Gwendolyn M. Kelly
Senior Marketing Manager, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Gwendolyn (Gwen) Kelly is responsible for managing marketing initiatives for the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. With more than 20 years of experience, Gwen is a veteran marketing professional who injects strategic insight into multiple areas of marketing process.
Previously as a client-side marketer, she managed the multicultural advertising initiative for American Family Insurance.
Through a variety of advertising agency media management roles including Associate Media Director for Burrell Communications Group in Chicago, IL where she was responsible for the media management of the Proctor & Gamble and Sears accounts. She has also worked at other leading advertising agencies including E. Morris Communications, Wells Rich Greene, Tracy Locke and DDB/Needham. Gwen brings a tremendous amount of expertise, insight and leadership to her current position.
A diverse group of non-profit and civic organizations have been the beneficiaries of Gwen’s talent, time and commitment to community. She has served in leadership roles and on the boards of a number of local and national community service organizations including Girl Scouts of the USA.
Gwen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (B.S. in Broadcast Communications), attended Illinois State University for graduate study in Mass Communications and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree at Webster University.
Mohamed Geraldez
Entrepreneur and Investor; www.JaanJ.com, www.ScholarView.org
Mohamed Geraldez is an American Muslim entrepreneur and investor in a few companies in different industries like the first and largest vegan necktie company in the world www.JaanJ.com. He actively invests in various commercial arenas including technology with startups like www.TheTechBlock.com, a curator of tech-related content, and is a strategic adviser to www.Pivotshare.com, a digital media distribution and monetization startup. Mr. Geraldez also serves as an advisory board member to several entities like the Information Technology Consulting Firm, GeniusCo, and the American Muslim Consumer Conference group that hosts the most important yearly gathering connecting leading American companies with American Muslim entrepreneurs, companies, businessmen/women and investors.
Mohamed was recently tapped to be the first Executive Director for Co-Founder, Dr. Sherman Jackson’s ALIM Program where strategies are being developed for the future of Islam in the modern world. Mohamed hopes to transform the ALIM Program from a traditional non-profit to a trailblazing, hybrid non-profit that can better serve the American Muslim community.
Mohamed converted to Islam during his junior year in college. Upon graduating, he went overseas to study the Islamic sciences for nearly four years in Syria, Morocco, Mauritania and the Saharan Desert with some of the most renowned scholars of the Muslim world. After studying abroad, he returned to the U.S. to obtain his Master’s degree in business (MBA).
Mr. Geraldez was asked to present his unique personal story in the book by White Cloud Publications “All-American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim.” The book can be ordered at Amazon.com.
Mohamed enjoys surfing, fashion, technology, basketball, and reading Classic American Literature. He currently resides in Southern California and travels throughout the world for business and speaking engagements.
