Dec 7, 2024
Uptown Charlotte at the prestigious OMNI Hotel | 5 PM (ET)

KPN Networking Gala 2024

Gala Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE

CEO of GUBA Enterprise

In collaboration with GUBA, KPN is honored to have Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE as the keynote for this year’s 2024 KPN GALA, the biggest event in the Carolinas! Award-winning entrepreneur, actress, TV presenter, singer, and advocate for the African community in the diaspora. Awarded MBE in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 2016 honours.

Recognizing Charlotte's Small Business Community

The KPN Business Networking Gala aims to provide a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and experts from various industries, allowing attendees to learn, share, and grow.

The Gala is a platform where entrepreneurs and business owners can exchange ideas and insights with like-minded individuals, gaining priceless knowledge and experience. Not all opportunities are created equal, and our goal and mission are to level the playing field and provide the same level of success to business owners, startups, and entrepreneurs.

KPN Networking Gala the biggest global event happening right here in Charlotte NC!

A Celebration for and by the Business Community

There are three ways that you can be part of this event: Attend the Gala, Become a Sponsor, or share the event with others.

Become a Sponsor for the KPN Business Gala

Sponsorship Opportunities

  • Title Sponsor
  • Presenting Sponsor
  • Partner Sponsor
  • Table Sponsor
  • Additional Opportunities

For more information, please contact us today! Call Elizabeth Allison (704) 953-1214.

Buy Gala Tickets

Please note, the ticket price includes a $5 online processing fee.

Thanks to Our Gala Sponsors

Get in touch
Contact us today!

Name(Required)
Copyright @ 2024 KPN Consulting Services | Site by DigitalChores
Lawana Mayfield COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE
Mayfield has led the development of multiple projects, including the Charlotte Premium Outlets, the Annual Charlotte Douglas International Airport District 3 Job Fair, the City of Charlotte’s first youth job fair, the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, expansion of Carowinds, improved sidewalk widening in District 3, and other projects and rezonings.

Mayfield has received numerous awards and acknowledgements, including the 2016 PowerHouse Project Power of One Award, the 2016 National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Queen City Metropolitan Chapter Candace Award for Advocacy in Civic Engagement, the 2017 Charlotte Pride Champions of Pride Harvey Milk Award, and the 2017 National League of Cities LGBTQ+LO Outstanding Local Leadership Award.
Christopher Reshetar
Felix Asare DIRECTOR OF CYBER SECURITY​
With an illustrious 15-year journey in the realms of Security and Technology, Felix Kyei Asare stands as a paradigm of leadership, innovation, and dedication. His seasoned experience is backed by a tenure leading high-performing global teams spanning across a decade, managing up to 40 professionals. His expertise isn’t confined to one niche; it sprawls across a myriad of industries from Financial Services—including Investment Banking, Hedge Funds, Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, to FinTech—to Healthcare, Health Tech, and Media.

Felix’s unique prowess is evident in his versatility, being equally adept at navigating the vibrant hustle of fast-growth startups and the structured corridors of large, global enterprises. What sets him apart is his singular ability to marry deep technical cognizance of IT and Security paradigms with lucid, impactful communication and solutions. He perceives security not just as a shield but as a strategic business enabler. His zeal doesn’t stop here; he’s passionate about sculpting the future by mentoring and training the next generation of security professionals.

His leadership footprint is notable at Putnam Investments, where as the orchestrator of their security operations, he has transformed challenges into successful ventures. Before this, at Allianz North America, he was the visionary behind the holistic information security framework spanning the US and Canada.

A testament to Felix’s proficiency is his robust academic background—boasting an MSc in Cyber Security and a BSc in Computer Information Systems. This foundation is further bolstered by prestigious certifications from institutions like Yale and Carnegie Mellon University, solidifying his command over cybersecurity.

Beyond the boardroom, Felix is a beacon in the cybersecurity community. His insights have illuminated stages at Amazon and the Charlotte CISO Summit, marking him as a sought-after speaker. Engage with Felix and let him steer your security strategy, ensuring your business not only survives but thrives in today’s digital age.
Christopher B. Moxley Co-Owner – The 704 Shop
Christopher Moxley is the Co-Owner of 704 Shop, an award-winning lifestyle brand known for amplifying regional pride and bringing people together.

A former resident of public housing, Chris understands the importance of hard work and perseverance. Getting an early crash-course in entrepreneurship in middle school, Moxley would later become the first in his family to attend a four-year university, initially attending UNC Chapel Hill and running track in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and later transferring to UNC Charlotte and graduating with Honors, cum laude from the Belk College of Business.

Chris’ well-earned business acumen stems from majoring in International Business, studying abroad in Costa Rica, and a 20+ year career in financial services in a variety of internships and full-time roles.

Along his corporate journey, Moxley also made businesses out of personal passions, launching and running a successful music business and recording studio, a concert production business, and a fashion brand, 704 Shop, in 2013 that continues today. In the eleven years since its inception, 704 Shop has emerged as one of the most well-known brands in the region.

Through partnerships with several large-scale for-profit, non-profit, universities, and government entities, including the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour, Major League Soccer (MLS), NASCAR, Ally Financial, UNC Charlotte, the City of Charlotte, Quail Hollow Club, and others, 704 Shop continues to elevate and redefine what it means to support local.

Chris also lends his services to other entrepreneurs via consulting and serves on several non-profit boards, such as the UNC Charlotte Foundation Board, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Executive Committee, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Foundation, where he serves as Chair, and the Center City Partners South End Board.

Chris is passionate about giving back and assisting underserved communities, having founded and raised nearly $95,000 in recent years for two UNC Charlotte needs-based scholarships for first-generation students. The Jaylen C. Moxley Scholarship for Academic Excellence, named after his son, was endowed in 2023. The 704 Shop Scholarship for Creatives is on track to endow in 2024/2025.
Joe Darko Global Head Of Developer Relations Snap Inc.
Is an accomplished technology leader renowned for his expertise in building and establishing ecosystems that drive technology adoption and innovation. With a profound understanding of the latest technological advancements such as augmented reality, Joe has earned respect and recognition within the tech industry.

Joe’s career includes high-impact roles at industry giants like Microsoft, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Snap Inc. (parent company of Snapchat). At Snap Inc., Joe currently serves as the Global Head of Developer Relations, where he leads and supports the developer relations organization by working with AR and platform creators, developers, and partners. Previously, he was the Global Head of AR Developer Relations at Snap Inc., where he established a new function and built a global team to support Snap’s AR developer efforts.

His innovative approach and leadership were further demonstrated at Meta, where he spearheaded the Global Augmented Reality Developer Partnerships within Facebook Reality Labs, significantly advancing the engagement and growth of AR creators and developers worldwide.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Joe is a dedicated community leader. He is the Founder, CEO, and President of Ghana Innov8, a federally recognized non-profit organization with the vision of connecting Ghanaian professionals in the diaspora to impact and influence the world around them. Through this role, Joe sets the vision and tactically works with executive officers and board members to execute organizational priorities.

As a sought-after speaker, Joe has shared his insights and expertise at numerous conferences and events. His dynamic presentations and deep understanding of technology ecosystems and leadership make him a compelling and inspiring figure in the tech community.
Gerard Perillo CEO – The Shark Team
Amazon Best-Selling Author of “Sharkpreneur: Bite-Sized Strategies for Selling Your Business with the Shark Team.”

With over 20 years of experience in valuing and selling businesses, Gerard Perillo is a leading authority in the industry. His impressive track record includes closing transactions totaling $575 million throughout his career, with $345 million sold in just the last two years alone. This success speaks volumes about his expertise and dedication to helping business owners achieve their goals.

As a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) credentialed through the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and a Business Certified Appraiser (BCA), Gerard possesses a unique set of qualifications that sets him apart in the field. His meticulous approach ensures that businesses are accurately valued, avoiding any underestimation or overestimation.

Gerard is also the visionary behind MAKO, the first-ever global business appraisal software that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks & Xero that delivers immediate and lender-accurate business valuations simply by uploading tax returns. Set to launch in November, just before the Gala, this software represents a significant advancement in the valuation process. The KPN Business Networking Gala will be the exclusive venue for its launch party, making it a must-attend event for those interested in innovative solutions in business valuation.

Join Gerard at the KPN Business Networking Gala to gain invaluable insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of selling a business. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a true leader in business valuation and discover how you can leverage innovative tools like MAKO to enhance your sharkpreneurial journey. This version emphasizes the significance of the MAKO software launch while maintaining a focus on your expertise and the value you bring to the event attendees.