Creator Economy

Geffen 520

The Business of Influence: Unleashing the Power of the Creator Economy

Sofi Ibrahim

Social Media Creator

Nigerian-born and globally renowned, Sofi Ibrahim, affectionately known as "The Odditty," is a trailblazing social media content creator whose vibrant personality and unwavering dedication have propelled her to the forefront of the digital world. With a captivating focus on fashion, beauty, lifestyle, body positivity, and mental health, Sofi has carved out a unique space for herself and her devoted community known as “The Odd Fam".

Sofi's digital empire, "The Odditty," is more than just a brand—it's a haven where authenticity thrives. Sofi founded this flourishing community to provide a safe and welcoming space for individuals to embrace their true selves fearlessly. Born from her own experiences of being urged to conform to societal norms and suppress her creative spirit, "The Odditty" stands as a testament to the power of self-expression.

Sofi's journey to social media stardom began when she came to the states to pursue a master's degree in conflict and resolution. Little did she know that her true calling awaited her in the world of digital content creation. Over the past few years, Sofi's resounding voice has resonated with countless souls seeking a place where they can celebrate their uniqueness without judgment.

Sofi's influential presence extends across various platforms, including YouTube, where she earned a well-deserved spot in the prestigious 2022 Black Voices Creator Class and continues to grow a presence. Her impact radiates on Instagram and TikTok, where she continues to inspire her ever-growing audience. Across all platforms, Sofi amasses almost a million followers. 

As a brand collaborator, Sofi has worked with some of the most influential beauty and fashion brands including Lancome, Philosophy, Fenty Beauty and Charlotte Tilbury to name a few as well as being seen as an ambassador for global brand VS Pink. Additionally, you can see Sofi weekly in her role hosting for Macy's Live. If you tune in you will find Sofi sharing fashion, beauty and home trends as well as interviewing some of the most influential beauty and fashion creators worldwide. 

Sofi currently lives in New York City with her dog Kovu.

Chanel Tyler

CEO & Social Media Creator

A graduate of Spelman College and Columbia Business School, Chanel Tyler is a dynamic leader within the Tech and Beauty industries. Known for her passion as an advocate centered around community and inclusivity, she always pushes excellence in everything she touches. Chanel recently left her position as Head of Creators at Howl, a social commerce marketplace, to run a full-time content & commerce business and pursue entrepreneurial ventures within the influencer marketing landscape. At Howl, Chanel focused on mobilizing the creator economy through affiliate marketing strategies, helping creators find success in commerce and branded content. Prior to Howl, Chanel was the Lead for the Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle verticals on YouTube's Large Partner team. Chanel oversaw partnerships and strategies that directly impacted endemic Beauty Creators and Diverse Creator Communities.

She co-led and executive produced YouTube's first-ever virtual Beauty centric event, Beauty Festival, which celebrated top Beauty Creators, Celebrities and Founders. Pre-YouTube, Chanel was the Director of Local and Cultural Relevancy at Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) for the North America region. There, she was a strategic thought-leader focused on driving cultural relevance across the ELC portfolio for more than thirty prestige brands. Chanel’s role within the Consumer Marketing organization helped fuel innovation and growth by prioritizing the needs of multicultural consumers across haircare, skincare, cosmetics and fragrance categories. Chanel's experience expands beyond her professional career, as she also dedicates time advocating for representation, diversity, equity and opportunity via social media and other creative platforms. With a specific focus on skincare and skin health, Chanel has curated a safe space for a highly engaged community of beauty lovers, where she approaches important, inclusive and engaging topics through meaningful content. Chanel's contributions to the Beauty and Tech industry have been featured in The Cut, People Magazine, Coveteur, Good Morning America and BET Networks.

Christina Westley

Pepsi Co, Head of Influencer Marketing

Christina Westley is a NYC based professional with an extensive career in Influencer Marketing. A graduate of The Wharton School, Christina has brought a strong business acumen to the emerging industry. Her insight is founded on a holistic perspective, having worked all sides of the field including agency, in-house & talent management. 

In addition to professional experience, Christina's own background as a Black female in the space has led to a personal interest in analyzing cultural nuance and racial trends in influencer marketing. Currently Head of Influencer Marketing at PepsiCo's Content Studio, she acknowledges the privilege and responsibility she has in using the industry as a vessel to improve social good and cultural understanding. She also has launched an independent initiative called Social Feed & IRL experiences called Social Setting, to bring greater visibility to Black influencers.

Liz Lem

Kensington Grey, Chief of Strategy

Elizabeth Lem, most often referred to as Liz, brings nearly two decades of progressive experience in the industry specializing in creating strategic and meaningful connections with brands and consumers through paid media, custom content and partnerships.  Liz has been recognized in the industry with accolades such as Sliver in the Cannes Young Media Competition, a Top 30 Under 30 Short List nomination, Chair of the Ad Club of Toronto Digital Day, and most recently a judge in the Marketing Innovation Awards.

During her time at Havas Media Group, SVP, Client Experience Liz was the only North American client lead overseeing business across the US and Canada including Michelin and Dolce & Gabbana. She sat on both the Canadian Leadership Team as well as the North American Senior Leadership Team leading company direction and operations cross talent retention, business development, and relationship management.  In addition to her agency commitments, Liz was the relationship lead for accounts such as Red Bull, Sun Life, Shell, and more.   

In her young years, Liz would often attend focus groups, sparking her early entry into marketing and quickly establishing her career (I joke I’ve been in this industry since 7!).  Focus groups exposed her to democratic marketing and the need to connect to the voices of our communities and the voices of brands.   Over the last several years, Liz has participated in bringing forward conversations to the industry that shine light on the need for greater representation in the talent employed, the conversations being had, and the way in which marketing has an impact on culture. As the Executive Sponsor for the Havas National DEIB ERG Liz help guide development of conversations that shine light on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging across the organization.

While personal and professional worlds often find themselves colliding for Liz, she can be found immersed in duties as a Board Member of The Ad Club of Toronto, at the gym, travelling, or at home with her nephews and niece

Quote: I am thrilled to join a company that celebrates diversity, both with the talent of so many amazing creators, and its talented employees.  Shannae and Sean have created a unique offering in the market that I am excited to continue to elevate and growth with KG.. 

Kia Marie

Social Media Creator

Kia Marie, also known as The Notorious K.I.A., is a pioneering force in fashion, sustainability, and the sneaker industry. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, with a distinct duality shaped by her time in California, Kia’s journey as a creator began 13 years ago when there was no blueprint for influencers. From the outset, she led with intention and authenticity, making a name for herself as one of the first to elevate thrifting, upcycling, and personal style as a means of self-expression.

Kia’s impact extends beyond content creation—she’s an industry leader and visionary, constantly pushing the conversation forward. With a passion for empowering women, she helped redefine what it means to wear sneakers confidently and comfortably. Her journey as an athlete fueled her love for sneakers, and after an ankle injury, they became a necessity that shaped her approach to style.

Kia has collaborated with over 100 top brands, including Nike, Adidas, Ray-Ban, Nordstrom, H&M, the Gap, Puma, and HP, showcasing her versatility and deep expertise in bridging fashion, beauty, and tech. Her groundbreaking series Sneaker Fiends spotlights women in sneaker culture across the country. As the co-founder of Kontent Queens, she provides a platform for creators of color to learn the ins and outs of building sustainable careers. Her sold-out Amazon The Drop collection set a new standard for accessible, versatile style, and her Signature Pick, a biodegradable hair pick modeled after her iconic silhouette, exemplifies her commitment to sustainability and community-focused design.

Kia’s accolades include being honored as part of Ulta’s MUSE 100, celebrating Black creatives across various disciplines, and the CCNYC’s Creative Class of 2024, which recognizes creatives making waves in their industry. She has been featured on the Today Show, Essence, and Complex, and her work has garnered over 20 million views on YouTube. As a dynamic host and media personality, she has interviewed industry icons like Harlem’s Dapper Dan, Laquan Smith, and Angela Yee.. She regularly speaks at panels and industry events, lending her voice to the evolving dialogue around fashion, social media, and sustainability.

Currently, Kia is focused on new projects that elevate her mission to help others dress with intention, shop consciously, and embrace creativity as a form of self-expression. She is passionate about giving back through mentorship, community outreach, and events that build meaningful connections. With a long-term goal of launching her own sneaker line, Kia continues to push the boundaries of her influence in the fashion and sneaker space, inspiring others to embrace their individuality through style and intentional living.