Joel Burstein, CEO & Co-Founder of the BEAM Collaborative, a strategic planning advisory services firm designed to expand local black businesses. Joel’s first startup was Keep it Simple Training and Development, and after years of success, he sold that business in 2021 to create BEAM to exclusively support growth in the black community.
Joel’s expertise comes from his 12-year career as a manager with over 70 employees at a Fortune 500 company. Joel has consulted for hundreds of companies and at all levels of management from the CEO to the front-line supervisor.
Joel is on the board of directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania. He is also the Western Pennsylvania Vice Chair of the MBE Input Committee and a board member of the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council.
Joel’s success can be attributed to his own personal development. After graduating early from The University of Miami, Joel continued to further his education by earning his Certificate of Financial Planning from New York University. His customer focused approach led to his firm selecting him to attend The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious 3-year program where acceptance is by invite only.
The Summit offers a unique opportunity to confront the corrosive influence of bigotry and hatred in our society. In order for us to address these challenges, we first must acknowledge their painful and destructive impact in our communities and in our country. I am grateful to serve as a Global Advisor to this timely and powerful initiative.
