The HubDot Collective
The HubDot Collective is a team of multifaceted industry professionals from around the globe, who are all aligned with the HubDot philosophy. At our core is a group of people who have one thing in common: a shared mission to help people all over the world connect in a more human way.
Simona Barbieri
Founder
Italian mamma on a mission to remind human beings that there is a connector in all of us, that networking can be truly transformational and that it doesn’t have to be elitest, ego-driven or competitive. Simona loves nothing more than receiving stories and connecting others. If she can’t help you personally, she probably knows someone who can.
Nick Besbeas
Advisor
Nick has over two decades of leadership experience in consumer technology and internet companies including Microsoft/ MSN, Yahoo! and most recently LinkedIn, where he served as Global CMO. In addition, Nick has a wealth of entrepreneurial experience having founded one of the world’s first behavioural targeting companies, AudienceScience.
Jumana Sodawala Operations
Jumana has over twenty years of fashion buying experience, which has taken her far & wide around the globe. She loves building relationships and striking a fair but hard bargain. Her passions include food, music, fashion, family and friends (preferably all together). She joined HubDot in early 2019 in search of something new, different and exciting.
Gisela Garcia
Commercial
Gisela has spent over 20 years working and leading many International Fashion Retailers. Former Anthropologie EU MD, Gisela is a Spanish Londoner, a mother of two, and a activist of any social movements that bring people together behind a just cause. Gisela loves nothing more than talking to strangers & listening to their stories.
Joel Finningley Innovation
Based in Canada, Joel is an entrepreneur and innovation consultant focused on the sharing economy and FinTech. A true innovator, Joel supports the HubDot team, advising on product, digital, strategy and more.
Robbie Masters
Creative
With a background that spans design, branding and copywriting, Robbie is a multi-hyphenate creative. Having worked with a wide range of household names, global brands and charities, Robbie brings fresh ideas and a strategic vision to the collective, helping to ensure corporate programmes exceed expectations time and again.
Annalisa Ponti
Strategy
Annalisa is an established coach, mentor and rapid transformational therapist (RTT) helping individuals and teams transform mindsets, and evolve business culture in an empowering way. A former banker, Annalisa has a deep corporate understanding. A core member of the collective, she’s focused on D&I, networking and team building programmes with a fresh approach.
Brenda Lee Browne
Storytelling
Brenda Lee is an internationally published author, founder of Just Write – Antigua, and a part-time lecturer at Antigua and Barbuda State College. Her career spans journalism, TV, teaching and facilitating workshops for an anti-racism NGO, government agencies and inmates at HMP Antigua. Her first novella, ‘London Rocks’ was published in 2018.
Chris Oh
Digital
Former corporate New Yorker turned citizen of the world and entrepreneur with 15+ years in communications, digital and social media, Chris is a digital storyteller who’s deeply curious about unique human stories and aims to inspire everyone to live life on their own terms at P.S. Younger Self.
Sophie Castell
Global
French and Spanish roots, and mother of three girls, Sophie recently moved to New York from London. Former marketeer at Unilever, reinvented as professional coach. Strong believer that anything is achievable…it’s only a matter of willingness.
Kristina Sekhon
Content
With over two decades of experience, this northerner with Scandinavian roots excels in the world of lifestyle brands, from global giants to start-ups. Her innate creativity and keen business acumen breathe life into brand stories. As a founding figure at HubDot, her unwavering dedication and community passion fuels our growth. And if she ever gets bored, she's a mother to very energetic twin boys!
Paul Booth
Tech
Starting as a designer, Paul transitioned into a decade-long role in product management, working with the likes of IBM and MPC Film/Technicolor. Currently collaborating with global clients under the Super Motion brand, Paul seamlessly blends creativity with technology to create meaningful and impactful solutions and trans-media IP.
Shakira Peronet
Events
Shakira is a writer, content creator and event planner from London, living in Paris. A lover of people, travel and good food, she takes each challenge in her stride and is hungry for new experiences. She is looking forward to growing her writing and content portfolio, whilst curating interactive and beautiful weddings and events in both London and Paris.
Rosetta Ahmed
Events
Originally from Nigeria, Rosetta is an artist, designer and AfroBrit fusion creator. Passionate about African brands, Rosetta is the founder and creative director of ASKA London, a quintessentially African fashion and lifestyle brand with a British twist. Her creativity knows no bounds and her passion for people and their stories makes her the perfect HubDot events facilitator and brand champion.
Danielle Ennis
Facilitator
Danielle is passionate about empowering others to reach their full potential and creating social impact. With over 13 years’ experience, she began as a community advocate and later transitioned into social enterprise and start-ups, where she coaches and tackles societal challenges. Her diverse skillset enables her to create engaging personal development programs and use storytelling to foster self-awareness and understanding in individuals.
Rachael Chadwick
Comms
Rachael is a media and communications specialist with a passion for people, storytelling and social impact campaigns. She has over 10 years’ experience in corporate and creative industries. Most recently, she worked as director of Action For Sama, a campaign for BAFTA-winning documentary For Sama, founder and author of 60 Postcards and editor of The Grief Brief newsletter.
Sara Pittaluga
Events
Sara has always been passionate about words – about finding the right ones to express a story, project or idea. After 15 years in communication she moved to London and discovered new interests: stress releasing techniques, salt and vinegar crisps and HubDot. In 2020 she moved back to Italy where she's a therapist who enjoys swimming in the Ligurian sea and eating tons of focaccia.
Catalina Silva Griffin Admin
A Colombian who brought her love of dancing, music, great food and good beer to London when she came to study International Relations in 2001. Having now made London her home, Catalina supports HubDot operations, covering community administration, event logistics and more.
Charlotte Dewar Producer
Starting as a brand designer, Charlotte moved into brand strategy and then culture activation over the course of her 28+ year career. This mix of skills enables her to create highly engaging programmes, focusing on helping people understand and embody organisational changes. As a founder of FathomXP, Charlotte has worked with global clients such as Nestlé, LEGO, Kering, adidas and WWF.
Emma Gardner
Producer
Emma is a creative consultant with 20+ years of experience in ops and production. As co-founder of Born Equal Consults, Emma drives actionable change through human-centric training, focusing on eradicating ableism and racism. She also co-founded With Not For, which supports disabled creatives in media and advertising, promoting inclusive hiring practices.