Our Team

Gail
Gail Schenbaum
Co-Founder & CEO

Gail is a former teacher, TV producer/studio executive and college parent. Along with founding Umergency, Gail created the award-winning national teen safe driving program, In One Instant. Her innovative ventures combine education, business and philanthropy.

Barry
Barry Schenbaum
Co-Founder / Business Operations

With over 25+ years of sales and marketing experience, Barry has expertise in startups and Fortune 500 firms. As a college parent and entrepreneur, he launched a college apparel company in addition to the Umergency app that he co-founded with his sister, Gail.

JAY WHITLEY, Jr.
Product

Jay is a highly experienced mobile app designer, with expertise in web design, rapid prototyping, UX design and research, wireframing, platforms, cms, UI/UX agency, mobile & web app design agency. Founder of 24 Hour Designs.

Nicky
Nicky Wilks
HIGHER EDUCATION / Business Development

Nicky is a veteran in higher education administration, recruiting, marketing, and entrepreneurship. He has extensive experience in startups and technology development.

KEVIN STEIN
STRATEGIC MARKETING

With over 25 years as a senior marketer, Kevin oversees the company’s business intelligence and marketing strategies. He is also an adjunct professor of organizational and brand strategy at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College Master’s program in Los
Angeles.

ryan
RYAN AZEVEDO
DIGITAL MARKETING

As a marketing strategist, Ryan has created successful marketing programs, campaigns and platforms for best-selling authors, multi-platinum recording artists, Fortune 500 CEOs, members of the International Olympic Committee and Academy Award winning films. He has been featured in Entrepreneur, The Los Angeles Business Journal and numerous radio and TV shows around the U.S.

AJ
AJ Schenbaum
Strategy

In addition to his work with Umergency, A.J. is co-owner at Bequia Publishing Group – a Sony ATV partner. He has extensive experience with local and national media.

Scott
Scott Ziolko
Technology Advisor

Scott is a leader in building sustainable, mission-driven businesses, with focuses on data science, complex analyses, and distributed software systems. He has built software for K-12 schools and Higher Education with the goal of improving opportunity, equity, and access for all students.

Ron
Ron LaPierre
Strategic Advisor

Ron is a senior executive with 25 years of experience in the e-commerce, digital media, SaaS and entertainment industries. He’s played key roles in three successful startup exits (Overture to Yahoo, PriceGrabber to Experian, and Milo.com to EBay), and held President/CEO roles with PriceGrabber and IAC’s CityGrid Media. He’s currently serving as Entrepreneur in Residence at Claremont McKenna College.

ROD KURTZ
BUSINESS/MEDIA STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Rod is a leader in creating business and media strategies for Fortune 500 companies as well as startups. He is Entrepreneur-in-Residence at UCLA Anderson School of Management, Sr. Judge for Loeb business journalism awards, Business and Media Advisor for American Express and Intuit, among others.

sean
SEAN SIRES
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS ADVISOR

Currently SVP Strategic Operations for Bird, and former Uber alum, Sean has built and led strategy and planning function for the U.S. Grew regional team from one to dozens by building teams and processes for growth marketing, operations, finance, and experimentation. Coordinated regional and city functions with cross-functional stakeholders including growth, product, data science, and global marketing and operations teams.

RENEE LABRAN
GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Renée LaBran is a seasoned executive, investor, and Board Director with financial and digital expertise. She currently serves on the Boards of Idealab, Sambazon, Inc, and TomboyX, and advises many entrepreneurs. She is Co-founder of Women’s Founders Network. Renee’s diverse experience allows her to create value with early stage and mid-sized companies to develop growth strategies and navigate the funding landscape, as well as exit strategies.