Podcast: Download
Kanchana Raman / Avacend, Inc. and Avion Networks 
Kanchana Raman founded Avion Systems in 1996 and has built an organization with extensive knowledge of the ICT industry. Avion provides value-added end-to-end network planning, design, deployment and optimization services. Avion has direct involvement in the deployment of OEM products, Operational performance monitoring & management and optimization of the network to achieve customer satisfaction for global OEMs and Carriers.
Kanchana chairs several board positions. The Georgia Women’s Business Council representing Georgia on the National Leadership forum for WBENC, Emory University Board serving as Ambassador for Emory’s innovation in Health care and advanced academics, President-Elect TiE-Atlanta.org to foster Entrepreneurship, the Quest board for global quality standards in TL9000 . In 2010, Kanchana has been selected by AT&T to be part of a 25 member AT&T Women Entrepreneurs’ Forum. The forum will serve the emerging communications technology needs of U.S. businesses and help drive continued innovation and growth for AT&T.
Kanchana was selected to represent three US delegations to S. Africa, S. America and UK. The mission involved advising disabled, minority and women entrepreneurs on growth within the region and globally.
In 2015, Avion Systems, Inc. has been split into two companies. Avion Networks, a JV with Tech Mahindra for Network Engineering and Avacend, Inc. for Analytics and Staffing.
Kanchana holds an MBA from Goizueta Business School, Emory University to augment her broad experience in telecommunications and technology, which spans 20 years. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, daughter and son.
Paul Lopez / Element Funding
Dr. Paul Lopez is the co-founder and co-managing principal of Element Funding, a mortgage lending company offering residential mortgages in GA, FL and NC. The company’s website is www.elementfunding.com, headquartered in Atlanta with branches located in the southeast. From its de novo startup in June 2007, Element employees have helped over 20,000 families with housing financing totaling $4.2 billion.
In order to “give back,” Paul serves on the Finance Committee of MUST Ministries, and is also on the boards of Action Ministries and TiE Atlanta where he was recently elected as the President-elect.
