Chapter Leaders
IABC/Chicago 2012-2013 Board of Directors
President - Justin Brunner
President-Elect – Connie Mayse
Past President - Ken Groh
Director, Finance - Ken Groh
Secretary - Ruth Savolaine
Director, Accreditation - Rosanne Belczak
Director, Awards - Alex Mitchell
Director, Educational Relations - Peg Wander
Co-Director, Member Communications - Jeffrey Conover
Co-Director, Member Communications - Tova Vance
Co-Director, Chapter Marketing & Public Relations - Kortney Moore
Co-Director, Chapter Marketing & Public Relations – Nancy Nash
Director, Membership - Julia Dunlop
Director, Professional Development - Kate Stevenson
Associate Director, Professional Development – Lisa Thomas
Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships - Tom Keefe
Director, Volunteers - Gabrielle Loring
Associate Director, Volunteers - Anne Divita Kopacz
President
Justin Brunner
Manager, Communications
Standard Parking
312.274.2102
president@iabcchicago.com
Justin holds over eight years of communication experience in employee communication, change management, digital and social media development and event planning. As Standard Parking Corporation’s communications manager, Justin oversees the employee communication strategy and digital media strategy for the company’s 14,000 employees. Prior to his work in Chicago, 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. He has won numerous Bronze Quill and Silver Quill Awards, and served as an advisor for the IABC Regional and International Awards committees. Justin holds a bachelor of arts in Media and Professional Communication from the University of Pittsburgh.
President-elect
Connie Mayse
Manager, 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.
Past President
Kenneth Groh
Communication Consultant
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.
Director, Finance
Ken Groh (see above)
Secretary
Ruth Savolaine
Manager, Ethics Marketing Communications
Cisco Systems
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
Integrated 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. 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
Alex Mitchell
Digital Media Specialist
Argonne National Laboratory
773.490.9491
alexmitchell35@gmail.com
Alex is a versatile and strategic communicator with experience in: marketing communication; internal communication; engagement; public relations; social/digital media; brand enhancement; writing/editing; and publications. Alex transitioned to organizational communication in 2011 after working for nine years as a reporter and editor for Pulitzer Prize-winning newspapers. He holds a B.A. in Communications (Journalism) from Marquette University.
Director, Educational Relations
Peg Wander
Communications and Diversity Strategist, University Faculty
773.936.8069
peg_wander@yahoo.com
Peg’s 20+ years of experience cover 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, executive, multicultural and customer communication, media relations, special event planning, volunteer management, community relations 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 business development as well as 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.
Co-Director, Member Communications
Jeffrey Conover
VP, Digital Strategy
Dresner Corporate Services
312.780.7237
jconover@dresnerco.com
Jeffrey is a communications professional with over 20 years of experience in marketing, media and technology. Since 1998, he has specialized in interactive and social media solutions that positively impact marketing and corporate communications. He is currently VP, Digital Strategy for Dresner Corporate Services, a Chicago-based public and investor relations company with concentration in financial services and emerging growth companies.
Co-Director, Member Communications
Tova Vance
Principal
Tova Vance LLC
773.510.6307
tova@iabcchicago.com
Tova is an innovative business leader with a record of driving change and delivering results. She launched her own consulting practice in 2012, specializing in communication strategy, project management and business development. Tova is passionate about leveraging communication to advance teams and organizations, and has experience in the corporate, not-for-profit, and education sectors. Tova holds a B.S. in Journalism and Communication from the University of Oregon and a M.S. in Communication from Northwestern University.
Co-Director, Chapter Marketing & Public Relations
Kortney Moore
Director of Communications
DePaul University College of Law
312.362.5134
communication@iabcchicago.com
Kortney is a marketing communications professional with more than eight years of experience in higher education. She currently leads the communications initiatives for DePaul University College of Law. Kortney has a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications from Simpson College and an MBA in integrated marketing communications from DePaul University. She has volunteered with IABC/Chicago since 2010.
Co-Director, Chapter Marketing & Public Relations
Nancy Nash
Technology Consultant
Foley & Lardner LLP
312.832.4784
nnash@foley.com
Nancy is a marketing and communications professional with expertise in strategic marketing and messaging for innovative technology solutions and services. In her current role, Nancy manages awareness and communications for a family of internal brands and award-winning technologies. Creative and editorial projects include CIO newsletters, Web site content, internal communications, and corporate videos. Previously, as marketing project leader for a technology solutions company, she crafted integrated marketing campaigns for high tech companies coordinating requirements and managing both internal and external creative agents.
Having a broad knowledge of best practices up her sleeve from past experience, Nancy is passionate about current trends in content marketing that bring together the best in marketing, copywriting, and technology tools. With a degree in Molecular Biology from the University of California at San Diego, including a few years in a medical research lab, Nancy is a natural at combining creativity with analytical skills to take things “to the next level.”
She loves films, videography, reading, lakefront walks and ethnic food.
Director, Membership
Julia Dunlop
President and Creative Director
ODA Creative Partners
312.244.3778
jdunlop@olverdunlop.com
Director, Professional Development
Kate Stevenson
Communication Coordinator
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.
Associate Director, Professional Development
Lisa Thomas
Coordinator
Lions Clubs International
630.468.6857
lisa.thomas@lionsclubs.org
Lisa has been working in the non-profit membership-based sector for several years. She serves as coordinator for Lions Clubs International and handles communications/program development focusing on membership growth and involvement. Lisa has a B.A. in Public Relations from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and is a recent graduate of the Master’s of Science in Communication program at Northwestern University.
Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships
Tom Keefe, ABC
Enterprise Communication Specialist
VW Credit, Inc.
847.371.4553
sponsorship@iabcchicago.com
For 30 years, Tom has used his writing, editing and production skills within a variety of public and private U.S.-based companies. He currently manages communications within the financial services subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Tom is an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), a former president of IABC/Chicago, the chairman of the 2012 IABC World Conference Hospitality Task Force, and a member of IABC’s international Social Responsibility Committee. He earned his B.A. in Journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
Director, Volunteers
Gabrielle Loring
Senior Communication Consultant
ROC Group
312.440.0300
volunteer@iabcchicago.com or 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, change 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
Anne Divita Kopacz
Director of Communications
Erikson Institute
312.893.7161
anne.divita@gmail.com
Anne has more than 10 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit communications. She currently oversees the communications effort for Erikson Institute, a leading graduate school and research center in child development. Anne has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from DePaul University. She previously served on IABC/Chicago’s board of directors from 2005 to 2007.
