Dr. Hamid Malakpour was born in Tehran, Iran, and began his higher education in Europe before establishing his academic and professional career in the United States. He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport.

With over 30 years of experience spanning finance, higher education, and organizational leadership, Dr. Malakpour has held leadership roles with broad responsibility in commercial banking and financial services, overseeing complex portfolios and strategic initiatives. His professional work has included significant involvement in commercial lending, financial strategy, and organizational decision-making, as well as applied research in organizational dynamics and individual behavior.

In addition to his work in financial services, Dr. Malakpour has collaborated with private equity partners and entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to investment strategy, growth planning, and organizational development.

Dr. Malakpour currently serves as Interim Dean of the School of Business at Post University and as Program Chair for Finance, where he also teaches courses in business and finance. In these roles, he provides academic leadership, oversees program quality and curriculum development, and supports faculty and student success initiatives across the School of Business.

His areas of expertise include investments, organizational behavior, international financial markets, entrepreneurship, and commercial lending. He has led numerous seminars and community-based discussions on finance, management, and investment strategy, reflecting a strong commitment to professional education and public service.

Dr. Malakpour has held several nonprofit and civic leadership roles, including serving as Chairman and now Past Chairman of the Board of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Bridgeport Public Education Foundation, is a board member of RYASAP, and contributes to the United Way Finance Committee.

He resides in Trumbull, Connecticut, with his wife and remains actively engaged in academic, professional, and community leadership.

Art is a lifelong entrepreneur who discovered his passion for coaching and training early in his career. Since 2010, he’s been bringing that same energy into the classroom, teaching university courses in entrepreneurship and marketing. Art believes that while theory builds a strong foundation, it’s the hands-on, industry-specific skills that give graduates the real-world advantage they need to stand out in crowded marketplaces.

With over 35 years of entrepreneurial experience, Art has held senior leadership roles with several well-known brands across a range of industries. Beyond his business ventures, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Yale Elmseed Enterprise Fund, helps inspire future innovators as a judge in Yale’s Global Envision Entrepreneurship Competition, and was a founding charter member of the Yale Toastmasters Club. He’s also has training as an Instructor with the Dale Carnegie International Organization, reflecting his ongoing dedication to helping others unlock their full potential.

Philip J. Dawson, Jr. is a senior academic leader and former financial services executive with more than three decades of experience across higher education, financial services, risk consulting, and organizational leadership. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his career has focused on developing talent and aligning education with workforce and enterprise needs.

Mr. Dawson currently holds senior leadership roles at Post University, where he has led academic programs, managed faculty teams, and overseen undergraduate operations. Prior to higher education, he held advisory and leadership positions with Citigroup Global Markets, Morgan Stanley, Marsh & McLennan, and Aon Risk Services, working with complex organizations and high-stakes client environments.

He also served as Director of College and University Relations for the CFP Board of Standards, partnering nationally with universities and industry stakeholders to strengthen professional pipelines and career readiness.

Mr. Dawson brings a practitioner’s perspective to workforce discussions, grounded in experience hiring, mentoring, and leading professionals across sectors.

Saatva operates exclusively online selling ultra premium luxury mattresses servicing every state in the Continental USA.

Sippin Energy Products offers delivery of home heating bio-fuel and propane as well as generator installations, heating and air conditioning sales, service, and installation, and excavation services.

Express Strategies LLC offers strategic communications and public policy consulting, as well as advocacy writing, project management and media relations.

Chelsea Groton Bank is a mutually owned bank with 14 locations throughout New London County and a lending center in Hartford County. Chelsea Groton offers checking, savings, and lending products, financial wellness programming, and hands-on support to help individuals, families, and businesses.