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This program is sponsored by Current Global.

ABOUT PROGRAM

When: Thursday, Feb. 9; 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: 456 N. Morgan Street (Directions)

Join us on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at 456 N. Morgan Street for a thought-provoking panel discussion, networking over lite bites and drinks, and a diverse small business marketplace.

PANEL DISCUSSION: From Non-Traditional Hire to Transformational PR Contributor
The PR industry is experiencing a talent crunch. We can no longer recruit solely from within our profession or from journalism. At the same time, as our work has diversified – and our commitment to DEI has intensified – we must tap into new talent sources from a broader range of backgrounds and experiences. In this panel discussion, we’ll hear from four Chicago area professionals who successfully transitioned into a thriving communications career, and learn what worked and what didn’t along the way.

SPEAKERS

Virginia Devlin, CEO | Current Global (Moderator)

Carey Beck
EVP, Integration & Creative Operations | Golin
Carey began her career on the PR side after graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and advertising; then spent 16 years at Chicago ad agencies JWT and DDB rising to vice president; since 2013, she’s been at Golin, where she draws on her experience developing big creative advertising ideas to now drive earned-first campaigns for clients.

Emma Gillespie Cox
SVP, Impact & Sustainability | MSL
With expertise in sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Emma Gillespie Cox earned a BA in urban studies from Columbia University. She’s worked in business development for Clean Urban Energy and Green Per Square Foot; for real estate company Cushman & Wakefield where she helped clients define their energy and sustainability solutions; led renewable energy efforts on a global scale for McDonald’s; and today is focused on embedding ESG into all MSL work for the agency’s clients.

Catherine Kelly
Director | Brunswick Group
A University of Missouri-Columbia journalism grad with minors in history and political science, Kelly began her career as a TV morning news producer in Sacramento, then Chicago; pivoted to politics, working her way up to deputy director of communications for former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, where she oversaw communications teams at over 20 executive branch state agencies, followed by supporting several candidate campaigns in Texas; and for the past three plus years she’s been at Brunswick Group, putting all of her past experience to work advising clients on critical issues in business, politics, and society.   

Rebecca Roussell
SVP, DEI Communications | Current Global
A proud HBCU graduate, Roussell followed a degree in mass communications from Dillard University with an MS in integrated marketing and communications from Roosevelt University. Notable career moves include an early job as a business reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; 7-year stint at Nielsen where she rose to Senior Director, Diverse Intelligence Series; special events director at Spears Group in New Orleans; business enterprise and DEI roles at the Illinois Department of Central Management Services; three years as the founder of her own marketing consulting business; and her first PR agency job at Current Global.

Questions? Please send an email to the Programming committee at [email protected].

Program Details

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