Deal Preparedness

Courtney Novak is a Content Manager at Smart Business Network, where she builds dynamic panel discussions across the United States and recruits high-level speakers, attendees, and Dealmakers. Previously, she was a Content Producer at S&P Global, collaborating with media outlets worldwide to share S&P insights and host market commentary videos. She began her career at the American Stock Exchange and has also held positions at ESPN and NBC News. Outside the office, Courtney volunteers with her children’s organizations and enjoys the “quiet, stress-free” challenge of convincing her two kids that life exists beyond their iPads.

Dr. Craig McCall is an executive coach, team facilitator, and corporate advisor on talent and teams. For 25 years and with hundreds of senior leaders, Craig has coached to prepare for the C-suite, smoothly on-board to stretch roles, operationalize and execute on strategy, build executive presence, drive change, and create high performance teams.  He assesses senior talent for selection and succession, and directs leadership programs for global companies.

Craig is a licensed psychologist and holds a Doctorate in Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and a B.A. from Boston College. He is a Registered Corporate Coach through the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches and is Hogan leadership assessment certified. He has held coaching faculty positions at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and Capella University, and professorships at Loyola and Argosy Universities in Chicago. He has presented numerous times at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business on talent assessment. Craig sits on the emeritus board at the Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids, a not-for-profit that provides mentoring and financial support for inner-city adolescents in Chicago. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Keith Luedeman is founder and former CEO of goodmortgage.com, an award winning internet mortgage lender. Keith led goodmortgage.com to be recognized for many successes including Best Place to Work for Mid-Size Companies and Online Lender of the Year by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Under Keith's guidance, goodmortgage.com was named to the Inc. 5000 five times, earning it a place on the Inc. 5000 Honor Roll.

Earning individual awards along the way, such as NCTA Tech Exec of the Year, Keith developed a reputation as a passionate entrepreneur who shares his business wisdom as Board Chair of Innovate Charlotte, Board Chair of the Queens University Entrepreneurial Leadership Circle Advisory Board, an active investor in the Charlotte Region and a mentor to startups.