Dan Mannix founded LeadDog 14 years ago and has built the agency into a 165+ person, full-service, global agency that creates strategic marketing and experiential marketing campaigns. Dan leads the agency’s efforts in creating long-term partnerships with clients including Intel, NASCAR, Odwalla and ABC and is a recipient of the Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award. LeadDog has been named a Crain’s New York Fast 50 agency in 2012 and a Top 10 Job Creator in the Advertising and Marketing industry by Inc. Magazine.

Donna joined LeadDog in 2005 looking for an entrepreneurial environment and has never looked back. She came to LeadDog with a diverse background: a CPA who started her career in finance but changed paths into sports marketing holding posts at the NHL, ’99 FIFA Women’s World Cup Organizing Committee, and the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee. At LeadDog she began her tenure in client services managing key relationships with the WWE, WNBA, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Donna was named Chief Operating Officer in 2009 overseeing day-to-day business operations of the organization. She has proven a dynamic leader navigating LeadDog’s transition from start-up to mid-size agency. She attributes the company’s continued success to its overarching belief that our people are everything, and has instituted several incentives for staff longevity and is incredibly proud of the agency’s high retention rates. She continues to fuel her entrepreneurial spirit as the company opens new lines of business and makes strategic acquisitions. Donna lives in Manhattan with her husband Dave and children Abby and Jack.

With over nine years at LeadDog, Gina Hagedorn currently plays a dual role overseeing some of our largest cause platforms as well as internally developing processes and efficiencies to ensure all teams and projects are set up for success. Gina has helped develop revenue-generating strategies and produce large-scale, integrated campaigns – leading our teams in marketing initiatives, event production and strategic partnerships. Over the years, Gina has been a key member in the development of our largest cause client’s signature fundraising events including run/walks, high-end galas, marathon programs, cause-marketing campaigns, and virtual fundraising experiences. These efforts have helped to generate millions of dollars annually for clients such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Walk the Walk. Gina attended Loyola University in Maryland where she received a degree in Marketing and Business Administration.

With over ten years at LeadDog, Danit currently serves as the Vice President of Client Partnerships where she focuses on providing creative solutions to address client and prospective client objectives. She has developed strong relationships with clients including the NYC DOT, AMC, Madison Square Garden, Cirque du Soleil, Warner Bros., Equinox, Chipotle, and Coca-Cola. Before joining the LeadDog team, Danit produced special events for the Tribeca Film Festival and created a Franco-American collegiate event series in Paris. She graduated from Tufts University.

J. G. Robilotti, Senior Vice President of Accounts, has been at LeadDog since 2002. As one of the partners in the company, he oversees and manages LeadDog’s Account Management group. He has been hands-on and actively involved in helping create and manage some of LeadDog’s largest accounts, such as the Department of Transportation’s annual Summer Streets event, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Cycle for Survival, and the MoonWalk. J. G. ensures that our account management systems and processes are streamlined and effective so we can continue to provide clients with the best possible service and create memorable event experiences for our participants. He has over 20 years of major event experience including managing high profile events, such as the Goodwill Games in 1994, the 1996 Olympic Games, and working at World Wrestling Entertainment. Additionally, J. G. launched the XFL and Newark Bears, and has worked the last eleven Super Bowls. He is a graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Karen is one of the agency’s original partners. Karen oversees many of LeadDog’s largest integrated programs coast to coast.  Whether it’s NASCAR, World Wrestling Entertainment, the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee, Amtrak or LeadDog’s own Hispanic youth property, Alianza, Karen is focused and passionate about everything she touches.  Karen leads her team with unmatched energy and enthusiasm which are contagious and admired. Prior to LeadDog, Karen was at the National Basketball Association overseeing marketing and operations for some of the League’s largest consumer-facing events. In her marketing role Karen oversaw multi-million dollar relationships for both Nike and Reebok. She was responsible for the production of seven successful All-Star Jam Session events, each drawing 100k+ attendees and integrating 20+ partners. Karen started her career at an advertising agency and has extensive background in media planning. Her clients included Brown and Williamson Tobacco and Sony, where she oversaw the placement of $70M+ annually in advertising. This experience provides Karen the ability to not only produce a flawless program, but market and promote it as well.

Lisa is a partner and SVP at LeadDog, overseeing the agency’s Brand Strategy practice. She and her team counsel some of the world’s most complex brands, including Amtrak, Barbie, and 4-H, helping them cut through the clutter and reach their target audiences through competitive positioning, insightful messaging, and innovative integrated marketing campaigns that create cultural relevance and move the needle. Lisa is also LeadDog’s house “Barbara Walters,” moderating the agency’s monthly #BARK cocktails and conversation series, which generates both debate and deals among industry leaders. Prior to LeadDog, Lisa was at various times a literary agent at IMG, an incubator of digital sports and entertainment businesses, a journalist at Sports Illustrated, and a member of the WNBA’s launch team. In her various roles, she’s won a Gracie Award for content innovation; written for screen, print, and President Clinton; had a photo of a bank robber published in the New York Times; and been retweeted by NPR’s Brian Lehrer. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and lives in Montclair, NJ with her patient husband and their two spirited and curious kids.

Dan has been part of the LeadDog family since 2006. He is our resident sweepstakes, contest & games guru, with over seventeen years of experience developing both national and international promotions for LeadDog clients such as ABC, Citibank, Coty, Kohl’s, The North Face, The Wine Group, and Warner Bros., to name a few. Prior to LeadDog, Dan started his career at Ventura Associates before becoming a partner at another agency. He is a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Telecommunications and proudly served over eight years in the Army National Guard. Dan lives in Stamford, CT with his wife and daughter.

Shauna is an accomplished marketing professional with experience in media, advertising, sponsorship, sports and entertainment, retail, consumer packaged goods, digital marketing, and social media. She has experience evolving brands and driving sales by redefining their brand strategy, developing integrated marketing platforms and campaigns, and creating strategic partnerships. Shauna is a creative team player who combines passion, leadership, and results. She is experienced on both the agency and client sides. At LeadDog Marketing Group she developed the Strategic Marketing & Partnerships division that has grown to include six savvy staff members, and oversees the social media and PR departments. She has been a instrumental force in driving revenue and engagement, and providing value for clients such as Cirque du Soleil, QVC, Turner, National Geographic Channel, Cooking Channel, Amtrak, CBS Radio, the Super Bowl Host Committee and NYC DOT. Prior to joining LeadDog, Shauna was the Director of Marketing of Nets Basketball. She was an integral part of moving the team from East Rutherford to Newark, and the team’s historic move from New Jersey to Brooklyn. Prior to that, she was a part of the launch of the NBA’s Development League. She also worked with two WNBA teams on behalf of NIKE, including the inaugural season for the Seattle Storm. Shauna has an MBA from Eastern Michigan University where she was a member of the Cross Country & Track Team, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. She is a member of the Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Sponsorship Committee.

Federico is the DËBRAIN’s Executive Creative Director and is the mastermind behind the look and feel of most LeadDog programs. He has over a dozen years of experience working with interactive media design, as well as art direction for major brands, television, multimedia, print, web, and events. At LeadDog, he designs and oversees all creative design and production from idea to finished product, creating concepts and imagery unique to each client. He has developed the look and feel for award-winning campaigns for clients such as Pernod Ricard, Madison Square Garden, O, the Oprah Magazine, and Intel.

Paula has over 10 years’ experience overseeing some of the agency’s largest event initiatives, teams and integrated accounts. She has produced high-end hospitality and large-scale events, and is well-versed in the strategic planning and marketing as well as the logistics and hospitality, including every aspect from event theme and decor, food and beverage, to talent integration, custom design, and stage programming for clients such as O, The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, Intel, Rodale Inc. and People en Español. Paula is a charismatic leader who takes pride in mentoring her teams and instills them with her drive, passion and knowledge. Prior to joining LeadDog, Paula had success in the entertainment and print magazine industry by beginning her career at EMI Records, MTV and Seventeen Magazine. After moving to the west coast, Paula focused on film and commercial production at Red Dog Films and even starred in a digital film that garnered accolades and awards and was distributed on the Independent Film Channel.

With seven years at LeadDog, Gina currently serves as the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources.  She oversees the financial direction of the company and its day-to-day logistics.  She also provides leadership and guidance to all aspects of Human Resources.  Prior to joining the LeadDog team, Gina held various positions within the sports and entertainment industry-including the Boston Bruins/Celtics, New Jersey Devils, XFL, Polygram Music, Universal Music, Women’s Professional Soccer and L’Oreal.  She attended Boston College, where she received her degree in Accounting.

Rob has been with LeadDog for 14 years and heads up its west coast office in San Francisco, working with clients to craft breakthrough marketing and event activation campaigns. He specializes in the media, active-lifestyle, cause and sports industries, and combines a passion for thinking of the next big idea with an obsession for delivering unmatched client service.   Recently in SF, Rob headed up strategy, creative and activation management for three Super Bowl 50 initiatives and has overseen national campaigns in nearly every major U.S. City. He has been performing improv comedy for over a decade, skis every chance he gets and makes a mean Bloody Mary (amongst other things).