Launched in March 2008, Get Konnected! is the brainchild of Colette A. M. Phillips, President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications, Inc. and creator of Kaleidoscope, Boston’s first comprehensive multicultural resource guide.
Founded as a social impact venture, the mission of Get Konnected is to curate meaningful business and social connections, enrich professional development, facilitate business and career opportunities, and forge positive cross-cultural relationships.
Our Programs
Our programs – including in-person and virtual events, career resources, and the GK Market – unleash the power of inclusion, curate cross-cultural business connections, foster career advancement, and facilitate access to opportunity for women and people of color.
GK! Market Amplifying brands in Boston and beyond to fuel small business growth and increase their bottom line.
GK! Network Named Boston’s Best Business Networking Group by Boston Magazine. Our cross-cultural events create meaningful business and social connections.
GK! Fund Facilitating access to capital, mentorship, and opportunity for underrepresented startup founders in tech and innovation.
GK Execu-Search A dedicated team of executive recruiters who focus on helping top companies and nonprofits diversify their senior leadership roles with our exclusive network of high impact professionals of color.
GK! Job Hub Looking for a new opportunity? Find your dream job with well-known companies in Boston and beyond.
Meet Our Team
Colette Phillips
CEO and Founder, Get Konnected!
Co-Founder and President, The GK Fund
Colette is the President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications and Founder of Get Konnected! She is an expert in strategy and transformation who is frequently consulted by corporations and Fortune 500 companies helping to establish healthy, inclusive working environments. She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Boston Business Journal and was named in 2020 among Boston Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. She serves as a trustee to Massachusetts General Hospital and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Jewish Committee, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Bank. She holds a BS and MS from Emerson College and a Honorary Doctorate from Mount Ida College.
Recent Media
Boston Magazine
- Feature: The 100 Most Influential People in Boston Right Now
(74. Colette Phillips) - Article: Five Cross-Cultural Etiquette Tips for Doing Business in Boston
- Article: 7 Steps for Becoming an Anti-Racism Advocate
- Feature: Boston’s Great Connector: Colette Phillips
Michael Benezra
COO, Get Konnected!
Co-Founder and Executive Director, The GK Fund
In 2021, Michael was named to the 40 Under 40 list by the Boston Business Journal. Michael previously worked on diplomatic affairs as the Director of Economic Affairs and Innovation for the Israeli Foreign Ministry to New England, where he raised over $20 million in capital and venture funding for Israeli startup companies with an emphasis on social impact. Previously he worked on economic policy for the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Obama Administration, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire and in the U.S. House. In 2012 he served as the Director of Research for the Harvard Law School Project on Disability. He holds a BA from the University of Washington and Masters degree from Harvard University.
Maria P. DeSimone
Financial Administrative Manger, Colette Phillips Communications, Inc
Maria serves as the Financial Administrative Manager for Colette Phillips Communications, Inc. She previously worked for Colette as an assistant to the CFO from 2008 to 2013, before transitioning fulltime into her own Tax Preparation and Accounting Business. Maria returned to Colette Phillip’s team in early 2020 as a Financial Consultant before she was promoted to Financial Administrative Manager.
Ryan Litner
Executive Assistant
Ryan Litner joined Colette Phillips Communications and Get Konnected in 2021 as the Executive Assistant. Ryan assists Colette and her team in a myriad of new business, client-facing, administrative, and event planning initiatives. Ryan has previous experience as a Law Clerk at a leading Boston personal injury firm. He earned his BA in History from the University of Delaware in 2020. In 2019, Ryan was a finalist for a faculty-nominated University of Delaware essay prize. Ryan is committed to helping CPC and Get Konnected drive positive change in the city of Boston.
Andre Porter
Co-Founder and Treasurer, The GK Fund
Andre served as the Deputy Director of the City of Boston's Office of Business Development and Director of the Massachusetts Office of Small Business from 2008 – 2015. Andre provides strategic planning and financing to small businesses transitioning from startup to growth stage. He has counseled hundreds of startups and small businesses over the span of three decades. His real estate management consultancy assists property owners and developers with services ranging from municipal approvals to project financing.