Pete Blackshaw

Founder and CEO

A lifelong student of consumer feedback, brand promise, and technology, Pete is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate this change now underway. Most recently, Pete served as CEO of Cintrifuse, a Cincinnati-based startup catalyst and venture fund supported by major corporations such as P&G, Kroger, Scripps, and Western & Southern.  In this capacity, Pete and his team served hundreds of startups.

Pete leads with two core beliefs: “Trust your inner consumer” and “Understand how startups work — how they think, design, exploit data, and iterate — and then apply that understanding to everything you do.” These beliefs have been cornerstones of his career.

Before Cintrifuse, Pete served for eight years as Global Head of Digital for Nestlé, S.A. in Switzerland, partnering with hundreds of brands including Nescafé, KitKat, Purina, Nespresso, San Pellegrino.  He created the industry-recognized Digital Acceleration Team (DAT), Silicon Valley Innovation Outpost (SVIO), and Open Innovation Platform.  

Earlier, Pete held the title of CMO at NM Incite, a collaborative venture between Nielsen and McKinsey. His career trajectory began at Procter & Gamble, where he co-founded the first "Interactive Marketing" team and shortly thereafter, was recognized as "Interactive Marketer of the Year" by Ad Age. Following his tenure at P&G, Pete launched PlanetFeedback.com, a pioneering consumer feedback portal, which eventually became a part of Nielsen after several mergers.

Pete is the author of Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3000, published by Random House, and is a frequent contributor to Ad Age. His contributions to the field have been acknowledged with numerous awards, including induction into the Word-of-Mouth Marketing Hall of Fame, MediaPost's “Online All Star,” and the Advertising Research Foundation's “Great Minds” Award. He has also served as a juror for the Cannes Innovation Lions twice.

Driven by his commitment to fostering trust, Pete has served as National Chairman of the National Council of Better Business Bureaus and as a member of the National Advertising Review Board. At Nestlé, he championed the creation of the industry’s inaugural "Consumer Engagement Principles," aligning top brands and retailers around shared values.

Pete holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his family.

Hank Hudepohl

Co-Founder and COO

A seasoned executive with entrepreneurial experience, Hank has built a diverse career marked by a passion for innovation, team building, experimentation, and driving results.

Most recently, Hank served as Vice President of Product at Paycor, where he oversaw the Core SaaS Products for this $600M business. During his 6-year tenure, Hank led a team of 30 Product Managers and the integration of several acquisitions that helped transition Paycor from a private payroll company to a publicly traded, full-suite HCM business.

Prior, Hank was the Product leader for New Initiatives at TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website and a pioneer of consumer review content with over 2 billion annual visitors. Hank joined TripAdvisor as the first employee of this "startup" inside the company, and over the next 10 years, he led teams to ideate, build, launch and grow global products for many category firsts at the company including International Restaurants, Flights, and Vacation Rentals. During this time, TripAdvisor had a successful IPO and earned a dominant position in 35 countries while amassing over 100 million reviews. Hank helped TripAdvisor win “Innovator of the Year” in travel for a fees transparency product he developed for flight shopping.

Before TripAdvisor, Hank co-founded FirstAuto, a successful automotive web application. He made sales visits by day and coded websites at night. It became profitable in its second year and the company counted nearly every franchised car dealership in Greater Cincinnati a customer before growing to Dayton, Indianapolis, San Diego and other cities.

Hank’s journey began with service in the United States Navy, where he honed his leadership skills and strategic planning as a Lieutenant and Intelligence Officer aboard an aircraft carrier during a Persian Gulf deployment. He is also the founder of Pine Row Press, a nationally recognized poetry press, and he is a writer. He has published four books and his work has been featured in literary journals and on NPR. Hank is a graduate of Harvard College (BA) and Hollins University (MFA). He and his family live in Greater Cincinnati.

Matt Cox

Chief Technology Officer

Matt is an accomplished technology leader with over two decades of experience in the software engineering field. As the CTO at BrandRank.AI, he spearheads the development of AI-driven solutions that redefine how brands optimize their digital presence.

Prior to joining BrandRank.AI, Matt played a pivotal role during the initial rollout of Toast’s Delivery Service (TDS) in 2020. This was a critical time in the restaurant industry when COVID-19 forced restaurants to end dine-in services. With 90% of Toast’s customers lacking their own delivery capabilities and reliant on third-party services, Matt’s strategic direction and engineering expertise enabled Toast's clients to offer direct delivery services, significantly reducing their dependence on high-fee third-party platforms.

At TripAdvisor, Matt was a key leader within the Experiences business unit, where he managed large teams and tackled complex engineering challenges over an 11-year span. His leadership helped expand TripAdvisor’s offerings and enhance user engagement across global markets. Matt and Hank overlapped for 10 years at TripAdvisor and together they worked on building global products during this time.

Following his impactful roles at TripAdvisor and Toast, Matt served as Director of Engineering at Panalgo and as Principal Software Engineer at Thrasio, where he continued to demonstrate his expertise in data analytics and e-commerce operations.

Dr. Kelly Cohen

Chief Scientific Advisor

Dr. Cohen is widely recognized for his work in AI logic systems, particularly his ability to elucidate the workings of large language models (LLMs) and their "black box" aspects. As a Responsible AI leader in the community, he champions ethical practices and transparency in AI development. Furthermore, his expertise in Game Theory and risk analysis has made him an invaluable resource in understanding strategic interactions within competitive environments, with implications that reach from economics to national security.

Dr. Kelly Cohen serves as the Endowed Chair in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, a prestigious position that speaks to his expertise and significant contributions to the field. His role not only involves spearheading advanced research in aerospace technology but also mentoring the next generation of engineers. Dr. Cohen's leadership extends beyond the academic sphere as he continues to foster innovation and educational excellence within the department.

In addition to his academic duties, Dr. Cohen holds the title of President of the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society. His presidency reflects his dedication to the advancement of fuzzy logic and its applications in various information processing systems. He is at the forefront of integrating fuzzy logic into complex systems, enhancing decision-making processes across multiple disciplines.

Judy Zitnik

Director of Program Management

Judy is a purpose-driven marketing strategist with a robust track record of driving innovation across diverse industries, from consumer packaged goods (CPG) to healthcare to EdTech. This experience has equipped Judy with a unique perspective and versatile skill set that enables her to adapt and thrive in various market environments.

She previously served as the Vice President of Marketing & Innovation Strategy at Bridge Healthcare Partners, where she led initiatives that foster growth and transformation within the healthcare sector. As a Consultant and Co-Founder of Vecteris, Judy played a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic direction and market positioning. Her tenure as Director of Marketing at iTacit Inc. further showcases her ability to lead and execute effective marketing strategies that drive business results.

Earlier in her career, Judy gained valuable experience as a Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble, where she honed her skills in brand management and consumer insights. This diverse background underscores Judy's capability to deliver impactful marketing solutions across a variety of sectors.

Judy is actively involved in the Cincinnati community. She serves on the Boards of The Lloyd Library and Museum, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Tutor Teens, and Women of Cincy. She holds an MA in Journalism and a BS in Pharmacy from The Ohio State University. 

John Stieger

Director of Growth and Client Experience

John has held leadership roles in a variety of startups and technology companies in industries including martech, analytics, AI for customer service, and CRM. In addition to startup operating roles, John led Cintrifuse's support for Cincinnati-area startups for several years and is an active company advisor and angel investor.

He started his career in technology sales, spent several years in management consulting, and held executive roles in technology, brand, service, and analytics with P&G and The Gillette Company.

John graduated from Colgate University and earned an MBA at Cornell University.

His professional experiences also include bagging groceries, taping ankles, waiting tables, tending bar, and selling shoes.

Ashish Chatterjee

Chief Sustainability Advisor

Ashish Chatterjee establishes the criteria by which BrandRank measures the Sustainability performance of brands, as represented in generative AI chat services. 

Ashish is a global leader with a distinguished career in consumer brands where he oversaw innovation, sustainability, supply chain, and product launches at Procter & Gamble. In addition to North America, Ashish has work experience in Asia (lived in India and Japan), Europe and Latin America.

Ashish led Product Innovation for the biggest platform in P&G, translating consumer insight into product requirements and, using his end-to-end value chain experience, he managed a multi-year portfolio of value-accretive initiatives, to meet diverse consumer needs in all regions across multiple price points.    

Previously, leading Material Innovation, Ashish identified new global suppliers to meet developed and emerging market needs for sustainability, while generating win-win partnerships that spawned innovative materials, IP, and early mover advantages for P&G. He has influenced external forums, including EDANA, to evaluate new frameworks for measuring GHGs in the material supply chain.    

Over his P&G career, Ashish has built highly productive divisions world-wide across a range of R&D disciplines.  An engineer by training, he is a Gallup certified Strengths coach, who has pursued a strengths-based culture to yield robust business and organizational outcomes in large and small departments. Ashish holds BS/MS degrees in Chemical Engineering. He speaks four languages, including Japanese.

Tia Rochelle

Business Development Advisor

Tia Rochelle has extensive experience in business development, personal concierge services, lifestyle management, and global meeting and event management. She is the Founder & CEO of JahniSpot Concierge, a position she has held since January 2020. In this role, she has successfully led her company in providing exceptional concierge and lifestyle management services, catering to a diverse clientele in Cincinnati, Ohio, and beyond.

Prior to founding JahniSpot Concierge, Tia served as the Global Program & Event Manager at Baker Hughes from July 2017 to October 2019. During her tenure, she managed and executed large-scale programs and events on a global scale, showcasing her adeptness in planning and coordination. Before joining Baker Hughes, Tia worked at GE, where she held multiple roles over a span of two and a half years. She was the Global Sales Enablement Program & Event Manager from April 2017 to July 2017 and the Executive Administrative Partner & Employee Communications, Culture & Engagement Leader from February 2015 to April 2017. Her responsibilities included enhancing employee engagement and culture, as well as supporting executive administration functions.

Tia's entrepreneurial spirit is evident from her earlier venture as a Magazine Publisher and Entrepreneur at Blaque Star Enterprise LLC. From March 2014 to February 2015, she was the Creator and Editor in Chief of BLAQUE STAR MAGAZINE, Cincinnati's urban voice for the communities. The magazine aimed to be a voice for the voiceless and highlight the beauty and richness of Cincinnati's people and communities.

Her career began at Procter & Gamble Company, where she spent over five years. From October 2010 to March 2014, Tia was an Executive Administrative Partner & Corporate Communications / PR Specialist. Prior to this, she worked as a Corporate Paralegal from August 2008 to October 2010. Her roles at P&G involved corporate communications, public relations, and legal support, laying a strong foundation for her subsequent professional achievements.

Lauren Schiavone

Customer Strategy Advisor

A visionary leader with nearly two decades of consumer insights, brand, and sales leadership experience, Lauren Schiavone is uniquely positioned to guide businesses through an AI transformation. As a former Procter & Gamble executive, Lauren combines her extensive business background with her expertise in AI to empower leaders to thrive in the AI-driven future.

Lauren’s approach is rooted in a deep understanding of consumer, brand, and retail innovation gained through a varied and impactful 16-year career at one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies, spanning multiple categories, functions, and retailers. Her goal is to help others thrive amidst the unknown, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

Lauren's journey at P&G began in analytics and insights in Beauty Care, progressing through several brand management roles in Beauty Care and Home Care. She then expanded her expertise into sales roles, building mastery in Digital and eCommerce. Lauren's contributions to P&G were widely recognized, with her work acknowledged as best-in-class. She has been at the forefront of thought leadership in digital fundamentals and growth, and was selected as one of Progressive Grocer Industry's Best and Brightest Under 40, a testament to her innovative approach and leadership in the CPG sector. 

As an AI and Customer Strategy Advisor, Lauren is now dedicated to helping businesses navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence. She offers expertise in consumer, brand, and retail innovation, all enhanced by her deep understanding of AI applications in business.

Lauren holds an MBA from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, where she also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business. She has further advanced her knowledge through AI education at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and the AI Marketing Institute.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lauren continues to push the boundaries of learning and innovation, helping businesses stay at the forefront of the AI transformation.