Allison Arden,
CEO & Founder, The Elements of Us
The Elements of Us was created by CEO + Founder Allison Arden, working with organizations to empower well-being that fuels success. Prior to launching The Elements of Us, Allison served as Vice President + Publisher of Advertising Age, leading the brand through the most disruptive and inventive decade in its history. This experience provided a unique vantage point on an industry undergoing tremendous disruption, and a deep appreciation for the emotions that come with inspiring great change, growth, and innovation all while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and life. The Elements of Us is the culmination of that experience.
Allison is a frequent speaker and panelist on topics including well-being in the workplace, minimizing burnout, finding purpose, and taking the leap for the second act. She is the author of The Book of Doing: Everyday Activities to Unlock Creativity + Joy helping people reawaken their sense of wonder and navigate the life|work blend. A Brooklyn native, Allison is the Chairman of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation, supporting programs to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, + serves as a board member for Materials For the Arts. She is currently working towards her Masters in Psychology at the Harvard Extension School, graduating in May 2024.
Gerry Byrne
Vice Chairman, PMC (Penske Media Corp)
PMC owns leading entertainment, fashion and digital media brands that include Rolling Stone, Variety, WWD, Deadline Hollywood, IndieWire, Hollywood Life, TVLine, and The Robb Report. Byrne’s decades of accomplishments as a media executive, entrepreneur and community leader are highlighted by a long run as publisher of Variety where he dramatically transformed that business into a powerful, diversified, global media brand. The start-up publisher of both Electronic Media and Crain’s New York Business, Byrne also successfully created The Quill Awards for NBC before he led a division of Nielsen that included The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard. Adweek and Backstage. Additionally, Byrne serves as Executive Chairman Washington Life Magazine.
A staunch believer in “participation”, Mr. Byrne is on the boards of numerous not-for-profits including Military Adaptive Sports Inc. (The 2016 Invictus Games), Fisher House, The Intrepid Museum, Veterans Advantage (Advisory Board), The Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research, Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Plaza, The Creative Coalition, The Hamptons International Film Festival (Advisory Board), The IFP – Independent Filmmaker Project, The John A. Reisenbach Foundation (Chairman), The Armory Foundation and The New York City Police Museum. He is also on the U. S. Advisory Council of the IESE Business School, University of Navarra in Barcelona, the Advisory Board of the Fordham University Gabelli School and the Board of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In November 2012, Mr. Byrne also launched, as Founder/Chairman, the first ever Veterans Week NYC, a series of events dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and their families. And in May 2017, as Founder/Chairman, Mr. Byrne launched Veterans on Campus NYC, a veteran’s support consortium comprised of all the NYC colleges and universities where veterans attend on the GI Bill.
Mr. Byrne was awarded the “Salah M. Hassanein Humanitarian Award” at ShowEast ’96, New York’s Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center’s 2002 Distinguished Service Award and the NYPD Marine Corps Association 2002 “Semper Fi” Award for his work in the community. And in June 2009, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented Mr. Byrne the “Made In NY” Award for his support of Gotham’s entertainment and media industries. In November 2017, General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, presented Mr. Byrne the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Public Service Award.
Mr. Byrne is a member of The British Academy of Film & Television Arts and The New York Athletic Club.
A 1966 graduate of Fordham College, Mr. Byrne served as a Marine Officer in Vietnam in 1968/69 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V.
Steve Grubbs
President, Second Act Media
Steve Grubbs is the founder of Second Act Media consultancy. Second Act advises start-up and early stage companies on how best to market their products and services across the advertising ecosystem. Second Act also advises marketers and producers on media strategy, entertainment related projects, and sports sponsorship.
Second Act Media is currently an advisor to AmpLive, BrightLine, LLC, Global Content Partners and Prohaska Consulting
Prior to creating Second Act Media in 2010, Steve worked in a variety of C-level positions within the Omnicom Group of Companies. From 1999-2009 Steve served as CEO of OMD USA, CEO of PHD North America and CEO of Omnicom Media Group Entertainment & Sports.
Steve was a four-time winner of Mediaweek’s “Media All-Stars” Award and a two-time winner of Advertising Age’s “Media Mavens” Award. He is also on the Board of the International Radio and Television Society.
Lou Festa
Lou Festa is the Executive Vice President of Finance and Business Affairs at Zero Point Zero Production.
Cathy Frankel
Founder, Law Offices of Cathy J. Frankel
Cathy Frankel represents individuals and companies in the entertainment, advertising, and media fields. Cathy is highly experienced in drafting and negotiating a broad range of agreements including those for television, film, and digital production and distribution; speaking engagements; publishing; merchandise licensing; copyrights, trademarks, and other rights, as well as executive employment and separation. In addition to representing clients in transactions, Cathy counsels clients on right of publicity issues, protecting and licensing copyrights and trademarks, and other matters. Cathy also represents non-profit organizations and sits on the Board of Directors of two non-profit organizations. From 2012 to 2019, she was the CEO and General Counsel of a family of companies in audio-video production, merchandise licensing, talent management, and speaker representation. From 1989 to 2012, Cathy was a Partner and the Chair of the Entertainment, Advertising, and Digital Media Group at Moses & Singer LLP in New York City. Cathy was the first woman partner at the firm and founded and ran the firm’s Women’s Initiative and Diversity Committee.
Liz Koman
Liz Koman is thrilled to be the new CMO at Manifest. She's from Short Hills, New Jersey, and has spent nearly 3 decades selling and marketing everything from USA Network to Martha Stewart and Wendy Williams. She is considered a branded content and revenue generation expert and created the first integration business in daytime television. She is cursed with being a longtime New York Jets fan and blessed with being the owner of the two most gigantic golden retrievers you’ve ever seen, leading her husband, daughter and son to call her the New Jersey Khaleesi (…that’s ‘mother of two golden dragons,’ of course).
Robert W.C. Lilley
Media Ventures, Inc.
Bob spent over 3 decades in the media business, starting at Ogilvy and Grey Advertising and then serving as media director at both Kenyon and Eckart and Lintas. He was a client for 10 years, running the in-house media operation for Combe Incorporated, and held senior positions at Western International Media and Optimedia.
He was a member of the 4A’s Media Policy Committee and E-Business Committee, the ANA Television Committee, the Media Directors Council and the New York Advertising Club Program Committee. He was a board member of the African Medical and Research Organization and a past Chairman of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation.
James H Rosenfield, Sr.
Rosenfield spent 20 years (1965 to 1985) at CBS. Inc. He joined CBS as a television network salesman, then: Director Daytime/Sports Sales, VP Eastern Sales, VP National Sales.) 1980: President, CBS/TV Network, 1982: Exec VP, CBS/Broadcast Group, 1984: Sr. Executive VP(COO). He Retired from CBS in 1985.
In 1987, he purchased, (with Dillon Reed), John Blair Communications. He was /chairman and CEO for 7 years, He joined Veronis, Suhler, Investments as a managing director in 1994 for 4 years, when he left to set up his own consulting business.
James H. Rosenfield is President of JHR & Associates, consultants to traditional media, interactive digital media, communications, and entertainment companies. His clients have included: STATS,Inc (Sold to News Corp.) Pathfire Communications, specialists in “Store and Forward” satellite distribution, Hotel Networks, (Sold to Liberty Media). For 15 years he was on the board of Salon Media (Salon Digital Magazine) and he was an investor and on the board of Telecorps Holdings, a holding company financed by HIG Financial,
which purchased Wexler Video and Coffee Sound.
He is currently a consultant and board member of Red Sky Entertainment, digital publishers of over 50 children’s, young adult and other genre digital books, highlighted by the Avalon Series ‘
for young-adult female readers. A television series based on the books is currently in development with a Canadian Production Company.
His earlier corporate experience includes NBC (Today, Home and Tonight) advertising sales); Polaroid Corporation: Marketing Director, and Vice President, Marketing of Airequipt, Inc, manufacturer of photographic equipment.
BOARDS: SALON MEDIA (Recently retired). PATHFIRE, Inc
PRO BONO BOARDS: INTERNEWS International; (REISENBACH Foundation, Past President of International Radio & Television Society (IRTS), Past Chairman, and currently board member, of the Advertising Council, and LIFETIME FELLOW of the International Council of the Television Academy.
Former Board member of Jr. Achievement.
US Army, Signal Corps Intelligence (ASA) (1950-1953): Army Language School: Polish
Former alumni trustee of the Roxbury Latin School ‘48, . Dartmouth College (’52)
Honorary PHD, St. Johns University. (1980)
Larry Schatz
Larry’s experience spans more than 35 years as a seasoned business development and media executive having served as Principal of the Randolph Media Group providing strategy, planning and business development services to production, media and broadcast clients. His media and content career also included senior positions at Corinthian Media and All American Television.
Larry currently is a commercial real estate broker in the states of North Carolina and New York providing transactional and advisory services to commercial property owners and buyers, landlords and tenants, and investors.
Larry is the founding Chairman of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation and currently serves in its board. He is a member of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and the Carolina Real Estate Investors Association. He has also been a mentor for the Baruch College Entrepreneurship Competition and a judge at AAF’s National Student Advertising Competition.
Larry resides in Asheville, NC with his wife, Dr. Nancy Schatz.
Michelle Aragon,SVP Business Solutions, MAGNA Global
Michelle is an influential global brand marketer who brings well-rounded experience in the areas of strategic direction, business development, operations and marketing to each project she leads. Her current focus is on building the MAGNA brand and business, where her versatility has helped to increase brand value and maximize profitability. She has held executive management roles at IPG’s MRM//McCann and one of the world’s largest beverage companies, Constellation Brands. Michelle has a passion for making a difference in the industry and community, serving as She Runs It Executive Achievement Committee Co-Chair, John A. Reisenbach Foundation Board of Trustees, Friends of Mount Sinai Board of Directors, and Step Up New York Chapter Board Member.
Jim Beloyianis, Beloyianis Design LLC
Jim Beloyianis is a 40 year Broadcast Media veteran. His Media career began at Grey Advertising in 1972 as a buyer/planner. He joined Katz Television in 1973 as television sales representative. Jim was promoted to Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, division President, Executive Vice President and President of the Katz Television Group from 1994-2012. JIm is now a media consultant focusing on automated sales solutions for the local station Broadcast community.
Andrew Brent
Andrew Brent is Head of Communications for Brookfield Properties, one of the world’s largest real estate companies with iconic commercial properties in many of the world’s most dynamic cities. He joined Brookfield Properties in August 2016. In his role, he oversees internal and external communications, government affairs and charitable giving for Brookfield Properties’ Office portfolio in the U.S.
Andrew joined Brookfield Properties from Citi, where he served as Director of Consumer Public Affairs. There he led communications and served as chief spokesperson for Citi’s U.S. Consumer and Commercial Banking businesses and Citi FinTech, the bank’s digital banking enterprise. He also played a leading role in Citi’s sponsorship and stewardship of Citi Bike, New York City and Miami’s public bike share program. Prior to Citi, Andrew was Deputy Press Secretary to New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. There he served as spokesperson for the Mayor on issues related to the economy, economic development, housing, city planning, small business services, tourism, cultural affairs, parks, media and entertainment, the technology sector, telecommunications, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. He oversaw the handling of media inquiries by press officers at 19 City agencies and offices, and he developed and implemented comprehensive communications plans to drive key initiatives, including the Bloomberg Administration jobs plan and overall response to the economic downturn, the development of the World Trade Center site, the Cornell applied sciences campus on Roosevelt Island, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and others. Previous roles he held in the Bloomberg Administration include Senior Advisor to Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff and Director of Public Affairs for the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
Andrew received a BA from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Public Administration from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He was born and raised in Manhattan, and now lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.
Lauren Busch, Global Marketing at BlackRock
Over the course of her career, Lauren has been fortunate enough to witness many of the transformations affecting the media industry first-hand. Because of her unique ability to recognize value and opportunity amidst major change, she has enjoyed success across brand-building, marketing, and media.
Upon graduating from Duke University, Lauren moved back to New York and began working at Zenith, a part of Publicis Media. This role ignited an interest in cross-channel marketing that led her to Audience Marketing at Penske Media Corporation. There, she leveraged her knowledge of integrated planning to drive subscription growth for such storied brands as WWD and Variety. She was able to navigate the challenges of managing an ever-changing business, while also spearheading strategic development initiatives and technological investments designed to directly impact the bottom line.
Lauren transitioned to the Global Marketing group at BlackRock at an opportune time, as the world’s largest asset manager is redefining how it thinks about marketing. Her extensive marketing and media background has made her uniquely qualified to contribute to that firm-wide shift.
Lauren grew up on Long Island, and New York City has always been “the city” to her. In addition to her work on the DukeNY board, she is deeply committed to the John A. Reisenbach Foundation for a better and safer New York, and co-chairs the JAR Trailblazer Council.
Frank Comerford
Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
Frank Comerford is the Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations for the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. In this role, Comerford oversees all commercial efforts for the division's 30 NBC and Telemundo local television stations, regional news network, necn, two national multicast networks, COZI TV and TeleXitos, online properties and digital out-of-home platforms. In addition, he oversees sales efforts for the company's regional sports networks. Comerford is also responsible for developing new partnerships and business ventures that align the group’s growth with the needs of its clients.
Comerford has worked in the television industry for more than 30 years, including over 20 years with NBCUniversal. Before assuming his current role in October 2013, he was the Chief Revenue Officer of the NBC Owned Television Stations for five years. Previously, Comerford was President and General Manager of NBC's flagship station, WNBC, beginning in 2002. During his tenure, he oversaw the station's conversion to high definition, expanded its community partnerships and increased locally produced content. Comerford was also instrumental in bringing LX.TV, a lifestyle program production company, to the NBC family.
Prior to his role at WNBC, Comerford served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the NBC Owned Stations from 1999 through 2002. He joined NBCUniversal in 1994 and held various positions of increasing responsibility within the sales group, culminating with his 1996 promotion to Vice President of Sales for WNBC. Before joining NBC, Frank was with WSBK in Boston from 1986 until 1994, serving in several different sales management positions. He began his career in the television industry in 1981 with Storer Television Sales in New York City.
Comerford is very active in the community and serves on many charitable boards, including the Lutheran Medical Center, the Association for a Better New York, the Archdiocese of New York Catholic Charity, Xavier High School, the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, The John A. Reisenbach Foundation and the Diocese of Brooklyn's TVC. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Television Advertising Bureau and is a past Chairman of that organization's Board. He has been honored by several prestigious organizations, including CAPP, Abilities School, the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Friends of AHRC Autism Program, Little Flower Children's Services and New Yorkers for Children. In 2012, Comerford was the Grand Marshall of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Comerford holds a B.S. in business administration and finance from Georgetown University. He resides in Manhattan and Long Island with his wife, Maura, and their son, Francis.
Traci Dinkins
Traci Dinkins is President and Head of Media NA, at Essence Global in this newly created role. She is responsible for bringing the Media Planning and Activation teams closer together in order to build more effective media plans. Additionally, Traci leads and refines the NA media practice, and issues guidance on best practices.
She came to Essence from Omnicom’s PHD Media, after having served as Chief Client Officer. Prior to that, assignments included roles at Carat USA and GroupM’s Mindshare and MEC.
Professionally, Traci is super proud to serve as a leader and team player who has helped clients navigate the complexities of the media marketplace throughout her career. Ensuring a more diverse workforce, mentoring and having a laser focus on learning and professional development are also her passions.
Traci hails from Brooklyn, is the youngest of four sisters, is an aunt, and a wife. She holds a BBA from Baruch College, and an MBA from Cornell University. She can engage for hours enjoying her favorite things including interior design, art, music, and movies.
Kasha Cacy
Global CEO, Big Village
Kasha has more than 25 years of experience spanning media, data and analytics, performance marketing, content and consulting. She currently serves as the Global CEO of Big Village where she oversees the company’s 17 offices across North America, the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific. Powered by technology, driven by insight and fueled by imagination, Engine Group is a market services and technology company built to meet today’s unique needs of marketers, agencies and publishers.
Kasha joined Engine from IPG’s UM, where she served as U.S. CEO. Prior to UM, she held positions at McCann Erickson, Ogilvy, Cheil Communications, Wunderman and Accenture. She is particularly passionate about how science drives art and how data fuels content, creative and business strategy. Her industry accolades include: Adweek Media All-Star, Adweek 50’s “most indispensable executives”, AdAge’s Women to Watch, and She Runs It’s Impact and Working Mother of the Year Awards. In addition to serving on the board of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation, she also serves on the Executive Board of the Ad Council and is a representative on the District 4 Community Education in New York City.
On the weekends, you can find Kasha relaxing at her beach house with her kids.
Susan Credle
FCB Global Chief Creative Officer
Susan Credle is a creative powerhouse with a strong moral compass that drives her quest to infuse the industry with diversity. As the first female chairperson of The One Club for Creativity, Susan champions rising creative talent and advocates for industry inclusion.
Prior to joining FCB, Susan spent twenty-plus years at BBDO and was previously CCO of Leo Burnett USA. Upon arriving at FCB in 2016, she reignited the network by pushing for better work. At Cannes Lions 2020/2021, FCB had its strongest performance and was named Global Network of the Year.
Honors include a spot on Advertising Age’s “100 Most Influential Women” list and Business Insider’s “Most Creative Women in Advertising” list. Susan was also a Matrix Awards honoree and was inducted into the AAF’s Hall of Achievement.
Ed Erhardt
CEO and Founder, Edhardt Media Advisors
Ed is past President of ESPN Global Sales & Marketing. He served this position from May 2015 - December 2018. In his Presidency, having overseen the multimedia sales team for the company since 1999, he added oversight of consumer marketing, research and advertising sales business operations. He was responsible for developing an insights-driven marketing and data organization supporting one of the company’s most important revenue streams: advertising sales.
Erhardt led a sales and marketing team that provided advertisers and marketers access to the premier media and marketing platforms under the ESPN umbrella which includes ESPN’s domestic networks, ESPN on ABC, ESPN.com, ESPN3, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Radio, ESPN International, WatchESPN and ESPN Mobile.
He broke new ground in the media and advertising sales industry by creating the first unified sales organization that represents The Walt Disney Company sports assets across all media platforms. Organized by team and focused on customer needs and media agnostic, it has been widely hailed by competitors and customers as the prototype for the future of media marketing and selling.
Erhardt was responsible for ESPN’s marketing efforts which include the development, direction and implementation of all branding, creative services and marketing for ESPN’s growing media businesses, encompassing television, mobile, print, radio, the Internet, consumer products and all outdoor advertising. This includes the oversight of the company’s award-winning “This is SportsCenter” marketing campaign.
He also oversaw ESPN’s research and analytics group, which serves as a vital link between the company’s strategic planning of new products and services and constantly shifting marketplace dynamics as well as the company’s special event marketing department.
Rebecca Foy
Head of Scaled Excellence, Facebook
Rebecca Foy is the Head of Scaled Excellence within Facebook’s Global Sales Organization where she is responsible for defining and scaling programs that drive growth, productivity and community for 2,000+ people across 30+ markets.
Becca has been working at Facebook for nearly ten years and prior to her current role, she was the Business Lead to Facebook's VP of Global Marketing Solutions Team where she focused on building a thriving global advertising business, elevating customer relationships and leading strategic internal crossfunctional initiatives. This was a natural role for Becca after working directly with some of Facebook’s top clients within the US financial services industry. As an Industry Manager, she managed a sales team responsible for delivering strategic long-term business solutions and exceptional customer service to both advertiser and agency partners. Prior to this role, Becca was instrumental in building some of Facebook's earliest global partnerships within the consumer packaged goods vertical. Prior to joining Facebook, Becca spent a year and half at Yahoo! working in
Account Management.
Within the industry, Becca is an active member of W.O.M.E.N. In America, a leadership organization designed to develop professional women across all industries. Ms. Foy is also a member of the Advertising Women of New York and is working to expand women's leadership initiatives inside and outside of Facebook.
In her spare time, Becca is an avid equestrian and an active volunteer for My SHINE Program, a therapeutic horsemanship program for riders with special needs. She holds a B.S in Business Administration (with a Marketing concentration) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently resides in Manhattan with her husband, Scott.
Raymond Goulbourne
EVP Broadcast Media Sales, BET Networks
Alex Josephson
Twitter Next
Alex Josephson leads Twitter Next - a global team of strategists, technologists and designers - focused on advising Fortune 500 advertisers on brand strategy and marketing techniques. His team's work has been recognized over the years from Cannes Lions to The Clios and has been covered by Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, and more. Prior to joining Twitter in 2012, Alex has held various positions in marketing and communications at Viacom, Vevo, the NBA, and the American Red Cross. Alex was born in Manhattan, where his parents originally met while working as journalists. New York and media have always been a part of his DNA (his father spent the majority of his career working in Radio and PR for non-profits and his wife, Rebecca, has been at HBO since 2010). Alex currently resides in Montclair, NJ with Rebecca and their two children, Reese and Riley.
Jacki Kelley
President and Chief Client Officer; U.S., Dentsu Aegis Network
Jacki Kelley is the President and Chief Client Officer for Dentsu Aegis Network, U.S., and has been a recognized and lauded leader in the advertising and media industries for over 25 years. Kelley is responsible for architecting integrated marketing strategies for clients across all capabilities including creative, media, performance, consumer experience, commerce, CRM and loyalty. Kelley sits on the US Exec and on the Global Senior Leadership Forum at Dentsu.
Prior to Dentsu, Kelley spent five years at Bloomberg, first joining as COO of Bloomberg Media in 2014 and then moving to Bloomberg LP in 2017 after being appointed Deputy Chief Operating Officer. During her time at Blomberg LP, she worked across critical functions including HR, Technology Operations, Workplace Operations, and Philanthropy. Before joining Bloomberg, Kelley was the CEO, North America, and President of Global Clients for IPG Mediabrands as well as Global CEO, Universal McCann. She was also a Vice President, Worldwide Strategy & Solutions, at Yahoo! and worked with USA Today for 18 years, leaving the company as a Senior Vice President.
Jacki serves on the boards of FreshPet and Comic Relief USA and has been honored with the United Way of New York City’s Power of Women to Make a Difference Award. She was named a Matrix Award Honoree by New York Women in Communications; Advertising Woman of the Year by the Advertising Women of New York; a New York Women in Film & Television Muse Award Honoree; and was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement. She has been honored as one of Crain’s New York Business’s 50 Most Powerful Women in New York and Advertising Age’s 100 Most Influential Women in Advertising, as well as number one on Business Insider’s 30 Most Powerful Women in Advertising list.
Bill Koenigsberg
President, CEO, Founder
Horizon Media
Bill Koenigsberg founded Horizon Media in 1989, with strategic leadership and client service as its central tenets, and a firm belief that business is personal. Today, with $8 billion in client investments and more than 2,000 employees, Horizon is the largest privately-held media agency in the world, representing GEICO, Sprint, Capital One, Burger King, A+E Networks, Constellation Brands, STX Entertainment, Turner and LG Electronics to name a few.
Under Koenigsberg’s leadership, Horizon has evolved into world class data-driven marketing organization. Over the past 28 years, Horizon has received numerous honors for creativity, innovation and marketing effectiveness and has been named Media Agency of the Year by Advertising Age, Adweek, Mediaweek and Brandweek. The agency was named Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost and was named one of the world’s most innovative advertising and marketing firms by Fast Company. As testament to Horizon’s commitment to its people and its culture, the agency has appeared on multiple lists as one of the Best places to work across publications such as Advertising Age, Adweek, Los Angeles Business Journal and Crain New York Business. Of particular note, FORTUNE recently named Horizon as one of the best places for women to work in 2016.
Koenigsberg has received numerous industry accolades for his vision and leadership. He was honored on Adweek’s prestigious Power List, named to the 4A’s Advertising 100 list, honored as one of the Giants of Broadcasting and Electronic Arts by the IRTS Foundation, and recognized by Cynopsis as a Luminary, with its “Champion Award” in 2017. He was named to Variety’s Gotham 60: Influential New Yorkers in Entertainment and Media list in 2015. The esteemed list profiles Variety Magazine’s pick of New Yorkers who have made an impact in the past year on the city’s entertainment and media scene. In 2014, he was inducted to the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, which honors pioneers and innovators of the electronic arts. In 2014, Koenigsberg was the first media executive to be named board chair of the 4A’s and is the only person to receive the prestigious Advertising Age Media Maven Award twice. He has also been honored as Media Executive of the Year by Mediaweek and featured as one of its top 50 most influential executives in the industry.
Bill served as the Chairman of the 4A’s Board of Directors from 2014 to 2017, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the 4A’s Board of Directors. He is on the board of the International Radio and Television Society and serves as Chairman of the Media Exposure Committee. The IRTS Foundation named honored him with the “Hall of Mentorship Award,” and The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) and The Power of Urban Radio Alliance honored Koenigsberg for his strong leadership on the industry’s adoption of the 4As Non Discrimination Policy and Complaint Review Process.
Philanthropy plays an important part of his life. He has been awarded the Reisenbach Foundation’s “Distinguished Citizen Award” for his contributions to the organization’s goal of creating a safer New York. He was also honored with The National Kidney Foundation’s “Visionary Leader Award,” and City Harvest’s “the Star of the City Award” for this longstanding commitment and support.
In addition to leading Horizon Media, Koenigsberg is also Chairman of the Board for Local Planet, the largest global network of independent media agencies, of which Horizon was a founding member.
Scott Kushner is the CEO/Executive Producer of MediaPlace, which he founded in 1993.
Prior to starting MediaPlace, Scott was part of the initial development and management team of Point-of-Purchase (POP Radio), rising to Vice President/General Manager. He began his professional life developing long form radio content for syndicators DIR Broadcasting, LBS Communications and The ABC Radio Network.
In addition to overseeing MediaPlace core branded content and location based marketing boutique, Scott manages a content development department that specializes in scripted and unscripted multi-platform television formats, as well as the careers of several professional musical recording artists. Scott holds a BA degree from George Washington University and resides in New York City with his wife Susan and son Max.
Lew Leone
Fox 5/My 9
Lew Leone is the vice president and general manager of WNYW-FOX 5 and WWOR-My9, FOX Television Stations' New York duopoly. Leone has extensive experience in the nation's number one television market. Prior to joining FOX 5 and My9, Leone spent three years at WCBS-TV as the president and general manager and three years as the vice president of sales at WNBC-TV. In 1998 he served as NBC Network's vice president of sports and Olympics sales. In this role he was responsible for sports sales efforts, including new business development and marketing strategies. He was promoted to this position after serving as WNBC's local sales manager for two years.
Leone also served as an account executive for ABC Sports Sales from 1993 to 1996, where he was responsible for sales of the network's sports properties. His professional background includes working as sales manager for Capital Cities/ABC National Television Sales in St. Louis and account executive for both ABC National Sales in Chicago and WABC-TV in New York.
Leone is an active participant in the television industry as well as the local community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Broadcasters Association, the John Reisenbach Foundation, the Broadway Association, PENCIL, the New York City Police Museum and the Westchester Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He serves as a corporate advisory board member for the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families and is a member of the Business Committee for the Metropolitan Museum as well as a member of the Ad Council New York Leadership Committee. Leone is also an advisory board member for the New York chapter of the League of Women Voters, and a member of the Steering Committee for the Association for a Better New York (ABNY). Most recently Leone has begun delivering editorials for Fox 5 focusing on public education. Leone is a graduate of Princeton University with a bachelor's degree in economics.
Lynn Lewis
President, East Coast Region & Global Chief Marketing Officer, UM
As East Coast President, Lewis is charged with building the culture and capabilities of UM’s East Coast offices. She also serves as the head of UM’s Coke Connection Studio, running the iconic brand’s account from the agency’s global headquarters in New York City. The architect of J3, UM's dedicated media unit servicing Johnson & Johnson, she will focus on bringing the J3 model of integrated planning, cross-media investment, the BAE and UM Studios across all accounts.
Lynn also serves as UM's Global Chief Marketing Officer, the driving force behind UM’s brand positioning, helping to build the agency’s vision, and evolve the brand internally and externally. As such, she oversees UM’s strategic branding and awards initiatives globally as well as UM’s corporate philanthropy programs, ensuring the agency’s brand is communicated effectively across all channels and award-worthy client work is recognized within the media industry.
Prior to her current role, Lynn spent several years as the Global Managing Partner of J3, UM’s dedicated Johnson & Johnson media unit. Her leadership at J3 has become an agency and industry model of how integrated communications planning leads to a new level of creativity and effectiveness. She has championed incorporating digital innovations, custom content, rapid fire analytics and retail activation across all Johnson & Johnson brands. Over the years Lynn has led J3 through a significant evolution which has resulted in ground-breaking and creatively-charged media executions including Clean & Clear’s “See the Real Me,” JOHNSON’S BABY “Treasure Everyday Joy” and Rogaine “Grow Your Game.”
Before taking the reins at J3, Lynn served as the Global Managing Partner on Sony at UM. Having spent her first 10 years in the industry at McCann Erickson as Account Director, she worked on such marquee accounts as Coca-Cola, L'Oréal, Gillette, Waterman, Nabisco, Vaseline and Bacardi. Her work has been singled out numerous times, having received many industry awards and recognitions.
Highly regarded throughout the industry, Lynn was named AWNY’s Working Mother of the Year in 2012. In 2013, she was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement. She was also honored with the Jack Avrett Volunteer Spirit Award for her mentoring work, inspirational leadership and commitment to her community. A 2016 Internationalist Agency Innovator, Lynn was most recently named to the 2017 list of Adweek Media All-Stars. Lynn also serves on multiple boards including New York Women In Communications and Makers.
Jon Mandel
In over 30 years at Grey Advertising, Jon not only built MediaCom into one of the largest media agencies (with over 85% of its billings from clients outside of the Grey holding company) but also was instrumental in the creation and development of many now common facets of the media landscape. Creativity and the need to find new and effective marketing avenues for advertisers led the drive to these developments from the first online-only media agency in the early ‘90’s to a broad variety of now everyday opportunities in television, radio, print, and out of home. In recognition of this, Jon has been a three time Ad Age Media Maven and multiple Adweek Media All Star.
Two years after the merger of Grey/MediaCom and WPP, Jon joined the Nielsen Company as CEO of NielsenConnect. This new division was created to develop new products to fit client needs by combining data across Nielsen products.
With this experience in hand, he was the CEO of PrecisionDemand that was a startup enterprise in Seattle that targeted television with the accuracy of online targeting. The success of the methodology drove client’s sales remarkably, from plus 10% to over 70% increases. In May 2014, PrecisionDemand was acquired by AOL to be a part of its attempt at programmatic video.
Jon has long been a participant in industry matters ranging from being the first media agency person to be on the Board of the 4A’s and the first agency person to be Chair of the National Association of Television Programming Executives to frequent testimony and ex parte meetings at the Federal Communications Commission and the US Senate Commerce Committee.
He has, and continues to serve on various company Boards ranging from publicly traded to venture backed media and advertising technology companies.
Jack Myers
Chairman & Media Ecologist: MediaVillage
Jack Myers, is a media ecologist and founder of MediaVillage, the premier thought-leadership and industry communications platform for media, marketing, advertising services, ad-tech, and entertainment companies. Jack has advised hundreds of leading corporations on media, cultural and technology trends, and is founder of AdvancingDiversity.org, WomenAdvancing.org, and 1stFive.org. Jack is author of The Future of Men: Men on Trial; Hooked Up: A New Generation’s Surprising Take on Sex, Politics and Saving the World; Virtual Worlds and Social Media: Rewiring Our Emotional DNA; and Reconnecting with Customers: Building Brands in The Relationship Age. His prescient insights and counsel have made him one of the foremost global experts on the impact of technological advances on culture, society, business, advertising, marketing and human connections. He has been honored with a George Foster Peabody Award and Academy and Emmy Award nominations for Best Documentary Feature. Jack is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, board chairman of the International Radio & Television Society Foundation, a trustee of She Runs It, and a board member of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation and TD Foundation. His TEDWomen Talk on The Future of Men can be viewed at www.futureofmen.com and you can follow him at www.jackmyers.com.
Rhonda Powell
As Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for Buzzfeed, Inc., Rhonda Powell leads a team of professional and administrative staff that supports all areas of the company’s rapidly growing digital media business. In her role,Rhonda provides both strategic and legal guidance to the organization on corporate and commercial transactional matters, compliance, employment and labor relations, risk management and intellectual property use and protection.
Ms. Powell joined Buzzfeed in September 2018 from Complex Networks, where she previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary.
Prior to joining Complex Networks, Ms. Powell held various roles over twelve (12) years with Scripps Networks (now part of Discovery Communications), including Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, managing the team providing negotiation and documentation support to the Digital Content Creation and Digital Advertising Sales teams across all Scripps Networks’ digital properties and network-branded websites. She assumed this role after five years leading the Business Affairs team serving Food Network, one of Scripps most popular and widely-distributed programming networks as well as Scripps’ then newest network, Cooking Channel. Ms. Powell joined Scripps Networks in late 2004 as Director in the Legal Affairs department, where she was responsible for negotiating and drafting agreements on behalf of her clients in the New Media, Business Development and Information Technology units.
Ms. Powell’s legal career began with law firm practice in the corporate departments of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae and Proskauer LLP, where she gained significant experience working on transactions in the insurance, communications, media and entertainment, biotechnology and e-commerce industries. Ms. Powell left Proskauer Rose in 2000 to join the legal department of Reuters America Inc., where she was responsible for managing the company's non-standard transactional agreements and commercial relationships relating to the licensing of content and news, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, procurement and outsourcing, as well as for counseling various operational and client-facing groups on topics ranging from use of open source code to rights management.
Ms. Powell is graduate of Harvard University (magna cum laude w/ summa honors in major) and The University of Michigan School of Law, where she was named a Clarence Darrow Merit Scholar. Ms. Powell serves on the Boards of Directors of Power My Learning, Inc. and Food Education Fund, Inc. and on the Advisory Committee of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. She is a mentor to several young women and men throughout the New York metropolitan area, including high school, college and law school students, as well as juniorlawyers.
Amy Reisenbach
Amy Reisenbach oversees the combined department that supports current programming for both CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios. In her position, Reisenbach oversees creative affairs for all scripted series broadcast on CBS, and for Studio shows produced for other networks and streaming services. Previously, she worked at Warner Bros. Television in the drama development and current departments. Reisenbach graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
She is the sister of John A. Reisenbach.
Jo Ann Ross
President and Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, CBS Corporation
Jo Ann Ross is a broadcast network sales veteran who has served in various sales roles at CBS over the last 25 years. Ross, the first woman to serve as sales chief of a broadcast network and the longest running sales head in broadcast television,was promoted to President and Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, CBS Corporation in August 2017. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the Company’s multiplatform advertising sales effort. Ross previously served as President, Network Sales, CBS Television Network since October 2002, responsible for overseeing all sales for CBS Entertainment, Sports, Daytime, News and Late Night. In addition to her new responsibilities, Ross will continue to run the Network sales team in its many operations. She reports to Leslie Moonves, Chairman and CEO, CBS Corporation.
Before being named president of the sales division, Ross served as Executive Vice President of Sales at CBS (September 1998-2002), responsible for oversight of all sales for CBS’ primetime schedule. She also played a major role in creating new ways to sell Network programming, including reality, scripted, news and late-night genres. She joined CBS in 1992 as Vice President of Olympic Sales, in charge of Network sales for the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994 and the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998.
Prior to joining CBS, Ross was with the ABC Network for three years, where she sold daytime before being named a Prime Account Executive. Before that, Ross worked at the media buying firm Bozell, starting as an assistant buyer and working her way up to Senior Vice President, where she ran the network buying department.
She was inducted into the DTC Hall of Fame in 2015 and Broadcasting & Cable’s Hall of Fame in 2013. For many years running, Ross has been one ofThe Hollywood Reporter’s “100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment,” and she has been selected to the “AdWeek 50” list of the most indispensable executives behind the CEO from marketing, media and tech. Additionally, she was named the Women in Sports and Entertainment “Woman of the Year” in 2005, and in September 2002 she was named one of Advertising Age’s “Media Mavens,” an annual compilation of the industry’s top media stars.
A cancer survivor, Ross has been a longtime supporter of MSKCC’s annual Cycle for Survival. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation and The Ad Council.
Mindy Rubinstein
Director, US PR & Communications, Latham & Watkins
Mindy Rubinstein is a top-level professional communicator adept at helping organizations and their leaders attain communications excellence and effectiveness. She is a trusted C-suite partner who has managed critical business objectives across industries, whether it’s directing a CEO transition, managing a rebranding, developing a corporate social responsibility program or navigating a restructuring. She is skilled at translating and realizing strategic vision through global communication initiatives that engage employees and enhance reputation. A hands-on leader, Mindy thrives on inspiring collaboration by blending and amplifying individual strengths to achieve an objective.
Mindy leads U.S. PR & Communications for Latham & Watkins, the second-largest global law firm. Previously, she managed her own communications consulting firm, served as Chief Communications Officer for Ketchum, a top communications consultancy, and worked at Pfizer (Warner-Lambert) in communications and pharmaceutical sales.
Mindy is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven initiatives and making a difference. She is an accredited brain-based coach from the Neuroleadership Institute, an occasional blogger and a guest speaker at several universities. She volunteers as communications lead and executive committee and board member for the John A. Reisenbach Foundation, an organization seeking to make New York City a better, safer city. Mindy also is a critical friend and advisor to Room to Read.
Charlie Rutman
Managing Partner
Horizon Media
With more than 3 decades of media experience, Charlie Rutman is a media veteran with exceptional skills in media planning, buying, research and client services. Rutman has tangible experience across a breadth of industries including packaged goods, automotive, soft drinks, beer, quick service restaurants, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals and fashion.
Charlie has been recognized by Advertising Age as a Media Maven in 1998 and again in 2001. He was also named a Media All Star by Marketing & Media Decisions in 1988.
Charlie’s opinion is often sought by trade press journalists and industry associates. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences, and involved in committees including the AAAA’s Media Policy Committee, the Audit Bureau of Circulations and the Ad Council TV Committee. Rutman is also a mentor for industry leaders across marketing sectors.
Previous to his current role at Horizon, Charlie was CEO and President of two major media services organizations, MPG North America and Carat USA respectively.
Radina Russell
Radina Russell leads Edelman's Southeast region and is also a senior leader in the company's financial communications practice. She is a recognized strategic communications leader with over 20 years of experience across financial and special situations, corporate and crisis communications, shareholder engagement and impact and ESG strategy. She has a well-established track record leading some of the largest domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions and advising boards and senior executives. Radina also advises on broader communications and media relations efforts, including reputation management, CEO and executive positioning, cyber and crisis, labor relations, corporate social media, litigation, and executive thought leadership.
Radina’s prior experience includes serving on the Executive Committee as well as head of the Atlanta office of Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm. Her previous experience includes serving as co-lead of the Global Shareholder Activism Defense and Capital Markets Advisory practice at Brunswick Group and, head of Corporate, Financial and Consumer Communications for Macy’s Inc. (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Blue Mercury). She [began her financial career] as Vice President, Equity Research at J.P. Morgan covering Broadlines Retail and Food Retail as a sell-side analyst.
In addition to her extensive capital markets work, Radina advises board directors and senior executives on impact and ESG strategy related to sustainability reporting, board oversight, ESG ratings and rankings, and equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives She also counsels founders and newly public company executives through the complex and ever-evolving ESG landscape. In 2020, she established the Board Diversity Action Alliance to increase the number of racially and ethnically diverse directors on corporate boards, beginning with Black directors and partnering with leading public company CEOs and directors including Ursula Burns, former CEO and Chairwoman of Xerox, and Gaby Sulzberger Chair of Teneo's global ESG practice.
She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A from Columbia Business School. She is a co-founder and director of Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc. and serves on the board of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation.
Honors and Recognition
In 2021, Radina Russell was recognized as one of the 25 Influential Black Women in Business by The Network Journal and Morgan Stanley for achieving significant levels of success in her businesses and professional career, and for her myriad contributions to her community.
Arnie Semsky
In 1999, Arnie Semsky created his own strategic marketing and media consultancy. He previously served, for twenty years, as Executive Vice-President, Worldwide Media Director and Board Member of the BBDO Worldwide unit of the Omnicom Group. Prior to that he was VP, National TV for Grey Advertising.
Mr. Semsky was a senior advisor for ESPN and the ESPN/ABC Sports Customer Marketing and Sales unit from 1999 to 2009. He also served on the Board of Directors of 24/7 Real Media from the time it went public to its sale to WPP. He was a founding member of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation for a Better and Safer New York.
Arnie joined BBDO New York in 1979 as Vice President and Associate Director of Network Programming, becoming Senior Vice President and Media Director the same year. He was elected Executive Vice President in 1982. Four years later he was promoted to Director of Media and Programming Services of BBDO Worldwide. In 1991, he was elected to the BBDO Worldwide Board of Directors.
Arnie’s passion has always been for the big idea - the strategic media solution that “has never been done before”. He is credited with such visionary moves as recommending to Pepsi that they become a charter advertiser on MTV, creating in 1981, a wave of industry involvement in the new medium of cable television. In 1986, Arnie convinced Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. to accept a Gillette TV buy that encompassed Australia’s Channel 10, the pan European Sky Channel and the upstart Fox Broadcasting Co. in the US. This was the world’s first global TV buy. In 1989, Arnie helped create The Media Partnership (TMP), the first joint venture between four competing agency networks for the purpose of media buying in Europe. His innovative plan for PentaCom, a dedicated full service media planning and buying resource for Chrysler, has since become the model for the way many major advertisers have consolidated their media efforts. He also created the BBDO Techsetter Hotline, making BBDO the first of the major ad agencies to have a website. The hotline has been used to collect information on the attitudes, opinion and purchasing habits of the early adopters of technology.
Arnie Semsky has, in addition to the big ideas he is known for, many other accomplishments that have left their mark on the advertising industry. Shortly after becoming NY Media Director, Arnie re-engineered the functionality of the media process by creating, for many clients, media generalists who had overall client media responsibility, eliminating the common split between planning and buying. Specialists in areas like program development, special markets, non-traditional media and new technologies support these generalists. This concept enables agencies to provide clients with a full range of media resources, from strategy to implementation, led by a senior media strategist who works closely with the agency’s account and creative teams.
In the early 1980’s Arnie resurrected the GE Theater, giving GE full control of two-hour blocks of primetime television in which to showcase the diversity of GE and the “We Bring Good Things to Life” campaign. For his work with Pepsi on MTV’s Rock the Vote, Arnie won the broadcasting industry’s prestigious Peabody award. In 1992, BBDO awarded him the agency’s highest honor - the Dillon Award, bestowed annually on the staff member who best exemplifies the qualities of former Chairman Tom Dillon.
Arnie Semsky is a member of numerous professional organizations and has received many industry honors. He served on the 4A’s Media Policy Council, and as the chairman of the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Media Directors Advisory Council and was on the Board of Directors of the Audit Bureau of Circulation for seven years.
Arnie currently works with UCLA’s Anderson School on a variety of projects with their MBA students and is involved with the mentor program of the Hollywood Radio and TV Society.
Jodi Senese
Jodi Senese has served as OUTFRONT Media’s Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer since April 2013, and oversees all aspects of marketing, including research, advertising and creative services, as well as the development of new business strategies.
From 2001 to 2013, Jodi served as Executive Vice President, Marketing at OUTFRONT Media. Previously, she served as Executive Vice President, Marketing at TDI Worldwide Inc. (which was later acquired by OUTFRONT Media) from 1990 to 2001. Before that, she served as Vice President, Marketing at Gannett Outdoor (which was later acquired by OUTFRONT Media) from 1988 to 1990. Jodi began her career in sales at New York Subways Advertising Company (which was later acquired by OUTFRONT Media) in 1981.
She served as Chairwoman of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Marketing Committee from 2009 through 2013 and currently serves on the board of directors of Geopath, Inc. Jodi currently lives in Katonah, NY with her husband and has two children.
Jon Steinlauf
Jon Steinlauf is Chief US Advertising Sales Officer for Discovery Inc. In this role he manages all ad sales for Discovery's 17 TV networks and for all of its digital properties. He is also responsible for the company's ad sales research and marketing, branded entertainment, pricing and planning, and inventory control.
Prior to joining Discovery, Steinlauf was President, Advertising Sales and Marketing at Scripps Networks. During his 18 years there, he successfully branded the company's cable networks with advertisers. The company became known for having the most upscale and engaged viewers in all of cable.
He was also instrumental in the creation and monetization of integrated marketing strategies that delivered both incremental revenues for Scripps and additional value for its advertisers. Scripps' ad sales and marketing teams historically ranked at the top of the industry’s Beta Research Ad Executive Study for overall service, multi-platform ad opportunities and upfront presentations.
Steinlauf served as Vice President of Ad Sales for Turner Broadcasting’s TBS and TNT networks (1992-2000) and as Director of Ad Sales at ESPN (1985-89). He began his career as a media buyer at Young & Rubicam.
Steinlauf has been named five times to Adweek’s “Adweek 50,” an honor that publication bestows on the top business leaders in advertising and media, as well as being named four times to Cablefax’s “Cablefax 100,” saluting the most influential executives and power players in television. In 2013, Broadcasting and Cable honored Steinlauf in its’ cover story on the media industry's "next wave of leaders.” He also earned the National Television Ad Sales Executive of the Year Award given by the Myers Report in 2007. He is a frequent panelist at industry conferences on topics such as branded entertainment, and the future of multiplatform advertising and consumer viewing habits.
Steinlauf is a graduate of Duke University. He and his wife Joanne and their daughter Sloan reside in New York City.
Tara Walpert Levy
Vice President of Agency and Media Solutions
Tara Walpert Levy leads the Americas Agency Solutions team at Google and YouTube. She is also responsible for Google's brand specialist sales teams, from Sponsorships & Upfront Deals to Creative Services to Multicultural Solutions. Before this, Tara led Google’s Global Ads Product Marketing teams for YouTube and Doubleclick.
Prior to Google, Tara was the President of Visible World (now owned by Comcast), building the company into the leading targeted TV advertising platform. She also spent five years at McKinsey & Company, where she was a leader of the Global Media & Entertainment and Sales & Marketing groups.
Tara writes and speaks frequently on the shifting advertising landscape and is the Chair of the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement, which she was inducted into in 2013. She has been named one of Fast Company's “Most Creative People in Business”, an AdAge "Woman to Watch" and one of Crain’s “40 Under 40” in NYC.
Tara has been a Director and member of the Audit Committee of Bloomin' Brands, Inc. since 2013. She is also a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Ad Council and serves on the Global Advisory Board for Wharton's Future of Advertising Program.
Kacey Koeppel
Kacey is a Strategic Events Consultant with over 18 years of events and marketing experience. Her expertise lies in strategically planning and executing innovative experiential marketing events that have succeeded in creating a relationship with the audience, while also significantly growing revenue.
Charlotte Lipman
As Senior Manager of Business Intelligence for Xandr, Charlotte Lipman manages primary research efforts, covering analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. Her focus is on contextualizing consumer and market insights to help our teams and clients navigate today’s dynamic advertising ecosystem. Prior to Xandr, Charlotte served as Research Director for MediaVillage where she oversaw market intelligence and analysis. She began her career at the advanced TV advertising firm, BrightLine. Charlotte graduated Summa Cum Laude from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. In addition to co-chairing the JAR Trailblazers Council, she serves on the Advertising Research Foundation's Young Pros Advisory Board.
Danielle Nemeth
As a Senior Associate at Montieth & Company, Dani consults financial services clients across asset management, investment solutions, private equity, public markets and emerging technologies. She advises on corporate communications, media relations and financial communications, relying on her passion for language strategy to meet the unique needs of global clients expanding into new media markets. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University’s Linguistics Department and recently completed a certificate in Diversity & Inclusion at Cornell University. Dani leads no-cost media trainings for diverse organization leaders to increase representation in media.
Kimberley Marumahoko
Kimberley Marumahoko is a Marketing Officer of Audience Development and Engagement. In this role, Kimberley engages audiences, helps acquire new prospects in support of org-wide priorities, and provides insights to stakeholders to help inform strategies. Kimberley is also at the helm of The Foundation’s social media channels, where she works to prime constituents and leverage robust content streams to help meet goals.
Prior to joining the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Kimberley worked in digital and content marketing developing brand and content strategies in various industries including financial services, education and food and beverage. She also has previous marketing experience in health and fitness. Kimberley graduated from Hult International Business School with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Masters in International Business. Kimberley enjoys baking and reading African literature.
Toni Lupo
As an attorney at Greenberg Traurig, LLP in the Media & Entertainment Practice, Toni L. Lupo provides transactional counsel to content providers and other rights holders in connection with various aspects of development, production, distribution, promotion and exploitation of content and other matters including, but not limited to, television distribution and retransmission consent, streaming platforms and FAST channels, content licensing, mergers and acquisitions, video and mobile game development, esports, merchandising, corporate governance and government affairs.
Toni brings to the JAR Trailblazer Council, her passion for engaging in activities that serve to advance community and civic interests and support diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion.
Max Kushner
Assistant Strategist, Business Solutions at Horizon Next
Nicole Koskovolis
Nicole is a Senior Account Manager at Snapchat, where she partners with beauty brands to create innovative media strategies. Previous to Snapchat, Nicole worked at Horizon Media as a programmatic buyer within the agency’s programmatic trading desk, HX. Nicole studied Marketing and International Business at Georgetown University. Nicole joined the Trailblazer Council in December 2021.
Blake Babbitt
Blake Babbitt is the founder of 383 Productions, an independent film production company headquartered in New York City. A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Blake is also the Director of Outreach for the AMDA College of the Performing Arts. Blake’s directorial credits include Ever Forward an episodic docuseries about NYC restaurants though the pandemic, I Heart Jenny, a feature length documentary that chronicles a vibrant woman battling ovarian cancer - awarded best Documentary at the 2019 Green Bay Film Festival, and Sunday 1287 a narrative film based on a true story about domestic violence in NYC. In his New York directorial debut Blake was awarded Best Director for his direction of playwright Josh Billig’s Benefit of Friends at the American Globe Theatre.
Michelle Aragon,SVP Business Solutions, MAGNA Global
Michelle is an influential global brand marketer who brings well-rounded experience in the areas of strategic direction, business development, operations and marketing to each project she leads. Her current focus is on building the MAGNA brand and business, where her versatility has helped to increase brand value and maximize profitability. She has held executive management roles at IPG’s MRM//McCann and one of the world’s largest beverage companies, Constellation Brands. Michelle has a passion for making a difference in the industry and community, serving as She Runs It Executive Achievement Committee Co-Chair, John A. Reisenbach Foundation Board of Trustees, Friends of Mount Sinai Board of Directors, and Step Up New York Chapter Board Member.
Martin Bryan
SVP, Group Partner, Head of US Strategy for UM J3
Rachel Brenner
Rachel Brenner serves as a senior member of the content strategy team for Investigation Discovery – primarily creating and conceptualizing series, specials, stunts, requests for proposals and other programming initiatives in the genres of true-crime, mysteries, and investigations. Since joining ID in 2013, Brenner has been responsible for developing successful projects with unique, exclusive access such as DEAD NORTH, MURDER IN THE BAYOU & VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED. Brenner has also developed many new & returning series such as BETRAYED, GRAVE MYSTERIES, and numerous yet-to-be announced ID series. Her efforts in greenlighting significant projects have led ID to be the #1 network for Women 25-54 in Total Day, 2019 to-date.
Brenner joined Discovery in 2012 as a member of the development team where she supervised the Military Channel’s acquisition and original content pipelines. In 2014, she supported the successful rebrand of Military Channel to American Heroes Channel, which led to AHC’s best year ever in prime and total day, and in 2016, was named one of Cablefax’s Overachievers Under 30 for 2016. Most recently, in 2018, in addition to joining the TRVL Channel team to develop new paranormal shows, Brenner standardized the greenlight process for Discovery Inc. globally & directed the creation and implementation of that process for Travel Channel to provide prompt feedback and good customer service to their production partners.
Prior to Discovery, Brenner was employed by the NBC Page Program in New York, where she worked in production, as a PA for The Suze Orman Show & SportsBiz: Game On, and talent management for CNBC. Brenner is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Lauren Busch, Global Marketing at BlackRock
Over the course of her career, Lauren has been fortunate enough to witness many of the transformations affecting the media industry first-hand. Because of her unique ability to recognize value and opportunity amidst major change, she has enjoyed success across brand-building, marketing, and media.
Upon graduating from Duke University, Lauren moved back to New York and began working at Zenith, a part of Publicis Media. This role ignited an interest in cross-channel marketing that led her to Audience Marketing at Penske Media Corporation. There, she leveraged her knowledge of integrated planning to drive subscription growth for such storied brands as WWD and Variety. She was able to navigate the challenges of managing an ever-changing business, while also spearheading strategic development initiatives and technological investments designed to directly impact the bottom line.
Lauren transitioned to the Global Marketing group at BlackRock at an opportune time, as the world’s largest asset manager is redefining how it thinks about marketing. Her extensive marketing and media background has made her uniquely qualified to contribute to that firm-wide shift.
Lauren grew up on Long Island, and New York City has always been “the city” to her. In addition to her work on the DukeNY board, she is deeply committed to the John A. Reisenbach Foundation for a better and safer New York, and co-chairs the JAR Trailblazer Council.
Kacey Koeppel
Kacey is a Strategic Events Consultant with over 18 years of events and marketing experience. Her expertise lies in strategically planning and executing innovative experiential marketing events that have succeeded in creating a relationship with the audience, while also significantly growing revenue.
Leah Frankel-Bonacci
Independent Consultant
Monique Gaynor
Monique Gaynor has multifaceted communications expertise in corporate philanthropy, corporate communications, higher education and international relations. She has held cross-functional roles at policy think tanks, public relations firms, advocacy organizations and private-sector corporations where she developed long-term strategies to accelerate organizational growth. She currently works at Finsbury Glover's Hering's New York office where she works on high-profile communications projects on behalf of local organizations and Fortune 500 companies.
Charlotte Lipman
As Senior Manager of Business Intelligence for Xandr, Charlotte Lipman manages primary research efforts, covering analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. Her focus is on contextualizing consumer and market insights to help our teams and clients navigate today’s dynamic advertising ecosystem. Prior to Xandr, Charlotte served as Research Director for MediaVillage where she oversaw market intelligence and analysis. She began her career at the advanced TV advertising firm, BrightLine. Charlotte graduated Summa Cum Laude from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. In addition to co-chairing the JAR Trailblazers Council, she serves on the Advertising Research Foundation's Young Pros Advisory Board.
Nia PierreLouis
Nia PierreLouis was born and raised in the NYC area. She left for four quick years to North Carolina where she received her BA from Wake Forest University. Subsequent to Wake Forest, Nia landed her first job at Universal McCann where she would discover her true passion for media and advertising. Nia currently works at Amobee, a leading marketing technology company where she is currently responsible for providing business leadership and account oversight across key strategic accounts to help develop and grow client partnerships.
Outside of Nia's love for ads, she loves New York City even more, with its extensive culture, and wide range of things to do and see there is no place she would rather live. Joining the Trailblazer Committee was an easy decision for Nia as New York City as she loves to give back to the city that has given her so much in return. She is very excited to be part of such a great group of individuals who are looking to create positive change in NY, and can't wait to see all the amazing things this organization will accomplish in the years to come.
Michael Sandor, Senior Field Sales Executive
Mike is a proven sales leader and experienced digital media executive. He has over 10 years’experience working in agency and sales roles in NYC. Today, Mike is a Senior Field Sales Executive at Quantcast. Mike works with agencies and clients to deliver digital advertising campaigns that drive bottom line performance. Beyond the day to day, Mike focuses on building team culture that inspires creativity and innovation. Mike lives in New Jersey with his wife Jill and son Robert.
NAOMI RYAN, PRESIDENT, joined the Reisenbach Foundation in 2015. She discovered her passion for the nonprofit sector when, as a recent college graduate, she worked at the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) in Charlottesville, Virginia. Subsequently, Naomi expanded the grants program at Children, Incorporated, and, as the grants officer for the Blue Moon Fund, she collaborated with grantees running environmental and economic development projects in Asia, Latin America, and the United States. She holds a BA in classics and mathematics from Skidmore and an MPA from Harvard.
SHAQUANA LEE
A native Brooklynite, Shaquana Lee has been passionate about urban issues since her adolescence. Shaquana attended Hofstra University, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Sociology. After this, she began her career in the nonprofit sector as the Program and Development Assistant at JAR. Shaquana continued her education at CUNY Baruch Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, where she obtained her Masters in Public Administration, with a concentration in Nonprofit Management.
Shaquana’s love of fundraising has allowed her to have a long career in the nonprofit sector. She specializes in institutional giving and event management, but is also an ambitious individual gifts officer.
Shaquana still lives in Brooklyn with her family. When she is not working she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
KORENET BROWN, PROGRAM OFFICER, is dedicated to serving the needs of others in her community. She lived and taught internationally before residing in New York City. She joined JAR in 2018 and before that, worked for four years in New York City based nonprofits. She has held volunteer management positions within both the largest school-based after school program provider in the NYC metropolitan area and the largest social and human services provider in New York state. At both nonprofits, she stewarded relationships of individuals, community, and corporate partners. She streamlined internal processes, increased volunteer recruitment and retention, and created new volunteer programming to better serve the needs of clients. Korenet earned her Master of Public Administration from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College and her BA in International Studies at Virginia Tech.
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