ABOUT
Elkanah Carnell Reed: Empowering Leaders, Building Legacies
Elkanah Carnell Reed is a Jesus-first, faith-driven leader with a proven track record of building and leading global teams within mission-driven organizations. With over 18 years of experience, Elkanah’s expertise spans corporate strategy, community engagement, and entrepreneurial leadership, all underpinned by a deep commitment to fostering a positive and high-energy team culture. Elkanah continuously develops technology that meets the evolving needs of leaders across industries today. As the Founder, CEO, and CTO at WORKOPTI, Elkanah leads the charge in implementing Human-Centered Designed Data Structures, a revolutionary approach that empowers organizations to achieve unprecedented levels of performance.
At WORKOPTI, Elkanah’s Strategic Leadership has driven the development and execution of a software product strategy that has enhanced productivity by 93% and reduced meetings by 25% across 150+ organizations, giving birth to a new category of software called Leadertech. This achievement showcases his profound understanding of operational efficiency and innovation management. Under his leadership, WORKOPTI has also achieved significant Market Expansion by securing financing from Microsoft, building a robust partner ecosystem, and reinforcing WORKOPTI's position as a leader in AI-powered data management. The platform has been recognized as an award-winning solution in AI-powered leadership. Through Cross-Functional Collaboration, Elkanah has effectively aligned product managers, IT engineers, and cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative, high-done culture across all stakeholders and ensuring seamless project execution.
WORKOPTI’s singular vision is to enable every individual within every organization to reach their peak potential. Under Elkanah’s leadership, WORKOPTI prioritizes simplicity in its user experience because he understands that leaders don't have time for complexity. This commitment to a human-centered design approach has earned the company recognition from industry giants such as Accenture, Deloitte, Google, Microsoft, and AWS. WORKOPTI serves as the single source of truth for business strategy, empowering leaders to make informed, data-driven decisions effortlessly. Elkanah’s end-user-focused thinking gives him a unique advantage in connecting leaders with strategies that accelerate business success.
Elkanah’s expertise spans corporate strategy, community engagement, and entrepreneurial leadership, all underpinned by a deep commitment to fostering a positive and high-energy team culture. He specializes in recruiting and developing high-capacity leaders, aligning organizational goals with Christian values, and driving outcomes that are both impactful and sustainable. Elkanah thrives in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments where collaboration, adaptability, and a servant-hearted approach are essential.
Before founding WORKOPTI, Elkanah’s journey was marked by a diverse and impactful career. As the Founder and CEO of Eleven Digital Inc., an R&D Lab focused on the intersection of content and commerce, Elkanah led Product Innovation by developing a data management platform that mapped data from 8 million consumers directly to real-time YouTube viewership. This platform revolutionized media buying strategies and optimized brand performance, establishing Eleven Digital as a leader in the tech industry. Through Collaborative Execution, Elkanah delivered high-quality, timely solutions through strategic partnerships, significantly enhancing Eleven Digital’s reputation for excellence. His Award-Winning Leadership was recognized with the Innovators and Disruptors Award by America On Tech in 2019, highlighting his role in leading industry-defining initiatives.
Prior to Eleven Digital, Elkanah founded Scoopr Media, a brand-specific photo-sharing platform that empowered Tier 1 Brands like Whole Foods to engage authentically with their audiences across multiple platforms. Under his leadership, Scoopr Media successfully executed product partnerships that drove significant market impact and brand innovation. Elkanah’s ability to oversee all aspects of project execution—from initial scope definition to final delivery—ensured quality and customer satisfaction, further establishing his credibility as an entrepreneur who delivers results.
In the public service sector, Elkanah worked closely with New York City Council Member Mark Weprin, where he spearheaded the launch and management of social media platforms, significantly increasing community outreach and strengthening connections between the City Council Member and constituents. As a Councilmanic Aide, Elkanah represented the Council Member in media appearances and served as a liaison to city departments, ensuring consistent communication and policy alignment. During his time as a Community Liaison with the New York State Assembly, he coordinated with community boards and government organizations to develop cohesive policy initiatives that supported community development and economic growth. He was instrumental in promoting initiatives like biotech tax credits, fostering innovation and job creation aligned with New York’s economic development goals.
Elkanah’s career also includes significant contributions in the finance sector at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. There, he played a crucial role in Coalition Building by partnering with Harvard University and government entities to craft a comprehensive policy paper on the subprime crisis, providing critical insights during a period of financial uncertainty. His work in Corporate Strategy involved providing strategic insights to the Assets Liabilities Management Committee through detailed financial analysis, contributing to sound decision-making during critical periods. He also led the Digital Transformation of the bank by transitioning to a cloud-based data system, which significantly improved data integrity and operational efficiency.
Elkanah’s story is not just about professional achievements; it is deeply intertwined with his personal life and values. His relationship with his wife, Sierra, began as early as 6th grade when they attended their 8th-grade prom together—a seed Jesus planted in the soil of their hearts that blossomed into a fruitful and lifelong partnership. Together, they have been blessed with the joy of raising their brilliantly talented sons, instilling in them the same values of faith, love, and perseverance that have guided Elkanah and Sierra throughout their lives.
Elkanah’s intellectual journey began at the prestigious Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Economics, graduating with honors. He continued to fuel his thirst for knowledge by obtaining a Masters in International Marketing from London’s illustrious HULT International Business School. His pursuit of excellence didn’t stop there; he further enhanced his expertise through the Executive Education program at Emory University, where he earned certificates in Executive Decision Making and AI & Machine Learning.
Deeply committed to his community, Elkanah’s altruistic spirit drives him to give back in meaningful ways. He has been honored as an Entrepreneur by America On Tech and selected as a member of the Black Founder Exchange in 2022 by Google, as well as the Microsoft Catalyst Accelerator in 2023. Elkanah’s dedication to fostering the talents of others is evident in his role as an Executive Mentor, where he has guided emerging leaders and entrepreneurs at institutions such as Columbia University, Loyola University Maryland, NYC Media Lab, and many more.
Elkanah Reed’s journey is one of faith, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to empowering others. Whether leading groundbreaking initiatives at WORKOPTI, mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, or nurturing his family, Elkanah’s story is a testament to the power of Jesus, vision, leadership, and love.