Connected Commerce Council
The Connected Commerce Council (3C) is a non-profit organization with a single goal: to promote small businesses’ access to essential digital technologies and tools. 3C provides small businesses with access to the market’s most effective digital tools available, provides coaching to optimize growth and efficiency, and works to cultivate a policy environment that considers and respects the interests of today’s small businesses.
Executive Director
Rob Retzlaff
Executive Director
Rob Retzlaff is the Executive Director at the Connected Commerce Council in Washington, D.C. where he is responsible for overseeing the administration, programming, and strategic outreach and operations of the organization. Prior to joining 3C, Rob was an Account Executive at an insurance brokerage firm in Los Angeles, CA where he managed high-end specialty insurance accounts, negotiated and…
Rob Ellsworth
Vice President of Government Affairs
As 3C’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Rob Ellsworth has nearly 15 years of strategic legislative experience in international, federal, state and local politics. Most recently, Rob co-founded a Washington, DC-based political consulting firm representing multiple Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, trade associations, foreign governments, non-profits, and universities. Prior to his private sector work, he served…
Emanuela Cebert
3C Public Affairs Lead
Emanuela is a Public Affairs Lead at the Connected Commerce Council. She has extensive experience developing and executing comprehensive public affairs campaigns and business strategies. Previously, she provided strategic political and operational expertise for MGM Resorts International’s global development efforts in the U.S., Japan, and UAE. Prior to that, Emanuela oversaw the implementation of the…
Shanthi Ramakrishna
3C Community Lead
Shanthi is a Community Lead at the Connected Commerce Council. She previously served as 3C’s Tech Policy Fellow, focusing on small business advocacy and technology policy issues such as data privacy and artificial intelligence. In May 2024, Shanthi graduated with a Master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She earned her…
Kristin Rae
Seller Policy Expert
Kristin is the owner of Inspire Travel Luggage, an independent, woman-founded brand of travel bags that launched in 2013 from an idea on a napkin sketch. The Traveler, her signature collection, is an alternative to other toiletry bags, equipped with a solid removable leak-proof core and lid that’s easy to clean. Launching a new Made…
Sharon Nguyễn
Tech Policy Fellow
Sharon Nguyễn (pronounced as win) was born and raised in San Jose, California– the heart of Silicon Valley. She has always been inspired by the growing atmosphere of innovations and thriving entrepreneurs. Currently, she is a 2nd year Master’s candidate in Communications, Culture, and Technology at Georgetown University. Her concentration studies are in innovations and…
Board of Directors
Jake Ward
President
Jake Ward is Chairman of the Connected Commerce Council (3C), a membership organization for small businesses empowered by digital tools and technology. 3C provides thousands of small businesses access to tools, resources, and support to start, run, and grow. 3C advocates on behalf of its membership for state and federal policies that promote small business…
Stella Crewse
Morgan Miller Plumbing, CEO
Stella Crewse is the CEO of Morgan Miller Plumbing, a locally owned plumbing service company. Stella is originally from Springfield MO and received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Mo State University in 1987. She moved to Kansas City and spent 12 years working as an accountant in the travel industry before she left the…
Marlene Romo Flores
Salons by JC, Marketing Director
Marlene Romo Flores is the Marketing Director for Salons by JC who was recently ranked #1 Salon Suite by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. Marlene is a member of the U.S. Facebook SMB Council, alumni class of 2016. Her innovative and competitive style of digital buying and marketing lead her to also be featured in a…
Salil Gandhi
HCP Buzz & SBO Buzz, Founder
Salil Gandhi has over 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur and in marketing. He co-founded Vipogen, a biotech startup, in 2003. Following his time at Vipogen and several years in the corporate world, Salil founded HCP Buzz in 2013 with the goal of helping Health Care Professionals reach patients more efficiently by leveraging digital…
Andreea Matei
Launch Grow Joy, Founder
Andreea Matei is a successful entrepreneur who has started and sold three companies and currently runs LaunchGrowJoy.com. She is a PR expert and her platform, Media Leads, connects editors and influencers with e-commerce brands. Her platform has helped over 1000 brands get featured in the media. A frequent contributor and guest author, Andreea and her…
Mimi Striplin
Founder of The Tiny Tassel
Miwako Striplin (Mimi) is the founder of The Tiny Tassel in Charleston, South Carolina. Mimi began this venture by designing and creating each tassel by hand in 2015. Her online success led her to offer a full line of handmade tassel jewelry, party decor made up of bright colors and classic prints available at retailers…