WHO WE ARE
LEADERSHIP
ROB J.BEST
CEO
Supporting SAGE Global since before our incorporation in 2002, Rob is now our CEO and is focused on guiding us toward being a world-leading example of inclusion, diversity and equality.
CAROL FURTADO
COO
Since 2003 Carol has supported the SAGE Global team with attention to detail that has helped our organization achieve sustainable norms that continue to exceed expectations. Carol is responsible for global operations and ensuring that all of the systems, resources, and people are in place to achieve our goals.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PETER FAGEN
Chairman
Peter K. Fagen is a founding partner of Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost. Established in 2006, the firm is recognized as the premier full-service education law firm in California, representing nearly 500 clients across the state.
KELBY THORNTON
Board Member
Kelby Thornton is the Information Management leader in San Joaquin Valley Business Unit for Chevron North America Exploration & Production Operation Company. Kelby has over 15 years energy industry experience.
VAN AJEMIAN
Board Member
Van Ajemian is an attorney by profession and a social entrepreneur by passion. Having graduated UCLA, he now manages two charities in Montebello, California.
DANIELLE HARMONY
Board Member
Danielle Harmony has been volunteering with SAGE Global since its inception in 2002 and is proud to join the board in 2016. She is a data analyst at heart and enjoys using data.
STEVEN DRENTH
Board Member
Steve Drenth is a retired engineer who previously worked at Boeing as a Senior Principal Engineer. He graduated from University of Northern Iowa with Masters of Business Administration in 1983.
HELEN SHI
Board Member
Since 2004, Helen has grown from a SAGE Student, SAGE Champion winner (2005), to college mentor of the champion team(2006) and Country Coordinator (2007-2009).
CURTIS L. DEBERG
SAGE Ambassador
Curtis L. DeBerg founded and served SAGE Global from 2002-2020. He is now a retired business professor who earned his Ph.D. and M.S. In business administration & economics at Oklahoma State University.
OUR ADMINISTRATION TEAM
CHRISTIAN NEISWONGER
Executive Director
He began volunteering for SAGE Global in 2018, he currently leads our global directors and ensures all projects are met. His goals for this year are to encourage the cohesion and coordination of our team in a virtual environment to deliver a smooth national and global SAGE Competition.
SHANE HOOKER
Director Of Coaching
Shane began working with SAGE Global since 2016, he is now pursuing his MBA while leading our mentorship department. His passion for assisting others with their startups and seeing young people develop has kept him excited to continue with SAGE.
LINDSEY ALFORD
Director of Recruiting
Worked with SAGE during her freshman year of college and has stayed with the organization for the last four years. In these four years Lindsey has held the position of Director of Communications, Director of Sales and Marketing.
WILL DEBERG
Global Leadership Coordinator
Lives in Minneapolis, MN and works as a marketing director for a startup company. He also runs his own basketball training business as well as coach college basketball. He has worked in finance world for 3 years prior to joining SAGE.
BLAKE GUILLEN
Director of Integration
Joining SAGE opened my eyes to what is achievable on a global level! Having the opportunity to meet so many fantastic individuals and work with such an excellent team has created lifelong memories! Each time I watch these brave entrepreneurs from around the world, it reminds me of why I joined SAGE.
JONATHAN GOMEZ
Co Director of Web Development
Jonathan is from North Hills, California just outside the greater Los Angeles area. After assisting with the development of the SAGE Competition website, he has taken working on the internal website for SAGE admin. Jonathan looks forward to working with entrepreneurs and business leaders to bring change in communities around the world.
MIGUEL RAMIREZ
Co Director of Web Development
Miguel has worked with SAGE since 2016. He started as the Director of Technology bringing new ideas to enhance everyone’s competition experience. He now brings his knowledge in technology and business to reimagine SAGE’s technological foundation.