Catapulting Each other to the Next Level
Connecting driven people of all diversity within the commercial design , construction and real estate industries through organic and genuine social events.
The Speakers and Moderator
Jason McCann
Melissa Panara
Coach Matt Doherty
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Catapulting Each other to the Next Level
Connecting driven people of all diversity within the commercial design , construction and real estate industries through organic and genuine social events.
Meet The Speakers
Jason McCann
Melissa Panara
Coach Matt Doherty
Pricing
Early - $25
General - $35
Late - $50
Venue Information
Location: Venture X @ The Refinery (5th Floor)
Time: Doors open at 4:00, Event ends at 7:00
Panel Discussion starts promptly at 4:45
Pricing
Early - $25
(11.4 - 11.25)
General - $35
(11.26 - 12.11)
Late - $50
(12.12 - 12.14)
Meet The Speaker and Moderator
Jason McCann
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Vari®
As a founder and the CEO of Vari, Jason McCann’s mission is to help companies create environments that elevate people.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Jason has more than 30 years of experience building and running successful companies. He learned the importance of putting the customer first early-on while working in his mother’s hair salon as a child.
Jason co-founded VariDesk in 2013, and the brand quickly became synonymous with sit-stand desks. Under his leadership, the company grew at an incredible pace and expanded its product and service offerings significantly, calling for it’s new, more inclusive name – Vari.
Today, the company has grown into a workspace innovation company that provides everything high-growth businesses need to unlock the potential of their workforce – from a full suite of office furniture to the workspaces themselves, offering space-as-a-service with VariSpace. A multi-tenant campus ideation lab designed to elevate the way businesses approach office, VariSpace offers first-class amenities, fully furnished offices, and flexible lease terms to enterprise-level clients.
Jason accepted the award for 2016’s fastest growing company in the Dallas area at the annual SMU Cox Dallas 100™ Awards Ceremony, and in 2017 he was honored with EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year award alongside his co-founder and longtime business partner. In 2021, D CEO Magazine named Jason CEO of the Year.
Jason has spoken at industry events including Inc.’s Founders House at SXSW, Dreamforce, and Startup Grind. In 2018, Jason was interviewed by CNN Money on the NYSE floor, and he spoke at Australia’s Parliament in 2015 regarding workspace innovations and their effects on public health. He has been published by Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., and more.
Jason lives in Coppell, Texas with his wife of 25 years and their three children. He is a board member at the Texas Real Estate Council and a member of Eric’s Club, a distinguished and select group of University of Houston’s Hilton College that build a legacy of student inspiration.
Jason earned both his B.S. and MBA from the University of Houston.
Meet The Speaker and Moderator
Jason McCann
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Vari®
As a founder and the CEO of Vari, Jason McCann’s mission is to help companies create environments that elevate people.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Jason has more than 30 years of experience building and running successful companies. He learned the importance of putting the customer first early-on while working in his mother’s hair salon as a child.
Jason co-founded VariDesk in 2013, and the brand quickly became synonymous with sit-stand desks. Under his leadership, the company grew at an incredible pace and expanded its product and service offerings significantly, calling for it’s new, more inclusive name – Vari.
Today, the company has grown into a workspace innovation company that provides everything high-growth businesses need to unlock the potential of their workforce – from a full suite of office furniture to the workspaces themselves, offering space-as-a-service with VariSpace. A multi-tenant campus ideation lab designed to elevate the way businesses approach office, VariSpace offers first-class amenities, fully furnished offices, and flexible lease terms to enterprise-level clients.
Jason accepted the award for 2016’s fastest growing company in the Dallas area at the annual SMU Cox Dallas 100™ Awards Ceremony, and in 2017 he was honored with EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year award alongside his co-founder and longtime business partner. In 2021, D CEO Magazine named Jason CEO of the Year.
Jason has spoken at industry events including Inc.’s Founders House at SXSW, Dreamforce, and Startup Grind. In 2018, Jason was interviewed by CNN Money on the NYSE floor, and he spoke at Australia’s Parliament in 2015 regarding workspace innovations and their effects on public health. He has been published by Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., and more.
Jason lives in Coppell, Texas with his wife of 25 years and their three children. He is a board member at the Texas Real Estate Council and a member of Eric’s Club, a distinguished and select group of University of Houston’s Hilton College that build a legacy of student inspiration.
Jason earned both his B.S. and MBA from the University of Houston.
Melissa Panara
Design Director
Serving as the Director of Design for IA Charlotte, Melissa has nearly 25 years of experience in a variety of projects including corporate, financial, professional services, retail, campuses and headquarters. She has proven to be successful in developing and maintaining long-term client relationships by demonstrating her ability to innovate, inspire and educate the client while providing the best solution to any project. Most notable clients include: Bank of America, TIAA, Wells Fargo, and Arch Capital to name a few
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture at Virginia Tech. She is also a professional member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and holds a certificate from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED GA). Melissa is currently teaching a semester long “Intro to Architecture and Design” course as part of a community outreach program.
Melissa is passionate about the Charlotte community. She enjoys working with clients and leading her team in strategy and design when it comes to completing work in the Carolinas and making an impact across the firm.
Melissa Panara
Design Director
Serving as the Director of Design for IA Charlotte, Melissa has nearly 25 years of experience in a variety of projects including corporate, financial, professional services, retail, campuses and headquarters. She has proven to be successful in developing and maintaining long-term client relationships by demonstrating her ability to innovate, inspire and educate the client while providing the best solution to any project. Most notable clients include: Bank of America, TIAA, Wells Fargo, and Arch Capital to name a few
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture at Virginia Tech. She is also a professional member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and holds a certificate from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED GA). Melissa is currently teaching a semester long “Intro to Architecture and Design” course as part of a community outreach program.
Melissa is passionate about the Charlotte community. She enjoys working with clients and leading her team in strategy and design when it comes to completing work in the Carolinas and making an impact across the firm.
Coach Matt Doherty (Moderator)
Matt Doherty is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, best-selling author, and media personality.
He guides corporations, C-suite managers, sales executives, and business and sports coaches to develop their leadership skills and team dynamics.
Since starting on the 1982 National Championship team with Michael Jordan at UNC, his journey has included being the Head Coach at Notre Dame and UNC. He was named the 2001 AP National Coach of the Year after leading the Tar Heels to the ACC Regular Season Championship and a #1 ranking.
Matt was also the Head Coach at FAU and SMU, in addition to working for ESPN, the Indiana Pacers and the Atlantic 10 Conference.
In 2003, he embarked on a mission to "learn and grow" by beginning a leadership journey that took him to the UVA Darden School of Business and The Wharton School.
Coach Doherty is committed to sharing universal teachings and actionable ideas that will work for anyone. The rest is up to you.
Coach Matt Doherty (Moderator)
Matt Doherty is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, best-selling author, and media personality.
He guides corporations, C-suite managers, sales executives, and business and sports coaches to develop their leadership skills and team dynamics.
Since starting on the 1982 National Championship team with Michael Jordan at UNC, his journey has included being the Head Coach at Notre Dame and UNC. He was named the 2001 AP National Coach of the Year after leading the Tar Heels to the ACC Regular Season Championship and a #1 ranking.
Matt was also the Head Coach at FAU and SMU, in addition to working for ESPN, the Indiana Pacers and the Atlantic 10 Conference.
In 2003, he embarked on a mission to "learn and grow" by beginning a leadership journey that took him to the UVA Darden School of Business and The Wharton School.
Coach Doherty is committed to sharing universal teachings and actionable ideas that will work for anyone. The rest is up to you.
