3rd Annual State Of Economy
Sponsored by:
Susan Aplin
A purpose-led and impact CEO, Susan has held executive roles in large global brands and key management roles taking start-ups to exits. She founded a leading sustainable home goods brand that incorporated climate science and style and breakthrough innovation in creating the first climate index for home decor and furniture products, as well as held key executive management roles in several other early and growth stage companies.
Susan's career has spanned global business, retail/eCommerce, product development & design, supply chain, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and operations in the home decor, apparel, food and beverage, finance technology, and sporting goods sectors. She is an experienced CEO with a track record of growing and scaling companies to reach their full potential.
Susan is an outspoken corporate leader and has advocated for sustainability and the environment, diversity and inclusion, the advancement of women, and human rights. Appointed by Secretary Jack Lew, she served on the United States Department of Treasury CEO Roundtable Commission during the Obama administration.
Susan is a frequent speaker on leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability and conservation, global strategy, impact management, and living your purpose. She has shared her expertise with top media outlets and is a leading voice on sustainability and entrepreneurship. Susan has been a keynote speaker and speaker at top women's leadership conferences and at premiere sustainability, climate, and industry conferences.
Susan currently serves as Senior Advisor at the World Trade Center Institute and on the LIRS President's Council. She is a mentor to entrepreneurial CEOs and serves on the Advisory Boards of several growth-stage ventures.
Mike Figura
Mike works with people by listening to their needs before giving advice, by doing thorough research before giving answers, and by helping Mosaic Realty clients and brokers make positive choices that will enhance their well-being and financial security. As the owner and founder of Mosaic Realty, he has the pleasure to refer new Mosaic Realty clients to experienced Mosaic Realty brokers, making the best matches for our clients.
From modern green homes to historic houses, and from luxury to starter, Mosaic Realty has brokers who service Asheville and the WNC mountains region. As the broker-in-charge of Mosaic Realty, all of Mosaic’s clients are also his clients, and he collaborates with my agents throughout the transaction to make sure that the real estate experience is as seamless and stressless as possible.
Mike moved to Asheville from a similar town, Charlottesville, Virginia. After graduating from the University of Virginia with degrees in Environmental Science and Environmental Thought and Practice, he decided that Asheville was the place for him. The natural beauty, outdoor activities, and artistic culture really make Asheville special, and he feels fortunate to live, run a business, and be raising his family here.
Mike obtained his real estate license in 2005 and worked in real estate brokerage simultaneously with green building development and urban planning consulting. In 2009, he moved into real estate full-time and started Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty.
With the help of his talented brokers and staff, Mike realized his goal of making Mosaic Realty the most successful locally owned brokerage in Asheville. Not just that, but Mosaic’s agents are some of the most successful in the area, with Mosaic Realty having the highest number of transactions per year, coupled with the highest per-agent sales average out of any company in the area, both chains and local companies.
Christopher Larsen
Christopher Larsen is the founder and Principal of Next-Level Income.
Since “retiring” after 18 years in the medical device industry he dedicates his time to helping others become financially independent through education and investment opportunities. Chris has been investing in and managing real estate for over 20 years.
While completing his degree in Biomechanical Engineering and M.B.A. in Finance at Virginia Tech, he bought his first single-family rental at age 21. Chris expanded into development, private-lending, buying distressed debt as well as commercial office, and ultimately syndicating commercial properties.
He began syndicating deals in 2016 and has been actively involved in over $1B of real estate acquisitions. In addition to real estate, Chris owns multiple car wash locations across the Southeast.
Chris lives with his wife and two boys (and Viszla, Lucy!) in Asheville, NC where he loves spending time with them in the outdoors and enjoying the food and culture that the region has to offer.