Darrel Rhea - CEO, Cheskin Added Value

For over 25 years, Darrel Rhea has been considered one of America’s leading strategic design consultants and has worked with senior executives to rapidly transform the innovation process within their organizations. Rhea has led the development of formal methods for creating best practices for all types of organizations, allowing them to foster and embrace consumer-focused innovation in corporate design management, brand development, and product development. 
 
As an acknowledged expert in design, Darrel’s work in strategy and design research has influenced billions of dollars worth of successful products and services in industries ranging from consumer package goods and technology to healthcare and financial services. His branding work has helped develop the identities of over a hundred of the world’s leading companies and positioned several hundred global products.
 
He is a frequent keynote speaker and lecturer to senior executives at the world’s leading industry, design, and academic organizations.
 
In his book, "Making Meaning: How Successful Businesses Deliver Meaningful Experiences", Darrel pushes the envelope of innovation in design, business strategy, marketing, and customer experience.  At the heart of his work is a simple and inspiring message of “making meaning” through relentless attention to and empathy for the people you serve.




Stephen Palacios, Executive Vice President, Cheskin Added Value

Stephen joined Cheskin in 2001 to lead the creation and growth of their New York office. He currently oversees the company’s client accounts for all non Tech related business and leads the Hispanic market practice group. He is a frequent national speaker on the U.S. Hispanic Market, including keynoting national conferences.

Stephen has over 15 years of business development and consulting experience.  He has led marketing initiatives and organizational consulting efforts for global brand leaders such as Nike, Mercedes Benz USA, Sara Lee Corporation, Time Warner, Liz Claiborne Inc, Citibank, Pepsi, Blue Cross/Blue Shield (over 10 states) and AstraZeneca.  Previous to Cheskin, Stephen served as Vice President of Business Development for FRCH Design Worldwide, one of the leading retail design consultancies in the country and as Director of International Business for Federal News Service (FNS), a privately owned information company.  He holds a B.A. from Saint Joseph's University (PA), where he was Valedictorian and an M.A. from American University, where he was awarded a Fellowship.


Lee Shupp EVP, Technology Practice, Cheskin Added Value

Lee is in charge of Cheskin’s Technology Practice and helps to spark innovation with technology clients by applying fresh perspectives from futures thinking to a deep knowledge of technology, consumers and culture.  His application of foresight techniques, understanding of social and technological change and love of people and culture combine to create a unique and informed perspective.
 
Lee has worked extensively in both B2B and B2C markets to solve business problems and create new opportunities.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio/TV/Film from the University of Texas in 1980 and a Master’s Degree in Communication from San Francisco State University in 1995, where he applied futures tools to understand the advent of the Internet.  He completed post-graduate work in Futures Research at the University of Houston in 1996, specializing in social and technological change.  He is a TEDster who is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Futurists.