Executive Leadership Team

Kelly Lake is CEB’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, with responsibility for running all facets of the business, including strategic planning, revenue management, new product and technology development. As CEB’s CEO, Kelly is leading CEB’s digital transformation from print to digital to platform in response to an increasingly demanding and commercial marketplace. Prior to joining CEB, she was vice president of platforms for Thomson Reuters and was responsible for implementing a global content and technology transformation program working globally with multiple business units in the scientific, financial and legal information spaces. She also spent 12 years with Thomson Reuter’s UK and International businesses working on business transformations, acquisitions integrations serving in a number of product and technology leadership roles, most recently as Chief Technology Officer of Thomson Reuters UK and Ireland. She earned an LLB from Keele University and read for a master’s in international business law at the University of Manchester.

Steven Florek is CEB’s Chief Digital Officer. Steve has 20+ years of technology management experience across more than 150 startups, large enterprises, and consulting engagements. Prior to joining CEB, he led enterprise architecture at Edwards Lifesciences, transforming their enterprise data architecture and operations. He led product and technology at ColorPower, an energy technology company partnered with the MIT’s AI laboratory. He was CEO of Bishop Rock Software, a law enforcement analytics startup, and later led R&D at SecureAlert, an offender GPS tracking company. Steve was educated at the Illinois Institute of Technology. 

Casey Hatton is CEB’s Chief Operations Officer – Content & Product, leading CEB’s development and production of content across five content types. Casey is an attorney with a unique mixture of law practice and SaaS start-up experience. Before joining CEB in August 2019, she was a practicing attorney, and prior to that she directed professional programs at an early-stage legal start-up. She is also a certified mediator. She has a bachelor of arts degree in American studies from UC Santa Cruz and a law degree from UC Davis.  

Christine Gardner is CEB’s Chief Operations Officer – Enterprise. Christine has over 30 years of financial experience in technology companies, most recently as VP of Finance for iPass, Inc., a global provider of software enabled connectivity services for mobile workers. Before that, she held finance leadership roles at Verisign and Network Equipment Technologies as well as several startups. She has a bachelor of science degree in managerial economics from UC Davis.  

Katrin Kaehler, CEB’s Chief Operating Officer – Organizational Development & People, brings over two decades of strategic HR leadership experience to the organization. In her role, Katrin oversees the People and Culture function for CEB.

With a proven track record in change management, organizational development, and strategic planning, Katrin has consistently driven employee engagement across diverse teams. Her passion for fostering employee engagement is reflected in the transformative practices she has implemented, shaping workplace culture and enhancing productivity. Prior to joining UCLA in 2014, Katrin spent 10 years in multinational private sector organizations in Europe.

Katrin holds a Master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology and is a Senior Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management. Beyond her role at CEB, she is a key note speaker and serves on the Board of Trustees at Goethe International Charter School.

Valerie Bullinger is CEB’s Chief of Staff and Portfolio Management Office Director. Valerie is responsible for developing, implementing, and standardizing CEB’s operational priorities and programs in support of CEB’s strategic business initiatives and goals. Prior to joining CEB, she worked at Amazon as a Senior Strategy & Operations Manager, responsible for driving the rhythm of the business, building scalable global mechanisms, three-year business and financial plans, organization-wide portfolio management, and internal communications. Valerie also has over fifteen years of Human Resources experience from the commercial, aerospace, and government industry. Valerie has a master’s degree in HR Development from Webster’s University and a dual bachelor’s degree in Operations and HR Management from the University of California, Long Beach.