Club Conduit | Power Brokers

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Lina Rugova is a visionary leader and dedicated advocate for underserved entrepreneurs and small business owners. As the founder and president of Emerge and Rise, a San Antonio-based nonprofit Venture Development Organization. With over a decade of experience in business consulting, Lina excels in strategic planning, digital transformation, and AI integration.

An immigrant and first-generation entrepreneur, Lina holds a BS in Business and a Master of Management in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Penn State University. She is currently pursuing a DBA in Entrepreneurship at Walden University and serves as an adjunct faculty instructor at Palo Alto College.

 Christine Colburn is a nonprofit leader, strategic advisor, and operator with deep experience in partnership development, market strategy, and ecosystem building for emerging technology startups and SMEs, with a background in VC. As Vice President of Community and Strategic Initiatives at Emerge and Rise, Inc., she leads cross-sector collaborations that advance founder support through mentorship, education, and resource integration. Through her advisory work and as a co-founder of a software development startup, Christine supports early- and growth-stage companies with go-to-market execution, partnerships, and operational alignment, translating strategic vision into measurable, mission-driven impact. 

 Justine Eckert, MBA is a Commercial Risk Advisor specializing in property and casualty insurance for business owners and commercial real estate investors.

After building and selling her own Farmers agency, she transitioned into independent brokerage to design strategic, customized coverage for growing companies and asset-heavy portfolios. She understands risk from the operator’s side, not just the policy side. She's known for her client-first rigor, she designs coverage strategies that safeguard capital, protect operations, and preserve peace of mind in high-stakes markets. 

Justine serves on the Board of Directors for CREW Commercial Real Estate Women and is Director of Special Events. She is also a Board Member of Y.E.S.! Youth Entrepreneurship Services, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.

In rooms where assets are being built, she makes sure they’re protected.

 Farheen Mir is a partner at Texas Auto Save, an Vehicle Portfolio & Financing Partner providing full-service automotive solutions. The company offers financing through a sister company and insurance through a related firm, specializing in helping subprime clients achieve vehicle ownership and financial stability.

Farheen’s entrepreneurial journey began at 15 years old in relocation contracting with all branches of the U.S. military, where she developed a strong foundation in operations, accountability, and service excellence. She entered the automotive industry in 2012 with her initial partners and, in 2018, she and a new group of partners, including her husband, launched an independent company under a new brand, solidifying her leadership and long-term vision. Known for her strategic mindset and integrity, Farheen is committed to building businesses that are purpose-driven, and impactful.

Jessica Hodges, CPA, is a seasoned financial executive and the Founder of Ascent Strategic Finance, where she provides fractional and interim CFO leadership to growing businesses navigating expansion, transition, and increasingly complex financial decisions.

With nearly two decades of experience in finance and accounting, Jessica has spent much of her career in senior healthcare leadership, most recently serving as a hospital CFO with responsibility for the financial performance and strategy of complex, multimillion-dollar organizations. Today, she brings that same level of financial discipline and executive insight to business owners who need more than accounting—they need a strategic partner who can turn their numbers into confident decisions about growth, profitability, investment, and risk.

Known for making complex financial information practical and actionable, Jessica works alongside owners and leadership teams to build stronger financial infrastructure, understand what is truly driving their business, and create a clear path forward.

In rooms where big ideas are becoming bigger businesses, Jessica makes sure the numbers can support the vision.

Kara Adams is a trusted advisor, dynamic speaker, and published author with decades of experience in marketing, sales, and business strategy. Her career spans diverse industries including retail, healthcare, education, and fashion, and now extends into the creator and new media economy, giving her a breadth of knowledge and perspective. With a keen eye for opportunity, Kara understands the power of positioning, influence, and strategic relationships.

As President and Creative Director of Marcell Morgann Inc., Kara advises business owners and leaders on strategy, growth, positioning, and alignment in how they show up in the marketplace, at work, at home, and online. Her comprehensive approach also incorporates thoughtful design solutions so the spaces where clients live and work reflect their vision.

She is also the Founder and CEO of Fabulous Living Inc., home of her personal brand, The Fab Kara, where she MCs and hosts thoughtful events, creates strategic brand partnerships, and curates luxury lifestyle experiences.

Her philosophy is simple: relationship capital is currency. Wealth, information, influence, access, and opportunity flow through trusted relationships.

She moves comfortably between boardrooms and beautiful spaces, business conversations and champagne-worthy celebrations, entrepreneurs and executives, creatives and investors. Smart, stylish, strategic, and full of energy, Kara brings both substance and sparkle to the room.