Built for Finance. Driven by Results.

John Gulino

Founder & CEO

John Gulino is the Founder and CEO of GK3 Capital. He is a digital visionary in financial services. His work is reshaping how financial services firms reach, engage, and win new customers.

Years of multifaceted experience are the foundation of John’s entrepreneurial leadership and the cutting-edge services of our company. John leads the firm’s efforts to transform our clients’ growth through innovative online sales, marketing, and asset gathering. John’s goal is to free asset managers and wealth managers from the outdated and costly sales and marketing approaches that hold back much of our industry.

John’s professional history reflects his journey to create a transformational model for sales, marketing, and distribution in financial services. John has hired, trained, and managed sales professionals in companies large and small, and mastered digital distribution through hands-on engagement:

• Early in his career, John built out and managed the professional development program for the internal sales desk for one of the world’s leading asset managers, Alliance Bernstein, coaching the team on the fundamentals of intermediary distribution.
• He then served as vice president of national sales and financial advisor consulting at E-Trade.
• As a sales executive and team leader at Cole Capital, an NYSE-listed real estate sponsor, John helped grow assets across multiple regions, channels, and products, culminating with the sale of the firm for $11+ billion.
• Prior to founding GK3 Capital in 2017, John served as Executive Vice President at Discovery Data, North America’s leading provider of information and analytics on financial services professionals. At Discovery Data, John led the firm’s consulting group, working with some of the largest asset managers in the US as well as up-and-coming boutiques. In the process, John discovered the power of web-based distribution for financial services.

Tess Grande

Director, Account Management

As the Director of Account Management at GK3 Capital, Tess manages the firm’s client services. She oversees the Account Management team, creating targeted action plans and ensuring diligent implementation, so that each client can reach their goals and objectives.

Before joining GK3, Tess worked for a full-service digital marketing agency that covered multiple industries and businesses of all sizes, ranging from local to global. She directed near-term and long-term initiatives applying the broad spectrum of digital tactics:

• search engine marketing
• search engine optimization
• paid social media
• organic social initiatives
• email marketing
• inbound marketing
• geofencing
• website optimization

Tess has honed her marketing and client service skills in both agency and in-house positions. She worked with diverse business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and e-commerce clients. She has deep knowledge of the digital marketing tactics needed to accomplish each client's unique goals. As a manager, Tess combines metrics and collaboration to ensure client success. Tess earned her BA magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a double major in English and Women’s Studies. 

Tess’s HubSpot certifications include:

• Inbound Marketing
• Growth-Driven Design

Additional certifications include:

• Google Ads Search
• Google Ads Display
• Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate 

Tess and her husband are avid hikers. They recently climbed New England’s highest peak, Mt. Washington, gaining 4,300 feet of elevation before returning the same day.

Kevin Chabra

Director, Operations

Kevin Chabra is the Operations Manager at GK3 Capital. Kevin oversees our project management systems and is responsible for the timely implementation of client programs, campaigns, and content. Kevin has nearly twenty years of experience as an operations and systems manager. His career focus has been mastering the complexities and challenges of systems and processes, and engineering continuous improvement.

Before joining GK3 Capital, Kevin was the project manager for the corporate business and technical administration team at Americana Hospitality Group, overseeing operations as well as systems and productivity enhancement. Previously, Kevin managed client relationships, new installations, and tech support for a full-service IT solutions provider.

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. True to his hands-on and solutions-oriented nature, Kevin personally rebuilt his family’s home.

Heather Gulino

Director, Business Administration

Heather Gulino is Director of Business Administration at GK3 Capital. Heather works on new investment product launches and implements digital strategies to generate leads and drive new business for our clients. Heather’s professional career spans financial services and compliance as well as digital sales and marketing.

Prior to joining GK3 Capital, Heather served as Vice President for Sales at FGS, a national marketing, fulfillment, and regulatory technology company serving 125+ major corporate clients in financial services and other industries. At FGS, Heather worked closely with senior leaders at the firm’s financial services clients to implement e-commerce, traditional marketing, and SEC regulatory filing solutions. Previously, Heather was an Account Manager at Discovery Data, North America’s leading provider of information and analytics on financial services professionals. Heather provided comprehensive support to Discovery Data clients with new user orientation, ongoing training, technical assistance, and optimal use of data. Heather also worked for nine years in marketing and compliance at Cole Capital, a national sponsor of real estate investment programs. At Cole, Heather was part of a team that successfully launched 40 Section 1031 tax-favored real estate exchange programs and three REITs. While at Cole Capital, the firm grew into a nationwide real estate enterprise listed on the NYSE with $15 billion of assets.

As a reflection of her digital expertise, Heather has earned several HubSpot certifications:

• Inbound
• Hubspot Marketing Software
• Inbound Marketing

Heather is proud that GK3 is named for her children: Gio, Kendall, Kinsley, and Kaitlyn.

Rick Lake

Content & Investment Strategist

Rick Lake is the Content and Investment Strategist at GK3 Capital. Rick oversees communications strategy and content creation across all media and investment types for GK3’s diverse financial industry clientele. As a veteran of the investment industry, Rick seeks to make our client content compelling for allocators, analysts, financial advisors, and investors.

Rick offers decades of experience in:

• portfolio management
• alternative investments
• investment research
• wealth management
• fundraising and distribution

As an entrepreneur, Rick co-founded and helped grow the nationally recognized alternative investment consulting firm, Lake Partners, from a startup to $5+ billion in consulting and advisory assets. Rick led a global investment research team analyzing and selecting asset managers across the spectrum of alternative and traditional strategies. Rick brings his multi-asset research perspective when creating content for our clients. As a portfolio manager, Rick launched the innovative liquid alternative LASSO mutual fund that achieved a 5-Star Morningstar ranking at its peak. For nearly a decade, Rick worked closely with the fund’s national distribution team to generate $1 billion in gross inflows. As an investment thought leader, Rick has been an invited speaker at the Morningstar Investment Conference, Yale, MIT, the London Business School, the SEC Hedge Fund Roundtable, and at investment conferences across the US.

Rick has extensive experience in compliance and has served as a chief compliance officer. He understands the importance of regulation in sales and marketing for the investment industry. Rick is also an award-winning writer and communicator, winning national awards for writing and digital marketing. Rick was a member of the GK3 Capital team that earned a Silver Medal in 2022 at the 28th Annual Financial Communications Society Awards, alongside Prudential (Bronze) and Invesco (Gold). Rick also received double “Best Website” honors in the 2021 Internet Advertising Competition of the Web Marketing Association.

Rick is a graduate of Harvard University, where he received the David McCord Prize in the Creative Arts for his writing.

As a competitive pro/am ballroom and Latin dancer, Rick has been an invited performer across the US, as well as in Canada, Argentina, the Bahamas, and at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

Mike Mathies

Content Writer

Mike Mathies is a Senior Content Writer at GK3 Capital, responsible for providing clients with compelling content across diverse media. Mike creates content designed to help our clients compete and grow. Mike brings versatility and decades of experience in financial services when creating blogs, white papers, websites, ebooks, social media posts, digital ads, brochures, and video scripts. Mike has over twenty years of marketing experience in finance and has held several senior leadership positions.

As Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing at Transamerica Capital, Mike led the launch of one of the first major inbound marketing programs by an insurance company or asset manager: “The New Age of Advice.” This innovative program positioned Transamerica as a thought leader shortly after the financial crisis, teaching advisors how to educate clients on essential retirement planning topics, including Social Security, Medicare, and Aging and Dementia. Previously, Mike served as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations at Cole Capital, a preeminent multi-billion-dollar sponsor of commercial real estate funds. Mike also served as Chief Marketing Officer at Old Mutual Capital (now Brightsphere Investment Group), the distribution arm of a global asset management holding company. At Old Mutual, Mike was instrumental in launching a multi-mutual fund program that raised $1 billion of investor capital.

Earlier in his career, Mike served as Chief Marketing Officer at Transamerica Capital, his first assignment with the firm. Mike was part of the team that lifted Transamerica to #1 among US variable annuity providers within two years of entering the sector.

Mike earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Arkansas. He played intercollegiate golf for the Razorbacks for four years and was named to the First Team All-Southwest Conference. Mike remains an ardent golfer and is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Ben Johnson

Content Writer

Ben Johnson is a content writer at GK3 Capital, providing clients with compelling and engaging content across all communication channels. Ben is a seasoned communications, publishing, marketing, and business development professional with more than 30 years of experience as a thought leader in all facets of the global commercial real estate and financial services industries.

Throughout his career, Ben has been an influencer when it comes to pioneering content. As a Managing Director at Institutional Real Estate Inc., he led the launch of a pioneering real assets-focused publication in both digital and print formats called Real Assets Adviser. This first-of-its-kind magazine reaches 70,000 top registered investment advisors, wealth managers, family offices, and defined contribution pension plan administrators with the goal of educating them about the real estate, infrastructure, energy, and commodities segments of the Real Assets investment class.

Ben has also played key executive and communication roles with some of the top firms in both the real estate and financial services industries. He was Director of Brand and Corporate Communications at AssetMark, a leading financial services firm based in Concord, Calif., as well as Director of Marketing at Marcus & Millichap, Vice President at Cole Real Estate Funds in Phoenix, Publishing Director at American Airlines Publishing, and Publishing Director at CoStar Group, Inc., where he managed the company’s extensive news division for 65 major markets and 100,000+ subscribers across the United States. He also served as the Director of Real Estate Marketing with Atlanta-based Wells Real Estate Funds, where he was responsible for all marketing programs for the company’s $6 billion, 130+-property national portfolio of class-A assets.

Ben has extensive editorial and publishing experience, including over a decade of leading two highly respected CRE trade publications, National Real Estate Investor and Shopping Center World magazines. He also has nearly a decade of experience working within top-level marketing and creative agencies in Dallas and New York, including four years with award-winning The Richards Group.

Ben’s diverse range of specialties include: Omni-channel content production, strategic communications, publishing, marketing, public relations, b2b and retail branding, business development, and client services.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an Associate of Arts from Missouri Southern State University. One of his most notable professional achievements was realized when Penguin Group published his first book in 2009, the only biography written on billionaire Chicago investor Sam Zell.

Tom Venner

Creative Director

Tom Venner is the Creative Director at GK3 Capital. He provides strategic direction and oversight of all creative work for our clients. Tom seeks excellence in communications in the service of client growth goals. Tom has over twenty-five years of experience as an art director and creative director. His diverse experience spans multiple industries:

• financial services
• capital markets
• commercial real estate
• technology
• specialty retail
• consumer electronics
• hospitality

Tom has long experience as a creative director supporting the growth of assets under management for investment firms. In his eight years at Provasi Capital (formerly Behringer and Behringer-Harvard), assets under management grew to over $11 billion. Tom managed an in-house design and marketing team covering diverse strategies:

• Private REITs
• Commercial real estate
• Core, value-add, and opportunistic properties
• 1031 tax-free exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs)
• Energy infrastructure
• Senior secured income strategies
• Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs)

Tom has also worked with major corporations, including:

• AT&T Business
• CapitalOne
• MGM Entertainment

At AT&T Business, he led the design and art direction for US and international C-suite executives. Tom’s team created technical and educational presentations and events highlighting company leadership. Business-to-business design has been the focus of Tom’s career, uniting creativity and data to increase client revenues. He has led collaborative teams across digital, print, and video. For his motion graphics, digital marketing, and video display advertising, Tom has earned Platinum and Gold honors at the AVA Digital Awards, an international competition recognizing outstanding work in digital communication.

Katie Cosgrove

Associate Account Director

Kristen Komyati

Account Manager

Kristen Komyati is an Account Manager at GK3 Capital. Kristen develops digital strategies for our clients to generate leads and drive new business. She combines insight with deep knowledge of digital sales and marketing to optimize client campaigns. Kristen has over twenty years of experience in digital and traditional marketing and advertising, social media, and events. Prior to joining GK3, she successfully managed campaigns for New York University, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Zappos.com, among many others. 

Kristen holds a BA in Communications from the University of Scranton. Kristen’s HubSpot certifications include:

• Inbound Marketing
• Growth-Driven Design
• Delivering Client Service

Kristen is a Jersey girl who enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and Siberian Husky. You can find Kristen on the ski slopes in the winter and on the beach in the summer.

Ryan Woelk

Account Manager

Ryan is an Account Manager at GK3 Capital, where he brings over a decade of experience in client success, project leadership, and systems optimization. He works closely with clients to ensure campaigns are executed seamlessly, timelines are met, and strategic goals are achieved. Ryan takes a hands-on approach to account management, leveraging his background in marketing operations to align efforts with measurable results and long-term client growth.

Before joining GK3, Ryan served as Director of Revenue Operations at a software company, where he oversaw growth projects, complex system implementations, CRM development, and automation strategy. He led cross-functional teams to deliver technical solutions that scaled operations and enhanced performance, including the rollout of analytics dashboards and customer journey optimization. His initiatives helped streamline internal workflows, increase conversion rates, and strengthen client engagement across the board.

Outside the office, Ryan enjoys spending quality time with his family, coaching youth sports, playing pickleball, and fishing. Whether on the court or at the lake, he values active living, teamwork, and balance. These personal passions mirror his professional ethos: focused, collaborative, and always striving for progress.

At GK3, Ryan ensures every client engagement is driven by clear communication, operational clarity, and a commitment to meaningful outcomes. His ability to combine project management, technical insight, and client service makes him a reliable partner and valuable member of the GK3 team.

Brad Goodall

Senior Account Coordinator

Brad is a Senior Account Coordinator at GK3 Capital, where he leverages his experience in account and project management to drive successful outcomes for clients. With a degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Florida International University, Brad has held significant roles at 10up and A-Train Marketing, managing projects ranging from custom websites to strategic marketing campaigns.

Prior to joining GK3 Capital, Brad worked with a variety of clients, including athletic clubs, hospitals, restaurants, professional athletes, and global enterprises. His passion for building strong relationships, combined with his expertise in modernizing platforms and aligning marketing strategies with company goals, has been key to his professional success.

Outside of work, Brad enjoys staying active, discovering new restaurants with his wife, playing with their rescue dog, Loki, and traveling to visit family in Florida and Denver, CO.

Brad’s Certifications include: HubSpot Inbound, HubSpot Email Marketing, Google Analytics, Google Ads

Clara Martin

Account Coordinator

As an Account Coordinator at GK3 Capital, Clara utilizes marketing innovation to help clients grow through inbound strategies.

Prior to joining GK3 Capital, Clara was a marketing intern and freelance web designer. She gained hands-on experience in digital marketing, e-commerce, social media, website development, and communications. 

Clara graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Rhode Island College of Business, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in the Business of Digital Media. Clara participated in the campus chapter of the American Marketing Association and was active in philanthropy and volunteering with Zeta Tau Alpha.

Clara has earned a Hubspot Social Media certification as well as Google Ads Search and Google Ads Display certifications.

Outside of the office, Clara explores her creativity through her passion for drawing and painting.

Hana Doroba

Account Coordinator

Hana Doroba is an Account Coordinator at GK3 Capital, where she utilizes her diverse experience in marketing, social media content, public relations, and communication to deliver exceptional results for clients. Hana graduated Cum Laude from Rider University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Social Media Strategies and a certificate in Leadership. 

During her time at Rider University, she actively participated in various clubs and organizations, holding leadership roles such as Chapter President, Secretary, and Philanthropic positions in the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She was also involved in the American Marketing Association, Club Lacrosse, and served as a two-time Orientation Leader for incoming students.

Before joining GK3 Capital, Hana was a Marketing/Public Relations Intern at Franks Advertising, a public relations and marketing agency. In this role, she gained valuable experience in marketing, social media content, public relations, communication, and organizational skills.

Hana has earned several certifications, including HubSpot Inbound Marketing, Growth Driven Design, and SEO.

Outside of work, Hana enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and running. She also loves taking trips to the beach, spending time with family, watching sports, and enjoying TV shows and movies.

Taylor Orendac

Account Coordinator

Taylor Orendac is an Account Coordinator at GK3 Capital, where she leverages innovative marketing techniques to drive client growth through inbound strategies. In addition to her client work, Taylor plays a key role in GK3 Capital's internal marketing efforts.

Taylor graduated from the College of Business at James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, concentrating in Professional Sales. During her time at JMU, she was an active member of the campus chapter of the American Marketing Association, participating in networking events, workshops, career fairs, and community outreach projects. Taylor was also involved in the Sales Club and volunteered with her sorority, Sigma Kappa.

Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, going to the beach, exploring new restaurants, taking cycling classes, and watching football games.

Colby Connor

Business Development Coordinator

As an Account Coordinator at GK3 Capital, Colby applies his education and experience in marketing and financial services to empower client growth. His skill set spans both traditional and digital marketing.

Before joining GK3, Colby was part of a 200-person team at the regional office of a national firm offering fee-based wealth management, estate planning, and insurance.

Colby earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Cum Laude from the Zeigler College of Business at Bloomsburg University, with a concentration in Business Management. He held leadership roles as Professional Development Chair for his university chapter of the American Marketing Association, and as President, Treasurer, and Community Service Chair for Theta Chi Lambda.

Colby and his teammate earned an Honorable Mention and tied for 5th place out of 75 universities at the American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference Marketing Strategy Competition.

Colby has also been a varsity athlete and managed a team of 50 for his local athletic club.

Ethan McRae

HubSpot Technologist

Ethan McRae is a HubSpot Technologist at GK3 Capital, implementing sophisticated marketing strategies to help our clients grow. Ethan’s career has spanned marketing software, the legal industry, and real estate.  With years of experience in the HubSpot ecosystem, Ethan has deep knowledge of the best practices needed to achieve business growth through inbound strategies.

Prior to joining GK3 Capital, Ethan worked as an account manager at the leading digital marketing agency in the legal industry. Ethan also worked at the headquarters of NYSE-listed HubSpot as a Business Development Representative. Ethan’s academic background is in real estate and urban studies. His early work experience includes commercial real estate brokerage, analysis, and acquisitions. Ethan earned his BS from the University of Connecticut. He majored in Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies and minored in Digital Marketing and Analytics. 

Ethan’s HubSpot certifications include:

• Inbound Marketing
• HubSpot Marketing Software
• Sales Hub Demo
• Growth-Driven Design
• Client Management

As a member of the “content-generating generation,” Ethan’s blogs have attracted tens of thousands of viewers. He keeps a close eye on Google’s algorithm changes and refines his strategies accordingly.

Ben Lee

AI & Technology Systems Manager

Ben is the AI & Technology Systems Manager at GK3 Capital, driving innovation and efficiency in marketing and consulting for financial services companies. Ben's career blends AI development, marketing technology implementation, and data analysis to optimize internal operations and enhance client offerings.  

With a background in AI integration and marketing analytics, Ben leads the development of AI-driven solutions, HubSpot implementations, and process improvements. He oversees HubSpot platform implementation, develops AI templates, and utilizes data analysis to inform client strategies and improve internal processes.  

Prior to joining GK3 Capital, Ben worked as an AI Integration Engineer, focusing on integrating AI services into client sales and marketing functions. Earlier in his career, he served as a Revenue Operations Analyst and Marketing Analyst, where he led CRM integration initiatives and optimized marketing data. He earned his BS in Marketing from the University of Maryland and completed a full-stack development bootcamp with App Academy.  

Ben's technical skills include:

• Programming in JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS, Java, ChromaDB, and LangChain.  

• Experience with HubSpot, Salesforce, Tableau, SEMrush, Hotjar, and Google Suite.  

Ben is focused on building AI solutions, optimizing HubSpot, and driving data-driven results for GK3 Capital and its clients.

Tanner Kazio

Graphic Designer

As a Graphic Designer at GK3 Capital, Tanner applies his creative talents to advancing client narratives with compelling visuals to connect with key audiences. Tanner possesses a diverse blend of creative talents encompassing digital and traditional graphic design, illustration, drawing, and artistry, as well as storytelling.

Prior to joining GK3 Capital, Tanner was a freelance graphic designer and art instructor. His wide-ranging assignments included branding, logo design, sketch artist, vector illustration (using mathematical algorithms to create artwork), and digital illustration. Tanner was also a drawing teacher for students of all ages.

Tanner earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. While at Rutgers, Tanner held leadership roles at the campus chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, a national honors fraternity focused on academics and community service.

Tanner’s technical skills encompass the latest in design and illustration technology: Procreate and Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, and Photoshop.

Uniting his passion for both artistry and storytelling, Tanner is a great fan of Pixar animation as well as musical theater.

Brett Johnson

Digital Media Manager

Brett Johnson oversees all paid media initiatives for GK3 Capital. Brett serves as a resource for GK3 clients utilizing paid digital media to reach their target investor profiles, as well as users actively searching for related investment opportunities.

Brett has years of experience managing paid media budgets, small and large, with specialized expertise in:

• Google pay-per-click advertising
• LinkedIn lead generation
• Programmatic advertising
• Facebook advertising
• Display advertising

Brett applies his years of experience across the paid media campaign process, which includes research, strategy, setup, launch, ongoing budget monitoring, and campaign optimization.

Brett’s expertise encompasses digital marketing strategy and website design in addition to paid media. His multifaceted background enables him to collaborate closely with the GK3 Capital account and content teams to optimize the return on investment for the advertising budgets of our clients. The goal is to increase client website traffic and convert leads into prospects and investors.

Prior to joining GK3 Capital, Brett worked for marketing and design agencies in New York City, Boston, and Rhode Island. As an entrepreneur, Brett launched a consulting practice advising agencies on digital growth strategies.

Brett earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration summa cum laude from Gordon College, where he earned “Student-Athlete of the Year” honors. He was also captain of the college’s NCAA Division III swim team.

Brett also earned his Master of Business Administration in Marketing summa cum laude from Providence College, where he earned “Student of the Year” honors.

Brett is a fan of new businesses. He produced and hosted a podcast, “Chasing Goliath,” highlighting the everyday stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs. Brett is also a co-founder of Fire Drops, a provider of organic throat lozenges and natural remedies made with cayenne pepper.