20 Companies That Are “…The Breakthroughs We Have Been Waiting For…”

Keiko (Kay) Iwaisako
US Lead
Ricoh Ventures

​Kay manages investment and business development operations in US for Ricoh Ventures. She was previously Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Macromill, an online marketing research technology and service firm. Prior to that, Kay spent over a decade as a venture capitalist at Entrepia Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based technology VC firm. She served as a board/observer member at World Wide Packets (acquired by Ciena), ArchPro Design Automation (acquired by Synopsys), HelloSoft (acquired by Imagination Technologies), MagSil and others.

Jonathan Ewert
President
Placeable

Jonathan Ewert has 25 years of experience leading public and private companies in tech-enabled sectors, including research and advisory, Internet hosting, interactive media networks, SaaS, e-commerce, and social networks. Prior to Placeable, Jonathan served in a variety of management and Board roles for several portfolio companies of Catalyst Investors, a growth equity firm with $600 million under management across three funds. Before that, Jonathan served as SVP of Corporate Development for LookSmart, where he led the turnaround of the media business. Previously, he was CEO of ePALS until selling the company in 2007, and a Vice President at Modem Media, where he led the preparation for its successful IPO in 1999. Jonathan currently serves on the Boards of Alert Solutions, Codero Hosting, Reputation Institute, and Audience Fuel. He also serves on the Advisory Boards of Google Consumer Surveys and Kinetic Analysis Corporation. He earned his B.A. in Political Science in 1986 from the College of the Holy Cross.

Scott Miller
CEO
Vision Critical

Scott Miller is the CEO and a board member of Vision Critical. In this capacity, Miller focuses on developing and leading the execution of Vision Critical’s strategy including strengthening relationships with customers and partners, driving innovation and growth across all markets and ensuring operational excellence across the company. Scott joined Vision Critical after 12 years at Synovate. Most recently, Scott had been the CEO of Synovate North America, where he led the business to industry-leading growth by re-aligning all 1,000 employees on client sales and delivery. Scott also led the rebuilding of Synovate’s advanced analytics business: MMA. His leadership successes can be attributed to alignment of the complete organization around a common vision, clarity and passion in communication and empowering others to contribute at their absolute best. Prior to his North American CEO role, Scott held positions as Head of Global Client Relationships, Head of Synovate’s Research Reinvented (advanced technology) Initiative and CEO of its Global Motoresearch practice. But, Scott was not always a “big company” leader. For the 12 years before Motoresearch was acquired by Aegis/Synovate, he was a partner at the company where he led international development, including the creation of a substantial presence in Latin America. Scott is the Vision Critical management representative on the Vision Critical Board of Directors.

Tanya Franklin
Director, Trends and Brand Health
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Jonathan Ewert has 25 years of experience leading public and private companies in tech-enabled sectors, including research and advisory, Internet hosting, interactive media networks, SaaS, e-commerce, and social networks. Prior to Placeable, Jonathan served in a variety of management and Board roles for several portfolio companies of Catalyst Investors, a growth equity firm with $600 million under management across three funds. Before that, Jonathan served as SVP of Corporate Development for LookSmart, where he led the turnaround of the media business. Previously, he was CEO of ePALS until selling the company in 2007, and a Vice President at Modem Media, where he led the preparation for its successful IPO in 1999. Jonathan currently serves on the Boards of Alert Solutions, Codero Hosting, Reputation Institute, and Audience Fuel. He also serves on the Advisory Boards of Google Consumer Surveys and Kinetic Analysis Corporation. He earned his B.A. in Political Science in 1986 from the College of the Holy Cross.

Jeff Krentz 
Executive Vice President
WPP

Jeff Krentz is Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy for Kantar, WPP’s Consumer Insight division. In this capacity he has oversight over Kantar mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate investments as well as general corporate strategy. Jeff started his career as a management consultant at Bain & Company and Price Waterhouse advising Fortune 500 companies on corporate strategy. Jeff has principal investing experience having raised, managed and invested a $40 million investment pool dedicated to emerging growth companies through the Small Business Administration’s SBIC program. Jeff received his BA in Political Science from Duke University and his MBA and Certificate in Public Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Ryan Patel
Vice President, Global Development
Pinkberry Ventures, Inc

Ryan Patel serves as the Vice President of Global Business & Real Estate Development for Pinkberry, one of the fastest growing retail brands globally. Since commencing at Pinkberry in 2011, the company has gone from less than 95 locations to over 260 stores in 21 countries and continuing to expand. An expert in growing brands, he has worked for publicly traded to private companies, and has helped build corporate to franchise stores throughout the retail to food segments, both domestically and internationally. Patel has been vital in providing valuable strategy and leadership in developing international growth plans across multi-cultural and cross functional teams. He has been a key player at some of the world’s most innovative companies including Pinkberry, Wet Seal Retail, Inc (Arden B and West Seal), Jamba Juice, BJ’s Restaurants, Inc and Panda Express. Patel is a frequent speaker at conferences and company meetings in the United States and around the globe, from college students to CEOs of organizations. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs and helped companies grow into world-renowned brands. He received his Bachelors from University of California, Berkeley and received his MBA from the Paul Merage School of Business at University of California, Irvine.