Stern Speakers

Danny Stern

Strategy requires disruption.

From advising individuals on their career paths to representing book authors to consulting for large corporations, Danny helps clients find and project the distinct voice needed to build thought leadership and disrupt industries. With deep roots in the lecture business, he has collaborated with leading visionaries and change agents shaping the future of business and welfare of the world. As managing director, Danny leads the firm’s work with speakers and authorities, and provides high-level strategy and counsel. Of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of his two daughters, Joanna and Julia, though he is quick not to take credit for their accomplishments. He is constantly amazed by how they’ve grown through determination and risk-taking – two attributes he values.

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Mel Blake

Relationships are your most important asset.

Mel’s career is built on strong relationships – those he’s forged and those he helps manage for his clients. With more than 35 years of experience, he manages key client relationships and corporate programs for Stern Strategy Group’s speaking and advisory services. He also provides strategic counsel to corporations through Maywood Advisors, where he is founder and principal. Mel co-founded and led Monitor Talent – a full-service agency representing authors, speakers and advisory experts on business, science and public policy – before it merged with Stern in 2013. Mel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Yale University School of Management, where he currently sits on the advisory board of Yale Center for Customer Insights.

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Kristen Soehngen Karp

Synergies are invaluable.

Kristen’s role spans the entire agency, giving her a unique opportunity to collaborate with multiple teams and clients on business and legal affairs. As in-house counsel, she provides legal advice regarding commercial contracts, marketing, intellectual property, and more. She also drafts and negotiates contracts, including advisory, publishing, talent, confidentiality and new clients. Beyond legal issues, Kristen is intimately involved in client relations, and leverages synergies between their expertise and our agency’s connections with leading global organizations, corporations, publishing houses and the like.

Ania Trzepizur

Passion is a secret to success.

It’s what drives Ania to do the best possible job for her clients every day. She doesn’t see her work as transactions, but as relationships and connections. As Vice President, Ania focuses on client relations, business development and agency operations. She is also adept at building collaborative relations amongst client organizations, competitor agencies and speakers across the public, private, non-profit and academic sectors. Ania leverages more than eight years of related expertise, including having launched and managed a boutique speakers’ bureau in Spain. Tri-lingual, she loves traveling around the world and translates her global experiences to her work.

Whitney Jennings

Learning is constant.

A former educator, Whitney is intimately familiar with the ever-changing education landscape. She specializes in connecting our education experts with audiences who are helping shift the global conversation about how and where learning happens. Whitney also translates her business experience to our full roster of speaker clients, providing strategic support for sales efforts, website content and social media. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she holds a Bachelor of Science from New Mexico State University and an MBA from the University of the District of Columbia.

John Aldrich

Constructing the right deal is an art and science.

A licensed attorney with a passion for contracts, John is an expert in closing deals; he also excels in ensuring every engagement is the right one – for our clients and customers. As assistant sales specialist, John focuses on proactive outreach, lead follow-up and contract review. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Charleston and J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law. John is also an avid sports fan and has experience working at a professional sports agency.

Dan Masi

Never cut what you can untie.

A licensed attorney, Dan enjoys making deals and pairing customers with the perfect speaker to fit their needs. As account executive, Dan partners with customers to think outside the box to increase the effectiveness of planned events. He has a background in the sports and entertainment industries, and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Georgia and a J.D. from Pace Law School in White Plains, NY. An avid globetrotter, Dan enjoys traveling and recently returned from a trip through southeast Asia.

Tina Sofo

Checks and balances boost the bottom-line.

It’s a job that requires immense organization, attention to detail and a knack for numbers. Tapping into her many years of experience in banking and client service, Tina does it well. As sales assistant, she works closely with each of our sales professionals, ensuring every contract is tracked from beginning to end and every invoice adds up – and pays out. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Tina has a zest for the arts and the outdoors.