Connections that Really Matter
Robin Black, Founder & CEO
Robin Black is the Founder and CEO of Connects Marketing Group, where she partners with leadership teams to accelerate growth through strategic relationships, refined positioning, and disciplined execution. She leads corporate partnerships and sales consulting initiatives, helping organizations translate vision into measurable results.
With more than three decades of experience, Robin is known for blending innovation with practicality. Her approach is collaborative and frictionless—grounded in clear communication, proven best practices, and continuous improvement. Clients value her ability to cut through complexity, align stakeholders, and turn ideas into action.
Robin works closely with professional services firms and growth-minded organizations that want more than activity—they want outcomes. Her expertise spans B2B business development, go-to-market strategy, sales enablement, client acquisition and retention, and long-term expansion planning.
At the core of her work is a belief that business success and personal significance are not mutually exclusive. Robin is passionate about helping leaders build businesses that grow with intention, integrity, and lasting impact.
Favorite quote: “Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell.”
— Seth Godin
The bottom line: Connections made through Conversations Matter.
Lisa Schulte, General Manager
Lisa Schulte is the General Manager of Connects Marketing Group and the operational backbone of the company. She oversees day-to-day execution, manages reporting and performance metrics, and ensures the team stays focused, informed, and moving forward.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning operations, project management, customer service, business development, and sales support, Lisa brings both structure and momentum to the business. She is known for her ability to translate data into insight—running reports, tracking statistics, and keeping leadership and teams aligned around what matters most.
Lisa’s background includes senior inside sales leadership in the high-technology sector, along with deep experience supporting marketing and sales operations. She is a Certified Innovation Trainer with SolutionPeople and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington.
Approachable and highly respected, Lisa has a rare ability to combine operational rigor with genuine connection. Clients and colleagues alike trust her to keep the engine running smoothly—so strategies don’t just get discussed, they get executed.
Favorite quote: “Enjoy the ride.”
The bottom line: Connections made through Laughter Matter.
Gretchen Cole, Sales Development Representative
Gretchen is a business development expert with an entrepreneurial spirit; her primary focus is helping fledgling businesses get off the ground. She has more than twenty-five years of experience in customer service, sales, marketing, and PR in the high-tech, hospitality, medical, publishing, and travel industries. Gretchen has an innate ability to get people talking, enabling her to zero in on clients’ needs, and she is tenacious about digging up every last bit of information relevant to market research projects. Gretchen is also a stickler for detail, especially when it comes to messaging, and is the go-to person at CMG for copy-editing.
Gretchen also has an extensive and successful background in fundraising and devotes much of her spare time to volunteer work. She’s done everything from costume design in regional theater to historic building preservation, and she’s also organized countless benefits and auctions. She served as Treasurer and President of the Bayview Community Hall Board of Directors and as a member of the Meerkerk Gardens Board of Directors.
Gretchen’s “Three C’s” have been the cornerstone of her endeavors for many years and are best summed up by saying that she is always curious, seeking alternative approaches through collaboration to come up with the most creative solution possible.
Favorite quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein
Chelse Fagan, Sales Development Representative
Chelse Fagan is a dedicated professional with more than 20 years of experience in the service industry. Known for her reliability and people-first mindset, she brings care, consistency, and a strong work ethic to everything she does—supporting both clients and the Connects team with quiet excellence.
Chelse approaches her work with thoughtfulness and follow-through, ensuring details are handled and people feel supported. Her steady presence and commitment to service make her a trusted part of the organization.
Chelse lives on Whidbey Island with her husband and their son, Maverick. She enjoys spending time at the local beaches, often agate hunting, and loves road trips and any opportunity to be with friends and family.
Favorite quote: “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
The bottom line: Connections made through Service Matter.
Marie Shimada, Sales Development Representative
Marie lives on Whidbey Island, Washington, with her husband and a lively collection of farm animals. She brings a diverse professional background to Connects Marketing Group, including experience in nonprofit management and owning and operating an event planning business.
Marie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego. Her work is defined by strong organization, thoughtful creativity, and an ability to bring people, processes, and ideas together seamlessly.
Known for her steady execution and big-picture thinking, Marie supports initiatives by ensuring details are managed, timelines are met, and collaboration feels effortless.
Favorite quote: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
— Vincent van Gogh
The bottom line: Connections made through Clarity Matter.
Joslyn DeNorio, Sales Development Representative
Born in Chicago and inspired by Italy, Joslyn brings creativity, energy, and heart to her work at Connects Marketing Group. She plays a key role in lead generation, developing marketing initiatives that attract the right audience, spark engagement, and move prospects into meaningful conversations.
Joslyn is driven by a passion for marketing that tells a story and creates connection. She focuses on crafting messaging and campaigns that resonate emotionally while staying grounded in strategy and purpose—helping brands communicate with clarity and intention.
Known for her ability to translate ideas into fresh, impactful work, Joslyn blends creativity with results-oriented thinking. Her work supports growth by ensuring outreach feels human, compelling, and aligned with each client’s voice and goals.
Favorite quote: “The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”
— Tom Fishburne
The bottom line: Connections made through Words Matter.
Kristin Carlson, Sales Development Representative
Kristin Carlson is a Sales Development Representative at Connects Marketing Group, where she builds meaningful connections and supports business development through thoughtful, client-centered engagement. With more than 25 years of experience across sales, marketing, account management, customer relations, and group facilitation, she brings both depth and empathy to every interaction.
Kristin is known for her ability to listen deeply, communicate clearly, and meet people where they are—while still guiding conversations toward productive outcomes. Her approach blends strong sales acumen with emotional intelligence, enabling her to quickly empower, inspire, and build trust authentically.
Having worked across multiple industries, Kristin is proactive, accessible, and consistently reliable. She brings candor with compassion, helping clients and colleagues move forward with clarity and confidence.
Outside of work, Kristin embraces an active lifestyle and a strong connection to the outdoors. She enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, kayaking, water skiing, scuba diving, and horseback riding—bringing the same energy and enthusiasm to her life as she does to her work.
Favorite quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
The bottom line: Connections made through Thoughtful Communication Matter.
Tricia Patras, Sales Development Representative
Based in New York City, Tricia Patras brings a dynamic background in event planning and writing to Connects Marketing Group. She supports projects with a strong eye for detail, clear storytelling, and seamless execution—ensuring experiences are both well-orchestrated and thoughtfully communicated.
In addition to her work at Connects, Tricia is a published writer, contributing to outlets including Business Insider and BUST Magazine. Her ability to balance logistics with narrative allows her to bring a unique perspective to events, content, and client-facing initiatives.
Originally from Chicago, Tricia draws inspiration from travel, books, and new perspectives. Whether coordinating details or crafting copy, she brings curiosity, creativity, and professionalism to everything she does.
Favorite quote: “The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.”
— James Baldwin
The bottom line: Connections made through Storytelling Matter.
Connects Marketing Group 