‘Original Shark’ Kevin Harrington spotlights ten innovators in business\” />

‘Original Shark’ Kevin Harrington spotlights ten innovators in business\” />

Photo courtesy of Dylan Gillis on Unsplash.
Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.

Kyle Holder

Photo courtesy of Kyle Holder.

Founded by Kyle Holder, ion Education is working to change how educators engage with data. With over a decade of experience in data analytics and professional development, the company’s latest innovation, ion Insights, delivers AI-powered tools that turn overwhelming student data into clear, actionable insights within seconds. 

Unlike traditional platforms that require users to know what to ask, ion starts with the data and delivers high-impact recommendations. Teachers and school leaders can instantly access intervention plans, communication drafts for parents, and evidence-based strategies tailored to specific student needs. The system’s AI leverages a curated knowledge base grounded in educational practices, not vague or generic responses.

Beyond descriptive and diagnostic tools, ion is expanding into predictive analytics, working with external data science teams to one day identify at-risk students years in advance. What sets ion apart isn’t just its AI; it’s the thoughtful integration of research-backed curation. Kyle’s mission is clear: empower educators, eliminate overload, and deliver clarity through smart, actionable data. The result is a platform built not just for innovation, but for impact.

Jordan Dunin

Photo courtesy of Jordan Dunin.

hatchpath.io is taking a different approach to employee well-being through radical personalization. Founded by Jordan Dunin, the platform is built on a simple insight: real care isn’t one-size-fits-all. In today’s diverse and dynamic workforce, HatchPath offers tailored support that meets individuals exactly where they are: in their lives, their roles, and their challenges.

Unlike traditional employee assistance programs or AI-driven wellness apps, HatchPath takes a human-first approach. A live concierge guides every user to connect with the right coach or specialist, from leadership and mindset mentors to experts in nutrition, fitness, meditation, hypnotherapy, and even bioresonance healing.

What sets HatchPath apart is its deep commitment to trust, confidentiality, and cultural alignment. Every organizational partnership begins with a custom assessment, ensuring that every coach deployed fits the company’s unique needs, industry, and values. Whether working with veterans, educators, or startup teams, HatchPath aims for every solution to be thoughtful, compliant, and genuinely effective. With scalable infrastructure, data dashboards, and full scheduling and engagement support, HatchPath delivers enterprise-grade wellness with a personal touch.

Scott Mayor

Photo courtesy of Scott Mayor.

Endurance Risk and Management Services, led by founder Scott Mayor, is taking a different approach to how businesses approach commercial insurance. Too often, companies prioritize the lowest premium, unknowingly exposing themselves to costly gaps in coverage and poor risk management. Scott, drawing from years of experience, champions a more strategic, value-driven approach, where agent qualifications, policy fit, and long-term risk strategies matter more than just price.

Operating as an independent consultancy, Endurance doesn’t sell insurance or earn commissions. Instead, it provides unbiased advice, helping businesses select the right agents and policies tailored to their industry. Its flagship service, Perfect Fit, offers deep-dive risk assessments and insurance alignment strategies that prioritize long-term protection and operational goals.

Scott emphasizes that insurance is not just a cost; it’s a critical component of business resilience. Endurance helps clients hold their agents accountable, avoid hidden costs, and implement proactive solutions such as safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to reduce exposure and premiums. The company further aims to help businesses strengthen their coverage and reduce risks. With Scott at the helm, the firm empowers companies to make informed, confident insurance decisions that support sustainable success.

Peter Kallestrup

Photo courtesy of Peter Kallestrup.

i-Function® is a health-tech company co-founded by CEO Peter Kallestrup, dedicated to developing new approaches to cutting-edge research into accessible, impactful tools for cognitive and functional health. The company collaborates with some of the leading universities and experts to develop and commercialize evidence-based solutions, aiming to serve underserved populations with limited access to diagnostics and training.

i-Function® aims to improve quality of life, especially for those at risk of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments. By integrating advanced technology, the company develops tools aimed at supporting cognitive health research and training.

Peter brings over 20 years of international healthcare experience, having led global operations across the US, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Under his leadership, i-Function® has prioritized innovation in cognitive and functional health, ensuring that effective solutions reach those who need them most. In addition to his role at i-Function®, Peter serves on advisory boards at the Center for Enhancing Neurocognitive Health, Abilities, Networks, and Community Engagement (ENHANCE) and the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE), two U.S. research centers focused on technology solutions for aging and cognitively impaired populations.

Ralph Jean-Pierre

Photo courtesy of Ralph Jean-Pierre.

Founded in 2019 by Ralph Jean-Pierre, TRENDZIO Jewelry is a family- and minority-owned brand dedicated to creating high-quality, meaningful jewelry inspired by the history and values of the Divine Nine: the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s historically Black sororities and fraternities. Ralph’s personal connection to the Divine Nine and his passion for fashion led him to design elegant, timeless pieces that celebrate sisterhood and brotherhood through engraved letters and signature gemstones.

TRENDZIO fills a unique space by offering sophisticated jewelry that functions as both a stylish accessory and a symbol of legacy and belonging for sorority and fraternity members. The brand’s limited-edition collections blend classic design with vibrant colors, symbolizing each organization’s identity.

Beyond aesthetics, TRENDZIO advocates for community involvement, supporting underprivileged youth and funding scholarships with a portion of every sale. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has continued to grow, engaging with customers at regional events and consistently innovating its designs.

Ralph envisions TRENDZIO as more than just a jewelry brand; it’s a movement dedicated to honoring heritage, inspiring pride, and fostering a sense of unity within the Divine Nine community.

Dr. Glen Swartout

Photo courtesy of Dr. Glen Swartout.

Dr. Glen Swartwout is an eye specialist with over 40 years of experience in natural medicine. After being told in his twenties that he would likely go blind from glaucoma by age 50, Dr. Glen embarked on a personal and professional mission to defy that prognosis. He turned to natural healing and European Biological Medicine, developing over 150 botanical and nutritional formulations designed to support and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.

A graduate of Dartmouth College with honors in Environmental Earth Sciences and Chemistry, Dr. Glen blends science with holistic care, prioritizing personalized attention in a healthcare system that often overlooks it. His work has combined personal experience with decades of research and practice in natural health, influencing his career as an author and educator.

An author, educator, and creator of the “Accelerated Self Healing” system, Dr. Glen continues to introduce new methods for the field by bringing eye-healing solutions to the mainstream. Dr. Glen’s legacy is one of hope, healing, and unwavering dedication to natural health.

Joe Hipsky

Photo courtesy of Joe Hipsky.

Joe Hipsky is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and executive with a track record of building high-performing teams, innovative products, and successful companies from early-stage startups to growth-stage ventures. With deep expertise in fintech and B2B technologies, Joe has spent his career driving innovation and business growth across the financial technology landscape. He is the co-founder of a fintech company, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping strategy, product development, and go-to-market execution. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Joe actively supports the startup ecosystem as an advisor and investor, leveraging his experience to guide emerging founders. His insights and leadership have earned him a place on the Forbes Business Development Council, where he contributes thought leadership on scaling businesses and navigating complex markets. Joe remains passionate about creating solutions that empower users and drive measurable impact in the tech and financial sectors.

David MacLean

Photo courtesy of David MacLean.

P3I.GLOBAL is grounded in the pursuit of solutions that ensure the places where one lives, learns, works, and plays do not hinder our ability to thrive. Enter the Planet People Profit Impact (P3I) Platform, an opportunity awareness portal recalibrating legacy investment, development, design, construction, operations, and occupancy decision processes.

Founder / President of P3I.GLOBAL, David MacLean, has spent the last three decades continuously refining the due diligence assurance services his marketplace vision clients utilize to achieve generationally-responsible outcomes. The P3I Platform naturally evolved from those aggregated solutions.

By laying bare the monetized environmental, social, and economic dollar value impacts of stakeholder decisions, the P3I Platform provides trusted business-case pathways that equally support the opportunity for everyone, from tenant businesses in Class A office towers to children in rural community schools, to prosper.

More than a carbon calculator, life cycle assessment analyzer, or green rating checklist, the P3I Platform offers a shared space for public and private sector leaders to showcase their successes, refine monetization methodologies, and scale marketplace deployable solutions. As ESG conversations shift, the platform empowers decision-makers with transparency, trust, and tools to prove both value and impact. It’s not just about building better; it’s about building smarter, together.

Gay Cordova

Photo courtesy of Gay Cordova.

Founded in 2016, CCTubes is dedicated to introducing new methods for video captions to enhance accessibility, personalization, and community support. Committed to ensuring that no viewer is left behind, CCTubes offers an extensive archive spanning comedy, drama, documentaries, and more, all captioned with meticulous attention to detail. Unlike standard captions, CCTubes includes background sounds, like city noises, music, and subtle conversations, to create a fully immersive viewing experience.

Founder Gay Cordova, a former court reporter and passionate advocate for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, champions equal access to media. She believes that automatic captions fall short, and thoughtful, detailed captions are essential not just for those with hearing challenges but for anyone in noisy environments or unfamiliar with certain accents.

CCTubes’ subscription plan offers customizable caption settings, early access to new videos, and personalized recommendations, fostering a vibrant community of engaged viewers. This service invites users to experience video captions that set a new industry standard. Looking ahead, CCTubes aims to expand through strategic partnerships and enriched content offerings, continuing its mission to break down barriers and connect audiences with accessible, multidimensional video experiences.

Jennifer Wills

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wills.

Since 1986, Kelleher International has developed new approaches to the way successful individuals seek meaningful relationships. Founded to elevate the dating experience for high-achieving singles and celebrities, the firm blends elite matchmaking with personalized coaching and a global network of vetted members. With over four decades of experience, Kelleher has worked with thousands of clients seeking long-term partnerships.

What sets Kelleher apart is its intentional, human-first approach. Unlike dating apps that promote endless swiping and uncertain intentions, Kelleher offers a discreet, high-touch experience tailored to each member’s values, lifestyle, and goals. Every match is the result of deep insight, ensuring quality over quantity.

Led by President & CGO Jennifer Wills, the team challenges outdated perceptions of matchmaking as transactional or formulaic. Instead, Kelleher embraces love as a personalized approach, guided with empathy, intuition, and expertise. With clients ranging from CEOs to philanthropists, the firm’s reputation is built on trust, discretion, and results. In a world where time is precious and intentions matter, Kelleher offers more than matchmaking; it positions its services as focused on connection and compatibility.