The Credentialed: Recent Episodes
The Credentialed
The Credentialed is an interview series featuring tech and innovation executives we don't often hear from, the people who don't necessarily fit the stereotype when we think "technology executive."
What does real ownership look like in leadership? In this episode, Mack McKelvey sits down with Jon Reilly, co-founder and CEO of Akkio, to explore the kind of decision-making that builds momentum.
Jon breaks down his mental model for making decisions—from obvious 80/20 calls to murky 51/49s—and shares how speed, clarity, and accountability help his team move faster and smarter. He also discusses the importance of hiring people with a strong sense of ownership—those willing to make decisions, stand by them, and lean in to learn from their mistakes.
We talk about:
💡 Why decision paralysis is the enemy of progress
🎯 Why prioritization is as critical as the decisions themselves
💥 What it means to bet on yourself—and stake your reputation on it
🛠️ Why “we can do better” isn’t just Jon’s mantra, it’s his leadership operating system
Jon also shares why he doesn’t read business books and the power of building a board that challenges you to think bigger. This episode is a must-listen for anyone building, leading, or learning how to make decisions that matter.
This week, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Sheila Marmon, founder and CEO of Mirror Digital, to explore the art of decision-making, overcoming obstacles, and embracing transparency. Sheila reflects on the valuable lessons from her first venture, highlighting the importance of alignment, shared vision, and the power of listening to diverse voices when making decisions.
At Mirror Digital, Sheila has built a tech-enabled media company that helps brands connect with diverse, trend-setting audiences. Her approach to decision-making is clear: “Decisions aren’t always easy, but you have to move when something is pressing. And if you make a bad decision, you pivot. Understanding the cost of not making the decision allows me to move forward with making decisions and trying new things.”
For Sheila, decision-making is a practice, not a process. Her "test and learn" mentality fosters a culture of experimentation, growth, and continuous learning. By standardizing smaller decisions, she frees up mental space for bigger challenges, creating a democratic culture at Mirror Digital that stays in tune with the cultural zeitgeist.
In a world that never stops changing, Sheila is always looking ahead, staying curious, and challenging herself and her team to never settle.
The Ripple Effect of Leadership Decisions with Jason Kaplan
Every decision a leader makes sends ripples through a business, a team, and even a career. In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Jason Kaplan, CEO of SixMap, to explore the complexities of decision-making in leadership. From navigating tough calls—like leaving a company—to understanding when to go slow and when to move fast, Jason shares insights from his journey as a founder and executive.
In leadership, there are no easy answers—if it were easy, someone else would have already made the call.
In this episode, Dr. Alvin Glay, Chief Strategy Officer at Response Media, shares his approach to decision-making—blending data with contextual intelligence. Drawing from his experience as a Liberian refugee, Dr. Glay explains how navigating uncertainty and high-pressure situations sharpened his ability to make fast, high-stakes decisions. For Alvin, no decision is too small, every mistake is a data point for future decisions, and great leaders equip their teams with the tools to make confident decisions.
🎧 Tune in to learn:
🔹 Why data informs, but context drives decisions 🔹 The importance of teaching decision frameworks to avoid bottlenecks 🔹 The lessons behind a $250,000 mistake 🔹 Why moving fast doesn’t mean skipping the learning process
Insightful, inspiring, and packed with academic insight and real-world wisdom.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, Mack McKelvey sits down with Dr. Aaron Andalman, Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Cognitiv, to break down the science behind decision-making.
With a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from M.I.T. and research experience as a Helen Hay Whitney Fellow at Stanford, where he developed advanced computational microscopy methods to study learning and memory, Aaron brings a unique perspective to the table.
He covers:
- Balancing the rigor of academia with the fast-paced nature of tech
- The science behind gut instincts
- Key traits of top decision-makers
- AI’s role in making faster, smarter choices
- How free will (if it exists) factors into it all
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, Mack McKelvey sits down with Terry Kawaja, founder and CEO of Luma Partners and a leading voice in the ad tech industry
Terry shares his nuanced approach to decision-making: moving quickly on small matters, while deliberately hitting the “pause button” on larger decisions. "I usually have a gut instinct right away,” he explains, “but I have a pause button now. I don't allow myself to make a big decision quickly. I sit on it, I sleep on it, think about it. Sometimes I'll bounce it off a few people I trust.”
Known for his objective credibility, Terry also opens up about the bold decisions he's made in the past and how they’ve paid off. "I would rather ruffle some feathers and be right in the long run because people notice.”
Plus, tune in at the end for Terry’s industry predictions for the year ahead!
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Andrea Sullivan, President of vYve, a leadership acceleration program within Vayner Media.
Andrea dives into the challenges modern leaders face, from the impact of stress on decision-making to the importance of delegating decisions and balancing gut intuition with diverse perspectives. She also discusses the "Midlife Chrysalis" and the power of building a culture of kindness and inclusivity as a leader.
Plus, tune in to discover how Andrea’s first job at a farmer’s market shaped the foundation of her marketing philosophy.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, we’re joined by Mickey Alam Khan, CEO of Luxury Roundtable, global luxury expert, brand builder, and turnaround specialist.
Renowned for his ability to anticipate and capitalize on market shifts, Mickey has founded influential publications like Luxury Daily, Mobile Marketer, and American Marketer, and successfully navigated four business exits—making decision-making his specialty.
Mickey shares his approach to swift decision-making (24-48 hours max), why you can’t live with regret, and the few times a coin comes into play. “You make the decisions for the times you live in. You cannot second-guess yourself. Yes, you'll make bad decisions. I made a couple of bad decisions in my life and you know what? They brought me to where I am today.”
You’ll also hear his unique take on the value of a college education, not as a qualification, but as a critical life experience that teaches social navigation, adaptability, and interpersonal skills—something that even the likes of Zuckerberg and Gates could have benefited from, in his view.
Tune in for a fascinating conversation on the mindset that drives success, how to trust your instincts, and why timing is everything.
In this episode, we’re joined by “Tech Humanist” Kate O’Neill, a global keynote speaker, author, and executive advisor renowned for her expertise in helping leaders navigate the future of technology, transformation, and human-centered innovation. With over 25 years of experience, Kate shares insights on how executives can make smarter decisions in the age of AI, balancing the immediate need for digital adaptation with the long-term vision for meaningful, human-centric progress.
She also discusses themes from her upcoming book, What Matters Next: A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That’s Moving Too Fast, offering tools to help leaders manage the pressure of rapid change while fostering responsible innovation that benefits both people and business.
As a pioneer of Strategic Optimism, Kate empowers leaders to leverage technology—not just as a tool for efficiency but as a way to enrich human experience. In this conversation, we dive into the role of AI in executive decision-making, the importance of foresight, and the ethical considerations that must guide businesses through rapid technological change.
Tune in to hear how you can rethink the way you’re thinking, innovate responsibly, and understand the longitudinal impacts of your decisions.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Gary Goldberg, Founder and President of SquadLocker, Inc., to explore the complexities of leadership, decision-making, and the powerful role of failure in success. Drawing from his early experiences observing his father build a successful textile business, Gary shares valuable insights that shaped his approach to leadership and innovation.
When it comes to decision-making, Gary stresses that everything should be wrapped in the company’s goals, cautioning that leaders often overlook the importance of communicating and truly contextualizing those goals for their teams. “Not only do we have to set goals and get people beating the drum to the mantra, but these people in their individual work style have to contextualize the mantra for their own passions.”
In this candid conversation, Gary also opens up about the challenges and rewards of managing people: "The hardest thing about businesses is the people. The best thing about businesses is the people." He offers advice for aspiring leaders, encouraging them to embrace failure as a crucial part of the journey: "Take pleasure and triumph in your failures. Don’t fear them. The majority of my career has been a series of failures leading to an accomplishment. And I tell people I fail forward.”
Tune in to discover how Gary leverages passion, curiosity, and creativity in every decision he makes.
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In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey chats about decision-making with Paul Hanges, CEO of JibJab, where the mission is to spread joy.
Paul believes in empowering his team to make decisions by acting as the "bumper" in the bowling lane—guiding them while providing the context necessary for them to see the bigger picture. He explains, “I'm going to guide you to knock down the pins and make sure you're not veering off course, but I'm not here to do the work for you.”
Rejecting hustle culture, Paul embraces hyper-prioritization, keeping his schedule as open as possible to support his team and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
When it comes to navigating outcomes, Paul draws on his experience playing poker, saying you need to divorce yourself from the idea that the outcomes determine whether a decision was right. Instead, it’s all about embracing data (to a degree), core values, context, and risk tolerance.
From managing an emotional piggyback to leading the fondly dubbed “cockroach of the internet,” Paul shares his professorial take on leadership and decision-making, both big and small.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Gina Bianchini, founder and CEO of Mighty Networks. With an impressive background in the tech world, Gina shares her distinctive approach to decision-making, underscoring the importance of self-care, taking bets, and building a culture that’s safe to fail.
At Mighty Networks, Gina and her team harness the OODA Loop Framework—observe, orient, decide, act—to make decisions, continually cycling back to observation. This iterative process strips away emotional biases from decision-making and is most effective when executed with speed.
For Gina, effective leadership ultimately hinges on managing your own psychology to make better decisions. As she puts it, “If I work so hard that I’m not in a position to make good decisions, I’m gonna’ fail.” Rejecting the hustle culture that is so prevalent in the Silicon Valley, Gina emphasizes the importance of effective delegation, which allows her to prioritize essential elements that fuel sound decision-making: nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest. “I think it’s very difficult to make good decisions on four hours of sleep.”
Gina is passionate about cultivating a culture where it’s safe to fail, encouraging teams to experiment and take strategic bets. She believes that the interplay of these bets often leads to the best discoveries.
In the end, Gina’s approach reminds us that successful decision-making thrives on self-care, a solid framework, and creating a culture where innovation can flourish.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, Mack sits down with Jo Kinsella, Global President & COO of XR Extreme Reach, to explore her career journey—from backpacking in Bali to breaking into the fintech and adtech industries, and ultimately leading transformation at XR Extreme Reach.
With a successful exit under her belt, Jo shares the lessons she’s learned while leading teams through change, launching companies, and embracing authenticity along the way.
Her decision-making mantra? “Sit or stand, but don't wobble. Because if you wobble and you're indecisive as a leader then that wobble vibrates throughout the whole company.”
Jo’s secret weapon as a leader is listening to her intuition. “I have this crazy intuition I call the whispers, and many women—and men for that matter—don't pay attention to it, or don't pay enough attention to it, or can't even hear it, right? So, I describe myself as the Queen's Gambit without the drugs and the alcohol. I just know what the next move is on the chessboard.”
Throughout the conversation, Jo reveals how embracing her authentic self has shaped her leadership style, why it’s crucial to put on your own mask first, and how she helps others prioritize their non-negotiables.
Should a college degree be a job requirement? Jo doesn’t think so: “I can teach skills. I need people to be curious and consistent and brave.”
This episode is packed with wit, wisdom, and practical advice for leaders at every stage. Tune in to discover why Jo likes to strike while the iron is cold, fail fast, and fill the cracks with culture.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey chats with Yelitsa Jean-Charles, founder and CEO of Healthy Roots Dolls. Yelitsa shares the story of how a class project at Rhode Island School of Design turned into her mission to bring more diversity and representation to children's toys. What began in college with just $4,000 has evolved into a national brand, with Healthy Roots Dolls now available in Target stores across the country.
Yelitsa opens up about the complexities of decision-making as a leader, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions. She lives by the mantra, “You can’t say no before you say yes,” and leans on her creative background to view challenges from different perspectives.
At the root of her leadership philosophy is a principle she learned during a 3D spatial dynamics class at RISD, where she was working with items like wood, wire, and metals.
“We were told to measure twice, cut once. You cannot put those two pieces of wood back together. So whenever I'm approaching a situation where a decision will be detrimental, especially because I've had to deal with the consequences of making the wrong decision, I don't mess around. I'm measuring seven times, 12 times if I have to.”
Yelitsa also shares how a customer-centric approach has fueled her growth and the strategies behind scaling a brand from the ground up.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Marcy Quinn Samet, Founder and Chief Growth Architect of LBRBCOLLECTIVE, to discuss her unconventional career path to the C-suite, where she strategically moved horizontally across roles to master the inner workings of the agency business.
Marcy shares insights on quick decision-making, the importance of mentors, and rebounding from mistakes. Tune in to hear her unique take on balancing speed with thoughtful leadership, why she doesn’t believe in work-life balance, and the toughest career decision she ever made. Plus, get a glimpse into her love for the Grateful Dead and an unusual hobby you won’t see coming.
In this episode, we sit down with Ronnie Kwesi Coleman, the Co-Founder & CEO of Meaningful Gigs, to explore his remarkable journey from humble beginnings as a college dropout from Ghana to serial entrepreneurship. After successfully selling his startup for over $40M, Ronnie is now on a mission to create 100,000 skilled jobs for Africans through Meaningful Gigs.
Ronnie shares insights on the intersection of creativity and technology, the importance of reflecting on failure, and how AI is reshaping the future of creative work.
Tune in to hear how Ronnie’s passion for creativity, combined with strategic thinking, has empowered him to make impactful decisions, scale businesses, and navigate the challenges of the modern workforce.
In this episode of The CRED Podcast, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Eric Litman, the founder and CEO of Aescape, to explore the fascinating journey of a tech visionary turned wellness innovator. Eric shares his story of building successful tech companies since the early ’90s, culminating in his latest venture, Aescape. This revolutionary company leverages robotics and AI to deliver personalized, automated massage therapy, offering an unparalleled customer experience.
Join us as we dive into the genesis of Aescape, the challenges and rewards of innovating in the wellness industry, and the decision-making frameworks that have guided Eric throughout his entrepreneurial career. From the early days at MediaLets to the groundbreaking innovations of Aescape, Eric’s insights on passion, perseverance, and the importance of intuition and research are not to be missed.
Tune in to discover how global travel and cultural experiences have shaped Eric’s journey and how Aescape is poised to transform the world of wellness. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of wellness, this episode is packed with inspiration and valuable lessons.
Don’t miss this exciting conversation with one of the leading minds in tech innovation!
Michael Walsh shares a deeply personal journey that led to the founding of Cariloop, a platform designed to support caregivers through every stage of their journey. From his own caregiving experience to working caregivers striving for balance, Michael highlights the importance of providing comprehensive support to caregivers. In addition to Cariloop's vital role in the workplace, Michael discusses his own decision-making process and the evolution of leadership at a growing startup.
Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the leadership journey of Julie Bernard, Chief Marketing Officer at Lily AI. Julie shares her extensive experience in navigating the complexities of the B2B landscape, emphasizing the importance of empowering teams and driving impactful decisions.
As a seasoned executive with a diverse background spanning various industries, Julie discusses how she approaches decision-making in both professional and personal realms. She sheds light on the critical role of mentorship, coaching, and trust in fostering a culture of growth and success within teams.
From her early career experiences to leading impactful teams of a wide range of sizes, Julie shares practical strategies and valuable lessons learned along the way. This episode is a must-listen for executives looking to enhance their leadership skills, drive positive team dynamics, and make impactful decisions in today's dynamic business environment.
Join host Mack McKelvey in an insightful episode of The Cred Podcast as she sits down and discusses the intricate world of decision-making with Stephen Bailey, the co-founder and CEO of ExecOnline. From Bailey's journey as a recovering lawyer turned entrepreneur, listeners gain valuable insights into the art and science of making pivotal business decisions. Bailey shares his ethos around decision-making, emphasizing the importance of understanding the urgency and importance of each decision. They explore how to navigate different types of decisions, whether urgent or important and the significance of separating decision-making from execution. As they dissect strategies for handling outcomes, whether favorable or unfavorable, Bailey offers invaluable advice on taking ownership of mistakes and fostering a culture of accountability. With anecdotes from his personal and professional life, Bailey provides practical tips for leaders looking to enhance their decision-making prowess. Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways on mastering the decision-making process.
Join host Mack McKelvey in an insightful conversation with Louis Gump, President, Cambian Solutions, Author of The Insider Innovator and a seasoned professional in the media and mobile industries, as they delve into the intricacies of decision-making. From Louis' extensive career journey spanning The Weather Channel to CNN and beyond, they explore the evolution of mobile technology and its impact on media consumption.
Louis shares his experiences navigating pivotal decisions, from identifying strategic initiatives to making critical hiring choices and evaluating build vs. buy options. Drawing on real-life examples, they discuss the importance of aligning decisions with organizational values and stakeholder interests, as well as the challenges of managing diverse opinions within a large company.
Through candid anecdotes and practical advice, Mack and Louis uncover the nuances of decision-making, highlighting the role of leadership, collaboration, and adaptability in driving successful outcomes. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned executive, this episode offers valuable insights into the art and science of making impactful decisions in today's dynamic business landscape.
Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the realm of decision-making with Laurel Rossi, Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Infillion. In this episode of The Cred Podcast, Laurel recounts her extraordinary career journey, providing valuable perspectives on the strategic choices that shape both personal and professional paths.
From her early days as a brand manager to her forays into entrepreneurship and leadership positions in advertising and technology, Laurel's diverse experiences have equipped her with a unique perspective on decision-making. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, trust, and aligning values, Laurel unveils the principles that have guided her through pivotal moments in her career.
Diving into the intricacies of contemporary leadership, Laurel sheds light on the evolving role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in today's dynamic business landscape. She underscores the symbiotic relationship between marketing and revenue generation, emphasizing the critical importance of data-driven insights and cross-functional collaboration.
Yet, the discussion extends beyond business decisions; Laurel shares personal anecdotes and reflections, underscoring the significance of mindfulness, teamwork, and empathy in the decision-making process. As she aptly puts it, "Nobody has ever done anything great alone.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast host Mack McKelvey sits down with Vernon Irvin, EVP & Chief Revenue Officer at G-P/Globalization Partners, a seasoned leader, and an expert in decision-making. Together, they dive deep into the intricate world of leadership choices and the art of taking decisive action.
Drawing from his wealth of experience, Vernon Irvin shares invaluable insights into the thought processes that drive effective decision-making. From navigating high-stakes scenarios to fostering a culture of accountability, Vernon provides practical strategies suitable for leaders at all levels.
Throughout the conversation, Vernon and Mack explore the importance of clarity, collaboration, and courage in decision-making. They discuss how leaders can harness data-driven insights, intuition, and foresight to make informed choices that propel organizational success. Tune in to gain wisdom from Vernon Irvin and Mack as they unravel the complexities of decision-making, offering actionable advice for leaders eager to enhance their skills and face uncertainty with confidence.
In the latest episode of the Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey engages in a captivating conversation with Michael Avon, General Partner at ABS Capital. Gain valuable insights into the world of tech investments as Michael shares the pivotal decisions that shaped his career, from founding companies to successful IPOs. Explore the nuances of decision-making in Silicon Valley, where analytical reasoning meets gut instincts.
Whether you're an entrepreneur or executive, join us for a concise yet captivating exploration of the art and science behind impactful choices. Tune in for a deep dive into the mindset of a tech industry leader.
In this episode of the Cred Podcast, Mack McKelvey sits down with Charlie Thomas, the CEO of Deepwatch, to discuss the dynamic world of cybersecurity. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by businesses in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats and the importance of cyber resilience. The conversation also explores decision-making philosophy, collaboration, and the importance of planning in leadership. This episode provides valuable insights into the world of cybersecurity, decision-making in leadership, and the future trajectory of Deepwatch as a resilient and growth-focused organization.
In this powerful episode of The Cred Podcast we sit down with Dr. Stephanie Gutnik, Global Chief Strategy Officer at Billups. Dr. Gutnik shares her incredible journey from Yahoo! to becoming a distinguished academician, earning her doctorate while shaping the future of out of home advertising.
Discover the synergy between academia and industry, as Dr. Gutnik discusses her pivotal role at Billups, navigating global strategies, and the significance of AI and sustainability in out of home advertising. Gain insights into her leadership philosophy, the impact of diverse opinions at the table, and how she turns challenging outcomes into opportunities.
Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of media, the power of experiential campaigns, and the role of AI in shaping the future of out-of-home advertising.
After undergoing a career shift in his forties, Adrion Porter decided to take a step back and evaluate what purpose-driven work meant to him. For Adrion, that entailed helping people find magic in the middle of their careers, lives, and transitions, rather than staying stuck in feelings of stress and stagnation.
During this episode, Adrion joined host Mack McKelvey to share his journey to starting the “Gen X Amplified” podcast and his consultancy, Mid-Career Mastery. He shared his three pillars to transformation—mindset, meaning, and milestones—and how he applies this decision-making framework to his own life and how individuals and organizations can do the same.
Whether you’re not sure what’s next or wondering if you made the right career or life choice, this episode can help you get out of a rut and into a groove to reach your fullest potential.
On this week’s episode, The Ricciardi Group (RG) Founder and CEO Marisa Ricciardi discussed her varied approach to decision-making with host Mack McKelvey. Ricciardi shared her career journey from working as a trader to working in-house in a hybrid finance-marketing capacity to eventually launching her own agency, RG, nearly 10 years ago.
During the conversation, Ricciardi dove into why leaders should focus on the value each decision carries to ensure they are allocating the right amount of time, energy, and collaboration to properly assess its outcome. Ricciardi has shifted her decision-making approach over the years, especially as a business owner, and often seeks advice from her fellow leaders on how they’d approach a specific challenge. Ricciardi has found that these diverse approaches and mindsets yield more positive outcomes, as opposed to deploying a homogeneous approach to decision-making.
Ricciardi and McKelvey also explored how different mentors have helped shape their own approach to decision-making and leadership. Tune into this insightful conversation to learn about decision-making’s value-cost equation from Ricciardi, an entrepreneurial agency leader.
Since entering the startup space in 2007, Shereen Shermak has had a successful career. A serial entrepreneur, she has been the CEO and co-founder of several companies. With personal stakes in nearly 80 early-stage companies, Shereen has been an avid investor in the Boston startup scene. During this episode of “The Cred Podcast” host Mack McKelvey and Shereen dove into the importance of paying it forward and how Shereen has dedicated her time to doing that through founding TBD Angels, advising up-and-coming or aspiring entrepreneurs at Harvard Business School, and more.
Shereen also shared her approach to decision-making, which in large part depends on the type of decision at hand. For micro decisions, aka daily decisions, she uses a decision tree model in which she takes stock of the options, their associated risks, assesses the odds that a certain outcome will come to fruition, and whether she can do anything to change those odds. For personal or life decisions, however, it comes down to knowing her values. She advises leaders to understand their values so they can make decisions faster and with more confidence.
Think of the leaders whom you most admire. In many cases, these professionals didn’t follow a linear path to get from point A to point B, and that windy career path has helped them become successful. This certainly holds true for this week’s podcast guest, Keith Hernandez, VP of Tech Sales, Future, and Host, “The Changeup Podcast.” After graduating with a creative writing degree, Keith had no idea that advertising sales was a viable career path until he found his way into that world and started building his sales career.
From there, Keith worked at Microsoft and later found himself consulting in tech. During that time, he took a step back to consider his next career move and found that what most energized and fulfilled him was working in smaller companies where he could make a direct impact. This decision-making approach to evaluating his purpose and motivation has helped Keith evolve as a leader and person overall.
During the episode, Keith shared how finding passions outside of work has transformed who he is as a leader, from his volunteer firefighting work to investing in a local craft beer business. He shared how he mentors his team to embrace failure and always be curious in addition to how his upbringing fuels his dedication to helping underrepresented talent in tech.
Check out this episode to become inspired in your own career and life pursuits!
As a young female in her mid-20s, Catherine Tabor found it nearly impossible to secure VC funding for her promising business selling promotional platforms to enterprises. Nicknamed “The Judge” by her family for her determination and decisiveness, Catherine didn’t let these “nos” deter her; she took a step back, realized she needed to find another way to get capital, and decided to bootstrap her business.
That decision paid off and paved the way for Catherine’s successful entrepreneurial career, with Catherine currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Sparkfly, a retail technology company that partners with restaurant leaders like Denny’s, Bojangles, Chipotle, and more. In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Catherine who shares early career lessons that helped shape her leadership style and how she runs her business.
In this episode of The Cred Podcast, we sit down with Gary Mittman, Founder/CEO of KERV Interactive, a patented, award-winning AI platform that creates shoppable and interactive elements within video. Gary shares his unconventional career trajectory, from starting out in the entertainment industry to venturing into the world of digital startups, and eventually founding the only AI technology contextually analyzing video behind every screen.
As we explore the pivotal decisions Gary has made throughout his career, he breaks down his hybrid approach to decision making, citing a blend of intuition, data analysis, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. He also shares insights into managing outcomes when things don't go as planned and how risk assessment plays a crucial role in the ever-evolving technology landscape.
As the episode concludes, Gary gives listeners a glimpse of what's next for KERV, hinting at exciting developments in the world of advertising and interactive content.
Get ready for an inspiring journey into the world of values-driven leadership and groundbreaking career training. We are thrilled to present the latest episode of The Cred Podcast featuring the incredible Bharani Rajakumar, a visionary leader with a mission and the CEO of Transfr. Join us as we delve into Bharani’s values-driven approach to life and leadership, exploring the core principles that have shaped his incredible journey. This episode is a deep dive into the world of mission driven initiatives, virtual reality, and the innovative landscape of career pathways. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a change-maker seeking inspiration, this conversation is bound to leave you informed and motivated.
Join us in this episode of The Cred Podcast as we sit down with Erica Irvin, Group Vice President and Chief Counsel of Digital Technology and Innovation at Albertsons Companies. With over 25 years of experience, Erica shares her remarkable career journey, decision-making insights, and future aspirations. Discover the power of seizing opportunities, aligning decisions with organizational goals, and fostering transparent and empathetic leadership. Erica’s story is a valuable lesson for professionals in any field. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on making pivotal decisions in your career and life.
Mack McKelvey, entrepreneur and 20+ year business executive joins as the host for Season 2. After a multi-year hiatus, the Cred Podcast returns to showcase innovative business authorities who are transforming their industries. In the teaser, Mack gives the backstory on the theme of the season and a preview of the executives she will be interviewing.
In 2006 David Williams was a founding executive of PatientsLikeMe, a digital community of sorts that relies on people sharing their health experiences then pooling that information into data that can help industry improve healthcare. In that role he purported the concept of openness in healthcare data -- a decidedly contrarian view in the privacy-obsessed arena of healthcare. In this Credentialed BonusCast segment, Williams explains his "Openness Philosophy."
When David Williams first started talking to investors about his healthcare platform Care3, he hesitated to emphasize the fact that the technology was developed in part for underserved communities. Eventually, though he changed his tune and began to include the fact that the platform -- which connects caregivers and patients -- was built with people of color, the disabled and other underserved seniors in mind. Yet, when he did, not only did investors get it -- "Absolutely, absolutely it translated into dollar signs," said Williams.
On this episode of The Credentialed, originally recorded May 9, 2018, Kate Kaye chats with Williams about why he believes technology can improve day-to-day interactions between patients and caregivers, about the importance of developing technologies for underrepresented groups and about how his Detroit family roots sparked his entrepreneurial spirit.
The rules around maternity leave and the FLMA could use some updating, suggests Carol Davidsen of Comscore, our guest on The Credentialed podcast in this BonusCast episode. "It’s amazing to me how so many work environments today have things like bringing your dog to work – which is great – but...I think we really need to reevaluate what does having a kid look like in the first year, because...frankly, it’s not that disruptive."
Carol Davidsen made a name for herself in the world of political data tech through her work with the Obama 2012 campaign, back when media coverage of data use in the election was decidedly more positive than it is these days in the wake of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal. While at Obama for America, she developed technologies for building voter profiles and gained notoriety for the platform she created for optimizing TV media buying and ad targeting. Today, she is SVP of TV and cross-platform products at Comscore where she helps create technologies that help advertisers aim their messages out to people across TV, the web and their mobile phones.
This interview with Carol Davidsen was recorded on April 10, 2018, about an hour before Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg began his testimony before a joint session of the Senate Judiciary and Commerce Committees regarding the Cambridge Analytica scandal. In this episode of The Credentialed, Carol chats about her own work for the Obama 2012 campaign -- including what she calls “scraping” Facebook data, about the evolving zeitgeist surrounding data use by political campaigns, about her background and influences, and about why tech disruption isn't always a good thing.
In this BonusCast segment from our discussion with Kimberly Mach of Microsoft Research Next, Mach discusses her love of sci-fi novels and how they relate to her work today.
Kimberly Mach is somewhat elusive when asked about what she and her fellow researchers are working on at Microsoft Research Next, a division of the company that Business Insider recently referred to as its “A-team of troubleshooting scientists.”
But having a hush-hush job isn’t exactly new to Mach, either – she joined Microsoft in early 2017, following several years in the defense industry working on technologies for things like ballistic missile defense and autonomous vehicles.
Mach received an "Innovator Award" from Women Who Code last year for making “profound contributions to the future of the tech industry, but she’s more than just a math and computer science nerd. She received a scholarship for clarinet in her early college days and is a devoted fan of her hometown teams – The Mariners and The Seahawks.
On this episode of the Credentialed Mach shares tales of working alongside robots at Microsoft, of her first time participating in a hackathon and how her small town Washington roots helped guide her to where she is today.
Just in time for sweeping new privacy regulations going into effect in Europe, we chatted with Kirsten McMullen, chief privacy officer of mobile ad firm 4Info, about the distinctions between the way government in Europe and the US treat privacy. In Europe, says McMullen, “I liken it to freedom of speech in the US; it’s just a core value.” Listen to this Credentialed BonusCast now!
Kirsten McMullen has a tough job. As chief privacy officer and VP of compliance at mobile ad tech firm 4Info, she serves as an internal watchdog, helping to steer her company, one operating in the cut-throat, fast-paced and increasingly sophisticated world of consumer data, toward the best data privacy practices possible. To do that, she relies on what she refers to as her own “core ethic,” one that compels her to want to educate people about how her company uses consumer data. In a business environment where opacity and obfuscation is more the norm, it’s no easy task.
“I want to get out the word that your location data is being used more for just telling you what the weather is in your city or where you jog, so pay attention to who you’re choosing to share that with and make the choices accordingly,” said McMullen on this episode of The Credentialed.
“How much better would the world be if there were many more women running companies?” asks Veda Hlubinka-Cook, founder of open information platform Factful. On this Credentialed Podcast BonusCast, she explains how her gender transition improved her cognition and management style, and discusses why the top down, command and control, 20th-century military style approach to management “is clearly outdated.” She opines, “Particularly in startups when I see it, it’s just maddening – all these sporty guys doing their, sort of, best Jack Welch at mini-scale, but some of the most successful companies are the ones that are much more consensus-driven.”
On this Credentialed Podcast BonusCast, Veda Hlubinka-Cook, founder of open information platform Factful, suggests that the counter-cultural, queer legacy of the San Francisco Bay area, still present when she moved there in the ‘90s, has “been steamrollered over in large part because of the technology industry.” Hear why Hlubinka-Cook believes that while, a lot of people in tech “mean really well…they don’t have a very nuanced understanding of what [impact] their actions have on the world.”
“Openness is a counterweight to the secrecy that powerful people use to subjugate us…. We have to pool our resources together, get the right team and go after it.” Veda Hlubinka-Cook does not mince words. An early pioneer of digital information infrastructure and trans technologist, Hlubinka-Cook co-founded Metaweb, a firm that developed an open, shared database of knowledge called Freebase which was eventually acquired by Google in 2005. Today, she is back at it – building Factful, a collaborative platform for investigative journalism aimed at exposing corruption.
There's more from Brian Brackeen, CEO of facial recognition tech firm Kairos, when he shares on The Credentialed his enthusiasm for Miami as an ideal place for tech entrepreneurs-of-color to launch startups and generate funding, as well as foster great work-life balance. “It’s infinitely fairer to say” that Miami is a better place for entrepreneurs-of-color to generate fundraising than places like New York and San Francisco, he agreed, referring to the high number of minority investors and entrepreneurs in Miami compared to other places. Brian also mentions a couple other inclusive cities he ranks highly as supportive places for entrepreneurs of color.
We’ve been hearing more and more about facial recognition and biometric identification technology lately, and this week’s guest on The Credentialed is on the cutting edge of this emerging realm. Brian Brackeen is CEO and founder of Kairos, a six-year-old facial recognition and “human analytics” firm based in Miami which serves clients such as Disney and Walmart.
An outspoken proponent of algorithmic data diversity, facial recognition privacy standards and Miami as an under-appreciated hub of tech innovation, Brackeen stands out.
He talked on the show about how an algorithm is like a human mind, limited to what it’s been exposed to:
“If you teach the young algorithm that this is the world, and you don’t show it anything else -- you don’t show it any other races, any other ages, any other genders -- that’s all it will be able to see. It will actually be literally blind to the rest of the world,” he said during his chat on The Credentialed, where he and host Kate Kaye discussed the movement supporting the inclusion of data representing under-represented minority groups often forgotten when training AI systems and algorithms.
Brackeen also shared his personal story, which he likened to the Iron Man Marvel comics tale in which scientist and inventor Howard Stark inspires his son to take up engineering. It’s no coincidence that Brackeen’s own father worked on some of the first artificial intelligence systems during his career at the Philadelphia Electric Company.
Want more from our chat with Jasmin Hume, director of food chemistry at Just? You’ve got it. In this bonus segment, we discuss how Jasmin and her team use data automation, predictive modeling and machine learning to query large volumes of data and screen plants for functional proteins.
You’ve probably seen Just’s vegan mayo on grocery store shelves, or maybe you’ve had their plant-based cookie dough concoction as a late night snack. Perhaps you’ve seen the open letters the company’s CEO Josh Tetrick has splashed across full page ads in the New York Times -- like the one he addressed to presidential candidates in 2015 challenging them to help solve our outdated food system. Following a name change from Hampton Creek, the company remains dedicated to its original mission: to produce healthy, sustainable, affordable and delicious food.
This is no quick fix – locating plant components and experimenting until they are proven to be viable ingredients involves a year’s long process – and our guest on the latest episode of The Credentialed, director of food chemistry at Hampton Creek, Jasmin Hume, is guiding that path towards what could be on our plates tomorrow.
On this episode of The Credentialed, we’ll learn about the science behind turning plant proteins into food people want to eat, about how even healthy food can be processed, and why people still can get a little weirded out by too much science on their plate. We’ll even indulge in a chat about a personal love of Hume’s -- Swedish baked goods.
We laughed! We cried! We learned about blockchain!
Yes, indeed, we’ve come a long way in just ten episodes here at The Credentialed, the show that amplifies the diverse voices of tech and innovation. That’s right, we’ve got ten episodes under our belts, and that’s a good a reason as any to take a step back and remind our listeners – and ourselves – just what it is we’re doing here. We’re calling this re-cap episode of our first ten shows our Tenth Episode-i-versary. (Humor us, won’t you?)
Since The Credentialed launched in October, we’ve featured data wonks, IoT and blockchain innovators, chatbot and mobile technology founders, ecommerce experts and digital media entrepreneurs. We’ve featured women, African-American, Asian, Haitian-American, LatinX and LGBTQ guests. People not just from New York City and San Francisco, but from Reno, Miami, Kansas City, Pasadena and Washington, DC. People whose business lives collide with personal passions like basketball, improv comedy -- and did we mention Star Wars?
On the show, you’ll hear the most fascinating, fun, touching and inspiring moments from the first ten episodes of The Credentialed. Give a listen!
Pam Dixon of World Privacy Forum shares her tips for taking action to safeguard personal data privacy.
This is the last generation in the U.S. who will have what Pam Dixon, this week’s guest on The Credentialed, calls “privacy by obscurity.” Founder and executive director of World Privacy Forum, Dixon believes there is a short window of time left during which any of us living here in the United States, not to mention most places on earth, will have the ability to go “off the grid” - obscure our travels, interactions, personal connections, transactions and interests from corporations and governments. Pam joined The Credentialed in-person in the studio for a fascinating discussion about an array of issues that will have an increasingly significant impact on our lives – from biometric identification to precision medicine to the dire need to upgrade our flawed social security system.
When we think tech, we often think of gadgets, software, computers, pixels and bots. But on this episode of The Credentialed, we’re getting down to basics. We’re talking about clean, safe water and a simple innovation that’s designed to make it more plentiful, accessible and affordable across the globe. Theresa Dankovich, Ph.D. is cofounder and Chief Technology Officer of Folia Water, an unlikely 500 Startups alumn that manufactures low-cost paper water filters intended for use by low-income people who today spend too much of their money on bottled water or soda. Dankovich chats about how the company aims to get its technology into the hands of the people, what sets Folia Water apart from other tech startups -- and why even in Silicon Valley, not every startup is only about generating ROI for investors.
Blockchain. Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency. You’ve heard about these things, but, well, if you’re like a lot of people, you aren’t totally clear on what they are. On this episode of The Credentialed, we have a full-fledged blockchain expert explainer on the show, Portia Burton. Burton explains how blockchain works in everyday language, talks about blockchain mining in Venezuela and China, and suggests that blockchain nerds really could use a psychologist. Burton also shares her secrets for being successful at whatever she puts her mind to. Hint: failure is allowed.
In this encore of the very first episode of The Credentialed, we talk to Rachel Law, CEO of chatbot and collaborative shopping technology Kip, to discuss the company, learn how it can help niche communities – from crochet enthusiasts to Japanese immigrants, chat about the Internet as a place for personal development, and even get some tips for startup fundraising. It’s not often that we hear about technologies being developed for niche immigrant communities, and that is another way in which innovators like Law are helping us expand the definition of tech.
When Clara de Soto’s first app company, Killswitch, was shut down by Facebook after going viral in 110 countries, it was a “really big blow,” but she didn’t take it sitting down. She and her colleagues got to work. “We had to put on our hustle pants…and we networked our butts off until we got in touch actually directly with Sheryl Sandberg,” she said while chatting for this week’s episode of The Credentialed podcast.
De Soto’s latest enterprise Reply.ai is still an early startup, though you wouldn’t know it to look at its client list, which includes firms like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Samsung and Hilton, all of which have employed its chatbot technology to communicate better with consumers.
She may not have had the proverbial ultra-successful lemonade stand at age ten, but it didn’t take long for Heidi Lehmann to realize early in her career that things were moving a little too slowly for her. Compelled to take the reins as a mobile technology and media entrepreneur, Lehmann has been involved in getting all sorts of tech and media startups up and running. We chatted with Lehmann about her current work at body monitor tech firm Kenzen and about her passion for championing media aimed at women and LGBTQ communities.
This episode of The Credentialed features Jonathan Stephen, manager of ecommerce for Norwegian Cruise Line. We chat with him about his indirect route to the mobile world, how he straddles technology and marketing, and why sometimes hanging out in airports is the best way to get close to travelers.
In this second half of the show, Allison Clift-Jennings, CEO of Filament addresses what it was like to be a CEO trying to earn funding for her company while she was smack dab in the middle of her gender transition from male to female. “Going through a gender transition during pitching to folks like this -- I knew in my head that this could go really south really fast…because we all have unconscious biases.” It turned out her decision had an unexpected -- and positive -- impact on her business.
Allison Clift-Jennings is CEO of Filament, a firm that modernizes industrial equipment, but her thoughts about her work and its potential go way beyond a time horizon for a Series C and getting acquired. The future of the planet and consumer culture are at stake. In this Part I of a two-part episode, we discuss Filament's mission, and how Clift-Jennings believes instilling value in machines can create unforeseen efficiencies even for everyday tools.
“I remember being told I asked way too many questions.”
- Lauren Moores
Lauren Moores is on the ground floor of a technical solution to a very real need: enabling loans for people in emerging markets. But rather than developing software or tech platforms, Lauren works with information and analytics as data director at startup Tala. The global financial technology firm helps people in Kenya, the Philippines and Tanzania obtain microloans by producing credit ratings for them based mainly on information generated by their mobile phones. Lauren explains how it works, why data-for-good is important, and how good ‘ol baseball got her into numbers and statistics.
“I also love the competitiveness of sports where there are certain rules in place but everybody competes their hardest to win – that spirit, I love.”
– Gladys Kong
Gladys Kong, CEO of mobile tech and data firm Ubermedia has an impressive tech pedigree, with multiple patents and many years working alongside Bill Gross at his Idealab incubator. We discuss what it was like to take on the CEO role and work more closely than ever with employees after starting out in the very different position of chief technology officer. Kong also shares why playing high school basketball, running track at Caltech, rooting for the Lakers – and cheering on her hoops-playing-kids – inspire her approach to running a business.