Leadership

Dustin Keele – President

Tech Founder

Dustin loves Jesus, people and business.He has served on the leadership team of Connect Silicon Valley for over fifteen years and has a passion for encouraging people in their spiritual journey.

Dustin is the Founder and CEO of SolRates, where he and his team are helping businesses secure specialized financing for solar and EV chargers.SolRates’ users have generated over $2.8B in financing proposals on the platform, funding over 80 projects across the U.S.

Prior to SolRates, Dustin co-founded Photon Finance, which developed over $42M of commercial solar projects and received over $3B of MATOC awards from the U.S. Department of Defense.Within the solar industry, he has served as an American delegate on two energy and climate trade missions to Germany and has also given multiple talks at several of the nation’s largest solar conferences.

An avid surfer and a magna cum laude graduate from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business; Dustin now lives with his lovely wife of fifteen years and their three wonderful kids in Silicon Valley.

Rié Collett – Executive Director

Community Builder

Rié has a rich and diverse background spanning almost three decades in marketing communications, business development, and community leadership. Her career reflects a commitment to fostering connections, driving growth and making a meaningful impact across various sectors.

Rié began her career in media working with ABC TV in New York and The Walt Disney Company in LA where she spearheaded marketing initiatives including their Emmy award-winning March Against Drugs. Since then, she has worked in education, health and wellness and most recently helped to launch and expand the Saratoga campus of Menlo church, leading community outreach, overseeing planning and execution of all eventsand developing strategic partnerships with non-profits to enhance community service opportunities.

Rié’s career is defined by a passion for driving growth, fostering meaningful connections, and making a positive impact within her community and beyond.

Tom Tognoli – Board Chairman

VC / Founder Intero

Skip Vaccarello – Chairman Emeritus

Author: Finding God in Silicon Valle

Ana Gonzalez – Tech Consulting Founder & CEO

Evita Twerdahl – Chief Gathering Officer

Product Management Consultant

Our Young Leaders are passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with their friends and colleagues. They help us create meaningful and impactful experiences that are tailored to young tech and finance professionals in Silicon Valley.

Clark Daniel

John Knox

Jon Liao

Kevin McFarland

Audrey Wagner

Sara Wagner

Michael Wee