly graduated nurses to the workplace. Time spent in many different countries has provided Kat some adventures and conversant insights regarding issues such as health care and gender inequality. While working in Saudi Arabia she created and implemented an EMT Program for Saudi soldiers with the top graduates chosen to be providers for the Crowned Prince of Saudi Arabia. Currently she is a Director of Nursing for Success Education Colleges.