Boardroom of the Future

Jesse Rhodes is the managing editor of NACD Directorship magazine. He joined the National Association of Corporate Directors in 2014 and initially served as the magazine’s assistant editor. From 2008 to 2014, Rhodes was an editorial assistant at Smithsonian magazine. During this time he was a regular contributor to Smithsonian.com’s Food and Think blog, researching and writing articles about food from historical, cultural, and scientific perspectives. Prior to that role, he was an independent contractor with the Library of Congress Publishing Office and contributed to The Library of Congress World War II Companion. Rhodes graduated from George Mason University with a BA in English.

Jesse Rhodes is the managing editor of NACD Directorship magazine. He joined the National Association of Corporate Directors in 2014 and initially served as the magazine’s assistant editor. From 2008 to 2014, Rhodes was an editorial assistant at Smithsonian magazine. During this time he was a regular contributor to Smithsonian.com’s Food and Think blog, researching and writing articles about food from historical, cultural, and scientific perspectives. Prior to that role, he was an independent contractor with the Library of Congress Publishing Office and contributed to The Library of Congress World War II Companion. Rhodes graduated from George Mason University with a BA in English.

Orlando Ashford is president of Holland America Line. Previously, Ashford was president of the Talent Business Segment for Mercer. Earlier he was senior vice president, chief human resources and communications officer, of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Ashford also served as group director of human resources for 90 countries in Eurasia and Africa for the Coca-Cola Co. and as vice president of global human resources strategy and organizational development for Motorola Inc. Ashford is a director of ITT Corp. and chair of the Executive Leadership Council. He is a founding board member for the Positive Coaching Alliance, Seattle chapter, and a member of the Washington Roundtable. Ashford is the author of Talentism (2014). In 2016, Ashford was named to Savoy magazine’s list of “Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America.” He was named to the NACD Directorship 100 in 2013 and 2014.

Orlando Ashford is president of Holland America Line. Previously, Ashford was president of the Talent Business Segment for Mercer. Earlier he was senior vice president, chief human resources and communications officer, of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Ashford also served as group director of human resources for 90 countries in Eurasia and Africa for the Coca-Cola Co. and as vice president of global human resources strategy and organizational development for Motorola Inc. Ashford is a director of ITT Corp. and chair of the Executive Leadership Council. He is a founding board member for the Positive Coaching Alliance, Seattle chapter, and a member of the Washington Roundtable. Ashford is the author of Talentism (2014). In 2016, Ashford was named to Savoy magazine’s list of “Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America.” He was named to the NACD Directorship 100 in 2013 and 2014.

Sonya F. Sepahban is a board member, tech investor, and entrepreneur. Sepahban is the CEO of OurOffice, Inc, building the worlds first AI-powered business platform to manage and improve Diversity & Inclusion. Sepahban’s career spans world-class high-tech organizations such as NASA and several major aerospace and technology companies. Most recently, she was senior vice president of engineering, development, and technology at General Dynamics Corp. Sepahban is an angel investor, and also serves on the five-member Investment Committee of the Michigan Angel Fund. She is a director of Cooper Standard, a leading global supplier in the automotive industry, and Genomenon Inc., a high-growth bioinformatics company.

Sonya F. Sepahban is a board member, tech investor, and entrepreneur. Sepahban is the CEO of OurOffice, Inc, building the worlds first AI-powered business platform to manage and improve Diversity & Inclusion. Sepahban’s career spans world-class high-tech organizations such as NASA and several major aerospace and technology companies. Most recently, she was senior vice president of engineering, development, and technology at General Dynamics Corp. Sepahban is an angel investor, and also serves on the five-member Investment Committee of the Michigan Angel Fund. She is a director of Cooper Standard, a leading global supplier in the automotive industry, and Genomenon Inc., a high-growth bioinformatics company.

Richard is a partner in the Boston Office of RSM US LLP, the 5th largest US accounting firm, and serves as the firm’s national leader of culture, diversity and inclusion. He is a graduate of Bentley University, where he obtained both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation. Richard was a founding member of Vitale, Caturano and Company (VCC), and led the firm through substantial growth to become the largest independent firm in New England as well as a Top 40 firm in the US. In 2010 VCC merged with RSM making the Boston office its third largest office. From 2012-2013, Richard served as the 100th Chair of the 400,000 member American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). As AICPA Chair, Richard took on the challenge of the lack of diversity and inclusion in the accounting profession. He helped establish the National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion and has personally delivered the message of diversity and inclusion to tens of thousands of professionals and business leaders. His message has inspired CPA firms across the country to add diversity and inclusion as a top strategic priority, including his own firm, RSM, where he is now the National Leader of Culture, Diversity and Inclusion.

Richard is a partner in the Boston Office of RSM US LLP, the 5th largest US accounting firm, and serves as the firm’s national leader of culture, diversity and inclusion. He is a graduate of Bentley University, where he obtained both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation. Richard was a founding member of Vitale, Caturano and Company (VCC), and led the firm through substantial growth to become the largest independent firm in New England as well as a Top 40 firm in the US. In 2010 VCC merged with RSM making the Boston office its third largest office. From 2012-2013, Richard served as the 100th Chair of the 400,000 member American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). As AICPA Chair, Richard took on the challenge of the lack of diversity and inclusion in the accounting profession. He helped establish the National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion and has personally delivered the message of diversity and inclusion to tens of thousands of professionals and business leaders. His message has inspired CPA firms across the country to add diversity and inclusion as a top strategic priority, including his own firm, RSM, where he is now the National Leader of Culture, Diversity and Inclusion.