WELLWELL - Key Persons
Charles Kouri is a renowned journalist, book author, songwriter, playwright and communications strategist. His work on touched on financial services, healthcare, technology, education, real estate and professional services. A resident of Chicago, he received a degree in journalism and economics for Marquette University in Milwaukee. Mr. Kouri is an ongoing contributor to WellWell's news coverage.
David Cutrano boasts more than 25 years of experience working in IT. During his career, he has held positions ranging from Desktop Support to System Administration, Product Specialist and Website Design and Management Specialist. Mr. Cutrano's background also includes managing technology teams that supported more than 2,000 clients in the Chicago and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. More recently, he has merged his professional interests in IT with developing a corresponding career as a professional photographer.
Jessica Scarpati has more than 15 years of experience as an award-winning writer, editor and communications professional. As a journalist, her diverse professional background has given her the opportunity to cover-and uncover-stories in health care, science, technology, business, community news, state government, education and more. In addition, she has overseen the editorial and art direction of print and digital publications for consumer and business audiences. Ms. Scarpati has also served as a copyeditor for several books and reports. She holds a bachelor's degree in print journalism from Boston University.
John Jenkins is an internet marketing and sales veteran, having worked with a variety of new and established companies. His powerful background also includes working in the investment banking industry for JP Morgan Chase on their various trading desks. During his career, he has helped to launch and grow the sales departments for joke-of-the-day.com, OptaNetwork and 123Greetings.com. He also has provided media programs for brands including Staples, David's Bridal and Harry & David. A graduate of Hofstra University with a degree in marketing, he began his career at Primedia Publishing before moving on to Conde' Nast's specialty sales department.
Job Titles:
- Communications Professional
John Salak is a communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in the United States and Europe. An award-winning journalist and editor whose experience includes a five-year assignment in London for United Media, his work has appeared in USA Today, The Financial Times, Newsday, Conde Nast Traveler, Crains New York Business, Food & Wine, American Banker, Executive Business Travel and Woman's Day, among others. Credits also include five books that range from Violence in America (The Millbrook Press, 1995) to The Best of New York (Gault Millau Inc., 1995). Among other management positions, he served as Editor-in-Chief of tele.com, an award-winning business magazine founded by The McGraw-Hill Companies. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News and Bloomberg TV outlets, commenting on business and technology issues. He is the recipient of two Jesse H. Neal/American Business Awards. Mr. Salak is also the founder of The Salak Group Inc., a strategic communications group that supports a wide range of companies, organizations and individuals in the U.S., Asia and Europe.
Kathy Driscoll is a highly experienced journalist specializing in business, workplace, career and personal health issues. She has held staff positions on a number of prominent daily newspapers in the northeast and is currently a columnist at the Rochester Business Journal. Among her other accomplishments, she is a certified career coach.
Lauren Gutermuth is an emerging communications professional with particular experience in social media management. A graduate of Iowa State University, she holds a degree in advertising and psychology. Her background includes working with various arts organizations, while also developing networking platforms for young professionals. At WellWell, Ms. Gutermuth is responsible for building the group's social media along with supporting other marketing and branding initiatives.
Saskia Salak has a diverse background in analytics and communications with a special interest environmental issues, sustainability and socially responsible entrepreneurship. Among her other professional activities, she is in the process of launching Posty, a multi-media platform dedicated to encouraging personal composting in urban areas. She holds bachelor's degree in economics and social entrepreneurship from Marquette University.
Staci Smith is a seasoned business manager and marketing professional with experience operating all facets of consumer promotions and event marketing campaigns. She has launched event marketing and promotions groups within marketing firms, leading to hundreds of highly successful programs for blue chip brands and Fortune 500 companies including Kellogg's, P&G, Schick, Dunkin Donuts, Keurig, Green Mountain Coffee and the McDonald's Corporation, among others
As a graduate of Ohio University with a major in Communications and minor in Journalism, she has helped streamline processes and deliver productivity within the back-office functions of marketing firms including procurement, operations, warehousing, finance, IT and HR.
At WellWell, Ms. Smith oversees business development and marketing.