THRIVE DETROIT // SPEAKER LINE-UP
CHELSEA KENTEBE
GROUP DIRECTOR, SOCIAL AND INFLUENCER // MCCANN WORLD GROUP
Chelsea Kentebe is a Group Director of Social & Influencer Marketing who has strategically led over 50 social and influencer campaigns across industries like automotive, tech, fashion, and finance blending data, creativity, and cultural insights to shape the future of brand storytelling. Chelsea began her advertising career as a 4A's MAIP Intern at Campbell Ewald and eagerly grew to build her expertise and influence in strategy, social media and new business across multiple agencies. Throughout her career Chelsea has shared her passion for inclusiveness and equity in and at her work.
BEN OCHNIO
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER // PUBLICIS COLLECTIVE
PHIL PIRKOVIC
BRAND STRATEGIST
Phil Pirkovic is a brand strategist and cultural marketer who has spent 15+ years helping companies find their voice, earn relevance, and create work that resonates. Most recently, as the Director of Brand at Shinola, Phil was behind some of the company's most impactful moments, including honoring hip-hop legend J Dilla as the 2025 Shinola Great American. This project became the fastest sell-out in brand history and generated global press coverage in GQ, Rolling Stone, and Complex.
Phil's career has spanned startups, tech, and consumer brands, with experience leading creative campaigns for Google, Venmo, Zola, Viceland, and a range of cultural icons. Known for connecting brands to culture with intention, he blends storytelling, partnerships, and product to create lasting impact.
At the core of Phil's work is a belief that brands earn meaning when they matter to people. Whether building community, shaping product launches, or translating cultural influence into strategy, he's focused on doing work that feels less like marketing and more like contribution.
ZACH STAFFORD // PRESENTED BY SiriusXM MEDIA
PODCAST HOST "VIBE CHECK"
Zach Stafford is an award-winning journalist, editor, and Tony award-winning producer of the Broadway musical A STRANGE LOOP. He is the co-host of SiriusXM's VIBE CHECK, which the New York Times and Vogue named one of the best podcasts of the year. Stafford is the former editor-in-chief of THE ADVOCATE, served as the chief content officer of GRINDR, and was a journalist at THE GUARDIAN.
ERIC THOMAS
CHIEF STORYTELLER // CITY OF DETROIT
From college dropout to Chief Storyteller of Detroit, Eric Thomas has never followed a typical path. Appointed by the Mayor, Eric served as Detroit’s Chief Storyteller, overseeing content, digital strategy, and branding. A TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, narrative strategist, and Crain’s “20 in their 20s” awardee, Eric’s work blends cultural insight, historical context, and future-focused storytelling. Before his government role, he co-founded Saga, a storytelling agency that helped small businesses, nonprofits, museums, and municipalities connect to audiences and build their brands. This work taught him how strategic narratives can scale and sustain engagement. His writing has appeared in theFinancial Times,Detroit Free Press, andHour Magazine, and been cited byThe New York Times,AdWeek, andThe Economist. His LinkedIn blogs on media, marketing, and equity are among the platform’s most-read. Whether speaking at MIT, hosting a workshop, or consulting a Fortune 500, Eric’s mission remains clear: connect the big picture to the human experience. Once described as “Seth Godin meets Cornel West with a little P.T. Barnum,” his work always leaves audiences captivated and transformed.
LANCE WOODS
CO-FOUNDER // WeRun313
Lance Woods grew up on the west side of Detroit, graduating from Northwestern High School before earning a Business Administration degree from Tennessee State University. His passion led him back to Detroit to become a mentor and community leader. He has been able to do so by focusing on Community Development / Health & Wellness. Lance began running in 2015 and could barely complete a mile. Since then he has become an elite marathoner qualifying for The Boston Marathon 7 times, ran it twice and completed all 6 World Major Marathons.
His leadership has been recognized with honors including the President’s Volunteer Community Service Award from President Obama’s administration, the Community Champion Award for displaying exceptional leadership and commitment to building a more caring and prosperous community in Detroit, two Spirit of Detroit Awards, and most recently, the African American Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to the enrichment of community and more specifically African American heritage.
Whether on the pavement or in the community, Lance Woods is committed to showing what’s possible when passion meets purpose.