On this episode, Kurt Baker talks to Barbara Forshner, who has dedicated more than 20 years to the health care industry. She is driven by a personal passion for advocating for the dignity and well-being of seniors. Her journey began when she witnessed the lack of respect her grandfather received in a long-term care facility - an experience that inspired her to become his advocate and ultimately pursue a career focused on improving senior care.
For the past three years, Barbara has been the Director of Sales at Brookdale Hamilton, NJ, where she continues to guide families through the challenging process of finding the right senior living community for their loved ones. Her deep industry knowledge, extensive professional network, and compassionate approach have made her a trusted resource and advocate for countless families.
On this episode of Master Your Finances, Kurt Baker speaks to Anthony Pinto, who has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry and has built Pinto Automotive Group into a trusted destination for car sales and services in Trenton and Mercer County, NJ. Starting from humble beginnings in detailing, he mastered every part of the business and is now known for his integrity, customer focus, and community commitment. Beyond the dealership, Anthony is passionate about fitness, personal growth, giving back locally, and spending time with family.
Deepika Chandola is the proud owner of Board and Brush South Brunswick, a DIY creative studio where community and creativity come together. With a background in hospitality and a passion for supporting local, she's dedicated to inspiring connection, confidence, and joy through hands-on workshops.
On this week's episode of Master Your Finances, Kurt Baker interviews Annette Murphy, the Director of Home Care and Care Management at Springpoint and a Fellow of the Academy of ACLA. With Over 30 years in health care, she is a licensed clinical social worker, certified dementia practitioner, and national leader in advancing compassionate, ethical care for older adults and their families.
Today on the show we're joined by Ben Jen; entrepreneur, investor, and the force behind Ben Jen Holdings, a venture capital and consulting firm that's backed some of the most innovative startups in tech, health, and finances. Ben is passionate about helping founders grow from early traction to scale, and he brings a wealth of experience, insight, and perspective on what it really takes to build the next big thing.
What does it take for high school students to break into the world of venture capital, and thrive?
Today, we're joined by three standout Venture Analysts from 1435 Capital who are doing just that. Meet Steven Tunison, Ansh Vasani, and Suhani Pandya, rising stars who've taken initiative in finance, entrepreneurship, and research long before most peer even think about it.
Steven is a junior at George School and an award-winning analyst with a deep background in economics and student leadership. Ansh, a rising junior at Stanford Online High School, is a club leader, scout, and founder of a nonprofit focused on financial literacy. And Suhani, from The Brearly School, brings impressive experience in industry research advocacy for women in venture capital.
Together, they're helping source deals, conduct due diligence, and explore the future of investing, all while still in high school. Let's hear how they got started, what they've learned, and where they're headed next.
Please welcome Steven, Ansh, and Suhani!
What does it take to thrive as both a creative and a business leader in the world of architecture?
Meet Eric Gartner, AIA, LEED, AP, principal partner at SGP Architects, where he has led the firm's national and international growth across the U.S., Latin America, and Africa. With a Masters of Architecture from the University if Virginia, Eric blends creative vision with a strong sense of environmental and social responsibility -- championing sustainable design and community-centered development.
As an architect, Eric realized that creativity alone wasn't enough to sustain and grow a successful practice. He shares how building business acumen, forming trusted partnerships and stepping outside his comfort zone became key to leading a resilient and respected firm.
From Rwanda to New York, from design to development -- please welcome Eric Gartner!
What if reducing hidden costs could boost your profits and set your business up for a successful exit?
Today's guest is Michael Neil, a cost-reduction strategist and executive advisor with Schooley Mitchell, North America's largest independent cost-reduction consulting firm. He helps business owners across the U.S. and Canada lower essential expenses, increase profitability, and strengthen their businesses for long-term growth or sale-all through a performance-based model.
Outside of work, Michael fosters rescue dogs with his family and serves on the board of a major hunger relief non-profit in Greater Philadelphia.
Please welcome, Michael Neil!
What does it take to thrive in venture capital while making an impact in public service and education?
Meet Ronan Pell, Venture Analyst at 1435 Capital, where he sources investment opportunities and supports diligence and fundraising. He's led a student investment fund, developed a national civics curriculum, and conducted real estate research at Linneman Associates. Ronan has also served as a Congressional intern and represented the U.S. in Taiwan through the NSLI Y program.
Today, he shares insights on early-stage investing , youth leadership, and building financial expertise through experiences.
What does it take to manage wealth with integrity and lead through service? Meet Donald J. Loff, a seasoned financial advisor with over 40 years of experience and a strong record of leadership in both private wealth and nonprofit governance. He currently serves as Treasurer at Capital Health. Today, he’ll discuss how to build lasting financial strategies while leading with purpose—both in wealth management and community service.
What does it take to fund the future of deep tech and drive innovation that transforms human and planetary health? Meet Sean O'Sullivan, managing general partner of SOSV, a global venture capital firm with 1.5 billion in assets under management, a pioneer in computer based street mapping and co-founder of Mapinfo. Sean has spent decades backing visionary founders tackling the world's most pressing challenges. Under his leadership, SOSV has become the number one most active investor in climate tech since 2017. With top portfolio companies valued in the billions beyond venture capital, Sean is a committed philanthropist directing millions to education and humanitarian causes.
What does it take to lead with courage, serve with purpose, and make an impact across industries? Meet John. D Hanson, a leadership expert, keynote speaker, and season professional with a career spent in the military, healthcare, ministry, finance, and manufacturing. From top performance at a fortune 10 company discerning as a senior leader in the Ohio Army National Guard, John has earned recognition for excellence and resilience. While working full time and serving in the military reserve, he earned two degrees with a perfect GPA. Today John inspires others through his best selling books, Winning Secrets and Heroic Leadership as well as high impact workshops on leadership, trust, and service.
What does it take to help business owners achieve lasting success and navigate the challenges of growth? Meet Sal Levatino, a business coach. With over 15 years of experience, Sal specializes in transforming businesses by focusing on both effective strategies and seamless implementation. He works closely with clients to create customized action plans that turns today's transactions into tomorrow's transformations. Today, he's committed to empowering smaller businesses to reach their full potential.
What does it take to navigate the challenges of senior living and ensure a seamless transition for aging adults? Meet Olga St. Pierre, a senior living specialist and real estate expert, with over 16 years of experience helping seniors and their families make informed decisions about transitioning to new living arrangements. Through a passionate and full service approach, Olga provides guidance, trusted professionals, and educational resources for a stress-free move for your loved ones.
What does it take to unlock your full potential in sales and in real life? Meet Davidson Hang, head of Business Development at Untap Your Sales Potential. Through mindset, community, and courageous self-leadership, Davidson helps sales professionals go beyond tactics and step into lasting personal growth. Today, he shares how vulnerability. consistency, and belief can transform not just your numbers, but your life.
John Cox is the founder of Streamline Pool Pros. Initially set on becoming a police officer, John shifted gears towards law school before encountering an unexpected hurdle that prevented him from finishing his degree. He turned adversity to opportunity and embarked on a dynamic career path, leading him to settle in the contracting industry.
Andrew Fallon works with Ben Jen at 1435 Capital, where he brings fresh insights and new perspectives to the venture capital world. Andrew didn't follow the traditional path to get here; he attended a non-target school and started his career in treasury at an insurance firm. In this episode, Kurt and Andrew explore how he turned his non-traditional route into an opportunity, what he's learned from his journey, and how you too can leverage unconventional experiences into a successful career in finance and investing.
Meet Eric Hadley, a leader who turned his passion for service into action. From earning his Eagle Scout rank, serving with the Military Sealift Command and US Coast Guard, Eric’s career spans global humanitarian missions and leadership in the oil industry. Now as the founder and CEO of Got Your Six Coffee Co., he is fueling support for veterans and first responders one cup at a time.
How can AI revolutionize businesses and drive real-world impact beyond just investment returns? Meet Daniel Pace, a financial expert with over seven years of market outperformance who has now set his sights on the rapidly evolving AI sector. As the founder of Genuine AI, he provides custom AI solutions to help businesses and nonprofits thrive. Join Kurt and Dan as Dan shares his insights on AI's potential and how technology can drive meaningful change.
What does it take to revolutionize geriatric care and bring quality medical services directly to older adults? Meet Dr. Arun Rao, a fellowship-trained and board-certified geriatrician. As the founder and CEO of Geriatrics Planning & Solutions, Inc., Dr. Rao is dedicated to providing medical care through a direct-pay house call service, ensuring that seniors receive the attention they need in the comfort of their home. Through leadership roles at Weill Cornell Medical College and Penn Medicine Princeton Health, he joins Kurt to share his expertise, insights, and passion for redefining geriatric care.
