Entrepreneurship Alliance to Host Speed Mentoring: A New Approach to Student–Mentor Connection

On Monday, April 27th, the Entrepreneurship Alliance at St. John’s University (EASJU) will host one of its most innovative and impactful events yet: the Mentor Networking Panel & Workshop, taking place during common hour from 1:50 PM to 3:15 PM in Tobin 201.

Designed to break away from traditional networking formats, this event introduces a “Speed Mentoring” model—a dynamic, student-focused experience that prioritizes real conversations, meaningful guidance, and direct access to accomplished entrepreneurs and business leaders.

A New Kind of Networking Experience

Unlike standard panels where students passively listen or feel pressure to speak in front of large audiences, this event is intentionally structured to foster comfort and authenticity.

The program will begin with a short opening panel, followed by the centerpiece of the event: a rotating one-on-one mentoring workshop.

Students will:

• Rotate through 5-minute one-on-one sessions with each mentor
• Engage in personalized, direct conversations
• Gain targeted advice tailored to their interests and goals

This format was carefully designed to:

• Eliminate the intimidation of large-group Q&A
• Encourage genuine dialogue
• Create a low-pressure environment where students can confidently ask questions and build connections

The goal is simple: deeper mentorship, not surface-level networking .

Featured Mentors

The event brings together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, each representing a unique path to success:

Gerri Domenikos, MBA — CEO, Airlogix

With over 25 years of experience across industries including construction, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and hospitality, Gerri Domenikos leads Airlogix with a client-first philosophy. As a trusted partner to her clients, she ensures operational excellence and delivers what she calls the “Airlogix Advantage”—a commitment to proactive problem-solving and results-driven service.

Albert Bateh ’16TCB — Founder, EZ-Net Hair Care

A graduate of St. John’s Tobin College of Business, Albert Bateh represents the entrepreneurial spirit in action. Coming from a fourth-generation textile business, he launched EZ-Net Hair Care during his senior year—an innovative product born from a simple, everyday problem. His journey highlights the power of identifying opportunity, executing ideas, and leveraging education to bring concepts to life.

Rene Matos — Founder, City Island Pizza Company

Rene Matos is a local entrepreneur who built his business around quality, community, and authenticity. As founder of City Island Pizza Company and head of food and beverage operations at the City Island Yacht Club, he has grown a loyal customer base by focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a strong connection to his community.

Shahed Islam — CEO & Co-Founder, SJ Innovation

Shahed Islam is the CEO and co-founder of SJ Innovation, a New York City-based software and digital agency founded in 2004. Over the past 22 years, his company has delivered 2,200+ projects for major clients, including Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Neutrogena, and Chemical Guys. Recognized as Business Person of the Year by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Shahed leads a 160-person global team across New York, India, and Bangladesh and actively serves on multiple boards, including the YMCA of Jamaica. His experience offers students valuable insight into scaling businesses, global operations, and long-term leadership.

A Collaborative Effort Across Campus

This event is a joint initiative, with the Entrepreneurship Alliance proudly joined by several leading student organizations at St. John’s University:

• St. John’s Real Estate Club (SJREC)
• Financial Management Association (FMA)
• European Business & Networking Club (EBNC)
• Bulls & Bears Investment Club

Together, these organizations are creating a unified, cross-disciplinary networking experience, bringing students from finance, real estate, entrepreneurship, and business development into one shared space.

Why This Event Matters

In today’s fast-paced and competitive landscape, access to mentorship can be a defining factor in a student’s success. This event is built on the belief that:

One meaningful conversation can change a student’s direction.

By shifting the focus from passive listening to active engagement, the Entrepreneurship Alliance and its partner organizations are creating an experience where students don’t just hear advice—they receive it directly, personally, and in real time.

Event Details

• Event: Speed Mentoring – Mentor Networking Panel & Workshop
• Date: Monday, April 27
• Time: 1:50 PM – 3:15 PM
• Location: Tobin 201, St. John’s University

Students are encouraged to come prepared with questions, ideas, and an open mindset.

Join Us

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business student, or simply looking for guidance, this event offers a rare opportunity to connect with professionals who have built, led, and innovated across industries.

No crowds. No pressure. Just real conversations.

Come to Our Upcoming Event — The Social Media Marketing Workshop!

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 1:50 PM – 3:15 PM (Common Hour)
Location: Room 201, Bent Hall (Tobin)

Are you ready to take your online presence to the next level? Whether you’re launching a startup, already running a business, or simply looking to stand out in your career, this dynamic Social Media Marketing Workshop is designed to give you the tools and confidence you need to thrive in the digital world.

Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Alliance at St. John’s University, this session goes beyond theory and dives into practical, actionable strategies you can use immediately. You’ll gain insights on how to strengthen your personal brand, reach the right audience, and make social media work for you — not against you.

A little bit more about our very special guest speaker: Nikki Pebbles-Perretti:

Nikki Pebbles-Perretti is a Career Advisor at St. John’s University, where she empowers students to discover their unique voices and navigate their professional journeys with confidence. With over 12 years of experience in marketing, media, and content strategy, Nikki has produced digital content for major brands like Google—including an AI fitness platform—and led several storytelling-driven marketing campaigns.

Before transitioning into higher education, she built and managed a six-figure digital wellness platform and cultivated an online community of over 400,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram. Her passion lies at the intersection of creativity, psychology, and impact—helping people and brands communicate authentically and connect meaningfully with their audiences.

Learn more about Nikki on her website: nikkipebbles.com | Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nikkipebbles

???? What You’ll Learn

Our workshop will cover a variety of essential topics, including:

• LinkedIn — how to optimize your profile to attract opportunities and build a powerful professional network

• Instagram — storytelling through visuals, creating an authentic presence, and using Reels effectively

• Facebook — building and engaging with community groups, event promotion, and ad targeting

• YouTube — launching your channel, content planning, and creating videos that get discovered

• Ad Creation — understanding paid advertising basics, targeting the right audiences, and setting ad budgets that work

• Networking & Collaboration — connecting with industry peers, influencers, and potential partners to grow your reach

• Brand Voice & Content Strategy — finding your unique voice and creating a consistent presence across all platforms

By the end of this session, you’ll understand how each platform works and walk away with real, actionable steps to elevate your digital presence — whether you’re promoting your business, your personal brand, or a new idea.

✨ Who Should Attend

• Entrepreneurs and small business owners ready to grow online visibility

• Students and professionals seeking to develop a competitive personal brand

• Content creators and innovators looking to expand their audience and influence

This workshop is highly interactive and beginner-friendly — but even experienced marketers will leave with fresh insights and new ways to level up their strategy.

‼️Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your digital marketing skills, meet like-minded creators and entrepreneurs, and get inspired to take your brand further than ever before‼️

We hope to see you there 🙂

Entrepreneurial Insights with Chris Borduas

Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Alliance and the Applied Analytics and AI Club at St. John’s University

Get ready for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into the world of fashion, data, and entrepreneurship.
Join us for a powerful talk with Chris Borduas, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Tillerman — a leading provider of sales performance analytics for top brands in fashion, footwear, jewelry, and more.

???? Location: The VIC, St. John’s University
???? Date: Monday, March 31st
???? Time: Common Hour (1:50–3:15 PM)

???? Why You Should Attend

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business student, or curious about how data shapes decision-making in today’s world — this session is for you.

• Learn how POS data and analytics are revolutionizing the fashion and retail industries
• Discover the journey of building a scalable, tech-forward company from the ground up
• Gain exclusive insights into what it takes to succeed as a founder in a competitive market
• Ask questions, connect, and be inspired by a real-world success story

????‍???? About Chris Borduas

Chris is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Tillerman, a firm that helps hundreds of brands make sense of retail sales data to improve profitability and performance. With decades of experience in strategic planning and retail analytics, he’s a thought leader in combining business savvy with cutting-edge technology.

Formerly VP of Strategic Planning at Capital Mercury Apparel and a buyer/planner at Lord & Taylor, Chris is a Fordham University graduate and brings deep industry expertise and entrepreneurial experience to the table.

???? Powered by the Entrepreneurship Alliance and the Applied Analytics and AI Club

At the Entrepreneurship Alliance and Applied Analytics and AI Club at St. John’s University, we bring top-tier innovators to campus to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leader who’s turned insight into impact.