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
Michael serves as the COO of Get Konnected! and Colette Phillips Communications. Michael previously worked on diplomatic affairs as the Director of Economic Affairs for the Israeli Foreign Ministry to New England, where he raised millions 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.
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.
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.
Noa Vardy
Executive Assistant, Get Konnected!
Noa Vardy joined Colette Phillips Communications in 2020 as an Executive Assistant. Vardy’s responsibilities include office administration between Colette Phillips and all clients, new businesses, and events. She is Franco-Israeli and arrived in Boston in 2012 following her husband who came here for a Post-Doc in MIT. She has a MA in French Literature and is the founder of the non-profit Massachusetts Israeli Women Organization. She was the Event Manager of Congregation Kehillath Israel before Covid-19.
Lily Pillsbury
Digital Content Creator, Get Konnected!
Lily Pillsbury joined Colette Phillips' team in January 2021 as a marketing intern and landed a permanent role as the Digital Content Specialist shortly after her term as an intern. Lily’s responsibilities include coordinating and developing all creatives related to clients, new business, events, and materials needed for the team. Lily has been working alongside Phillips throughout various events and projects, including All Inclusive Boston, Boston’s Most Impactful Black Women in 2021 and GK50’s Most Influential People in Higher Education. Lily has expertise in non-profit work, social justice, multi-cultural communications, and company branding. Her research ranges from natural disaster recovery, lifestyle of women in underdeveloped countries, and global health inequities. She holds a BA in International Development and Social Change and MS in Professional Communication both from Clark University.
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.
Ana Isabella Martinez
Brand and Multicultural Marketing Intern
Ana Isabella Martinez joined Colette Phillips Communications in 2021 as an intern. Ana Isabella will be working alongside the team planning various events and projects, including GK’s Taste of Ethnic Boston event. Ana Isabella is Colombian-Bolivian and moved to Boston from Miami to study. Ana Isabella is a broadcast journalism student with a sociology minor at Suffolk University.