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About Our 2011 Keynote Speakers
Luncheon Keynote: Randi Zuckerberg
Randi Zuckerberg knows a thing or two about running a family business. As Facebook’s Director of Market Development, she is helping to expand the Facebook family even further into the social networking stratosphere — and she’s also CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s sister. She is definitely one of the brand’s greatest spokespeople and is intent on spreading the word and keeping Facebook the premier social networking site. “The idea of connecting with people that you care about is something that’s valid all over the world,” she says. “I’ve met people from all over the world and they all say that Facebook helps them connect with people that they care about and share information. It’s exciting to bring that to people around the globe.”
Named No. 45 on Hollywood Reporter’s list of ‘Digital Power Players,’ Zuckerberg is no beneficiary of arbitrary nepotism; she has brokered content deals with ABC and Comcast, and understands the power of online social networking. She knows that diversity is the key to Facebook’s rapid growth. “Facebook has grown so fast in the past year,” she shares. “Having diversity in the workforce is very important to us.”
Zuckerberg works on the marketing team at Facebook, where she manages partnerships related to media, news & current events, and non-profits. She has led the company’s U.S. election and international politics strategy, in addition to managing media partnerships with companies such as ABC News and CNN. Previously, she worked at Forbes as part of the news show, “Forbes on Fox” and authored the book “Spark Your Career in Advertising.” Zukerberg has made appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and World News to discuss Facebook’s marketing and political initiatives. Most recently, she represented Facebook as a correspondent for CNN’s Inauguration Day, the State of the Union, and Michael Jackson Memorial live broadcasts. Zuckerberg holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University.
Closing Keynote: Dr. Don Brown
Donald E. Brown, M.D. co-founded his third software company, Interactive Intelligence, in October 1994 and has served as Chief Executive Officer since April 1995 and President since inception. Dr. Brown also serves as Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since July 1998. Dr. Brown has been a director since inception. In March 1988, Dr. Brown co-founded Software Artistry, Inc., a developer of customer support software that became a public company in March 1995 and was subsequently acquired by IBM Corporation in January 1998. At Software Artistry, Dr. Brown served as Chief Executive Officer and director from inception through September 1994. Dr. Brown's first software company was acquired by Electronic Data Systems, Inc. in September 1987. Dr. Brown graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1985. He also holds two additional degrees from Indiana University, an M.S. in computer science and a B.S. in physics.
Inside the Innovator's Studio: Peter Ashkin
Ashkin is known for his leadership roles at some of the world’s biggest and most visible companies including CanWest Mediaworks, AOL, Gateway Computer, Toshiba and Apple. Throughout his career, Ashkin has been a leader and master problem-solver working in environments facing rapid change and intense competition in uncertain economic times. He served as president of the technology group for CanWest Mediaworks, at the time Canada’s largest media company with multiple locations across Canada consisting of newspapers, broadcast television and cable channels, and helped them navigate their way into the digital age.
Prior to CanWest, he served as president of product strategy for AOL, where he was recruited to chart the future technical direction for the company. His challenge was to help provide an engaging, easy-to-use, everyday Internet experience, while keeping an eye on new product development and the future of the Internet. Ashkin’s resume also includes serving as senior vice president and chief technology officer of Gateway Computer and a number of senior and executive management positions at both Toshiba and Apple.
Today he is president of Peter Ashkin Consulting, where he works with high-tech start-up companies. Ashkin also owns and operates Red Head Ranch (www.redheadranch.com) in Paso Robles, Calif., the producer of award winning wines for wine drinkers and wine connoisseurs.
Afternoon Keynote: Jody Thompson
Jody Thompson, along with her partner Cali Ressler, is the Founder of CultureRx and co-creator of the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE). Her first book, WHY WORK SUCKS AND HOW TO FIX IT, was named “The Year’s Best Book on Work-Life Balance” by Business Week. She has been featured on the covers of BusinessWeek, Workforce Management Magazine, HR Magazine, Hybrid Mom Magazine, as well as in the New York Times, TIME Magazine, USA Today, and on Good Morning America, CNBC and CNN. Jody is also a nationally recognized keynote speaker and has presented to numerous Fortune 500 companies and prominent trade associations. Jody and her partner Cali created ROWE based on the belief that the traditional solution of flexible schedules is not the answer to managing life’s many twists and turns. Bottom line? Work sucks. So they’re on a mission to fix it. Today, Jody and Cali are leading a global movement to forever change the way we work and live.
Opening Keynote: Michael Stelzner
Michael Stelzner is the founder of Social Media Examiner—a popular online magazine that helps businesses answer social media questions with useful 'how to' articles, in-depth case studies, expert interviews, and original research. He's author of the new book Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition. He also authored the book Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged and the Social Media Marketing Industry Report.
As an innovative thought leader and experienced marketer, Stelzner has gained the full respect of social media leaders and business marketing experts alike. In less than 18 months, SocialMediaExaminer.com grew from infancy to boasting over 94,000 subscribers and is now the top small business blog in the world according to Technorati. He also pioneered the highly popular Social Media Success Summits, which have sold out for two years in a row-in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. The principles that Stelzner teaches are the very concepts that helped him build two highly successful businesses that made him a leading expert in both industries.