Think-X Leadership
Our team of Human Potential Activators is made up of successful executives bringing both wide and deep expertise – in technology, coaching, and science. They have led organizations of varying sizes within verticals including health care, human resources, employee benefits, and retail.
Leadership Team
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Ted Malley, CEO
With over 27 years of experience as a senior executive in the Human Capital Management Software industry, Ted brings his passion for helping others combined with his enthusiasm for technology to lead the team of Human Potential Activators at Think-X. Prior to Think-X, Ted served as Chief Customer and Chief Revenue Officer at Ceridian (NYSE:CDAY), after Ceridian acquired TeamRelate, a mobile app combining the DISC communication model with pulse engagements. Ted also co-authored RelateAbility: Working Together to Make Work Life Better, a book explaining TeamRelate’s behavioral model.
Prior to that, Ted served for over 17 years at Ultimate Software holding a variety of leadership positions ranging from VP Customer Success, VP Product Strategy, and CIO. During his time at Ultimate Software, Ted was introduced to Think-X as a coaching tool and hiring tool for his team and leveraged Think-X to create the highest performing teams in the country.
Ted Malley
CEO
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Chris McSwain, President / COO
Chris and his teams have received numerous awards, press and accolades from a variety of industry and media publications. For more than 10 years, he served as a member of the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) Board of Directors, as IBI Board Chair, and as President. In 2013, as a global leader, he co-founded WorldWideWellbeing.org. As an innovator and thought leader, he has also served as a board member for multiple organizations as well as currently serving as a board advisor for a variety of technology start-ups.
Chris McSwain
President / COO
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Alyssa Dver, Marketing
She is the founder and Chief Confidence Officer for the American Confidence Institute, which is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). ACI’s clients include Spotify, Staples, Wayfair, TJX Corp, PepsiCo, Bank of America, Liberty Mutual, State Street, Zoom, and IBM.
Recognized as the confidence science expert, Alyssa is a TEDx and Boston Best Speaker. Her 7th book “Confidence is a Choice: Real Science. Superhero Impact.” was endorsed by MIT, Wharton, Yale, Harvard, UC Berkeley among other academic and business leaders.
Alyssa is an active advisor at MIT’s Entrepreneurial Center, serves on several tech company boards, and founded and chairs the ERG Leadership Alliance which enables employee groups to create and share best practices across organizations.
Alyssa Dver
Marketing
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Ken Poletti, Engineering
In August 2018, Ken Poletti joined the executive team of entrepreneurs working on the products and services offered by ThinkX. Ken created his own practice, Poletti Group, LLC, to assist with startup organizations. Leveraging his 30+ years experience as a revenue-generating partnership development and technology executive to help clients deliver consistent results within their organizations.
In 2000, Ken joined the startup, Benefitfocus.com, which grew to be the largest provider of online benefits management software in the industry. He held several leadership roles in his 17 years at the company, such as the SVP of Ecosystem and Partner Solutions, SVP Integrations and Partner Solutions, VP Integration and Data Services and VP of Professional Services. Prior to Benefitfocus, Ken was Director of Software Engineering at PDA Dimensions, Inc. and Director of Application Development for Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
His charity work includes Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as the Peer Health Exchange.
Ken Poletti
Engineering
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Kim Levings, Coaching
Originally from South Africa, Kim brought more than fifteen years’ experience in Human Resources and Manpower Development with some of the country’s largest retail and manufacturing organizations. After settling in Los Angeles, she founded DDP Consulting – offering services in the areas of instructional and product design for leader development, training facilitation, strategic planning, organizational design, and performance coaching systems.
Kim was instrumental in the development of the training and coaching materials for ThinkX and has been a key part of the company leadership team ever since. Kim is also a master trainer and coach and her personal mission is to help people excel at their desired goals and careers. Kim also had various senior executive roles during a fourteen-year tenure with a large private Christian organization, prior to returning to full time consulting in 2015. Kim consulted for Third River Partners, LLC for some time, and was then hired and still serves as Vice President, Client Services, in a part-time capacity.
Kim Levings
Coaching
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Gene Guhne, Sales
Gene joins ThinkX as our Chief Revenue Officer after more than 26 years in the Human Capital Management industry. Gene began his career at ADP, the world’s largest HCM provider and has held various sales management positions. Subsequent to ADP, Gene joined Ultimate Software. His teams had an integral role in obtaining Ultimate’s marquis and largest clients. In his twenty years at Ultimate as Vice President of Sales, Gene helped drive the revenue growth that took Ultimate’s market cap from $10 million to $8 billion dollars.
After Ultimate, Gene joined Ceridian, a NYSE company, to build out their large market teams. His team was successful in acquiring Ceridian’s largest client with more than 150,000 employees. Thru his career, Gene and his teams have been responsible for generating hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue.
Gene Gunhe
Sales
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Bruce Sherman, MD, FCCP, FACOEM, Analytics
Chief Medical Officer for the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, Bruce Sherman provides guidance for clinically-related organizational activities. He is responsible for implementing integrated, data-driven approaches for the health and well-being strategy. He also serves as Medical Director, Population Health Management for the RightOpt private exchange offering at Conduent HR Services. Previously, Bruce has also served as the consulting corporate medical director for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, as well as The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
As a frequent speaker, Bruce has presented on a wide range of population health management and human resources practice-related topics. He has published numerous articles and is a member of the clinical faculty at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Bruce received his MD from NYU School of Medicine, his MA from Harvard, and his ScB from Brown.
Bruce Sherman, MD, FCCP, FACOEM
Analytics
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Wade A. McNair, Psy.D., Science
Dr. McNair is an organizational psychologist and human capital strategist. He is a dynamic coach, consultant, and communicator with more than 20-years’ experience in talent management, corporate learning, leadership development, team dynamics, human resources, and organizational effectiveness. He is actively engaged in coaching and consulting, non-profit, and faith-based organizations around the world.
He is a gifted communicator and the creator of The Ability Series™, the Insight-Based Learning Method™, the Authenticity Equations™, and the Total Engagement Model™. In addition to his professional practice, Wade is an Adjunct Professor at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Wade A. McNair, Psy.D.
Science
Board of Directors
Dennis Cagan, Chairman
Shadow CEO®, Board Chairman/Director, 50+ yr Tech Entrepreneur, Governance Expert, and Author
Dennis is a noted high-technology entrepreneur, executive, and board director. He co-founded his first software company in 1968. Since then, he has been a CEO of both public and private companies, a venture capitalist, a consultant, and a professional board member.
He is primarily engaged in consulting, providing his trademarked Shadow CEO® services and on building corporate boards through his firm Caganco Incorporated. Dennis currently sits on technology company boards in New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, La Jolla, Dallas and Austin. He is a part of the IT Hall of Fame (2013), the National Association of Corporate Directors, and the Dallas Business Journal elected him as one of its inaugural 12 Outstanding Directors in North Texas. His book, The Board of Directors of a Private Enterprise, is the authoritative perspective on the widest range of private company governance issues.
Gary Morais, Vice Chairman
Founder, Bottom Line Results
Gary is an expert in Human Capital Performance Thinking: a new standard for measuring, benchmarking, hiring and developing human performance. He is the founder of Bottom Line Results, and the creator of the PX-12 profile. It is his work that grew into the patented products and workforce performance suite that was acquired by Think-X.
Throughout his career, Gary has assisted with workforce transformations for hundreds of companies like Charles Schwab, Standard Insurance, VeriSign, Baskin-Robbins and Pizza Hut to name a few. Gary also has almost two decades of experience in private practice as a psychotherapist. He has appeared and produced 20 programs for television and has been a frequent guest on TV to help people better understand themselves and others. Gary has served on numerous boards of private and non-profit organizations.
Carol H. Kruse
Former Chief Marketing Officer at ESPN and Cambia Health Solutions, former head of Global Digital for The Coca-Cola Company, active Corporate Director.
Carol Kruse was chief marketing officer of Cambia Health Solutions from 2014 to 2019. Previously, Kruse was chief marketing officer at ESPN from 2010 until 2013. Prior to that, she spent nearly 10 years at The Coca-Cola Company, serving as vice president of global digital marketing from 2007 until 2010, and vice president of North America interactive marketing from 2001 until 2007. Kruse worked at three Silicon Valley start-ups, one which went public and one which she co-founded which was acquired by Coca-Cola.
Kruse is currently serving on the BOD of Valvoline, Inc (NYSE: VVV), and served as the Independent Board Director of Unified, Inc for 8 years until it’s recent acquisition. She is currently an investor and advisor with Oregon Venture Fund.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Pomona College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Eric Eilertsen, Treasurer
President and Chief Executive Officer, Liquidmetal Coatings, LLC
Eric has over a decade of experience creating strategies for the digital personal assessment and engagement market. He is a strong believer in the unique ability of ThinkX to provide individuals with the tools to change and improve their behavior. He currently provides strategic and tactical planning and organizational support to the team.
During his 35-year business career, Eric served as CEO, COO, and corporate consultant for companies across the U.S., Canada, China and Europe, including several Fortune 100 companies. He has personally directed over $1 billion of private equity based investments.
Eric has worked globally to build and lead strong teams to innovative operational and technology strategies. He is responsible for multiple patents while pioneering for other meaningful innovations. He has held various NASD and SEC licenses and has served as a director on multiple private and public boards since 1985.
Mike Preston
Former Chief Talent Officer, Deloitte US
Mike Preston believes a leadership culture focused on the development and well-being of your people is key to creating a high-performance organization. As complex global challenges increasingly require diversity of thought, skills, and experiences, the focus on an engaged and productive workforce is critical to your organization’s continued success. Mike was a member of Deloitte’s Executive Committee. In his role, he drove the strategy and innovation for delivering on Deloitte’s value proposition to its 100,000+ professionals. He led a world-class Talent organization including Acquisition, Development, Total Rewards, Strategic Operations, People Analytics, Inclusion and Alumni Relations focused on attracting, engaging, and developing colleagues for life. He empowered Deloitte’s people to be their best by prioritizing their well-being, focusing on their continuous development, and fostering an inclusive culture where everyone felt they could connect, belong, and grow.
Mike’s areas of expertise include: Creating an engaged workforce, Corporate well-being, Inclusive culture, Continuous development and re-skilling, Performance management, and People Analytics.
Lisa Sterling
Founder and CEO of R3-Engage
Lisa is a forward thinking, engaging and dynamic leader who has been disrupting the business and HR landscape to create cultural and organizational performance excellence for the past 20 years. As a former Chief People Officer/CHRO and HCM product expert, Lisa led one of the most radical cultural transformations for a fast growing, high-tech company.
She has navigated people and cultures through successful IPOs and served as an advisor to CHRO’s ranging from small and mid-market to global Fortune 500 organizations. Lisa also serves as a mentor to up and coming HR leaders across industries and the world.
Lisa’s efforts and contributions have been recognized by numerous top industry awards including: Working Mother of the Year; Top 100 HR Influencer; Top 100 HR Tech Influencer; HR Executive of the Year; HRO HR Superstar; Top Corporate Leader (over35); 300 Women in Tech Worth Watching.
Chris McSwain
President and Co-Founder of Think-X
See bio above
Ted Malley
CEO of Think-X
See bio above
The Think-X Board members are career innovators, executives and entrepreneurs each with a successful track records leading high growth technology start-ups through all stages of growth.
Dennis Cagan, Chairman
Shadow CEO®, Board Chairman/Director, 50+ yr Tech Entrepreneur, Governance Expert, and Author
Dennis is a noted high-technology entrepreneur, executive, and board director. He co-founded his first software company in 1968. Since then, he has been a CEO of both public and private companies, a venture capitalist, a consultant, and a professional board member.
He is primarily engaged in consulting, providing his trademarked Shadow CEO® services and on building corporate boards through his firm Caganco Incorporated. Dennis currently sits on technology company boards in New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, La Jolla, Dallas and Austin. He is a part of the IT Hall of Fame (2013), the National Association of Corporate Directors, and the Dallas Business Journal elected him as one of its inaugural 12 Outstanding Directors in North Texas. His book, The Board of Directors of a Private Enterprise, is the authoritative perspective on the widest range of private company governance issues.
Gary Morais, Vice Chairman
Founder, Bottom Line Results
Gary is an expert in Human Capital Performance Thinking: a new standard for measuring, benchmarking, hiring and developing human performance. He is the founder of Bottom Line Results, and the creator of the PX-12 profile. It is his work that grew into the patented products and workforce performance suite that was acquired by Think-X.
Throughout his career, Gary has assisted with workforce transformations for hundreds of companies like Charles Schwab, Standard Insurance, VeriSign, Baskin-Robbins and Pizza Hut to name a few. Gary also has almost two decades of experience in private practice as a psychotherapist. He has appeared and produced 20 programs for television and has been a frequent guest on TV to help people better understand themselves and others. Gary has served on numerous boards of private and non-profit organizations.
Carol H. Kruse
Former Chief Marketing Officer at ESPN and Cambia Health Solutions, former head of Global Digital for The Coca-Cola Company, active Corporate Director.
Carol Kruse was chief marketing officer of Cambia Health Solutions from 2014 to 2019. Previously, Kruse was chief marketing officer at ESPN from 2010 until 2013. Prior to that, she spent nearly 10 years at The Coca-Cola Company, serving as vice president of global digital marketing from 2007 until 2010, and vice president of North America interactive marketing from 2001 until 2007. Kruse worked at three Silicon Valley start-ups, one which went public and one which she co-founded which was acquired by Coca-Cola.
Kruse is currently serving on the BOD of Valvoline, Inc (NYSE: VVV), and served as the Independent Board Director of Unified, Inc for 8 years until it’s recent acquisition. She is currently an investor and advisor with Oregon Venture Fund.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Pomona College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Eric Eilertsen, Treasurer
President and Chief Executive Officer, Liquidmetal Coatings, LLC
Eric has over a decade of experience creating strategies for the digital personal assessment and engagement market. He is a strong believer in the unique ability of Think-X to provide individuals with the tools to change and improve their behavior. He currently provides strategic and tactical planning and organizational support to the team.
During his 35-year business career, Eric served as CEO, COO, and corporate consultant for companies across the U.S., Canada, China and Europe, including several Fortune 100 companies. He has personally directed over $1 billion of private equity based investments.
Eric has worked globally to build and lead strong teams to innovative operational and technology strategies. He is responsible for multiple patents while pioneering for other meaningful innovations. He has held various NASD and SEC licenses and has served as a director on multiple private and public boards since 1985.
Mike Preston
Former Chief Talent Officer, Deloitte US
Mike Preston believes a leadership culture focused on the development and well-being of your people is key to creating a high-performance organization. As complex global challenges increasingly require diversity of thought, skills, and experiences, the focus on an engaged and productive workforce is critical to your organization’s continued success. Mike was a member of Deloitte’s Executive Committee. In his role, he drove the strategy and innovation for delivering on Deloitte’s value proposition to its 100,000+ professionals. He led a world-class Talent organization including Acquisition, Development, Total Rewards, Strategic Operations, People Analytics, Inclusion and Alumni Relations focused on attracting, engaging, and developing colleagues for life. He empowered Deloitte’s people to be their best by prioritizing their well-being, focusing on their continuous development, and fostering an inclusive culture where everyone felt they could connect, belong, and grow.
Mike’s areas of expertise include: Creating an engaged workforce, Corporate well-being, Inclusive culture, Continuous development and re-skilling, Performance management, and People Analytics.
Lisa Sterling
Founder and CEO of R3-Engage
Lisa is a forward thinking, engaging and dynamic leader who has been disrupting the business and HR landscape to create cultural and organizational performance excellence for the past 20 years. As a former Chief People Officer/CHRO and HCM product expert, Lisa led one of the most radical cultural transformations for a fast growing, high-tech company.
She has navigated people and cultures through successful IPOs and served as an advisor to CHRO’s ranging from small and mid-market to global Fortune 500 organizations. Lisa also serves as a mentor to up and coming HR leaders across industries and the world.
Lisa’s efforts and contributions have been recognized by numerous top industry awards including: Working Mother of the Year; Top 100 HR Influencer; Top 100 HR Tech Influencer; HR Executive of the Year; HRO HR Superstar; Top Corporate Leader (over35); 300 Women in Tech Worth Watching.
Chris McSwain
President and Co-Founder of Think-X
See bio above
Ted Malley
CEO of Think-X
See bio above
