PATRICIA LANZA

American photographer and photo curator Patricia Lanza has traveled to over 53 countries on assignment to document some of the most compelling people, nature, cultures and stories of our time. Lanza began her career at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. learning about narrative and storytelling through imagery.

Starting as a staff photo editor working with Nat-Geo’s vast archive, her position evolved to full-time contract photographer— an exciting, dynamic direction she followed for eight years. Pat has been on assignments around the globe for countless editorial and commercial newspapers, magazines and clients.

As the Director of Talent and Content and Exhibitions for the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles from 2009 to 2017, Lanza curated and developed twenty-two exhibitions from concept to installation. With extensive experience in all aspects of mounting exhibitions, managing collections, hiring staff, developing programming, participating in film festivals, Lanza has worked with major museums and photo venues around the world to package, market and travel exhibitions.

Under Lanza’s direction, The Annenberg Space for Photography collaborated with and presented the world’s greatest photographers and filmmakers, and garnered many industry and media awards. In 2011, the multi-media exhibition, Beauty CULTure won exhibition of the year in a field which included and competed against major international museum photography shows. The accompanying film directed by Lauren Greenfield was nominated for an Academy award.

In 2016, working with the United Nations, the exhibition, Refugee, was nominated for exhibition of the year. Lanza co- curated the exhibition and co-authored the accompanying book/publication with Elisabeth Biondi, former photo director of New Yorker magazine.

KEN BLUE

Kenneth Blue is an accomplished senior management executive with a distinguished 40+ year career leading new venture start-ups, e-commerce companies, IT service providers, and retail organizations.

Founder and Manager of Kobalt Associates, a digital management consulting company providing IT, eCommerce, and Internet-related strategy consulting services for progressive clients.

Prior to Kobalt Associates, Ken lead a $40M+, 20 store regional retail company as Sr. VP of Sale & Operations. He also founded and served as COO and Board member for multi-national safety equipment manufacturer. He holds a patent for a unique high rise building rescue device.

Ken was also President of Gear.com, an Amazon investment, that was acquired by Overstock.com. Ken spent 15 years in various positions with Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a major U.S. retailer of outdoor equipment ($3.8B).

Ken obtained a BA from Eastern Washington University, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

A former professional international mountain guide, high altitude search and rescue specialist, Ken resides in Prescott Valley, AZ and enjoys climbing, hiking, kayaking, and cycling, with his lovely wife Jan, a behavioral health specialist.