Building a Culture of Engagement: Strategies for Success

Kelley dreaded the obligatory “When I Grow Up” speech in elementary school. Couldn’t sleep for days leading up to it. All those eyes on her? Judging her? She hesitated even raising her hand in class, knowing the heat she’d feel across her cheeks when she spoke. 

So it made perfect ironic sense she grew up to be a TV reporter, delivering the news in front of thousands. 

What shifted? Kelley learned the power of story! We’ve all got one, and we all love to listen to a well-told one. Through her work in TV news, corporate America, the nonprofit world, and now moderating and hosting GDS events with business executives from around the globe, Kelley has been passionate about presenting information and stories in compelling, empathetic language.

Amanda Brilhante is a dynamic event host, public speaker, and media personality with a rich background in journalism. As a former national TV news anchor and reporter, she’s interviewed everyone from celebrities to C-suite executives. Passionate about connecting with people and sharing knowledge, she believes in the power of information to improve lives. Now at GDS Group, Amanda leverages her on-camera expertise to host live and virtual events, always staying ahead in our fast-evolving tech landscape. Originally from California and now based in NYC, when she's not on stage, you might find her snowboarding down a mountain, rocking out at a concert, or exploring the city on foot – and she's just as likely to discuss the latest tech trends as she is to share her favorite playlist.

As a journalist, editor and presenter, Ben has been writing and speaking about business, people and technology for the past 20 years. As Editor-in-Chief of Business Management magazine and host of Meet the Boss TV (as well as work for The Guardian and Bloomberg, amongst others) he’s interviewed some of the biggest names in business, spoken at international events and hosted countless roundtable discussions – a far cry from his early days working on music and skateboard mags. And while his love for music remains strong, it’s fair to say his best skating days are probably over.

Editor and Presenter at Meet the Boss

Curiosity, compassion and an appetite for answers, Emmy award-winning television veteran, Rebecca Solomon, is thrilled to bring her journalism skills to GDS Group. Prior to GDS, Rebecca spent nearly 20 years as a TV journalist, working as a reporter and anchor in newsrooms across the United States. In 2019, Rebecca’s dream of landing a gig in the world’s largest market, NYC, came true! At WPIX 11, Rebecca covered all stories from the pandemic, to protests, politics and entertaining events happening around the region.

Rebecca’s excited to take her passion for storytelling and connecting with the Strategy for Breakfast Podcast audience! And when she’s not working, she’s spending time with her growing family, in her beloved community just outside of Manhattan. Rebecca enjoys fitness, getting creative in the kitchen and Broadway!

Having spent the majority of his career in educational leadership in variety of settings, David has vast experience in stakeholder relationships and engagement. With a focus on implementing change and improving organizations by fostering a culture of collaboration and sustainability, his background has been the catalyst for the move into his current role at GDS group. He is an avid musician, runner, and gardener, although the latter tends to provide a great deal more frustration than the others!

Tim is an Emmy award winning journalist who writes, hosts and moderates conversations surrounding digital transformation for GDS Group and Meet the Boss around the globe. Prior to joining GDS Tim worked as a television news reporter and anchor at affiliates WENY, WUHF, WBRE and News 12 Westchester.

Tim currently resides in New York City and looks forward to the conversation that helps you solve your biggest transformation challenges.

Kristina Cartwright is a senior editor and presenter for GDS Group & Meet the Boss. In this role she travels around the world hosting a wide variety of b2b events speaking with C-level executives about their digital transformation projects. She also moderates several successful digital summits, webinars, and virtual roundtable discussions. Kristina is the new co-host on the podcast, “Strategy for Breakfast.” On the show she interviews guests and provides colorful commentary surrounding hot topics including innovation, security, and cloud migration. Kristina is an Emmy Nominated Reporter in New York with a background in TV News.

Prior to joining GDS she worked as a reporter and anchor for News 12 Networks serving the tri-state area. Kristina resides just outside of busy Manhattan with her rescue dog, Ellie.