Module 2: Online and Mobile is Changing the Retail Game

Dean Di Simone

After earning dual undergraduate degrees in Engineering, Dean spent several years as a consultant for Andersen Consulting. In 1998, Dean shifted his focus to architecture and received his Master's degree from Columbia University's forward-thinking GSAPP program. His studies allowed him to extensively explore digital media leading to the founding of experimental studio KDLAB. While creating award-winning films, exhibitions, and websites through KDLAB, Dean maintained his connection to academia by holding teaching posts at Yale, Columbia, and University of Pennsylvania. In 2006, Dean transitioned his practice into Tender Creative by joining forces with Adam and Cory. Currently, Dean leads the new business and strategy efforts at Tender, and continues to serve as a speaker and juror for a wide range of creative conferences and competitions.

John Ernsberger

John is the co-founder and VP of business development at STELLAService, a company that produces customer service ratings and data. John and his business partner, Jordy Leiser, launched the company in 2010 after they realized that the service experience was increasingly becoming the most important factor in differentiating online businesses. Today, their thesis is stronger than ever and the company (commonly referred to as "STELLA") works with nearly 700 Internet retailers, including Zappos, Blue Nile, QVC, Net-A-Porter, and Tory Burch. John grew up in various places along the east coast (consequently arming him with stellar hometown small talk with most any stranger) and graduated from Bucknell University with a BSBA.

Michelle Goad

Michelle is the CEO & Founder of PS DEPT. & PK DEPT., a mobile application and web platform that revolutionizes the retail experience, introducing a new sales channel for associates and their clients. Formed in 2011, PS & PK DEPT. were created from Michelle’s first hand experiences working with thousands of associates and clients across major global retail markets. She saw a need for retailers to update their associate’s conversation channels in order to extend their sales reach and build personal relationships with their customers, perfectly suited for a mobile solution. Through Michelle’s passion for brick & mortar and experience working in both the wholesale and retail businesses, she has created an end-to-end platform that brings simple, scalable opportunities to “business as usual”.

Michelle began her career in fashion as a Designer for Donna Karan Home. She transitioned to retail as a Buyer for Barneys New York on the women’s shoe team. Most recently, she managed Retail Merchandising, Marketing, and Sales Training for Marc Jacobs Collection wholesale business. She received dual degrees from UC, Santa Barbara in Business Economics and Art History.

Mar Hershenson

Mar is CEO and co-founder of Revel Touch, the first "touch-first" e-commerce platform. Mar founded the company on the belief that mobile commerce will soon dominate retail at-home and in-store. The Revel Touch Merchandising Suite was built on the further belief that touch-based computing demands a re-conception of the shopping experience. The platform launched last November and early results show a 1.5-4x multiple on all core e-commerce metrics.

Prior to founding Revel Touch, Mar revolutionized the semiconductor industry through her work with analog circuit design. She received the prestigious TR100 Young Investigator Award from MIT and a Fast 50 Award from Fast Company. She was also named one of the top 10 women in microelectronics by EETimes and received the prestigious Marie Pistilli Women in EDA lifetime achievement award. In 2012, Mar won the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award for her contributions to business, technology and her involvement in the community.

Mar is also a Consulting Professor at Stanford University, teaching analog circuit design courses. Mar graduated with honors with a B.S. in electrical engineering from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas in Madrid, Spain, and received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. She has been awarded eight patents and has several other patents pending.