The Boldest Voices in Business & Culture

Claude Silver is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, where she oversees people and culture for over 2,000 employees across 11 countries. Known for pioneering “emotional optimism,” Claude leads with empathy to create thriving, people-first workplace cultures. Under her leadership, VaynerX has grown exponentially, with its foundational company, VaynerMedia, being named Adweek’s Breakthrough Media Agency of 2022. A sought-after speaker and award-winning leader, she has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, and Fast Company, inspiring others to embrace empathy as a driver of growth and transformation.

CMO of Kraft Heinz North America. Former CMO of Pepsi. Creator of Bubly Sparkling Water, LIFEWTR, and Stubborn Soda. Sports, Music, and Entertainment Veteran. Named one of Forbes "World's Most Influential CMOs" and Forbes "Entrepreneurial CMO Top 50". Recognized by Business Insider as one of “Top 25 Most Innovative CMOs in the World” and AdWeek’s “Brand Genius” Award. Honored by UJA with “Industry Visionary Award” /// 💭: Disruptive Innovator. Culture Bending Creative. Brand and Content Creator. Business Driver. Strategic Risk Taker. Entrepreneurial Leader. High Performing Team Builder. Full Funnel Marketer. Always a Challenger at Heart. /// 🌎: Culture Obsessed. Marketing Nerd. Lakers Fanatic. Sneakerhead. Travel Enthusiast. Tennis Player. Lover of all Foods. Proud Husband and Dad.

Anuj Bhasin is the Chief Brand Officer at Gatorade, where he oversees marketing, innovation, consumer engagement, and community impact across the Gatorade, Propel and LIFEWTR brands.

A 14-year PepsiCo veteran, Anuj has held several roles across the Gatorade Portfolio, marketing, brand strategy and innovation. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Marketing & General Manager, Gatorade Brands, where he oversaw Gatorade’s Direct to Consumer evolution along with marketing efforts for Muscle Milk, Evolve and Propel.

Throughout his tenure, Anuj has played a key role in elevating the cultural relevance of Gatorade’s sport and fitness brands through partnerships and campaigns with some of the world’s most famous athletes and celebrities. He was also integral in driving growth on a global scale for the Gatorade Portfolio with a key focus on international market expansion. He also managed short-term business deliverables and strategic planning for several platforms within the Gatorade Portfolio, including Gatorade Thirst Quencher, and Gatorade beverage enhancers, as well as the development of the Gatorade Prime Energy Chew Innovation Platform.

Prior to Gatorade, Anuj spent time working as a brand manager for Kraft Foods, and as a buyer for Macy’s. He is a graduate of University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and Washington University in St. Louis. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Priya, and two young sons, Shail and Sahil, but still roots for his University of Maryland Terps.

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Erinn Piller, Head of Global Business Marketing at TikTok Canada, is leading a world-class team dedicated to empowering marketers with solutions that drive authentic connections and business results. With over 15 years of experience in developing and implementing innovative communication and marketing strategies, Erinn has worked with leading entertainment and digital brands and platforms, including Global Entertainment, National Geographic, STACKTV, and Disney. She has also driven brand excellence and leadership across leading NGOs worldwide, including the World Wildlife Fund, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  In addition to her role at TikTok, Erinn is a Women of Inspiration – Authentic Leader Award winner. She sits on the B2B Executive Committee with the Canadian Marketing Association, is a Board Member for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, and is an acting Director with the Charles H. Ivey Foundation which invests in community organizations supporting youth at risk.

As a Managing Director and Head of YouTube’s Creator and Gaming team, Kim is responsible for managing the growth of our largest, most influential creators on the platform. This includes the critical ecosystem of companies that surround creators including creator service providers, talent partners, game publishers and influencer marketing agencies. In her previous roles at Google, she launched the Google BrandLab, an immersive strategy experience designed for top advertisers to develop tailored strategies for YouTube. She went on to manage the global brand services function which included creative effectiveness, media measurement, and consumer insights. Her team pioneered the use of machine learning to build data-driven creative best practices for YouTube ads. Kim joined Google in 2012 with 20+ years experience leading marketing teams at the intersection of technology and brand at Nike, Jamba Juice, and Prophet. Kim holds a BS in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the University of Virginia. Kim serves on the Creator Board for the IAB, on the Advisory Board for Women in Games International and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Effies, and Oxford University’s Future of Marketing Initiative.

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Brandon Marshall is the creator of the wildly successful unscripted podcast, I Am Athlete (IAA), and the newly launched daily show, Paper Route. The platform has quickly garnered over 1 Million YouTube subscribers within its first few seasons. Co-hosted by Marshall and fellow former NFL stars, IAA is steadily gaining momentum by tackling essential and controversial topics around sports, culture, and society that meaningfully redefine what it means to be a celebrity in these turbulent times. Marshall has always been a vocal advocate for several socially conscious issues, especially his own battle with mental health.

Marshall spent 12 years in the National Football League as one of the top wide receivers in the game. He would spend his career shattering records and collecting countless awards and accolades. Now, just a few years into his retirement, Brandon continues to exceed expectations and redefine what it means to be an athlete. Marshall is also the founder and CEO of House of Athlete. This lifestyle wellness brand provides every athlete of all levels access to the top-tier resources necessary to unlock their full potential and train like a pro. Brandon is utilizing his many years of experience with mental and physical health, to build an empire of limitless potential. Marshall is also widely considered a pioneer and the face of mental health awareness. Through his many business ventures, he continues to serve his community by raising awareness through motivational speaking and providing access to mental and physical health resources.

In between wearing his many hats, Marshall is a two-time Emmy nominee for his role as a host on Paramount Networks Inside the NFL and was a contributor on The Drew Barrymore Show, and a co-host on Fox Sports hit show, “First Things First”.

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A pioneer in digital marketing and innovation, Avery Akkineni spearheads brand strategy, content, events, and communications as Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerX.

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In seven years at VaynerX, Avery has catalyzed exponential growth by launching new companies and leading international expansion. She built VaynerMedia APAC from the ground up to over 150 employees in two years, opened key Asia Pacific markets like Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, and Tokyo. During her tenure, VaynerMedia APAC was awarded Marketing Interactive's Agency of the Year. She also served as the Managing Director for VaynerMedia LATAM in 2024.

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In 2021, Avery founded Vayner3, an innovation consultancy focused on emerging technologies like AI and Web3. Under her leadership, Vayner3 achieved significant industry acclaim, and she was named an Ad Age Web3 Trailblazer, and an AI Thought Leader by Business Insider. Her proven ability to identify and leverage leading-edge channels to drive growth for Vayner and her brand partners has landed Avery recognition on advisory boards of top platforms including Salesforce’s AI Council, Meta’s Creative Council, and Tracer.

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Based in Miami, FL overseeing VaynerX's regional LATAM presence, Avery continues to push boundaries in marketing. She is a sought-after speaker on modern marketing and digital innovation, who empowers teams and companies to embrace new opportunities.  

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Avery sits on the Board for PeacePlayers, a nonprofit organization that brings youth in conflict zones together.

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Evan Jones has served as Chief Marketing Officer at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), the world's leading musical instruments manufacturer, since 2015. In this role he leads Fender's global marketing strategy and investments to drive growth, elevate the brand, deepen consumer engagement across Fender's brand channels, and fuel an expanding global community of Fender artists, players, creators and influencers.

During his tenure, Jones has led the transformation of Fender's marketing approach, elevating and amplifying the brand's relationships with artists & musicians, driving global demand for Fender product innovation and key product categories, expanding the brand's reach to younger, more diverse, global audiences, and helping establish Fender's digital foundation and ecosystem including platforms like Fender Play and Fender Tune. His leadership has contributed to triple-digit growth across Fender's brand channels, driven parallel triple-digit expansion of Fender's global business, and substantially grown Fender's overall market share. Jones also helped develop the Fender Play Foundation, which has provided over 15,000 instruments to students in LAUSD.

Prior to joining Fender, Jones was CMO at New Era Cap Co. and has held previous leadership positions at other companies including Activision/Blizzard (Guitar Hero), and DC Shoes/Quiksilver. Jones started his career at Nike, where he spent 12+ years in various marketing and sales roles in Europe and in the United States, including leading Nike Basketball marketing in the US from 2004-2007.

A lifelong music and sports enthusiast, Jones played professional basketball in Europe after earning his Bachelor's degree from UC Davis. He bought his first Fender American Standard Stratocaster in 1995 and continues to play, write, and record music. Jones lives in Los Angeles with his wife Kirsten and their three children.

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As Chief Marketing Officer at Blizzard Entertainment, Monica Austin oversees the planning, development, and execution of the company’s marketing initiatives. Monica guides creative teams, enabling them to be bold and authentic in their activations that help drive engagement with player communities, generate excitement for major releases, and more. As a member of the Blizzard leadership team, Monica brings her passion for the gaming space to work across Blizzard’s groundbreaking franchises with the goal to further elevate them across and the gaming space, into mainstream entertainment, and beyond. Prior to joining Blizzard in June 2024, Monica was the chief marketing officer at Linktree. Previously, she was the global head of marketing and communications at Calm, and prior to that role, she led the global content expansion go-to-market strategy at Netflix for such titles as Stranger Things, 13 Reasons Why, and Orange is the New Black among others. Monica also worked at Meta across the launches of Instagram Stories and the Oculus Rift. Over the course of her career, Monica has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Ad Age 40 Under 40, and as a Business Insider CMO to Watch. As an amateur athlete, Monica loves to compete in triathlons, cycling, and running events in her free time.

An agency veteran and paid media nerd turned brand side leader focused on solving business problems with campaigns that build brand love. With over 15 years experience across multiple categories and working on some of the world’s most recognizable brands, I have a proven track record of building best in class marketing campaigns to build awareness, love, sales, and growth for brands at every stage. I thrive with building meaning in connection: connecting teams across the funnel, paid to owned/earned, analytical to creative, strategic to operational. I also have a deep passion for building, scaling, and leading teams (large and small). I’ve had the great honor of several successful opportunities where I’ve built teams from the ground up and shown proven success in cultivating teams of generalists and specialists with above benchmark retention rates. My superpowers/passion points: * Paid Media (traditional and digital)* Social Media* Communications/PR* Marketing Analytics * Integrated creative * Strategic planning * Audience Segmentation* Marketing Technology

At Shopify, Jessica leads all brand marketing and partnership functions, overseeing creator partnerships, sponsorships, brand campaigns, integrated marketing, social, marketing operations, and experiential marketing. She’s spearheaded high-profile collaborations with MrBeast, Kai Cenat, Nicki Minaj, Drake, A$AP Rocky, Emma Chamberlain, and Serena Williams, positioning Shopify at the intersection of commerce, culture, and content. Jessica also manages a long-tail creator program of 500+ creators across YouTube, Meta, TikTok, podcasts, and newsletters, ensuring Shopify’s brand presence is deeply embedded in the creator economy at every level. Passionate about mentorship and transformative leadership, Jessica likes to take bold, calculated risks that drive business growth, spark creativity, and enhance both the Shopify brand team and creator experience. Before Shopify, Jessica led brand and partnerships at Coinbase delving into realms of crypto and sports, music, and fashion. Prior to that she held diverse product marketing, brand marketing and partnerships roles at Visa.

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Jon Gordon – Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker

Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 30 books including 17 best sellers and 5 children’s books. His books include the timeless classic The Energy Bus which has sold over 3 million copies, The Carpenter which was a top 5 business book of the year, Training Camp, The Power of Positive Leadership, The Power of a Positive Team, The Coffee Bean, Stay Positive, The Garden, Relationship Grit and his new release The One Truth. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Los Angeles Dodgers, In-N-Out Burger, The Los Angeles Rams, Campbell Soup, Dell, Publix, Southwest Airlines, The Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, The Colorado Rockies, Truist Bank, Clemson Football, Northwestern Mutual, Bayer, West Point Academy and more. Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.

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Alex is a copywriter, marketing strategist and the founder of the Copy Posse, the raddest, baddest crew of copywriters on the Internet with over 500,000 students worldwide.⁣

Alex got her start in the marketing world in 2008 when she accepted an internship at Mindvalley and quickly became part of the executive team that grew the company 3X to over 8 figures in annual revenue.

Alex left her position as Creative Director at Mindvalley in 2011 to start her own successful consulting and copywriting business. Since then she has helped launch several successful brands and has proudly partnered with many of the hottest transformational authors and businesses on the planet, writing high-converting sales copy, scaling multi-million dollar brands, and crafting iconic promotional campaigns.⁣

⁣In 2020, she founded the Copy Posse, an online academy dedicated to helping copywriters and entrepreneurs from around the world ignite their businesses with her fun and empathetic approach to branding, marketing and copywriting.

Alex has been featured on Forbes, Mindvalley, and Foundr. She is a 5-time speaker at Ad World, was crowned 2022 Marketer of the Year by DigitalMarketer, was voted #1 most popular copywriter in 2023, and received the Game Changer Award at the Women of Inspiration Awards in 2024.

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Andrew Yaffe is the Chief Executive Officer of Dude Perfect, joining the team in 2024. Prior to that, he served as EVP, Head of Social, Digital, and Original Content at the NBA, where he led content strategy across platforms with over 200M+ followers and helped launch major initiatives like the NBA App and key content franchises.

Earlier in his career, Yaffe was the NBA’s Head of Global Strategy, playing a key role in launching the Basketball Africa League and NBA2KLeague. He holds an MBA from Stanford and a Public Policy degree from Duke University. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Christen, and their two children.

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Nicole Wingard is a viral marketing architect, brand storyteller, and the force behind one of the most successful short-form campaigns in the beverage industry. Best known as the co-creator and face of the “Best Marketing Strategy Ever”, Nicole helped rebrand Mixoloshe, a non-alcoholic cocktail company, into the now-iconic SMASHD, generating over 120 million views, half a million followers, and a 1200% revenue increase in just 60 days. As SMASHD’s Chief Smash Officer, Nicole didn’t just lead content strategy—she was the content. Her can-smashing videos activated a nationwide grassroots movement dubbed the “Smash Army,” which sparked features in AdAge, Gary Vee’s podcast, and LinkedIn’s top marketing newsletters, and catapulted two product lines to sold-out status. The campaign is now cited in books, podcasts, and agency playbooks as a masterclass in authentic, community-driven marketing. Now she works with Gallery Media Group as a Creative Strategist ideating content for some of the most iconic brands in the US. Nicole is a seasoned public speaker and four-time finalist in the Miss Texas pageant, where she used her platform to launch her “Rise Above” podcast and college tour advocating for sexual assault prevention. When she’s not helping brands go viral, you can find her volunteering as the Program Director for an international high school debate team, finding all the best coffee shops to try with her fiance, and reading mystery novels.

President, The Gathering, Leadership Guide, Author

Mandy Balak is the President of The Gathering, the world’s premier business and leadership Festival, where high-performance leaders and brands redefine what’s possible. A strategist, movement builder, and leadership guide, she’s spent 15+ years helping executives scale impact, build legacies, and lead with authenticity.

As a soon-to-be-published author of Chasing Enough and host of The Well Podcast, Mandy helps high-achievers break free from the endless chase for “more” and step into alignment, freedom, and fulfillment. Her work challenges leaders to think bigger, prioritize well-being, and create lasting impact—in business and life.

Namita is a partnerships lead with 15+ years of experience working at the intersection of lifestyle & tech while embodying a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Passionate about developing partnerships from scratch that are rooted in purpose, community, and culture. Results driven, analytical, and creative with a knack for building strong cross-functional relationships and industry connections. Mental health advocate who always leads with empathy, and has the emotional intelligence that truly up-levels communication style. Loves connecting with + advising diverse brands & creators who are changing the world for better.

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Christina Lang (Lang) is the Vice President of Marketing at Mozilla, the mission-driven tech company building products that put people before profit, from a privacy-first browser to new innovations in AI and online trust. A seasoned marketing leader with a track record of scaling business impact, Lang brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of tech, creativity, and operations. Since joining Mozilla in 2021, she’s led efforts to expand the company’s product reach globally through bold campaigns, process innovation, and deep cross-functional collaboration, driving both business growth and team culture. Prior to Mozilla, Lang shaped go-to-market and operational strategy at Twitch, Facebook, and Outbrain. Her superpower is turning complexity into clarity — aligning teams around ambitious goals and delivering results with purpose.

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Coby Cotton is one of the co-founders of Dude Perfect, one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world. With over 110 million followers, live shows in NBA Arenas, and a host of products and experiences for families, Dude Perfect is striving to be the most trusted entertainment on earth. Coby has an incredible wife and is a proud girl dad of two! He is also a passionate connoisseur of chocolate milk.

Keith Ferrazzi is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer of Deloitte and Starwood Hotels. Today, he is recognized as one of the world's top executive team coaches, with clients including the turnaround of General Motors and the country of Bhutan. Ferrazzi is also a venture partner at Lightspeed, where he coaches some of the fastest-growing Unicorn executive teams.

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Cory Cotton is one-fifth of the sports and comedy group Dude Perfect, known for sinking impossible shots and putting smiles on faces across the globe. A Jesus follower, twin, husband, and proud dad of 4, Cory loves what he does and strives to push forward Dude Perfect’s mission of being “The Most Trusted Entertainment on Earth.” He’s a huge fan of basketball and milkshakes, and is very sorry to all parents and teachers for the whole water bottle flipping thing.

Chad Coleman is the Chief Brand Officer at Dude Perfect, where he leads brand strategy, creative direction and brand partnerships. Since joining in 2019, he has helped grow the brand’s global presence and fan engagement. Prior to Dude Perfect, Chad led the social and digital marketing team at Callaway Golf. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Arkansas and is a proud husband and girl dad.

Jo leads Whalar, part of The Whalar Group, with a visionary approach, forging pivotal relationships with brands, Creators, platforms and strategic partners to drive innovative growth.

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She has led core partnerships across some of the world’s leading brands, including: Amazon, Estee Lauder Companies, Google, the NFL and Spotify, and forged global marketing collaborations with LinkedIn, Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter/X and YouTube.

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Jo champions Creators and, in 2023, co-founded Whalar Group’s Creator venture studio, Moby Ventures, developing products and brands with and for Creators.

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Jo joined Whalar with over 16 years of media experience. Splitting her career between London and NYC, she brings a unique bi-global perspective to her current role in NYC.

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Lizzy Bilasano is the U.S. Head of Creative Strategy at Whalar, the world's leading independent Creator and social agency, where she leads North America's creative strategy team in crafting culturally-resonant solutions that forge meaningful connections between brands and Creators. Drawing from her Filipino-American heritage and background as a professional dancer, Lizzy brings a uniquely dynamic perspective that transforms innovative thinking into compelling creative strategies. Her multidisciplinary experience as a performer, Creator, and creative strategist enables her to choreograph breakthrough campaigns for global powerhouses including LVMH, The Estée Lauder Companies, Nike, Nestlé Health Sciences, consistently delivering results that push creative boundaries. Lizzy has showcased her expertise as a sought-after panelist at premier industry events like Cannes Lions, SXSW, and Marketing Brew, where she has championed the power of creative storytelling and cultural relevance in shaping the Creator Economy. In addition, she has served as a judge for key industry award shows, lending her key strategic eye to recognize and celebrate innovative Creator-led campaigns. Lizzy's craft extends far beyond traditional creative strategy - she's a creative polymath whose expertise flows seamlessly between concept and craft in advertising and the visual/performing arts. As a dedicated champion for diversity in creative leadership, she actively creates pathways for women of color to thrive in the industry, fostering an ecosystem where different perspectives aren't just welcomed but essential to pushing creative boundaries. Through mentorship and advocacy, she's helping to architect a future where the next generation of creative leaders reflects the rich diversity of the stories they tell.

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Shez Mehra is a creative entrepreneur, strategic advisor, producer, and DJ working at the intersection of audio branding, entertainment, partnerships, and immersive experience design. He is the founder and chairman of The 194 Group, a firm that helps visionary brands create unforgettable live experiences, craft how they sound, and design how they feel.  Shez’s career began behind the decks as an open-format DJ, performing on global stages and for cultural icons including Lady Gaga, John Legend, Usher, The Weeknd, and at landmark events like Paris Fashion Week, the Montreal Grand Prix, and TIFF. This foundation — shaping emotion through sound in real-time — cemented his belief that audio, when used strategically, influences perception, behavior, and brand value at scale.  As a producer and A&R, he’s collaborated with influential artists including Drake and The Clipse, giving him a deep understanding of how music and culture move people.  Through The 194 Group, Shez has led experiential campaigns for brands like Aston Martin, BMW, Four Seasons, Google, Harley-Davidson, Mastercard, MLS, Nike, Rolls-Royce, Samsung, Shopify, and TED, blending strategic storytelling with world-class execution to deliver cultural and commercial outcomes.  He is also a partner at Raina, a fast-growing B2B music streaming platform for hospitality and retail, powering immersive audio environments for leaders like Tao Group Hospitality, Drake Hotels, and INK Entertainment.  In 2019, Shez founded AudioBrand.io, a practitioner-led consultancy focused on crafting distinctive, ROI-driven sonic identities. The firm has shaped the sound of brands like Destination Toronto, Rümi, SickKids Foundation, Telus, and Universal Music, ensuring they are heard as clearly as they are seen.  Known for his fluency across creative and commercial spheres, Shez is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and judge with organizations including the 4A’s, Effie Canada, the American Marketing Association, The Gathering, ICA, and Miami Ad School.  Based in the Greater Toronto Area, he’s a proud father of three and remains focused on shaping how the world experiences brands through music, movement, and meaning.

Bill Neff is the Head of Marketing at YETI, where he leads the company's global marketing strategies and initiatives. His innovative approach to brand development has significantly enhanced YETI's market presence and community engagement.

Bill joined YETI in 2015 and has since held various critical roles, including Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Experience, Vice President of Marketing for EMEA, and Vice President of Consumer Marketing. These roles have allowed him to drive YETI’s brand growth and reputation for high-quality outdoor lifestyle products​.

One of Bill's notable contributions is the "YETI Presents" film series, which emphasizes the brand's commitment to storytelling and community. This initiative has helped YETI connect deeply with its audience by celebrating outdoor adventures and the communities that thrive within them.

Before joining YETI, Bill gained extensive marketing experience at SITKA Gear, 901 Tequila, and Under Armour. His career began as an Assistant Buyer at May Department Stores, highlighting his long-standing dedication to the field of marketing.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from Truman State University. His passion for the outdoors and deep understanding of consumer behavior make him a key figure in YETI’s ongoing success and growth

Dr. Laura P. Dannels, PhD, MBA, is a nationally recognized human capital executive with nearly two decades of experience leading transformational workforce strategy across the healthcare and energy sectors.  She currently serves as Chief Talent Officer at Wellstar Health System, an $8 billion academic and community health system, where she leads workforce and culture strategy for nearly 40,000 team members. Her work spans talent acquisition, workforce planning, digital transformation, and culture—focused on solving today’s most pressing workforce challenges while building for long-term resilience and growth.  Previously, Laura served in senior leadership roles at organizations including PG&E and Kaiser Permanente. At Kaiser, she led an enterprise-wide culture initiative and founded KP Leadership University. She has also led large-scale human capital and digital transformation efforts, including Workday and Epic implementations, and successfully integrated talent systems during major mergers, hospital openings, and regional expansion efforts. Her digital leadership portfolio includes initiatives leveraging AI, automation, VR/AR, and emerging technologies to modernize the human capital function, enhance the employee experience, and align workforce strategy with evolving business needs.  Her impact has been recognized by Forbes, Fortune, Becker’s Healthcare, Fair360 (formerly DiversityInc), Great Place to Work, ACHE, and The Obama Administration.  In addition to her executive leadership, Laura serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University, where she teaches in the graduate Human Capital Management program and contributes to curriculum on the future of work. She is passionate about developing the next generation of human capital leaders and advancing research at the intersection of workforce, technology, and leadership.  A native of Northern California, she brings a strategic, human-centered approach to building the workforces that power modern healthcare.

Lori Hatcher is a brand builder, challenger, and innovator and Chief Marketing Officer for Kicking Horse Coffee. She sees life as a continuous journey and is endlessing finding ways to create the new and different, and to enhance the experience for those around her. 

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Having spent over 15 years shaping some of the world’s most iconic brands, including General Mills, Canada Goose and Truss Beverages Co.,  Kicking Horse Coffee provided Lori with a unique opportunity - to take a brand with equity dating back to the mid-90s and develop its first ever marketing strategy - and challenge the coffee industry in Canada like never before.

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Under Lori’s leadership, Kicking Horse Coffee launched its first-ever North American brand campaign - Kickstart Your Heart - aimed at bringing Kicking Horse Coffees’ story to new consumers that, like the coffee, is a big, bold kick in the ass. 

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Recognized as one of Canada’s leading marketers, Lori is well known for her transformational leadership approach to the brands she builds and the teams she leads.  A traditionally trained CPG marketer, Lori has applied those skills to some of the most successful market disruptors from cannabis beverages to coffee. 

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In her spare time, Lori loves bringing her friends together over a delicious meal, as well as vacationing with her family at her cottage in Newfoundland. It’s here she gets to explore her true passion for being outdoors and connecting with nature.

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Janne Robinson is a poet, author, and keynote speaker known for her transformative work in corporate culture. She has led workshops for global companies, using prose and narrative to foster vulnerability, connection, and purpose among teams. Her approach has been credited with enhancing employee well-being and engagement, and has been featured in leadership retreats from Beverly Hills to boardrooms across North America. Janne is also the founder of This is for the Women Who Don’t Give a Fck*, a celebrated poetry collection and cultural movement.

Chris Kneeland is an advisor, brand builder, marketer, revenue generator, profit producer, and thought provoker. He is an enabler of big ideas and ideal experiences and a dedicated enthusiast of cult brands. At his core, Kneeland is a teacher who finds his greatest joy in learning and helping others apply new principles or concepts.

Co-founder of Cult, Kneeland established the company to assist business owners and brand leaders in elevating their thinking about the possibilities for their companies and careers. This mission is rooted in his extensive research into the world's most cult-like brands. Kneeland is driven by a daily commitment to making businesses more deserving of brand advocates who not only purchase more but also buy into the brand’s ethos.

Kneeland combines a unique blend of data-driven insights and instincts to enhance customer and employee experiences, ultimately fostering stronger brand attachment. His professional purpose centers on helping businesses become more successful and significant by engaging customers, prospects, and staff on a deeper emotional level. Through empathy and expertise, Kneeland and his team assist organizations in creating better products, programs, and value propositions that boost brand relevance and make their offerings irresistible.

Kneeland’s approach emphasizes not just communication but meaningful interaction, striving for clear and compelling engagement that leads to category dominance. He finds fulfillment in significantly improving the trajectory of companies and elevating people's understanding of their true potential.

In summary, Chris Kneeland is a strategic leader dedicated to helping businesses achieve greater success and significance through enhanced brand engagement and customer experiences. His passion for teaching and his expertise in building cult-like brands make him a valuable asset in the marketing community.

Simone Heng is a human connection specialist and award-winning author. Her mission is to inspire people to connect in a world thirsty for connection. She has spoken to thousands, and for organizations like Harvard University, SXSW, Google, Meta, Amazon, ByteDance, Lucasfilm, the United Nations, and many more. Simone and her work have been featured on CNN and Al Jazeera and in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, BBCRadio, and many others. Simone is based and was born in Singapore but has also studied in Switzerland, was raised in Australia, and worked in the United Arab Emirates. Her book “Let’s Talk About Loneliness” has been recognized with 6 international accolades including the 2024 silver Nautilus Book Award in the social change and social justice category. Simone also sits on the advisory board for the Foundation for Social Connection in the United States.

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Veronica Romney is a 16+ year marketing leadership expert, international speaker, podcast host, and the proud creator of the Rainmaker Residency™ programs. As a former Speaker and Trainer for Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi, Chief of Staff at BossBabe, Director of Marketing Suite Products for a $2B evaluated software company, and former Marketing Agency Owner, she’s had the privilege of witnessing the marketing industry's evolution firsthand from every angle possible.

Whether through keynotes, workshops, or strategic consultations, Veronica’s mission is to empower marketing teams not only to perform better and generate record-breaking revenue results but also reignite their passion for their work, fostering a culture of proactivity and long-term commitment within their companies.

When not helping her members and private clients “make it rain”, you can find her hosting the Rainmaker Podcast, writing her upcoming marketing + leadership book, and wrangling her two man cubs in the beautiful oak trees of North Carolina.

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Allegra Poschmann is the Founder & CEO of Pact, the design-and-engineering studio behind category-defining ecommerce experiences for Counter, Hill House Home, Studs, Rifle Paper and other breakout brands.   Her work has driven more $1 Billion+ in revenue for Pact’s clients and routinely delivers 10× ROI and double-digit conversion gains, earning Allegra a reputation as one of the leading creative and growth partners for modern retail brands.  A former Head of Design & UX at Dynamo, she shaped the earliest digital experiences for pioneering DTC brands such as Glossier, Reformation and The Honest Company before founding Pact in 2020. Over the past 5 years, she has scaled Pact into a seven-figure business driven entirely by word-of-mouth growth. She’s been awarded by the Art Director’s Club and Brand New, and her work has been featured in The Dieline, RGD, Typewolf, Awwwards, The DTC Pod and many more.

With over 15 years of experience as a wellness professional, Randelle Lusk brings a rich blend of expertise as a yoga teacher, meditation guide, conscious leadership coach, and somatics educator. Drawing from her extensive studies and personal journey, she founded Rare Method, a somatic-informed approach that weaves together movement, meditation, and self-inquiry to support nervous system health and foster lasting transformation, both personally and professionally.

Michael Smith is the Head of Brand Marketing for Starry at PepsiCo, where he plays a pivotal role in the brand's rapid success through innovative partnerships and strategic marketing. Under his leadership, Starry has become a prominent figure on the sidelines of NBA and WNBA games, recognized by its vibrant yellow and green logo.

With extensive experience in marketing both established and emerging brands, Michael brings a unique perspective shaped by his diverse career. He is adept at navigating the complexities of modern marketing, particularly in leveraging the power of digital and social media to saturate the market with engaging content.

Michael is committed to building great brands and better teams by integrating consumer-first thinking, clear product differentiation, and compelling brand storytelling. His expertise includes curating teams with the optimal blend of in-house talent and partner agencies, ensuring a cohesive and effective approach to brand marketing. Through his work, Michael demonstrates the power of marketing to generate sustainable competitive advantages for consumer brands.

Chela Davison Writer. Facilitator. Soul-Excavator. Contemplative Bard in a Jumpsuit. Chela Davison tells the truth so outrageously, you can’t help but tell yours too. A sought-after performer, transformational facilitator, and former coach to socially conscious entrepreneurs, rebel leaders, and coaches who coach coaches who coach coaches, Chela is the creator of the one-woman show A Little Bit Much and is known for turning a mic and a moment into a movement.    With two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and personal and collective transformation, Chela’s work is rooted in kindness, woven with honesty, and designed for a future we can actually live with. She’s here to strip the varnish off our voices and remind us that we’re in this together. Chela publishes the Substack, Wisdotainment, for seekers with a sense of humour. She lives on Bowen Island, BC, Canada, the unceded and ancestral lands of the Squamish Nation. Learn more  at cheladavison.com

Eb is a digital content executive specializing in music, sports and entertainment, with over 15 years experience building brand affinity via social media campaigns and influencer activations. She has built a reputation of not only developing and producing innovative content, but using outside-the-box marketing tactics to build awareness and increase engagement that has broke many company YOY growth records across both established and emerging platforms for the likes of ESPN, BET, WNBA, Essence Festival and more. She is currently leading the influencer engagement team at Peacock.

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Elaine Shui is the US Head of Client Services at Whalar, the world’s leading independent Creator and social agency dedicated to transforming brands into cultural drivers. In her role, Elaine leads a high-performing team driving revenue growth and incredible account management by delivering cutting-edge campaigns for big brands such as Amazon, HP, Nestle Health Sciences, Kenvue, Anthropic to name a few, With a strong background in sales and brand partnerships, she brings a wealth of experience from top-tier media companies, including The New York Times, InStyle, and New York Media, where she consistently exceeded revenue targets and established lasting partnerships across multiple industries. Elaine’s expertise lies in identifying untapped market opportunities and spearheading innovative strategies that address client needs. Her collaborative approach fosters an environment where creativity thrives, motivating her team to exceed expectations and deliver outstanding results. Known for her solutions-oriented mindset, Elaine has built long-term, impactful relationships with global brands and continues to drive success both for clients and for Whalar. Elaine is a leader and trusted mentor, passionate about the Creator Economy’s transformative potential to reshape industries and elevate individuals. With a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and excellence, she is dedicated to driving impactful change for her clients. Elaine has also served as a judge for the Shorty Awards, celebrating groundbreaking innovation and creativity in digital and social media.

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Erik Huberman is the Founder and CEO of Hawke Media, Your Outsourced CMO® providing world-class marketing expertise to brands of all sizes. Erik launched Hawke Media in 2014 with a mission to make top-tier marketing accessible through a flexible, data-driven, and performance-focused approach. Since then, the agency has helped over 5,000 brands—including Red Bull, Verizon, Casamigos, Funko, and Crocs—scale and thrive. A serial entrepreneur, Erik successfully built and sold two e-commerce companies before the age of 26. His deep expertise in business growth and marketing strategy led him to write his bestselling book, The Hawke Method, which breaks down the three core principles of effective marketing. He also spearheaded the development of Hawke.AI, a proprietary marketing intelligence platform that provides brands with real-time insights to optimize performance. Erik has expanded his business portfolio through multiple company acquisitions and the launch of Hawke Ventures, investing in innovative startups shaping the future of commerce. His thought leadership extends to HawkeTalk, his podcast featuring in-depth conversations with industry leaders. A recognized industry leader, Erik continues to push the boundaries of marketing, empowering businesses and entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.

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Gazmend Alushi is the first Global President of Measurement and Analytics at Whalar, where he leads a full-funnel measurement practice that redefines how brands succeed in the Creator Economy. Gazmend has built a team that crafts bespoke strategies, connecting cultural relevance to real business outcomes through precise attribution, actionable insights, and data-driven creative approaches. A seasoned leader in measurement and analytics, Gazmend has helped marketers unlock growth throughout his career. Before joining Whalar, he led Global Measurement Product R&D at Snap, Inc., focusing on privacy-first solutions like reach verification, brand lift, and multi-touch attribution. He also played a key role at Meta, developing ROI-focused measurement tools in partnership with Datalogix (Oracle) and Nielsen, and has held leadership positions at IRI and Millward Brown.

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A 25-year marketing industry veteran, Paul has spent his career focusing on using data, technology and analytics to deliver the right message to the right customer at the right time. This journey has led from mass advertising to promotions, shopper marketing, digital and 1:1 CRM. For over 10 years, Paul led the North American operations of Track DDB, a leading digital, data, technology and analytics agency focusing on delivering connected experiences to some of the world’s best brands. In addition, Paul is an Industry Professor at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University where he teaches Customer Value Creation and Marketing Analytics as part of their MBA faculty. He is also an advisor for the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Center. As Chair of the ICA’s Canadian Marketing Effectiveness Council and author of The Alchemy of Effectiveness: A Focus on Canada 2025 report, Paul is responsible for using real results to help drive effectiveness for Canadian brands.

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IN-Q is a professional spoken word artist, Emmy nominated lyricist, multi-platinum songwriter, world renowned keynote speaker, and the best-selling author of the poetry book “Inquire Within”. His career started in Los Angeles, over 25 years ago, where he was one of the original members of the historic open-mic Da Poetry Lounge. He has also been featured on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and won the National Poetry Slam Championships along with his team in 2004.

Other notable achievements include being named to Oprah's SuperSoul 100 list of the world's most influential thought leaders, being the first spoken word artist to perform with Cirque du Soleil, and being featured on A&E, ESPN and Verses & Flow.

Countless audiences around the world have been inspired through his performances and storytelling workshops. Many of his poetry videos have gone viral with over 60 million views combined, and his stand-up poetry special, IN-Q - Live at the Ace Theatre, streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

The Never Ending Now, his recent spoken word album and poetry journal, explore the importance of creativity for emotional and mental wellbeing.

Tim Ringel is a serial entrepreneur with the passion and drive to push past the status quo. His ambition and desire to make things work the way they’re supposed to has led him to the role of Global CEO of next-generation international advertising group Meet The People. A builder of multiple international agency groups, Tim is a seasoned global CEO and executive in the marketing space, having run world-renowned Spring Studios and Reprise Digital, IPG Mediabrands’ digital global agency network. With experience in EMEA, APAC, LATAM and the U.S., Tim has operationally managed ad businesses with more than 3,000 staff and 68 offices around the globe. He has been a speaker at 250-plus industry events, including talks at the United Nations, Cannes Lions, Google and Facebook, and he is an active supporter of entrepreneurial associations and charities.

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Evin Shutt is the Global CEO of 72andSunny, where she leads the agency's sports clients, primarily focusing on the NFL. She co-pilots the innovative Sports Brand Strategy service and played a key role in the creation of Sport Beach at Cannes 2024. Evin also co-produced one of the most iconic Nike Soccer ads of all time. As a business leader, she helped bring in 72’s first sports clients, including Nike, Quiksilver/Roxy, and 2K Sports. A former Division 1 volleyball player at Drake University, Evin stays connected to sports by coaching youth flag football. Her achievements have earned her a place in the Advertising Hall of Achievement.

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