Chris Colbert
CEO, Holland Mark
“My specialty is making the complex simple and the simple compelling”
Chris Colbert is one of the founding partners of Holland Mark, and until his decision to re- launch the agency in 2007 he was the managing partner of Pile and Company, one of the leading advertising industry consulting firms. From 1986 to 2001 he was the president of Holland Mark
Advertising and a principal in its sister company BeNow, a marketing database technology firm.
In his various roles, Chris developed significant expertise in consumer brand strategies and integrated communications from his work with Blue Cross, TJ Maxx, Universal Studios, Ameritech, Polaroid, Liberty Mutual, and the Boston Globe; in database and relationship marketing, working with brands like Polaroid, Thomson Consumer Electronics (RCA), Scholastic, and Compaq; and a strong competency in addressing the challenges and opportunities
in the interactive realm, from his direct involvement with tjmaxx.com and redlobster.com. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Chris sits on the board of MITX and is Chairman Emeritus of the Advertising Club of Greater Boston. He holds a BA in History from Connecticut College and an International MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business.
“My specialty is making the complex simple and the simple compelling”
Chris Colbert is one of the founding partners of Holland Mark, and until his decision to re- launch the agency in 2007 he was the managing partner of Pile and Company, one of the leading advertising industry consulting firms. From 1986 to 2001 he was the president of Holland Mark
Advertising and a principal in its sister company BeNow, a marketing database technology firm.
In his various roles, Chris developed significant expertise in consumer brand strategies and integrated communications from his work with Blue Cross, TJ Maxx, Universal Studios, Ameritech, Polaroid, Liberty Mutual, and the Boston Globe; in database and relationship marketing, working with brands like Polaroid, Thomson Consumer Electronics (RCA), Scholastic, and Compaq; and a strong competency in addressing the challenges and opportunities
in the interactive realm, from his direct involvement with tjmaxx.com and redlobster.com. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Chris sits on the board of MITX and is Chairman Emeritus of the Advertising Club of Greater Boston. He holds a BA in History from Connecticut College and an International MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business.
Michael De'Shazer
Director of Engineering, iCanApp
Michael created the concept of iCanApp. iCanApp is a stealth startup in partnership with AT&T
& GroupM (WPP). iCanApp has designed a mobile and web app development platform which
gives non-programmers the power of app creation for their groups or businesses. Prior to his
current role at iCanApp, Michael had founded snipsnip.it and created notbing.com 3D search
engine.
Michael created the concept of iCanApp. iCanApp is a stealth startup in partnership with AT&T
& GroupM (WPP). iCanApp has designed a mobile and web app development platform which
gives non-programmers the power of app creation for their groups or businesses. Prior to his
current role at iCanApp, Michael had founded snipsnip.it and created notbing.com 3D search
engine.
Peter J Wagener
VP of Social Media Engagement, Bank of America
Peter is an experienced technologist with over 12 years of experience in software development,
consulting and marketing. He has been granted multiple patents in distributed software
techniques during his time as an R&D team lead at Sun Microsystem. His focus at Bank of
America has been to utilize emerging social media technologies in order to improve customer
experience.
Peter holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgia Institute of Technology and
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from University of Florida
Peter is an experienced technologist with over 12 years of experience in software development,
consulting and marketing. He has been granted multiple patents in distributed software
techniques during his time as an R&D team lead at Sun Microsystem. His focus at Bank of
America has been to utilize emerging social media technologies in order to improve customer
experience.
Peter holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgia Institute of Technology and
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from University of Florida
Sarwar Raza
Distinguished Architect, HP
Sarwar Raza is a Distinguished Architect in the Office of the CTO at HP Networking. He joined
HP in 2010 via HP's acquisition of 3Com Corporation. In his role, Sarwar provides technical
and marketing leadership spanning the areas of Network and Systems Management, and Unified
Communications and Collaboration to engineering, marketing and sales teams across HP's
product and service businesses.
At 3Com, he served as Senior Global Product Manager for 3Com's Unified Communication
Business from 2006 to 2010. In a prior role, Sarwar was a Software Architect in 3Com's Voice
Engineering Division, and was responsible for the definition and development of the open API
layers for 3Com's flagship VCX voice product suite. He is the recipient of 3Com's 'Innovator
of the Year' award, and has multiple US and international patents pending. He was also
the lead architect and principal developer of the 3Com Enterprise Management Suite, an
extensible,carrier class network management platform which was deployed by several large
service provider and enterprise customers around the world.
He is also the current Vice President of the New England Chapter of OPEN, the Org. of
Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America.
Sarwar has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Computer Science (Phi Betta Kappa) from
Clark University in Worcester MA, a Master’s Degree in Computer Science (Computer and
Communications Networks Concentration) from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and an
Executive Certificate in Management and Strategy from the Sloan School of Management at
MIT.
Sarwar Raza is a Distinguished Architect in the Office of the CTO at HP Networking. He joined
HP in 2010 via HP's acquisition of 3Com Corporation. In his role, Sarwar provides technical
and marketing leadership spanning the areas of Network and Systems Management, and Unified
Communications and Collaboration to engineering, marketing and sales teams across HP's
product and service businesses.
At 3Com, he served as Senior Global Product Manager for 3Com's Unified Communication
Business from 2006 to 2010. In a prior role, Sarwar was a Software Architect in 3Com's Voice
Engineering Division, and was responsible for the definition and development of the open API
layers for 3Com's flagship VCX voice product suite. He is the recipient of 3Com's 'Innovator
of the Year' award, and has multiple US and international patents pending. He was also
the lead architect and principal developer of the 3Com Enterprise Management Suite, an
extensible,carrier class network management platform which was deployed by several large
service provider and enterprise customers around the world.
He is also the current Vice President of the New England Chapter of OPEN, the Org. of
Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America.
Sarwar has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Computer Science (Phi Betta Kappa) from
Clark University in Worcester MA, a Master’s Degree in Computer Science (Computer and
Communications Networks Concentration) from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and an
Executive Certificate in Management and Strategy from the Sloan School of Management at
MIT.
Michael McCarthy
Entrepreneur / Creator Budi Bar
Michael graduated cum laude from NYU in Management and Finance. He worked on Wall Street since
he was only 18. His experience includes working as a researcher for a famous money manager
who pioneered market timing. Michael started his own investment firm at 26 and was ranked the #1
market timer in the US every year for 10 years (1994-2004). He retired from Wall Street at 36
and went to the extension school for psychology.
Michael is a faculty member with The Horse Institute aiding corporations with team building and leadership.
Their clients include the Wharton School and Fortune 50 companies.
He has now started a functional foods business which converts conventional food into highly
nutritious food without a change in taste profile. His products currently sell on the internet,
at the Fairmont and Starwood Group (Westin and Sheraton) as well as designing food for public school systems.
Michael also just graduated the Master Baker's program of the German Federation of Bakers in
Weinheim, Germany.
Michael graduated cum laude from NYU in Management and Finance. He worked on Wall Street since
he was only 18. His experience includes working as a researcher for a famous money manager
who pioneered market timing. Michael started his own investment firm at 26 and was ranked the #1
market timer in the US every year for 10 years (1994-2004). He retired from Wall Street at 36
and went to the extension school for psychology.
Michael is a faculty member with The Horse Institute aiding corporations with team building and leadership.
Their clients include the Wharton School and Fortune 50 companies.
He has now started a functional foods business which converts conventional food into highly
nutritious food without a change in taste profile. His products currently sell on the internet,
at the Fairmont and Starwood Group (Westin and Sheraton) as well as designing food for public school systems.
Michael also just graduated the Master Baker's program of the German Federation of Bakers in
Weinheim, Germany.
Jon Campbell
Sr. Brand Strategist, Brand Experience at Continuum
Jon has 10 years of experience defining and building brands. As a senior brand strategist with
one foot firmly planted in the world of business and the other in the world of design, he strives to
bridge the two to help develop innovative products and services that are valued by the user and
profitable to the organization.
Prior to Continuum, Jon served as manager, prospect marketing, at Harley-Davidson Motor Co.,
overseeing lead generation, lead nurturing and interactive programs focused on the acquisition of
new customers and development of compelling customer journeys. He also spent time at ad
agency Cramer-Krasselt working on brand strategy, marketing communications and new product
development for a range of brands including WD-40, Rexall Sundown, Reddi-wip, Allen-Edmonds
shoes and Case agricultural equipment.
Jon holds a Master of Design Methods degree from Chicago’s Institute of Design and a BA in
journalism from the University of Wisconsin. He is a contributor to the recently published “Ninety
Questions + Answers from Thirteen Design Thinkers,” and plays on the blog
brandingandinnovation.typepad.com. Past work has been recognized with a 2007 PROMO
Interactive Marketing Award and a 2004 Effie Award.
Passionate about branding and design, Jon leverages his design thinking, brand strategy and
marketing skills to help organizations make a significant impact bringing innovative new offerings
to market and activating brands through high-impact customer experiences.
Jon has 10 years of experience defining and building brands. As a senior brand strategist with
one foot firmly planted in the world of business and the other in the world of design, he strives to
bridge the two to help develop innovative products and services that are valued by the user and
profitable to the organization.
Prior to Continuum, Jon served as manager, prospect marketing, at Harley-Davidson Motor Co.,
overseeing lead generation, lead nurturing and interactive programs focused on the acquisition of
new customers and development of compelling customer journeys. He also spent time at ad
agency Cramer-Krasselt working on brand strategy, marketing communications and new product
development for a range of brands including WD-40, Rexall Sundown, Reddi-wip, Allen-Edmonds
shoes and Case agricultural equipment.
Jon holds a Master of Design Methods degree from Chicago’s Institute of Design and a BA in
journalism from the University of Wisconsin. He is a contributor to the recently published “Ninety
Questions + Answers from Thirteen Design Thinkers,” and plays on the blog
brandingandinnovation.typepad.com. Past work has been recognized with a 2007 PROMO
Interactive Marketing Award and a 2004 Effie Award.
Passionate about branding and design, Jon leverages his design thinking, brand strategy and
marketing skills to help organizations make a significant impact bringing innovative new offerings
to market and activating brands through high-impact customer experiences.
Kristin Johnson
A strategist with Continuum, Kristin is a switch hitter who bats with
her right and left brain. Kristin brings broad creative thinking and
strong analytical skills to help clients find the right idea (whether it
is a product, service, or business model), and envision their future.
She has helped clients and improved customers’ lives in the financial
services, consumer packaged goods, telecommunications, and retail
industries. She has also helped organizations have more impact in
developing markets. Her clients have included American Express, Proctor
& Gamble, Sprint, and Grameen Foundation. As part of the Generations
research community at Continuum, Kristin pays close attention to the
attitudes and behaviors of Gen Y, as they compare to other generations.
Prior to Continuum, Kristin began her career working at very traditional graphic design firms, like Milton Glaser (of I heart NY fame) and Pentagram. Her trajectory led her to apply design thinking in a broader and broader context, including the development of a hybrid non-profit/business model to utilize solar technology as a catalyst for development in Mali, Africa. Little did she know, these experiences were preparing her for her dream job at the innovation consultancy, Continuum :) Kristin has a degree in graphic design (with a minor in marketing) from the University of Minnesota, and is currently pursuing a business degree at Harvard University.
Prior to Continuum, Kristin began her career working at very traditional graphic design firms, like Milton Glaser (of I heart NY fame) and Pentagram. Her trajectory led her to apply design thinking in a broader and broader context, including the development of a hybrid non-profit/business model to utilize solar technology as a catalyst for development in Mali, Africa. Little did she know, these experiences were preparing her for her dream job at the innovation consultancy, Continuum :) Kristin has a degree in graphic design (with a minor in marketing) from the University of Minnesota, and is currently pursuing a business degree at Harvard University.
