Global Words of Wisdom....... On International Expansion (#GlobalWords15)

NEIL SANDS
Global VP, Innovation, Salesforce.com 

Native of Drogheda, Ireland, Neil Sands is Global VP, Innovation at Salesforce.com based in San Francisco, CA.

Having graduated with double honors from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Neil was awarded the President Garvey Scholarship.  Neil conducted his Masters studies in the US and recently received an MBA from the Smurfit School, at University College Dublin. Neil worked for several years in Canadian banking, holding strategy positions in Anti-Money Laundering / Anti Terrorist Financing operations in Toronto.

In 2010, Neil co-authored a report on Next Generation Diaspora Engagement for the Ireland Funds, and the book "Next Generation Ireland" (Blackhall Press) and is a regular contributor on innovation, mobile, social, cloud technology and defense intelligence.

With Accenture Global Management Consulting, Neil delivered on digital outreach strategies for US State Department. In January 2012, Neil made his first start-up exit from the Facebook development firm, Syncapse Corp, having received $25 million in funding from BDC and ABS Capital Partners.

Neil joined Framehawk.com, a NASA powered mobility startup, which was acquired by tech giant Citrix in 2013 and in 2014, Neil became Salesforce?s youngest Global Vice President running Innovation and Business Transformation.

Neil is an active reservist of the Irish Defense Forces, recently working with the United Nations Humanitarian division.

CARA BRENNAN ALLAMANO
Head of The People Team at Planet Labs

Cara Brennan Allamano has more than 15 years' experience supporting fast growing companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, she heads up the People Team at Planet Labs, an aerospace technology company focused on providing whole earth imaging every 24 hours via tiny satellites. In the past, Cara served in HR leadership roles at Pinterest, Efficient Frontier, Context Optional, Young and Rubicam and Knight Ridder, among others. Cara has launched international offices in the EU and beyond. She enjoys supporting the talent that drives business success.

TONY DONOHOE
VP at Expedia.com

Tony Donohoe is vice president of technology at Expedia, based in San Francisco, CA. In this capacity he is responsible for a wide range of Expedia technology platforms such as: mobile, activities, packages, payments, media and user-generated content. Tony has been actively involved in expanding Expedia's technology footprint in APAC, EMEA and North America.

Previously, Tony served as a Managing Director at JP Morgan operating their Order to Pay platform and has filled technology roles at Oracle, Organic, Washington Mutual and Chase.

Tony graduated with his degree in computer science from Dublin City University. As are most Expedia employees, he is an avid traveler who enjoys building technology platforms that make it simpler for people to plan their vacations.


 

JED PLAFKER
President at Franklin Templeton

Mr. Plafker is currently serving as the President of Franklin Templeton International. In this capacity, he is responsible for the international sales and marketing function. He also serves as a director of various Franklin Templeton corporate and investment entities as well as the ICI Global Steering Committee.

Mr. Plafker joined Franklin Templeton Investments in 1995, as an attorney in Franklin Templeton?s corporate legal department. In January 1998, Mr. Plafker joined the international legal team as a vice president covering legal issues around the world. In May 2000, he moved to Franklin Templeton?s Hong Kong office to become chief legal counsel, Asia, where he had responsibility for all legal issues effecting Franklin Templeton?s Asia business, products and people. Mr. Plafker earned a B.A. in economics and business from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami in Coral Gables.



 

DAVID SMITH (MODERATOR)
Managing Director, Head of US FirstCapital

David joined FirstCapital in 2015 as Managing Director (Head of US). David has been based in Silicon Valley since 2006, specializing in advising European companies on US market entry, venture capital funding and business development. He is an experienced Chairman, Board Advisor and mentor to entrepreneurial technology companies.

From 2012 to 2014 David was VP International and Head of Corp Dev for US Market Access Centre (US MAC), the longest established international business accelerator in Silicon Valley with offices in San Francisco and Menlo Park. David specialized in accelerating US market entry for international tech companies, and helped support universities in developing spin-outs, corporates in developing innovation programs and US VC funds in developing quality international deal-flow. David was also a founder of Tirna Partners supporting innovative overseas companies to drive their North American market strategy, business development and funding activities.

From 2006 to July 2012 David was a SVP with Enterprise Ireland in Silicon Valley, where he supported over 120 Irish companies in their USA market activities leading to multi-million dollar sales, venture funding and IP licensing deals. David moved to Silicon Valley in 2006 after 16 years working in Ireland, with Enterprise Ireland and in a number of financial services organizations (Prudential, Scotttish Provident)