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

I showed up to a conference with no friends.

Then Monica Khan saved my life.

Creator Economy Live in Las Vegas.
Hosted by my good friend Justin Johnson

Hundreds of creators.
Everyone already knew each other.
I knew no one.

I started having flashbacks of high school.

Was I going to be walking around like a lost little puppy dog?

With no friends that wanted to hang out with me. 

Then Monica Khan came to the rescue. 

I landed in Vegas around the same time as her.

She said, "Don't worry. Stick with me. I'll introduce you to everyone."

And she did.

I met so many amazing people including: 

David Neyman, Joe Sousa, Val Guerrera, Kimia Kalbasi, Gary Zucker, Garin Fons, Adrienne Fleming, MS, Erica Fieldman, Kenny Layton, Colin Duethorn, Meredith McLuckie, Grace Niu, Lisa Zlotnick, Courtney Buckhanon, Brendan Gahan, Keith Bendes, France Tantiado, Dylan Huey, Nila Makhfi, M.S., Oksana Kravchenko, Morgan Swinford, and so many more. 

Monica Khan took me under her wing.
Introduced me to her friends.
Invited me to her events.

She even got me into an amazing dinner hosted by Later.
Special shoutout to Tim Clarke, Scott Sutton, and Lyle Stevens. 

Think about that.

Most people at conferences network for themselves.
The best ones open doors for others.

That's the difference between a connector and a collector.

Collectors hoard relationships.
Connectors share them.

Make sure to follow Monica Khan.

Trust me and every person with no friends at a conference on this one.

Creator, Celebrity, and Brand Partnerships Executive I MBA in Entertainment, University of Southern California

Your degree won't get you hired.

Your network will.

21% of Duke MBAs were still job hunting 3 months after graduation.

15% at Michigan.

That's according to The Wall Street Journal.

These are elite programs.

And the job market is still brutal.

Here's the uncomfortable truth most students learn too late:

A degree gets you educated.
A network gets you employed.

That's why I'm heading back to the University of Southern California.

I got my MBA there.
Now I want to give something back.

I'll be on a panel about personal branding on LinkedIn.

With Nila Makhfi, M.S., Jessica Lam, and Dylan Huey.

We're breaking down how to actually build relationships that lead to jobs.

Because the students who crack this?

They're not sending 300 applications.

They're getting warm intros.
Recruiter DMs.
Offers before graduation.

LinkedIn isn't a resume database.

It's a relationship engine.

And right now, relationships beat résumés.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gbzJREK4

Trust me and every student struggling to find a job on this one.

The best kept secret on LinkedIn?

Azzy Maizer✨.

Not going to lie.

I thought she was AI at first.

Her posts are seriously next level.

The pacing.
The energy.
The intelligence.

Then we got on a call.

Two hours later, I realized I was wrong.

AI has nothing on her.

She's just operating on a different level.

Goldman Sachs.
Now part of Deloitte's stealth venture arm.
Building relationships with Anthropic, OpenAI, and Neo4j.

She creates playbooks before the market even exists.

Her banner says it all: "Together makes progress."

She's not here to chase followers.

She's here to make the world a better place.

That's why I follow her.

I love connecting with people who don't think like me.

People who open my mind to new ways of thinking.

Azzy is one of those people.

Do yourself a favor.

Follow Azzy Maizer✨.

Trust me and the future of AI on this one.

taplio

The Battle

Charles Adkins

John Kraski

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreJohn Kraski's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

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