Rohit Bhargava

Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is the 3-time Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of nine books and is widely considered one of the most entertaining and original speakers on trends, innovation and marketing in the world. Rohit has been invited to deliver sold-out keynotes and workshops in 32 countries around the world to change the way teams and leaders think at the World Bank, NASA, Intel, LinkedIn, MetLife, Under Armour, Univision, Disney and hundreds of other well-known organizations. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur and founding two companies, he spent 15 years leading brand strategy at Ogilvy and Leo Burnett where he advised global brands on human behavior, marketing and storytelling. Outside his speaking and consulting, Rohit has taught persuasive speaking and global marketing as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, is frequently quoted in the global media and writes a monthly column on trends for GQ magazine in Brazil. Rohit lives in the Washington DC area with his wife and is a proud dad of two boys. He loves the Olympics (he’s been to five!) and actively hates cauliflower.

Dr. Megan W. Gerhardt

Megan W. Gerhardt, Ph.D. is a Professor of Management and Leadership at the Farmer School of Business at Miami University, where she also serves as Robert D. Johnson Director of Leadership Development.  Megan speaks and consults with top organizations around the world on ways to leverage generational diversity in the workplace. In addition to her academic research, she is author of the book Gentelligence: A Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce. Her Gentelligence work has been showcased as Harvard Business Review’s Big Idea in March 2022 and was also chosen as one of Harvard Business Review’s Top 10 Must Reads for 2024.  Megan’s work on leveraging generational diversity has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, NBC News, The Washington Post, and CNN, among others. All of Dr. Gerhardt’s work (www.profgerhardt.com) focuses on leveraging unique differences to achieve impact and extraordinary levels of performance.

Steve Robbins

A thought leader and innovator, Dr. Robbins’ unique, science-based approach to inclusion and diversity has captured wide acclaim from numerous audiences and organizations across the world, employing neuroscience and the science of human behavior to encourage individuals and organizations to be more open-minded, mindful, and intentional about inclusion and valuing people for their unique gifts, abilities, and experiences. Dr. Robbins’ newly created HERO Skills Challenge (Humility, Empathy, Reflection and Open-mindedness) is being used by many to create more human-centered organizations, ones in which the human brain can perform at its best.

Dr. Robbins earned an undergraduate degree in Communication from Calvin College, and his master’s and doctorate in Communication Science from Michigan State University.  His background in communication, social-psychology and cognitive neuroscience drives his work with individuals and organizations – the core of the work is about understanding human behavior and leveraging human talent in a fast-paced, ever-changing 21st century world.

A powerful storyteller with a powerful story to tell, Dr. Steve L. Robbins has an uncanny ability to inspire people, even in the midst of disrupting and challenging the ways they think about the world. Born in Vietnam, Dr. Robbins immigrated as a little child with his mother to the United States where they faced many challenges during a time when there was much anti-war and anti-Vietnamese sentiment. 

Working through and rising out of the challenges of poverty, discrimination and the tough streets of Los Angeles, Dr. Robbins now brings insightful perspectives on issues of inclusion & innovation, leadership, and the power of caring.  Drawing upon a compelling life journey, his talks and workshops are filled with intriguing stories, laugh-out-loud humor and a keen understanding of human behavior. 

Dr. Robbins uniquely knows how to simultaneously challenge and motivate people with a dynamic use of storytelling, humor and extensive knowledge of pertinent issues and concepts. The inclusive power of his message are why organizations like Amazon, Chase Bank, Coca-Cola, Disney, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, Pepsi, Pixar, NASA, The NBA, Victoria’s Secret, Walmart and numerous others call on Dr. Robbins to inspire, educate and prepare their people for the exciting challenges of dynamic and diverse environments.

Carri Twigg

Carri Twigg is Co-founder and Head of Development for Culture House media, a Black, Brown, women owned, premium film and TV production services and immersive experiences company that specializes in storytelling about the cultural questions that shape society, politics, and identity.

Before her incredibly successful pivot to media, Carri spent 15 years working at every level of American politics and government. Working for the Governor of Ohio to the then United States Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama, Carri saw up close and around the country how storytelling is the fundamental ingredient to a successful campaign of any kind. Carri went on to serve in the Obama White House as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Public Engagement for then Vice President Biden.

Current series from Culture House include Ladies First: A story of Women in Hip Hop, a Netflix worldwide Top Ten series, and past series include The Hair Tales for Hulu and OWN and Growing Up for Disney+. Carri also leads Culture House’s consultancy work, collaborating with major studios like Paramount Pictures, and creatives to ensure their projects are culturally productive.

In 2022, Carri was appointed by President Biden to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts and the Kennedy Center board, where she will advise the administration and the Kennedy Center on diversifying national programming and arts funding.

Carri has been a featured speaker at SXSW, TEDx Women, Boston College, Goldman Sachs, The Aspen Institute and many more.

Josie Ahlquist

Josie Ahlquist empowers leaders, organizations, and students to embrace purposeful digital leadership through her dynamic speaking engagements, personalized coaching, and expert consulting services. Her approach is deeply rooted in her grant-funded and award-winning research, which has equipped her to train thousands worldwide and coach executives on effective and personalized digital strategies.

Luke Anderson

Luke Anderson is the Vice President for Communications & Marketing at Emory University, where he has broad responsibility for advancing and protecting Emory’s global brand across three campuses, nine academic colleges and schools, and a robust academic health system. Prior to joining Emory in 2022, Luke was the Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications & Chief Marketing Officer at the University of Florida, and the Assistant Vice President for Communications at the University of Virginia, his alma mater.

Anice Barbosa

Anice Rodrigues Barbosa is a seasoned professional with a strong background in digital marketing and communications. Holding an MBA from the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management, she leverages her expertise to drive impactful strategies in her role as Digital Marketing Director at Wheaton College.
Anice earned dual degrees in Public Relations and Communication Studies from the University of Rhode Island’s Harrington School of Communication and Media. Early in her career, she honed her skills as a Social Media Manager at a full-service marketing firm, pioneering community-building digital strategies for diverse clients.

Matthew Bennett

Matthew Bennett is American University’s Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. Before joining AU in 2019, Matt was Executive VP, Global Communications at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), where he led their worldwide communications enterprise. Matt previously held senior positions at Racepoint Global, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and GolinHarris (now Golin).

With 20 years of experience in strategic communications, issues management, and brand development, Matt has designed and implemented comprehensive campaigns focused on advancing business and policy priorities, developing thought leadership platforms, and building trusted connections with influencers and key audiences.

Gus Bolognesi

Having worked at Net Natives for over 8 years, Gus oversees the strategy and success of clients. Gus is accountable for the success of strategic partnerships in North America, providing consultancy to over 25 education institutions on their marketing strategies, including content, brand, analytics, paid advertising, media buying, measurement and CRM integrations. Gus has supported many institutions with broad objectives – to their ultimate goal of increasing student enrolments. Gus leads on Net Native’s initiatives and collaborative research to benefit our partners and the HE sector. Gus graduated from University of Portsmouth with a bachelor’s degree in International Business, gained a graduate certificate in Business Administration from University of Newcastle, plus a Mini-MBA in Marketing and a Mini-MBA in Management.

Elyse Boutall

As a designer, dot-connector, detail-obsessor and inspiring leader with over 10 years of experience in art direction and graphic design, Elyse leverages technical design skills alongside marketing insights to deliver compelling creative that moves the needle. As Associate Creative Director for Purdue University, she leads a team of designers and photographers. Prior to joining Purdue, Elyse’s creative concepting flourished in her work with brands like Vera Bradley and Matilda Jane. Elyse attended Purdue University Fort Wayne, where she graduated with a double major in graphic design and business.

Dr. Suzan Brinker

Suzan Brinker, PhD is a higher education strategist, marketer, author, and podcast host. She is the co-founder and CEO of Viv Higher Education, a Boston-based, woman-owned full-service marketing agency for colleges and universities.

Suzan is the author of Pass / Fail: The Urgent Need for Strategic Leadership in Higher Education, published in 2024. She also hosts the Higher Ed Leaders Podcast.

Suzan and her collaborative team specialize in helping colleges and universities differentiate themselves through market-aligned brands and programs rooted in market research, strategic planning, and a content-first approach to authentic marketing that builds trust and engages prospects at every stage of the funnel.

In addition to leading her agency team’s work across projects with institutions of all types and sizes for the past five years, Suzan brings in-house experience from her roles as Director of Marketing at Penn State World Campus Director of Marketing at Northeastern University Fractional CMO at Assumption University

Jenny Brower

Ryan Brown

Ryan joined the 160over90 team in 2006 and has managed teams and led strategy development for mission-driven organizations like the University of Virginia, Yale University, and the Philadelphia Eagles, consumer brands like Under Armour, Ferrari North America, and AAA, and nonprofits like the One Campaign and US Soccer Foundation. With a background in brand strategy and partnering with creative, Ryan currently oversees the agency’s branding, video, and media offerings and draws on his deep experience in institutional brand alignment, positioning and messaging, advancement communications, sports, health systems, and consumer branding to guide the way forward for clients across diverse categories.

Ashley Budd

Ashley Budd is senior director of advancement marketing at Cornell University. She lives in upstate New York with her family and two beloved peach trees. Ashley speaks regularly at marketing conferences and on podcasts. She consults with colleges, universities, and other nonprofit organizations. You can find her speaking about email and hosting workshops with teams across all kinds of industries. Ashley is author of the new book Mailed It! A Guide to Crafting Emails That Build Relationships and Get Results and the popular industry newsletter Ashley In Your Inbox.

Dean Calvo

Dean Calvo was appointed the Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer at Scripps College, a member of the Claremont Colleges, in July 2015. In this role, he is responsible for administering business services for the College, including accounting, information technology, operating and capital budgeting, investment management, risk manage-ment, buildings, grounds, construction, human resources, and dining services.
Mr. Calvo also served at another Claremont College as the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Treasurer of Claremont Graduate University (CGU) from January 2014 through July 2015. Working at CGU since 2009, he previously served as Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration until his promotion to Vice President.
Prior to CGU, Mr. Calvo served as Executive Director of Cal State L.A. University Auxiliary Services Inc., a not-for-profit auxiliary corporation serving Cal State University Los Angeles. Appointed in 2002, he provided executive leadership to a diverse portfolio of operating units. Mr. Calvo served in progressive positions over a seventeen-year period at The University Corporation at Cal State Northridge, culminating in the role of Associate Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the University Corporation at CSUN.
He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO) from 2011 through 2021. In addition, he has worked as a business consultant to higher education, restaurant, and health services industry clients. Mr. Calvo holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Loyola Marymount University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Sacramento State University.

Richard Campbell

Richard Campbell serves as the chief communications officer for Auburn University, where he leads a team of talented communicators who provide the leadership, strategy, services, and support to develop and execute the strategic communications and marketing initiatives that elevate the university’s brand and advance its mission. Richard previously was vice chancellor for strategic communications at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Richard also served as NC State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ chief communications officer. He has also served as president at Carolina Broadcasting and Publishing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications from Elon University.

Rob Carroll

Rob is one of CampusReel’s Co-Founders and oversees the company’s New University Partnerships division. Rob has lead the charge on building out a suite of robust video creation and distribution technology, and deeply enjoys working with educational leaders to maximize the ROI of each digital asset created. Rob is a self-proclaimed expert in Search Engine Optimization and Website Conversion, and can’t wait to share his insights with the community.

Chandra Carson

Chandra Carson has 20+ years of experience, specializing in content strategy, social media, and influencer relations. She’s played key roles at Stonyfield Yogurt and Lindt Chocolate, developing and executing marketing strategies that elevated brand engagement and presence.
Currently, she’s Executive Director of Content Marketing at the University of New Hampshire, leading content creation and implementation across platforms, ensuring UNH’s messaging connects with key audiences.
Off the clock, Chandra unwinds with a good book, live music, or playing taxi driver for her sports-crazy boys. Chandra’s professional acumen and pop culture knowledge blend, making her a dynamic leader (and great trivia partner).

Todd Carter

Todd Carter plays an integral role leading strategic initiatives with units across Michigan State University, including Admissions, Advancement, and the University Communicators Network of more than 200 members across campus. His focus is on using compelling storytelling to elevate affinity and esteem for MSU through branding and content. Carter led the team’s work on the Who Will? Spartans Will. integrated brand campaign that won the CASE Platinum Award for Best Practices in Communications and Marketing in 2015.
Prior to joining MSU in 2013, Carter spent more than two decades in marketing and advertising at several nationally recognized agencies. 

Bart Caylor

Bart Caylor, founder and president of Caylor Solutions, leverages over 35 years of experience in higher education marketing. A first-generation college graduate, he passionately advances educational institutions by focusing on attracting mission-fit students who embody their institutions’ values. Bart co-hosts the Higher Ed Marketer Podcast, discussing innovative marketing strategies and trends. He is also the author of the bestselling book, “Chasing Mission Fit,” offering practical guidance for aligning marketing efforts with institutional goals. An avid AI enthusiast, Bart is committed to integrating generative artificial intelligence into marketing to enhance engagement and institutional success.

Jamie Ceman

Dr. Jamie Ceman leads brand and marketing at RW Jones Agency, overseeing integrated marketing strategies nationwide. As a fractional CMO/CCO, she offers deep expertise as an integral part of university leadership teams. Joining RWJ in 2023 after nearly two decades in both private sector and academia, Jamie received her second American Marketing Association Higher Education Marketer of the Year Award for her transformative work at Chapman University where she developed the university’s first branding strategy, elevating its profile and driving record enrollment and fundraising. She holds a master’s from WVU and a doctorate from USC in leadership and organizational change.

Jennifer Checkner

Jennifer Checkner is an Emmy award-winning integrated marketing and production professional with extensive marketing, brand management and media experience. She specializes in creating and executing campaigns across traditional, digital and social media. In her current role, she leads photo, video, design and web teams. Before joining Emory, Jen led the Cox Content Studio, supporting the Cox Media Group TV, Radio and Newspaper markets to create content solutions for advertisers. Prior to joining CMG, she worked in multiple roles at CNN including Executive Producer for CNN’s Branded Content Studio where she specialized in traditional broadcast and digital marketing content solutions.

Thom Chesney

Thom joined SWC as president in July 2024, following presidencies at Clarke University (IA) and Brookhaven College (TX) and prior roles as Associate Professor of Humanities and Associate Provost for Student Success and Assessment, The University of Texas at Dallas; District VP of Academic Affairs and Provost, Collin College (TX); and various faculty and staff positions at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Texas Wesleyan University, East Tennessee State University, and Whitman College. He earned an A.B. degree in Spanish at Washington University in St. Louis, an M.A. in Creative Writing at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Florida State University where he was among the first group of teaching assistants to incorporate student-centered, experiential and service learning into the curriculum, an approach he has used ever since in and beyond the classroom. An avid and accessible mentor and coach to aspiring education and community leaders and governing boards, Thom has been recognized for his transparent approach to personal and institutional storytelling on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram. A staunch practitioner of life/work balance, Thom reenergizes outdoors through planting and caring for trees and landscapes, hiking and biking, and caring for Creation. Indoor pursuits include cooking for others, tasting and reviewing craft beers, playing poker, and watching English Premier League football and American soccer. Thom’s wife Noelle is an accomplished college educator, award-winning performer and producer of musical theatre and opera, and a mission-living non-profit executive. Together they have two adult children and a small support team of canine and feline housemates who are as much rescuers as they are rescued.

Jason Cook

Jason Cook has served as vice president for marketing and communications and CMO for Baylor University since 2016 and has launched major brand initiatives to elevate its status as a preeminent Christian research university.  Previously, Cook served as senior associate athletics director for external affairs at Texas A&M University from 2013-16, following a stint as vice president for marketing and communications from 2008-13. He also worked six years as assistant vice president of media and communications for HealthSouth Corp., then a Fortune 500 member.   Cook is a Mississippi State University alumnus. He earned an accreditation in public relations in 2000.

Kris Copeland

Kris Copeland joined TCU as creative director in 2019 after nearly two decades leading award-winning creative teams in the marketing and advertising industry. Determined to capitalize on the growing national profile of the university, he and his design team work tirelessly to bring the TCU story to life utilizing nearly every tactic in the book. A 2001 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Kris has embraced the Horned Frog spirit, swapping (most of) his burnt orange for purple as he wholeheartedly fulfills his role shaping TCU’s creative landscape.

April Crabtree

April Crabtree currently serves as the associate vice president for enrollment and admission services at Arizona State University. Prior to this role, she served as the vice provost for strategic enrollment management at the University of San Francisco. April holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from Eckerd College and a Master of Science degree in Cultural Studies in Educational Foundations from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. April’s master’s thesis was a culmination of research completed on a Fulbright Research Fellowship in Poland focusing on Holocaust Education. April has served in various leadership roles in international, regional, and state consortia during her career. She has presented internationally and nationally on issues in higher education such as access for underserved students, supporting international students and counselors as they explore colleges and universities in the United States, and many other topics related to the college search. In her free time, April is a faithful but slow runner, rock climbs, and enjoys adventuring with her son.

Carmen Crist

Carmen is a marketing operations executive with a passion for improving digital experiences and business results through effective use of integrated marketing technologies and a relentless pursuit of insight through data, analytics, and research.His current role at Michigan State University involves leading enterprise marketing technology initiatives that will transform the way the university engages with its constituents and leading the creation of a central insights team that will help leaders and communications professionals gain critical insights into constituent goals, interests, and preferences.

Meagan Davidson

Meagan Davidson serves as the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Planning at Campbellsville University. In her role, she oversees the institution’s efforts to develop and implement comprehensive strategies that support enrollment growth and retention. In addition to her responsibilities in enrollment planning, Meagan also leads the university’s Marketing and Communications team, ensuring effective communication of Campbellsville’s mission, values, and academic offerings. Her strategic approach integrates cross-departmental collaboration to enhance the institution’s public relations, brand development, and recruitment initiatives. With a passion for aligning marketing efforts with institutional goals, Meagan is dedicated to fostering a cohesive and impactful presence for Campbellsville University.

Christy Davis

Christy Davis is the Manager of the Commercial Customer Success team at Marigold. After over a decade in higher education, Christy uses her higher education background to provide strategic advice to Universities using Emma by Marigold.

Audra DeLaney-Hall

Audra DeLaney-Hall is working to transform higher education workplace culture through purpose and process. She is the Vice President of People Operations for Viv Higher Education, a Boston-based, woman-owned full-service marketing agency for colleges and universities. She also co-hosts the Higher Ed Leaders Podcast with Suzan Brinker, Ph.D.

The heart of the Viv team is the power of stories. Stories of university impact, faculty support, and student success. The Viv team helps colleges and universities set themselves apart by rooting their marketing efforts in only the stories they can tell. This creates immediate differentiation in the marketplace, resulting in higher enrollments, and reminds us all of the profound ways education impacts our human experience.

Audra’s previous experiences at Bowling Green State University and Williams College taught her the importance of cross-functional strategic collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches to enrollment marketing strategies, organizational alignment, and leadership.

Audra holds an undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and is actively pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Harvard Extension School. Audra believes that higher education institutions will see their most innovative ideas take hold when they embrace people-first management styles and organizational practices rooted in strategy and sustained by mission.

Fred Demarest

Maya Demishkevich

Maya Demishkevich is a distinguished marketing and communications professional, currently serving as the Chief Marketing Officer at Carroll Community College. With over 15 years of experience in higher education marketing, Maya has developed a reputation for excellence, particularly in the realms of digital media and education marketing. Her expertise extends to leveraging academic research and industry best practices to drive success in various marketing initiatives. Under Maya’s leadership, the Marketing and Creative Services team at Carroll Community College has achieved significant recognition for their innovative and impactful work. The team’s efforts have been honored with six Medallion Awards from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), showcasing outstanding achievement in design and communication. These accolades include three Gold Awards, one of which celebrated the redesign of the College’s website for its user-friendly interface and vibrant portrayal of campus life, significantly enhancing the institution’s online presence and accessibility. Maya’s strategic approach to social media and marketing has been instrumental in addressing challenges related to content development and engagement, setting a standard for excellence in community college marketing. Her work not only supports Carroll Community College’s strategic goals but also positively impacts students’ lives by highlighting the value and opportunities offered by the institution.

Amanda DeRito

Amanda DeRito is the associate vice president for strategic communications at Utah State University, overseeing media relations and crisis communications, the university’s online news service, and the Utah State Magazine. Amanda has a B.S. and M.S. in public administration from USU and an M.A. in agricultural economics from Washington State University. She has over 20 years of communications experience across a variety of industries. Amanda has served in USU’s central communications team for 10 years, including as the previous director of crisis communications and issues management.

Grant De Roo

As ADV’s Founder and Principal, Grant leads all research ADV conducts for colleges and universities around the nation. Prior to founding ADV, Grant was the research director at a large national agency and formerly served as the Associate Director of Admissions at Elon University where he learned how to collect, analyze, and act on data in recruitment and enrollment. Today, Grant’s work includes extensive research on institutional brand perception, program demand, enrollment modeling, program modality, pricing and marketability, and competitive analysis. Grant is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and holds an MBA in Data Analytics from Elon University.

Matt Dewey

Matt Dewey, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, leads Texas Tech University’s overall marketing, communications, research-based messaging, and branding to advance the university’s mission, reputation and strategic priorities. With over 22 years of marketing and communication experience, Dewey has served in senior leadership roles at the University of Michigan, Santa Clara University, and the University of Illinois.

Jeff Dillon

Jeff Dillon is the Digital Strategist for Higher Education at SearchStax and is the founder of EdTech Connect, a technology marketplace designed exclusively for the higher education community. Jeff has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the higher education technology sector with expertise in search engines, artificial intelligence, digital experience platforms, personalization strategies and communication tools.

Cathy Donovan

Denise Durenberger

Carly Eastman

With a keen eye for detail and a talent for building relationships, Carly excels in coordinating timelines and communicating goals effectively. Carly holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science in Communication, both from Purdue University.
In her role as Senior Brand Strategist, Carly leverages her skills to share Purdue’s stories and elevate the university’s brand. Her optimism and commitment to excellence inspire those around her to strive for success.

Myla Edmond

Myla Edmond is a collaborative innovator with nearly 20 years of experience in higher education marketing and brand elevation. She has established and expanded marketing and communications strategies for academic affairs, alumni relations, international education, and university enrollment marketing at several institutions, including private and public universities. As senior vice president at the RW Jones Agency, Myla helps develop and evolve the agency’s fractional Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO) offerings. In addition to building the CMCO focus area, Myla serves as a fractional CMCO and senior advisor and conducts organizational audits to make recommendations to elevate strategic marketing and communications. Myla’s commitment to the higher education marketing industry has been evidenced by her volunteer work. She was a planning committee member for the American Marketing Association Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education for five years, including leading the committee as co-chair in 2022 and 2023. Most recently, she joined the PRSA Counselors to Higher Education Executive Committee to help better equip and support senior leaders in public relations and communications. Myla earned her bachelor’s of business administration from Western Michigan University, majoring in marketing and psychology, and a master’s of English from the University of Indianapolis. She is also a proud alumna of Semester at Sea, a multi-country, comparative study abroad program. Although she is grateful to have been raised in the mighty Midwest, Myla resides and prefers the winters in Southern California.

Dana Edwards

Josh Erhardt

Josh Erhardt is currently a Senior Director of Client Success at Brkthru. In this role Josh works with higher education clients and branding agency teams to drive meaningful campaign outcomes. Josh draws from a diverse advertising background working for publishers, demand side platforms, and supply side platforms in addition to traditional media companies and advertising agencies. Josh’s key focus is using all of the data and tools available to plan, execute, and report on holistic digital campaigns across every channel. Currently residing in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Sarah, Josh is an alumni of Dickinson College and an avid musician.

Bill Faust

Bill is President of Ologie. He works with colleges and universities to help them uncover market insights and effectively evolve their brands. With a unique background in design and business, he spends most of his time developing strategies that positively impact enrollment and institutional advancement. He has worked with a range of institutions including William and Mary, Virginia Tech, University of Pittsburgh, Occidental College, Purdue University, and West Virginia University.
Prior to joining Ologie, Bill spent 12 years at Fitch Worldwide, his last as North American CEO where he oversaw more than 300 consultants in offices from Boston to Seattle.

Kirsten Fedderke

In nearly 15 years with Yes& Lipman Hearne, and a more than 20-year communications career working with nonprofit organizations, Kirsten knows how to identify a client’s unique strengths and turn those strengths into real results. She leads the firm’s work with Saint Peter’s University, AJCU, Loyola University Chicago, Southern Utah University, and many others. Kirsten holds a B.A. in art history and French from Smith College and an MBA with a finance emphasis from Loyola University Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys trying to keep up with the antics of her twin sons.

Nicole Ferry

As Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Sullivan, Nicole has decades of experience working with higher education institutions—helping them communicate their POV with pride to evolve branding, support admissions, build fundraising communications, and elevate digital experiences. Her clients include Duke University, Stony Brook University, and Virginia Tech, along with organizations like American Express and LinkedIn.

Prior to joining Sullivan, Nicole held strategy roles at Siegel+Gale, BBDO, and Grey Advertising. As a founding member of the McIntire Marketing Advisory Committee at her alma mater, the University of Virginia, Nicole provides input to faculty on curriculum, industry insights, and hiring trends.

Jenny Li Fowler

Jenny Li Fowler is the director of social media strategy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and author of “Organic Social Media, How to Build Flourishing Online Communities”. She is also the host of the podcast, “Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager”.

Justin Fraase

Justin Fraase became the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for Human Resources at the University of Iowa in 2023. Since then, his focus has been on implementing an employee value proposition that represents more than 33,000 individuals across the university and its academic health care system. The employer brand at Iowa is built around three key themes: Support, Livability, and Culture. These themes showcase the benefits of working at Iowa, position UI as a top choice institution, and align with the university’s overall brand. Before joining Iowa, Fraase held various leadership roles in higher education, including enrollment, communications, and marketing. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and a Master of Business Administration, both from North Dakota State University. His previous work experience includes the University of North Dakota, Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the hospitality industry, and an engineering consulting firm.

Eddie Francis

Eddie Francis is a brand strategist who led marketing and communications most recently at Dillard University. Prior to Dillard, he led marcomm at Southern University at New Orleans and Paul Quinn College. Currently, he hosts the Enrollify podcast “I Wanna Work There!,” one of Hannon Hill’s Best Higher Ed Marketing Podcasts for 2024. He is a former planning committee member for the American Marketing Association Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education and was nominated twice for Higher Education Marketer of the Year.

The principal of Edify Ventures LLC, Eddie has been featured and quoted about higher ed marketing and employer branding in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and on podcasts such as “The Higher Ed Marketer,” “Higher Voltage,” and “Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO.” He also contributed to the book Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education. Eddie holds a master’s degree in strategic leadership from Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s in mass communication from Loyola University New Orleans. He is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Press Club of New Orleans, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Nick Freud

Nick is one of CampusReel’s Co-Founders, and heads up the company’s Account Management division. Nick has supported 190+ Higher Education institutions throughout the world through a streamlined and robust video creation and dissemination process. Nick has personally worked with over 10,000 college student content creators, and has a wealth of video knowledge and experience to share with the community.

Owen Fuller

Lindsey Gamble

Lindsey Gamble is an influencer marketing and creator economy consultant, advisor, and speaker. With over seven years of experience helping enterprise consumer brands develop their influencer marketing programs and a deep understanding of the creator economy, he specializes in guiding brands and agencies through new and emerging trends and opportunities across social media, influencer marketing, and the creator economy.
Previously, Lindsey was the Associate Director of Influencer Innovation at Later (formerly Mavrck), where he led influencer marketing innovation. His client roster included Tyson Foods, SharkNinja, HotelTonight, GoPro, Chobani, Wilson Tennis, Weber Grills, Fanatics, Samsung, The Scott’s Company, Burt’s Bees, and more.
Lindsey also writes a weekly newsletter that explores key social media and influencer marketing news and trends, offering actionable insights for creators and marketers. Buffer named it one of the best marketing newsletters to subscribe to in 2024.
His work and expertise has been recognized by LinkedIn as a Top Voice in the Creator Economy, by Business Insider as a Rising Star of the Creator Economy and a Top Creator Economy & Influencer Marketing Expert, and by Hello Partner as a Top US Changemaker. ​​His insights have also been featured in leading industry publications, including Business Insider, Vogue Business, Ad Age, Digiday, The Information, The Drum, Marketing Brew, and Social Media Today.

Geisha Garcia

Geisha Garcia is the Director of Digital and Social Media at the University of Miami and the founder of GG Communications, a social media agency dedicated to driving organic strategies. With over 15 years of experience in the creative industry, Geisha has been instrumental in developing and executing comprehensive social media strategies that amplify brand presence and engagement. At the University of Miami, she leads the charge in showcasing the university experience across digital platforms, crafting targeted and innovative content that resonates with students, alumni, and the broader community. Her expertise lies in leveraging data-driven insights to shape editorial calendars and optimize content performance. Geisha holds a business degree from Florida International University, and her work has consistently contributed to elevating brands in highly competitive markets.

Stephanie Geyer

Stephanie leads a small, but mighty team at the University of Montana who are always looking for innovative ways to make the most of our digital ecosystem with personalization, chatbots, AI experiences, fancy maps, and custom search.
With 35 years in higher education marketing as a consultant, practitioner, and senior executive, she cares deeply about market research and working to support marketing colleagues to experiment, invent and iterate. Lately she’s especially into user testing and performance dashboards.

Dan Giroux

For 20 years, Dan has refocused brands and marketing programs for organizations across a variety of industries — from Fortune 100 companies and elite universities to small businesses and everything in-between. In 2017, he left the agency world to pursue his passion for higher education marketing at Drexel University. As AVP of Advancement Communications & Stewardship, Dan leads a centralized, multifunctional team responsible for engaging a global, R1 research institution’s 180,000+ alumni and donors.Dan’s work has been recognized by top industry awards and media like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Associated Press.

Cassie Golda

Cassie collaborates with internal and external clients to establish relevant KPIs and metrics that translate into reporting. Her work provides clients with insights and optimizations while helping them clearly understand how to measure the success of their various efforts (like media campaigns and website performance). Prior to joining SimpsonScarborough, she spent four years at an agency supporting clients in the telecom, healthcare, and education industries. In the last year, she’s further developed her expertise in higher education marketing.

Pam Gorsuch

With nearly 20 years of experience in the public relations and communication industry, Pam Gorsuch currently leads the diversity, equity and inclusion communications work for Towson University. In her role as assistance director of university communications, Pam heads up all internal communications for the diverse and vibrant campus of nearly 20,000 students, and 3,000 faculty and staff. Her dedication and commitment to ensure every person is seen, heard and feels a sense of belonging on TU’s campus is evident by the DEI campaigns she spearheaded, created and deployed over the last two years. Pam serves as a beacon to all partners in bringing together the necessary resources to have courageous conversation, inspiring action.

President Scott Green

C. Scott Green took office as the 19th president of the University of Idaho on July 1, 2019. President Green joins U of I as a highly accomplished executive with a career in global finance, operations and administration. He is also a proud alumnus of the university, graduating in 1984 with a bachelor of science in accounting.
Born in Moscow, Green’s family moved to Boise, where he graduated from Boise High School. Following his degree from the University of Idaho, the third-generation Vandal went to work for Boise Cascade Corporation. He went on to attend Harvard Business School and received a Master of Business Administration in 1989.
Green worked for Deloitte and Touche as part of its accelerated career program from 1989-1994. He then worked in banking, serving in various management roles for Goldman Sachs and ING Barings. He published two books on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which reformed regulations around auditing and financial reporting.
Green went on to leadership in global law firms, including service as CEO at Pepper Hamilton and as executive director at WilmerHale. He most recently served as the chief operating and financial officer for Hogan Lovells, one of the largest law firms in the world, with annual revenues of over $2 billion. Green led all of the firm’s worldwide operations, technology, conflicts and finance functions. He has had global responsibility for more than 3,000 employees in more than 30 countries.
The first non-lawyer to run an American Lawyer 100 law firm, Green was recognized as one of the Top 50 Big Law Innovators of the Last 50 Years by The American Lawyer magazine in 2013. A certified public accountant, Green was inducted into the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Business and Industry Hall of Fame in 2006. He won the Institute of Internal Auditors Outstanding Contributor Award in 2004 and 2006.
Green’s commitment to the University of Idaho over many years has included service on the U of I Alumni Association’s national Board of Directors, the College of Business and Economics Advisory Board and on the U of I Foundation Board. He is also a Vandal Scholarship Fund supporter.
Scott and his wife, Gabriella, an interior design project manager, have two adult children: Nicholas and Christina.

Lauren Griswold

Lauren joined Boise State in 2019 as Associate Vice President for Creative Strategy and was promoted in 2020 to oversee Boise State’s Office of Communications and Marketing. Lauren is an innovator, storyteller and culture keeper who has worked in higher education at both the community college and university levels. She has expertise in building brand reputation, as well as leading and creating strategy and successfully scaling it across enterprises for local, national and global organizations.

Prior to joining Boise State, Lauren worked at Arizona State University, Mt. Hood Community College, Edelman Public Relations, Microsoft and Major League Baseball. She has a wide range of experiences from sales, marketing, communications, community relations and creative strategy. Lauren has a master’s degree in communication studies from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Washington University.

Will Hajjar

William (Will) Hajjar is an executive with more than 25 years of experience driving business strategy through decision science, market intelligence, and opinion research. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Louisiana State University (LSU) having studied econometrics with Dr. Carter Hill and marketing analytics with Dr. William Black. He currently serves as the Head of Advanced Analytics & Business Intelligence for Advance Local, part of a century-old media and consulting company based in New York City. Will brings creative and innovative solutions to a range of clients across most major verticals. In addition to his private sector work, Will teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Business Strategy, Consumer Behavior, Data Science, and Research Methods at Kean University and Saint Peter’s University. His approach blends academic theory with practical applications to prepare students to think critically through real-world problems.

Binti Harvey

Binti Harvey is a seasoned strategist, coalition builder, and innovator with a significant record of empowering leaders, teams, and institutions to achieve reputational and financial goals. As the Vice President for External Relations and Institutional Advancement, she advances Scripps College’s mission by amplifying the institutional brand, increasing philanthropic support, and deepening constituent engagement. Her diverse leadership experience spans marketing, communications, and public affairs roles in educational, governmental, and non-profit organizations. Ms. Harvey earned her BA from UCLA, MS from University of Southern California, and is currently pursuing her EdD in Leadership and Innovation at New York University.

Gerald Hector

Gerald L. Hector, CPA is currently Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. He also held similar positions in higher education at Morehouse College, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Johnson C. Smith University. His experiences span all aspects of higher education management that include, treasurer, debt management, controller’s office, information technology, post award management, policy office, student accounts/bursar, facilities, grounds, business operations, auxiliary services, risk management, purchasing and procurement, legal, financial aid, campus safety, compliance, and public private partnerships. He has also served as a liaison with local elected officials for construction projects.

With over twenty-four years of progressive leadership in finance and operations in higher education, he is known for his collaborative and focused leadership style that garners trust and builds confidence in his divisions and units to deliver on the mission of the institutions he serves. In addition to being a finance and operations professional, he is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion after being thrusted into this work after racial tensions on college campuses across the nation in the fall of 2015. He hosted and appeared on national webinars, podcasts, and other media to continue sharing the message that diversity, equity and inclusion are not only moral issues, but given the continuing changing demographics in the nation, they are economic variables that must be addressed in a comprehensive way for the future financial health and vibrancy of institutions of higher education. He is a published author and has written several articles and white papers that are still must reads. His landmark white paper, “Navigating the New Normal, Financial Imperatives for MSI Effectiveness and Avoiding Financial Exigency” is still read extensively by MSI leaders and stakeholders. His first published book, “It’s Easy Son, Quit Making Things Difficult” (It’s Easy ‘Son’, Quit Making Things Difficult: Lasting Life Lessons from a Coach and Mentor: Hector, Gerald: 9781732478114: Amazon.com: Books) chronicles his journey from Kingston, Jamaica on a track and field scholarship to the varied roles he has occupied including Deloitte and UNCF. The book birthed a podcast of the same name, that features, corporate leaders, college presidents, Olympians, spiritual leaders, and educators. The show airs every Wednesday at 8pm on the HBCU Nation Radio Network and attracts an international audience (Stream TheHBCUNation | Listen to IT’S EASY SON-Life Lessons on the Journey to Your Promise with Gerald Hector playlist online for free on SoundCloud).

He is a sought-after speaker on matters of higher education finances and operations and continues to give back to the industry by offering his services as a peer reviewer with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and as a mentor and advisor of the Educational Leadership Internship at Clark Atlanta University. He is a honors graduate of Howard University in Washington DC where he majored in Accounting, and holds a master’s degree in Christian Thought from the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC (where he currently serves as the Treasurer of the Board). He is known for his quick wit, and constant reminder to everyone working with him that, “we can’t fix what we won’t face.” A reminder that applies to finances, operations and culture. He is married to his college sweetheart, Sharon-Kaye, and their union produced three beautiful and accomplished children, Joshua, Timothy and Kezia. He is an avid reader, golfer, and writer who blogs on his own website at https://geraldhector.com/. He is currently writing his second book about the nuances of higher education institutions from the perspective of a senior executive at both Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). His research focuses on how both impact and shape the future of our nation and the world.

Shelly Heinrich

Senior marketing and recruitment professional with 20 years in the higher education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. She leads the marketing, recruitment and admissions strategy for five degree programs. These strategies have included paid social, search, native, out-of-home, digital, radio, TV, and organic social, video, blog, event, and email communication campaigns. She has taught marketing to higher education marketing executives at the GMAC Annual Conference two years in a row and recently taught a Digital Marketing Analytics MBA elective at Georgetown. She has an MBA and Certificate in Marketing from Georgetown University, an M.Ed., from UT-Austin and a BBA from TCU.

Kayla Hersperger

Kayla Hersperger, the Online Design and Communication Specialist at Slippery Rock University, specializes in digital marketing, website content, social media strategy, and video production. Capitalizing on her English background, she is a highly skilled communicator and excels in collaborative environments. Having nearly 15 years of experience reporting directly to the chief enrollment management officer at SRU, she has a foundation in higher education and understands the strategies necessary to achieve enrollment goals. She thrives on problem-solving and content creation. She presents at a national level on marketing and recruitment in admissions.

Grant Heston

Grant J. Heston is vice president for Enterprise Marketing and Communications for Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health. He oversees marketing, branding, communications, events, social media and special projects for the university and health system.
VCU is a majority-minority institution located in downtown Richmond, the former capital of the Confederate South. The university regularly manages current and historic issues at the intersections of race, higher education and healthcare.
Grant previously worked as vice president for Communications and Marketing at the University of Central Florida, where he also served as chief of staff for two presidents.

Lauren Hillery

Lauren Hillery is a seasoned creative strategist at LT. With over a decade of experience in brand strategy and insight-driven go-to-market planning, Lauren’s passion lies in uncovering actionable insights that propel brands toward success. Throughout her career, Lauren has worked with some of the most recognizable brands, including PetSmart, Massage Envy, the Stratosphere, and Toyota. Her expertise also extends to research initiatives in education, where she has supported organizations such as K12 Education, Rio Salado College, and Southern California University of Health Sciences.

Karyn Hollingsworth

Dr. Karyn S. Hollingsworth has an extensive background in communications, marketing, public relations, advertising and media relations at minority-serving institutions (MSI). A former journalist and award-winning marcomm practitioner, she has taught UNLV’s First-Year Seminar and served as co-advisor of the First Generation Club.
She previously served on the UNLV Anti-Black Racism Task Force and is a member of the communications subcommittee of UNLV’s MSI Task Force.Karyn promotes and actively participates in her college’s student engagement and diversity programs and the university’s DEI initiatives aimed at helping students feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection.

Hellen Hom-Diamond

Hellen Hom-Diamond is the Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Communications at Trinity College. She leads leadership, media, digital, marketing, crisis, and communications strategies. She is the co-chair of Trinity’s Bicentennial Planning Committee, which concluded a yearlong celebration in May. Prior to Trinity, Hellen served as the chief communications officer at Sidwell Friends School and The Hotchkiss School. She served as the director of campus communications in Yale’s Office of Public Affairs and Communications, managing the storytelling on YaleNews. At UCLA, she created digital strategies to engage alumni globally. Hellen earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University.

Jesse Homan

Sydney Hovenkotter

Sydney joined the University of Montana in 2022 as the Associate Director of Enrollment Marketing. She is passionate about higher education marketing, digital engagement and enhancing the customer journey. With a strong foundation in marketing, communication and technology, Sydney is committed to driving innovation and advancing the future of enrollment marketing. She has experience in both private and public educational institutions, leading strategy development and storytelling to engage audiences while strengthening brand and public perception.

Chris Huebner

Chris, SimpsonScarborough’s Director of Strategy Planning, brings strategic rigor to the intersection of media and brand communications, uncovering the perfect blends of media, moments, and message. Chris has worked in higher ed marketing both agency and institution-side, where he has planned and executed comprehensive marketing and recruitment strategies across multiple program types and institutions. His work has been published in Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing, Journal of Digital and Social Media, and the Journal of Brand Strategy.

Byron Hughey

David Hunt

Dave Hunt is a creative strategist with deep expertise in branding, design, writing, editing, marketing plan development, audio/video, print production, art direction and project management. He is currently the executive creative director for Old Dominion University’s Division of Digital Transformation and Technology. In his role, he oversees a team responsible for the creative expression of the ODUGlobal brand, as well as graphic design, content strategy, and social media in support of student recruitment. Prior to his current role, he was the director of strategic digital marketing for Miami Online at Miami University, graphic design manager and art director for the Wake Forest School of Business, and director of communications for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. A first-generation college graduate, Dave holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Jaime Hunt

After a 20-year career in higher education – including nine years as a chief marketing officer – Jaime founded Solve Higher Ed Marketing in 2024. To this consultancy, Jaime brings a passion for building brands, telling stories, and leading with empathy. Transformation and innovation have been hallmarks of her career. She has extensive expertise in brand strategy, recruitment marketing, internal communications, crisis communications, issues management, online innovation, and media relations. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and her master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University.

Richie Hunter

Lance Hydrick

Lance Hydrick is an entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience building and positioning software to help schools engage with students. He finds new ways to make the student journey more personalized and efficient, so that schools and students can find the right educational fit–fast. As a first-gen student from a single parent household, he cares deeply about students, building healthy institutions of higher education, and keeping pineapple off of pizza.

Tracy Jackson

Tracy Jackson has been with Duquesne University since 2016 and serves as the Executive Director of Marketing in the Division of Marketing and Communications (DMC). As part of the Division’s leadership, Tracy leads a team of advertising and marketing professionals who manage all University and school-based recruitment, advertising and marketing initiatives. Tracy works alongside her DMC colleagues managing multimedia design, video, web, media, print production and social media.

Stephen Jendraszak

Stephen Jendraszak has more than 15 years of experience in higher education marketing and serves as assistant vice president for marketing at Emory University. In that role, he leads Emory’s central marketing team, including oversight of brand strategy and management, advertising, marketing research, and trademarks and licensing. Prior to joining Emory, Stephen’s roles included associate vice president for marketing and communication at Augsburg University in Minneapolis and director of marketing at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Stephen serves as co-chair of the volunteer planning committee for the American Marketing Association’s Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education and has been a member of the committee since 2021. He is a frequent presenter at national conferences, including the Symposium, and has served on the conference faculty for CASE’s Annual Conference on Marketing and Branding and its Institute for Senior Communications and Marketing Professionals. Stephen earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and his master’s degree in public relations from Ball State.

Bennie Johnson

Jennie Johnson

An accomplished leader in product management and strategic development, Jennie Johnson is the General Manager of Education at U.S. News & World Report. Jennie joined U.S. News in 2021, and has been at the helm of the Education vertical since 2023, guiding the product, marketing, and sales teams to empower students and families in making informed educational choices. Prior to U.S. News, Jennie co-founded Retirement Atlas where she served as CEO until August 2021. A visionary in the education space, Jennie previously worked at Niche.com, leading the product management team and focusing on user research and data-driven decision-making to aid users in finding the best schools, neighborhoods, and companies.

Laurie Jorgensen

Laurie Jorgensen boasts two decades of expertise in marketing and design, adeptly steering creative teams across various platforms. For 14 years, she has served as Director of Marketing and Creative Services at College of DuPage, leading her team by nurturing career growth and crafting impactful marketing strategies. Laurie’s commitment extends to collaborating on non-profit endeavors, blending traditional and social marketing approaches. Beyond her professional endeavors, Laurie is a devoted private pilot, contributing her time to EAA Young Eagles and Women in Aviation Chicago’s Leading Edge Chapter. Additionally, she lends support to The Sisters of St. Francis in alumni engagement initiatives.

Jason Keath

Jason Keath is a leading expert in digital media and creative strategy. He is a strategist at Convince & Convert and the co-founder of Social Fresh, a creative strategy agency and conference for brand marketers since 2008. Keath specializes in brand research, social media strategy, trends reporting, and performance marketing. He is a highly sought after keynote speaker and thought leader in marketing, media, creativity, and brand innovation. His forthcoming book, “The Case for More Bad Ideas,” advocates for embracing seemingly counterintuitive ideas to foster breakthrough thinking. Keath’s clients include HubSpot, Robinhood, Credit Karma, The University of North Carolina, and the State University of New York system. He’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Forbes, and MSNBC among others.

Carol Keese

Carol Keese is Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at the University of Oregon. In that role she is responsible for institutional brand strategy and oversees marketing, digital strategy, communications, news and content, issues and licensing. Carol previously served as Associate VP for Marketing and Brand Strategy for the University of Virginia. Carol is an advocate for value-focused marketing approaches and has presented on marketing issues in higher education at American Marketing Association, the Association of American Universities (AAU), and SXSWEd.

Ariana Keil

Ariana Keil is Growth Marketing Manager, North America for Canto. A seasoned marketing leader with over a decade of experience in strategic branding, digital marketing, and customer engagement, she has an appreciation for GTM strategies that holistically target the entire buyer’s journey. With a strong background in the software, agency, and finance sectors, she is passionate about harnessing the power of content to drive revenue.

Tangelia Kelly

Dr. Tangelia Kelly serves as Chief Communications Officer and Executive Director of University Communications at Jackson State University (JSU). She is a highly creative, award-winning, and results-driven Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) with over sixteen years of higher education experience. A proven leader in her field, Kelly has a record of accomplishments in developing and leading marketing and communication strategies supporting University goals and objectives. Kelly received her marketing degree from Jackson State in 2004, her Master’s in Business Administration from Belhaven University in 2006, and her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Supervision with a concentration in Higher Education from Jackson State in 2016.

Dayana Kibilds

Day is vice president of strategy at Ologie, an employee-owned marketing and branding agency built for education. For over a decade, Day has been leading innovative, digital marketing work with universities worldwide, pushing institutions to use their communications as tools for equity and access. She is an international keynote speaker on enrollment marketing, email strategy, productivity, and stakeholder management. Day is the co-author of Mailed It! and host of Enrollify’s Talking Tactics podcast.

Brandy Kift

Brandy Kift is an accomplished marketing strategist with two decades of diverse experience spanning healthcare, K-12 software, and higher education. As the Director of Marketing Strategy at Bucknell University, Brandy leverages her extensive background to spearhead innovative branding, reputation enhancement, and recruitment marketing initiatives. In her five years at Bucknell, Brandy has cultivated an exceptional team of marketers and content creators who have driven record applications to the University and produced award-winning creative assets and campaigns. Beyond her professional endeavors, Brandy is an active volunteer with youth programs and enjoys gardening, baking, and adventures with her husband and two children.

Adrienne King

Kevin Knezic

Karina Kogan

Nikki Koontz

Nikki Koontz is a creative and business-savvy professional with a career record of delivering multi-channel marketing and brand awareness campaigns across diverse industries. As the Assistant Vice President of Marketing Communication at Southern Utah University, she is responsible for creating effective public relations campaigns, developing compelling marketing strategies, influencing buyer behavior, strategic storytelling, leading high-performance teams and driving change across the workplace.
She is a dynamic communicator who thrives in fast-paced environments where attention to detail, discretion, resilience, and a positive demeanor are critical to producing excellence.

Dave Kuntz

In this role, he oversees university communications and media relations, as well as serves as the spokesperson and lobbyist for the university. Since arriving at UM in 2020, Dave and his talented team have played an important role in the university’s resurgence after a period of enrollment decline. Over the past three years, UM’s enrollment has increased 14%—marking the largest jump at the university in nearly two decades. Additionally, state appropriations to UM are up over 10% during that same period.

Prior to his current role, Dave worked for Montana Governor Steve Bullock and U.S. Senator Jon Tester in communications and advising roles. He also served as a communications director for the Climate and Political Affairs Divisions of the Environmental Defense Fund. Dave has bachelor’s degrees in political science and communication studies from the University of Montana.

Maria Kuntz

Nicholas Ladany

Nick Ladany, Ph.D., is the President of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), an innovative institution in higher education emphasizing accessibility, affordability, and public good. SFBU’s approach is based on six pillars: praxis academics, life literacy, wellness, meaningful relationships, career readiness, and financial support, targeting effective student outcomes. Previously, Ladany was President of Oglethorpe University and held leadership roles at the University of San Diego, Santa Clara University, Loyola Marymount, and Lehigh University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University at Albany and has authored over 80 publications, including six books, with numerous global presentations.

Kristen Lainsbury

Kristen Lainsbury oversees the development, implementation and refinement of integrated marketing and communications strategies at Bates College. In close partnership with the Bates Communications Office team and many campus stakeholders, Kristen works to tell the Bates story in compelling, innovative and impactful ways to internal and external audiences. Kristen came to Bates from Earlham College, where she served as vice president for marketing and communications since 2021. She previously held progressively senior marketing and communications roles at Providence College in Rhode Island and the University of Maine in Orono, where she was a co-author of The Blue Sky Plan. Kristen has a consistent record of helping campus partners reach and exceed their goals for admission, fundraising and constituent engagement. Before moving into higher education, Lainsbury spent more than a decade as a feature writer and columnist for the Bangor Daily News. She earned her B.A. in journalism from the University of Maine.

Andy Lapiska

With nearly 20 years of professional experience dedicated solely to higher education, Andy Lapiska has held various leadership roles at Gannon University (Erie, Pa.), including graphic designer, art director, director of creative services, brand manager, and experience designer. Currently, as the associate director of marketing and communications, Andy leads a team focused on shaping the university’s brand and enhancing both student and campus experiences through creative and strategic marketing initiatives. Additionally, Andy brings a photographic eye to campus, capturing many of the images used in the university’s marketing materials. He holds a bachelor’s degree in art with a concentration in graphic design and photography from Mercyhurst University and earned an MBA in marketing management from Gannon University.

Heather Lear

As Director of Client Services, Heather is the resident expert when it comes to media strategy and workflow – budgets, teams, and timelines. Her superpower? Using data to maximize results. She earned her ABJ in Advertising with a certificate in New Media from the University of Georgia. Before joining Mindpower, she led teams at a digital media agency overseeing strategy and execution of programmatic campaigns and was an account executive at Florida-based agencies, managing accounts ranging from healthcare to manufacturing and non-profit to finance. When Heather’s not working her left-brained magic, find her researching new restaurants and travel destinations.

Gene Lewis

Gene began his career in digital marketing when the blink tag was still popular. His fascination with the experiments and puzzles of the early web bloomed into an obsession with digital media. It’s a focus that is fundamentally driven by his love of technology, a passion for clarity in communication and the power of engagement. Gene is a founding partner of Digital Pulp and now leads the agency’s creative force – and is celebrated as a thought leader by his peers in the industry. Gene studied English at Vassar College, and emphatically insists that there aren’t two spaces after a period. Dedicated to learning his client’s professional language and adapting to their needs, he balances concerns of marketing, design, branding, technology and content to communicate with precision and transform ideas into experiential realities.

Keith Lungwitz

Keith has served on the marketing team at Pepperdine University since 2001 and has held the creative director position since 2014. He supervises the University design team and the in-house print shop and is the chief administrator of the Marq platform. His other duties include developing and managing the University brand identity, licensing and trademarking brand assets, and creating the brand strategy for major university initiatives and building projects. Keith is also an artist and sells his paintings online. He lives in Ventura, California with his wife and two dogs.

Kathleen Mabley

Kathleen Mabley is responsible for overseeing strategic marketing communications programs to build the brand of Moody College of Communication in order to attract top talent, build community and increase support. She oversees the marketing and communications team, including brand strategy, enrollment marketing for graduate and undergraduate programs, executive communications, social and digital media, storytelling, graphic design and identity management and website UX, content strategy and development.

Kathleen has worked at UT Austin since 2006 in marketing and communications roles in the Graduate School, University Communications and the Texas Extended Campus. Her pre-university years were spent in corporate America with Cars.com, Eli Lilly and Sara Lee Bakery, where, after numerous taste tests, she launched Cheesecake Bites and Slices.

A native of Shaker Heights Ohio and graduate of Miami University in Ohio, Kathleen is married to fellow UT Austin McCombs School of Business MBA classmate Lou Mabley and lives in Austin, TX. When she isn’t cheering on the Longhorns, she can be found on the sidelines of various sporting activities cheering on one of her three sons.

Luca Magnanini

Alycia Malicz

Alycia Malicz is a graphic designer and a lover of all things creative. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida, and is a known fiber addict who has her own yarn-dying business. Alycia has a geeky love for typography and cold brew and works at Florida State University in the Division of Student Affairs Office of Communications and Marketing.

Leah Mallett

Leah is a marketing professional with ten years of experience working in industries including non-profits, finance and higher education. She is currently the Associate Director of Marketing Strategy at Bucknell University, where she is responsible for executing integrated marketing strategies in support of the University’s goals.A graduate of Eastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, she is passionate about working at the intersection of digital marketing and storytelling.When she is off campus, she enjoys a good book, bike ride and having a trip planned. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and young daughter.

Teresa Mannix

As the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Georgetown McDonough, Teresa Mannix oversees the school’s integrated marketing and communications efforts, as well as events and brand experience. She joined McDonough in 2009 as Director of Media Relations, and she previously was Director of News and Information and spokeswoman at the University of Mary Washington. She is a board member and past president of the College Communicators Association of Virginia and D.C., and she sits on the Georgetown Staff Council. She holds a B.A. from Mary Washington, an M.A. from George Mason University, and certificates in marketing and leadership from Georgetown.

Julia Marco

Julia Marco is the Director of Marketing and Engagement at Skidmore College. In 2023, she spoke at the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education about rebuilding a culture and the highs and lows of being a new leader. Now, she’s back again with her signature honesty, vulnerability, and awkward jokes to help inspire the best marketers in the world. Julia earned a bachelor’s from Nazareth College in English and a master’s from Syracuse University in public relations.

Mary Beth Marks

Throughout her career, Mary Beth has worked to improve student recruitment and retention efforts at a variety of institutions. Prior to her current role at the University of the Pacific, she held leadership positions in admissions and recruiting at the University of New Orleans and Sul Ross State University. She has presented at regional and national conferences as well as appeared as a guest on higher education podcasts.

Marks also works as an associate consultant at Ruffalo Noel Levitz. She moved to California where she enjoys trail running, surfing and skiing along with 300 days of sunshine.

Emma Massaglia

Emma Massaglia is the Web Development Strategist for the Division of Student Affairs Marketing and Communications Office, and was filling the role of Social Media Manager at the start of the Hello FSU campaign. Emma has been working in the communications field for over ten years in social media management and strategic marketing positions that encompass content creation and design, copy editing, writing and website administration.

Cassie Mathes

Alice Maxwell

Alice Maxwell serves as the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications in the Division of Student Affairs at Florida State University. Alice has over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education marketing, communications and change management and has led college-wide initiatives while collaborating with administration, faculty, staff and students. In addition to her work with her fabulous creative team, she also teaches a marketing class in one of FSU’s Living Learning Communities. Alice is passionate about contributing to student success and truly enjoys working with her team and building relationships.

Anna McBrayer

With over 20 years of experience in marketing and design, Anna is innovating creative leadership, brand management, and marketing strategy at Fort Lewis College, the public Liberal Arts institution of Colorado. Serving over 50% first-generation and Indigenous students, her focus on hospitality through user experience across enrollment and student-facing departments ensures building empathy and accessibility for the unique students at FLC. She is a champion for campus-wide collaboration and brand building through building a customer-first culture. Anna holds certifications in UX design and digital marketing. She is a new member of the American Marketing Association and a long-time member of the Interaction Design Foundation and the University & College Design Association.

Crystal McBrayer

Brian MacDonald

Brian is a creative leader with a long history of award-winning work in print, broadcast, digital, and social media channels. Brian brought his consumer-packaged-goods background to many higher education brands, grocery, and consumer services. Previously at Ogilvy & Mather, Brian worked on global consumer brands such as Dove’s campaign for Real Beauty, American Express’ Realize the Potential campaign, Hellmann’s, KFC, Magnum Ice Cream, and Scotiabank. And at Leo Burnett, Brian worked on a wide array of brands across the local/global spectrum, including P&G’s laundry portfolio, Kellogg’s snack foods and cereals, Wrigley’s gum and mints, and Visa. Brian has a Bachelors degree from the University of Chicago and a Masters Degree from the Johns Hopkins University

Matt McFadden

Matt is SimpsonScarborough’s non-fiction version of Ted Lasso and one of the leading higher education brand strategy experts anywhere in the country. He’s played a key leadership role in the agency’s evolution into a full-service, integrated agency but is much prouder of the internal culture cultivated in the process. Today, he leads agency partnerships across higher ed with the University of Michigan, Franklin & Marshall, Baylor University, Bucknell University, Cal Poly Humboldt, South Louisiana Community College, and many others. Matt earned his B.S. in Marketing from Auburn University and lives in Columbus, OH, with his wife and two daughters.

Marsha McGriff

Dr. Marsha McGriff is a seasoned higher education leader who was recently appointed as vice chancellor for Equity and Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. With a career spanning more than two decades, Marsha has been dedicated to fostering inclusive environments and advancing social justice in higher education.
Her expertise lies in developing strategic initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion across campus communities. Former Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Advisor to the President at the University of Florida, Marsha has seen first hand how DEI has become polarized in some areas of the country.

David McLain

David McLain is the Executive Director of Community & Government Relations at San Mateo County Community College District based in San Mateo, California. Previously, David was the Director of Community Relations & Marketing at College of San Mateo and also held positions at Cañada College and Viognier Restaurant. David received a Associate of Arts degree from College Of San Mateo and a Bachelor of Arts from Menlo College.

Amy Meckeler

Amy Meckeler is Associate Vice President of University Marketing and Communications at Minnesota State University. Amy has worked in higher education marketing and communications for 23 years. Serving at three large public institutions, one private college, and an Ivy League, land-grant university, Amy has a comprehensive portfolio of experience from multiple perspectives. As chief strategic communications officer at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Amy oversees university brand positioning, creative production, web marketing, media relations, and other broadcast strategies for institutional strategic growth. She holds a B.A. in English and M.A. in Sociology and Social Justice from Kean University.

Tina Miller

Tina Miller, Executive Director of Creative and Communications at Arizona State University’s Enterprise Technology, brings nearly three decades of experience from Fortune 500 companies, government, and academia. She spearheads initiatives highlighting the division’s dedication to innovation and digital excellence, reimagining how technology enhances the human experience. Dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, Tina leverages AI to optimize team communication and improve efficiency. Her previous leadership roles include significant contributions at Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and Maricopa Community Colleges District. Tina earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix and her journalism degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Caitlin Moynihan

Caitlin K. Moynihan is a Vice President with Yes& Lipman Hearne leading research across higher education, government, non-profit and association, and commercial sectors. She has over 15 years of experience in designing and executing mixed methods research that drives impactful campaigns and brands that influence human behavior and achieve business goals. Caitlin holds a B.A. in International Affairs and an MPH in Health Communications and Marketing, both from The George Washington University.

Christine Dellert Mullon

Christine Dellert Mullon is founder and chief strategist at Sonder Says, a communications and thought leadership group that helps leaders redefine their message, reach the right audiences and inspire change.
A former higher education administrator in Florida, Christine has provided crisis communications counsel to university presidents and led teams that developed award-winning content strategy, media relations, and public affairs and marketing campaigns around politically charged issues and challenges.

Megan Murphey-Jones

As director of marketing, Megan Murphey-Jones oversees TCU’s institutional advertising and branding campaign, “Lead On,” as well as the marketing for key initiatives like the 2023 CFP National Championship and Sesquicentennial celebration. She played a pivotal role in strategizing and implementing TCU’s ongoing peer advertising campaign, which helped advance the university’s national rankings. Megan is passionate about research and harnessing data-driven insights to create engaging branded content that resonates with audiences. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees and a master’s from TCU and worked in the ad agency world before following her heart to transition to higher education marketing in 2013.

Corynn Myers

Corynn is an award-winning marketer with a concerning amount of enthusiasm for brand and customer experience. As SimpsonScarborough’s Associate Vice President of Strategy Planning, Corynn oversees the coordination of cross-functional teams and the coordinated development of effective brand and marketing strategies by ensuring experience is at the core of every solution. Previously, Corynn worked across a variety of industries including automotive, healthcare, and higher education. Most recently, she consulted for national brands on multi-channel content and experience strategies and oversaw digital strategy at the University of Michigan as the Associate Director of Marketing.

Jake Myers

Jake Myers is the embodiment of innovation and excellence within the advertising industry, serving as the driving force behind the meteoric rise of Atmosphere’s regional advertising department. For the past two years, Jake has been instrumental in crafting and nurturing this department into a powerhouse of creativity, strategy, and effectiveness.
In his role as the architect of Atmosphere’s regional advertising arm, Jake’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a blend of visionary leadership, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, he has transformed the department into a dynamic hub of ingenuity and forward-thinking.
In his role as the architect of Atmosphere’s regional advertising arm, Jake’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a blend of visionary leadership, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, he has transformed the department into a dynamic hub of ingenuity and forward-thinking.
With a keen focus on diverse areas including advertising technology (AdTech) and consumer behavior, Jake is at the forefront of understanding and shaping the ever-evolving landscape of modern marketing. His expertise extends to 1:1 marketing, new business development, digital media, and strategic planning, where he consistently delivers innovative solutions and drives tangible results.

Denise Nelson Nash

With a career spanning over 25 years in higher education, Dr. Nelson Nash has held numerous leadership positions and proven herself as a skilled facilitator, collaborator, and implementer of impactful practices, projects, and initiatives. Since 2013, she has been an integral part of Scripps College, serving as Vice President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, as well as the convener of the IDEA Initiative – a framework and platform for fostering equity and inclusion.

Dr. Nelson Nash’s role at Scripps College encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. She advises the president and board chair, provides coordination and support to the governing body, contributes to the development of institutional policy, procedures, and governance, and actively collaborates with the equity and justice leadership team to advance the college’s mission. Additionally, she plays a vital role in various strategic initiatives that advance and shape the future of the college.

Prior to her tenure at Scripps College, she made significant contributions to Caltech, where she served the Institute in a variety of capacities for over 15 years, including as Assistant Vice President for Campus and Community Relations. Her expertise was also utilized as the Executive Director of the Cultural Planning Division for the City of Pasadena and as the Director of the Plaza de la Raza School of Performing and Visual Arts. Beyond her professional achievements, she has further demonstrated her commitment to foster dialogue and sharing knowledge. As the co-creator and co-host of the podcast “Life in Higher Ed,” she engages in thought-provoking conversations with an array of guests offering practical tips and advice for professional and personal growth. Her research on “Increasing the California Latinx Private College Applicant Pool: Understanding the Factors that Influence Latinx College Choice” was recently published, demonstrating her dedication to addressing critical issues in education.

Dr. Nelson Nash’s accomplishments have earned her numerous awards and recognitions. She has been honored as a Contemporary History Maker by the Pasadena Museum of History, named a 27th Congressional District Woman of the Year, and received the City of Pasadena Raymond Pitts Human Relations Award. In addition to her work at Scripps College, she serves on the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Board Professionals Council, is the past chair of the AGB Board Professionals Leadership Group and sits on the Board of Trustees of Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California. Nelson Nash received her doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from New York University, a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree from Scripps College.

Chris Nelson

Chris Nelson is the chief university relations officer and secretary to the University of Utah Board of Trustees. Over the course of his 28-year career at the university, Nelson has held senior roles in strategic communications, marketing and fundraising, including: assistant vice president for communications and marketing at University of Utah Health and executive director of the University of Utah Hospital Foundation. He holds a master’s degree in public administration, bachelor’s degrees in mass communication and political science, and a graduate certificate in integrated marketing communications—all from the University of Utah.

Nana Kofi Nti

Nana Kofi Nti held several leadership positions before founding 510 Media in 2005, including roles in Information Technology and Non-Profit branding. Nana has two major roles for 510 Media: First, as the account director, Nana has more than twelve years of experience that runs the gamut of the digital world from web production and online marketing to project management, corporate branding and client services. Including projects for San Francisco Public Health Department, Alameda County Health Department, Center for Disease control, Marin County Housing Department and Children’s Hospital Oakland. These projects ranged from HIV, Black Infant Mortality,Heart Health Mental Health and Sexual Health. In addition, Nana serves as head of the commercial photography department for 510media, having produced and overseen the development of commercial imagery for a wide range of clients over the last twelve years.

Lyndsay Nyquist

Lindsay Nyquist brings over 15 years of higher education and marketing experience to her role as the Associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications at the University of Puget Sound. She leads a team of creative professionals in articulating the Puget Sound brand, engaging with the community, coordinating memorable events, and telling the stories of Loggers everywhere. She is passionate about building better systems, branding consistency, creating a fun and productive workplace culture, and ultimately changing lives by connecting individuals to educational opportunities. Nyquist holds a bachelor’s degree in English, communication, and art from the University of Delaware; a master’s degree in higher education administration and organizational leadership from Drexel University; and a certificate in marketing strategy from Cornell University. She also serves as a trustee for the youth development organization A Thousand Summers and as a commissioner on the CASE Commission for Communications & Marketing. She lives with her husband in Tacoma, Washington, and they travel as often as they can. 

Seth Odell

Widely considered one of the industry’s leading enrollment marketing experts, Seth Odell brings nearly 20 years of education marketing experience at some of our sector’s top organizations, including Southern New Hampshire University, UCLA, National University System, and more. Today, he is Founder and CEO of Kanahoma, one of the fastest growing digital marketing agencies in higher education.

Robin Oliver

Robin C. Oliver serves as the Vice President of University Communications and Marketing at Ohio University where she leads a central team of more than 60 staff members managing marketing and brand strategy, creative development, market research, web content and design, social media, media relations, internal communications and university publications. Having served at Ohio University for five years, Oliver has more than 10 years of experience in higher education and 20+ years of experience recruiting and retaining top talent in marketing and communications, including extensive experience working in rural markets.

Teri O'Neal

Teri O’Neal, APR, is a senior executive with over 25 years of experience in strategic communications, public relations and marketing. She has a proven track record of developing and implementing successful communications campaigns for organizations in various industries. Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Teri led several initiatives to promote DEI within organizations and communities. She is a skilled presenter and has conducted workshops and presentations on various public relations and strategic communications topics. Teri holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and achieved her accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America. 

Dallin Palmer

Jim Paskill

Jody Perrin

Jody has worked in higher education for 16 years as a creative, driven, and visionary professional with experience in marketing, communications, and art direction. Prior to joining Net Natives, she served as the Director of Marketing and Communications at SUNY Jamestown Community College for nine years and was responsible for the success and management of the brand, website, communications, strategic marketing, content optimization, SEO, organic and paid social media, and creative assets. With a focus on developing leadership skills and strategic thinking, her expertise lies in successfully conceptualizing and implementing plans that drive solid results toward institutional goals. Jody earned her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a focus in design and advertising from Youngstown State University.

Danielle Perry

As assistant vice president of marketing and communications strategy at Babson College, Danielle Perry spearheads content strategy and integrated marketing efforts to enhance brand recognition, reputation, and enrollment.
Previously, Perry was the vice president of public relations and strategic initiatives at Anna Jaques Hospital, where she played a key role in fostering sustained growth, enhancing reputation, and community engagement. She also led the public relations efforts for AT&T Wireless and Monster.com, strengthening brand relevance, thought leadership, and share of voice.
Perry holds an MA in Communications from Rutgers University–New Brunswick and a BA in International Business from Lehigh University.

Anne Peters

Anne Peters is Associate VP for University Marketing & Special Projects at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Anne has over two decades of experience in higher education marketing and communications with a career that spans a wide variety of institutions, from residential liberal arts colleges to large public research universities. A frequent presenter at AMA and CASE, Anne’s role as CMO includes oversight of institutional brand, website development, presidential communication and university special events. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Stanford University, and an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont.

Amy Peterson

Amy Peterson, TCU’s assistant director of social and multimedia strategy, is passionate about storytelling, digital engagement and all things TCU. Under her leadership, Rival IQ ranked TCU’s social media No. 3 in the nation in 2023. With more than 15 years working in social media, Amy is driven by a commitment to community building and creativity. She ensures that TCU’s digital presence reflects the deep sense of community and pride found on campus. She works with a talented team of content creators, including one full-time social media specialist and eight student interns.

Jenny Petty

Jenny Petty left the corporate world where she worked with some of the world’s biggest brands including Dolly Parton, Family Guy, Harley Davidson, Phantom of the Opera and The Ellen DeGeneres Show and joined the world of higher ed over a decade ago. She currently serves as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the University of Montana. In this role she oversees brand strategy, digital innovation, enrollment marketing, creative services, strategic communications, brand experience as well as the public media arm of the University and the Alumni Association. She finds joy in building teams and helping others grow, as well as flexing her creative muscles whenever she can. She’s a graduate of the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada and has a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University where her studies focused on the intersection of Servant Leadership and the marketing profession. She’s the host of “The Servant Marketer,” a podcast featuring marketing leaders, marketers, creatives, academics and entrepreneurs and shares thoughts on how marketers and leaders can serve first at servantmarketer.co.

Carrie Phillips

Dr. Carrie Phillips is an accomplished leader with more than 15 years experience in communications, marketing, and enrollment strategy. As the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at UA Little Rock, she played a key role in reversing enrollment declines, initiating a bold affordability strategy, and launching the largest capital campaign in university history.
Dr. Phillips holds a doctorate from Texas Tech, where she explored how universities are utilizing marketing to address enrollment challenges.
She’s nationally recognized by CASE and UCDA, and she has been named a top higher education marketer. Carrie frequently presents at AMA, HighEdWeb, and CASE.

Brian Piper

Brian Piper is an author, international keynote speaker, and consultant. Brian has been optimizing digital content since 1996. He has created training programs for hundreds of companies including Xerox, IBM, and Volvo. He has spent the last eight years focusing on data analytics, digital marketing, and content strategy. Since 2021, he has been diving into AI, community, and web3. He wrote Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education and has co-authored and contributed to three other books.

When he’s not creating data visualizations, he teaches wingsuit skydiving and spends time with his wife and six children.

Carrie Pitts-Densmore

Carrie Pitts-Densmore is the Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College. She has 25 years of communications experience. Carrie began her career as a television news journalist, where she won a national award for a documentary on domestic violence and covered major news stories in Myrtle Beach, Buffalo, and Raleigh. She spent her post-news days consulting organizations on video production, media relations, and integrated marketing. She also spent a few years as an award-winning real estate agent, where she honed her customer relations and technology skills. She’s found herself in higher education at the most exciting time – during the intersection of tech and storytelling. Carrie has an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and a Master of Science in Communications degree from Purdue University. She is mom to Archer and wife to Shawn. In her free time, she likes to do yoga and watch documentaries.

Tony Poillucci

As our vice president and creative director, Tony does a little bit of everything. He is heavily involved in the early stages of projects that require strong strategic direction, decision-making, and consensus-building. He sometimes finds himself in the position of information architect, responsible for translating goals and strategies into the intuitive and user-friendly organization of content on an institution’s website. When projects move into the design phase, Tony puts on his creative director hat. He enjoys collaborating with VisionPoint’s designers and our client partners to find the best creative solutions. Tony is always quick to remind us that we need to have a reason behind every decision.

Whether he’s delivering a strategy presentation on a university campus, sharing a sitemap on a conference call, or presenting a case study at a higher ed conference, Tony is no stranger to the spotlight – and let’s be honest, he loves it! He’s our all-star speaker when we need to bring out the big guns. Some might even call him “The Ringer.”

Tony graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art & Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. He’s worked in several different fields and in a host of interesting places. Prior to joining VisionPoint, he was president of aHA! Factory, a highly successful consulting, design, and web development firm based in Miami.

Angela Polec

Angela Polec, Ed.D., is Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Communications at Temple University. Angela previously held chief marketing officer roles at La Salle University and Montgomery County Community College. Her doctoral dissertation explored the role of the CMO in higher education and how they can effect change.
Angela also serves as affiliated faculty in the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Higher Education Management program.

Christian Ponce

Christian Ponce is an award-winning marketing leader, currently serving as the Associate Vice President for Marketing at Old Dominion University. With an extensive background in higher education and advertising agencies, Christian excels in multicultural, branding, and enrollment marketing strategies that resonate across diverse audiences. His leadership at Ashland University and Miami University among other organizations has consistently elevated institutional brand profiles. A trilingual marketer, Christian leads diverse teams including marketers, web and digital strategists, designers, and videographers to turn ideas into impactful realities making him a champion in adapting brands for today’s diverse marketplace.

Kate Post

Kate is a strategic communicator with over a decade of experience in higher education with a record of success creating innovative communications and marketing campaigns. As Chico State’s director of digital engagement and marketing, she manages brand and enrollment marketing, web and social strategy, email marketing, and crowdfunding. She excels at big picture and collaborative thinking, building relationships across organizational lines to drive positive change. Kate is also sixth degree black belt in Okinawan karate and fourth degree black belt in kobudo (weapons), with more than 30 years of experience teaching and training around the world.

Tony Proudfoot

Tony Proudfoot serves as Vice President for Marketing and Strategic Communications at Western Michigan University where he leads the creation and execution of its brand strategy. The brand is fueled by the $550 million Empowering Futures Gift–the largest single gift for any public university in American history–and it aspires to a holistic, Experience Driven education that places WMU at the top for student success in Michigan. Tony focuses his leadership at the intersection of brand and organizational strategy. He has been repositioning universities for more than 29 years at Indiana University, Ball State University, and The University of Arizona and is proud to be serving his second term as a CASE Trustee.

Devin Purgason

As Executive Director of Marketing and Student Care at Forsyth Tech, Devin brings a rich blend of visual creativity and a deep commitment to education. Devin’s evolution as a media professional enriches his innovative strategies in higher education marketing. Esteemed for his contributions, he has been honored with Winston Salem’s Under 40 Leadership Award, NC Triad Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and a CASE award. His academic achievements include graduating summa cum laude from Piedmont International University, earning a master’s in historical theology, and securing a graduate certificate from Duke University, reflecting his dedication to leadership and community transformation.

Lee Rafkin

Lee Rafkin is the CMO of NextGrad, North America’s largest media network for higher education marketers, located inside high schools across Canada and the United States. Rafkin is also the Founder & CEO of Rafkin Brand Consulting, an independent strategy, branding, identity and communications firm founded in 2002 in New York City. Rafkin has over 25 years of experience creating, building, and leading brands, for over 100 clients on four continents. His work spans start-ups to Fortune 100 global companies, including Aetna, American Express, Estée Lauder, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Nestlé, Pepsi, Starbucks, and University of Maryland. For more, please visit www.rafkin.com.

James Raper

Dr. James Raper is dedicated to creating a community at Emory that facilitates wellbeing for every student. With more than 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and student affairs administrator, he builds broad campus partnerships and employs qualitative and quantitative data to develop a shared vision for campus wellbeing – a vision that strengthens the student experience and enables each student to bring their full selves. His research and publications center on crisis intervention, clinical burnout, and suicide intervention.

Corey Reed

Corey Reed is the Director of Website Management at Texas Christian University. Corey focuses on increasing website usability, accessibility and search engine visibility of website content in order for current and prospective students to find what they are looking for. Motivated by new techniques and technology, along with the surge in popularity of cloud-based solutions and mobile applications, Corey says that overall usability design is more mission-critical than ever before.

Nancy Rewis

Nancy Rewis is Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Berry College. She leads the Marketing and Communications teams actively supporting the strategic goals of the College. Nancy is responsible for managing a comprehensive marketing strategy for the institution and works across all departments to tell Berry’s story through public relations, digital marketing, creative services, video, and photography. Over the last five years, Nancy has led comprehensive market research and a rebranding of the college. She spearheaded the development of a new brand platform and implemented a multi-channel marketing strategy to increase and diversify enrollment at the institution. In partnership with Enrollment Management and IT, Berry grew first-year enrollment by 48 percent from 2018-23 while also increasing enrollment of students of color by 90 percent. In addition, the college increased the high school GPA of its incoming classes for three straight years. Prior to her role at Berry, Nancy was Vice President of Marketing and eCommerce at Gem Shopping Network in Atlanta. From 1994-2014, she served in a variety of roles at Turner Broadcasting including Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development. She was also Senior Director of Brand Partnerships and Director of Marketing for Turner Classic Movies. As a strategic leader, Nancy consistently delivered results through integrated marketing, partnerships, and brand extensions. She built a portfolio of five businesses generating more than $70 million in gross revenue and directed product development and multi-platform marketing. Nancy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Mississippi. She is a member of American Marketing Association, CASE District III, Women We Admire and has served as Executive Mentor, Turner Women Today.

Jeremy Rex

Jeremy joined Modern Campus in 2008 and is responsible for sourcing new business opportunities, as well as communicating the Modern Campus message to higher education everywhere. Jeremy has worked with hundreds of colleges and universities developing enrollment and recruitment plans and strategies to working specifically on websites to ensure the institution’s website is their biggest marketing and recruitment tool.

Melissa Richards

Author, and Principal and Founder of iMarketingMix LLC. Melissa Farmer Richards, MPA, APR is a frequent presenter at local, regional, and national events. She has led in such roles as chief of staff and a vice president overseeing communications, marketing, and enrollment serving liberal arts colleges and a large public university. She is now the principal and founder of iMarketingMix LLC providing consulting and executive coaching services, designing leadership retreats and programs, teaching as an adjunct instructor, and serving fractional C-suite roles.
Prior to her 15-year career in higher education, Melissa spent 16 years in the corporate sector where she held senior positions at start-up software companies and global technology organizations. She founded two small businesses and co-founded two nonprofits – a children’s museum and a rare disease genetic research foundation. She is a member of CHIEF, a private networking and mentoring organization designed for women executives to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way to bring others with them.
Melissa earned a Master of Public Administration at Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia. She achieved the Accreditation in Public Relations credential and the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Board Professional Certificate. Her book, The 30-60-90 Day Handbook: A Book of Checklists for Communications and Marketing Leaders in Higher Education, is scheduled to be published by the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) this fall.
She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2023, she spearheaded the national PRSA Counselors to Higher Education (CHE) Senior Summit. She currently serves as president for the PRSA-Central New York Chapter and chair-elect for PRSA Northeast District. She teaches part-time as an adjunct instructor for Aurora University, Utica University, and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Emily Richwine

A storyteller at heart, Emily is always after finding the emotional spark in every campaign. As Senior Director of Creative Services for Purdue University she leads and energizes creative teams to craft engaging and memorable content. Before joining Purdue, she led creative storytelling for Vera Bradley and national clients like Arhaus, Peter Millar, Sherwin-Williams, HGTV and Dutch Boy. Prior to marketing, Emily spent a decade as a story-driven journalist, serving as the editor of Los Angeles-based Minority Business Entrepreneur. Emily graduated from Purdue University with a BA in communication in 2003.

Chris Roberts

As General Manager of CloudControlMedia, Christopher N. Roberts brings a wealth of digital marketing knowledge and expertise to the table. He has nearly 30 years in the industry and has spearheaded website development, digital lead generation, branding, media placements, technological innovation, call center management, integrated offline marketing programs, business operations, and client strategy for CCM’s clients. Chris helped CCM grow from a lean agency staffed with a few savvy digital marketers to an important member of the Quinstreet, Inc. family, a publicly-traded performance-based marketing giant. Chris has been instrumental in building CloudControlMedia’s agency business in the EDU space.

Anthony Robinson

Anthony has worked at various agencies over the years (most recently as SVP of Digital Strategy with Yes& Lipman Hearne) focused on growing businesses, building teams, and helping create impactful brand experiences. But then… that’s what everyone says about themselves. What Anthony found during this time, however, is that leveraging his unique background in sociology, comedy and brand strategy allowed him to create breakthroughs within the relationships he built. Now, with The Devoted, Anthony aims to connect the most talented marketing experts of diverse backgrounds to organizations who aren’t afraid of a different approach.

Brian Rosenberg

Brian Rosenberg is currently Visiting Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. From 2003 until 2020, he served as the 16th President of Macalester College. He is the author of “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It: Resistance to Change in Higher Education (2023), a frank and often provocative book in which he draws on decades of experience to expose the entrenched structures, practices, and cultures that inhibit meaningful postsecondary reform. His articles on higher education appear regularly in The Chronicle of Higher Education and have also appeared in publications including The New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. He serves as Senior Advisor and Director at the African Leadership University and as a member of the board of the Teagle Foundation. Rosenberg received his B.A. from Cornell University and his Ph.D. in English from Columbia University. Prior to arriving at Macalester, he served as Dean of the Faculty at Lawrence University and as Professor and Chair of the English Department at Allegheny College. He is the author of two books and many articles on Victorian literature.

Erik Rueter

Erik K. Rueter, PMP, PMI-ACP, has over 20 years of experience in diverse industries, including tech startups, academia, healthcare, and entertainment. Currently, he is a senior project manager at the American Marketing Association. Erik holds a BA in neuroscience from Wesleyan University, with further education in digital design, Irish studies, and MicroMasters in Design Thinking and Project Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is also certified in diversity and inclusion by Cornell University.

Erik’s contributions to the field include co-authoring papers on health inequity, lecturing at Boston and Emerson Colleges, and advocating for diversity and inclusion with organizations like Medtronic, VSP, and the San Antonio Spurs. He has spoken, in person and virtually, at PMI Greece, PMI Michiana, and PMI Global Summit, among others. He has appeared on podcasts such as “Project Management Happy Hour” and “I Wanna Work There!” and contributed to the books “Mastering Solutions Delivery” and “The Evolution of the PMO,” both key resources for project managers. He founded Human-Centered Success LLC to promote inclusive leadership.

Residing outside Pittsburgh with his husband and two dachshunds, Erik enjoys marathons, gaming, and sharing his insights.

Kentrice Rush

Kentrice S. Rush is the digital media manager at Jackson State University (JSU). During her time at JSU, the HBCU has achieved much success on social media, including its Facebook page ranking third among NCAA Division I universities nationwide. Kentrice’s videography has been shared by Time Magazine and YouTube Originals, and her photography has been used in stories by The Washington Post, CBS Sports, and the TODAY Show.
Kentrice holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing from Jackson State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing from Clark Atlanta University.

Steven Rutt

As Chief Operating Officer for Abilene Christian University, Steven brings more than 20+ years of online higher education experience across multiple functions including marketing, finance, business intelligence, and analytics. He has a proven success record at drawing insights from operational and financial data and then transferring that into clear strategies and execution plans. He has led numerous projects across performance marketing, CRMs, brand management, data and analytics, and financial operations. Steven held key roles at University of Phoenix within performance marketing and marketing analytics.

Kerry Salerno

Kerry Salerno serves as Babson College’s chief marketing and communications officer, overseeing brand, reputation, and enrollment driving marketing and communication efforts. She is responsible for building brand awareness, engagement, adoption, and advocacy for the institution and each of its revenue generating programs. Salerno is also responsible for institutional communications strategies, thought leadership, and crisis communication. Previously, Salerno served in various roles at Northeastern University including vice president of enrollment, marking and recruitment for Northeastern’s Professional Advancement Network where she provided leadership and strategic direction to the enrollment organization. Salerno received her B.S. in Marketing and her MBA from Bentley University.

Jennifer Sauer

Melanie Schramm

Kin Sejpal

Kinnari “Kin” Sejpal is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications/Chief Marketing Officer at University of Redlands where she oversees brand management, enrollment marketing, and communications and digital teams. Before joining Redlands, Kin served as the Associate Vice President, Marketing and Creative Services at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Among her many accomplishments there, Kin developed RIT’s brand strategy and launched its first national reputation campaign.
Dedicated to advancing higher education and the importance of marketing in shaping the perception of our industry, Kin serves in prominent positions with CASE, CIC, and PRSA.

Jason Shough

For 10+ years, Jason has been a brand builder and creative leader at integrated agencies with portfolios in education, healthcare, financial services, and nonprofit organizations. As head of the creative studio at SimpsonScarborough, he works with some of the most passionate and talented writers and designers alive, clearing the way for conceptual brand and campaign work that’s fearless, original, and game-changing for our clients.

Emily Smith

Emily Smith is VP Partner Success at CollegeVine and is a lifer in the higher ed tech and consulting space. Emily has worked with the enrollment, marcomm, and student success organizations of over 500 institutions in more than 20 years. She is a rehabber of systems and processes, implementer of technology, innovator of Student Search efforts, and creator and deployer of enrollment & marketing strategy. Emily hosts the VineDown, the podcast that explores the intersection of humans, tech and admissions/enrollment with candor, humor, and occasional curse words.

Jarrett Smith

Jarrett is Echo Delta’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and a partner at the firm. A cross-disciplinary marketer with expertise in research, web design, media, and analytics, Jarrett works to continually advance Echo Delta’s offerings to ensure they deliver exceptional value and exceed clients’ expectations. Jarrett is also the host of Echo Delta’s popular Higher Ed Marketing Lab Podcast, where he engages with some of the brightest minds in higher ed and the broader world of marketing.

Michele Gaither Sparks

Michele Gaither Sparks brings nearly three decades of expertise in marketing and communications to her role as VP of Client Strategy at GMB. With this strong background, Michele has held pivotal leadership positions in higher education, including Vice President at Transylvania University and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Miami University (OH). Michele’s extensive experience in brand development and media relations, coupled with her deep understanding of the higher education landscape, enables her to deliver strategic and creative solutions that drive success for GMB’s higher ed clients.

Alyssa Stevens

Alyssa Stevens is Director of Public Relations, Social Media & Influencer Marketing at global advertising agency, Connelly Partners. There, she conceptualizes and executes strategic, integrated campaigns for a diverse array of clients.
Recently, her team’s influencer program for a legacy CPG brand won the AdAge “Best Use of TikTok” award. As a result, Alyssa appeared on TikTok’s “Talking Creative” YouTube series where she was interviewed about her approach to co-creation and influencer relations.
Outside of the office, she’s the editor of lifestyle blog, The A-Lyst, giving her a unique perspective as both an influencer and an influencer marketing strategist.

Jason Stevens

As Vice President, Jason Stevens leads the Encoura Digital Solutions team and strategy. Previously, Jason served as a senior digital strategist serving Northeastern US and key accounts across the country – managing media strategy, implementation, and analytics and reporting for a robust portfolio of both undergrad and grad clients. Jason has worked in digital marketing for over 15 years. He launched a digital agency for a large traditional mass media company and has helped usher thousands of businesses and organizations through marketing and branding transitions to thrive in the digital space. Jason received his BA from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Kelsey Stockton

Kelsey is in her third year with Campus Sonar, partnering with campuses and organizations on strategic goals and audience engagement. With more than 10 years of experience working with orientation and enrollment management, housing and residence life, and cross-campus partnerships, Kelsey has worked with public and private institutions on diverse projects and initiatives. Always looking for opportunities to strengthen campus work, she is motivated by the power of data to tell compelling stories and improve decision-making.

Courtney Surls

Courtney Surls served as Vice President for University Advancement at American University, retiring at the successful conclusion of the university’s $500 million Change Can’t Wait campaign. As VP, she worked with university leadership, alumni, and donors to support AU’s strategic priorities, attract new funding, and build lifelong relationships between AU and more than 150,000 alumni. Prior to coming to American University in 2015, Surls served as Senior Vice President for Development at the Newseum. She also served as Vice President of Development at the University of Southern California, held positions in development and advancement at Loyola Marymount, and worked as a teacher and development director in Los Angeles.

Patty Swisher

As AVP of Marketing and Communications at Duquesne University (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), Patty Swisher leads content strategy, oversees both the media relations team and the University’s central web team and serves as Editor of the Duquesne magazine. Celebrating 4 years at Duquesne backed by 25+ years of experience, her role unites her marketing, digital and media expertise and keen focus on content creation and delivery in pursuit of strategic divisional and University goals. Patty also brings the perspectives of staff-member, content strategist, alumna and proud parent of a Duquesne student to her daily work.

Nicole Szymczak

Nicole Szymczak is the Senior Director of Communications and Marketing for Michigan State University Health Sciences. A division that includes two medical schools, with campuses across the state of Michigan, a college of nursing, MSU Health Care clinical operation, partnerships for innovation, research and education a new entity formed with Henry Ford Health.

Prior to accepting this inaugural position, Nicole led communications for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, initiating a transformation of all digital properties, launching a new brand identity campaign, and marketing the first online master’s program for professionals.

Nicole’s first role in higher education was in 2010, leading the transformation of an in-house agency for Lansing Community College. As a former journalist, she reorganized the editorial function of the agency into a beat structure where teams led the colleges’ first storytelling and content marketing campaigns with great success. Empathy and inclusion were key values of the campaigns and resulted in emotional storytelling, driving results in the form of enrollment, and enhanced internal culture. Nicole also worked to oversee public relations, executive communications and the strategy surrounding a major physical campus revitalization. Over her career, Nicole and her teams have earned numerous awards for creative campaigns aimed at potential and current students and alumni.

As a trained journalist, Nicole spent ten years as a television producer for NBC. She worked for stations across Michigan, including Detroit and in Las Vegas producing nightly news programs, large-scale Emmy-nominated broadcast events and marketing and commercial productions.

Nicole was a first-generation student at Michigan State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree.  Her love of visual storytelling inspired her as co-founder and current board president of the Capital City Film Festival. The international festival was created as a celebration of film, art, multimedia, and music and is celebrating its 12th year.

Nicole resides in Greater Lansing with her husband Mark and their three young children.

Sara Tanner

Sara Tanner is a senior communications and marketing professional with extensive project and partnership management experience across multiple disciplines including advertising, creative production, public affairs, and higher education. Prior to joining Emory, Sara served as chief of staff to vice president for Student Life and director of marketing and strategic communications at the University of Florida. She has also worked as a producer at boutique production company, Straw Hat Visuals, supporting award-winning documentary projects for clients such as BBDO, ESPN, Nikon, and Sports Illustrated.

Vanessa Theoharis

Mashama Thompson

Mashama is the co-founder and creative director for 510media. He is the brand specialist as well as lead campaign strategist. Over the past twelve years, Mashama has led both creative and strategic teams, in both the physical and digital space and across lifestyle, education, entertainment and technology industries. Including projects for San Francisco Public Health Department, Alameda County Health Department, Center for Disease control, Marin County Housing Department and Children’s Hospital Oakland. These projects ranged from HIV, Black Infant Mortality, Heart Health Mental Health and Sexual Health. His work is driven by a simple thesis, communicating each client’s message through the creation of beautifully simple, direct, and bold designs. This work rises above the noise and articulates the client’s passions and stories, while remaining clean, fresh, and engaging.

Meghan Thornton

Meghan Thornton is the Digital Marketing Strategist at Skidmore College. With front-line perspectives on both Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha, she’s dedicated to authentic social media marketing, digital analytics, aligning content with context, and, no cap, helping Gen-X and Millennials not embarrass themselves in front of prospective students. Meghan earned a bachelor’s from Skidmore College in management and business.

Jeremy Tiers

Over the past 10 years, Jeremy Tiers has helped thousands of Higher Ed enrollment and marketing professionals become better writers, communicators, recruiters, and leaders through comprehensive training workshops and mentoring. Jeremy also leads a division at Tudor Collegiate Strategies that helps colleges achieve and exceed their enrollment, marketing, and other departmental goals by creating personalized and engaging communication plans and campaigns that are more relational and less transactional. In addition, Jeremy hosts the popular ‘Mission Admissions’ podcast, and is the editor of a well-known, weekly college admissions and marketing email newsletter/blog.

Rebekah Tilley

Frank Tramble

Frank Tramble is Vice President for Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs for Duke University. Prior to his position at Duke, Frank served as VP and Chief Communications Officer for Howard University. Frank is also an international, award-winning speaker, coach, entrepreneur, and adjunct professor for Georgetown School of Continuing Studies, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Institute for Public Relations.

Johanna Trovato

Johanna serves as a strategic thought partner for higher education leaders across the student lifecycle. She is passionate about client-facing work and utilizing her quantitative and qualitative skillset to meet her clients’ needs. Originally from Germany, she graduated from Justus Liebig University in Giessen with a Diplom degree (equivalent of an M.S.) in Social Sciences before she relocated to the United States.

Randi Ungar

Randi brings 24 years of digital media and marketing experience to Advance Education. Having started her career within the Advance family, she understands the value data has in shaping and executing digital strategies for higher education institutions. As the digital landscape shifts towards a cookie-less world, Randi is passionate about how Advance Education’s first-party data can become a powerful asset and differentiator for many schools to deliver more personalized and results-driven marketing campaigns. From targeting to finding best-fit students to understanding enrollment trends, Randi’s expertise in data-driven marketing, and deep understanding of data segmentation, has helped frame the way Advance Education supports our partners in driving leads, increasing enrollments, and shaping overall marketing strategy.

Jose Villalba

Dr. José Villalba, Chief Diversity Officer and vice president of Diversity and Inclusion at Wake Forest University, is responsible for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Intercultural Center, the Women’s Center, the LGBTQ+ Center and the Diversity Education Unit.
José facilitates diversity and inclusion efforts for staff, faculty and students in an effort to address issues of access and equity across campus. He teaches courses in multicultural counseling, school counseling, and health and human services.
His research interests include health disparities in Latina/o youth, as well as Latina/o access to and completion of higher education options.

James Vineburgh

Dr. James Vineburgh leads product development efforts for Carnegie Communications with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support various institutional recruitment and marketing initiatives . Passionate about market research, data science, digital marketing, and the development of meaningful partnerships, James is a widely published scholar and frequent conference presenter on topics such as how to optimize enrollment with predictive modeling and how to maximize social media ROI. He earned a PhD in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies from the University of Iowa as well as a B.A. and M.A. from Tufts University in English and Educational Studies.

Justin Vogt

With 25 years of marketing and advertising experience, Justin brings a unique blend of account service, business development, and operations management to Fuseideas. Having worked across many categories during his career, Justin has grown a special concentration in higher education and consistently delivers a strong commitment to strategic vision, organizational growth, continuous innovation, and evolution for clients such as Georgetown University, University of North Carolina Charlotte, and University of Baltimore to name a few. In 2021, Justin spearheaded the State of the American College Student, a perennial research study focused on providing insights on current and prospective students’ personal motivations for choosing a higher education institution, as well as identifying key emotional and behavioral factors impacting students in a post-pandemic society. Justin began his career in the advertising business in account service and business development in Philadelphia and has spent the last 18 years driving growth and success for agencies and consultancies in Boston. Justin holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Franklin & Marshall College, and currently resides in Medfield, MA with his family.

Jodi Walker

Jodi Walker is a recovering journalist who is passionate about reputation management, crisis communication and University of Idaho.
A fouth-generation Idahoan, Jodi was raised on a farm in rural Idaho and understands well the place of Idaho’s land-grant institution in the heart and minds of its alumni. She worked as an award-winning print journalist for fifteen years prior to moving into public relations. Knowing she could make that switch only for something she believed in; it is no wonder she ended up at U of I.
Jodi started as the marketing and communications manager in the College of Natural Resources, for which she continues to have a soft spot. Now as the co-chief marketing officer and executive director of communications she leads the university’s storytelling and communications efforts.
Jodi is married, with two grown children. In her spare time, she is an Advanced EMT and volunteers with her local fire department.

Matt Walters

Matt Walters is the Chief Services Officer at VisionPoint Marketing, one of the nation’s leading higher ed marketing agencies. Matt has spent nearly two decades – and his entire professional career – on or around college campuses. At VisionPoint, he oversees the Services Department, managing the teams of leaders who steward projects from start to finish.
Before joining the VisionPoint team, Matt earned a B.A. in English from Gardner-Webb University, and his master’s in English from the University of Tennessee, winning awards for teaching and for his work in the writing center.

Gabriel Welsch

Gabriel Welsch is VP for marketing and communications at Duquesne University. In his five years at Duquesne, he spearheaded a research-driven overhaul of the University’s brand platform, led development of a new, award-winning University website, implemented school-/college-level strategic communications plans and metrics, and drove efforts to redesign flagship admissions and advancement publications. Simultaneously, Welsch introduced a culture of data-informed collaborative decision. Prior to Duquesne, Welsch served multiple executive functions at Juniata College. Welsch started his career in advancement communications for Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts. He is past-president of the board of directors of CUPRAP.

Angela Wenner

Lauren Werner

Lauren Werner serves as the Director of Communications at Forsyth Tech, and blends 15+ years in nonprofit leadership with a global outlook from her Peace Corps service. Her expertise in strategic communication and commitment to education fuel the college’s mission. A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, she champions community engagement, diversity, and accessible education to enhance Forsyth Tech’s local and broader impact. Lauren’s work has been published on Forbes.com, CBSMoneywatch.com and within KPMG’s Global Newsletter. Recently, she was honored alongside members of the Forsyth Tech marketing team with a CASE District III Award for the college’s 2022 Annual Report.

Mallory Willsea

Mallory Willsea is the Chief Strategist and Producer of Enrollify — higher ed’s largest podcast network. Her insights on best practices and new trends are informed by her sector research and more than 16 years of experience. Mallory has held executive leadership roles in ed tech and at agencies spanning customer success, marketing, and business development. Her superpower is building media brands to reach, educate, and inspire forward-thinking higher education leaders.

Ana Williams

Dr. Ana Luz Williams, Ed.D., is the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Marketing at Old Dominion University. A transformational bilingual leader, she excels in networking, relationship building, and enhancing student engagement. Dr. Williams serves as Vice-President of the Hispanic/Latino Employee Association and advises groups including the ODU Latinos Alumni Chapter and Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. Additionally, she is a Board Member of the Chamber of Hispanic Progress. Her academic credentials include a Doctorate in Education from Regent University, with a focus on advanced educational leadership. Dr. Williams is recognized for her strategic initiatives in multicultural inclusion.

Shelley Willingham

Shelley Willingham is a seasoned entrepreneur and C-suite executive with a proven track record of driving business growth and fostering inclusive cultures. As Chief Revenue Officer at The Diversity Movement, a Workplace Options company, she leads client acquisition and supports business unit development. Renowned for her expertise in business strategy, inclusive marketing, and leadership, Shelley is a sought-after speaker, coach, and consultant. She has also appeared on CNBC and MSNBC to share her insights on various business topics. Shelley holds degrees from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Northeastern University.

Rob Zinkan

Rob Zinkan, Ed.D., is Vice President for Marketing Leadership at RHB. He leads the firm’s practice in institutional marketing, guiding colleges and universities toward greater relevance and organizational capability. Rob joined RHB after more than two decades in higher education administration. He spent 17 years at Indiana University in a variety of senior roles from campus-level vice chancellor to system-wide associate vice president. A recent AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education committee member and CASE commissioner, Rob is co-author of What Makes a Strategic Plan ‘Strategic’? and co-editor and contributor to Inside Higher Ed’s “Call to Action” blog.

Julie Zito

Julie oversees American University’s institutional advertising and branding, including the Challenge Accepted campaign, AU’s web and social media presence, and brand video. With more than two decades of experience as a strategic and creative marketing professional, Julie is fortunate to work with an award-winning team. Prior to joining AU, Julie was the Creative Marketing Director at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at UMD. Before transitioning to higher education, Julie spent more than 15 years in entertainment marketing, where she led the development of consumer campaigns for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and the Science Channel.