About BEAM

BEAM Collaborative helps communities build stronger local economies.

We deliver AI-driven tools, practical education, and focused research that help entrepreneurs and organizations take real action. Whether strengthening local business ecosystems, building meaningful partnerships, or supporting community investment, we turn ideas into measurable results.

As millions of Baby Boomer-owned businesses approach retirement, BEAM is stepping in to support buyers and sellers through successful transitions. Our work ensures these legacy businesses remain community assets, preserving jobs, wealth, and local character for generations to come.

Joel Burstein

Chief Executive Officer/Co-Founder

Joel Burstein is the CEO and co-founder of BEAM Collaborative, a strategic advisory firm dedicated to strengthening the small business ecosystem in southwestern Pennsylvania. Launched in 2020 in response to widening economic disparities, BEAM builds inclusive, sustainable pathways to business ownership through acquisition, succession planning, and long-term growth support.

Joel’s entrepreneurial journey began with Keep it Simple Training and Development, a company he founded to deliver high-impact leadership and operational training across industries. He later launched BEAM to address systemic barriers that prevent small businesses from scaling, especially in underserved communities where ownership transitions and wealth-building opportunities are too often lost.

With more than a decade of experience as a Fortune 500 leader managing teams of 70 or more, Joel has advised executives, mid-level leaders, and frontline supervisors alike. His expertise spans strategic planning, organizational execution, and business acquisition, having led or supported over 30 business transactions. He brings a unique blend of operational rigor and strategic clarity, known for turning complex challenges into actionable, measurable outcomes.

Joel also serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, Neighborhood Allies, and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, where he continues to champion regional economic development and locally rooted entrepreneurship.

Our Story

Following the events of 2020, there was a nationwide reevaluation of how communities function, how opportunity is created, and what drives long-term regional stability.

In Pittsburgh, a group of leaders recognized a clear truth: when gaps in economic participation persist, the entire region feels the impact. Strong local economies depend on strong locally owned businesses.

From conversations among Will Allen of Magarac Venture Partners; Joel Burstein, Founder and CEO of Keep It Simple Training and Development; Tricia Warrick, CEO, Coach, and Chair of Vistage Worldwide, LLC; and Joe Massaro III, CEO of Massaro Construction Company, a shared conviction emerged—supporting and strengthening small businesses is essential to improving the overall quality of life across the region.

We launched BEAM to reshape how wealth is created and sustained in our communities, ensuring long-term economic health and opportunity throughout western Pennsylvania. Our work is designed to create a system where everyone benefits.