About The Center for Generational Kinetics

The #1 Research Firm in Generational Studies and Solutions

A Trusted Resource for Household Names

Sparking Generational Conversations on Global Platforms

Separating Myth from Truth Through Insights

Generations are driving tremendous change, challenge, and opportunity. However, much of what is said about generations isn’t true. For example… Millennials are working—in fact, more of them are working than any other generation! Gen X is far too overlooked and the key to retention. Boomers have valuable skills we need now more than ever. Gen Z is very miscast and seeks both stability and security. In fact, every generation is important. The challenge for leaders is separating myth from truth about generations to drive greater understanding, connection, trust, influence, and results.

We founded CGK to uncover the missing insights that explain generational mindsets, unlock each generation’s potential as team members and consumers, and bring statistically accurate data to leaders so you can make informed decisions that drive measurable results.

Generations Are Not a Box. they are Valuables clues.

We view generations not as boxes but as valuable clues to better understand, connect, build trust, and drive influence.

Ongoing Research is Essential to Uncover behavioral Trends

We’ve led over 120 research studies in multiple languages on several continents. We love unexpected discoveries!

Every Generation is Important

Every generation is important. To bridge generations it is key to study all of them and create Generational Context™.

Women and Minority-Led

Diversity of perspective is essential. We are proud to be a minority and woman-led research firm.

Meet Our Co-founders

Denise Villa, PhD

Denise Villa, PhD

CEO and Co-Founder

Favorite Activity: Hiking and Running

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

Jason Dorsey

President and Co-Founder

Favorite Activity: Learning New Perspectives

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).

Meet Some of Our Team

Emily Boyd

Emily Boyd

VP of Speaking Services

Favorite Activity: Playing Piano and International Travel

Emily Boyd leads speaking services for CGK’s speaking clients around the world. Emily has more than 25 years experience in the speaking, events, and meetings industry. She has worked with Dr. Villa and Jason Dorsey for over 15 years, including at the company they owned prior to founding CGK in 2011. Ms. Boyd previously led global events for Young Presidents Organization (YPO), owned her own speakers bureau which was acquired by a large speakers bureau, and was a management consultant based in London.

Ms. Boyd is a very active volunteer in her community. She has a knack for solving business challenges, deeply understands the intricacy of producing high-profile events, and has extensively traveled around the world. Ms. Boyd graduated from Baylor University and resides in the Dallas, Texas area. You can often find her playing the piano, listening to Diana Krall, or watching the Dallas Mavericks.

Alicia Rainwater

Alicia Rainwater

CGK Certified Keynote Speaker

Favorite Activity: Volunteering

Alicia Rainwater is a Certified Keynote Speaker at The Center for Generational Kinetics. Her speaking clients range from Bayer and Ebby Halliday Realtors to John Deere, The Federation of State Medical Boards, and the United States Air Force. Since joining CGK in 2016, Alicia has spoken to thousands of leaders in diverse industries from manufacturing and healthcare to agriculture, insurance, and banking. Her engaging presentation style combines CGK’s latest research discoveries with her practical experience bridging generations in a variety of roles from hospitals to global non-profits.  Clients love how she customizes programs to be actionable and engaging…

“Alicia was funny, pointed, interesting, and challenging. I loved, let me emphasize loved, the fact that she gave the audience a list of things they could take away and start using immediately. The feedback we received from everyone was that of high praise and enjoyment. We would highly recommend other companies using Alicia.” - Lynne Schultz Tri-State Marketing Associates

Alicia attended The University of Texas in Austin. She holds a Master’s degree from Boston College in Clinical Social Work with an emphasis on Global Practice. She used her unique education to help develop tools for foster care programs in Ghana. As a clinical social worker, she utilizes her insight into human behavior to help bridge the divide between generations.

Grounded in Original Research

CGK’s insights, strategies, solutions, and tools are based on over 120 original research studies around the world. In addition, CGK’s insights are informed by data provided by 100s of diverse clients from global technology companies to private equity, healthcare, restaurants, retail, automotive, and financial services companies. We also created the industry-leading State of Gen Z® annual research study series.

Trusted by 700+ Clients

Over 500+ Media Appearances

Over 120 Unique Studies Led

Reaching Audiences in 100+ Countries

Discover What 700+ Clients Are Talking About

Generational research provides the missing “why” and perspective that directly drives measurable outcomes, from recruiting and retention to marketing, sales, trust and loyalty.  See why our clients are raving about CGK. 

Research

Research

Designed for the problems you’re looking to solve, let our team work with you on a unique study that provides actionable insights to achieve your goals.
Speaking

Speaking

Whether speaking in an arena or a board room, we have content-rich programs customized to your audience, event, data, and outcomes.

Chat With Our Team

Want to get started on a research engagement or chat with us about speaking? We’re at the ready.