KCSA - Key Persons
Aaron is the SVP of Digital at KCSA.
For the last 15 years, Aaron has stood at the vanguard of the digital and social spaces. Creating campaigns and launching brands on both B2C and B2B sides of the fence. More importantly, his strategies and executions yield results.
From Champion Apparel, Lucky Brand, Avion Tequila, Keds and Polaroid to Time Warner, PayPal, Novartis and Pennsylvania Power, Aaron's has repeatedly utilized his outlook, love for the space and desire for connective reasoning to achieve the goals of some of the world's top brands. He brings a clear understanding of both the traditional and digital processes that sets him apart from the field. Aaron describes his holistic approach as the creation of digital and social ecosystems that, once established, continue to sustainably live and thrive independently.
When not working, Aaron can be found hiking, cooking or kayaking with his 7 year old. When not doing any of the aforementioned, he can even can sometimes be spotted fighting crime on the rooftops of New York City.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Account Director in the Public Relations Department
Andrew Young is an Account Director in the public relations department at KCSA.
With over a decade of experience with global tech and consumer brands such as Amazon, Samsung, MoMA, and Van Cleef & Arpels, Andrew works to deliver media and marketing opportunities that allow brands to reach new consumers and establish presence beyond their endemic verticals. As an Account Director at KCSA, Andrew leads media strategy and outreach for clients across key business sectors and media types, ranging from leading national newspapers through to hyper-targeted B2B and financial outlets. He is primarily based within KCSA's media and technology practice but provides strategic and creative council across all divisions of KCSA.
Andrew majored in Communication and Media Studies at Monash University, Australia before moving to New York City in 2008, where he currently resides. In addition to his role at KCSA, Andrew is on the social committee of the Saint Andrew's Society of New York, one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the United States.
Anne G. Donohoe is a Managing Director in public relations and heads up the Los Angeles Office at KCSA. She has been with the company for more than 15 years and her work spans many different industries including financial services, technology, media & advertising, professional services and consumer products. For the last eight years, she has led the cannabis and, most recently, the psychedelics practice. With a passion for innovative companies with good stories to tell, she has honed her skills in strategic planning, writing, media relations, messaging and content creation.
Her voice can be heard on The Green Rush, a podcast about the business of cannabis and psychedelics, which she not only hosts but co-created and co-produces.
Anne received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Monmouth University in New Jersey. She spent most of her life on the east coast, but relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 to open and lead the KCSA LA office. When she and her husband are not competing (from their couch) on Jeopardy!, they can be found rooting for the Clemson Tigers and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director in the Public Relations Department
Caitlin Kasunich is a Managing Director in the public relations department at KCSA. In this position, Caitlin works closely with both B2B and B2C clients across a range of industries - from technology and biotech to hospitality and education - to develop and execute tailored, integrated public relations campaigns. Prior to joining KCSA, Caitlin worked in-house at Lincoln Center in the public relations department, as well as worked as a freelance reporter covering local news start-ups for Columbia Journalism Review. Caitlin holds a Master of Science degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and Communication / Rhetoric from the University of Pittsburgh.
Charles Whiteman has 20+ years-experience in the institutional investment banking and institutional fund management fields. Mr. Whiteman served as Managing Director of Roswell Capital Securities and Director of Institutional Private Equity for Roswell Capital Partners, LLC. Also during his tenure, Mr. Whiteman served as Director of Investment Banking, Private Placements and Institutional Sales with the primary responsibility for managing the firm's efforts focused toward public issuer development and institutional investor relationships. From 1996 - 2001, Mr. Whiteman served in various supervisory capacities at Swartz Investments, LLC. During this time, Mr. Whiteman provided oversight and direction to the firm's Corporate Finance/Investment Banking professionals. From 1992-1996, Mr. Whiteman was with SunTrust Bank Corp. Positions held at SunTrust were Commercial Loan Officer responsible for new business development in the Southeast US, Corporate Banking Representative and Credit Analyst. Mr. Whiteman received a BBA - Finance from Georgia State University.
David Hanover possesses over 20 years of Equity Investment Management/Research experience in the small cap arena. He had previously been a Senior Equity Analyst for a top-ranked long-biased small cap hedge fund for over seven years. Prior to this, he was the Portfolio Manager of a technically-based hedge fund and a fundamentally based hedge fund for a family office. He has also Co-managed a small cap growth mutual fund and has been an Equity Analyst on a top- ranked mutual fund in Israel. He began his career in Prudential's Accelerated Career Entry (PACE) program.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President in the Investor Relations Department
Erika Kay is a Vice President in the investor relations department at KCSA. In this position, she works with a number of pre-IPO and publicly traded companies across a wide range of industries to support their communications needs and raise awareness of their business within the investment community.
Erika has been with KCSA for over 10 years and has helped dozens of companies increase their market share by creating creative and strategic communications platforms. Prior to working at KCSA, Erika worked at Morgan Stanley as a Project Manager within the Insurance Operations Division.
Erika graduated Cum Laude from the University of Vermont and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Principal
- Contributor to IR Magazine
Jeffrey Goldberger is a Principal and Managing Partner at KCSA, and oversees the firm's Integrated Communications Services offering, as well as its Capital Markets practice delivered through IPO/APO One™.
For more than 30 years, Jeffrey has provided strategic counsel to both private and publicly traded companies. His expertise includes corporate messaging and capital markets advisory (IPO, SPAC, RTO and M&A) and crisis communications. He also co-leads the firm's Healthcare practice, which primarily represents emerging life sciences and healthcare technology companies.
Jeffrey is a frequent contributor to IR Magazine, covering topics that include the evolution of investor relations, the importance of building a strong Board of Directors and the pitfalls of operating a micro-cap company.
Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2012, Jeffrey was a founding member and helped launch theEMPLOYEEapp (formerly known as APPrise Mobile), a development platform that allows companies to effectively communicate with employees. In 2011, Jeffrey co-founded Tri-Cycle Rentals, the triathlon industry's original race-day bike rental company, which was acquired by American Bicycle Group, parent company of Litespeed and Quintana Roo Bicycles. For a decade, he actively participated in triathlons, completing both Ironman Wisconsin and Ironman Switzerland.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at Harry Truman College
Jenny Robles is a Vice President with over seven years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, and client management across various business-to-business industries, including professional and financial services, technology, human resources, medical cannabis, and advocacy/philanthropy.
Jenny is responsible for new business, creating strategic corporate communication plans, as well as ensuring the successful execution of client PR programs. She brings proven success in media relations, securing top-tier press placements for clients on a national and international scale in broadcast, print, and online media.
Jenny is a member of the KCSA team awarded PR Daily's 2019 Best Viral Campaign. Before joining KCSA, Jenny was a marketing intern for BMW of Manhattan and MINI of Manhattan.
She holds a bachelor's degree from Baruch College, where she was Director of Public Relations for PRSSA's New York chapter.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director and Media Director in Public Relations
Jonathan Goldberg is a Managing Director and Media Director in public relations at KCSA. In this position, Jonathan works closely with clients to develop and execute tailored public relations campaigns as well as strategize media campaigns for all of KCSAs clients. His clients include billion dollar publicly-traded companies, private fintech companies, as well as biotech firms.
Prior to joining KCSA, Jonathan worked in broadcast journalism, starting his career at ESPN, followed by Fox News Channel, and ultimately one of the co-creators of CNBC's Fast Money.
Jonathan holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University and a Masters Degree in Communications from Syracuse's Newhouse School of Communications.
Prior to joining KCSA, Mr. Septon was the Director of Finance & Operations at UrbanDaddy, a rapidly growing digital media brand, delivering consumers unique and local lifestyle recommendations via the web, email and mobile platforms. During his 2 years there, Mr. Septon not only restructured the organization but was able to double revenue each year and secure funding at a significant valuation. Preceding UrbanDaddy, Mr. Septon was the Controller of Guidepoint Global, a primary research firm that provides investors and business decision-makers with on-demand access to industry experts. While there, he restructured the financial and operational infrastructure of the organization. In 2009, he was key in the acquisition and integration of Vista Research from Standard & Poor's. Earlier, Mr. Septon grew through the ranks from Junior Account to Staff Account to Senior Accountant at Fortent Americas, formerly known as Searchspace, which established itself as an industry pioneer and leading provider of modern statistical-based Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) technology for the world's top-tier financial institutions. While there, he prepared and analyzed budgets, forecasts, and financial statements for the board of directors, which consisted of members from Warburg Pincus's Private Equity Group.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President
- Senior Vice President in the Public Relations Department
Kate Tumino is a Senior Vice President in the public relations department at KCSA. In this position, she works closely with the firm's clients in the media / advertising technology and financial services sectors to develop and execute tailored public relations campaigns.
Prior to joining KCSA, Kate worked at Rubenstein Public Relations where she built relationships with a wide variety of media contacts at newspapers, online and television outlets.
Kate holds a Bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her dog Jax and is a professional at binge watching TV series.
Job Titles:
- Chief Human Resources Officer
Katie Roland is the Chief Human Resources Officer at KCSA. She brings with her 15+ years of Human Resources experience from companies that include Forbes Media, Leucadia National Corporation, JCDecaux, Daily Racing Form, and KCD.
Katie has demonstrated success in building HR departments from the ground up. She does so with an eye toward collaboration, inclusion, and belonging. To her, HR is a partner to the company and its employees which helps build strong managers, empowered employees, and a culture where everyone's skills and talents are celebrated.
Katie resides in Garden City, New York with her husband Brent and two sons Ben and Jo Jo. She likes to spend her free time with family and friends on the North Fork of Long Island, in Windham, New York, or trying out new restaurants in New York City. She holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland and her SPHR Certification from HRCI.
Job Titles:
- Director of Cannabis Development
Kris Krane is CEO and Principal of Kranewreck Enterprises, where he works as an independent consultant to the cannabis industry. In this capacity he serves as a senior advisor to a licensed social equity retail cannabis dispensary licensee in Boston, MA, a vertically integrated production, cultivation, and retail operator in Maine, and a vertically integrated licensed cannabis operator in Michigan.
Kris is also a principal owner and President of Anderson Leonard Pharmaceuticals, a licensed cultivator, producer, and exporter located in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Until July 2021, Kris Krane served as President of 4Front Ventures, a cannabis company designed for long-term success and built upon battle-tested operating capabilities at scale, experienced and committed leadership, a strategic asset base, and a commitment to being a magnet for talent. 4Front is recognized as one of the leading Multi State Operators in the legal cannabis industry, operating cannabis dispensaries, cultivation and production facilities across the United States.
Kris also served as President of 4Front subsidiary Mission Partners, which has operated medical and adult use cannabis dispensaries under the Mission brand in Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Mission's reputation for excellent operations with an advocacy focus resulted in CNBC featuring the brand and reporting live from Mission's store on the South Side of Chicago for an entire day in February 2020.
Job Titles:
- Head of Capital Markets
- Senior Vice President, Capital Markets
Kristi Papanikolaw is head of Capital Markets at KCSA. In this position, Kristi works closely with the IR Team and our clients to make introductions to the investment community and sell-side. Having started her career as a NY Silver Market Maker at Mocatta Metals, now ScotiaMocatta, she then found her passion within the equity markets. Kristi has over 20 years of experience in institutional equity markets, which started at Lehman Brothers. From there, she went on to Natexis Bleichroeder, opening and running their Boston office, as she did at Merriman Curhan Ford. She had also worked at Wunderlich Securities, William O'Neil and Telsey Advisory Group. Throughout her career, Kristi became known for her ability to ‘greenfield' accounts selling all types of equity products and in just about every vertical and market cap. Kristi is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Business Administration and a concentration in Finance.
Kristin Cwalinski is the SVP of media and broadcast at KCSA, bringing more than a decade of financial news experience to the firm. She works closely with clients across the firm to strengthen their media messaging and strategy, as well as gain exposure to major media networks. Prior to joining KCSA, she worked at CNBC for more than 7 years, where she ran "Power Lunch" and "Fast Money" as a Senior Producer. Prior to that, she was a producer on "Countdown to the Closing Bell" at Fox Business Network. During her career, she's driven the coverage of retail traders, cannabis and cryptocurrency at major networks as well as working on talent development for on-air personalities. Kristin received her bachelor's degree from Ithaca College for Broadcast Journalism and Politics.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Principal
Lewis is a Managing Partner at KCSA and oversees the firm's public relations practice.
For more than 20 years, Lewis has worked to implement eminence, thought leadership, and public affairs programs designed to build business and garner fairer valuations.
Lewis developed a campaign mentality working in national, state and local politics for U.S. President Bill Clinton, U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli and then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. He designs programs with a specific business objective in mind, a targeted timeframe, attention to maximizing limited resources and a measurable ROI.
In 2015 Lewis helped found KCSA's cannabis practice and has become recognized as one of the most effective strategic thinkers in this growing field. He is the co-host of KCSA's weekly podcast, The Green Rush, and speaks regularly at conferences on the use of strategic communications to achieve specific business objectives.
He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Rutgers University. Lewis is a fan of Rutgers, the Mets and Jets and tends to root for sports teams that have a long and storied history of losing.
McKenna Miller is an Senior Account Executive at KCSA. After working in Entertainment PR for over 3 years at agencies such as ID PR and Jonesworks, she decided to follow the "Green Rush".
Over the past year, McKenna has helped public and private companies learn how to participate in the cannabis conversation and counseled them how to reach capital markets, consumers, and regulators. Previously to joining the KCSA team, she worked on the media side for the Daily Marijuana Observer, an investor-focused cannabis outlet.
McKenna holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Marist College. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and boxing.
Prior to joining KCSA, Michelle Aselta was The SVP of Beauty + Wellness/Head of Strategy at Jennifer Bett Communications, specializing in business development, agency growth, client + brand development and media strategy.
Michelle has cultivated and grown brands both in house at Nutrafol and through agencies like People's Revolution, The Door and Rubenstein Communications. Michelle has more than 18 years of experience in developing and implementing communications programs, specializing in media relations, strategic brand partnerships, event production and innovative publicity opportunities. Michelle has managed accounts ranging from household names, such as Christie's Auction House, Pantone, Jeremy Scott and Ben & Jerry's to challenger and contemporary brands like Little Spoon, WLDKAT, Act + Acre, LOOPS Beauty and Bloomi, as well as large-scale events, including Tribeca Film Festival, Scope Art Fair and Fashion Week in New York, Miami, Paris and London.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director of Investor Relations
Phil Carlson is a Managing Director of Investor Relations at KCSA. He has developed proactive investor relations and communication strategies for several multi-national, micro and small cap companies in various sectors including technology, healthcare, financial services and natural resources. Phil also leads KCSA's Cannabis Investor Relations practice. Through his extensive network, Phil has helped position his cannabis clients as thought leaders in the emerging cannabis industry. He has secured speaking engagements at premiere conferences and has organized several cannabis industry panels which have included himself as well as his clients. Phil is a Wall Street and Investor Relations veteran having worked at firms such as JPMorganChase and Merrill Lynch. His experience includes IPOs and reverse mergers, implementing retail and institutional road shows, and providing strategic counsel to clients. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Kent State University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Account Executive
- Vice President
Raquel Cona is a Senior Account Executive at KCSA.
Prior to joining KCSA, Raquel worked at a boutique public relations agency where she managed accounts for some of New York City's most prominent residential real estate projects and brokerages working on a project-specific and corporate basis. While there, she was tasked with creating/launching strategic PR campaigns and partnerships while managing day-to-day account work. She brings proven success in media relations, securing top-tier press placements for clients on a national and international scale in both print and online media.
Raquel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Hofstra University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President
- Vice President of Market Intelligence in the Investor Relations Department
Scott Eckstein is a Vice President of Market Intelligence in the investor relations department at KCSA.
Throughout his career, Scott has worked with companies in multiple industries ranging from micro and small-cap companies to Fortune 500 leaders. He brings 20 years of investor relations experience in both agency and corporate roles. His background includes strategic consulting, message development, institutional targeting, investor marketing and corporate communications.
Scott began his career at KCSA in the investor relations practice. He later worked at companies such as Thomson Financial and The Financial Relations Board, where he provided advisory services and developed targeted institutional and retail branding programs for a wide range of organizations, before returning to KCSA.
Scott holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a concentration in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Principal
Todd is a Managing Partner at KCSA and oversees the firm's investor relations practice.
Todd specializes in the implementation of proactive investor relations programs for public companies, including crisis communications and IPOs. He has led successful corporate communications campaigns for more than 100 micro- and small-cap companies and has provided strategic communications counsel to hundreds of C-level executives.
Todd has been the recipient of the Silver Anvil award and The IABC Ace Award for Business Communications.
He holds a bachelor's degree in business from Hofstra University. In is free time, Todd is a songwriter and plays lead guitar in a blues band.
At an early age, Valter Pinto found a passion for finance and particularly the stock market, fascinated by how businesses were built, how companies accessed the capital markets, valuations, and how senior executives told their story. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of working closely with C-Level management teams of public and private companies, globally, with a specific focus on those with valuations under $500 million.
Valter's expertise is in the capital markets, with deep relationships both on the buy-side and sell-side. A generalist, Valter has experience across all industries including technology, healthcare, biotech, cybersecurity, media, internet, resources, and cryptocurrency. For over 15 years, Valter has provided strategic advisement to clients on proactive institutional marketing, messaging and preparing for IPO, RTO and public/private offering.
Valter looks at every company with an open mind. All are at varying states of maturity and each with their own vision of the world. Throughout the years Valter has been able to leverage his knowledge and passion for the market to develop unique communications and marketing strategies. While tactics vary and are always evolving, his high-level focus remains the same; formulate the right strategy, deliver the right message and ultimately market to the audience that will help you achieve your goals as a public company or soon to be public company.
Prior to joining KCSA, Valter was a Partner at a boutique financial communications firm based in NYC. In December 2016, he and his Partner merged their business with KCSA, a leading Public Relations, Investor Relations and Social Media agency. Today, Valter is Managing Director in the Investor Relations Department.
Valter is fluent in Portuguese, played Division I soccer, and currently resides in Westchester County with his wife and daughter.