ABOUT TOPHER
Defined by Resilience
My personal journey has been anything but straightforward. Life’s challenges—both personal and professional—have influenced my approach to business and leadership. Resilience is the word that’s most often used by those who know me—friends, mentors, colleagues, and audiences alike. It’s a trait I bring into every project, team, and challenge I face.
On a Professional Note
I’ve had the privilege of working as a speaker, facilitator, coach, and management consultant across a variety of industries, in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Recently, I’ve taken on fractional and interim C-level roles with major healthcare organizations like Blue Cross of Michigan’s Medicare Plans and Priority Health, as well as with providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health). I also have experience in the pharmaceutical world, including post-FDA drug launches. Plus, I’ve worked closely with health-related non-profits like the American Cancer Society and various autism charities.​​
Before focusing on healthcare, I spent time in New York City and held global roles in Wall Street-related media and information companies. One of my most significant positions was at Thomson Reuters (formerly Reuters), where I served as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for the Americas and lead division-level P&Ls on a global scale. I’ve also held CMO roles at Liquidnet, a global institutional investment network, and at Axioma, a Goldman Sachs-backed leader in quantitative portfolio construction. I was part of the turnaround team that acquired Quotron Systems from Citibank and helped return it to profitability within two years. I also have a lot of experience in mergers and acquisitions, integrating businesses to help them succeed.
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In addition to these roles, I’ve worked in venture capital and private equity, closing over fifty deals in a wide range of industries. I’ve even founded businesses myself in industries like professional music, where my team and I developed technology that powered live performances and provided digital recording tools for artists like U2, David Bowie, The Grateful Dead, Herbie Hancock, and for studios like Record Plant and Sigma Sound.
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I’d say I’m a naturally curious person with maybe a few too many personal interests. These interests have led me into both business and non-profit ventures as a founder, advisor, board member, and in various other roles.
On a Personal Note
I’ve known my wife, Jana, since we were childhood friends at thirteen, and I feel lucky to have her as my partner now. Together, we’ve navigated many projects and experienced both successes and failures. Through it all, we’ve never given up on each other. In 2002, we welcomed our second son, Kirby, who was diagnosed with autism when he was eighteen months old. In 2008, Jana began a health journey that led to the diagnosis of a slow-moving terminal autoimmune disease and other complications. Despite these challenges, we continue to move forward together with the goal of making the world a kinder place, especially for those who face disadvantages. I think our shared drive to help others stems from growing up in family businesses and working through family challenges during our youth.
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Throughout the ups and downs, I've learned that resilience, curiosity, and an ambition to help others are what fuel me in both my personal and professional life. Whether it's guiding businesses toward success or working on projects that make a real difference for people, I'm committed to supporting others in their progress and innovation.