It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 14th year of The Todd Feldman ’89 and Family Pitch contest. In the fall of 2011, President Mark Gearan began the academic year with the theme, “The Power of an Idea.” At the Centennial Center, we took up this challenge and created a program that would allow students to explore and implement their ideas, the Colleges’ first student entrepreneurial leadership contest.
Fourteen years later, The Pitch still embodies the Centennial Center’s values and as we work with student entrepreneurs, we consistently find that to further an idea requires leadership qualities, entrepreneurial spirit and innovative strategies. By engaging in the various programs at HWS, our finalists identify a problem and set out to build a viable business that positively impacts the community around them.
Tonight, we celebrate four finalists who have added to this lively HWS tradition of sharing ideas, comparing concepts and readying student entrepreneurs for real-world enterprising. Their efforts are supported by the extraordinary network of HWS faculty, staff, selection committee members, alum mentors, interns and Pitch judges. We’d like to thank the HWS community for a wonderful 14 years and congratulate all those students who have been courageous enough to put forward an idea.
Sincerely,
Lisa Kaenzig Dean of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Director of the Centennial Center
Pitch Sponsor
Todd Feldman has been a successful entrepreneur across multiple industries, including garment and soft goods, entertainment and real estate. A graduate of Hobart and William Smith ’89 (BA Economics), Todd has developed a keen eye for packaging ideas and building businesses for nearly 30 years.
Having started in the manufacturing world, Todd quickly became a top salesperson in a multi-national public corporation, which served him well in his transition into the entertainment business. Todd has produced a feature film and packaged and set up many television shows at major networks and continues to produce and represent established writers and directors in a variety of mediums.
In 2008, Todd and his wife, Jenn, created and patented a revolutionary throw blanket, the Nuddle Blanket, which, at the time, was the only blanket with a foot pocket. The Nuddle Blanket became a favorite of many, including several well-known celebrities and influencers, and can be found on couches around the world.
In 2009, Todd was presented with an opportunity to invest in several real estate deals of a prominent developer of hotel and residential properties, during which time he met an executive who would later become a business partner. In 2011, Todd and this executive co-founded Leonardo247, a real estate software platform, which brings real estate, management and technology together in a ground-breaking new way. Leonardo247 has since grown to become a leader in the multi-family industry.
Todd’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, recently co-founding another company in the technology/social media space (too early to announce) and having invested alongside über investor, Tim Draper, in PORTL, a California-based Holo-portation start-up, as well as ROLLA, a NYC-based real estate video platform—on which he serves on their Advisory Boards.
Todd and his family are thrilled to be involved in HWS’ Pitch Contest and are looking forward to many years of supporting the young HWS entrepreneurs.
Pitch Judges
Michael Tesoro P’27
Founder and CEO, Ooma Tesoro’s Premium Marinara Sauce
Michael Tesoro is the Founder of Ooma Tesoro's Marinara, a specialty food business. Prior to this he worked on the team at Turner Broadcasting that launched the broadband video game service, GameTap. He has served as Director, Broadband and Interactive TV Sales at ESPN on the team that launched ESPN Broadband, the predecessor of ESPN3. Before launching new businesses for large media companies, Michael worked for internet start-ups, ecommerce pioneer Outpost.com and broadband digital media agency, Thoughtbubble.com.
Before transitioning into new media, Michael served as the Managing Director of Vogl International and as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of Sutton Resources Ltd., which involved a one-year stint in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. He started his career on the political campaign and as a staff member for the U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT). Michael holds a B.A. in political science and a M.A. in international affairs from Drew University. He also studied at The London School of Economics and the Advanced Studies Program at the Kiel Institute for World Economy in Germany. He is the father of sophomore Francesca Tesoro ’27.
Robin Herrick Tesoro ’96, P’27
Co-Founder, Creative Director & Business Manager, Ooma Tesoro’s Premium Marinara Sauce
Robin Herrick Tesoro is the Co-Founder, Creative Director and Business Manager of Ooma Tesoro’s Premium Marinara Sauce. Prior to that, she served as a style editor at Martha Stewart Living Magazine and Martha Stewart Living TV in Westport, CT. Robin has also served in editor and stylist roles at The B magazine, The Berkshire Eagle and Wondertime magazine.
Robin began her professional career in Human Resources at Bloomberg in New York City before teaching English in Paris and Lyon, France. At HWS, Robin majored in Film Studies and minored in English Literature. She studied Sociology and English while abroad in London and spent a semester studying film and architecture in Los Angeles. She also studied French Language and Literature at the Sorbonne. Robin is the mother of sophomore Francesca Tesoro ’27.
Lowell Kronowitz ’85, P’27
President, Levy Jewelers
Lowell Kronowitz is the president of Levy Jewelers, the fourth-generation family member to lead the business. Before that, Lowell held a career in finance, serving as an Investment Grade Corporate Bond Trader at bondsdirect.com, Gruntal & Co., Union Bank of Switzerland and Bear Stearns.
He serves on many boards in the greater Savannah, Georgia area, including as Chairman of the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, Commissioner of the Savannah Airport Board of Directors and President of the Rotary Club of Savannah. Lowell holds a bachelor's degree in political science from HWS and an MBA in finance from the University of Michigan. He is the father of sophomore Amanda Kronowitz ’27.
Karla D'alleva Valas P’27
Head of Private Wealth & Executive Services, Fidelity
Karla D’Alleva Valas is the Head of Fidelity Private Wealth Management® and Executive Services. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as a senior vice president and head of fundraising and distribution for Fidelity Charitable®. Before joining Fidelity, Karla was an appellate court attorney for the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division Third Judicial Department. Karla is a Director for Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a Development and Advisory Board member for Greenhouse Scholars in North Carolina and a past president of the Junior League of Worcester (MA).
Karla earned her Master of Law in Taxation from Boston University’s School of Law, her JD from New England Law and her undergraduate degree in chemistry and sociology from Mount Holyoke College. She is the mother of sophomore Tara Valas ’27.
Pitch Finalists
Diya Baldev ’25
Majors: Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Politics
MotoGuardian With MotoGuardian, Diya Baldev ’25 is redefining female motorcycle gear by blending safety, comfort and style. Designed for diverse body types, MotoGuardian empowers women riders while fostering a community through its online platform.
Ahata Laska’s ’27
Major: Business Management and Entrepreneurship
AGLA Education.USA AGLA Education.USA is a consultancy service empowering students from CIS countries to navigate the U.S. college admissions process. Offering affordable, tailored guidance, the platform bridges gaps in access and support to help students achieve their educational dreams.
Maeghan Mahoney ’26
Majors: Biology, Environmental Studies
Darling’s Dahlias Darling’s Dahlias is a flower business that fosters mindfulness and creativity through locally grown arrangements and bouquet bars. Rooted in family tradition and scientific evidence, it emphasizes sustainability, community connection and intentional living.
Chloe Odell ’27
Major: Sociology
Mirabilia Jewelry Through Mirabilia Jewelry, Chloe Odell ’27 has brought to life unique, upcycled pieces from antique cutlery, blending sustainability with personal storytelling. Affordable and gender-inclusive, the handcrafted designs offer a meaningful, eco-conscious alternative to traditional jewelry.
Pitch Semi-Finalists
Calix Boldt ’25
Aden Higgins ’24, MSM '25
Virginia Ritchay ’28
Tarang Malhotra ’26
Isaiah Giesta-Pinto ’26
Jack Sherwood ’27
Pitch Mentors
Scott Martin '90
Anna Monaco '06
Mo Freedman '91
Heather Ouida '95
Kathleen Zeller '15
Matt Entice '95
Sabrina Budd '89
Ryan Adler ‘09
Alfred Matt '81
Alan Worden '87
Michael ’59 and Ellen ’60 Opell IdeaLab
The Michael ’59 and Ellen ’60 Opell IdeaLab has served as an effective feeder program into The Pitch contest. It also acted as an idea accelerator. A student investment committee in coordination with the Centennial Center reviews student proposals and allocates $5,000 in seed funding to various ideas.
The Centennial Center is deeply grateful for the support we receive from the HWS Community. Specifically, we’d like to thank:
The Judges for challenging our finalists and for their thoughtful questions and wisdom during the selection of the winner.
The Pitch Mentors for guiding the 10 semi-finalists during the second round.
The Selection Committee for reviewing proposals and working to ensure this competition serves as a learning experience for the students involved.
Adjunct Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Steve Brookstein and Director of Housing and Residence Life Jenna Terrell for intensive mentoring of our finalists.
The many campus colleagues who helped our finalists in important ways during the final weeks of preparation.
Many thanks especially to our talented team at the Centennial Center including
Associate Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Craig Talmage
Centennial Center Entrepreneurship Fellow Kevin Miles
Centennial Center Administrative Coordinator Nathan Gemignani
Sam Williams who works on our leadership programs and was our “slide guru” for our finalists.
Cohen ‘67 Interns Kahlil Fontana '26 and Holly McCarthy '25
Graduate Community Student Isabella Renzi '24, MSM '25
Student intern Amanda Kronowitz '27. We would also like to give special recognition to current sophomore Cori Bohan '27 for all of her work in helping to prepare our Pitch finalists. Cori was a finalist in last year’s competition, so she has particular insight and experience that has been very helpful to our finalists.
We also appreciate the leadership of President Mark D. Gearan and Mary Herlihy Gearan as well as the important work of Assistant Vice President for Campus Life Kristen Tapscott, our Communications colleagues and the Catering staff team.
We are especially grateful for the leadership of Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief Information Officer Fred Damiano, Director of User Services and Technical Support Christina Mosely, Multimedia Specialist III Luke Hodde and the talented IT Services team for the needed support and expertise in producing the Pitch event.
We also thank the following teams and colleagues for their talents towards the Pitch:
The Advancement team for their partnership in gathering our mentors and judges.
The Business Management and Entrepreneurship Department for helping prepare our students for the competition.
B&G for their great effort to set up the Vandervort room for the final event.
