About The Center for Generational Kinetics

Denise Villa, Ph.D., is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Center for Generational Kinetics. She had the original idea to create CGK after hearing executives talk about generations in a way that did not match their own company data. Dr. Villa leads CGK's global research and speaking services, which have helped over 700 clients around the world. CGK has made the Inc. 5000 fastest growing list (twice) and the Austin Fast 50.

As a keynote speaker, Dr. Villa has delivered CGK’s presentations to audiences across the U.S., from HR Summits to Spanish-language global media companies. She has served as a generational expert on corporate panels and presented research at SXSW Interactive and events in industries including student housing, real estate, technology, and financial services.

Dr. Villa is the co-author of the bestselling book Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business. Her Gen Z research led to a feature story in The Washington Post, and she’s been quoted as a generational expert in The Wall Street Journal. She has led several organizations, served on non-profit boards, actively advises founders, and was recognized as a Profiles of Power and Women’s Way finalist.

Dr. Villa began her career as a middle school science teacher before becoming a middle school and high school administrator. She worked in urban, rural, and suburban schools. An active community volunteer, Dr. Villa has served on the board of Breakthrough Austin which helps students from challenging backgrounds prepare for and succeed as first-generation college students, EGBI (an incubator for minority and women-owned businesses), and on the board and past President of EO Austin where she focused on adding more women and diverse entrepreneurs as members.

A first-generation college student, Dr. Villa completed her undergraduate work at The University of Texas at Austin and her graduate work at Texas State University. She enjoys running marathons, adventure races, and attending sporting events, especially UT football.

Dr. Villa is passionate about Gen Z and how they will change the world.

Jason Dorsey’s passion is uncovering hidden insights and unexpected strategies that future-proof your organization. He has led nearly 100 benchmark research studies on four continents to separate myth from truth for leaders to take action. Adweek calls him a “research guru.”

Dorsey co-founded The Center for Generational Kinetics to shed new light and reveal practical solutions for bridging generations of customers, clients, employees, and stakeholders. A trusted expert on emerging behavioral trends, Dorsey has been featured on over 200 TV shows such as 60 Minutes, The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, BBC, NBC, HLN, FOX, and hundreds more media interviews, including a New York Times cover story.

Known for choosing a non-traditional path, Dorsey wrote his first bestselling book at age 18. He navigated sleeping on a floor for two years to get his first business, book, and vision truly “off the ground.” He has co-founded three companies, made the Inc 5000 list three times, made the fastest growing companies in Austin list twice, served on both public and private company board of directors, advised some of the most prominent private equity firms in the world, and is a venture partner at a leading early-stage technology venture capital firm.

Dorsey is known for his trademark keynote speaking style which combines surprising insights, entertaining delivery, customized strategies, and practical actions that leaders can use immediately. As a speaker, he’s received over 1,000 standing ovations from audiences of 16 executives in a boardroom to 16,000 business leaders in an arena. A global trends speaker, he has headlined events from Paris and London to Singapore and India. He keynoted events in all 50 U.S. states before age 30 and won Austin Under 40 Entrepreneur of the Year for Education at age 25, one of the youngest winners ever.

An advocate for entrepreneurs and those facing adversity, Dorsey is passionate about helping non-traditional founders and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. When he’s not on a plane, stage, or TV screen, you can find him in Austin, Texas trying out new restaurants or reading a book on history (or both at the same time).