V-Unite Platform Features
Stephen Handisides
CEO
Ryan Hillas
CEO
A passionate keynote speaker that enjoys disrupting markets with revolutionary digital solutions that connect people and businesses on a global stage.
I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, graduated in Marketing, Management and Spanish at the University of Auckland. For the past 18 years I have lived in the UK, America, Spain, and Colombia and have experienced the world. I have enjoyed my journey and I set up my own media company 12 years ago in London. I expanded Handi Media into the US, Australia and now New Zealand.
Ten years ago i had a crazy idea to set up a virtual conference within the medical sector. I decided to take the plunge and three years ago with my team set up the first virtual event. The Global Virtual Aesthetic Summit (GVAS). Anyone that knows me in business, knows that I beta test a concept on a large scale. We had thousands of medical professionals attend GVAS from 32 countries, 70 vendors, 126 speakers in 4 different languages. We started with a blank piece of paper and created the roadmap and user experience. Overall GVAS was a big success! Shortly afterwards Covid hit the world and the story continues…..
Everyone thought i had a crystal ball and those that doubted ‘virtual’ were left scrambling. Its been a great journey and success story when you take a risk in what you believe in and sometimes it doesn’t work but in this case V-Unite was born. A Virtual Events and Experience Software solution.
I work with organizations all over the world across all industries. I love learning about new products and helping organizations reach their potential.
Mike McDonald
CFO
Mike McDonald
CFO
A comprehensive career of solving problems and delivering results as Retail Finance, BPO and a Supply Chain Executive. Strong operations experience in setting direction and adapting professional teams to market challenges. I have a natural talent for conceptual grasp of the total picture, able to sense problems and take advantage of opportunities. BBA in Accounting with CPA, with thirty-three years of Retail Finance, Distribution, Healthcare, Supply Chain, and business process experience, boasting broad-based expertise with start-up operations to the Fortune 500 in the following areas:
• Strategic Planning
• Collections Management
• Customer Service
• Collateral Management
• Credit Management
• Sales Management
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Accounting Management
• Business Analytics
• Internet and E-Commerce
• Business Processes
• Acquisitions and Mergers
• System Implementation
• System Design
• Executive Development
• Board Chairman
• Board Member
• Human Resources
Mike Kalfus
Senior Advisor - US Operations
Mike Kalfus
Patient Acquisition and Onboarding Advisor
Mike Kalfus is an experienced global life science marketer, entrepreneur, and communications executive with a proven track record of developing and commercializing new products and utilizing innovative cutting-edge technologies to solve business problems and increase the quality of life for patients around the world.
Mike is currently the Chief Commercial Officers for GrapheneAI, a Singapore based Artificial Intelligence Decision Making Platform GrapheneAI. Founded in 2014, is one of the leading AI companies operating in the Life Science Marketplace. Prior this, he served as Senior Vice President of Business Development – Global Customer Experience at EVERSANA. Prior to his current role, Mike founded and ran a successful Global Communications Consulting firm called M2WorldWide LLC which helped both large and emerging life science companies develop a more data driven and analytical approach to Patient and HCP marketing. During this time, he formed MammoGRIP LLC with his partner and inventor of MammoGRIP, Nancy DeRobertis. As General Manager and Partner, Mike was responsible for working with the FDA to obtain the necessary clinical and manufacturing requirements needed to launch the product.
Mike completed this task in less than 2 years and received FDA approval as a Class II Medical Device for the “only patented FDA approved topical solution to aid in the positioning for annual mammograms”. The product is now being rolled out around the globe to help Save Lives One Image at a Time! Prior to MammoGRIP, Mike was part of the Viagra Launch Team where he led its Global Direct to Patient (DTP) Communications capability. He was also the Director,Team Leader of Pfizer’s Patient Education and Multi-Cultural Teams supporting all of its in-line and pipeline products. Prior to this Mike rose through the brand management ranks a leading Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) company, working on brands such as Robitussin, Primatene as well as Rx to OTC Switch Candidates.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Hartford in Connecticut. He has undergone leadership training at Harvard Business School and is a frequent presenter at Global Customer Experience and Insights Conferences. Mike most recently has been a guest lecturer and podcaster regarding Artificial Intelligence in the Healthcare Space.
Bob Brooks
Healthcare Digital Transformation Advisor
Bob Brooks
Healthcare Digital Transformation Advisor
Bob has forged an inspiring career at the intersection of healthcare and technology, dedicated to empowering both patients and medical professionals with transformative resources and tools that elevate healthcare decision-making. His passion for leveraging cutting-edge technologies has resulted in the creation of meaningful experiences that touch every stage of the healthcare journey.
Widely recognized as a thought leader in the healthcare sector, Bob has spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns for an impressive roster of clients, including:
– AstraZeneca
– Eli Lilly
– IBM Global Health
– GlaxoSmithKline
– Verona Pharma
His innovative approaches have not only improved patient outcomes but have also revolutionized how healthcare professionals deliver care. His work continues to shape the future of healthcare, creating a more empowered, informed, and connected ecosystem for all stakeholders.
Erwin Tumangday
Healthcare Strategic Advisor
Erwin Tumangday
Healthcare Strategic Advisor
Erwin Tumangday is a seasoned Healthcare Agency Growth Executive with over 20 years of experience driving business development, sales, and leadership across digital and creative agencies. He is passionate about solving challenges to improve healthcare outcomes, guided by a strong belief in the power of technology to break down barriers, enhance communication, and foster deeper engagement. Erwin excels at expanding commercial networks and consistently positioning innovative solutions that drive impactful results.
His expertise spans key roles at global communications agencies like Publicis and Omnicom’s digital marketing agency Organic, as well as at healthcare commercialization leader Klick Health. He began his career as a founding member of the digital and e-commerce agency Bluespark. Additionally, through his Toronto-based independent advisory, Erwin has consulted for consumer creative agencies, healthcare digital transformation consultancies and specialty design firms, advising leadership on growth, partnerships, and go-to-market strategies in complex healthcare markets.
Erwin’s deep understanding of the healthcare industry, combined with his ability to leverage technology, allows him to navigate intricate sales cycles and inspire meaningful change. His commitment to positioning technology as a force for good ensures the removal of communication barriers, delivering seamless, engaging solutions for both healthcare providers and patients.
Darren Grassby
Senior Advisor - UK/Europe
Darren Grassby
Senior Advisor - UK/Europe
Darren Grassby has more than 20 years of experience leading companies in the aesthetics and aesthetic medicine sector in the United Kingdom and latterly Europe, having transformed companies both organically (inherent growth) and inorganically (through mergers and acquisitions). His experience covers all functional areas of such companies including finance, commercial, marketing, and digital transformation. All this within the framework of value creation strategies that he himself has designed and successfully executed. Specifically:
– In 2019, he led the purchase by a management team of the SKN Clinic Business in the UK, managing to grow that company and generate substantial value for himself and the other shareholders;
– He grew the company’s revenues by more than £50 million by leading and being responsible for all areas of the company;
– He created and grew a team of employees, which came to exceed 1,000 collaborators;
– He consolidated the sector in which that company operated by successfully acquiring and integrating 6 companies in less than 12 months;
– He created a top-tier brand ecosystem achieving synergies between the brands and optimizing them for growth; and
– He is a key figure leading initiatives related to the regulation of aesthetic medicine in the United Kingdom alongside the most important regulatory entities (CQC and JCCP).
– Currently sits on a number of company Boards advising and consulting across a wide variety of topics
Ryan Hillas
Senior Advisor - Asia Pacific
Ryan Hillas
Senior Advisor - Asia Pacific
Ryan Hillas is the Founder & Executive Director of Blackowl Group, focusing on Wholesale Funds, Capital Funding, Investments, and Green Projects in Australasia and the Middle East. With vast experience and a strong global network, he emphasizes compliance, frameworks, and skilled personnel to secure local and international capital solutions. Ryan collaborates with institutions, investors, and stakeholders, leveraging his operational expertise and relationships to close deals. He enjoys sports, serves on numerous boards, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is dedicated to advancing Blackowl Group’s global strategy.
Geoffrey Schuhkraft
Senior Advisor - Middle East
Geoffrey Schuhkraft
Senior Advisor - Middle East
Visionary, direct communicator and long-term strategist, Geoffrey Schuhkraft has been a key player in the political, entertainment, and sports management sectors with more than 40 years of experience. His exceptional business pedigree and the caliber of client he has attracted throughout his career and the respect he commands in the marketplace speaks for itself. Throughout his career, Geoffrey has acquired diverse experience in multilateral and intergovernmental negotiations, strategic analysis, planning and management.
Renowned for crafting and articulating new ideas and implementation strategies for maximum impact to enhance personal, business and political opportunities. Geoffrey was a pioneer of the Australian entertainment industry and is now a major stakeholder in the international sports, entertainment and corporate management arenas. He has managed some of Australia’s greatest icons including Trevor Hendy, Samantha Riley, Matthew Hayden, Lisa Curry, Grant Hackett, Tina Arena, Little River Band to name a few. In 1985 Geoffrey founded talent management empire International Quarterback Pty Ltd which he operated for many years from his base in Queensland. In 2006 he joined forces with Champions League and A.C. Milan superstar Clarence Seedorf to establish ON International in Europe – It was though this relationship that Geoffrey was introduced to the Middle East in 2007.
After operating successfully in Australia, Los Angeles and Europe, he established offices in the Middle East to further his business interests, and to also expand on his government, political and business relationships. In 2012 he was appointed by Gold Coast City as Senior Advisor Middle East Relations and to expand upon and develop the ‘Sister City’ relationship between Gold Coast City and Dubai. In late 2014 Geoffrey was appointed Senior Advisor Middle East Relations Trade and Investment Queensland so that Queensland could benefit from his broad government, business and strategic professional and personal relationships, and his unique skills in leveraging these relationships for the benefit of the Queensland Government and Queensland Companies in association with local partners and entities. He remains a passionate advocate of Queensland and developing mutually beneficial strategic global partnerships. Geoffrey is extremely well connected within government and business circles and through many years operating successful international businesses has developed a global outlook and a thorough understanding of the corporate world.
Dom Serafino
Senior Advisor - Medical Aesthetics
Dom Serafino
Senior Advisor - Medical Aesthetics
Dom is addicted to serial entrepreneurship. In his 30 year career, he has built multiple companies with revenues reaching more than $100 million, has taken 2 medical device companies public on the NASDAQ and has raised more than $300 million from various funding sources. He learned very early in his career that the journey to success is never a solo expedition and requires open, clear and honest dialogue related to goals and aspirations of the individual or the company itself.
He prides himself in having the ability to instinctively identify opportunities within an industry and develop strategic initiatives/plans to fully take advantage of such opportunities. Historically, Dom has been most helpful in evaluating various investment opportunities, with a strong focus on MedTech. Honesty, transparency, dedication, and strategic thinking are his greatest assets.