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Andrew O'Brien
Co-Founder & CEO
Andrew is an entrepreneur who, in his more than two decades in business, has successfully helped grow and sell four companies. Today, he is a globally esteemed executive and TEDx speaker. He has worked alongside various Fortune 500 companies and government entities at the senior level, including NASA, FBI, USDA, McDonald’s, VISA and Etihad Airways.

Andrew also serves on the Board of Governors with the Mackenzie Institute, a global organization that consults, advises on and contributes to numerous international security and defense conferences. These include Chatham House in the UK; the World Summit on Counter-Terrorism in Israel; NATO conferences in Norway and Belgium; the World Counter-Terrorism Expo in Washington, DC; the Fraser Institute in Vancouver; and the World Conference on Disaster Management in Toronto.

Andrew was recently selected by the Toronto Police Services Board to serve as a community board member on the Mental Health & Addictions Advisory Panel. MHAAP’s key objective is to review implementation of the city’s Mental Health & Addictions Strategy and advise the board on an ongoing basis.

Andrew has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with his business partner Michele Romanow (perhaps best known for her role as a Dragon on CBC’s long-running hit series “Dragons’ Den”). During their years together at Buytopia, the team successfully incubated SnapSaves (acquired by Groupon) and subsequently purchased 17 competitors along the way. While Andrew served as Partner and Chief Revenue Officer at Buytopia, the company received three Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist nominations, was ranked third on the Profit 500 Fastest-Growing Companies in Canada list, and won a Toronto Board of Trade Award.

Along with partners Michele Romanow (Dragon from CBC’s “Dragons’ Den”), Sonya Holt (former Deputy Director CIA) and Anatoliy Melnichuk, Andrew recently founded Obie & Ax Inc. (Toronto-based) and Obie & Ax United (Wilmington, DE-based). The full-service podcast production firm provides turnkey solutions to government agencies and leading brands around the world. The company has worked with clients such as Sodexo, FBI, BlackBerry, Walmart, Bombardier, Canada Border Services Agency and Philip Morris International (PMI).
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Sonya Holt
Chief Strategist & Head of DC Relations
In Loving Memory (1965 - 2023)

Sonya L. Holt recently retired from the Central Intelligence Agency, serving as the Deputy Associate Director of CIA for Talent for Diversity and Inclusion (DADT/DI) and CIA’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), leading the Diversity and Inclusion Office. As a veteran officer who served more than three decades at CIA, Sonya brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the Diversity and Inclusion Office. She was widely known for putting people first in order to accomplish the CIA's mission and had a proven track record as an inclusive leader and a champion for diversity. In this role, Sonya served as the senior advisor to the Director of CIA, a member of his leadership team, and had strategic oversight of all things DEIA at CIA.

In her previous role as the Lead for the Director’s Advisory Group (DAG) on Women in Leadership Implementation, a corporate initiative. The DAG was responsible for fully implementing 10 recommendations from the Director’s Advisory Group on Women in Leadership Final Report; a study led by Secretary Madeleine Albright. Ms. Holt conducted outreach briefings, led and managed the DAG staff, oversaw the initiatives and efforts implemented by the working groups and engaged with Agency Senior Leadership and key stakeholders. Through the DAG’s efforts there was an increase in women in leadership from 31 percent to 36 percent with staple deliveries to include a sponsorship toolkit, equity assurance training, and a host of panels and workshops.

Previously, Ms. Holt completed a one year Joint Duty Assignment at the Department of Defense, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (OUSDI), Human Capital Management Office as the Chief of Staff. Ms. Holt provided support to the Director, HCMO and had oversight of the office and its daily activities. The staff consisted of senior officers who had policy oversight of NGA, DIA, NRO, NSA Security and DSS. She served as the Program Manager for the Director, Central Intelligence Agency’s External Advisory Board and managed relationships with key senior officials on his behalf. She was responsible for composing his quarterly meetings, setting the agenda, and pre-briefing the DCIA on events of the day.

She was the Chief, within the Talent Acquisition Office (TAO) where she led strategic direction and planning. She was responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of four unique programs: the Sourcing Unit, Student Programs, Advertising and Marketing Program, and the Regional Recruiter Program which encompassed the strategic planning and direction of the TAO’s diversity initiatives in relation to the Agency’s mission.

Ms. Holt has served in other various positions ranging from Program Management in the Directorate of Science and Technology; to Chief, Diversity Programs in the Talent Acquisition Office.

Ms. Holt obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Strayer University in 1998. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Martin University in May 2010. She is the first and only woman to serve as the Chair of the National Urban League's (NUL) Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) Executive Advisory Council (EAC) in its 45 year history. She received the first ever BEEP Corporate Liaison Award in year 38, and was inducted in the BEEP Hall of Fame in 2012. And most recently received the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, which is the highest honor bestowed to retiring officers, and was named a Top DE&I Exec to Watch in 2022 by WashingtonExec.

Ms. Holt was employed at the Central Intelligence Agency for 38 years. She used the knowledge and skills that she has gained from both her technical and talent acquisition experiences to establish herself as an expert in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Talent Acquisition, and Management. Ms. Holt acts as a mentor to junior officers promoting self-development and networking strategies.
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Michele Romanow
Partner
Michele Romanow is a tech titan, Dragon on Dragons' Den, engineer and a serial entrepreneur who started five companies before her 33rd birthday. Michele is the co-founder of Clearco, which gave entrepreneurs more than $100M in funding in 2018.

She previously co-founded SnapSaves, which was acquired by American tech giant, Groupon in 2014.

Michele was also the co-Founder of Buytopia.ca, which acquired ten competitors including Shop.ca and WagJag and was ranked third on the Profit Hot 50 list of fastest growing companies. Sheʼs ranked in WXNʼs “100 Most Powerful in Canada” and is listed as the only Canadian on Forbes magazineʼs “Millennial on a Mission” list.
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Anatoliy Melnichuk
Partner
Anatoliy is a serial entrepreneur and loves seeing others succeed. Previously, he co-founded and was CEO of Evandale Caviar, Buytopia, and Cleverfox, before starting Snapsaves which was acquired by Groupon. He continued as the Head of Sales for Snap by Groupon where he worked with large multinational corporations.
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Nareeni Singh
Chief Financial & People Officer

Nareeni is a CPA with an MBA and over 20 years of diverse experience in public accounting and industry within multiple sectors. 15 years of her experience were spent at 3 Deloitte offices, namely, Toronto, The Bahamas and Guyana. Her 3 years at Sears Canada Internal Audit has given her a better understanding of processes, controls and compliance. More recently, she has revelled in implementing infrastructure for up and coming entities anticipating exponential growth.

Nareeni is a consummate professional who is strategic and agile with leadership courage to challenge the status quo. She combines “big picture” thinking with strategy and execution that improves the bottom line. She is also adept at building teams and nurturing a high performance culture.
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Nicole O'Neill Ash
Chief Strategy Officer & Head of DC Relations
(Retired Executive Director of the Center for Cyber Intelligence, CIA)
Board director, executive advisor, and global leader who draws upon 3+ decades of leadership at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to unlock opportunities for high-level organizations. As an innovative and results-driven business partner, shapes solutions to seemingly intractable and often unprecedented intelligence challenges, while accelerating stakeholder achievement. Recognized for unique multi-cultural perspective from living, working, and leading in Africa, the Middle East, and North America.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) champion and unifying force who was instrumental in renewing CIA’s commitment to DEIA and led dozens of DEIA initiatives across CIA. Served as an executive sponsor, advocate, and member of the Agency’s African American, LGBTQIA+, and Women’s resource groups.

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James Thrift
Executive Vice President, Technical Security (Former Deputy Head, US Secret Service)
Jim Thrift is a distinguished figure in federal law enforcement and security countermeasures, bringing nearly three decades of invaluable experience to the advisory board of Obie and Ax. As the former Deputy Head of the Technical Security Division Investigative Support Branch at the U.S. Secret Service, Jim possesses deep expertise in criminal investigations, cybersecurity, technical surveillance, and protective countermeasures and operations. His proficiency in strategic planning, project management, and inter-agency collaboration has been critical in safeguarding national security, securing numerous permanent and temporary government sites, and protecting multiple U.S. Presidents, world leaders, and sensitive information.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Jim's commitment to his country is evident in both his military and law enforcement careers. During his time with the U.S. Secret Service, he was honored as the agency's first "Technical Law Enforcement Officer," a title awarded by the Director of the U.S. Secret Service in recognition of his efforts to ensure appropriate classification and recognition of technical positions within the agency, reflecting the responsibilities and authority necessary for effective job performance. This accolade highlights his dedication to excellence in law enforcement. He has played pivotal roles in conducting protective advances for Presidential travels and managing National Special Security Events (NSSE). Renowned for his ability to perform exceptionally under pressure, Jim has successfully led critical protective missions around the globe, demonstrating his proficiency in navigating complex, high-stakes environments. His innovative approach to developing countermeasures against a variety of security threats showcases his ability to tackle and resolve challenging security dilemmas.

In addition to his remarkable law enforcement and military career, Jim is also a 4th-degree black belt professor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, trained directly under the Gracie Family. This accomplishment is a testament to his dedication to discipline, strategy, and personal development. 

In his advisory role at Obie and Ax, Jim's extensive experience across public and private sectors offers invaluable insights and a broad perspective on advanced security strategies and solutions.  His steadfast commitment to the highest standards of safety and efficiency perfectly aligns with the company’s vision. Jim Thrift's participation on the advisory board significantly enhances Obie and Ax's capabilities, infusing the company with a unique blend of expertise and perspectives that are crucial for the company's continued innovation and success in the tech industry.
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Ellen Chloe Bateman
Vice President of Production
Ellen Chloë Bateman is an award-winning media producer with a commitment to tackling some of society's most pressing issues. Over the course of her career, she has overseen the production of national media campaigns, feature films, television and digital series, and internationally acclaimed podcasts for some of North America's leading broadcasters, government agencies, NGOs, and brands. Her extensive client list includes CBC, Bell Media, AMI, Hasbro, Coca-Cola, Walmart, YWCA, and more.

Boasting millions of global downloads, Ellen's work has garnered recognition from the New York Times and Cosmopolitan Magazine, where in 2022, her work was listed among the top #10 podcasts for the year. Her podcast series Boys Like Me hit the #2 ranking on Apple Podcasts and continues to top charts around the world. Her projects have also earned acclaim at the United Nations Film Festival, the New York Film Festival Radio Awards, and the 2023 Webby Awards, where she clinched victory in the Crime and Justice category—a pinnacle achievement in the world of podcasting. She’s also the creator of the world's first fully accessible documentary film.

In her role as Vice President of Production at Obie & Ax, Ellen brings her unwavering commitment and wealth of experience to every project she takes on. She is joined by a world-class production team, collaborating with industry giants like Sony, HBO, and Wondery to bring their creative visions to life. Her remarkable storytelling and dedication to social impact continue to distinguish her in the competitive landscape of media production.

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Dustin Heathers
Chief Technology Officer
Dustin is an analytics-driven technical professional and entrepreneur with years of experience leading large-scale projects in both the national and international arenas. With experience in a wide range of industries and verticals, Dustin uses a unique approach aimed at cross-pollinating the knowledge, strategies, and expertise from different verticals to find the most efficient approach to any project.

Dustin has spent the last decade leading many businesses to a new-found level of success. At Obie & Ax Inc., Dustin leads our analytics platform development with a passion and focuses on how analytics can help support DEIA initiatives in organizations world-wide.
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Roynda Hartsfield
Chief Information Officer
(Former Chief of Directorate of Digital Innovation Hiring, CIA)
Roynda is a former Chief of Directorate of Digital Innovation Hiring, CIA. As retired senior intelligence officer who has served over twenty-seven (27) years as a digital SME, manager, and talent acquisition professional in the US federal government, she possesses strong technical, coaching, tactical, and strategic planning skills and has extensive leadership expertise managing STEM, data strategy implementation, and recruitment activities for the Intelligence Community.  

Over the past twenty (20) years, she has focused on bringing more DE&I into STEM fields within the IC community.
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Jessica Barlow
Chief Communications Officer
(Former Vice President of Communications, LVMH)
Jessica is a former Vice President of Communications, LVMH. There is one common thread apparent throughout Jessica Barlow’s 20-year career in beauty: her ability to successfully identify and help build iconic brands.

With a winning track record spanning from her pivotal role as personal publicist to Horst Recelbacher, CEO/founder of the groundbreaking AVEDA eco-conscious beauty products, to her current position as VP of Communications for GIVENCHY, one of the most audacious and exciting beauty brands under the LVMH umbrella. In these roles, Jessica has proven her ability to excel and elevate brand image.

Beyond generating great impact and impressive sales at the beauty counter and on the pages of numerous magazines, she generates buzz and demand in today’s crowded omni-channel market. Passionate, intriguing, and as magnetic in the office as she is during her television and media appearances, Jessica’s authenticity and credibility powerfully resonate with her target audience: she connects easily with her customers and influencers while expanding brand recognition.

Her ability to forge relationships is at the core of her success. Although Jessica is often linked with the most prestigious and coveted names in the industry, she’s notably down to earth, kind and friendly. Her celebrity interviews and luxury events have included a broad spectrum of noteworthy personalities, including Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Uma Thurman, Liv Tyler, Simon Baker, Amanda Seyfreid, Narciso Rodriguez, Jean Paul Gaultier, Issey Miyake, John Varvatos, Olivia Culpo, Kandee Johnson, Brittany Xavier, Matt Serafa, Larsen Thompson. Aspirational and relatable at the same time, Jessica Barlow embodies today’s woman and brings a unique point of view and impressive set of skills to the beauty industry.

Her latest position was Global SVP of Communications at Pat McGrath Labs. She was in charge of all Public Relations, Influencer Marketing, Global Product Positioning, and Programming and responsible for the overall positioning of Pat McGrath Labs, and for Dame Pat McGrath as CEO and the number one MUA in the world. Jessica was also the lead contact for all new market launches. Markets recently launched include; Italy, Spain, London, Dubai, Sweden, Poland, and India.
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Don Alway
Retired Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Donald Alway recently retired as the Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office, FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Prior to this role, he served as the Assistant Director of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Donald joined the FBI as a special agent in 1996. He was first assigned to the Los Angeles Field Office, where he investigated drug trafficking organizations. After the 9/11 attacks, he assisted at the crime scenes in New York City and at the Pentagon.
Donald was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent in the Counterterrorism Division at Headquarters in 2003. He served as the Deputy On-Scene Commander in the Iraq Theatre of Operations for the Regimes Crimes Task Force in 2005, then worked as the acting legal attaché in Doha, Qatar.

In 2007, Donald transferred to the New York Field Office to supervise a joint terrorism task force squad, specialized responses, and special event planning. He was promoted in 2011 to Assistant Special Agent in charge of the National Security Branch in the Cincinnati Field Office.

Donald returned to Headquarters in 2012 as a Section Chief in the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, which investigates, prevents, counters, and responds to weapons of mass destruction threats and events. He left the WMDD in 2014 when he was appointed Special Agent in Charge of the Jackson Field Office in Mississippi.

Donald was appointed the Deputy Assistant Director of the Training Division in 2016, and as Assistant Director in 2018. The Training Division, based in Quantico, Virginia, provides training for FBI Special Agents, Intelligence Analysts, and other specialized law enforcement training.

In 2019, Donald was appointed Assistant Director of the WMDD.

Prior to joining the FBI, Donald was a Deputy Sheriff in Los Angeles County. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and master’s degrees from California State University at Long Beach and from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

About
Obie & Ax Inc.

We connect leading brands, government agencies, and charities to their audience.

Executive Team

Andrew O'Brien (Obie)

Founder & CEO

Michele Romanow

Partner

Anatoliy Melnichuk

Partner

Roynda Hartsfield

Chief Information Officer

Allan Brooks

Chief Revenue Officer

Nareeni Singh

Chief Financial & People Officer

Jessica Barlow

Chief Communications Officer

Dustin Heathers

Chief Technology Officer

James Thrift

Executive Vice President, Technical Security

Nicole O’Neill Ash

Chief Strategy Officer
& Head of DC Relations

Ellen Chloë Bateman

Vice President of Production

Nicole O’Neill Ash

Chief Strategy Officer
& Head of DC Relations

Ellen Chloë Bateman

Vice President of Production

Sonya Holt

Former Chief Strategist & Head of DC Relations

In Loving Memory
(1965 - 2023)

Sonya Holt

Former Chief Strategist & Head of DC Relations

In Loving Memory
(1965 - 2023)

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