About LCV

Dan Phillips has held senior executive leadership roles across a number of high Tech Companies over the last 35 years. He served as Hulu’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) through its hyper growth from 2018 to 2021 as Hulu became a premier streaming media service and the largest OTT Live Service in the US. Dan was the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at TiVo for 10 years and was the SVP of Engineering & Services at TRADOS & VP of Technology at Crossworlds through its IPO. Most recently, Dan was the CTO of Chamberlain group, a Blackstone portfolio company before retiring in April of 2025. Dan started his career as a co-founding MetaSystems, a technology startup in Arcata, CA following graduation from Cal Poly Humboldt.
Dan served as the Chair of Cal Poly Humboldt’s Boldly Rising campaign & cabinet focused on the university’s transition in becoming California’s third Polytech University and fundraising over $59M to advance University programs and student scholarships. Dan also serves as Co-Chair for the President’s Council at College of the Redwoods focused on advancing the college's master plan and elevating K-14 education on the California North Coast. Dan was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Cal Poly Humboldt for his lifetime of work and impact on education and the communities of the North Coast.

John earned his B.A. degree from Humboldt State University in 1980 and his Master’s Degree from Colorado State University in 1982. John spent the first 15 years of his career in increasingly responsible finance, operations and project management roles at TCI which led to him being appointed its CFO and ultimately its CEO prior to selling the business to SPX Corporation in 2001. John spent the last 20 years of his career working for SPX Corporation as a Business Unit President of numerous businesses in diversified technology and industrial verticals, most recently leading the global operations of SPX’s Communication Technologies and Aids to Navigation platforms. Following retirement from SPX in March of 2021, John serves as Treasurer and board member of New Way Homes, an affordable housing development company, supports Santa Cruz Greenway and is a founder of Lost Coast Ventures.

Shawna is finished her sixth year as Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt. Among her highest priorities in this role has been supporting the increase in funding for and the number of opportunities to work in paid internship or research assistantship positions, working alongside current industry experts and faculty members on professional, research, and creative endeavors that help make them job- and career ready, and well-positioned for graduate school. Prior to Dean at Cal Poly Humboldt, Shawna served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State University, Stanislaus, where she served in faculty and administrator roles for 17 years, and where prior to that was an undergraduate student, earning her bachelor’s degree in physical Education. She went to Boise State University for grad school, where she earned a Master’s in Exercise and Sport Studies and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a Cognate in Exercise Science, and where she trained with the Bronco Wrestling Club and qualified for the Women’s Freestyle U.S. World Team Trials. Shawna’s recent personal interests have included learning to fly and earning a private pilot certificate so that she can eventually fly her weekly commute in a Cessna Skyhawk 172 from Turlock to Arcata rather than drive. And she recently completed the POST Academy at San Joaquin Delta College, as she aims to serve in a volunteer Reserve Peace Officer capacity in higher education.

Matthew received his B.A. degree in Recreation Administration in 2017 and earned his Masters of Business Administration in 2019. Matthew is a Humboldt native who has founded various businesses living on the North Coast. He spent five years building an international nonprofit that supervised volunteer trips to Uganda and Peru. He has been a Rotary member since 2015 and held a position on the board of directors of Lost Coast Rotaract since 2016. He has hosted over 30 fundraisers in northern Humboldt, raising money for local and global causes. After buying a school, facilitating over 30 volunteers and kickstarting a small business in Uganda, Matthew began starting more businesses in Humboldt. He owns an environmentally-friendly product distribution company (Lost Coast Plastics) and a blockchain consulting firm (Humboldt Blockchain Advising).

Chris earned a B.A. in Communications and M.B.A. from Humboldt State University. Chris has dedicated much of his professional career to teaching, business development, and community service. Serving as Professor of Business at College of the Redwoods and Lecturer in the School of Business at Cal Poly Humboldt, Chris is passionate about working with students to explore possibilities that unlock potential in themselves, their businesses, and society as a whole. As a serial entrepreneur, Chris has founded and advised many businesses over the years, including serving as President of Flatiron Venture Group since 2004. A true believer in the potential of the North Coast, Chris has supported and volunteered for local initiatives such as Humboldt Made, Get Ready Humboldt, Economic Fuel and many other efforts aimed at supporting students and our community. Chris is proud to be part of the Lost Coast Ventures team.

A third-generation Humboldt County native, Kerry earned her B.A. in English and Speech Communication from Humboldt State University in 1985 and her Master’s Degree in Communication Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987. Kerry started her career working in public relations and marketing for the Pebble Beach Company and then transitioned into marketing, public relations, and fundraising for the United Way of Humboldt and College of the Redwoods. For the bulk of her career, however, Kerry served as a Professor of Communication Studies at College of the Redwoods where she focused on helping students tap into their own power and agency by developing their public and interpersonal communication skills. For the last six years of her career in higher ed, Kerry served in a variety of administrative roles at College of the Redwoods including as Dean of the Career Education Division, Vice President of Instruction, and Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Kerry’s administrative work focused on developing new academic programs leading to living wage jobs on the North Coast, securing funding for innovative programs and supports for faculty and students, and developing hands-on opportunities for students to successfully transition from classroom to careers. Kerry retired from College of the Redwoods in 2024 after 35 years of service. Kerry has served as a board member for many local entities including the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, College of the Redwoods President’s Advisory Council, the Jacoby Creek Children’s Education Foundation, Mad River Youth Soccer League, and the Redwoods Discovery Museum.