Keynote and General Session

Rob Lawless

Founder, Robs10kFriends, Philadelphia, PA, USA

On a mission to spend one hour, 1:1, with 10,000 different people, Rob Lawless speaks with an incredibly unique perspective. Over the last 6.5 years, he’s met over 5,000 people from across 85+ countries, sharing their stories on his Instagram, @robs10kfriends. He’ll inspire you to be more intentional about connection and to treat it as an experience rather than a transaction.

Rob’s experience includes speaking with everyone from CEOs to celebrities to students to everyday people who’ve overcome extreme circumstances. He has been featured by press sources like the Kelly Clarkson Show and the TODAY Show, and regularly shares his insights through podcasts and speaking gigs. Rob believes that every human interaction holds the potential to change your life; potential you can start capturing today!

Molly Barker

Founder of Girls on the Run International, Charlotte, NC, USA

Molly Barker is an American educator, social entrepreneur, and visionary.  She is best known as the founder of Girls on the Run International, the self-esteem, youth-development, and healthy lifestyle program, for 3rd to 8th grade girls.  She started Girls on the Run International, in 1996, with 13 girls in Charlotte, NC.  Since then, the program has inspired over 2.5 million girls to know and activate their limitless potential. 

In 2013, Molly retired from the day-to-day operations of Girls on the Run.  Selected to serve on the Commission for Political Reform, a group tasked by the Bipartisan Policy Committee. Molly, along with the likes of Olympia Snow, Tom Daschle, and Vicki Kennedy developed a 69-point strategic approach to address the nation’s widening political divide. 

As a result of her time in D.C. Molly designed the Red Boot Way, an intentional form of communication that encourages deep listening and profound curiosity, when challenged by those with differing perspectives.  The Red Boot Way continues to be used in multiple venues, including workshops and retreats facilitated by Molly. 

Molly is a bold story teller, unabashed in her truth telling.  Trauma, addiction, recovery, and self-discovery are powerful elements of her story.  Highly sought-after for her public speaking, Molly is known for her audacious vulnerability, her willingness to challenge society’s flawed and oppressive status quo, and her heartful allegiance to the ultimate rebellion…being oneself.

She is also a writer, an athlete, a retreat designer and facilitator, and the mother to two grown children, James and Helen.  When asked recently what his mom does for a living, James, now 26 years old responded, “I don’t know what she does exactly, but I do know how she makes people feel.  Seen, heard, empowered and loved.”

Stephen Krempl

Communications Coach | Global Speaker, Krempl Communications Intl, Nashville, TN, USA

Stephen Krempl is an international keynote speaker, facilitator, best-selling author, and corporate communications coach based in Nashville, TN. He has worked with thousands of leaders in over 30 countries. Krempl worked at Fortune 200 companies, Starbucks Coffee Company, CLO, Yum! Brands, VP of Global Learning, PepsiCo Restaurants International, and Motorola.

Stephen is an expert on how leaders can stand out and get noticed in their corporations, even in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. He is the creator of the Global Executive Mindset (GEM) and Winning in the Work World (W3) programs. Stephen has also authored five books, including The 5% Zone: Visibility Strategies that Get You Noticed and Rewarded in Any Organization. His latest book is called, Positively Negative: How to Turn Negative Messages Into Positive Ones.

Sharon Hunter, SCMP

Strategic Communication Consultant and Facilitator, Sharon Hunter Communications, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Sharon is a strategic communication consultant and professional facilitator with over 30 years of experience in corporate communications, marketing, strategy development and corporate training. She is passionate about game-based learning and is a licensed delivery partner for Archetypical’s Corporate Snakes and Career Ladders business simulation program which challenges teams to rise above functional roles to practice decision-making at an executive level.

Sharon served six years on IABC’s International Executive Board, as global Chair in 2018, and continues to advocate for strategic communicators to drive alignment and impact in their organizations. She holds the Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification and is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Global Communication Certification Council.

Chakisse Newton

Founder and President of Cardinal Consulting. Columbia, SC, USA

Chakisse Newton is the founder and president of Cardinal Consulting. Since 2006, she has helped organizations and individuals develop, cultivate and maintain profitable relationships. She is a dynamic and engaging presenter, known for her communication and influencing skills and ability to teach practical techniques to achieve both business and personal growth.

​Chakisse has experience both in the executive office and in the field. For more than 20 years, Chakisse led a variety of local, national and global marketing efforts. She has also been the director of national sales for a consulting organization and an outside sales rep. She has seen first hand how world-class organizations grow, innovate and interact with clients. 

She is an award-winning speaker and has presented to and provided training for groups across the country on topics including business results improvement, improving effectiveness and individual motivation. In both 2005 and 2009 Toastmasters International recognized Chakisse as one of the 10 best speakers in the world.

Breakout Sessions

James Aycock

Video Content Manager, SOCO, Augusta, GA, USA

Since starting up Alison South’s social media content division, SOCO, in 2020, James Aycock and his video production team already have won two Augusta Gold Addy Awards, and two top Excellence awards from the International Association of Business Communicators’ Southern Region for their innovative video work.
James’ video skills include drone footage. While most video is shot on location across the Southeast, SOCO has a dedicated video studio and editing facility in Augusta.
James believes “hard work beats talent when talent isn’t willing to work hard.” His talent is not only garnering top peer reviews but also increasing social media engagement and boosting SEO. James says, “ No matter the size or detail of a video, there is always a story to tell. I do enjoy the interaction with the client and building the story with them.” 

In his “spare” time, James is a motivational speaker.

David Bash

CEO and Executive Producer/Lead Editor, Get Up Productions, Augusta, GA, USA

Alice H Brink, ABC, IABC Fellow

Principal, A Brink & Co., Houston, TX, USA

Alice Brink works with corporate leaders and communications teams to build internal and external engagement strategies, clarify messages and communicate them in ways that change people’s minds. Over more than 30 years, she has worked with major brands from Coca-Cola to Shell and has become expert at translating complex concepts into clear and persuasive stories. Active in IABC throughout her career, Alice is currently past chair of the international Fellows Selection Committee. She was named an IABC Fellow, the association’s highest honor, in 2016. Alice promises she will finish her book, “Change My Mind: The Communicator’s Challenge.”

Dianne Chase

Founder/CEO, Chase Media, Charlottte, NC, USA

Dianne is an award-winning communication professional with decades of experience working successfully with leaders who want to elevate their personal, professional, and business communication skills. She is an Accredited GENIUS Business Storytelling Partner© in the Gabrielle Dolan methodology; one of only two in the world. Her driving purpose is helping business professionals become authentic and impactful communicators so that they may attain their personal and professional aspirations.

Dianne founded her boutique communications consulting, training, and media relations firm, Chase Media, in 2000 after a distinguished career in broadcast journalism as a news director, anchor, and reporter. Her areas of expertise and services include crisis communication, media training, presentation skills training, message development, strategic internal and external communication, and executive communication consulting and coaching.

She is a past global chair of the International Association of Business Communicators-IABC, past chair of IABC Southern Region, and is currently serving a third term at the local level as president of the IABC Charlotte chapter. She is a founding member of the 20/20 Visionaries in Charlotte and serves on several philanthropic and professional boards in her mission to always find ways to add value, provide support, and give back.

Michael Deas, ABC, SCMP

Corporate Communications, Zeus Company, Orangeburg, SC, USA

Michael Deas, ABC, SCMP, has filled a number of diverse roles over his 37-year career: editor, missionary, translator, marketing manager, corporate communications manager, communications director, and marketing director. Currently he is the corporate communications manager for Zeus Company, a global manufacturer of high-tech polymers based in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Mike has been a member of IABC for 25 years, a chapter president of IABC South Carolina, an Accredited Business Communicator since 2004, and a Strategic Communication Management Professional since 2018.  In 2020 Mike served on the board of IABC Nashville and was named IABC Nashville’s “Communicator of the Year.” He has been recognized 18 times with awards for excellence in communication, including a Gold Quill and numerous Silver Quills. He currently serves on the IABC Southern Region board as chapter liaison and VP of Awards.

Mike’s passion is “common sense communication,” with assiduous focus on audience, message, purpose, and medium–in that order.  His wide range of experience in both internal and external communication roles–for companies large and small, public and private, for-profit and nonprofit, on both sides of the Atlantic, in two languages–equips him with insight on the challenges facing today’s communicators.

Craig S. Fleisher, Ph.D.

Chief Analytics Officer, Aurora WDC, Madison, WI, USA

Craig S. Fleisher, Ph.D. is the Chief Analytics Officer at Aurora WDC, a 25+ year old professional services firm in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as Full Professor (adj.) in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, and Institute for Health and Equity at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).

An IABC life member, MPRCA, and a former President of international and national professional associations in both communication and strategy, he has held academic positions as Dean, MBA program director, Endowed University Research Chair and/or Full Professor at the Universities of Windsor, Calgary, Coastal Georgia, USi, Sydney, Tampere, Wilfrid Laurier, and New Brunswick. Author/editor of 16+ books including the Palgrave Encyclopedia of Interest Groups, Lobbying and Public Affairs (2022), SAGE Handbook of International Corporate and Public Affairs (2017), Handbook of Public Affairs (2005), Assessing, Managing and Maximizing Public Affairs Performance (1997) and 220+ scholarly articles, placing him as the most cited Google Scholar globally in corporate communication, decision intelligence and strategic thinking. 

Brittney Garneau

Director of Marketing Communications, Univar Solutions, Houston, TX, USA

Brittney Garneau is the global director of marketing communications at Univar Solutions, one of the world’s leading chemical and ingredient distributors and specialty solutions providers helping communities stay healthy, fed, clean and safe. As head of creative and commercial communication, Brittney leads award-winning marketing, branding, social media, advertising and public relations efforts focused on sustainability and innovation at the intersection of science and technology.

Building on her passion for taking brands to the next level, Brittney has 15 years’ experience collaborating with organizational leaders to expand brand positioning and protect brand reputation as lead spokesperson. She has led agency initiatives to bring breakthrough products to market in the healthcare, technology, energy and consumer spaces, including launching Yahoo Personals and the iPhone (twice!). Her expertise includes partnering with executives to assess, develop and implement strategies for diverse stakeholders, and driving positive collaboration as a cultural change agent on a mission to build more equitable and inclusive environments. Fun fact: as part of her work with the National Mango Board, Brittney once asked former First Lady Laura Bush why she chose to put mangoes on the menu for a State Dinner – and the First Lady shared her personal recipe (it’s delicious!).

Brittney is a longtime member of IABC Houston and currently serves as its VP of Professional Development. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin, she (confusingly) married an Oklahoma Sooner and now vies for the collegiate loyalty of her two young children, Luke and Claire.

Alise Isbell

President, Write Wise Communications, LLC, Houston, TX, USA

Alise Isbell is a communication expert, experienced trainer, facilitator and instructional designer. She empowers clients to transform ideas into clear messages. She holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Business Communication. Alise is a Certified Microsoft Office User Specialist and The Birkman Method Consultant. She published articles on effective communication in Nationwide Business Journals while also winning an IABC Bronze Quill Award in Writing.

Alise was the youngest elected President of ATD Houston in 2009 and is a member of the IABC Houston Chapter and HR Houston. She is a frequently speaker at these organizations’ conferences. As an independent business owner, Alise provides instructional design services on any topic.  She carefully determines the current needs, defines the goals of training and creates materials to bridge the gap. Alise also delivers instructor-led training courses in person or online in five categories: written, spoken, interpersonal communication, train-the-trainer and microlearning.

Kent Lewis

Chief Marketing Officer, Anvil/Deksia, Portland, OR, USA

Lewis is currently Chief Marketing Officer for Anvil/Deksia, where he is responsible for the overall strategic direction of marketing, including evolving messaging and integration of our combined entity. He speaks internationally, writes for industry publications like SmartBrief and Portland Business Journal and has been an adjunct professor at Portland State University since 2000. He’s founded or co-founded four agencies and two organizations since 1999, including pdxMindShare and SEMpdx in Portland. Lewis volunteers his time with SCORE, teaching a social media workshop since 2017 and has been a board and marketing committee member and is currently volunteer reader for SMART. He’s been named a Top 40 Under 40, Marketer of the Year by AMA Oregon and a Top 100 Digital Marketing Influencer by BuzzSumo.

Ebony R. Lincoln, MBA

Corporate Communications Consultant, Divine Destinies Communications, Nashville, TN, USA 

Ebony R. Lincoln, MBA is an award-winning, results-driven leader, trusted advisor and consultant with more than 20 years of broad experience developing effective, innovative branding and communication strategies in multiple industries around the globe. Known for fostering successful brands, she has a proven ability to influence outcomes, gain the confidence of others and advance organizational objectives. Throughout her career, Ebony has led successful teams to drive business objectives in a transformative, collaborative way for industry giants like State Farm, Ameren, Edward Jones and Rite Aid. She is passionate about building a diverse pipeline of future communications leaders and assisting young professionals with honing their own personal brand.

Ebony’s specialties include:

• • Strategy/Plan Development and Execution
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Company Spokesperson and Media Training for Senior Leaders
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Crisis Communications/Management
  • Employee Engagement
  • Personal Brand Development, Interview Prep and Career Counseling

Becky Malone

Global Communications Lead, UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA, USA

Becky is responsible for internal and external communications for UCB’s Global Clinical Development Solutions supporting 1200+ employees. She works to develop and execute strategic communications to enable effective ways of working, drive communications for key global programs and initiatives, and ensure consistent communication on R&D mission with key enablers of ethics & compliance, sustainability and diversity, equity & inclusion. In addition to daily responsibilities, she serves as Co-Lead for the U.S. Women in Leadership (WiL) Employee Resource Group.

She graduated from North Carolina State University Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Mathematics, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for Activate Good, a non-profit organization focused on positively impacting volunteerism in Raleigh, NC.

Mark Schumann, ABC, IABC Fellow

Executive Coach, Wharton University, Houston, TX, USA

Mark Schumann guides business leaders as they transform organizational cultures into courageous environments that inspire confidence. When consulting, he helps leaders diagnose realities and design change architectures to deliver practical solutions; when coaching, he challenges leaders to embrace behaviors that can sustain results; when working with students, he inspires curiosity and commitment in person and online. Winner of 17 Gold Quill awards from IABC, an IABC Fellow and a past International Executive Board Chair, Mark coaches participants in the Executive Education programs of the Wharton Business School and is a Professor of Communication at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Helen Tarleton

Director, Employee & Community Engagement, UCB, Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA

Helen Tarleton is a member of UCB’s Corporate Communications team in the U.S. In her role, she is responsible for employee, change, and culture communications, along with UCB’s community giving in the U.S. She also provides a full range of communications support including digital communications strategy, DE&I communications, executive communications, and change communications. Helen also leads UCB’s ESG communications in the U.S. in close partnership with UCB’s Global ESG organization.

Prior to joining UCB, Helen spent 9 years at The Coca-Cola Company leading internal and external communications efforts in support of Coca-Cola’s corporate social responsibility efforts as well as leading work to build partnerships with health professionals. Helen also spent a year in technology communications with the Intercontinental Hotels Group. Earlier in her career, Helen held pharmaceutical communications and account management roles with agencies in New York City and Atlanta.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University. She spent six years as the VP of Programming for the Atlanta Chapter of the IABC where she was the recipient of the President’s Award. She is a past board member of the Flannery O’Connor/Andalusia Foundation and currently serves on the Communications Committee for the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia.

Lana Truong

Product Marketing Manager, Simpplr

Lana Truong is a former sales engineer turned product marketer. Having spent all of her professional career in software, she understands the importance of the end-user experience and innovation. At Simpplr, Lana is responsible for quarterly product launches, demo webinars, and creating content that informs leaders in internal communications, HR, and IT about the Simpplr platform. With a passion for technology and business, Lana brings a unique perspective to employee communications and engagement.

Michael Woody

Executive Vice President, Retired, Bank of America, Charlotte, NC, USA

Michael enjoyed a four-decade banking career that took him to the Carolinas, Florida and six states in the Midwest, retiring as Executive Vice President at Bank of America. That experience was highlighted by a variety of tasks, experiences and energizing leadership challenges. Those tasks ranged from retail banking in the early days to Six State Region Executive in Bank of Americas Mid-west, guiding the 700 offices there and the 2000 marvelous associates.

Michael also served as a Marketing Executive, Director of Emerging Wealth, Retail Strategy for the Future and Director of the Bank’s Learning and Development Division. He has considerable experience, expertise and a keen focus on leadership, strategy, coaching, project planning, leader development, marketing and building teams. Michael is delighted to share thoughts with the Communication Professionals at the Southern Region Conference!