About us
Founded in 2015, Pypestream created the Customer Engagement Center (CEC), a next-gen conversational AI solution that rapidly transforms any business into a fully automated digital brand. Its core product, the Customer Engagement Center (CEC), is an all-in-one, cloud-based suite of 12 components that rapidly transform any business into a fully automated digital brand. Having developed seven ground-breaking automation patents in channel-based communications, Pypestream has quickly become the leader in the fast-growing enterprise AI space.
With its headquarters in New York, Pypestream is expanding globally and has a customer base of Fortune 500 companies, including Shell, Chase, Procter & Gamble, Google, Sling, and HBO Max. Pypestream is continually innovating customer engagement in several key industries, including Streaming and Wireless, Insurance, Healthcare, Travel, eCommerce, and Financial Services.
Dedicated to ushering companies into the digital era, Pypestream strives to make every customer a customer for life.
Richard Smullen
CEO & Founder
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Richard’s passion for early-stage technology has seen him launch successful ventures since his days at university in South Africa. He holds numerous patents and has several companies under his belt. Prior to launching Pypestream he served as Co-Founder and CRO of Genesis Media LLC, a multimedia, real-time video advertising platform.
Richard is a member of the Metro Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the founder of New York-based global equity and VC fund, SouthWinston, developing businesses in media, technology and entertainment.
An avid golfer and nature conservationist, when Richard is not on the clock, he is playing ‘World’s Best Uncle’ to his six adorable nieces and nephews.
Rahul A. Garg
Chief Product Officer
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Rahul has extensive experience in delivering high-quality software, solutions, and tools to the enterprise market. Before Pypestream, he was a senior member of the Strategy and Product Management team for IBM Watson.
He holds a Master’s in Business Management from Harvard University and a BS in Computer Engineering and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Gary MacDougall
Chief Technology Officer
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Gary is a technology entrepreneur with over 20 years of executive-level experience building software, managing teams and successfully bringing products to market. He brings a unique blend of hands-on development, organizational leadership, and ability to create a development process for execution and delivery.
He’s formally the co-founder and CTO of ChannelBrain which was acquired by Freestyle Solutions in 2014 where he was the VP of Software Development. Gary has also worked at several successful Boston area companies like Easel Corporation, Webhire and Prime Computer and more recently was the Head of Engineering for DigsUp.
Julie Bilinkas
Chief of Staff
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Julie is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in global operations, customer service, product/technology management, sales, and marketing. She has worked at start-ups, mid-size companies and large multinational companies. Through her years of experience, Julie has played integral leadership roles in companies including Avaya, Lucent Technologies, AT&T, Freestyle Solutions and ShoreTel (now Mitel).
Yoni Rubin
VP Business Operations
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Throughout his years in the technology space, Yoni has launched several startups and served an integral role of raising $150M in capital for both private and publicly traded companies. He has led the business operations efforts for organizations in the e-commerce and mobile technology industries and has nurtured a passion for business strategy, efficiency and rapid growth.
Shawn Waite
VP Finance
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Shawn is a finance professional with considerable experience leading financial initiatives for a variety of startups and businesses in industries ranging from technology to fitness to creative arts. He’s been consistently recognized for working to maintain a strong financial foundation during times of growth.
Gal Dor
VP Marketing
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Gal has led Pypestream’s brand evolution since its early days. As the head of marketing, she supports the sales, product and customer experience teams. Gal oversees lead generation, website work, ad campaigns, sales collateral, social media and more. Her previous experience includes working at Condé Nast, Moët Hennessy, and digital and branding agencies. She graduated with a BFA from the Advertising Design program at FIT.
Amelie Wisniak
VP Product
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Amelie is a product management leader with a proven record of launching successful products. Amelie drives Pypestream’s product roadmap and has played a pivotal role in shepherding Pypestream’s platform from concept to launch and beyond since 2016. Amelie leads and mentors a team of product managers and developers. Before Pypestream, Amelie served as co-founder and head of product at SportChaser, an online and mobile platform connecting sports fans to bars broadcasting their favorite games. Amelie has a master’s degree in Business from the European Business School and a postgraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside.
John Pettengill
VP of User Experience and Product Design
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Aaron Goldblatt
VP Customer Experience
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Aaron joined Pypestream after ten years advising senior leaders in business and government on organizational strategy. He has extensive experience leveraging technology solutions, including machine learning and predictive analytics, to drive increased sales, operational efficiency, and resource utilization. He brings a global outlook to Pypestream, having worked with multinational corporations like Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Oliver Wyman and international organizations operating in more than a dozen different countries and markets. He holds a Masters in International Economics and International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, along with a B.S. in Finance and a B.A. in History from the Pennsylvania State University.
Nick Hockler
VP Customer Experience
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Nick has built his career delivering innovative solutions and executing technical strategies across a diverse range of enterprise leaders. He joined Pypestream after working as a consultant for IBM Watson, leading teams delivering artificial intelligence products to the market. Nick is customer-focused, results-driven, and trusted amongst business leaders to consistently drive value and success. He holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.
Brad Schweibold
VP Sales
Read Bio
Brad is an enterprise digital transformation executive with expertise across a range of domains including customer experience, artificial intelligence, messaging and automation. He has earned the trust of C-suite leaders around the world by partnering with them to accomplish their most ambitious objectives. His experience includes leadership roles with Kore.ai, CA Technologies, and Aginity. Brad has a knack for energizing teams, inspiring action, and achieving concrete value for customers.
Richard Smullen
CEO & Founder
Read Bio
Richard’s passion for early-stage technology has seen him launch successful ventures since his days at university in South Africa. He holds numerous patents and has several companies under his belt. Prior to launching Pypestream he served as Co-Founder and CRO of Genesis Media LLC, a multimedia, real-time video advertising platform.
Richard is a member of the Metro Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the founder of New York-based global equity and VC fund, SouthWinston, developing businesses in media, technology and entertainment.
An avid golfer and nature conservationist, when Richard is not on the clock, he is playing ‘World’s Best Uncle’ to his six adorable nieces and nephews.
Rahul A. Garg
Chief Product Officer
Read Bio
Rahul has extensive experience in delivering high-quality software, solutions, and tools to the enterprise market. Before Pypestream, he was a senior member of the Strategy and Product Management team for IBM Watson.
He holds a Master’s in Business Management from Harvard University and a BS in Computer Engineering and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Gary MacDougall
Chief Technology Officer
Read Bio
Gary is a technology entrepreneur with over 20 years of executive-level experience building software, managing teams and successfully bringing products to market. He brings a unique blend of hands-on development, organizational leadership, and ability to create a development process for execution and delivery.
He’s formally the co-founder and CTO of ChannelBrain which was acquired by Freestyle Solutions in 2014 where he was the VP of Software Development. Gary has also worked at several successful Boston area companies like Easel Corporation, Webhire and Prime Computer and more recently was the Head of Engineering for DigsUp.
Julie Bilinkas
Chief of Staff
Read Bio
Julie is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in global operations, customer service, product/technology management, sales, and marketing. She has worked at start-ups, mid-size companies and large multinational companies. Through her years of experience, Julie has played integral leadership roles in companies including Avaya, Lucent Technologies, AT&T, Freestyle Solutions and ShoreTel (now Mitel).
Yoni Rubin
VP Business Operations
Read Bio
Throughout his years in the technology space, Yoni has launched several startups and served an integral role of raising $150M in capital for both private and publicly traded companies. He has led the business operations efforts for organizations in the e-commerce and mobile technology industries and has nurtured a passion for business strategy, efficiency and rapid growth.
Shawn Waite
VP Finance
Read Bio
Shawn is a finance professional with considerable experience leading financial initiatives for a variety of startups and businesses in industries ranging from technology to fitness to creative arts. He’s been consistently recognized for working to maintain a strong financial foundation during times of growth.
Gal Dor
VP Marketing
Read Bio
Gal has led Pypestream’s brand evolution since its early days. As the head of marketing, she supports the sales, product and customer experience teams. Gal oversees lead generation, website work, ad campaigns, sales collateral, social media and more. Her previous experience includes working at Condé Nast, Moët Hennessy, and digital and branding agencies. She graduated with a BFA from the Advertising Design program at FIT.
Amelie Wisniak
VP Product
Read Bio
Amelie is a product management leader with a proven record of launching successful products. Amelie drives Pypestream’s product roadmap and has played a pivotal role in shepherding Pypestream’s platform from concept to launch and beyond since 2016. Amelie leads and mentors a team of product managers and developers. Before Pypestream, Amelie served as co-founder and head of product at SportChaser, an online and mobile platform connecting sports fans to bars broadcasting their favorite games. Amelie has a master’s degree in Business from the European Business School and a postgraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside.
John Pettengill
VP of User Experience and Product Design
Read Bio
Aaron Goldblatt
VP Customer Experience
Read Bio
Aaron joined Pypestream after ten years advising senior leaders in business and government on organizational strategy. He has extensive experience leveraging technology solutions, including machine learning and predictive analytics, to drive increased sales, operational efficiency, and resource utilization. He brings a global outlook to Pypestream, having worked with multinational corporations like Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Oliver Wyman and international organizations operating in more than a dozen different countries and markets. He holds a Masters in International Economics and International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, along with a B.S. in Finance and a B.A. in History from the Pennsylvania State University.
Nick Hockler
VP Customer Experience
Read Bio
Nick has built his career delivering innovative solutions and executing technical strategies across a diverse range of enterprise leaders. He joined Pypestream after working as a consultant for IBM Watson, leading teams delivering artificial intelligence products to the market. Nick is customer-focused, results-driven, and trusted amongst business leaders to consistently drive value and success. He holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.
Brad Schweibold
VP Sales
Read Bio
Brad is an enterprise digital transformation executive with expertise across a range of domains including customer experience, artificial intelligence, messaging and automation. He has earned the trust of C-suite leaders around the world by partnering with them to accomplish their most ambitious objectives. His experience includes leadership roles with Kore.ai, CA Technologies, and Aginity. Brad has a knack for energizing teams, inspiring action, and achieving concrete value for customers.
Richard Smullen
Read Bio
Richard’s passion for early-stage technology has seen him launch successful ventures since his days at university in South Africa. He holds numerous patents and has several companies under his belt. Prior to launching Pypestream he served as Co-Founder and CRO of Genesis Media LLC, a multimedia, real-time video advertising platform.
Richard is a member of the Metro Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the founder of New York-based global equity and VC fund, SouthWinston, developing businesses in media, technology and entertainment.
An avid golfer and nature conservationist, when Richard is not on the clock, he is playing ‘World’s Best Uncle’ to his six adorable nieces and nephews.
Bart Swanson
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Swanson is a technology industry leader who serves on the boards of Zoom, Otter.ai, Evolv.ai, and Impossible Foods Inc., as well as an Advisor to Horizons Ventures.
Swanson previously served on the boards of DeepMind, Summly and Onavo, acquired by Google, Yahoo and Facebook, respectively. During 2010 and 2011, Bart was Chief Operating Officer of Badoo, prior to which he spent three years as Managing Director at GSI Commerce International (later eBay Enterprise). Before joining GSI Commerce International, Bart held several roles, including General Manager, at Amazon.com.
Amitabh Sharma
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Sharma is a senior consultant with Spencer Stuart leading their IT Services Practice from Silicon Valley, working closely with CEOs, boards and management teams.
An operator turned advisor, Sharma has broad experience in the tech-enabled services space. His clients include large global companies, private equity and venture capital portfolio companies, and family-owned businesses. Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Sharma spent 13 years at another international search firm, leading its global enterprise technology practice, and its Asia Pacific technology and communications practice. Earlier in his career, Sharma served as chief operating officer of London-based Active Private Equity, where he led growth and operating maturity at portfolio companies through people, technology, and operations interventions.
Mike Nannizzi
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Mike Nannizzi is a Director at WR Berkley Corporation, primarily focused on investments in emerging technology companies within the insurance space. Prior to joining Berkley, Mike was an equity analyst across the financial sector and spent the prior seven years as the lead insurance analyst at Goldman Sachs.
Mike held past positions in strategic, operating and financial roles within digital companies including Walmart.com. Mike is a graduate of the NYU Stern School of Business and a licensed CPA.
Trevor S. Harris
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Trevor S. Harris is an economist and currently the Arthur J. Samberg Professor at Columbia Business School. Trevor has provided advice on international accounting, controllership, valuation and investor relations issues to many large, international corporations. He is the former Managing Director and Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley.
Richard S. Braddock
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Richard served as chairman and CEO of Priceline from August of 1998 to April 2004, taking Priceline public in 1999. He served as chairman and CEO of FreshDirect from March 2008, until his departure from the company in early 2011. During these years, he worked with several other companies and alongside several venture capital and private equity firms including Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, General Atlantic, and MidOcean Partners (chairman from April 2003 until December 2007).
In late 2013, Mr. Braddock became executive chairman of Joinem LLC. He is also chairman and CEO of Zaycon Fresh, and chairman of Gravy and Yingo Yango (all private companies). He is a major investor in all four, along with several other early-stage companies.
Mike Singer
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Mike Singer is a seasoned corporate executive and active angel investor with over 20 years experiences. In addition to his advisory role at Pypestream, he is the CEO and founder of Strategic Partners, Inc.
Richard Smullen
CEO & Founder
Read Bio
Richard’s passion for early-stage technology has seen him launch successful ventures since his days at university in South Africa. He holds numerous patents and has several companies under his belt. Prior to launching Pypestream he served as Co-Founder and CRO of Genesis Media LLC, a multimedia, real-time video advertising platform.
Richard is a member of the Metro Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the founder of New York-based global equity and VC fund, SouthWinston, developing businesses in media, technology and entertainment.
An avid golfer and nature conservationist, when Richard is not on the clock, he is playing ‘World’s Best Uncle’ to his six adorable nieces and nephews.
Bart Swanson
Read Bio
Swanson is a technology industry leader who serves on the boards of Zoom, Otter.ai, Evolv.ai, and Impossible Foods Inc., as well as an Advisor to Horizons Ventures.
Swanson previously served on the boards of DeepMind, Summly and Onavo, acquired by Google, Yahoo and Facebook, respectively. During 2010 and 2011, Bart was Chief Operating Officer of Badoo, prior to which he spent three years as Managing Director at GSI Commerce International (later eBay Enterprise). Before joining GSI Commerce International, Bart held several roles, including General Manager, at Amazon.com.
Amitabh Sharma
Read Bio
Sharma is a senior consultant with Spencer Stuart leading their IT Services Practice from Silicon Valley, working closely with CEOs, boards and management teams.
An operator turned advisor, Sharma has broad experience in the tech-enabled services space. His clients include large global companies, private equity and venture capital portfolio companies, and family-owned businesses. Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Sharma spent 13 years at another international search firm, leading its global enterprise technology practice, and its Asia Pacific technology and communications practice. Earlier in his career, Sharma served as chief operating officer of London-based Active Private Equity, where he led growth and operating maturity at portfolio companies through people, technology, and operations interventions.
Mike Nannizzi
Read Bio
Mike Nannizzi is a Director at WR Berkley Corporation, primarily focused on investments in emerging technology companies within the insurance space. Prior to joining Berkley, Mike was an equity analyst across the financial sector and spent the prior seven years as the lead insurance analyst at Goldman Sachs.
Mike held past positions in strategic, operating and financial roles within digital companies including Walmart.com. Mike is a graduate of the NYU Stern School of Business and a licensed CPA.
Trevor S. Harris
Read Bio
Trevor S. Harris is an economist and currently the Arthur J. Samberg Professor at Columbia Business School. Trevor has provided advice on international accounting, controllership, valuation and investor relations issues to many large, international corporations. He is the former Managing Director and Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley.
Richard S. Braddock
Read Bio
Richard served as chairman and CEO of Priceline from August of 1998 to April 2004, taking Priceline public in 1999. He served as chairman and CEO of FreshDirect from March 2008, until his departure from the company in early 2011. During these years, he worked with several other companies and alongside several venture capital and private equity firms including Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, General Atlantic, and MidOcean Partners (chairman from April 2003 until December 2007).
In late 2013, Mr. Braddock became executive chairman of Joinem LLC. He is also chairman and CEO of Zaycon Fresh, and chairman of Gravy and Yingo Yango (all private companies). He is a major investor in all four, along with several other early-stage companies.
Mike Singer
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Mike Singer is a seasoned corporate executive and active angel investor with over 20 years experiences. In addition to his advisory role at Pypestream, he is the CEO and founder of Strategic Partners, Inc.
Helen Yu
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Helen Yu is Chief Customer Officer at Showpad. Helen brings more than 20 years of experience in SaaS-based businesses with a track record of transforming organizations. Helen was Chief Customer Officer at Sprinklr, the social suite, where she led a customer success team of more than 500 people spanning more than 10 countries. At Marketo, Helen led customer success as group vice president, achieving 28X services revenue growth and helping to grow Marketo Nation members by 10X. Earlier in her career, Helen led consulting practices at Adobe, Oracle and Hyperion.
Amitabh Sharma
Read Bio
Amitabh Sharma is based in Spencer Stuart’s Silicon Valley office and is a member of the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice. He advises his clients on leadership succession, executive search, board composition and team effectiveness. Amitabh leverages his extensive global exposure to support companies across the technology sector, with a particular focus on CEO, board and technology officer roles. His clients range from smaller, privately funded businesses to large public entities.
Tony Saldanha
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Tony Saldanha is a globally recognized expert and thought-leader in Global Business Services (GBS) and Information Technology. He ran Procter & Gamble’s famed multi-billion dollar GBS and IT operations in every region across the world during a 27 year career there. Tony has over three decades of international business expertise in the US, Europe, and Asia. He was named on Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Professionals list in 2013. Tony’s experiences include GBS design and operations, CIO positions, acquisitions and divestitures, outsourcing, disruptive innovation, and creation of new business models.
Donna Peeples
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Donna is an accomplished entrepreneur and senior corporate executive. She currently serves as SVP and Chief Client Officer at FIS, and previously served as Chief Customer Officer at AIG. Donna has successfully led customer-focused change initiatives, producing revenue-growing results in a series of complex industries.
She is also a distinguished board member of the Georgia Diversity Council, Chief Customer Officer Council, Customer Experience Professionals Association, and University of Georgia Executive Council for the Grady College of Public Relations and Communications.
Helen Yu
Read Bio
Helen Yu is Chief Customer Officer at Showpad. Helen brings more than 20 years of experience in SaaS-based businesses with a track record of transforming organizations. Helen was Chief Customer Officer at Sprinklr, the social suite, where she led a customer success team of more than 500 people spanning more than 10 countries. At Marketo, Helen led customer success as group vice president, achieving 28X services revenue growth and helping to grow Marketo Nation members by 10X. Earlier in her career, Helen led consulting practices at Adobe, Oracle and Hyperion.
Amitabh Sharma
Read Bio
Amitabh Sharma is based in Spencer Stuart’s Silicon Valley office and is a member of the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice. He advises his clients on leadership succession, executive search, board composition and team effectiveness. Amitabh leverages his extensive global exposure to support companies across the technology sector, with a particular focus on CEO, board and technology officer roles. His clients range from smaller, privately funded businesses to large public entities.
Tony Saldanha
Read Bio
Tony Saldanha is a globally recognized expert and thought-leader in Global Business Services (GBS) and Information Technology. He ran Procter & Gamble’s famed multi-billion dollar GBS and IT operations in every region across the world during a 27 year career there. Tony has over three decades of international business expertise in the US, Europe, and Asia. He was named on Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Professionals list in 2013. Tony’s experiences include GBS design and operations, CIO positions, acquisitions and divestitures, outsourcing, disruptive innovation, and creation of new business models.
Donna Peeples
Read Bio
Donna is an accomplished entrepreneur and senior corporate executive. She currently serves as SVP and Chief Client Officer at FIS, and previously served as Chief Customer Officer at AIG. Donna has successfully led customer-focused change initiatives, producing revenue-growing results in a series of complex industries.
She is also a distinguished board member of the Georgia Diversity Council, Chief Customer Officer Council, Customer Experience Professionals Association, and University of Georgia Executive Council for the Grady College of Public Relations and Communications.