Bryan Specht

Bryan Specht is a Managing Partner and the CEO of Salient, an advisory and investment company focused on influencing the rapidly changing landscape of the creative, communications and media sector. He is an advisor and investor for several startups and emerging businesses in the marketing services space. He previously served as Chief Growth and Innovation Officer for ICF Next after his years as president of Olson when the firm earned many of the industry's highest honors. During his tenure, Olson earned multiple agency of the year awards, more than a dozen Cannes Lions and was referred to as “a model for creativity, growth, and client service” by one judging panel. He helped lead the $300 million sale of Olson to ICF and was named to the Holmes Innovator 25 and three times to PRWeek's Power 50 List of the industry's top leaders. Bryan has passion for creating environments for talent to thrive and realize their greatest potential, be it through operations or innovations. He has supported or led many team innovations, including launching entrepreneurial incubators and accelerators, building new high-growth P&L’s and market operations, as well as development of new forms of branded content, such as the brand-backed documentary "Brewmaster", which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and is distributed worldwide on Amazon Prime. Earlier on Bryan worked within the IPG network, where he led or counseled some of the largest global accounts. Key clients have included American Airlines, GE, Mars, SC Johnson, Molson Coors and industries such as brewing, energy, dairy and confections. He has served on various boards, such as the Red Cross, Prevent Child Abuse America and the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation.