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Entrepreneur Panel: Maximizing Value from a Mentor

by Mark Capaldini, Nick Gawreluk, Michael Petersen, and Daniel Metcalf | at Minnebar20 | 3:15 – 3:55 in California | View Schedule

Each member of this panel is currently using a mentor and has found it valuable. They will discuss their experience in a formal mentoring program and will address these issues:

• Why consider having a mentor? • How does a mentor differ from other advisors and investors? • What should you look for in a mentor or in a mentoring program? • What is an example of your mentor’s impact on your decision making? • What does a good mentor do and not do? • How has your mentor changed how you think about your business? • What is your cadence for meeting with your mentor?

A good mentor provides unvarnished, straight guidance and feedback shaped by experience and motivated by a pure desire to see the entrepreneur succeed.

We believe that this discussion will benefit any entrepreneur considering a mentor or mentoring program. We hope it will provide specific and actionable guidance. The panel moderator will conduct an “open Q&A” session for the final 10-15 minutes of the session.

This panel, with a different set of entrepreneurs, was well-received at Minnebar 18 and 19, with 40--50 attendees.. Mark Capaldini will once again serve as Moderator.

Mark Capaldini

Business Advisor and Trustee | MESA Mentor | Red Cross Volunteer | 3x President and CEO

Career mostly in B2B SaaS, both in the Washington, DC metro area and in the MSP metro area. I have been a CEO, CEO Advisor, CEO Coach, and Board Director. My various past roles allow me to be a sounding board, peer, resource, coach, and confidential advisor. I've led companies with revenues $5-50 million. BS, Engineering & Applied Science, Yale. MBA, Harvard Business School.

www.linkedin.com/in/markcapaldini

Nick Gawreluk

Nick Gawreluk is the founder of Print Profit, a software platform redefining how printing companies understand and drive profitability. He has worked in over 40 countries alongside leading manufacturers and print providers. He holds a degree in Print Media from RIT and an MBA from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.

Michael Petersen

Michael R. Petersen is redefining the automotive repair experience by bringing transparency, intelligence, and data driven decision making to an industry long known for opacity.

As Founder and CEO of Raise a Hood (www.raiseahood.com) he developed an advanced Intelligence Repair System that fuses expert mechanic knowledge with AI at scale. At the core is GUS, a patent pending AI engine purpose built for automotive diagnostics, delivering real time insights, probability-based repair recommendations, and unbiased second opinions. The platform transforms how vehicle issues are understood, helping consumers make more informed decisions while enabling high quality repair shops to operate with greater precision and trust.

Michael’s lifelong passion for cars and technology led to the creation of Raise a Hood, where machine learning and real-world repair data come together to modernize the service experience. Prior to founding the company, he held executive leadership roles at Zebra Technologies, Motorola Solutions, and Dell Computer, and began his career as an engineer at Ford Motor Company.

A recognized thought leader in AI and automotive technology, Michael regularly speaks on industry panels, podcasts, and product launches, sharing insights on AI driven transformation, applied machine learning, and the future of service-based industries.

He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, a Master’s degree in Engineering from Purdue University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a performance driving instructor.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-r-petersen/

Daniel Metcalf

Daniel Metcalf is a cybersecurity expert, AI evangelist, and serial entrepreneur who’s spent the last 15 years helping small and mid-sized businesses stay secure and grow with confidence.

He is also the Co-founder and CEO of CyberFin, delivering Fortune 100-level AI adoption and cybersecurity solutions to Trust Driven Main Street businesses.

Known for his high-energy, no-nonsense style, Daniel makes complex topics like cybersecurity and AI simple, practical, and even fun.

When he’s not helping businesses outsmart cybercriminals or automate with AI, you can probably find him on the curling rink.

https://cyberfin.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmetcalf/

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