BrandBuilders

There’s a question that lives in the back of the mind of nearly every parent raising a child with special needs. It doesn’t announce itself — it just sits there, quiet and heavy. What happens to my child when I am no longer here? For a long time, that question had no good answer. Families navigated a maze of government benefits, legal documents, and financial systems — often alone, guided by well-meaning professionals who didn’t have the depth of specialization this work demands. In 2005, a financial planner from Charlotte decided that wasn’t good enough. Ryan F. Platt founded A Special Needs Plan with one mission: to serve families living with that fear and replace it with clarity, structure, and a road map forward. Today, the firm is an elite, nationally recognized practice serving families across the country. Ryan holds credentials most financial advisors have never heard of — including the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation — because he believes this community deserves a true specialist. He’s a former president of The Arc of North Carolina, a speaker at national conferences, a published author, and a champion for families who have spent too long facing the impossible alone. Ryan, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

Every business runs on data. Every data breach costs money, erodes trust, and — in some cases — ends companies. The question isn’t whether cybersecurity matters. It’s who you trust to protect you when the stakes are that high. Today’s guest built his career on that question. Matt Donato spent nearly two decades in professional services — starting in staffing and executive search, learning how organizations find, build, and keep top talent. He took that knowledge and co-founded HuntSource, an executive search firm focused on the cybersecurity sector. That led him deeper into the industry — through a leadership role at CyberSN, the largest cybersecurity talent acquisition firm in the country — and ultimately to where he is today. Since January 2023, Matt has been a Partner at Echelon Risk + Cyber — an award-winning cybersecurity and risk management firm based in Charlotte, with a mission as clear as it gets: protecting security and privacy as basic human rights. Charlotte is a city on the move — diversifying fast, with a tight-knit executive community where reputation is currency. And for Matt Donato, reputation is exactly the business he’s in. Matt, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

The right lighting can transform a space—from how it feels to how it functions—and behind every smart system is someone who understands both the technical side and the relationship side of the business. Our guest today is Kenny Barnes, General Manager of FRM Lighting & Controls, based right here in Charlotte. FRM has been a leader in the electrical industry since 1969, and in 2024 they launched FRM Lighting & Controls to bring that same experience and reliability to the lighting and controls market across the Carolinas and Florida. Kenny is at the helm of this new division, building the team, deepening partnerships with contractors and manufacturers, and helping clients navigate a fast-evolving world of energy codes, controls, and design. Today we’re talking with Kenny about launching and growing a new division inside an established company, what’s changing in the lighting and controls world, and how strong partnerships can make or break a project. Kenny, welcome to this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast.

Charlotte is growing fast, and a lot of that growth is being shaped by people who don’t just build projects, they build communities. One of those leaders is Todd Collins, CEO and founder of Red Hill Ventures, a Charlotte-based real estate firm and investment platform focused on innovative, community-centered development. Under Todd’s leadership, Red Hill Ventures has invested in and revitalized key properties across the region—from industrial parks to commercial spaces—while keeping an eye on long-term value, economic mobility, and the future of how people live and work. He’s also deeply involved in Charlotte’s civic and philanthropic circles, championing opportunity, diversity, and education alongside his wife, Janelle, and partners like Atrium Health. Today we’re talking with Todd about how thoughtful real estate can shape a city, what he’s seeing in Charlotte’s market right now, and why purpose and profit don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Todd, welcome to this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast.

Charlotte’s movie scene has something truly special — and it’s not your average theater popcorn experience. The Independent Picture House isn’t just a cinema; it’s a community hub for film lovers, artists, and idea seekers. As Charlotte’s only nonprofit community cinema, IPH is building something more than a movie — a space where cultural conversations, local voices, and international films all meet under one roof. Our guest today is one of the driving forces behind that mission — Claire Lechtenberg, Director of Marketing and Development at the Independent Picture House. Claire has been helping tell IPH’s story, growing its community impact, and turning film screenings into meaningful experiences that connect people. She’s also been recognized as one of Queens University’s “10 Under 10” alumni for her leadership and creativity in shaping Charlotte’s arts scene. Let’s talk with Claire about how IPH is redefining what a movie theater can mean to a community — and why “more than a movie” perfectly captures this local treasure. Claire, welcome to this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast.

Tiffany VanDeMark believes your brand is felt before it is understood — and she has spent her career helping people and organizations make that feeling count. From launching global experiential marketing and wellness initiatives at Chobani, to leading brand and revenue growth for health and fitness companies, she has built a reputation as a dynamic leader who blends strategy, storytelling, and heart. After founding her own consultancy, VanDeMark Partners, Tiffany expanded her work as a speaker, coach, and board member, guiding executives, founders, and especially women through seasons of reinvention in their lives and careers — reminding people that reinvention is not a failure, but a superpower.

Food has a unique way of bringing people together, especially in life’s hardest moments. Feast for Good does exactly that for cancer patients in the Charlotte area — organizing meals from local restaurants and food partners for folks braving treatment. By tapping into Charlotte’s culinary community, Feast for Good not only feeds people physically, but also provides comfort, dignity, and a reminder that they are not facing cancer alone. Our guest today, Kristi Martin, is the Founder and Executive Director of Feast for Good and the creator of the earlier FEAST Food Tours & Culinary Events brand. A cancer survivor herself, Kristi transformed her own experience with acute myeloid leukemia and a stem cell transplant into a nonprofit that cares for patients in need. Kristi, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

Charlotte’s arts scene continues to thrive, thanks to institutions that make creativity accessible and inspiring for everyone. At the heart of that movement stands the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art — a cultural landmark known for its stunning architecture, world-class collection, and inclusive approach to modern art. Since opening in 2010, the museum has become a hub for connection, conversation, and creative exploration for visitors from every walk of life. Our guest today, Todd Smith, is the Executive Director of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. With decades of experience leading museums across the country, Todd is passionate about making modern art meaningful and relevant to today’s audiences. Under his leadership, the Bechtler continues to expand its community reach — through innovative programs like Wednesday Night Live, Jazz at the Bechtler, and Music & Museum — all of which invite visitors to experience art in new and unexpected ways. Todd, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.