2nd Annual Connectors Conference
Meet Our Speakers
Jacob Shapiro
Partner & Director of Geopolitical Analysis, Cognitive Investments
Jacob oversees geopolitical analysis at Cognitive Investments (CI), working with the CI research team to integrate geopolitics into CI’s investment strategies. He also authors the “Global Situation Report,” a weekly intelligence brief on the world’s most important developments, and hosts CI's podcast series, "Cognitive Dissidents," which features interviews with a diverse array of foreign policy, technology, and global business experts. Prior to joining CI, Jacob was Director of Analysis at Geopolitical Futures, which he co-founded with famed geopolitical strategist George Friedman. Read more here.
Tyler Bruch
Organic Farmer, Cyclone Farms Inc.
Tyler and his wife Amy are the owners of Cyclone Farms in York, Nebraska. As sixth-generation farmers with a background in agricultural consulting, Tyler and Amy evolved the family farm into one of the most cutting-edge organic farms in the country and converted nearly 2,500 acres of high productive farm ground to organic row crops, small grains, pulses, and oilseeds. Their “farm outside the box” approach is about harnessing the unique properties of the land to ensure sustainability. Read more here.
Marc Estrada
President & Founder, GPT Secure, LLC
Marc Estrada is a blockchain and greenhouse gas reduction entrepreneur. He founded GPT Secure, LLC which provides advanced data exchange and back-office services for retail commodity suppliers, generators, municipal utilities, and commercial clients. Mark's unique and in-depth knowledge of commodity trading and sales has led to the development of an innovative Web 2 system that automates manual processes, eliminates redundancies, and provides technologically advanced data services. Read more here.
Sophia Weiss
Sustainability Manager, Grain Millers, Inc.
Sophia Weiss is a sustainable agriculture specialist, farmer advocate, and ESG professional at Grain Millers, a clean label grains supplier and manufacturer. In her work, she explores the feasibility of accelerated agriculture land transitions toward climate smart growing practices. She is also a registered dietitian with a research background. She has studied the implications of wide-spread adoption of plant-based diets for improved environmental, social, and human health outcomes. Read more here.
Andrew Bluestein
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bluestein Ventures
Andrew is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Bluestein Ventures. He is responsible for driving the firm’s strategy, leading its investment committee, and advising its portfolio companies. He has a deep and diverse background working with emerging leaders to grow their businesses. In addition to his work at Bluestein, Andrew has been a judge at Kellogg’s & Booth’s new venture competitions and a mentor to the Good Food Business Accelerator and 1871 communities. Read more here.
Jeremy Ellingson
Owner & COO, Ellingson Construction
Jeremy Ellingson has been involved in the agriculture and construction industry for over 30 years. He started in the business as a laborer and progressed through the ranks of operator, foreman, survey manager, project manager and general manager, becoming COO in 2008. In his current role, Jeremy is responsible for leading the strategy, management, and future growth at Ellingson. He also has a passion for technology and leads the Ellingson team on projects to improve the delivery of agricultural water management and construction. Read more here.
Mark Luecke
Managing Director & CEO, South Dakota Innovation Partners
Mark Luecke is managing director and CEO of South Dakota Innovation Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm. Innovation Partners provides executive leadership to portfolio companies, supporting debt, equity, and grant financing activities, a large patent estate, new jobs and strategic partnerships. Mark has many years of experience in starting, leading, advising, and successfully exiting technology and other growth-oriented companies. Read more here.
Chris Erickson
Managing Director, Parsonage Lane Advisors
Chris is managing director of Parsonage Lane Advisors, which supports agribusinesses with strategic and growth capital needs. He has extensive experience working with fund and direct investment platforms in both farmland, farm operating, mid-stream activities and vertically integrated operations. In addition, he is a partner at Gothams, an emergency management and response company. His experience includes designing food security strategies and consulting on the design and implementation of global food investment strategies. Read more here.
Ben Axelrod
Managing Director, Borgman Capital
Ben Axelrod joined Borgman Capital as a managing director in 2023 to initiate the firm’s presence in the Twin Cities. His passion is working with leaders of family-owned businesses to help them position their companies for the next chapter of ownership and growth. Over his career, he has completed over 70 M&A transactions, primarily assisting small and medium-sized businesses. Read more here.
Matthew Fitzmaurice
Managing Director, Hennepin Partners
Matthew Fitzmaurice has more than 30 years of investment banking, capital formation and institutional investment management experience in the emerging growth and growth sectors of the global economy. For the past 10 years, he has focused on companies driving efficiencies in the agriculture and water sectors. His investment banking experience includes M&A and private company capital raises. Read more here.
Kermit Nash
Co-Chair, Food, Beverage & Agribusiness, Saul Ewing LLP
Kermit counsels domestic and international clients on legal issues connected with their business operations, governance, strategy and investments. Privately held domestic and international corporations rely on Kermit to advise them on transactions ranging from mergers and acquisitions and sales development to distribution, licensing and financing. Read more here.
David Sartorio
Partner, Saul Ewing LLP
David focuses his practice on corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, control and non-control investments, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. David has experience advising companies ranging from private start-up and growth companies to large public companies across diverse industry sectors, including energy, agricultural technology, video gaming and life sciences, as well as private equity and venture capital firms. Read more here.
Maxwell Bremer
Partner, Saul Ewing LLP
Max advises entrepreneurs and established companies on key transactions throughout the business life cycle, from formations and financings to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. He works with clients in a variety of industries, including health care IT, medical devices, data analytics, block-chain technologies, renewable and alternative energies, software, food and agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing. Read more here.