Frank entered the Hillman program in 2008 at Prince George's Community College and graduated from the University of Maryland May 2012 with a Bachelors of Science in Supply Chain Management. Since graduating, Frank has worked in the building materials industry, security, hospitality, IT contracting, and currently works as a risk analyst for the Defense Health Agency. He is also pursuing his masters in clinical mental health to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Frank and his wife are actively involved in the community working with disadvantaged youth and their families. His goal is to combine his business background and LPC licensure in order to expand on his work in the community. Frank can't wait to see the amazing ideas and passion that the Hillman Entrepreneurs will bring to the event!
Deonte first joined the Hillman Entrepreneurs family in the fall of 2011 at Prince Georges Community College. Throughout his tenure as a student in Hillman, he had the opportunity to participate in many great experiences such as being part of the first group of Hillmans to pitch a business idea to Mr. Hillman’s Bear Creek resort. After graduating from the University of Maryland in the spring of 2015 with a degree in finance and information systems Deonte set his sights towards the tech industry. He currently works at General Dynamics as an operations lead, helping the U.S military bridge the gap between their business and IT needs. Outside of his day job, Deonte is also training to be a Deacon and consulting/investing in minority owned startups. At the Hillman Talks event, Deonte is most looking forward to witnessing the birth of many groundbreaking ideas from the new generation of Hillman Entrepreneurs!
Melody enrolled in the Hillman Entrepreneurs Program in 2009 at Prince George's Community College and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honors Society for Community Colleges. She became a Sigma Tau Delta Honors student and W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society scholar while attending the University of Maryland College Park, where she graduated in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Entrepreneurship from the A. James Clark School of Engineering. Melody obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from American InterContinental University in 2015. In 2017, Melody became a Certified Coach through Coach Training Alliance, an International Coach Federation Accredited Program. Melody currently works as a full-time, Senior Consultant at Raffa, P.C., the 15th largest women-owned accounting firm in Washington, DC, serving nonprofit organizations with high-quality accounting, human resources, information technology, audit, and tax services. Melody also serves as an Executive/Leadership Coach for new executives, millennials, and spiritual leaders. Melody is passionate about giving back to the community through volunteer service, board leadership, and sponsoring homeless individuals and families. As a motivational speaker, Melody enjoys hearing others articulate their passion and impact in the world. Melody is honored to be part of the Hillman Talks event, and looks forward to being inspired by the innovation, determination, ambition, and FEARLESS IDEAS of fellow Hillman Entrepreneurs.