Thinking at the intersection of Einstein and DaVinci.
EdgeDwellers possess an unusual thinking and visualizing process that is rare. After decades of analyzing our own thinking processes and those of some of the most respected minds in the world, we have discovered patterns of thought that can be taught and learned. We are innate visionaries and highly creative individuals who understand and thrive on the fundamentals of business transformation. EdgeDwellers move fluidly from visual to verbal, creating infrastructure and action plans that perform above industry average in the marketplace.
Susan Reed
EdgeDweller and the EdgeDweller Process evolved from years of research on how people think and create. After launching more than 100 products and services in more than 25 different categories, Susan was called to task: figure out her personal process so she could train her employees. Since Susan spent most of her life hiking untrodden paths in places like India, hanging upside down from airplanes, and standing on the edge of sailboats to ensure a first place finish, it’s no surprise her process for innovation is much the same. She looks at products, services, and business strategy inside out, upside down, and to the farthest edge of possibility. Her long-term study of the greatest minds in the world found that there was a pattern to genius thinking. As she developed the EdgeDweller Process, she began helping other individuals and companies learn it. Executives have had tremendous success in her training, because though it is a non-traditional way of thinking, it is a highly logical process they can embrace easily. It’s a process that innovative leaders use more than ever today to cause disruptive change in their industry. Best of all it keeps brands safe, while consistently outperforming in the marketplace.
Focused on innovation, she has served as guest speaker for audiences that include the U.S. Congress, American Marketing Association, Small Business Administration, Universities, Minority groups, International marketing forums, Women’s groups and a wide range of industry groups.
For more specific information on her brand experience, please refer to our Case Studies.
Rick Anwyl
“Making the nearly impossible a reality” is Rick’s contribution to EdgeDweller thinking. After building and selling two communication companies of his own, Rick works independently with corporations such as Coca-Cola, IBM and BellSouth to help evaluate and implement strategic platforms.
From the launch of cable news to the turnaround of “big blue,” Rick has ridden the wave of how people and businesses communicate with one another. Early in his career, Rick gained a reputation as an outstanding conceptual thinker whose strategic vision held special value for organizations at the crossroads. His thumbprints are on some of the more notable corporate stories of the past 30 years, including the launch of CNN, the leveraged buy-out of RJR Nabisco, IPOs for Polo Ralph Lauren and Accenture, and the Lou Gerstner turnaround of IBM.
He currently lives on a 37-acre farm in Georgia, is an outdoor enthusiast, an accomplished fly fisherman and a reputed junk collector.
Tim Kirkwood
Like the business guru who creates company multiples through strategies, paths and acquisitions, Tim believes technology’s key purpose is to deliver the same. His “Trampoline” – a flexible, easy-to-evolve Web application technology platform – is the factory for technology tools that deliver exponential value to business.
His philosophy on Web-based solutions is simple: If technology isn’t simplifying business, enabling organic growth and ensuring competitive advantage, it isn’t doing enough. The philosophy has not gone unnoticed. Along with enabling him to create a business partnership in the interactive application firm Monumental, it has made him nationally recognized by Apple and the winner of Forbes’ “Best of the Web.”
Working to help innovate companies such as CNN, Alltel, The College Television Network and Masisa, some of Tim’s newest creations include content managed Flash applications, video publishing systems, PDA-based field research solutions, and 3D video game experiences.
As EdgeDweller’s youngest team member and most “current-speak” profound, Tim brings an “up-to-the-second,” non-technical view of relevant futuristic technologies to the table. In addition to his true techno-geek brilliance, Tim speaks in a language we can all understand.
Joy McCarthy, Ph.D.
A leading psychologist for business and professional organizations, Joy facilitates high-level groups intent on generating ideas, exploring innovation and finding mission-critical solutions. Her expertise in recognizing individual thinking patterns and ability to engage both sides of the mind assure that EdgeDweller sessions are productive and fulfilling.
Particularly fascinated with the EdgeDweller mind, Joy is working to create methods that will assist in identifying and building client teams more effectively than current profiling tools in the market place.
Joy specializes in helping organizations work through transition and conflict – two key success components of EdgeDweller thinking. Clients include companies and high level individuals in finance, health care, construction, food service, manufacturing, telecommunications, media, non-profit, academia and the arts.
Bonnie Emerson
A seamless neurological switching station, Bonnie transitions quickly and effortlessly from left brain acumen to right brain insight - an intuitive talent she uses and teaches in what she calls "going from good to great".
Bonnie brings a unique blend of accounting, finance, marketing, sales and leadership development experience to client engagements. Her most recent passion has been in applying this knowledge through unique executive learning programs in companies all over the world.
Bonnie's experience in organizations like Kimberly Clark, International investment Group, Coopers & Lybrand, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Consulting and IBM has been instrumental in assuring EdgeDweller is filling significant leadership gaps that exist today.
A lifelong learner and traveler, the word "sojourn" is embedded in her soul. She truly believes that life is not about finding yourself, rather about creating yourself.
Authentic. Eclectic. Compassionate. Key constructs of the Emerson brand.
Mark Michelson
Enhancing the science/art of traditional business research, Mark brings uncommon insight to the challenge of validating breakthrough ideas for which the audience has no established frame of reference.
Since founding his own research business in 1984, Mark has worked in practically every industry of note, with special expertise in studies involving new product and facility design. Bringing a “real-time” global view to EdgeDweller, he has conducted research studies in 18 countries for numerous Fortune 100 companies, including IBM, GM, Ford, Wal-Mart, Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, GE and even the Internal Revenue Service.
While Mark is firmly grounded in research discipline, he is open to innovative approaches that probe beyond the limits of standard methodologies. Along with high-quality hard results, his research style brings a refreshing element of honesty and fun. When he is not speaking at universities and business conferences, he exercises his natural creativity in creating, performing and recording his own original music.
Paul Pendergrass
One of Paul’s philosophies on learning is simple: You can learn a lot just by reading the newspaper (on-line of course). With that, he has helped create an important piece of EdgeDweller speak; “Innovation evolves full circle and will become apparent if you just take a look around the world”.
Paul writes and consults on how business communicates within a 21st Century news environment. His approach often prompts counterintuitive conclusions, as companies begin to see the benefits of embracing the natural conflicts in their business, making supposedly “bad” news work to their own advantage.
Paul gained much of his insight during his 17 years at Coca-Cola, including five years as the principle speechwriter for legendary Coke chairman Roberto Goizueta, two years helping rejuvenate its business in post-apartheid South Africa through local speak and three years recasting Coke’s communications in Europe.
Paul’s current clients are mostly Fortune 50 and FTSE 50 companies, but he frequently consults with mid-cap companies that are moving to the next level of business.
Kim Youngblood
A specialist in experiential marketing, Kim has led successful product launches, repositioned well-known brands and elicited reconsideration of established products by creating fresh consumer perspectives.
For clients such as The Coca-Cola Co. and The Home Depot, she has created signature environments and high-impact events. Working with Turner Broadcasting, she guided the “Where Drama Lives” repositioning of TNT. A rare ability to generate novel ideas in large volume makes Kim a favorite strategist and problem solver across a wide range of organizational challenges. She advises Fortune 500 companies, fast growth companies, non-profits and academic institutions.
Kim’s background includes executive and marketing practice leadership as well as certification in the Six Thinking Hats creativity technology at the Center of Creative Leadership. Trained in design with a BFA in painting, she founded the design firm Youngblood, Sweat and Tears, which became the design subsidiary of Fitzgerald Company.
Sam Zamarripa
As an entrepreneur, financier, public servant and social visionary, Sam stands among a handful of leaders helping reshape the Southeast in the 21st Century.
Named Georgia Trend’s “Georgian of the Year,” his expertise in international commerce places him among an elite group of initiators and influencers. As chairman of the Georgia Future Study Committee, he has in-depth knowledge of global business dynamics and infrastructure.
Sam is managing partner of the private equity firm Heritage Capital Advisors and co-founded United Americas Bank, N.A., where he serves on the board. He has spearheaded ground-breaking programs in transportation, the environment, education and the arts. Volunteer roles include the Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund and National Black Arts Festival. Having recently served the central business district of Atlanta in the Georgia State Senate, Sam is an advocate for international business development and other progressive economic programs. He “relaxes” by hiking with his family in the North Georgia mountains.
Rhonda Geraci
They say to be a true artist you have to know the rules well enough to know when to break them. Rhonda lives by this code. She’s studied many art forms from 23 years of classical ballet, five years of theater, to now studying poetry and fiction writing. One of her novels, a WWII historical fiction, was awarded first place for Best Work in the 2009 Southeastern Writer’s Conference. She applies her lessons in fine arts to help companies and individuals redefine their brand. She’s held positions as Senior Writer and Associate Creative Director for companies like Ogilvy & Mather and Young & Rubicam, New York. She’s created advertising campaigns for regional, national, and international companies like BellSouth, Brooks Brothers, Hardee’s, Kimberly Clark, Colgate Global, Softsoap and Palmolive.
At EdgeDweller she trains critical thinkers to see creative words and ideas and understand how they can be transitioned into innovation. Her expansive sense of creativity and playfulness give her the ability to see the degree of innovation in your idea. She helps you utilize your knowledge base and dominant thinking pattern to transition that idea into creative innovation. You’ll end up having such fun working with Rhonda don’t be surprised if you end up wanting to take a big leap, but know you’ll feel ready when you do.
Udaiyan Jatar
Udaiyan is no stranger to innovative thinking. He was born and raised in India where he started his innovation career as an entrepreneur while still in college. Over the last 20 years, he has worked for companies like Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Grey Advertising, launching new brands in Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America. The sustainable intrapreneurial venture, he founded as the Global VP for Coke is projected to be over a billion dollars by industry experts and included the launch of Far Coast, a highly innovative coffee/tea brand, where 100% of the blends are certified by Fair Trade or the Rain Forest Alliance. This business demonstrated the value of disruptive innovation in creating funding for social impact, such as Fair Trade, sustainable materials, and special recycling programs, etc. In 2008, he founded the Blue Earth Network with a mission to create and commercialize disruptive business ideas in both the nonprofit and for-profit sector that drive significant social impact. The Network utilizes a proprietary “Iconic Entrepreneurship” Process that Udaiyan has refined over 20 years to create disruptive innovations. The process is also the foundation for the development of Transformational Social Entrepreneurship Hubs in collaboration with Universities and nonprofits like Goodwill Industries. With his innovative spirit, a Bachelor’s degree with a Major in Economics and Minors in Applied Statistics and Mathematics, and an MBA in Marketing, Udaiyan brings EdgeDweller clients a keen sense of how to take their business places they never knew they could go.
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