DEREK BARKA
MEET DEREK
PARTNER, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
As Chief Technology Officer at SilverTech, Derek defines and drives the agency’s technology vision—helping clients harness data, digital platforms, and emerging technologies to solve complex business challenges and build meaningful, lasting customer relationships.
Known for finding solutions to the toughest and most complicated technology challenges, Derek combines innovation with deep expertise across enterprise architecture, cloud infrastructure, custom development, and big data. He brings a security-first mindset and a sharp focus on privacy and compliance, enabling organizations to build secure, scalable, and future-ready digital ecosystems.
Derek serves as a strategic adviser to both SilverTech’s technology partners and clients. He works closely with platform providers—often consulting on product roadmaps—to ensure solutions align with real-world business needs and deliver maximum value. He also helps client organizations develop and execute digital roadmaps that make the most of their existing systems and data, integrating legacy technologies with modern platforms where and when it makes sense to drive growth, stay competitive, and support long-term success.
Throughout his career, Derek has played a key role in shaping the tools and platforms that power modern digital marketing. He is a recognized authority and thought leader in the martech space—recently named a Kentico MVP and Progress Sitefinity Champion. Derek holds numerous certifications, including Kentico Developer, Kentico Marketer, Sitefinity Developer, and Sitecore Developer.
SilverTech Welcomes Kristi Karens As Senior Account Director for North America
8/19/26
Appointment expands SilverTech’s presence in Canada and strengthens client leadership across North America
Bedford, NH — August 19, 2026 — SilverTech is pleased to announce that Kristi Karens has joined the agency as Senior Account Director for North America. Based in Toronto, Karens will provide strategic account leadership and advisory support to many of SilverTech’s large enterprise clients across the U.S. and Canada, while also expanding the agency’s presence in the Canadian market.
Karens brings more than 25 years of experience spanning leading media and creative agencies, Fortune 500 brands and global digital consultancies. Throughout her career, she has worked with some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands, including Kraft, Mondelez, Mars, Post Cereals, Unilever, Nintendo, Cadbury and Pepsi, bringing a perspective that combines strategic advisory, creativity, consultative sales, technical acumen and delivery execution.
Most recently, Karens served in a senior client leadership role at Valtech, where she worked across the full client and partner lifecycle—from identifying growth opportunities and shaping transformative solutions to building executive alignment and ensuring successful delivery and long-term business outcomes.
“Kristi brings the depth of agency experience and strategic perspective that our enterprise clients expect from SilverTech,” said Chris Crombie, Chief Growth Officer at SilverTech. “She understands how to build trusted relationships at the executive level while connecting business needs to meaningful digital opportunities. Just as importantly, she shares our commitment to exceptional client service and long-term partnership.”
Karens’ appointment comes as SilverTech continues to grow its client portfolio and strengthen its North American presence. SilverTech has long served global organizations with operations across Canada and has built lasting relationships with Canadian clients, including Nova Scotia Power, a SilverTech client for more than five years. With Karens based in Toronto and supporting accounts across both Canada and the United States, SilverTech is adding experienced, senior-level leadership to its client partnership team while establishing a stronger presence in the Canadian market. In addition to leading key client relationships, Karens will support SilverTech’s business development and growth efforts, bringing her consultative sales experience and enterprise perspective to new opportunities.
“I’m excited to join SilverTech at a time of expansion and growth,” said Karens. “The opportunity to serve as a strategic partner to clients, help identify new opportunities and work alongside a team deeply committed to delivering meaningful business outcomes made this a natural next step for me.”
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