Power Moves: A leadership shift at Think Company

Think Company’s 2018 is off to a bit of a start.

Just days from the launch of its new apprenticeship program, the experience design firm announced a three-fold shift in the leadership team.

• Employee No. 1 and former Executive Vice President Russ Starke has replaced cofounder Brian McIntire in the CEO role.
• Bruce McMahon has been named Chief Operations Officer.
• Former SVP Phil Charron, part of the team behind that winning XPRIZE project, is the company’s new Executive Vice President.

“This leadership transition has been a deliberate process that has occurred over the course of several years,” said McIntire, who will stay on as co-chairman alongside fellow cofounder Carl White, providing “guidance and support” to the new leadership team.

“We announce these changes today with great enthusiasm and confidence in this team’s ability to lead Think Company into what is sure to be an exciting second decade,” said McIntire.

Per the new CEO, the Center City shop has “big, audacious goals” on the horizon.

“I want to promote, grow and represent this incredibly talented and special group of people as best as I can,” Starke said. “I couldn’t be more excited to take on this new role, or more thankful to Carl and Brian for the opportunity.”

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At University City Science Center, there’s a new Entrepreneur in Residence Quorum in Karina Sotnik, a serial entrepreneur who also serves as director of business incubation and accelerator programs at the University City hub.

On Thursday, at Quorum, there will be a welcoming reception for Sotnik, who spent a decade working in Silicon Valley and launched three ventures of her own.

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Just over the bridge in Camden, a new hire by design startup Penji is a case study for nonprofit Hopeworks ‘N Camden: Sekinah Brodie, a Hopeworks ‘N Camden graduate, was added to the company’s roster as marketing assistant.

“I’m so thankful to Hopeworks for helping me get my career started and introducing me to Penji,” said Brodie. “I love the team, culture, and the opportunity to explore a career as a creative in the heart of Camden.”

Penji also hired Rutgers Camden graduate Naciye Cakir as project manager.

On Feb. 6, Brodie will sit in on a panel alongside Hopeworks executive director Dan Rhoton and Penji CEO Khai Tran to talk all things tech in Camden.

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Chalfont, Pa.-based email marketing company AWeber — yes, the ones with the slide — has made a trio of promotions:

Chris Vasquez, formerly creative director, got a bump to director of product. Filling Vasquez’s previous role, Art Director Mike Smith was made “Brand Design Team Lead” to oversee AWeber’s brand design strategy and lead the brand design team.  Brad Campbell was promoted to UI Design Lead, where he’ll work alongside product and development teams and oversee the firm’s product user interface.