Selected professionals from around the world are appointed to Board of Advisors by the Board Chairman. Responsibilities of board members are to oversee strategy of The Creighton Group Foundation.
Larry Taylor, PhD., Chairman of the Board of Advisors (USA)
Dr. Taylor is a seasoned independent professional corporate director having served on publicly traded corporate boards, private company boards, non-profit boards and corporate advisory boards. Currently he serves on the boards of the National Association of Corporate Directors (SoCal), the Creighton Group, and the African American Board Leadership Institute. He chairs the Private Company Director Round Table in Southern California. He chaired a Vistage CEO Group. Further, he was a member of the International Corporate Directors Network (ICGN) whose members oversee $18 trillion of corporate investments. In addition, he served on the board of AQSR International, an ISO Registrar.
Previously, he was the co-founder and chief financial officer (CFO) of a publicly traded corporation, where he routinely interfaced with the SEC, the PCAOB, the DTC and FINRA for nearly ten years. Further, he was the founder and chief executive officer of The Creighton Group, an international environmental management consulting firm for ten years. He spent ten years with Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche as the Principal-in-Charge of the productivity improvement consulting practices. Dr. Taylor was a manufacturing executive in the automobile and aerospace industries for eleven years prior to entering the consulting industry.
As a management auditor and consultant, Dr. Taylor has conducted over 100 management audits and projects for commercial, government and not-for-profit organizations. Further, he has conducted management assessment projects for the California Manufacturing Technology Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, and other institutions. Among his numerous domestic private sector clients are General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Hughes Aerospace, Northrop, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Mars Incorporated, Warner Brothers, Taco Bell Inc., Charter Hospital Systems, Prime Wheels, Inc and Pioneer Electronics.
As a lead environmental auditor and consultant, Dr. Taylor served on the Technical Advisory Group committee that wrote the ISO 14001 international environmental management standard. He is the author of an accredited lead auditor environmental management training program that is being used in Asia. He is the management representative for an aerospace fastener company overseeing the AS 9100 and ISO 9001 quality management system. He has conducted numerous assessments for the U.S Agency for International Development, the International Private-Public Partnership, the U.S. Environment Training Institute and the International Organization for Standardization around the world. Among his many international clients are Ion Exchange, Inc. (India), Oiltools Incorporated (Thailand), Lark Engineering (Mexico), Qualico Incorporated (China), Motorola (Malaysia), Tourism Department (South Africa) and the Business Council (Russia).
As an educator and speaker, Dr. Taylor was an adjunct professor or guest lecturer at several universities, including the Asian Institute of Technology (Bangkok), the Penang Development Center (Malaysia), California State University (Los Angeles) and the American College of Corporate Directors. Moreover, he has been the featured speaker at numerous conferences around the world and has been interviewed and quoted in business magazines and news media, including Siam Trade, Corporate Dossier Africa, Black Enterprise and CNBC News.
He holds a PhD. in Executive Management & Business Strategy from the Peter Drucker School of Management at Claremont University, a master’s degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Administration from General Motors Institute. He is a Board Leadership fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and was a Professional Director with the Corporate Directors Group (CDG). He has held “fellow” status with Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) and the International Environment Management Association (IEMA). He was a registered environmental assessor (REA) for the State of California and Certified Air Quality Permit Processing Professional with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Finally, he earned certificates from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for Sustainability Reporting, and the University of Southern California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) program.
Paul Chan., Member of the Board of Advisors (Asia)
Mr. Chan is President of the Malaysian Alliance of Corporate directors and a board member of the Global Network of Director Institutes. Paul’s professional and business experience spans over 30 years in Accounting, Corporate, Financial and Business Advisory services, assisting clients to manage their corporate and personal financial resources. He is the President of Business Transitions Asia Sdn Bhd that focuses on assisting professional practitioners and private business owners to monetarise the wealth in their businesses. He is also the founder of S&P NetWorth Advisors that offers independent financial and wealth management resources to selected clients.
An Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) of four Main Board Companies listed in Bursa Malaysia Securities, he had served in various capacities, including as senior independent director, chairman of the audit committee, member of the risk management, investment investor relation, nomination & governance and remuneration committees.
Paul is an active contributor to the corporate and professional sectors, serving various local and international professional entities and NGOs as: President and Founding Board Member of Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors (MACD); EXCO Member / Treasurer of FPLC (Federation of Public List Companies); Secretary, MMAA (Malaysian Mergers and Acquisitions Association).
Further, he served as a member of the Corporate Governance Working Group that developed the 5-Year Corporate Governance Blueprint initiated by Securities Commission Malaysia. He was Council Member of MIA (Malaysian Institute of Accountants), Secretary General on the Board of Governors of MICG (Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance), CEP Accreditation Committee Member of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd, President of ACCA Malaysia (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), President of MAICSA (Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), International Council Member of ICSA (Inst. of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, UK.), Global Advisory Council Member of Financial Planning Association, USA, Chairman of APGFG (Asia Pacific Geographic Focus Group) of FPA, USA, Founding Board Member / Vice President of Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM), and Chairman, ISO/TC 222 Committee for Malaysia, for development of the International Standard of ISO 22222 Personal Financial Planning.
Professionally, Paul is qualified as and a member of CA(M): Chartered Accountant Malaysia, FCCA: Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), FCIS: Fellow, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (UK), FCPA (Aust.): Fellow, Certified Practicing Accountants, Australia, CFP: Certified Financial Planner®, FCTIM: Fellow, Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia, and ChFC: Chartered Financial Consultant (USA). He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (U.S), National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (U.S), and National Association of Corporate Directors (U.S).
Creighton Taylor, CFA, Member of the Board of Advisors (USA)
Creighton Taylor has over ten years experience in investments and managing technology projects. He has been intimately involved with the development and launch of over 11 mobile apps and 8 websites spanning the education, fitness, entertainment, and apparel industries. Creighton has led teams of up to 11 software engineers and 2 designers to build innovative apps that have attracted millions in funding. Yet, he has also coded 5+ fully functional mobile apps and websites from scratch.
Creighton co-developed Guided Compass in 2018, and is responsible for product management and marketing of the platform. Guided Compass has helped hundreds of students identify and get help working toward their career goals. While attending Harvard Business School, Creighton realized that the 40% that were career changers were overwhelmed with the career pathway possibilities. “If people with 4-5 years of work experience struggled with this, imagine the struggle for community college students?” he thought. This was the one of the major reasons he developed Guided Compass. Of course, this was in 2013, far before the buzz of the threat of A.I. and automation was so prominently in the news.
Prior to Guided Compass, Creighton was Growth Director for HackHive, a VC-Funded startup that helps software engineering students showcase their projects and get entry-level jobs. As Growth Director, Creighton was responsible for user growth strategy and execution acquiring the majority of the first 300 users. Prior to HackHive, Creighton was Head of Product at Emmasson, leading 5 engineers and a product designer to create the first version of a digital rights management platform with a heavy security feature.
Prior to Emmasson, Creighton was Head of Product at Fitspot, a $2MM funded fitness technology company. There, Creighton led 11 software engineers and 2 UI/UX designers to grow its existing mobile app and to launch new web app. Monthly revenue for the company grew 7x and the number of employees grew 10x over his tenure.
Creighton began his career working for a partner at Rochdale Investment Management, a small investment management company. There, Creighton wrote code that automated much of his job and supported the sales & marketing department, helping revenue double during his tenure. Rochdale was acquired by City National Bank shortly before Creighton went off to business school.
Creighton earned his Bachelors in Finance and International Business from Emory University, his Bachelors in Music from Emory University, his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute, and his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University.
Ms. Anita DeFrantz, Member of the Board of Advisors (International
)
Ms. DeFrantz, Esq. is an executive board member of the International Olympic Committee. In addition, she has a member of board for the United States Olympic Committee since 1986. Further she been the President of Kids in Sports, Los Angeles since 1994 and president of LA84 Foundation of Los Angeles since 1987. She has been Vice President of International Rowing Federation, since 1997.
She has been a Trustee of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund since 2002 and serves as a Director of Western Asset Funds, Inc. She has been a Director of Western Asset Income Fund since 1998. She has been a Director of OBN Holdings Inc., since June 2003.
Ms. DeFrantz graduated from Connecticut College in 1974 with a degree in political philosophy and earned her law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1977.
Ms. Julie Garland McLellan, Member of the Board of Advisors (Australia)
Ms. McLellan is an experienced professional company director and expert in strategic governance based in Australia. She has held director and chairman positions with listed and unlisted companies including several not-for-profit organizations and government owned companies. With experience in business spanning Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australia she is able to offer insights on a wide range of governance practices that assist companies to optimize effectiveness under diverse circumstances. Julie is one of Australia’s leading experts on corporate governance.
Among Ms. McLellan’s corporate positions are corporate planner for with BHP Billiton, the general manager of KPMG’s Energy and Natural Resources (KPMG), and managing director of Gamesa, a listed Australian multinational company. Further, she was CEO of Advisor to Boards and Directors. In addition, Ms. McLellan was Chairman of Oldfields Holdings, non-executive Director of Kimbriki Environmental Enterprises Ltd., and non-executive director at Kyoto Energy Park, Ltd. She was non-director at Bounty Mining, an ASX listed corporation. Further, she was chairman of the CEO Committee, a committee member at Industrial Research and Development Board, Innovation and committee member at the Clean Tech Grants Committee.
Her first book “All Above Board; Great Governance for the Government Sector” was published in Australia by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is now in its second edition. Subsequent books include the “Director’s Dilemma” series and the globally acclaimed “Presenting to Boards”. Her newsletter ‘The Director’s Dilemma’ is read in 38 different countries. Her consulting, training and writing help boards to become more effective. Her teaching style is inclusive, interactive and insightful. She is often a speaker at Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She has an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid Spain, with a specialty in finance and investment. She has a degree in Civil Engineering from the City University London, United Kingdom. Further, she received a diploma in Company Directorship Course and an Advanced Diploma in Company Directorship.
Ms. Sharon Constancon, Member of the Board of Advisors (United Kingdom)
Sharon is an experienced businesswoman and entrepreneur who achieved a stock market listing with her first company. She has or has had executive, Chairman and non-executive roles in listed, SME and financial services organisations. She specialises in governance and risk management with particular focus on financial services, FTSE, family businesses and regulated sectors.
Sharon is a Chartered Director, Chartered Secretary and has an MBA – the training to “do it”, “manage it” and “direct it”. Sharon is a Non-executive Director of Buckinghamshire Building Society and was recently awarded Business Woman of the Year by SACC. Sharon interviews in the final stages for candidates to become Chartered Directors and mentors MBA students on business project.
Genius Methods provides corporate governance consultancy, bespoke board evaluations, regulated board effectiveness reviews, board development, regulatory insight, director development and mentoring. Her work is designed to make a real difference and give Board’s clear steer on the future and provide the tools to the Board to become more effective and deal with the difficult questions.
Sharon’s skills are broad based and as an executive of a SME can bring untold value to Board’s of the day to day concerns of running the business often lost at Board level by NED’s with plural careers. She knows what to ask, knows where the risks are likely to be and is known as “a board’s early warning system” for her innate ability to sense problems long before they are obvious.
Sharon delivers training, chairs panel debates, writes White Papers and runs case study workshops on Board governance.
Ms. Anna Marie Guimaraes, Member of the Board of Advisors (Brazil)
Anna Guimarães currently serves a
s Director at BI International, a Post Graduate Business School, in Brazil, offering corporate governance courses for women. She is also the chair of the Board of Nutrimental S.A. She served on the board of directors of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) from 2012-2014 and chaired the Communication Commission and Admission Committee. She is also a Former Managing Director of two multinational companies’ operations in South America – Biagi Group, a dutch firm and Constâncio Vieira Group, an Italian firm. At these companies she was the chair of the “Risk Management and Audit Committee” and “Innovation and Technology Committee.
Ms. Guimaraes served on the Board of Directors at the Brazilian Institute for Corporate Governance (IBGC) and is an academic Director at BI International teaching post-MBA level courses in corporate governance, valuation and capital markets. In addition, Ms. Guimaraes also is training 37 senior women executive for board positions in Brazil working with Women Corporate Directors (WCD). The courses require her to teach at Columbia University, John Hopkins, Babson College and Berkeley.
Ms. Guimaraes holds a MSc Mechanical Engineering in ITA and MBA Executive International at FEA-USP and Vanderbilt University. She co-authored the book entitled “Compliance 360o” penning the Corporate Governance chapter which was published in 2012.
Mr. Sunil Kumar Bahri, Member of the Board of Advisors (Middle East)
Mr. Bahri is currently the Secretary General of the Middle East/Africa Chapter of the Institute of Directors. He is also Secretary General of the Dubai Quality Group. He had a thirty year career with various executive, consulting and auditing positions in several countries, including Japan, Canada, India, New Zealand, Oman, and United Arab Emirates. Among the multi-national companies for which he has worked are Matsushita Electric Industries, Panasonic Gulf FZE, Kaizensox Consulting FZE and the Dubai Economic Department.
Professionally Mr. Bahri as served as an advisor on Business Excellence Awards, including the Malcolm Baldridge Award and the Golden Peacock Award. He has provided consul to numerous SME corporations on strategy, business development, quality management, reengineering, governance and risk management. He has served as an independent corporate director for several firms in India and UAE. Further, Mr. Bahri has spoken at international conferences on fraud and forensic accounting. He has been a faculty member for the Master Class of Director Education, having participated in courses in Dubai, Nigeria and Mauritius. He assisted with the establishment of MOOCS/Education Online Portal for management courses. Finally, he has considerable expertise and experience with Sarbanes Oxley, BASEL, ISO standards compliance and balanced scorecard analysis.
Among the projects in which he played prominent role were the world’s largest construction demolition waste recycling project and the Tyre recycling project for the Dubai Municipality Initiative; establishment of a Venture Investment Company in Mauritius; and numerous ISO and Six Sigma projects for the KSA Group; and established a Minerals Resources Company in Vancouver, Canada. He also completed three successful initial public offerings for an Indian group of industries.
Mr. Bahri received his degree in Commerce from Delhi University. He is a fellow level Company Secretary with ICSI, a fellow level Chartered Accountant with ICAI. Further, he received certifications in SOX from the Sarbanes Oxley Institute in New York and the Canadian Securities from CSI in Toronto. We realize on his expertise in corporate governance as it relates to several regions, including the Middle East, Africa and India.
Escher Luanda, Member of the Board of Advisors (Africa)
Mr. Luanda is the corporate secretary for the Government Institutions Pension Fund in Namibia, Africa which oversees a portfolio of over $6.5 billion in investment. As such he heads the corporate governance at the Namibian Government Institutions and part of the executive team. He is legal practitioner and right of audience with the High Court of Namibia.
Previously Mr. Luanda was the executive officer of the Namibian Law Commission. He also held the position of legal adviser to the Namibian Defense Force where he held the military rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He holds a B.Luris, LLB and PGD in Compliance Management. Further he has completed work towards the Masters in Business Leadership. He is a member of the Namibian Law Society’s Social Responsibility Committee, director of Juventas (PTY) and affiliated with the American Society of Corporate Secretaries. He is also affiliated with the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) and Ethics SA.
L.V. Keshav., Member of the Board of Advisors (India)
Mr. L.V. Keshav holds a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from University Dept. of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from BITS Pilani , India. He has over 35 years of experience in the chemical industry covering diverse areas such as operations, marketing, R&D, corporate quality and training. He is currently Senior Vice President- R&D, Corporate Quality and Systems at Ion Exchange (India) Limited (IEI)- a leader in the water and waste water treatment industry in India for over three decades.
Mr. Keshav is a Certified Senior Examiner for the Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality Award (RBNQA). He is also a Lead Auditor for ISO-14001, Environment Management Systems(IEMA-UK), a lead assessor for OHSAS-18000 and ISO-9001,Quality Management System (IRCA). His varied experience includes handling assignments related to EMS, Process and Safety audits, HAZOP and risk assessment studies and training. He has conducted a large number of certification audits for ISO –14001 and safety on behalf of leading certification bodies and also provided consultancy for the implementation of EMS to various multinationals and public limited companies.
Mr. Keshav has served as a faculty member on the panel of Asian Productivity Organization (Tokyo) and conducted several workshops in South East Asia (SEA) on Water and Waste Water Treatment, Environment Management systems, and Occupational Health and Safety.