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Our Mission

dknx exists to support your career journey, helping you find clarity, deepen connections, and move forward with confidence and authenticity.

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Dorothy Donnelly

Dorothy Donnelly brings a rich blend of personal and professional experience to her role as a partner with dknx Career Growth Solutions. Raised between New Jersey, Ireland, Florida, and Pittsburgh, she developed an early appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. A first-generation college student and Pell Grant recipient, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Ithaca College.

Dorothy began her career with Walter V. Clarke & Associates, the firm that founded the AVA Behavioral Assessment, serving Fortune 500 clients and learning how behavioral insight transforms hiring and placement decisions. Over the next 35+ years, she applied her understanding of workplace behavior to lead teams and drive strategic initiatives for global consulting firms, nonprofit organizations advancing public health, and economic development agencies strengthening local and regional economies.

Her professional and personal adventures have taken her to Boston, Baltimore, San Francisco, Denver, and Los Angeles, before ultimately returning to Ithaca, NY. Since 2022, Dorothy has made Ithaca home again, where she lives with her two rescue pups, grounded in a community she deeply values and is committed to serving.

    • Chief of Staff, Cayuga Health System: Led strategic activities for the senior leadership team and board of directors.

    • Marketing Director, American Water Works Association (AWWA): Drove member engagement and growth for a global nonprofit.

    • President and Owner, DenMark Communications: Provided strategic marketing consulting and displayed entrepreneurial leadership.

    • Executive Director, Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Denver Chapter: Strengthened relationships and programs for middle-market business leaders.

    • Regional Marketing Director, Grant Thornton: Enhanced visibility and market penetration across seven capital markets.

    • Senior Marketing Manager, Deloitte; Marketing Manager, Arthur Andersen: Supported global business development and large client engagements.

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Neal Kawesch

Neal Kawesch is an experienced leader in sales, business development, and partnerships, with more than 35 years of work supporting national and international companies. Based in Brooklyn, New York, he is a partner with dknx Career Growth Solutions and helps clients expand their networks, navigate career transitions with confidence, and grow with intention.

Neal’s personal journey is rooted in resilience. After a serious mountain biking accident caused a brachial plexus injury and right arm paralysis, he became the only person at the time to fully regain movement from such an injury. Through determination, physical therapy, and mental strength practices over three years, he regained full use of his arm and reshaped his outlook. He now shares this story to inspire others to face challenges with courage and possibility.

Neal blends proven sales leadership with a growth mindset to help clients refine their positioning, build meaningful connections, and unlock new career opportunities. He is known for his optimism, practical strategy, and genuine enthusiasm as a trusted advisor.

After relocating to Brooklyn in 2025, Neal brings experience from Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He holds a dual degree in Economics and Communications from Northwestern University and enjoys travel, hosting dinner parties, exploring New York City neighborhoods, and live music.

    • Director, Partnerships & Alliances, Invoca: Built strategic alliances for an AI-powered analytics company, advancing agency and technology partner growth and closing the company’s largest deal to date ($3M+).

    • Director, Agency Partnerships, Kenshoo (now Skai): Expanded U.S. ad-tech partnerships with leading agencies and brands.

    • Corporate Account Executive & Manager, Social Sales, Oracle: Exceeded quota within six months and grew middle-market cloud and social sales by nearly $1 million in the first year.

    • Vice President, Business Development, ListenLogic: Generated over $1 million in new revenue within six months, securing global accounts such as L’Oreal, ING Direct, and Red Bull.

    • National Account Manager, J.D. Power: Opened a new territory and developed over $500,000 in sales the first year with clients including Disney, ABC, HBO, and Kodak.

    • West Coast Advertising Director, Wired Magazine/Conde Nast: Led advertising growth of 68% year-over-year, the highest in magazine history, and opened the automotive and fashion categories.

Testimonials

“dknx excels at recognizing each person’s unique strengths and talents, guiding them into roles that let them shine and build highly effective, collaborative teams.”

— Kim, Chief Marketing Officer

“dknx stands out for their ability to identify strengths and nurture individuals, fostering team success. Their consultants encourage growth by believing in people’s potential, offering meaningful challenges, and giving ownership in the process.”

— Susan, Chief Operating Officer

“The consultants at dknx freely share their expertise and wisdom, providing practical guidance that helps teams improve performance. They’re authentic leaders and mentors with deep networks—dedicated to driving results for every client.”

— Tina, VP, Enterprise SaaS Sales