Our Esteemed Judges

Brandon Dawson is a remarkable mentor, business owner, partner and leader with years of experience in building and growing businesses. Having sold his last business for US$151 million, he now helps business owners across the world achieve their personal, professional and financial goals.

Dawson is the Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cardone Ventures and 10X Health System, his latest startups that he launched with his wife, Natalie Dawson, and partner Grant Cardone. Dawson and his co-founders have grown their startup with no outside capital and no debt to a combined revenue of US$220 million in just 60 months.

David Jepson brings a wealth of experience in leading fast-growing international organizations, with a strong emphasis on sales, high performance and innovation. Having established and managed businesses across four continents, Jepson has played a pivotal role in building one of the world’s most high-profile and respected media brands.

Throughout his tenure at The CEO Magazine, Jepson has held various management roles, starting from an entry-level sales position and ultimately becoming CEO during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Beyond his role at The CEO Magazine, Jepson is also an investor, mentor and board member, leveraging his extensive expertise to drive success and growth.

Edward J Wehmer is the Founder and Senior Advisor of Wintrust, which he launched in 1991 as a community-focused alternative to big banks. He served as President and COO from Wintrust’s formal inception in 1996, helping drive its significant growth. Now Chairman of Wintrust Capital, Wehmer remains actively involved in strategic operations and advisory roles.

He also serves on several boards, including Stepan Company, the Catholic Extension Society and the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation. With decades of leadership experience, Wehmer continues to provide valuable insights into management, operations and strategy across the financial and nonprofit sectors.

Lew Kimble is the former Executive Vice President and CEO of Foot Locker International, retiring in 2020 after a career of more than 40 years with the company. He played a pivotal role in global expansion, leading operations across Europe, the Asia–Pacific region and North America. Known for his passion, strategic execution and commitment to strong workplace culture, Kimble consistently delivered long-term growth. Post-retirement, he remains active in consulting and community leadership, serving as Executive Director of the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of Operations for the Westfield Soccer Association. He is also a devoted family man with a love for Italian sports cars.

Michael Dunn is the Chairman and CEO of Prophet, a leading global brand and marketing consultancy. Under his leadership, Prophet has experienced significant growth and expanded its global footprint. Dunn plays a key role in shaping the firm’s strategy, client relationships, and team development. With deep expertise in sectors such as retail, financial services, tech, and the Internet, he also advises clients directly.

He is the co-author of Building the Brand-Driven Business and author of The Marketing Accountability Imperative. Previously, he was President and CEO of Context Integration. Dunn holds a Bachelor of Science from Haverford and a MBA and Master of Arts from UC Berkeley.

A transformative, visionary leader for one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies, Turner is a driving force for P&G and the CPG industry. As President of North America, which accounts for 50 percent of net sales, she propels sustainable growth and value creation by delighting 370 million consumers with leading brands including Tide, Olay, Pampers and Crest. Her organization spans sales offices, technical centers, manufacturing plants and mixing centers. Turner is known for her game-changing approach to bringing teams together to solve complex issues, and her unwavering commitment to organizational development creates workplaces and communities with opportunity for all. Turner serves on the boards of Allstate Corporation and Consumer Brands Association and is the Chair of the Board of Trustees at University of Cincinnati.

Vincent J Delie Jr is the Chairman, President and CEO of F.N.B. Corporation and has transformed it into one of the 50 largest United States bank holding companies. A Pittsburgh native, he has led the company’s expansion to nearly US$48 billion in assets, driving innovation through digital banking solutions including eStore and Clicks-to-Bricks. Delie spearheaded F.N.B. Corporation’s US$300 million headquarters project, revitalizing Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Recognized as CEO of the Year in The CEO Magazine’s 2024 Executive of the Year Awards, he continues to champion community reinvestment, strategic growth and financial innovation while creating lasting economic impact in the regions F.N.B. Corporation serves.