Speaker Bios
Dr. Paul Campbell, a co-founder and managing partner at Brown Venture Group, LLC (BVG), is both a licensed minister, serving in his local church, and a trailblazer in the venture capital industry. Prior to founding BVG, Dr. Campbell’s diverse background included being a serial entrepreneur, pastor, technology sales executive, and music producer. Dr. Campbell has spearheaded the BVG Federal Non-Dilutive De-Risking Model, which identifies innovative technologies that align with the interests of the Federal government and are highly desirable for private-sector acquisition. Additionally, he has pioneered groundbreaking public-private partnerships, such as the “Federal Mashup Lap” with NASA and the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) for technology transfer offices, and “Pathways to Innovation” with the USPTO. Dr. Campbell’s expertise has been recognized in various publications, including Faith Driven Investors, Tribal Business News, Forbes, Bloomberg, Black Enterprise Magazine, and Authority Magazine. He actively serves on the boards of the Pro Bono Advisory Council, the University of Minnesota Technology Commercialization office, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. His academic credentials include a Doctorate in Social Entrepreneurship, an MBA in Global Business Management, and an MA in Pastoral Care and Church Administration. He resides in Minnesota with his spouse and their four children.
Dan Dye served as the CEO of Ardent Mills, the premier flour milling and ingredient company, from its formation in May, 2014 until his retirement in September, 2024. Ardent Mills has an extensive network of more than 40 locations that specialize in flour and emerging nutrition specialty plant-based ingredients across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Dan oversaw the company’s vision and strategy to transform how the world is nourished and helped to create a people-first, values-based culture. Prior to the formation of Ardent Mills, Dan held various merchandising and managerial positions during his 33 year career at Cargill, including serving as president of Horizon Milling and president of Cargill AgHorizons, U.S., among other roles.
Dan currently serves on the Board of Directors of Partners in Food Solutions and the CEO Forum and is also a board member of the Craig Hospital Foundation. Dan graduated from Bethel University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics.
Sharon Sampson is the Founder + CEO of Open Book Communications. Founded in 2013, Open Book is a team of consultants and creative strategists based in Minneapolis serving vision-driven clients nationwide with storytelling that drives change. The name Open Book reflects the company’s signature work: invite people into your story. We equip leaders and organizations to communicate who they are and what they do with strategic, beautiful solutions spanning branding, design, messaging, website, video, and campaign development. Our specialty is cracking the code of how an organization shows and tells its core story in ways that compound over time. Prior to founding Open Book, Sharon worked in public relations and media strategy in New York, built an in-house communications team at a non-profit, and served as a chaplain at Princeton University. Sharon sees the common thread of her career as nurturing what’s true and possible for people and organizations. Outside of work, Sharon delights in theater, a great view, long-time friends, and her very creative nephew.
