18 Aug D+R International Announces New Advisory Board
New advisory team brings together industry experts to help guide D+R’s strategic growth plan.
SILVER SPRING, Md., August 18, 2020 —D+R International, a leading provider of data and market analysis, today announced that it has appointed a new advisory board. Along with D+R President and CEO David Steiner, D+R has named six distinguished professionals as members – Deborah Fell, Joshua Izenberg, Eric Jensen, Kobby Osei-Kusi, Tara Rethore, and Aaron Saunders.
“We purposely selected innovative leaders with diverse and deep industry expertise to join our advisory board,” said Steiner. “They will be instrumental in guiding D+R as we expand our reach in the technology, energy, and sustainability markets.”
Deborah Fell — Deborah has 25+ years of hands-on operational marketing and executive experience. She has insight and expertise growing both business-to-business and business-to-consumer operations across numerous industries through her corporate and consulting background. Deborah currently serves as Area Managing Partner and CMO at Chief Outsiders. Deborah’s past roles have included Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy for Marriott International, Division Manager for AT&T, and Senior Product Leader for Ecolab. Deborah holds her undergraduate and MBA degrees from George Washington University.
Joshua Izenberg — Josh has 20 years of experience as a corporate, finance, and transactional attorney, including seven years at Baker & McKenzie LLP, the world’s largest international law firm. Additionally, for the past 10 years he has been advising boards of directors and senior management as a senior in-house attorney at startup, mid-market, and Fortune 500 companies. Currently, Josh runs his own legal practice providing outside general counsel and M&A services to government services and technology businesses. Previously, he was the general counsel of the aerospace and defense businesses of Alliant Techsystems, prior to its merger with Orbital Sciences Corporation. Josh has co-founded two successful technology companies and is a member of the board of directors of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. He holds an MBA from Georgetown University, a BL (JD equivalent) from the University of Toronto Law School, and a BS in Computer Science from McGill University.
Eric Jensen — Eric is currently the CEO of Savvai, a coaching resource that works with executives to grow existing revenue streams or create new ones by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Eric has co-created market solutions at the edge of disruptive technologies his entire career and is a named inventor on 16 patents.
Kobby Osei-Kusi — Kobby is the founder of Pirl Technology, a fast-growing energy startup developing consumer electronic and electric vehicle (EV) products. He also leads OKF-USA, the US arm of OKF, a non-profit organization providing scholarships in Africa. Prior to that, he was a developer at The AES Corporation, a publicly traded company operating generation and distribution assets globally. Before AES, he was an investment banker with Credit Suisse in New York. He holds a BA in Economics from St. Lawrence University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives in San Francisco and enjoys running and writing.
Tara Rethore — Tara Rethore, CEO of Strategy for RealTM, works with CEOs, boards, and executives to take strategy off the page and into action. Prior to founding and running her successful business, Tara held executive leadership roles at Lafarge and Arthur D. Little. She has advised senior leaders across a variety of industries, globally, and in mission-driven and for-profit contexts. Currently, Tara serves on the boards of D+R International, Inc. and several nonprofit organizations. A thought leader in strategic agility, leadership, and governance, Tara is frequently asked to contribute to enhanced organizational and individual performance. Tara earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and an AB cum laude from Mount Holyoke College.
Aaron Saunders — Aaron has started many enterprises over a long career and serves as CEO at Clearly Innovative Inc, a national cross-platform mobile solutions provider, Clearly Innovative Education (formerly known as Luma Lab), and Inclusive Innovation Incubator (IN3), which is Washington, DC’s first community space intentional about diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial and creative space. He has also served in many corporate roles growing e-commerce and web platforms, including positions at Time Warner Cable, Interworld, and Lotus. Aaron holds a BS in Computer Science from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MBA in Information Technology Strategy and Marketing from NYU Stern School of Business.