The shopping
knowledge network

CEO

Michael Quoc is the founder and CEO of Demand.io. Michael founded Demand.io to apply AI, advanced engineering, and community-first principles to solve everyday consumer problems at scale. Michael’s operating philosophy is to create aligned economic outcomes across his company, his employees, his community stakeholders, and business partners alike. Prior to founding Demand.io, Michael served as Head of Product at Yahoo, where he drove innovation across the Fortune 100 company’s global network. Michael previously held product leadership roles at Desktop.com and investment and strategic advisory roles at Pequot Ventures and Jefferies Broadview. Michael studied Computer Science at UC Berkeley and holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

VP of Engineering

Hamid Benbrahim serves as VP of Engineering at Demand.io, where he leads the development of AI-powered commerce platforms and oversees the evolution of ShopGraph, the company's proprietary e-commerce knowledge graph. His work focuses on implementing advanced machine learning systems and GenAI solutions to revolutionize how people discover and purchase products online.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Hamid held senior AI and data leadership roles at major financial institutions including TD Ameritrade and Fidelity Investments, where he founded the Center for Applied Complexity Research. As Chief Data Scientist at TD Ameritrade, he built and led the company's AI strategy while developing innovative risk management solutions. At Fidelity, he pioneered new approaches to evaluating systemic and counterparty risk using advanced AI models. He later founded Natural Numerix, building a scalable AI platform for financial risk management, and advised Fortune 500 companies on AI strategy implementation. Most recently, he led data and AI initiatives at IDS, where he developed AI strategies for businesses across finance, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

Hamid holds a Ph.D. in Machine Learning and Engineering from the University of New Hampshire, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and completed the Finance for Senior Leaders program at Harvard Business School. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences on AI and complex systems, and is fluent in English, French, Arabic, and Spanish.

VP of Revenue & Strategy

Brian Li leads revenue and strategy at Demand.io, where he drives strategic growth initiatives across the company's portfolio. With his data-driven approach, Brian develops monetization frameworks and optimization strategies that enable Demand.io to scale efficiently while maintaining its focus on creating the world's leading source of e-commerce knowledge.

Brian brings over 20 years of experience scaling operations for transformative internet companies from seed stage through IPO and acquisition. Prior to joining Demand.io, he served as VP of Finance and Business Operations at Braintrust, where he enhanced company performance by streamlining operations for their two-sided marketplace, implementing strategies that increased revenue by 15% while reducing labor costs by 27%. At Dave.com, he supported the company's $4 billion IPO by facilitating strategic planning and identifying margin growth opportunities exceeding $10 million. Earlier, he led Mezi to a successful $120 million acquisition by American Express, establishing commercial partnerships and cultivating relationships with industry leaders like Priceline, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.

At LinkedIn, Brian was tapped by the VP of Corporate Development to spearhead the establishment of their M&A team, leading due diligence and integration for 12 deals totaling $500 million+, including key acquisitions like SlideShare ($119M) and Pulse ($90M). His contributions at Lynda.com helped position the company for its $1.5 billion acquisition by LinkedIn. Brian's entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding BRIC Entertainment, which developed mobile apps achieving global recognition across 45 countries.

Brian earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Accounting from New York University's Stern School of Business, where he graduated with honors and received the N.Y.U. Founders Day Award. He is currently on a career break and will be starting a new role in AI in March 2025.

VP of Product Marketing

Elena Madrigal serves as Vice President of Product Marketing at Demand.io, where she leads product marketing strategy across the company's AI-powered commerce platforms. In this role, she directs positioning and go-to-market initiatives for Demand.io's innovative products, including AI-driven shopping experiences and advanced e-commerce knowledge systems.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Elena held senior leadership positions at several pioneering technology companies. As SVP of Product and Marketing at Amaze, she led a 16-person team driving both product-led and sales-led growth strategies, achieving significant improvements in customer acquisition and market engagement. At GoDaddy, she directed product marketing for mobile and AI initiatives, where she launched AI-powered features that achieved 32% adoption rates and drove substantial user growth. Her experience also includes leading product marketing at TrueMotion (acquired by Cambridge Mobile Telematics), where she established the company's product marketing function and expanded their AI-powered telematics platform into five new industries. Earlier in her career, she held key product marketing roles at Canva during its hypergrowth phase, where she doubled daily orders to 5,000 and generated $12M in incremental revenue within two weeks of launching new initiatives.

Elena is recognized as an authority in product marketing, serving as an Expert in Residence at the Product Marketing Alliance where she has led over 15 certification courses and delivered more than 20 keynotes. She holds a Design Thinking for Innovation certification from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and is a Pragmatic Certified Product Marketer (Level 4). Elena has completed advanced programs in Marketing Leadership, Growth Series, and Product-Led Growth through Reforge, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning in cutting-edge marketing practices.

Chief Architect

Bri Stanback, Principal Software Engineer and technical co-founder at Demand.io, brings a background of working with startups, where innovation and agility were key to shaping successful products. From the company's early days, Bri has been instrumental in shaping its technical vision and architecture. Bri’s blend of innovation, cultivated in fast-paced startup environments, along with leadership and a dedication to crafting robust, efficient systems, has guided the engineering team through numerous milestones, aligning with Demand.io's mission. Bri's expertise and leadership within the engineering team help drive the creation of solutions that benefit consumers, creators, and sellers.

Director of AI Systems

Jason Toy serves as Head of AI Engineering at Demand.io, where he leads the development of advanced language models and AI systems powering the company's e-commerce intelligence platforms. His work focuses on architecting and implementing large-scale AI pipelines, including the development of LLM-powered shopping assistants and the integration of vector databases for processing hundreds of millions of products.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Jason built an extensive track record of scaling technical products and leading engineering teams. As CPO/CTO at CloudApp, he managed a team of 40 developers and drove a 253% increase in revenue through product improvements. At Filepicker.io (later acquired by Scaleworks), he served as CEO and transformed the Y Combinator-backed startup into a leading file management API platform processing over 400 million files monthly. His experience also includes founding SocMetrics, where he developed machine learning systems for social media analytics, and contributing to pioneering neuroscience research at MIT's Seung Lab.

Jason holds a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from Northeastern University, with a focus on machine learning and applied mathematics. He has supplemented his formal education with specialized training at the School for Poetic Computation, where he explored generative AI models, and through Reforge's Growth program. He actively contributes to the AI community through his published research on machine learning and maintains an extensive blog documenting his experiments and insights in AI development.

Staff UX Researcher

Kelly Hirsch, Ph.D., leads the UX research practice at Demand.io, where she shapes research strategy across AI-powered commerce platforms, including SimplyCodes and Product.ai. In her role, she directs foundational and evaluative research initiatives that inform the development of machine learning features and user-centric product experiences.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Kelly built and led research programs at several technology companies, including ZipRecruiter, where she established the research practice for their enterprise business division, and Ethos, where she served as Head of UX Research for their AI-driven insurance platform. At Robinhood, she led research for the mobile app's navigation redesign, transforming it from a trading-focused platform to a comprehensive financial solution. Her early career included work as a research consultant for Trial Behavior Consulting, where she applied experimental and behavioral research methods to high-stakes decision-making contexts.

Kelly holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Texas A&M University, an M.A. in Experimental Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, and completed advanced coursework in Applied Data Analysis at Caltech. Her academic background combines quantitative methodological expertise with deep knowledge of behavioral science, enabling her to design and lead complex research programs that bridge user needs with emerging technologies.

Staff Software Engineer

Isaac Sornborger is Staff Software Engineer at Demand.io, where he leads development of critical engineering tools and infrastructure. His work focuses on architecting sophisticated software solutions that leverage artificial intelligence and advanced modeling systems to drive innovation in e-commerce technology.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Isaac served as Principal Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman, one of the world's leading aerospace and defense technology companies. During his seven-year tenure, he spearheaded the development of mission-critical software tools for large government programs, managing complex CAD systems and 3D modeling platforms used by thousands of engineers. He began as a Software Development Analyst, where he developed automated modeling systems and research solutions for aerospace applications, eventually advancing to lead technical initiatives and cross-functional engineering teams.

Isaac holds both Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science from Santa Clara University, with specialized coursework in cryptography, secure coding, and computer architecture. His academic projects included creating an award-winning mobile data access solution for underserved communities and developing applications for food waste reduction using React Native and AWS technologies.

Senior Product Designer, AI

Drishti Vidyarthi is Senior Product Designer, AI at Demand.io, where she leads product design for AI-powered shopping experiences. She focuses on creating intuitive interfaces for generative AI and conversational systems while ensuring transparency and explainability in AI interactions. Drishti drives the user experience strategy for SimplyCodes and Product.ai, combining user research initiatives with design systems development.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Drishti was a Senior Product Designer at IBM, where she shaped the core experience of IBM's newest generative AI business intelligence tool. She led the design of end-to-end user experiences for AI-powered features, including onboarding flows, conversational interfaces, and interactive dashboards. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Design Consultant for Telosity Ventures, advising portfolio companies on integrating ethical AI design principles in mental health technology. She also contributed to Microsoft's Power BI accessibility initiatives, developing solutions to make data visualization tools more inclusive.

Drishti holds a B.S. in Informatics with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction from the University of Washington, where she graduated with honors as a Purple and Gold Scholar and Dean's List recipient. She is currently pursuing her d.MBA in Design and Business Strategy, furthering her expertise in strategic design leadership.

User Insights Data Analyst

Cansu Kaya leads user insights and analytics at Demand.io, where she shapes data strategy and drives AI-powered user experience optimization. She spearheads the analysis of customer journeys and engagement patterns, leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning to inform product development and enhance user retention across the company's e-commerce platforms.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Cansu was Business Analytics Manager at Yummly, where she led data initiatives that resulted in significant improvements in user engagement and subscription revenue. Her accomplishments included implementing predictive modeling for user behavior analysis and orchestrating a successful migration to Snowplow Analytics. She previously served as Senior Analytics Engineer at Cardinal Path, a Google Marketing Platform partner, where she developed enterprise-scale analytics solutions for Fortune 500 clients. Her experience spans modern data stack technologies including dbt, BigQuery, and Snowplow, as well as advanced visualization tools like Tableau and Looker.

Cansu holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, where she developed a strong foundation in quantitative methods, operations research, and data-driven decision making. She remains active in the analytics community as a member of the Digital Analytics Association since 2017.

Director of Business Operations

Jimmy Doheny serves as Director of Business Operations at Demand.io, where he oversees our content operations team, affiliate operations, crowdsourcing system management, and AI-driven data operations. He plays a key role in scaling the company's innovative commerce technology platforms while managing strategic partnerships across the digital retail ecosystem.

Prior to his current role, Jimmy held increasing leadership positions at Connexity (formerly PriceGrabber), where he drove significant revenue growth through strategic partnerships with major media companies including AOL, PMC, and IAC. As Business Development Manager, he achieved over 300% year-over-year revenue growth from key accounts while pioneering the adoption of new social influencer tools. His experience spans both traditional and emerging commerce verticals, including social influencers, mobile apps, and content publishers.

Beyond his professional work, Jimmy demonstrates his commitment to technology education and digital inclusion through founding the Computer Placement Project, which provides free computers to underprivileged organizations and families. He also serves as a mentor at CoderDojo Koreatown, teaching coding skills to youth. Jimmy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English-Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Director of Web Products

Harrison DeSantis serves as Director of Web Products at Demand.io, where he leads development and optimization of the company's web surfaces across its portfolio of AI-powered e-commerce platforms. In this role, he oversees product strategy, user experience, and search optimization initiatives while working closely with engineering teams to integrate advanced AI capabilities.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Harrison spent over three years at TrueCar (NASDAQ: TRUE), first as SEO Director and later as Product Director, where he owned TrueCar's pre-qualification lending product and led cross-functional teams responsible for improving financing products and vehicle research capabilities. At TrueCar, he managed scrum teams focused on optimizing user flows and increasing research traffic through data-driven product enhancements. Earlier in his career, Harrison spent six years at 3Q Digital, where as SEO Director he managed a portfolio of enterprise clients and built the agency's App Store Optimization practice, growing it into a revenue-generating business unit handling over $1M in annual billings.

Harrison holds a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) and has completed coursework in Python for Data Science, reflecting his commitment to combining technical expertise with product leadership.

Senior AI Engineer

Dylan Ler serves as Senior AI Engineer at Demand.io, where he leads development of large language models and machine learning systems that power the company's e-commerce knowledge platforms. His work focuses on advancing ShopGraph's AI capabilities and implementing novel approaches to natural language processing and knowledge representation.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Dylan spent nearly seven years as a Senior Data Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer at WebMD, where he developed AI-powered recommendation systems and natural language processing solutions that significantly improved user engagement. His accomplishments include building BERT-based medical forum recommendations, implementing automated article linking systems, and creating AI chatbots using GPT-4 and LangChain. He also serves as a Partner at Green Robin Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on AI, biotech, and aerospace investments.

Dylan holds a Master's degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Technology Management from William Jessup University and is currently pursuing an additional Master's in Computer Science specializing in Machine Learning from Georgia Tech. He completed his undergraduate studies in Electrical Engineering at UCLA, where his coursework focused on computer vision, computational photography, and speech recognition.

Product Manager, ShopGraph

Kelli Schall serves as Product Manager for ShopGraph at Demand.io, where she leads the development and evolution of the company's comprehensive e-commerce knowledge graph. In this role, she oversees product development for taxonomy and data ingestion systems, applying her expertise in information architecture to enhance AI-powered shopping experiences.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Kelli was Senior Taxonomy Analyst at System1, a publicly-traded advertising technology company, where she developed classification systems and multilingual taxonomies to support their AI-driven marketing platform. She collaborated with SEM, SEO, and publishing teams to optimize content discovery across multiple web properties, while also building foundational knowledge graph structures using semantic middleware. Her experience includes positions at USC's Science & Engineering Library and Regal Medical Group, where she refined her skills in information organization and data classification.

Kelli holds a Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University's School of Information, which is consistently recognized among the top-ranked library and information studies programs nationwide. She also earned dual bachelor's degrees from UC Santa Cruz: a BS in Ecology and Evolution and a BA in Feminist Studies, contributing to her multidisciplinary approach to information systems.

Senior Visual Designer

David Guzman serves as Senior Visual & Brand Designer at Demand.io, where he leads the development of AI-driven brand experiences and design systems across the company's digital commerce platforms. He directs visual identity and brand strategy while integrating emerging technologies to enhance user experiences and product visibility.

Prior to joining Demand.io, David held key creative roles at prominent Los Angeles agencies, including NVE Experience Agency and Omelet. At NVE, he led creative direction for experiential marketing campaigns for global brands such as Amazon, Disney, and Adidas, specializing in immersive brand activations and digital engagement. As Designer/Art Director at Omelet, he produced visual content for leading technology and retail brands including Google, Walmart, and Netflix, developing cohesive cross-platform campaigns and brand narratives.

David holds a degree in Graphic Information Technology from Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, where he specialized in UX/UI design and digital media production. His technical foundation in front-end development and interactive design complements his creative expertise, enabling him to bridge visual aesthetics with technological innovation

Marketing Specialist, Product

Jessica Ho serves as Marketing Specialist, Product at Demand.io, where she leads product marketing initiatives for SimplyCodes and collaborates on AI-driven shopping experiences. She specializes in developing data-driven content strategies and implementing AI-optimized marketing workflows.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Jessica built a diverse background in technology and digital marketing. She managed B2B content strategy at Crexi, a leading commercial real estate platform processing over $540B in annual deal flow. At the Entertainment Technology Center at USC, she covered emerging technologies in media production, writing for major studios and tech companies including Disney, Microsoft, and Verizon. Her experience includes developing marketing campaigns for innovative platforms like Evercast's Emmy-winning collaboration software and creating content strategies for luxury real estate brands through WICKED+ Creative.

Jessica graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Cinematic Arts. She was recognized as a Presidential Scholar and inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She also completed an international business exchange program at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, with High Distinction.

Social Video Content Lead

Robert Guicheteau serves as Senior Video Content Lead at Demand.io, where he leverages AI and data-driven strategies to develop high-performing video content across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. In this role, he focuses on creating innovative e-commerce experiences that engage millions of users through platform-native content.

Throughout his career, Robert has led digital content strategy for major consumer brands including Kellogg's, Samsung, and eBay. As founder of Robert Francis Digital, he orchestrated successful multi-platform campaigns that significantly increased brand engagement and user acquisition. His work with Rebecca Zamolo helped grow her YouTube presence to over 17 million subscribers, driving monthly viewership to 68 million through data-driven content optimization. At BIGO, he managed influencer marketing initiatives across their global social platforms, which reach hundreds of millions of users.

Robert holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from The Evergreen State College. He brings extensive expertise in digital media production, brand development, and content strategy to his role at Demand.io.

Senior Full Stack Engineer

Cutler Simpson is a Senior Software Engineer at Demand.io, where he leads HQ full-stack engineering initiatives. He specializes in developing AI-driven applications and cloud infrastructure solutions, leveraging modern technologies to build scalable, enterprise-grade systems.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Cutler served as a Senior Scientific Programmer at Caribou Biosciences, a pioneering CRISPR genome-editing biotechnology company, where he developed full-stack applications for bioinformatics data analysis and led the implementation of cloud infrastructure solutions. His experience includes roles at several leading technology companies, including Google, where he developed enterprise solutions that drove over $5 million in annual revenue, and Goldman Sachs, where he managed global cloud platform initiatives. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in developing scalable cloud architectures, implementing robust data pipelines, and optimizing system performance across complex technological landscapes.

Cutler holds a Master of Science in Systems Medicine from Georgetown University, where he earned academic excellence honors and conducted research in computational biology and clinical data analysis. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and minors in Business Administration and Computer Science. His interdisciplinary background uniquely positions him at the intersection of technology, data science, and enterprise solutions.

Product Designer

Janelle Hizon brings expertise in AR/VR product design and 3D prototyping to her role as Product Designer at Demand.io, where she develops AI-powered commerce experiences. Her work focuses on creating intuitive interfaces for emerging technologies and spatial computing platforms.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Janelle held key design roles at several innovative technology companies. At Meta Reality Labs, she helped shape AR product vision for remote collaboration, developing features for virtual workspaces that received executive approval. At Discord, she worked on the Nitro team's avatar customization system, a core feature of their $200M+ revenue business. She also served as Lead Designer at PlaybookXR, where she pioneered accessible 3D prototyping tools for immersive experiences. Her work spans avatar systems, spatial interfaces, and AI-enabled design tools.

Janelle graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. As President of USC's Innovative Design agency, she led a team of 80 students delivering professional creative services. She was selected as a Kleiner Perkins Fellowship finalist and holds multiple academic honors including the Trustee Scholarship and Engineering Fellowship.

Executive Operations & Coordinator

Eunice Kim serves as Executive & Operations Coordinator at Demand.io, where she drives strategic operational initiatives and leads the company's recruiting operations. In her role, she manages full-cycle recruiting processes, oversees HR programs, and coordinates executive functions while implementing advanced operational systems that support the company's AI-driven commerce platforms.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Eunice held key positions at several prominent technology companies, including Block (formerly Square) and Snap Inc. At Block, she served as Technical Program Manager, leading AP automation and e-invoicing projects across eight countries that achieved significant efficiency improvements. At Snap Inc., she managed data annotation projects and launched the company's Research Blog, while also optimizing legal and privacy processes during a period of rapid growth. Earlier in her career, she contributed to innovative projects at SciFutures, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies on pioneering voice technology initiatives.

Eunice holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature from UCLA and began her academic journey at Santa Monica College. She maintains professional certifications in Agile Project Management and brings a data-driven approach to operational excellence.

Associate Product Designer

Andrew Kesler is a Product Designer at Demand.io, where he designs AI-powered commerce experiences and contributes to the development of ShopGraph, the company's comprehensive e-commerce knowledge system. His work focuses on creating intuitive interfaces that seamlessly blend artificial intelligence with human-centered design principles.

Previously, Andrew was a UX Design Intern at Samsung Research America, where he contributed to the development of enterprise-grade software solutions for Samsung Knox, implementing the platform's first design system and improving cross-functional collaboration among global teams. At Sleeper, he led research and redesigned the onboarding experience for their sports engagement platform, achieving a 23% reduction in drop-off rates while working closely with marketing and product teams to enhance user engagement for their community of over 3 million users.

Andrew is currently pursuing his Master of Design in Interaction Design at ArtCenter College of Design, consistently ranked among the world's top design schools. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Design from California State University, Long Beach, where he graduated with honors. His unique background spans enterprise security, consumer applications, and community-driven platforms, enabling him to create sophisticated yet accessible user experiences that drive meaningful engagement.

AI Content Strategist

Sean Fisher serves as AI Content Strategist at Demand.io, where he leads the development of AI-driven content creation strategies and oversees the integration of large language models into the company's editorial workflows. In this role, he focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance content quality and drive engagement across Demand.io's digital properties.

Prior to joining Demand.io, Sean held key editorial positions at major digital platforms. At GoBankingRates, he pioneered the company's AI content initiatives, serving as the first editor of their AI team where his articles reached over five million readers. He developed innovative approaches to financial content creation, combining AI technology with traditional journalism to produce highly engaging content. Earlier in his career, Sean worked as a Medical Editor at WebMD, where he managed editorial teams and maintained rigorous content standards for one of the web's most trusted health information sources

Sean holds a Bachelor's degree in Film and Media Studies with a minor in English from UC Santa Barbara, where he was recognized with First Place in the Corwin Awards for screenwriting excellence. He also earned an Associate's degree in English from Orange Coast College, developing a strong foundation in writing and narrative structure.