Barbara Emener Karasek is the CEO and Co-Owner of Paradise Advertising & Marketing, Inc., an award-winning full-service agency specializing in tourism, hospitality, and lifestyle brands. With a global marketing career spanning leadership roles at organizations such as SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. & Entertainment, PGA TOUR, NASCAR, and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Barbara brings deep expertise in brand strategy, partnership negotiation, and consumer engagement. She’s also co-founder of AiOpti Media LLC, a data and analytics firm that leverages AI to improve media targeting and performance. A Furman University and University of South Florida alumna, Barbara has been recognized among HSMAI’s Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization and Distribution for her impact in hospitality and marketing.

Chris Perkins is the founder and CEO of Model B, a creative agency focused on building modern brands through strategy, design, and storytelling. With a background spanning brand development, creative leadership, and entrepreneurship, Chris is known for helping companies clarify who they are, what they stand for, and how they show up in culture. Under his leadership, Model B has partnered with brands to create work that’s both strategically grounded and creatively distinctive.

Dana Light is a seasoned marketing executive and current Chief Marketing Officer at RIZZ, where she leads the company’s strategic marketing, research, and brand initiatives to grow visibility and customer engagement. She brings deep experience in data-driven marketing, research, and brand development from previous roles including Director of Marketing and Research at WAY Capital, Inc. and VP of Marketing and Research at George Smith Partners (GSP). Dana’s career spans a range of industries, where she’s focused on turning insights into impactful growth strategies and elevating market presence through smart, measurable campaigns.

Menaka Gopinath is the Chief Marketing Officer at the Project Management Institute (PMI), where she leads global brand, communications, and marketing strategy with a focus on customer-centric growth and storytelling. She has built a distinguished career guiding Fortune 100 brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Apple, Nike, Uber, Procter & Gamble, and Meta, leveraging advanced analytics and integrated cross-channel programs to drive impact. Prior to PMI, Menaka served as President and COO of sustainable fashion brand Graf Lantz and led the Social Media Exchange practice at Ipsos, scaling it significantly. She is passionate about purpose-driven business and diversity in the industry and serves on the Board of Mentors for Monday Night Mentorship. Menaka holds a BA in Economics and Communications from New York University and an MBA in Finance from the University of San Francisco.

Jimmy Hutcheson is a media entrepreneur and executive known for leading iconic and digital media ventures. He is the CEO of SPIN (formerly SPIN Magazine) and the CEO of Next Management Partners, a media and tech investment firm in Los Angeles. Jimmy founded and grew Hutch Media (acquired by Zealot Networks), a digital publishing company acquired in 2015 by the founders of Maker Studios Inc (Acquired by Disney), and has partnered with major industry leaders on digital media, syndication, and revenue strategy. Across his career, he’s built and scaled media businesses, led strategic growth initiatives, and forged partnerships with brands like Condé Nast, AOL, and Scripps Networks. He’s also a frequent speaker on media, strategy, and digital transformation.

Haydn Fleming is a marketing leader and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at 2POINT, a full-service digital agency specializing in branding, digital strategy, and social marketing. He also hosts Marketing Minds with Haydn Fleming, a podcast that explores key topics and insights in the marketing world with industry experts.

Faisal Mushtaq is a technology executive, entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder best known as the Founder & CEO of TechCon Global, the organization behind TechCon SoCal — a fast-growing innovation and investment conference in San Diego that connects entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and tech leaders.He has over 20 years of leadership experience in tech, including senior roles in digital transformation, product scaling, and global R&D for major companies. Before founding TechCon, he served in executive positions such as CTO at Sleep Number Corporation (leading innovation and AI-based platforms) and held leadership roles in cloud, DevOps, and tech strategy for global firms.

Duke Stump is the Chief Brand Officer at Tractor Beverage Co. , where he leads the evolution of the brand and drives creative strategy at the intersection of purpose, culture, and sustainability. With experience from major consumer brands and a track record of pushing boundaries in marketing and storytelling, Duke is focused on amplifying Tractor’s mission of organic, regenerative impact and connecting deeply with consumers through authentic brand experiences.

Ali Cox, OLY is the founder of Noble West, where she works on building culturally relevant, performance-driven brand ideas in the world of Big Ag. With a background that blends strategy, creativity, and execution, Ali focuses on helping brands connect authentically with audiences while delivering measurable impact. She’s known for her sharp perspective, collaborative style, and ability to turn insight into work that travels.

Charles Parker is a higher-education leader at Keiser University, where he focuses on student success, career-driven education, and preparing graduates for today’s evolving workforce. With experience navigating the intersection of academics, industry needs, and innovation, Charles is passionate about helping students turn education into real-world opportunity. His work reflects Keiser’s mission of practical, hands-on learning and outcomes-focused education.

Luke Lashley is a creative entrepreneur and executive producer who founded Departure, a company designed to streamline how agencies and production teams find and match with directors and photographers for creative projects. Under his leadership, Departure has grown into one of the largest direct sources of creative talent, helping agencies quickly identify directors who fit their specific briefs and maximize production budgets — especially in the sub‑$500K range. Before starting Departure, Luke served as a managing partner and executive producer at BL&S and has extensive experience as a director and editor in media production.

Vince W. is the Chief Marketing Officer at Mustard Love, a platform that helps restaurants connect with local influencers and drive measurable ROI from influencer marketing campaigns. He brings deep experience in data-driven marketing and performance strategy, shaped by roles spanning analytics, marketplace growth, and startup leadership. Vince’s approach focuses on turning social influence into real business outcomes — especially for local businesses navigating modern digital marketing. He’s been featured on marketing podcasts like We Built This Brand discussing the evolving landscape of influencer marketing.

Lindene Cleary is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Tourism Tasmania, the agency responsible for promoting Tasmania globally and domestically as a travel destination.

Mike Petrakis is the Founder and CEO of Batch, a leading party-planning and group experience platform that helps users discover and book experiences for celebrations like bachelor/bachelorette parties and more. Launched in 2020 under his leadership, Batch has grown its user base to millions and offers thousands of bookable experiences across dozens of cities. Before Batch, Mike co-founded and held leadership roles at WOLACO, served as Partner at Brooklyn Athletic Club, and held business development roles earlier in his career. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business and has also studied at IESEG School of Management — and sits on advisory boards and invests in emerging startups.

Michelle Denogean is a seasoned marketing leader, startup advisor, and author with over two decades of experience growing B2C and B2B brands.

She currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Mindtrip, Inc., an AI-powered travel platform.

Before Mindtrip, she held senior marketing and operational roles at companies including Edmunds.com, Roadster, eHarmony, and other major players in real-estate, automotive, travel, and online services.

Michelle is also the author of GrowUp! Take Your Startup to the Next Level, a guide that helps founders navigate the psychological and strategic challenges of scaling a startup.

She combines data-driven marketing, brand strategy, and human-centered leadership — helping startups grow with clear value, strong culture, and sustainable momentum.

Brett Banker is co-founder of X&O and former Managing Partner & Head of Account Management at a two-time “Agency of the Year.” He’s led brand and business strategy for major clients including consumer-packaged goods, media, food, and sports brands such as Procter & Gamble, NBCUniversal, Panera Bread & National Football League (NFL). Brett also pursues entrepreneurial passions outside agency life — from DTC ventures to cooking and golf — bringing a grounded, multi-faceted perspective to brand building. Eric Segal is co-founder of X&O. and a veteran creative leader: former Chief Creative Officer at an award-winning agency, with a track record that includes working on several Top-10 Super Bowl commercials. He’s earned awards and recognition at major creative competitions — including Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, D&AD, The One Show, Effies, and Emmys — and his work has ranged from brand campaigns to large-scale advertising for clients across industries.

Dexter Percil is the Director of Global Marketing at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA).

With roughly two decades of experience in sales and marketing across the Caribbean, he has driven successful growth and brand strategy for leading companies including beverage brands and regional distributors before moving into tourism marketing.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Ottawa (Canada) and a Diploma in Business Management from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

In 2025, Percil was honored by the Atlanta City Council for his “outstanding professional achievements, impactful leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing the Caribbean community” — recognition that underscores both his marketing accomplishments and his influence beyond the Caribbean region.

Yakov Filippenko is a tech entrepreneur and startup founder, best known as the CEO & founder of Intch, Inc. — a professional networking platform focused on flexible work and global career connections.

Chris O'Neill is a veteran tech leader and operator with 25+ years of experience leading products, scaling businesses, and turning around companies. He spent nearly a decade at Google, including senior leadership roles at Google X and as head of Google Canada. He went on to serve as CEO and Chairman of Evernote, where he helped stabilize the company and refocus its mission. More recently, he served as Chief Growth Officer at Xero, and now leads as CEO of GrowthLoop, a cutting-edge AI and data-driven customer growth platform. He also sits on the boards of several major companies (including Gap Inc.), advises high-growth startups, and invests in promising tech ventures.

Yaron Orenstein is the Co-CEO of Hopp.co, a Wix company that provides a next-generation “link-in-bio” and online presence platform for creators, professionals, and SMBs. He’s a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience across consumer, mobile, enterprise, and IoT businesses. Yaron is also a serial entrepreneur (CEO at Olibya Labs, previously at POPS) and deeply passionate about the creator economy. This show is brought to you by HighLevel get 30 days for free using the link below: https://lnkd.in/gytNmse2