Our Story
Over our collective years in marketing and communications on both the for-profit and nonprofit sides, our team has attended a wide variety of events and conferences focused on communications related topics like social media, marketing, advertising, collective impact, etc. We noticed a gap in continuing education around cause marketing and purpose-driven promotions. The speakers at the Cause Marketing Summit have been chosen because they are the best in the business and their work is incredible. This event is dedicated to helping cause-minded professionals reach their fullest potential and work to solve the world's biggest problems. No fluff, no sales pitch, just REAL content you and your team can use.
Our Team
Jenn Richey, Founder, Cause Marketing Summit & Creative Cause Marketing Consultant
Jenn has over 10 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors. She has worked for brands like Comedy Central, the Partnership for a Healthier New York City and Public Health Solutions. Most recently, she served as the Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Young Survival Coalition. There she managed over 20 corporate partnerships and campaigns to drive revenue and awareness. Jenn strives to connect and share ways to penetrate the public around pertinent issues via effective communications and outreach strategies. Her passion is in forging relationships between for-profit businesses and cause-minded nonprofit organizations to shape real change and raise money. When she's not working on the Summit or with clients, she is busy being a new mom to identical twins, Ethan and Graham. Click here to connect
Jenn has over 10 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors. She has worked for brands like Comedy Central, the Partnership for a Healthier New York City and Public Health Solutions. Most recently, she served as the Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Young Survival Coalition. There she managed over 20 corporate partnerships and campaigns to drive revenue and awareness. Jenn strives to connect and share ways to penetrate the public around pertinent issues via effective communications and outreach strategies. Her passion is in forging relationships between for-profit businesses and cause-minded nonprofit organizations to shape real change and raise money. When she's not working on the Summit or with clients, she is busy being a new mom to identical twins, Ethan and Graham. Click here to connect
Jaci Fletcher, Communications and Partnerships Strategist, Cause Marketing Summit
Jaci is a passionate marketing and communications professional with more than 13 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector. Her tenure at organizations, including the Women's Refugee Commission and Young Survival Coalition, has helped her to fully understand the unique challenges nonprofits face to effectively communicate their missions and reach those that need them most. Jaci is currently the Director of Marketing at the 14th Street Y, a community center in the heart of the East Village that's a part of Educational Alliance, a downtown Manhattan non-profit that serves 50,000 New Yorkers annually. In addition to her full-time work, she’s a board member of the NYC Chapter of Young Nonprofit Professional Network, and the Communications and Partnerships Strategist for the Cause Marketing Summit. When she is not busy keeping up with new media trends, she’s busy cooking, hanging out at local craft breweries, and traveling the globe.
Jaci is a passionate marketing and communications professional with more than 13 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector. Her tenure at organizations, including the Women's Refugee Commission and Young Survival Coalition, has helped her to fully understand the unique challenges nonprofits face to effectively communicate their missions and reach those that need them most. Jaci is currently the Director of Marketing at the 14th Street Y, a community center in the heart of the East Village that's a part of Educational Alliance, a downtown Manhattan non-profit that serves 50,000 New Yorkers annually. In addition to her full-time work, she’s a board member of the NYC Chapter of Young Nonprofit Professional Network, and the Communications and Partnerships Strategist for the Cause Marketing Summit. When she is not busy keeping up with new media trends, she’s busy cooking, hanging out at local craft breweries, and traveling the globe.
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.
Advisory Board
We rely on a talented group of volunteers to make the Cause Marketing Summit possible. Their years of experience and connections ensure that we deliver the best content possible.
Nancy Brown, Contributing Editor, Life's Tricky Stay in Your Magic
Nancy brings over 20 years’ experience in entertainment production, marketing and licensing to our team. Nancy’s passion lies in connecting people through meaningful and mutually beneficial endeavors. Nancy developed audio programming in the early days of interactive media through joint venture promotions with cable networks like MTV, record companies including RCA, Def Jam and Arista, and film companies like New Line Cinema. At Broadway Video she managed all aspects of promotion and public relations for the most successful entertainment production company in New York. Nancy was involved in launching consumer products for brands like SpongeBob SquarePants while working on the retail promotion team at Nickelodeon and Viacom during their explosion on to the shelves of retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. She has represented major licensed properties, coordinating between licensees and retailers on all aspects of product development and brand marketing. Nancy is helping us bring to life meaningful stories about topical issues via our podcast, Life’s Tricky: Stay in Your Magic. She stays in her magic by engaging with family and friends, taking in live music, and spending time outdoors.
Nancy brings over 20 years’ experience in entertainment production, marketing and licensing to our team. Nancy’s passion lies in connecting people through meaningful and mutually beneficial endeavors. Nancy developed audio programming in the early days of interactive media through joint venture promotions with cable networks like MTV, record companies including RCA, Def Jam and Arista, and film companies like New Line Cinema. At Broadway Video she managed all aspects of promotion and public relations for the most successful entertainment production company in New York. Nancy was involved in launching consumer products for brands like SpongeBob SquarePants while working on the retail promotion team at Nickelodeon and Viacom during their explosion on to the shelves of retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. She has represented major licensed properties, coordinating between licensees and retailers on all aspects of product development and brand marketing. Nancy is helping us bring to life meaningful stories about topical issues via our podcast, Life’s Tricky: Stay in Your Magic. She stays in her magic by engaging with family and friends, taking in live music, and spending time outdoors.
Laura Goodman, Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships, Share Our Strength
As the Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships, Laura leads the team to engage national corporate partners in the No Kid Hungry campaign, raising the critical funds necessary to end childhood hunger in America. Corporate revenue has grown more than 20% each year since the launch of the No Kid Hungry campaign in 2010 and engages top-tier partners such as Walmart, Arby’s, Sysco, Sodexo, Food Network, Williams-Sonoma, Denny’s and more. Previously, Laura was a strategist at Social Capital Partnerships and joined Social Capital from Reading Is Fundamental, where she led the corporate relations team to raise 70 percent of all charitable support and secured new corporate relationships such as with US Airways, Holiday Inn Express and Capital One. Laura also previously worked at KaBOOM!. Laura holds a MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.A. and B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University.
As the Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships, Laura leads the team to engage national corporate partners in the No Kid Hungry campaign, raising the critical funds necessary to end childhood hunger in America. Corporate revenue has grown more than 20% each year since the launch of the No Kid Hungry campaign in 2010 and engages top-tier partners such as Walmart, Arby’s, Sysco, Sodexo, Food Network, Williams-Sonoma, Denny’s and more. Previously, Laura was a strategist at Social Capital Partnerships and joined Social Capital from Reading Is Fundamental, where she led the corporate relations team to raise 70 percent of all charitable support and secured new corporate relationships such as with US Airways, Holiday Inn Express and Capital One. Laura also previously worked at KaBOOM!. Laura holds a MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.A. and B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University.
Marshall Lauck, Chief Growth Officer, Senior Marketing and Operations Executive
Marshall is a career brand marketer and leading veteran advocate, with an extensive leadership background including active duty military service, government, nonprofit and corporate roles. As the Founder and CEO of Lunch Money Consulting, LLC, Marshall provides brand strategy, integrated marketing and narrative development support to corporate and nonprofit clients.
Prior to founding his consultancy, Marshall served as Chief Growth and Marketing Officer for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a leading impact investor supporting veterans and military families. In 2018 and 2019, Marshall led BWF’s Growth and Marketing team to back-to-back record years including the acquisition of the Got Your 6 brand and strategic partnerships with the NFL, the State of Qatar, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. BWF was also one of a handful of veteran nonprofits to receive a transformational 2022 grant from McKenzie Scott. Prior to joining BWF, he served as the President of J. Walter Thompson INSIDE, leading Employer Branding, Culture Transformation, and Recruitment Marketing specialists across offices in New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. Marshall also served as the Chief Operating Officer for the J. Walter Thompson Atlanta and Houston offices. Marshall started with JWT in 2006, acting as the account lead for the United States Marine Corps business where he led the direction and strategic development for the account for over six years. Before joining J. Walter Thompson, Marshall was a Brand Manager at Kraft Foods, supporting and leading multiple brand teams, including P&L responsibility for a product portfolio with close to $100 million in annual sales.
Marshall began his professional career as a United States Marine, first in an operational assignment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, followed by several years assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Virginia.
Marshall is a career brand marketer and leading veteran advocate, with an extensive leadership background including active duty military service, government, nonprofit and corporate roles. As the Founder and CEO of Lunch Money Consulting, LLC, Marshall provides brand strategy, integrated marketing and narrative development support to corporate and nonprofit clients.
Prior to founding his consultancy, Marshall served as Chief Growth and Marketing Officer for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a leading impact investor supporting veterans and military families. In 2018 and 2019, Marshall led BWF’s Growth and Marketing team to back-to-back record years including the acquisition of the Got Your 6 brand and strategic partnerships with the NFL, the State of Qatar, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. BWF was also one of a handful of veteran nonprofits to receive a transformational 2022 grant from McKenzie Scott. Prior to joining BWF, he served as the President of J. Walter Thompson INSIDE, leading Employer Branding, Culture Transformation, and Recruitment Marketing specialists across offices in New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. Marshall also served as the Chief Operating Officer for the J. Walter Thompson Atlanta and Houston offices. Marshall started with JWT in 2006, acting as the account lead for the United States Marine Corps business where he led the direction and strategic development for the account for over six years. Before joining J. Walter Thompson, Marshall was a Brand Manager at Kraft Foods, supporting and leading multiple brand teams, including P&L responsibility for a product portfolio with close to $100 million in annual sales.
Marshall began his professional career as a United States Marine, first in an operational assignment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, followed by several years assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Virginia.
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.
Keni Thacker, Chief Diversity Creative, Keni Thacker LLC
There are five types of thinkers: creative thinkers, analytical thinkers, intuitive thinkers, logical thinkers, and visionary thinkers. Keni Thacker has defied the belief that an individual can only be one of those types and truly encompasses all five. He has committed his heart and soul to his tireless quest to level the playing field for diverse talent. Keni takes nothing and makes something out of it. While everyone sits around and talks (and talks and talks) about the lack of diversity, Keni does something about it. And not something small but something game-changing.
He single-handedly built solid campaigns for underserved communities while cu- rating hard conversations around race and social understanding for J. Walter Thompson’s (now Wunderman Thompson) diversity and inclusion arm, Differenter, from 2011 through 2015. He is also an award-winning influencer and diversity advo- cate devoted to outreach programs and mentorship.
On February 8th, 2017, he launched the Young Commodores program at J. Walter Thompson (now Wunderman Thompson). This diversity initiative allows college and high school advertising students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real- life advertising and business.
In 2017, he was named one of the 4A’s 100 People That Make Advertising Great. In addition, NV Magazine featured him as one of their Champions of Inclusion while also receiving a citation from the City of New York/Borough of Brooklyn for a long record of diversity, inclusion, and mentoring efforts in advertising in 2019.
In December 2020, he was honored with the Bill Sharp Award for the Future of Ad- vertising for his tenure of diversity work in the advertising industry from the Marcus Graham Project.
While recently, in 2021, he was honored by the Advertising Club of New York with their Innovator Award, he was also named one of Adweek's 2021 Change Creator of the Year Award and has been listed as one of Business Insiders 2021 top 13 DEI consultants in advertising as well Hive Learnings Top DEI leaders in 2022.
He is also the founder and Chief Creative Officer of 100 Roses From Concrete, a nonprofit network for people of color in advertising, marketing media, and public relations. Through the Roses, he created the G.R.O.W.T.H. Initiative, a virtual agency program for multicultural college students who may have lost their internships due to the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
His creative diversity consultancy Keni Thacker LLC works with advertising agen- cies big and small. With clients such as VIA, McGarrah Jessee, Tinuiti, Forsman & Bodenfors, Bold Culture, Organic, SS+K, Geometry, DiMassimo / Goldstein, SYPart- ners, University of Nebraska Jacht Ad Agency, Quirk, Fortnight Collective, The Brand Labs, GROW, Oberland, and American Advertising Federation Buffalo.
Keni has appeared in Adweek, Ad Age, Digiday, Business Insider, Fortune, The Drum, and NV Magazine. Also, he has appeared on many domestic and in- ternational podcasts, and conferences such as SXSW, ADOBE Max, Diversity’s Best Practices, Where Are The Black Designers, OnBrand, Where Are The Black People, and Advertising Week. He has also spoken to various colleges and universities, such as the City College of New York, the New York College of Technology, Temple University, University of Nebraska, Miami Ad School, Baruch College, the Manhat- tan Early College of Advertising, and the University of Texas.
There are five types of thinkers: creative thinkers, analytical thinkers, intuitive thinkers, logical thinkers, and visionary thinkers. Keni Thacker has defied the belief that an individual can only be one of those types and truly encompasses all five. He has committed his heart and soul to his tireless quest to level the playing field for diverse talent. Keni takes nothing and makes something out of it. While everyone sits around and talks (and talks and talks) about the lack of diversity, Keni does something about it. And not something small but something game-changing.
He single-handedly built solid campaigns for underserved communities while cu- rating hard conversations around race and social understanding for J. Walter Thompson’s (now Wunderman Thompson) diversity and inclusion arm, Differenter, from 2011 through 2015. He is also an award-winning influencer and diversity advo- cate devoted to outreach programs and mentorship.
On February 8th, 2017, he launched the Young Commodores program at J. Walter Thompson (now Wunderman Thompson). This diversity initiative allows college and high school advertising students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real- life advertising and business.
In 2017, he was named one of the 4A’s 100 People That Make Advertising Great. In addition, NV Magazine featured him as one of their Champions of Inclusion while also receiving a citation from the City of New York/Borough of Brooklyn for a long record of diversity, inclusion, and mentoring efforts in advertising in 2019.
In December 2020, he was honored with the Bill Sharp Award for the Future of Ad- vertising for his tenure of diversity work in the advertising industry from the Marcus Graham Project.
While recently, in 2021, he was honored by the Advertising Club of New York with their Innovator Award, he was also named one of Adweek's 2021 Change Creator of the Year Award and has been listed as one of Business Insiders 2021 top 13 DEI consultants in advertising as well Hive Learnings Top DEI leaders in 2022.
He is also the founder and Chief Creative Officer of 100 Roses From Concrete, a nonprofit network for people of color in advertising, marketing media, and public relations. Through the Roses, he created the G.R.O.W.T.H. Initiative, a virtual agency program for multicultural college students who may have lost their internships due to the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
His creative diversity consultancy Keni Thacker LLC works with advertising agen- cies big and small. With clients such as VIA, McGarrah Jessee, Tinuiti, Forsman & Bodenfors, Bold Culture, Organic, SS+K, Geometry, DiMassimo / Goldstein, SYPart- ners, University of Nebraska Jacht Ad Agency, Quirk, Fortnight Collective, The Brand Labs, GROW, Oberland, and American Advertising Federation Buffalo.
Keni has appeared in Adweek, Ad Age, Digiday, Business Insider, Fortune, The Drum, and NV Magazine. Also, he has appeared on many domestic and in- ternational podcasts, and conferences such as SXSW, ADOBE Max, Diversity’s Best Practices, Where Are The Black Designers, OnBrand, Where Are The Black People, and Advertising Week. He has also spoken to various colleges and universities, such as the City College of New York, the New York College of Technology, Temple University, University of Nebraska, Miami Ad School, Baruch College, the Manhat- tan Early College of Advertising, and the University of Texas.
