Executive Team Member

Athena Philippas

Associate Director of Events
Executive Team Member

Stefanie Kyprianides

Sales Director
Executive Team Member

Stefanie Abboud

Senior Director, Business Strategy & Commercialization
Executive Team Member

Jennifer Newman

Senior Product Manager
Executive Team Member

Heng Wang

VP, Machine Learning
Executive Team Member

Vivi Nguyen

Sr. Director of Client Success
Executive Team Member

Nicole Papola

RVP, Sales, East
Executive Team Member

Mukul Yadav

Head of Product
Executive Team Member

Mason Halstead

Engineering Manager
Executive Team Member

Margot Dayton

Associate Director, Content & Brand
Executive Team Member

Maddie Michowski

Content Marketing Manager
Executive Team Member

Jenny Melancon

RVP, Sales, West
Executive Team Member

Eric Danetz

President
Executive Team Member

Cody Gault

Sr. Product Marketing Manager
Executive Team Member

Charlotte Tanenbaum

Human Resources Generalist
Executive Team Member

Bryan Lee

SVP of Engineering
Executive Team Member

Andrew Zektzer

Group Sales Director
Executive Team Member

Dani Swanson

Sr. Account Executive
Executive Team Member

Jason Pellegrino

VP, Human Resources
Executive Team Member

Kathleen McCormack

SVP, Finance
Executive Team Member

Jana Jakovljevic

SVP, Partnerships
Executive Team Member

Aaron Andalman

Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder
Executive Team Member

Marc Hudacsko

CTO & Co-Founder
Executive Team Member

Justine Frostad

SVP, Marketing
Executive Team Member

Team Cognitiv

Executive Team Member

Cody Gault

Senior Product Marketing Manager
Executive Team Member

Sarah Kahn

Sr. Director, Events
Executive Team Member

Jeremy Fain

CEO & Co-Founder
Biography

Heng Wang is the VP, Machine Learning at Cognitiv. With extensive experience in machine learning and data science for digital advertising, Heng previously led the Machine Learning team at AppLovin as VP of Machine Learning. At AppLovin, Heng built and scaled the Axon 1.0 Machine Learning system, leading its development to Axon 2.0, which played a pivotal role in driving the company's ad discovery products to billions in revenue. Prior to AppLovin, Heng served as Data Science Manager at gaming studio Machine Zone, where he contributed to fraud detection, LTV and ROAS-driven ad optimization, and the development of an in-house DSP, overseeing large-scale, data science-driven ad performance improvements. Heng holds a BS in Statistics from Nanjing University, a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University, and an MS in Computer Science, bringing a strong technical foundation to his work in digital advertising and machine learning.

Eric Danetz is President at Cognitiv where he leads all revenue-focused operations. Prior to Cognitiv, Danetz has held global leadership roles at iconic media brands in addition to advising numerous technology start-ups. Most recently, Danetz was the Global Head of Revenue and member of the Reuters Executive Committee with oversight over all B2C and B2B lines of business. Previously, Danetz was Global Chief Business Officer at Accuweather, where he led an integrated team focused on the development of products that leveraged AI, predictive and prescriptive analytics, and data science to rapidly accelerate diversified revenues within the company. Danetz has also served as an active Board Member of the IAB, in addition to being a member of the Data Center of Excellence. He holds a BA in Communications from Rutgers University.

As the VP of Human Resources, Jason oversees all areas of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. With over a decade of experience being a strategic HR partner to senior leaders, Jason has a passion for partnership, building strategic HR programs and developing a positive company culture. Jason holds a BA from Rider University in Human Resources, and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Drexel University. Jason joins us at Cognitiv, originally from the pharmaceutical industry where his main focus was on the support and development of commercial teams. In Jason’s previous roles, he built and supported programs such as commercial training rotational programs, development of career paths and progressions, management and leadership training seminars and performance management programs. Additionally, Jason has extensive experience in talent acquisition, where he has developed formalized recruitment processes and helped companies grow in overall headcount year over year. At Cognitiv, Jason has brought structure to the Human Resources and Talent Acquisition team by fostering a culture of open and constant feedback, built Cognitive University, a comprehensive onboarding program, and focused on hiring top talent, thus growing the company by 70% over the last 2 years. Jason decided to make a transition from the pharmaceutical to the adtech industry in 2022. Jason believes the adtech industry embodies the forefront of innovation with an emphasis on data-driven insights and personalized marketing strategies. Adtech aligns seamlessly with Jason’s passion for leveraging technology to drive impactful change. Jason is ready to continue contributing his expertise in human resources and strategic leadership to shape the future of digital advertising, while continuing to foster talent and drive organizational excellence in this rapidly evolving industry.

Kathleen McCormack is an experienced finance professional with a strong background in big four accounting, private equity, and entrepreneurial environments. She is currently the SVP, Finance at Cognitiv, where she oversees financial strategy, reporting, and operational management. In this role, Kathleen collaborates with the leadership team and investors to support Cognitiv's growth and long-term planning. Prior to Cognitiv, Kathleen served as CFO at multiple startups, including Blade and Flowcode, where she managed financial operations, improved margins, and played a key role in securing funding. Her expertise includes financial strategy for Series A and B companies, as well as building and scaling finance functions in dynamic environments. Kathleen began her career at Ernst & Young, supporting private equity clients with financial due diligence and analysis. She has a deep understanding of financial structuring, cash flow management, and the operational challenges that come with scaling businesses. A licensed CPA in New York, Kathleen resides in Manhattan and is training for her eighth Ironman triathlon.

Jana, is the SVP of Partnerships at Cognitiv, she brings two decades of experience in driving innovation within the advertising industry. Before joining Cognitiv, Jana was the Global Head of Programmatic Solutions at Spotify, where she successfully launched the company’s programmatic arm and pioneered the first Private Marketplace (PMP) for audio ads. At Magnite (formerly Rubicon Project), Jana held various management positions, building out international buy-side partnerships and playing a foundational role in the company’s journey from start-up to IPO. Known for landing at companies that are at the forefront of the media landscape, Jana is now focused on leveraging AI to propel the ad industry forward. Her dedication to disruption and passion for constant improvement make her a key agent of change, unafraid to break the status quo in the name of innovation.

Aaron Andalman is the Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Cognitiv. At Cognitiv, he leads a team of machine learning scientists to develop custom algorithms for clients based on the latest advances in deep learning and machine intelligence. Prior to founding Cognitiv, Aaron was a Helen Hay Whitney Fellow at Stanford University developing advanced computational microscopy methods to better understand learning and memory. He has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from M.I.T. and a B.S. in Computer Science from Stanford. Aaron’s research on learning in neural systems has been published in the most prestigious scientific journals and has been recognized with national and international awards.

Marc Hudacsko is the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Cognitiv and is responsible for the company’s technology platform and deep learning algorithm development. As a serial entrepreneur and veteran engineer, Marc has led global engineering teams for decades. Before founding Cognitiv, Marc led the Business Intelligence unit at SunEdison, where he was responsible for internal management and reporting systems and for migrating SunEdison’s internal systems from internal data centers. Marc also managed multiple globally distributed software and product management teams. Previously, Marc co-founded machine learning startup DigiDelve and served as a Senior Consultant at InfoReliance. He earned his Bachelor’s in Physics from the University of Maryland.

Jusine Frostad is the SVP of Marketing at Cognitiv, the first Deep Learning Advertising Platform for marketers. Justine oversees all aspects of marketing, including branding, product marketing, digital media, content development, events and communications.For more than a decade, Justine has married art and science to lead exceptional positioning strategies for adtech brands leading to rapid growth. Before joining Cognitiv, Justine was Senior Director of Marketing at Sightly, where she built the marketing arm of the business. Previously, Justine was Director of Marketing at The Exchange Lab. As one of the first hires in the Toronto office, she moved to NYC to support the launch of the Meta-DSP in the US during a pivotal growth period, leading up to their acquisition by WPP. Justine holds a BA from New York University and a Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College in Boston.

Jeremy Fain is the CEO and co-founder of Cognitiv. With over 20 years of interactive experience across agency, publisher, and ad tech management, Jeremy led North American Accounts for Rubicon Project before founding Cognitiv. At Rubicon Project, Jeremy was responsible for global market success of over 400 media companies and 500 demand partners through Real-Time-Bidding, new product development, and other revenue strategies, ensuring interactive buyers and sellers could take full advantage of automated transactions. Prior to Rubicon Project, Jeremy served as Director of Network Solutions for CBS Interactive. With oversight of a $30 million+ P&L, Jeremy was responsible for development, execution and management of data-driven solutions across CBS Interactive’s network of branded sites, including audience targeting, private exchange, and custom audience solutions. Prior to CBS, Jeremy served as Vice President of Industry Services for the IAB, where he shaped interactive industry policy, standards, and best practices, such as the first VAST standard and the Tc&Cs 3.0, by working on a daily basis with all the major media companies as well as all the agency holding companies. Jeremy Fain attended Yale University where he graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering and Columbia Business School where he received his MBA.

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