Charles Adkins

I build revenue and reputation through disciplined operations, clear brand strategy, and data-driven growth. My background spans CEO, President, and CMO responsibilities across technology and mission-driven organizations, where I’ve owned P&Ls exceeding $1 billion, led global marketing and partnerships, and served as a public spokesperson.

My focus is simple: connect the brand to business outcomes. I work across product, marketing, and operations to translate complex strategies into measurable results; building stronger pipelines, tighter forecasting, and programs that scale.

I’m most effective leading through clarity and rhythm: consistent metrics reviews, structured decision routines, and a culture that favors sound and moral judgment over noise and attention diversion. I’ve partnered with boards and functional committees, guided cross-functional teams, and built high-trust organizations that deliver sustained growth in ultra fast-moving markets.

In my current role, I’m continuing to refine how edge technology organizations tell their story, strengthen public trust, and expand access to innovation within existing and not-yet-existing regulatory frameworks. I stay close to the numbers, the message, and the people driving all of these core areas.

Across my work history I have always been drawn to deep brand architecture, pricing, and operating cadence for emerging companies and institutions that have a desire to bridge technology, culture, and education.

Global Lead - Business Development

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership Development: Identify, establish, and nurture strategic partnerships with blockchain projects, technology companies, industry consortia, and other relevant stakeholders. Collaborate with partners to explore synergies, drive integrations, and jointly promote the adoption of the Aptos blockchain.

Market Expansion: Conduct market research to identify new business opportunities, target industries, and potential customers. Develop Go-to-Market strategies to penetrate identified markets and expand the user base of the Aptos blockchain. Work closely with the marketing team to drive awareness and demand generation initiatives.

Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing partners, clients, and industry influencers. Serve as the main point of contact for partners, addressing their needs, and ensuring a high level of satisfaction. Act as a trusted advisor, providing guidance on leveraging the Aptos blockchain to achieve their business objectives.

Deal Negotiation and Closure: Lead the negotiation and closing of partnership agreements, licensing deals, and other business collaborations. Collaborate with legal and finance teams to ensure contracts are in line with company policies and objectives.

Thought Leadership: Established myself as a thought leader in the blockchain industry by participating in industry events, speaking engagements, and contributing to whitepapers or thought leadership articles. Represent Aptos Labs in industry forums and engage in discussions to promote the company's vision and technological advancements.

Competitive Analysis: Monitor the competitive landscape, staying up-to-date with market trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments. Provide insights and recommendations to the executive team on potential threats and opportunities in the market.

MBA in Entertainment, University of Southern California | Ex: Disney, JPMorganChase, KPMG, PwC

Fun fact: My LinkedIn isn't my resume. 

So don't come here looking to evaluate hiring me based on my LinkedIn. 

Or maybe you should look at my LinkedIn to realize I beautifully blend data and analytics with entertaining and educational storytelling. 

I always dreamed of being a television programmer. It never happened, so instead I live out my dream programming LinkedIn like my own TV channel. 

Over the past 5 years, I’ve logged 10,000+ hours on this platform. I’ve built a following of 100,000+ by programming my LinkedIn like my own TV channel. My content isn’t random. It’s strategic. Story-driven. Designed to drive real outcomes.

And it’s worked, generating $10M+ in deals for the companies I've worked. Read that one again. Not me, but my companies. The power of companies leveraging LinkedIn is the future of LinkedIn. 

In 2021, I launched a global  events company while working with a Mark Cuban and Ashton Kutcher startup, producing 40+ events in LA, NYC, Dubai, Paris, and London that drove millions of dollars in  revenue. I understand how to leverage LinkedIn so companies can drive real results. 

A few highlights:

-Closed a strategic partnership with CAA
-Raised $7M in funding for a Mark Cuban venture-backed startup
-Secured $4.13M in brand deals for one of the world’s top celebrities

My background spans banking (JPMorganChase), global advisory (PwC, KPMG), and a decade as CFO/COO in the luxury design world, managing 50+ people and overseeing $40M+ in ARR and $1B+ in real estate projects for icons like President Obama, George Clooney, and Cindy Crawford.

I’ve lived and worked in LA, NYC, and Dubai. I’ve built communities in tech, luxury, and now the creator economy. I’m obsessed with solving complex business problems through storytelling, partnerships, and scalable brand strategy.

Always open to meeting new and interesting people that love life, love to win, and love to make the world a better place.

John Kraski

Ben Affleck just sold an AI company to Netflix.

Yes. That Ben Affleck.

While tabloids covered his divorce from Jennifer Lopez, he was quietly building something.

In 2022, he started studying AI.

He admitted it scared him at first.

But instead of running from it, he did something most people wouldn't.

He built a company called InterPositive.

Not AI that replaces filmmakers.
AI built BY filmmakers FOR filmmakers.

Tools that protect the human side of storytelling.

No text-to-video gimmicks.
No "get the human out of it" nonsense.

Real tools for real creators.

This week, Netflix acquired the whole company.

Ben Affleck is now a senior advisor.

Think about that.

The same guy TMZ was photographing looking sad outside his house was simultaneously building technology Netflix wanted to buy.

The headlines you read about someone are almost never the full story.

Everyone saw the divorce.
Nobody saw the company.

That's how it works.

The people building something real aren't posting about it.
They're not seeking validation.
They're heads down, doing the work.

And one day, the news breaks.

What you're building in silence will eventually speak for itself.

How about them apples?!

Partnerships @ Dhar Mann, Forbes #2 Creator I MBA in Entertainment, University of Southern California

The best follow on LinkedIn?

Nila Makhfi, M.S.

She’s doing something no one else is doing.

She’s bringing together LinkedIn and real life. 

She's building LinkedUp.

I went to one of her events last week.

Mind blown.

Creators. Founders. Creatives. 
Same room. Same energy. Real conversations.

We both went to University of Southern California.

She invited me to speak on a panel to students about LinkedIn.

I told them:

90% of people in my phone are now people I met on LinkedIn over the past 5 years.

That's not an exaggeration.

That's the power of this platform.

But here's the thing:

LinkedIn gets you the connection.

Meeting in person builds the relationship.

That's what Nila Makhfi, M.S. understands.

That's what LinkedUp is all about.

Do yourself a favor and follow her.

Trust me and Keemia Mahmodian on this one.

Partnerships at Dhar Mann, Forbes #2 Creator I MBA in Entertainment, University of Southern California

The best city in America right now?

It might be San Francisco.

I'm shocked I'm even saying it.

I've always been an LA or NYC guy.

But I was up there this week for the first time in a while.

Attended some amazing events hosted by my friends at Brand Innovators and Creative Artists Agency during Super Bowl week.

I was immediately struck by the cleanliness.

The homeless crisis that dominated headlines for years?

Addressed in a major way.

I felt safe.
I felt energized.
I felt proud to be American.

Maybe it was just the Super Bowl energy.

But I think it's something more.

San Francisco's new Mayor Daniel Lurie took office in January 2025.

He's not just signing executive orders from City Hall.

He's out there.
In the neighborhoods.
Picking up trash himself.
Leading community cleanups.

His "Breaking the Cycle" initiative is tackling homelessness head-on.

Not with press releases.
With action.

The city that tech abandoned?
The city that became a punchline?

It's coming back.

I hope the mayors of LA and NYC book a flight to SFO soon.

Because this is the model.

American cities deserve better. 

The American people deserve better. 

Trust me and Daniel Lurie on this one.

taplio

The Battle

Charles Adkins

John Kraski

Followers

Posts

Engagements

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Performance ScoreJohn Kraski's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Charles Adkins

John Kraski

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}John Kraski's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJohn Kraski's LinkedIn Performance