Kurt Donnell

Kurt Donnell is the President and CEO of Freestar, a company recognized for its innovative solutions in digital advertising. He has been in this role since January 2019 and has significantly contributed to Freestar's growth, leading it to be ranked as the number one fastest-growing private company on the Inc. 5000 list in 2019.12

Background and Career Path

Before joining Freestar, Kurt had a diverse career primarily in corporate development and legal roles. He served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at YogaWorks, where he played a key role in the company’s IPO, marking a significant milestone as the first boutique fitness company to go public.13 Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President at SheKnows Media, where he managed various teams focused on business and audience development.13

Kurt began his career as an attorney at prominent law firms such as Ballard Spahr and Jones Day, where he specialized in corporate transactions and regulatory issues.13 His educational background includes a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School and degrees in Accountancy from Miami University.13

Leadership at Freestar

At Freestar, Kurt emphasizes a people-centric leadership approach, believing that the heart of effective leadership lies in caring for employees.24 Under his guidance, Freestar has expanded from a small team to over 75 employees, focusing on building operational infrastructure and enhancing customer service capabilities.4 He has been instrumental in implementing scalable systems for accounting and HR, which have contributed to high employee satisfaction scores.4

Kurt's vision for Freestar involves not only maximizing ad revenue for clients but also fostering a culture that prioritizes customer success and operational excellence. He actively engages with employees at all levels to address challenges and promote accountability within the organization.4

Insights on Industry Trends

In interviews, Kurt has shared his insights on the evolving landscape of digital advertising, particularly concerning programmatic advertising—an area where Freestar excels by conducting billions of ad auctions monthly for its clients.24 He also discusses the importance of adapting to changes in technology and market demands, which he finds invigorating compared to his previous roles in more traditional sectors.4

Kurt Donnell's journey from law to leading a dynamic ad tech company illustrates his adaptability and commitment to fostering growth both for his team and clients.