Business & Industry Professionals Interest Group Meeting & Technical Session (E2101368)

Sejal Lakhani is the CEO of TechWerxe, a leading IT company based in New Jersey that focuses on providing small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) with customized technology solutions. After graduating Sejal began her career with global banking institutions in the regulatory and compliance departments, as well as the trading floor. For twelve years, she traveled the world, living in Japan, London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

In 2012, she left the banking industry to join TechWerxe, a company founded by her husband Tejas Bhatt. TechWerxe was created to bridge the gap in the quality and affordability of IT services SMBs require. TechWerxe focus’ on Cyber Security, Cloud and Work Form Anywhere Solutions.

She restructured TechWerxe, became CEO in 2014 and under her leadership, the company earned recognition as a top 100 MSSPs (Managed Security Service Provider), top 500 MSPs (Managed Service Providers) while also receiving numerous other industry awards. Sejal is committed to building partnerships with its clients, understanding their needs, and delivering valuable IT services that help them thrive.

She is currently on the Board of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and Connect 4 Business Exchange (C4BX). Sejal is also part of several Mastermind groups, is an avid supporter of St. Jude’s, and works with organizations that support victims of Human Trafficking.

Howard Matalon is an equity partner of OlenderFeldman LLP in charge of the firm’s Employment Practices and Litigation Group. Howard is an accomplished legal advisor with thirty years of experience offering precision guidance and cost-effective solutions in human capital management to employers and executives alike in a cutting-edge “360-degree” practice across the United States. He previously developed a proactive approach to employment law challenges for employers based on a sophisticated audit and guidance system that manages issues in every stage of the employee life cycle, including hiring, onboarding, retention, and termination. Howard routinely counsels his clients on a wide range of complex employment issues, including hiring practices and business accountability for workplace conditions and adverse employment actions. He received a Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) certification from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). Howard also coaches select executives in their hiring and separation negotiations, the vast majority of whom are women. In 2019, Howard was featured in “Senior Gigs And The Fine Print That Comes With Them,” a Forbes article that addressed this topic. Howard utilizes the principles in Leadership and Self-Deception, a book developed by the Arbinger Institute, in every facet of his legal and coaching work. In July, 2023, Howard and his wife Heather launched NAV, a software-as-a-service reverse AI company that is a true fusion between artificial intelligence and human coaching, enabling career professionals to instantly understand the value of their current job and compare it to prospective opportunities while being able to access performance and negotiation coaches to enhance the value of those positions. In September, 2023 NAV published an Amazon bestseller Navigating Career Negotiations, which provides insight into the nature of career trajectory and how to keep it on track.Howard received his Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and his JD from Boston University Law School.

Michelle Schaap practices cybersecurity and corporate law at Chiesa Sahinian & Giantomasi PC. Within corporate law, she primarily practices in construction, franchising and renewable energy – representing a varied client base that ranges from Fortune 500 companies to closely-held businesses.

Combining her technology and corporate experience, Michelle has spearheaded and developed CSG’s cybersecurity practice. She regularly advises clients on cybersecurity preparedness, counsels clients when data security incidents arise and trains companies on best practices for security procedures addressing both their business operations and their customers’ concerns. Michelle assesses her clients’ risk management practices and security incident preparedness to develop a proactive response and recovery plan enacted to recover from security breaches. Additionally, Michelle works with clients in contract review, drafting and negotiation in critical areas of privacy and security.

Michelle is a Certified Information Privacy Professional, awarded from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, with a concentration on U.S. private-sector law (CIPP/US).

Within the construction industry, Michelle negotiates complex agreements – including construction management, architect and design-build agreements. Her extensive experience includes multimillion-dollar biotech research facilities, design-build agreements for amusement rides, and working with various clients to develop form agreements for planned expansion. Complementary to Michelle's construction work is her experience negotiating solar facility agreements – including power purchase agreements and engineering, procurement and construction agreements.

Michelle works closely with both technology developers and companies seeking to acquire technologies – whether by custom development, license, subscription or otherwise. Michelle’s experience overseeing these transactions enhances efficiency and ensures that the agreement appropriately protects her clients. She educates her clients on potential risks and liabilities, and provides best practices to help manage and mitigate such exposure.