Program Details

Refunds:
All ticket sales are final. Substitutions may be made at any time.

Are you a student or young professional? We are giving away one free Professional Development Program ticket. Click here for detailed requirements and to apply. Email Tanner Walters, YPN co-chair, for a chance to win a free ticket!

About Program

In the wake of a hurricane, how would you communicate evacuation efforts to thousands of students stranded on an island, as well as to friends and family desperate to understand the real-time status of their loved ones? Or, what if your client was a management company whose property suddenly turned from a concert venue to the scene of an unimaginable act of terror?

Crisis situations are often ignited by unexpected and uncontrollable factors. In the face of crisis, how we respond not only helps mitigate confusion and chaos on the ground, but can define our strengths as communicators.

Learn more about these stories and more at this interactive session which takes place on Wednesday, Mar. 21 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle Street.

Speakers

Kay Brungs
Vice President
Allison+Partners

Account team manager for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, Dow Solar, Dow Building Solutions, Johnsonville Sausage LLC, YMCA of the USA, serve as the day-to-day contact between our clients and account teams, provide strategic counsel and development planning, manage account budget and allocation of six plus team members’ time and assignments, large event activation and have supported clients through their largest product launches. I’ve also worked on merger and acquisition for internal and external communications.

Developed plans, managed and executed a number of high profile events for various clients in the sustainability, renewable energy, food and non-profit industries.

Coordinated strategic communications and planning between a number of outside vendors and organizations for my clients including: The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Solar, Dow Kokam, Dow Building Solutions, Johnsonville Sausage LLC, YMCA of the USA and Navigant Consulting.

Paid ad campaigns. I’ve worked to develop strategic digital paid campaigns both with social media like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and traditional publications like Discover and online trade publications.

Fostered relationships with key media, associations and trade show organizers, placed content in top-tier publications like Bloomberg, secured numerous speaking opportunities for our clients and have a solid understanding of how to develop and execute a successful media strategy.

New Business development and implementation. I’ve been a part of a number of successful new business pitch teams, and have supported the early brainstorming, pitch plan development and in room pitch presentations. I have also become a member of two of our agency’s new business wins.

Develop and write strategy plans, press releases, social media materials, backgrounders, messages, Q&A, briefing books and review and edit junior team members’ writing to ensure it is client ready.

Jennifer McGuffin
Vice President, Global Communications
Adtalem Global Education
@Jen_McGuffin

Jennifer leads a dynamic global team of public relations and media professionals in her role as Vice President, Global Communications for Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE). In this role, she develops and oversees the execution of an integrated strategic communications plan, directly managing the proactive communications strategy and activities that advance the Adtalem Global Education reputation and brand among key stakeholders, both external and internal. She provides strategic counsel and leadership to Adtalem’s CEO and executive leadership team, positively positioning and organizing its leadership. She serves a pivotal role on the organization’s crisis management team, and identifies challenges and emerging issues facing the organization and works to develop and deliver solutions. She serves as ambassador of the organization, building constructive relationships. In addition, she manages a team of internal and external communications professionals from all of the Adtalem higher ed institutions as well as external consultants to promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.

Most recently, Jennifer was President of Jennifer McGuffin Media, LLC, where she integrated positive media outreach with a balanced approach of strategic thinking for clients, utilizing experience in national and global corporate communications, public relations and crisis communications along with nearly two decades as a professional journalist.

Previously, she served as a Senior Consultant for Chicago-based crisis communications and public affairs firm, Culloton Strategies, where she represented several of the country’s most well-respected law firms, Fortune 500 firms, municipalities and high profile families/individuals. Jennifer also spent six years as the Vice President of Corporate Communications of global asset management firm Calamos Investments, where she oversaw public relations, internal communications, investor relations, community relations and special events.

Earlier in her career, Jennifer spent 14 years as a professional journalist in Chicago television news and at the network level. Her work included on-camera reporting, line/show producing and writing for some of the most highly regarded anchors in Chicago. She also was a reporter for NBC Network’s News Channel division, covering Midwest stories for NBC affiliates around the United States.  In addition, she spent four years in print journalism as an editor for a high-end lifestyle magazine.

Additionally, Jennifer was an adjunct professor of journalism and English for four years at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she also served for a time as the college’s director of public relations.  

Jennifer holds a master’s degree with honors in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and a bachelor’s degree of science degree with high honors in business administration and marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Public Relations Society of America – Chicago Chapter and is also a member of the Board of the Adtalem Foundation.  Jennifer has previously served on the Board of Directors for Choose DuPage, the economic development organization for Chicago’s western suburbs, and on the Board of Directors for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.  She has volunteered extensively as a youth cheerleading coach for the Downers Grove Panther Football and Cheer program and consulted the organization’s Board of Directors on public relations and media relations matters.

Steve Patterson
Vice President
Res Publica Group

Steve brings more than two decades of communications experience to Res Publica Group. His high-level counsel helps to define and elevate brands, engage audiences and protect client reputations. Along with his extensive networks, his experience enables him to identify and troubleshoot potential crisis situations and establish media strategies to proactively address them. Steve came to Res Publica Group after working in journalism, government and politics. As communications director for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, he served as the front-line spokesman for multiple crisis incidents and was responsible for elevating Dart’s profile internationally, while also improving the office’s reputation through targeted media relations efforts, including with Oprah Winfrey, Anderson Cooper, MSNBC and others. As an investigative reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times and Gary Post-Tribune, his work triggered dozens of indictments, the establishment of new state laws and the overturning of two elections. Steve received his Bachelors of Science degree form Ball State University. He is a member of the Native American Journalists Association.

Moderator: Virginia Mann
Principal and Chief Influencer
Virginia Mann Group
@VirginiaMann

Virginia Mann is an award-winning corporate communications, public relations and public affairs professional with a solid understanding of business. A strategic leader, she is able to interpret information and create programs that persuade and motivate internal and external audiences. Her experience includes substantial work with CEOs, Boards of Directors and the media. She has extensive experience in executive speech-writing and coaching. Virginia has done award-winning work in media relations, crisis communications, investor communications and employee communications. Media successes include placements in The New York Times; The Wall Street Journal; U. S. News & World Report; Crain’s Chicago Business; USA Today; and numerous newspapers, television stations, radio stations and trade publications across the nation and around the globe.

Virginia’s broad range of experience includes extensive work with blue-chip, Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries including: Brunswick Corporation; Hewitt Associates; Sears, Roebuck & Co.; United Airlines; Topco Associates; Fujisawa Pharmaceuticals; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; National Association of Manufacturers; and others. She also has extensive experience in animal health and welfare, working with organizations such as the American Kennel Club, The Puppy Mill Project, Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center/MedVet Chicago and many others. Mann began her career with former Illinois Secretary of State Jim Edgar. She is a graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science.

Questions? Email Lanie Friedman or Kayee Ip, Programming co-chairs.

Program Details

Refunds:
All ticket sales are final. Substitutions may be made at any time.