Chapter Leaders
IABC/Chicago 2011-2012 Board of Directors
President – Ken Groh
President-Elect - Julie Emms
Past President – Tom Keefe
Director, Finance - Deborah Lang
Secretary – Ruth Savolaine
Director, Accreditation – Rosanne Belczak
Director, Awards – Justin Brunner
Associate Director, Awards - Alex Mitchell
Director, Communications – Don Pokorny
Director, Educational Relations – Peg Wander
Associate Director, Educational Relations – Susan Heitsch
Director, Marketing – Brian Hall
Director, Membership – Connie Mayse
Director, Professional Development – Kate Stevenson
Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships – Laurel Krasne
Director, Volunteers – Gabrielle Loring
Associate Director, Volunteers – Susan D’Alexander
President
Kenneth Groh
President
Groh & Associates, Inc.
847.334.0955; kgroh@GrohComm.com
Ken has more than 20 years experience as a communication consultant, working with clients to connect employees to benefits, compensation, and other HR programs. In addition to communication planning and strategy development, Ken’s background includes researching audience perceptions through surveys and focus groups and in managing implementation through print, social media, DVD/video, web and meeting materials. Ken previously served on the IABC/Chicago Board of Directors as director, awards and most recently as director, finance. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois, and has earned numerous awards for his communication work, including IABC Gold, Silver Quill, Spectre and Bronze Quill awards.
President-Elect
Julie Emms
Communications Manager, Community, Government and International Affairs
DePaul University
312.362.8606; jemms@depaul.edu,
Julie has over 10 years’ experience working in higher education administration, specifically in external communications, community relations, event planning, academic program management, and budget management. She served as IABC/Chicago’s director, professional development during the 2010-2011 board year. Throughout her career, she has been involved in some aspect of professional development programming in a variety of industries. Julie earned a B.A. in Organizational Communications at Purdue University, and an M.S. in Higher Education Administration at Northwestern University.
Past President
Tom Keefe, ABC
Enterprise Communication Specialist
VW Credit, Inc.
847.371.4553; tom@commakazispeek.com
For 30 years, Tom has used his writing, editing and production skills within a variety of public and private U.S.-based companies. After rejoining IABC and IABC/Chicago in 2004, Tom became an accredited business communicator (ABC) in 2005. That same year, Tom was invited to join a small group of communicators who contributed to the IABC Café, the official blog of the IABC chair. He joined the board in 2009, serving as Co-Director of Marketing, with a focus on social media. In December 2009, he was selected president-elect, and then served as president during the 2010-2011 board year. Tom is a member of IABC’s international Social Responsibility Committee, and helped the team to create and launch in April 2009 a web site focused on SR communications, the SR LINK. He earned his B.A. in Journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
Director, Finance
Deborah Lang
Senior Consultant
The ROC Group
312.440-.0300; dlang57@comcast.net
Deb has over 14 years of experience as a communication consultant, working with clients in a variety of industries to develop and implement communication strategies. In addition to planning and strategy development, Deb also has experience with writing, focus groups and production. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and has earned numerous awards for her communication work.
Secretary
Ruth Savolaine
Manager, Ethics Marketing Communications
Cisco Systems
847-678-5425 or 773-279-1719; rsavolaine@earthlink.net
Ruth leads strategic communications for Cisco’s Ethics Program in support of 70,000+ employees worldwide. Prior to joining Cisco, she produced employee communications at Boeing for benefits, compensation, engagement, labor relations, diversity and ethics. Her experience includes: video production, media relations, event planning, marketing, advertising, publications, and consulting. Ruth has an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, a B.A. in Public Relations and A.S. in Computer Technology from Miami University (Ohio), and a certificate in project management strategy from the University of Chicago. Her awards include national honors for corporate videos, as well as a national Silver Anvil and regional PRSA awards.
Director, Accreditation
Rosanne Belczak, ABC
Marketing & Communications Strategist
Independent Consultant
708.308.7080; rbelczak@comcast.net
Rosanne is an established communications professional with extensive senior management and strategic planning experience in marketing and human resources. She is currently available as an independent marketing and internal communications consultant while searching for full-time employment. Rosanne’s campaigns have been recognized with awards from several banking and customer service industry organizations. She is also a Silver and Bronze Quill winner. Rosanne received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating magna cum laude with highest distinction from the Communications Department. She received her certification as an Accredited Business Communicator in January 2011.
Director, Awards
Justin Brunner
Corporate Communications Specialist
Standard Parking
312.274.2102; jbrunner@standardparking.com
Justin holds over seven years of communication experience in both the for- and non-profit sectors. His areas of expertise include corporate communication, digital media development, communication strategy and conference planning. Prior to joining Standard Parking, Justin held management positions at Merrill Lynch, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and U.S. Steel, LLC. Justin has been active in both IABC/Chicago and IABC/Pittsburgh. The 2011-12 season will be Justin’s second year as IABC/Chicago’s director of awards. Justin holds a bachelor of arts in Media and Professional Communication from the University of Pittsburgh.
Associate Director, Awards
Alex Mitchell
Communications and Publications Coordinator
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand
773.490.9491; alexmitchell35@gmail.com
Alex recently transitioned into organizational communication after working for over a decade in newspapers/publishing. He has nine years of experience as a Reporter and Copy Editor for Pulitzer Prize-winning newspapers. He also has worked in the book publishing industry as an Acquisitions Editor. Alex holds a B.A. in Communications (Journalism) from Marquette University.
Director, Communications
Don Pokorny
Senior Communications Manager
Sears Holdings Company
630.544.0888; don.pokorny@comcast.net
Don has more than 15 years experience in communications and multi-media marketing, with a focus in the last 10 years on employee communications for international organizations. He has also held management and global webmaster roles at 3Com, UTStarcom and 7333 Communications, as well as consulting and providing communications services for firms including Hewitt & Associates, Cars.com, Tellabs, Standard Oil, Motorola and McDonalds. Don has a B.A. from Elmhurst College, an MBA from Benedictine University, Six Sigma Green Belt, and completed further study at DePaul University in Direct and Interactive Marketing. He is an active member of Toastmasters International.
Director, Educational Relations
Peg Wander
Manager of External Affairs
RR Donnelley
312.326.7130; peg.wander@rrd.com
Peg’s 20+ years of experience covers a broad range of communications disciplines from both a tactical and strategic perspective, and in both corporate and not-for-profit settings. Her primary disciplines include employee, member and customer communication, media relations, special event planning, and audio-visual production for which she has received numerous awards. Her past experience also includes writing for local newspapers and hosting a public affairs talk show on WNUA and WGCI in Chicago. In addition, she has considerable expertise in organizational development/behavior and is a skilled facilitator, meeting designer and leadership coach. Peg also teaches diversity and introductory/ overview courses (including writing, research, teambuilding, presentation skills) for the Chicagoland campus of the University of Phoenix. She holds a B.S. Degree in Communications/Social Science from Northern Illinois University and a M.A. Degree in Whole Systems Design/Organization System Renewal (focus: Change Management/Organizational Development) from Antioch University.
Associate Director, Educational Relations
Susan Heitsch
JP Morgan Chase
Vice President, HR Communications
312.385.7294; susan.heitsch@jpmchase.com
Susan Heitsch is currently a vice president of communications for JPMorgan Chase, where she focuses on employee communications for the firm’s 250,000 colleagues in 60 countries. A veteran of four bank mergers, she previously headed HR Communications for Bank One and served as Director of Communications for First Chicago’s credit card business. She holds an MBA in finance and marketing from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University, where she majored in marketing and now serves on the school’s Marketing Advisory Board. A firm believer in giving back to her profession, Susan is active on the IABC/Chicago board and recruits senior communicators to serve as mentors for communication students. She also helped launch the student chapter of IABC at DePaul University.
Director, Marketing
Brian Hall
Vice President
Loret Gibbs & Soell PR
847.519.9150; bhall@gibbs-soell.com
During his 16 years in communications, Brian has developed and executed integrated marketing communications, digital media, corporate communications and event marketing programs for a number of clients in the Advanced Manufacturing & Energy and Financial Services segments. One of Brian’s primary areas of expertise is digital and social media. He participates on the team responsible for driving digital and social media education/implementation throughout the agency. In addition, he served as Social Media Director for IABC/Chicago in 2010-2011 and has spoken to a variety of professional and student organizations about digital and social media. Brian earned a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from Eastern Illinois University.
Director, Membership
Connie Mayse
Senior Specialist HR Communications
Abbott Laboratories
216.470.1255; connie.mayse@yahoo.com
Connie J. Mayse, MBA, is a communications and human resources professional with over 20 years’ experience in the health care, telecommunications and architectural coatings industries. In her current role as Manager, HR Communications with Abbott, she provides communications support to the benefits department and the HR executive team. Connie has been a member of IABC since 2000 and has served in a variety of local and regional board roles at IABC/Cleveland, IABC Heritage Region, and now IABC/Chicago. She holds a BA in communications and master’s in international business from Baldwin-Wallace College. When not working, she enjoys her hobbies of gourmet cooking and baking, reading and music.
Director, Professional Development
Kate Stevenson
Coordinator, Marketing Internship Program
DePaul University
312.362.5914; ksteven6@depaul.edu
Kate has been working in Higher Education at DePaul University for several years. She serves as program coordinator for the Marketing Internship Program, and handles all communications for the department of marketing. In addition to this role, she organizes student trips to Paris, France once a year. In addition to organizing cultural visits, Kate organizes trips for the students to visit companies in Paris such as, Digitas, Publicis Groupe, Bosch International, etc. to help promote international understanding. Furthermore, Kate is enrolled in DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business pursuing an MBA in Global Strategic Marketing at DePaul.
Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships
Laurel Krasne
Consultant
847.502.0770; laurelkrasne@comcast.net
Laurel is an award-winning corporate communicator, who helps management and organizations use their individual and collective voice to engage stakeholders to take action to help meet business objectives. Her experience covers a wide spectrum of communication territory, including consulting, branding, acquisition and integration, organizational change, publications, intranets, campaigns and initiatives, large-scale meetings and events, creative services, business continuity, research and measurement, audio/visual, recruitment support, public relations strategy, shareholder reports, media events, and media coverage. She has held communications and research positions within Washington Mutual, Sears, Roebuck and Co., and PNC Mortgage. Laurel holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Sociology from Lake Forest College.
Director, Volunteers
Gabrielle Loring
Senior Communication Consultant
The ROC Group
312.440.0300; gloring@rocgroup.com
Gabi has more than 25 years of broad communications experience. Her expertise is in working with clients to develop and implement strategies for communicating human resource, branding and other internal communication issues. Gabi previously served for two years as the board secretary. She holds a B.A. in Journalism/ Public Relations from Northern Illinois University. Gabi is a past winner of numerous IABC Gold Quill, Silver Quill and Spectra Awards. In addition, she has received awards from PRSA, MarCom, Employee Benefits Communication and Profit Sharing Council of America.
Associate Director, Volunteers
Susan D’Alexander, ABC
Navistar
HR Communications Manager
847.812.0394; susan.dalexander@navistar.com
Susan has more than 18 years experience in communication management, including corporate, HR, marketing and corporate social responsibility communications. She became an accredited business communicator (ABC) in 2008 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University and a MBA from Roosevelt University. Susan has been a member of IABC since 2004 and is a Gold and Silver Quill Award recipient.
