Chris Dessi | Source | Founder & CEO at Torque AI

Chris is the visionary CEO and Founder of Torque AI, a cutting-edge software platform revolutionizing brand connections through Artificial Intelligence. As a renowned serial tech entrepreneur, Chris boasts a prolific career, having authored four best-selling books and delivered impactful talks as a TEDx speaker. His leadership journey includes pivotal roles at top-tier software companies, notably Buddy Media, which Salesforce acquired for 1 billion dollars.

Previously, Chris founded and led Silverback, an award-winning digital marketing agency, for nearly a decade before its acquisition by Performline, Inc. He has a proven track record of launching and successfully exiting four prominent technology conferences. He is the producer of AI Summit NYC, a premier tech conference tailored for non-tech professionals. Chris's insights and achievements have been prominently featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Fortune, Success, and Sports Illustrated.

During his 25-year career in New York and London, Chris won the SmartCEO Future 50 Award in 2016, the Hermes Creative Award in 2015, and the Fair Media Council Folio Award in 2014. With his deep understanding of the technology industry, he is a regular expert commentator on CNBC, CNN, Fox News, Good Day New York, & FOX BUSINESS’s Varney & Co. One of his greatest honors was to deliver a keynote presentation to the United States Marines aboard the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum.

In 2012, the Business Council of Westchester honored Dessi as a 40 Under 40 winner for exemplifying leadership, foresight, and a vision for the future of Westchester County, where he currently resides with his wife and two daughters.

Chris holds an Executive Certificate from MIT's Sloan School of Management. He is a certified Scrum Master. He graduated with a BA in Psychology from Loyola University Maryland and an MS in Direct and Interactive Marketing from New York University.