Speakers from the 2nd Cause Marketing Summit in NYC
We have hand picked some of the best cause marketers, nonprofit and corporate social responsibility professionals from all over the U.S. to help guide and expand the eminent creative campaigns for good. They will all touch upon our theme: Risk, Results, Impact. Our speakers do not pay a fee to speak to Summit attendees. We know that having authentic content is paramount. We value your time and support for this conference.
Emilie Antonetti, Vice President, Social Purpose and Managing Director of the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Foundation
Emilie Antonetti, Vice President, Social Purpose and Managing Director of the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Foundation has been with Brooks Brothers and its parent company Retail Brand Alliance, Inc. for 18 years. During this time she has held leadership roles in the area of marketing/sales promotion, ecommerce and corporate giving. She is currentlyresponsible for the companies’ Social Purpose agenda including philanthropic and cause marketing initiatives and is also credited with launching and leading the Brooks Brothers’ Golden Fleece Foundation. Prior to Brooks Brothers and Retail Brand Alliance Ms. Antonetti spent the majority of her career in specialty retail marketing and holds an MBA from Simmons College Graduate School of Management. She currently sits on the Board of Directors and Advisory Board of Dignity U Wear, the Advisory Board of Make-A-Wish Foundation International and on the Board of Directors for the National Retail Federation Foundation.
Emilie Antonetti, Vice President, Social Purpose and Managing Director of the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Foundation has been with Brooks Brothers and its parent company Retail Brand Alliance, Inc. for 18 years. During this time she has held leadership roles in the area of marketing/sales promotion, ecommerce and corporate giving. She is currentlyresponsible for the companies’ Social Purpose agenda including philanthropic and cause marketing initiatives and is also credited with launching and leading the Brooks Brothers’ Golden Fleece Foundation. Prior to Brooks Brothers and Retail Brand Alliance Ms. Antonetti spent the majority of her career in specialty retail marketing and holds an MBA from Simmons College Graduate School of Management. She currently sits on the Board of Directors and Advisory Board of Dignity U Wear, the Advisory Board of Make-A-Wish Foundation International and on the Board of Directors for the National Retail Federation Foundation.
Leigh Baker, EVP Managing Director, ROAR
Leigh Baker is a creatively driven strategic leader and has more than 20 years of agency experience as a department head and running global and local client businesses in London and New York. He most recently served as a business development consultant for Van’s General Store, a creative collective founded by former Mother executive Scott Carlson and American actor and producer Liev Schreiber. Prior to that, Baker spent considerable time at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York, SapientNitro and Publicis, where he led efforts across brands like Accenture, beIN Sports, The Coca-Cola Company, MARS Confectionary, Kraft and Nestlé. In January 2016 Leigh returned to Publicis Groupe to lead growth and transformation at Digital shop 'ROAR'.
Leigh Baker is a creatively driven strategic leader and has more than 20 years of agency experience as a department head and running global and local client businesses in London and New York. He most recently served as a business development consultant for Van’s General Store, a creative collective founded by former Mother executive Scott Carlson and American actor and producer Liev Schreiber. Prior to that, Baker spent considerable time at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York, SapientNitro and Publicis, where he led efforts across brands like Accenture, beIN Sports, The Coca-Cola Company, MARS Confectionary, Kraft and Nestlé. In January 2016 Leigh returned to Publicis Groupe to lead growth and transformation at Digital shop 'ROAR'.
Katherine Barna, Head of Communications, Tumblr
Katherine Barna is Head of Communications for Tumblr, a position she has held since 2011. She oversees PR and Media strategy as well as the company's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, including their campaign for Mental Health awareness, Post it Forward. Previously, she played a key role in driving communications for Newsweek Magazine, where she focused on journalist publicity and social media development. Prior to that, Katherine worked in Corporate Communications at XM Radio during their merger with Sirius. She is a graduate of Fordham University at Lincoln Center and has guest lectured on building your personal brand at the University of Notre Dame, Rutgers and Seton Hall University.
Katherine Barna is Head of Communications for Tumblr, a position she has held since 2011. She oversees PR and Media strategy as well as the company's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, including their campaign for Mental Health awareness, Post it Forward. Previously, she played a key role in driving communications for Newsweek Magazine, where she focused on journalist publicity and social media development. Prior to that, Katherine worked in Corporate Communications at XM Radio during their merger with Sirius. She is a graduate of Fordham University at Lincoln Center and has guest lectured on building your personal brand at the University of Notre Dame, Rutgers and Seton Hall University.
Ronnie Cho, Head of Public Affairs, MTV
Ronnie Cho is Head of Public Affairs for MTV. In this role, Cho oversees the strategic direction and implementation of all pro-social campaigns across MTV, MTV2 and mtvU’s television, digital and social properties, including MTV’s Emmy Award-winning multi-year, anti-bias “Look Different” campaign that urges young people to recognize and challenge the hidden bias that exists around us all, and the upcoming 2016 election campaign.Since the campaign launched, “Look Different” has developed a wide range of original content, including the provocative and Emmy-nominated “White People,” a groundbreaking documentary that examined race in modern day America from the viewpoint of white Millennials. To date, “Look Different” has propelled young people to take two million actions against bias through innovative campaign programs. Previously, Cho was the Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement where he served as President Obama's chief liaison to Young Americans.
Ronnie Cho is Head of Public Affairs for MTV. In this role, Cho oversees the strategic direction and implementation of all pro-social campaigns across MTV, MTV2 and mtvU’s television, digital and social properties, including MTV’s Emmy Award-winning multi-year, anti-bias “Look Different” campaign that urges young people to recognize and challenge the hidden bias that exists around us all, and the upcoming 2016 election campaign.Since the campaign launched, “Look Different” has developed a wide range of original content, including the provocative and Emmy-nominated “White People,” a groundbreaking documentary that examined race in modern day America from the viewpoint of white Millennials. To date, “Look Different” has propelled young people to take two million actions against bias through innovative campaign programs. Previously, Cho was the Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement where he served as President Obama's chief liaison to Young Americans.
John Gossart, Co-Founder and COO, GoodWorld
John is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of GoodWorld, the FinTech startup revolutionizing philanthropy and social payments. Prior to GoodWorld, John was an original partner at RideScout, the transportation tech startup acquired by Daimler-Mercedes in 2014. Before becoming an entrepreneur, John served over 22 years in the U.S. Army and Government, work that took him to various locations across Africa, Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq and Europe, most recently serving as deputy director of special operations and counter terrorism policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He graduated from Boston College in 1992 and has a Masters in Public Policy and Fiscal Management from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, where continues to teach policy and economics as an adjunct professor.
John is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of GoodWorld, the FinTech startup revolutionizing philanthropy and social payments. Prior to GoodWorld, John was an original partner at RideScout, the transportation tech startup acquired by Daimler-Mercedes in 2014. Before becoming an entrepreneur, John served over 22 years in the U.S. Army and Government, work that took him to various locations across Africa, Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq and Europe, most recently serving as deputy director of special operations and counter terrorism policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He graduated from Boston College in 1992 and has a Masters in Public Policy and Fiscal Management from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, where continues to teach policy and economics as an adjunct professor.
Genese Jamilah, Digital Production Manager at EBONY.com & Founder of I Don't Do Clubs
Genese is a truly authentic influencer. She started the blog "I Don't Do Clubs" (IDDC) in 2011 with a vision for supporting black owned and operated businesses. Today, her audience boasts over 100k followers on multiple platforms. In 2015, Genese created the popular Must Love Beards Day Party Series and the first ever Black-Owned Restaurant Month. She has also worked in-house with big brands like: NBC, Six Flags, HOT 97, Scholastic, BET, and is currently employed at iconic Black magazine, EBONY as their digital production manager. Genese holds a B.A. from Savannah State University in Mass Communications with a concentration in radio, television and film, with a minor in history. She also was elected class treasurer and class president, became a member of Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was voted Miss Junior of the University.
Genese is a truly authentic influencer. She started the blog "I Don't Do Clubs" (IDDC) in 2011 with a vision for supporting black owned and operated businesses. Today, her audience boasts over 100k followers on multiple platforms. In 2015, Genese created the popular Must Love Beards Day Party Series and the first ever Black-Owned Restaurant Month. She has also worked in-house with big brands like: NBC, Six Flags, HOT 97, Scholastic, BET, and is currently employed at iconic Black magazine, EBONY as their digital production manager. Genese holds a B.A. from Savannah State University in Mass Communications with a concentration in radio, television and film, with a minor in history. She also was elected class treasurer and class president, became a member of Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was voted Miss Junior of the University.
Stacy Igel, Founder and Creative Director of Boy Meets Girl®
Stacy began her career at the ripe old age of 4, styling her pre-K classmates and staging fashion shows in her nursery school's cafeteria. Igel later honed her skills working with iconic brands such as Izod, Elie Tahari and Zandra Rhodes before founding her own brand, Boy Meets Girl®. Boy Meets Girl is a worldwide women’s contemporary brand. The brand, currently sold at Nordstrom and Colette in Paris among others, has been featured in InStyle, Seventeen, WWD, and The New York Times, among other media outlets, and has been worn by high-profile fashionistas such as Brittany Snow, Rosario Dawson, Nina Dobrev and Kendall Jenner. Visit www.BoyMeetsGirlUSA.com for stockists. Igel has received numerous awards and honors, and is a frequent panelist on topics including social media, branding and entrepreneurship. Igel holds board and/or committee chair positions at FDNY, BullyBust.org, and the Young Survival Coalition. Currently, Igel is developing a multimedia fashion series for a major network. You can follow Stacy and her curated lifestyle blog, Behind The Seams™ with Stacy Igel at http://www.stacyigel.com. Stacy is also a proud new mom!
Stacy began her career at the ripe old age of 4, styling her pre-K classmates and staging fashion shows in her nursery school's cafeteria. Igel later honed her skills working with iconic brands such as Izod, Elie Tahari and Zandra Rhodes before founding her own brand, Boy Meets Girl®. Boy Meets Girl is a worldwide women’s contemporary brand. The brand, currently sold at Nordstrom and Colette in Paris among others, has been featured in InStyle, Seventeen, WWD, and The New York Times, among other media outlets, and has been worn by high-profile fashionistas such as Brittany Snow, Rosario Dawson, Nina Dobrev and Kendall Jenner. Visit www.BoyMeetsGirlUSA.com for stockists. Igel has received numerous awards and honors, and is a frequent panelist on topics including social media, branding and entrepreneurship. Igel holds board and/or committee chair positions at FDNY, BullyBust.org, and the Young Survival Coalition. Currently, Igel is developing a multimedia fashion series for a major network. You can follow Stacy and her curated lifestyle blog, Behind The Seams™ with Stacy Igel at http://www.stacyigel.com. Stacy is also a proud new mom!
Marshall Lauck, Chief Operating Officer, JWT Atlanta, Dallas and Houston
Marshall currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the JWT Atlanta, Dallas and Houston offices, leading the team alongside President and Chief Creative Officer Perry Fair. Prior to becoming COO, Marshall acted as the account lead for the United States Marine Corps where he led the direction and strategic development for the account for over six years. Before joining JWT, Marshall began his marketing and communications career as a Brand Manager at Kraft Foods; in his five years at Kraft, Marshall managed brands across multiple categories, including P&L responsibility for a product portfolio with close to $100 million in annual sales. Prior to his tenure at Kraft, Marshall served in the Marine Corps, first in an operational assignment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, followed by several years assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Virginia. He remains keenly focused on a host of cause marketing initiatives, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Travis Manion Foundation and Hire Heroes USA.
Marshall currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the JWT Atlanta, Dallas and Houston offices, leading the team alongside President and Chief Creative Officer Perry Fair. Prior to becoming COO, Marshall acted as the account lead for the United States Marine Corps where he led the direction and strategic development for the account for over six years. Before joining JWT, Marshall began his marketing and communications career as a Brand Manager at Kraft Foods; in his five years at Kraft, Marshall managed brands across multiple categories, including P&L responsibility for a product portfolio with close to $100 million in annual sales. Prior to his tenure at Kraft, Marshall served in the Marine Corps, first in an operational assignment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, followed by several years assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Virginia. He remains keenly focused on a host of cause marketing initiatives, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Travis Manion Foundation and Hire Heroes USA.
Philips McCarty, CEO, Good Scout Group
Philips has created and executed cause engagement and pro-social marketing programs, strategic fundraising campaigns, and organizational development strategies for the nation’s leading nonprofits and corporations. In 2006 he founded the social good and cause marketing consultancy Good Scout Group (formerly Cause Innovation), serving blue-chip clients including the American Heart Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, UNICEF, the PBS Foundation, Nationwide Insurance, and Brooks Brothers. Phil’s notable work includes developing the grassroots activation of Feeding America’s Pound for Pound Challenge with NBC’s The Biggest Loser; leading the launch of the nationally-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thanks & Giving campaign; and, creating the strategy and rollout for the International Rescue Committee’s New Roots sustainable food and health initiative. He has created game-changing social good initiatives for NBCUniversal, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Heifer International, the NASCAR Foundation, UNICEF, and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Phil also serves as Chief Philanthropy Officer for Good Amplified, YouTube’s only MCN for nonprofits, and co-founder of the cause entertainment consortium, Entertaining Good.
skilled in the art of collective impact. She knows how to tackle the world's toughest problems through engaging and empowering organizations, corporations and employees.
Philips has created and executed cause engagement and pro-social marketing programs, strategic fundraising campaigns, and organizational development strategies for the nation’s leading nonprofits and corporations. In 2006 he founded the social good and cause marketing consultancy Good Scout Group (formerly Cause Innovation), serving blue-chip clients including the American Heart Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, UNICEF, the PBS Foundation, Nationwide Insurance, and Brooks Brothers. Phil’s notable work includes developing the grassroots activation of Feeding America’s Pound for Pound Challenge with NBC’s The Biggest Loser; leading the launch of the nationally-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thanks & Giving campaign; and, creating the strategy and rollout for the International Rescue Committee’s New Roots sustainable food and health initiative. He has created game-changing social good initiatives for NBCUniversal, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Heifer International, the NASCAR Foundation, UNICEF, and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Phil also serves as Chief Philanthropy Officer for Good Amplified, YouTube’s only MCN for nonprofits, and co-founder of the cause entertainment consortium, Entertaining Good.
skilled in the art of collective impact. She knows how to tackle the world's toughest problems through engaging and empowering organizations, corporations and employees.
Susan McPherson, Founder and CEO, McPherson Strategies, LLC
Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, LLC, a communications consultancy focusing on the intersection between brands and social good, providing storytelling, partnership creation and visibility to corporations, NGOs and social enterprises including Intel, Girl Rising, Positive Luxury, JC Penney, THNK, The Tiffany Foundation and Bystander Revolution. She’s a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, Triple Pundit and Forbes and has 25+ years experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications. She is a featured speaker at industry events including Net Impact, Center for Corporate Citizenship's Annual Summit, DLD, Sustainable Brands, and Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy's Summit. McPherson founded and hosts the bi-weekly #CSRChat on Twitter. She also invests and advises women-owned start-ups including Zady, Hint Water, Gold Bean, Lover.ly and The Muse.
Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, LLC, a communications consultancy focusing on the intersection between brands and social good, providing storytelling, partnership creation and visibility to corporations, NGOs and social enterprises including Intel, Girl Rising, Positive Luxury, JC Penney, THNK, The Tiffany Foundation and Bystander Revolution. She’s a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, Triple Pundit and Forbes and has 25+ years experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications. She is a featured speaker at industry events including Net Impact, Center for Corporate Citizenship's Annual Summit, DLD, Sustainable Brands, and Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy's Summit. McPherson founded and hosts the bi-weekly #CSRChat on Twitter. She also invests and advises women-owned start-ups including Zady, Hint Water, Gold Bean, Lover.ly and The Muse.
Sarah Middleton, Vice President of Global Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director, PIMCO
Ms. Middleton is a vice president responsible for global corporate citizenship at PIMCO and is the executive director of the PIMCO Foundation. PIMCO is a global investment management firm, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, and the PIMCO Foundation is the firm’s charitable giving and volunteering arm. Sarah developed PIMCO’s employee volunteer program and related corporate social responsibility initiatives, including a cross-border volunteer program, a skills-based program centered on financial literacy and college readiness, an annual Global Week of Volunteering, and a “PIMCO Parents” family volunteer team. On behalf of the PIMCO Foundation, she is part of the Points of Light Corporate Institute Leadership Faculty; she’s chair of the Orange County Funders Roundtable’s Program Committee; she’s a member of Philanthropy NY, the Global Corporate Volunteer Council and the International Corporate Volunteer Council. She is past chair of the Corporate Volunteer Council of Orange County and immediate past president of the Orange County Community Relations Council. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2007, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer and worked in the nonprofit sector for six years. She was named by the OC Register as one of Orange County’s “100 Most Influential” people of 2015. She holds an MBA from the University of California, Irvine and an undergraduate degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Middleton is a vice president responsible for global corporate citizenship at PIMCO and is the executive director of the PIMCO Foundation. PIMCO is a global investment management firm, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, and the PIMCO Foundation is the firm’s charitable giving and volunteering arm. Sarah developed PIMCO’s employee volunteer program and related corporate social responsibility initiatives, including a cross-border volunteer program, a skills-based program centered on financial literacy and college readiness, an annual Global Week of Volunteering, and a “PIMCO Parents” family volunteer team. On behalf of the PIMCO Foundation, she is part of the Points of Light Corporate Institute Leadership Faculty; she’s chair of the Orange County Funders Roundtable’s Program Committee; she’s a member of Philanthropy NY, the Global Corporate Volunteer Council and the International Corporate Volunteer Council. She is past chair of the Corporate Volunteer Council of Orange County and immediate past president of the Orange County Community Relations Council. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2007, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer and worked in the nonprofit sector for six years. She was named by the OC Register as one of Orange County’s “100 Most Influential” people of 2015. She holds an MBA from the University of California, Irvine and an undergraduate degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Quincy Olatunde, CEO, Digikea
Quincy is motivated by the pursuit of innovation and connection. He believes in the power of knowledge and big ideas. Crafting and delivering against great strategy to help discover the point of activation energizes him. He has a passion for helping companies reimagine how they create and deliver value, relate, engage and interact with their customers in a digitally evolving world - using language, design and technology to foster relationships. Quincy believes in the “for good” mantra, be it social or profit.
As the CEO of Digikea, a digital development and marketing agency, Quincy leads the strategic client engagements, business activation and execution. He brings a wealth of experience across creative design, product development, brand strategy and positioning, search, social marketing, content development and product management. Prior to starting Digikea, he was a partner at Simplify.Repeat where he was responsible for the business development, strategy and product team, managing initiatives with clients like JetBlue, IPG Media Brands, Camelot UK and activating brands like Home Depot, CondeNast, Kia, Sony, Unilever, loyalty partnerships with airlines like Hawaiian and Emirates. Quincy holds a Computer Science degree from Brunel University (UK) and a Digital Media Marketing certification from New York University.
Quincy is motivated by the pursuit of innovation and connection. He believes in the power of knowledge and big ideas. Crafting and delivering against great strategy to help discover the point of activation energizes him. He has a passion for helping companies reimagine how they create and deliver value, relate, engage and interact with their customers in a digitally evolving world - using language, design and technology to foster relationships. Quincy believes in the “for good” mantra, be it social or profit.
As the CEO of Digikea, a digital development and marketing agency, Quincy leads the strategic client engagements, business activation and execution. He brings a wealth of experience across creative design, product development, brand strategy and positioning, search, social marketing, content development and product management. Prior to starting Digikea, he was a partner at Simplify.Repeat where he was responsible for the business development, strategy and product team, managing initiatives with clients like JetBlue, IPG Media Brands, Camelot UK and activating brands like Home Depot, CondeNast, Kia, Sony, Unilever, loyalty partnerships with airlines like Hawaiian and Emirates. Quincy holds a Computer Science degree from Brunel University (UK) and a Digital Media Marketing certification from New York University.
Britt Power, Partner, Global Strategy Group
With GSG since 1995, Britt has two decades of quantitative and qualitative market research experience at the firm. She specializes in devising customized positioning and research strategies for clients looking to extend or manage their reputation, launch services or products, expand their client base or gain a competitive edge. From projects that incorporate website usability testing or focus groups to intricate segmentation studies or elite interviewing, Britt’s clients count on her to develop tailored methodologies that lead to savvy strategic insights. She currently oversees GSG’s Corporate and Advocacy research practice as well as heads the firm’s Qualitative Research Department.Britt’s client list includes distinguished brands such as A&E Networks, Conde Nast, Ernst & Young, ESPN, Microsoft and Scholastic, Inc. She also focuses on topics of public health and advocacy for organizations such as the New York City and LA County Health Departments.Before joining GSG, Britt attended New York University where she graduated with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Politics.
With GSG since 1995, Britt has two decades of quantitative and qualitative market research experience at the firm. She specializes in devising customized positioning and research strategies for clients looking to extend or manage their reputation, launch services or products, expand their client base or gain a competitive edge. From projects that incorporate website usability testing or focus groups to intricate segmentation studies or elite interviewing, Britt’s clients count on her to develop tailored methodologies that lead to savvy strategic insights. She currently oversees GSG’s Corporate and Advocacy research practice as well as heads the firm’s Qualitative Research Department.Britt’s client list includes distinguished brands such as A&E Networks, Conde Nast, Ernst & Young, ESPN, Microsoft and Scholastic, Inc. She also focuses on topics of public health and advocacy for organizations such as the New York City and LA County Health Departments.Before joining GSG, Britt attended New York University where she graduated with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Politics.
Mollye Rhea, Founder and President, For Momentum
Mollye Rhea founded For Momentum in 2003, she recognized that she was leading one of very few agencies that specialized in cause marketing. On a daily basis, Mollye realizes her goal of strengthening communities by cultivating partnerships between nonprofit organizations and corporations—a goal she envisioned as a result of a volunteer opportunity she had early in her career. Mollye spent eight years with the Arthritis Foundation national headquarters, leaving as Group Vice President of Strategic Marketing Alliances. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing relationships with more than 40 corporate partners and raising millions of dollars in support for the organization. Mollye led the Arthritis Foundation toward greater integration and seamless delivery of key nationwide initiatives, and secured funding through the development and delivery of creative, impactful cause marketing programs.Through her work in nonprofit development, brand marketing and cause marketing, Mollye has a unique 360-degree perspective of what fosters success in strategic cause partnerships. In her 25+ years in the field, she has developed sponsorship strategies for dozens of nonprofit organizations and hundreds of brands.
Mollye Rhea founded For Momentum in 2003, she recognized that she was leading one of very few agencies that specialized in cause marketing. On a daily basis, Mollye realizes her goal of strengthening communities by cultivating partnerships between nonprofit organizations and corporations—a goal she envisioned as a result of a volunteer opportunity she had early in her career. Mollye spent eight years with the Arthritis Foundation national headquarters, leaving as Group Vice President of Strategic Marketing Alliances. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing relationships with more than 40 corporate partners and raising millions of dollars in support for the organization. Mollye led the Arthritis Foundation toward greater integration and seamless delivery of key nationwide initiatives, and secured funding through the development and delivery of creative, impactful cause marketing programs.Through her work in nonprofit development, brand marketing and cause marketing, Mollye has a unique 360-degree perspective of what fosters success in strategic cause partnerships. In her 25+ years in the field, she has developed sponsorship strategies for dozens of nonprofit organizations and hundreds of brands.
Mike Swenson, President, Crossroads
Mike Swenson (@MikeSwenson) loves a great story. He started his career as a broadcast journalist then became press secretary to Kansas Governor John Carlin.Thirty years later, he’s running a public relations firm. As President of Crossroads, Mike’s favorite part of his job is seeing the Crossroads team and clients celebrating a big idea that worked. Mike is a nationally-recognized expert in cause branding. In 1995 the firm created Lee Jeans’ flagship cause program, Lee National Denim Day. During its 20 years, the program raised more than $90 million for breast cancer research. Crossroads has also established cause strategy and programs for Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Food Lion, H&R Block, Kohl’s, L’Oreal Paris, SONIC Drive-In and Staples. The firm also works directly with some of the country’s leading nonprofits such as March of Dimes and Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
Mike Swenson (@MikeSwenson) loves a great story. He started his career as a broadcast journalist then became press secretary to Kansas Governor John Carlin.Thirty years later, he’s running a public relations firm. As President of Crossroads, Mike’s favorite part of his job is seeing the Crossroads team and clients celebrating a big idea that worked. Mike is a nationally-recognized expert in cause branding. In 1995 the firm created Lee Jeans’ flagship cause program, Lee National Denim Day. During its 20 years, the program raised more than $90 million for breast cancer research. Crossroads has also established cause strategy and programs for Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Food Lion, H&R Block, Kohl’s, L’Oreal Paris, SONIC Drive-In and Staples. The firm also works directly with some of the country’s leading nonprofits such as March of Dimes and Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
Marquelle Turner-Gilchrist, Founder, The New Stereotype
Marquelle Turner-Gilchrist is a native of Johnsonville, North Carolina and currently resides in New York
City. Marquelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Marketing from Fayetteville State University, a Master of Global Innovation Management from NC State University, and Master of Science in Global Luxury Management from SKEMA Business School. Having traveled throughout London, Spain, Portugal, France, Monaco, and Italy, he has an affinity for cultural influences on fashion, trend identification on a global scale, and strategic and artistic elements that shape the menswear industry. In 2015, Marquelle conceptualized The New Stereotype, which is a fashion, photography, and film project that highlights and celebrates the many diverse layers of black life in America. The latest and first video installment of the project, entitled “The Reclaim,” has a digital footprint of over 27,000 shares, 5K plus likes, and over 1 million views on Facebook alone. Marquelle lives by a simple mantra of three words: Pray. Eat. Style.
Marquelle Turner-Gilchrist is a native of Johnsonville, North Carolina and currently resides in New York
City. Marquelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Marketing from Fayetteville State University, a Master of Global Innovation Management from NC State University, and Master of Science in Global Luxury Management from SKEMA Business School. Having traveled throughout London, Spain, Portugal, France, Monaco, and Italy, he has an affinity for cultural influences on fashion, trend identification on a global scale, and strategic and artistic elements that shape the menswear industry. In 2015, Marquelle conceptualized The New Stereotype, which is a fashion, photography, and film project that highlights and celebrates the many diverse layers of black life in America. The latest and first video installment of the project, entitled “The Reclaim,” has a digital footprint of over 27,000 shares, 5K plus likes, and over 1 million views on Facebook alone. Marquelle lives by a simple mantra of three words: Pray. Eat. Style.
Devi Ramachandran Thomas, UN Foundation's Senior Director of Brand Citizenship
Devi Ramachandran Thomas joined the UN Foundation in 2011. She is a Senior Director at the UN Foundation overseeing Shot@Life, a global cause branding and marketing campaign to increase access to immunizations for children in need through UN partners. She led the building and launch of the campaign and oversees partnerships, communications, digital and integrated marketing strategy. Through her career, she has worked on award-winning campaigns including Walgreens Get a Shot. Give a Shot TM campaign, Johnson and Johnson’s Global Mom Relay, Blogust, Xylem Watermark, and Western Union’s Our World Our Family. Shot@Life has recently received the 2015 Effie award and Cause Marketing Halo awards, the 2014 Reggie and Cause Marketing Halo award and a 2013 PR News Award for Brand Marketing. For over 15 years, Devi led strategic marketing, social responsibility and shared value philanthropic campaigns, including work for clients such as Pfizer, AIG, Wal-Mart, Reebok and Western Union. She also worked in Cause Branding at Cone, Inc, a leading cause communications agency where she specialized in corporate cause marketing campaigns, corporate social responsibility partnerships particularly in health and wellness as well as global economic empowerment. Devi holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and a Masters of International Relations from Boston University. She is the mother of 5-year-old and 2-year-old boys and the proud daughter of Indian immigrants.
Devi Ramachandran Thomas joined the UN Foundation in 2011. She is a Senior Director at the UN Foundation overseeing Shot@Life, a global cause branding and marketing campaign to increase access to immunizations for children in need through UN partners. She led the building and launch of the campaign and oversees partnerships, communications, digital and integrated marketing strategy. Through her career, she has worked on award-winning campaigns including Walgreens Get a Shot. Give a Shot TM campaign, Johnson and Johnson’s Global Mom Relay, Blogust, Xylem Watermark, and Western Union’s Our World Our Family. Shot@Life has recently received the 2015 Effie award and Cause Marketing Halo awards, the 2014 Reggie and Cause Marketing Halo award and a 2013 PR News Award for Brand Marketing. For over 15 years, Devi led strategic marketing, social responsibility and shared value philanthropic campaigns, including work for clients such as Pfizer, AIG, Wal-Mart, Reebok and Western Union. She also worked in Cause Branding at Cone, Inc, a leading cause communications agency where she specialized in corporate cause marketing campaigns, corporate social responsibility partnerships particularly in health and wellness as well as global economic empowerment. Devi holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and a Masters of International Relations from Boston University. She is the mother of 5-year-old and 2-year-old boys and the proud daughter of Indian immigrants.
Keesha White, Lead Advisor to the Cause Marketing Summit
Keesha is skilled in the art of collective impact. She knows how to tackle the world's toughest problems through engaging and empowering organizations, corporations and employees. Keesha White leads through service. She takes great joy in seeing people live in their highest possibility and coaches leaders into a realm of massive action and extraordinary results. Keesha has taken her passion for health and happiness from counseling expats in China to equity research in Zimbabwe. Her laughter, leadership and dedication to the human resilient spirit has re-engaged communities in resource poor nations and created new programming in developing cities globally.
Keesha is skilled in the art of collective impact. She knows how to tackle the world's toughest problems through engaging and empowering organizations, corporations and employees. Keesha White leads through service. She takes great joy in seeing people live in their highest possibility and coaches leaders into a realm of massive action and extraordinary results. Keesha has taken her passion for health and happiness from counseling expats in China to equity research in Zimbabwe. Her laughter, leadership and dedication to the human resilient spirit has re-engaged communities in resource poor nations and created new programming in developing cities globally.
Colleen Wormsley, PR & Talent Relations Manager, DoSomething.org
Colleen Wormsley is the PR & Talent Relations Manager at DoSomething.org, the largest not-for-profit organization for young people and social change with over 5.3 million members. Colleen oversees all PR strategy, media relations, and celebrity partnerships for the organization and was responsible for bringing all of DoSomething.org's PR and talent relations in house. Colleen has led award-winning social change PR campaigns in partnership with brands including Sprint, H&M, Toyota, 3M, Aéropostale, Truth Initiative, and CVS Health. She has also led partnerships with some of young Hollywood's biggest stars including Shawn Mendes, Fifth Harmony, Victoria Justice, Yara Shahidi, Maddie Ziegler, and the cast of FOX's Grease: Live. Colleen is a contributing author to The XYZ Factor: The DoSomething.org Guide to Creating a Culture of Impact. She has been featured in The New York Times, Upworthy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and Teen Vogue.
Colleen Wormsley is the PR & Talent Relations Manager at DoSomething.org, the largest not-for-profit organization for young people and social change with over 5.3 million members. Colleen oversees all PR strategy, media relations, and celebrity partnerships for the organization and was responsible for bringing all of DoSomething.org's PR and talent relations in house. Colleen has led award-winning social change PR campaigns in partnership with brands including Sprint, H&M, Toyota, 3M, Aéropostale, Truth Initiative, and CVS Health. She has also led partnerships with some of young Hollywood's biggest stars including Shawn Mendes, Fifth Harmony, Victoria Justice, Yara Shahidi, Maddie Ziegler, and the cast of FOX's Grease: Live. Colleen is a contributing author to The XYZ Factor: The DoSomething.org Guide to Creating a Culture of Impact. She has been featured in The New York Times, Upworthy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and Teen Vogue.
