Boulder itself is a veritable hotbed for talent. We’re practically bursting at the seams with masterminds, movers, and shakers. That’s why we’re so excited to spend our summer giving credit where it’s due. All season long, we’ll be shining the spotlight on the people who make this city so special. This week, we’re turning our attention to Boulder’s best and brightest marketers.
Rachael Shayne Donaldson
Rachael Donaldson brings new meaning to the words subject matter expert. Her background in marketing includes such big names as Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Alibaba.com, The North Face, TapInfluence, Colorado Tourism, the Zayo Group, and more. She is well-versed in both B2B and B2C arenas, with a particular interest in high growth concepts (whether on a startup or corporate scale). To put it plainly, Rachael can tell you anything you want to know about marketing, as well as the consumer behaviors and employee cultures that influence brand growth.
Rachael doesn’t just “walk the walk”, however. Like so many Boulder influencers, she cares about her impact and works hard to foster strong ties with the community she calls home. So, when she’s not making a big impression in the boardroom, you’ll find her on the CU Boulder Board of Alumni and Friends or serving on the Board of the Leed’s School of Business. She also mentors at Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network and Greenhouse Scholars, participates in the CU Women’s Council, and serves as an advisor to The Spiga Group.
Aaron Kennedy
You may have heard of a little (okay, not so little) company called Noodles & Company, which was founded in 1995 by our next Boulder influencer, Aaron Kennedy. Kennedy’s background also includes the Pepsi Cola Company, the development of the Lunchables brand, and a two-year stint as the Chief Marketing Officer for the State of Colorado.
For five consecutive years, Aaron made Inc Magazine’s 500 List for the Fastest Growing Private Companies, a streak that earned him a place in the Inc 500 Hall of Fame. In case you’re still not impressed, he was also named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.
What Aaron Kennedy and Rachael Donaldson have in common, besides their incredible drive and obvious knack for powerful branding, are authenticity. From startup to Fortune 500, their messaging has been consistent, and their influence has been used in all the right ways. These are core values that can also be found at the heart of Boulder’s vibrant, tight-knit culture.
It’s one of the many reasons why we love to call Boulder home. Stay tuned to the blog all summer long as we continue to highlight the work of Boulder’s most influential citizens, and don’t forget to post photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtag #MyBoulderSummer for your chance to win one of our no-entry giveaways!