August 22, 2024 – IBM at US Open Kristi Kolski, She Rises Up Maureen Tusty and Strauss Naturals Wayne Elliott

School for Startups Radio

Kristi Kolski – Program Director for IBM Sports & Entertainment

Kristi Kolski is the Program Director for IBM Sports & Entertainment, where she leads marketing strategy and campaign development for US Open Tennis, Pebble Beach Golf, GRAMMY Awards, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium partnerships. With more than 15 years B2B marketing experience, Kristi is passionate about the intersection of sports, entertainment and technology to enhance the fan experience, drive client engagement and grow IBM business opportunities. Previously, Kristi was the Global Marketing Lead for IBM Research, where she developed the brand strategy and identity for the IBM Watson computer that successfully competed and won on Jeopardy! in 2011. Her prior roles include advertising, social media and experiential marketing. Originally from Miami, Florida, Kristi received her BA from the University of Notre Dame and her MBA from New York University Stern School of Business
Maureen (Mo) Tusty – Co-Owner and Creative Director and Film Director for Sky Films Inc. and Director of She Rises Up

Maureen (Mo) Castle Tusty is co-owner and the primary creative director and film director for Sky Films Inc., producing documentary films that inform, uplift and inspire. She was co-filmmaker with her husband/partner, James Tusty, on The Singing Revolution, which was released theatrically in over 100 North American markets. The New York Times declared the film a coveted “Critic’s Choice” and wrote “Imagine the scene in Casablanca in which the French patrons sing La Marseillaise in defiance of the Germans, then multiply its power by a factor of thousands, and you’ve only begun to imagine the force of The Singing Revolution.” The Singing Revolution told the little-known story of how the country of Estonia played a critical role in the collapse of the Soviet Union by using singing as a weapon of resistance. Subsequent documentaries include India Awakes, To Breathe As One, Sweden: Lessons for America, Trailblazers: The New Zealand Story, and Corporate Welfare: Where’s the Outrage? Maureen has specialized in international productions throughout her career, taking her to over 50 countries around the world. It’s that experience that allows her to direct compelling films that take place in many remote corners of the world; sharing stories and voices that might not otherwise be heard. Her most recent project is She Rises Up, a feature documentary that follows the remarkable journeys of three women who are working to lift their communities out of poverty through the local businesses they are fighting to maintain; coming to theaters this summer. Follow their journey at SheRisesUpFilm.com
Wayne Elliott – Ship Recycling and Strauss Naturals Advocate

Wayne Elliott has been in the ship recycling business for 40 years. His company can take a 1000-foot-long ship and reduce it to a pile to reusable materials. He has grown into other areas such as battery recycling. He recounts his life-changing experience with SHD, a health supplement he stumbled upon after battling angina and its debilitating symptoms. Struggling with leg cramps, shortness of breath, night sweats, and chest pains, Wayne also grappled with anxiety and a lack of energy, resigning himself to the fate of heart-related issues that plagued his family. However, upon learning about SHD through a friend in Vancouver and being inspired by studies from renowned institutions like Harvard, Wayne decided to give it a try. Astonishingly, within two weeks of taking SHD, he noticed improvements in unexpected ways – his hearing returned, and his respiratory system cleared, leading to a significant boost in energy. Over the course of three months, Wayne transformed into a revitalized version of himself, feeling as energetic as he did decades ago. This transformation propelled him into a new phase of life where he actively engaged with others, becoming a spokesperson for Jim Strauss, the creator of SHD. Wayne’s involvement extended to radio shows and lectures, allowing him to share his incredible journey with thousands of people suffering from various health issues. His enthusiasm and dedication to natural health solutions led him to become a regular guest on radio networks in the USA and Canada, where he continued to spread the word about his positive experiences with SHD and its miraculous effects on individuals dealing with diabetes, heart disease, low energy, and clogged arteries. Wayne’s story highlights the power of painless, safe, and affordable health products, emphasizing the beauty of solutions that genuinely work. His gratitude towards Jim Strauss and the Strauss Heart Drops is profound, as he believes that without this intervention, he might not have been alive today, reinforcing the transformative impact of natural health remedies in the face of life-threatening conditions. Strauss Naturals is sponsoring the show with support for our radio-minute segments. Wayne says very simply that their products saved him. He became an advocate for the company and has been working with them for 29 years.