Leadership Team

Leading the Sound of Change

At the heart of Start Without a Shot is a leadership team driven by innovation, empathy, and a bold vision for the future of sport. Together, they bring expertise across sound design, creative strategy, neuroscience, and cultural storytelling to reimagine one of racing’s most iconic moments: the start. United by a commitment to safety, inclusion, and emotional impact, our leaders guide a global movement to transform the way races begin: without trauma, without compromise, and without a shot.

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Kirkland Alexander Lynch

Chairman
Kirkland Alexander Lynch is the Chairman of Start Without a Shot and CEO of the award-winning music and sound company for Fortune 500 and blue-chip brands, Barking Owl. A Harvard-trained lawyer turned creative executive, Kirkland is passionate about using the power of sound to drive social impact. Under his leadership, Start Without a Shot is pioneering the global movement to replace the sound of the starter pistol in sporting events with inclusive, trauma-informed alternatives; reimagining what the beginning of a race can sound like for everyone.

Carol Dunn

Co-President (Barking Owl Representative)
Carol Dunn, a veteran music and sound producer with over 30 years of experience spanning film, television, and global brands, serves as Co-President and Barking Owl Representative for Start Without a Shot. Carol helps reimagine the starter sound in sports across all events, co-piloting the crafting of inclusive, trauma-informed alternatives that reflect the power of sound to inspire, unite, and move us forward.

Julia Solovey

Co-President (Gres Todorchuk Representative)
Julia Solovey is a Partner at leading Ukrainian PR and communications firm Gres Todorchuk, where she spearheads strategic communications for major cultural and social impact initiatives. As Co-President of Start Without a Shot, she leads global storytelling and public engagement efforts, bringing the campaign’s mission to life across borders. With deep expertise in narrative strategy and movement-building, Julia ensures that the message behind replacing the starter pistol with inclusive sound is heard, understood, and embraced worldwide.

Gus Koven

Head of Sound Design
Gus Koven is Head of Sound Design at both Start Without a Shot and the award-winning music and sound company, Barking Owl. Known for his innovative and emotionally resonant soundscapes, Gus has shaped the sonic identity of global campaigns for brands like Apple, Nike, and Google. At Start Without a Shot, he leads the creative development of inclusive, trauma-informed starting sounds; replacing the traditional starter pistol with a more human-centered auditory experience that signals unity, safety, and the start of something new.