PRSA Corporate Communications Impact ’24 Summit:
Sharpening Skills for Communications Leadership

Errol Cockfield is a global crisis management expert and C-Suite advisor with deep experience across public affairs, media and societal issues. He has counseled the leaders of top corporations to help protect their reputations and advance brand goals at key moments of change. ​

Errol is the head of Weber Shandwick’s North America Crisis and Issues team. He has extensive experience in litigation support, brand safety, supply chain and regulatory affairs across various sectors including food and beverage, personal care and apparel. ​​

Prior to Weber Shandwick, Errol led retained accounts in leadership roles at Brunswick Group and Edelman - two of the world’s largest critical issues agencies. He specializes in designing issues campaigns to impact stakeholder sentiment, managing proactive and defensive media relations, and running tabletop exercises for C-suite teams. He is also a media trainer and executive coach. ​​

A journalist by training, Errol has deep knowledge of the changing media landscape. In addition to his consulting experience, he helped lead communications at NBC News. He was principally in charge of external relations for MSNBC as the news division evolved to a multi-platform digital destination. ​​

Earlier in his career, Errol served as press secretary to two New York governors and was chief of staff to the majority leader of the NY State Senate. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University and serves on several nonprofit boards.

Caroline Welch is a Vice President on the Corporate Issues team at Weber Shandwick, focusing on brand reputation, issues and crisis. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies and boutique brands across a variety of industries on crisis communications preparedness, response and mitigation, along with brand safety work.​

At Weber Shandwick, she has primarily focused on maintaining consumer brand safety for global CPG and food & beverage companies, cybersecurity preparedness and crisis playbook development. She leads the team’s Firebell crisis simulation platform, implementing dynamic trainings for companies’ global and regional crisis response teams, including C-Suite representatives, that test all aspects of crisis communications response. She has navigated major societal challenges along with clients to create values-based frameworks support corporate response to developing national and international current events, balancing business and stakeholder priorities. ​​

In her work, Caroline has also supported on business change initiatives, new product launches, mis- and dis-information response, operational incidents, litigation, disaster relief and major event planning among other topics. ​

Prior to joining Weber Shandwick in 2021, Caroline worked several years in healthcare communications at dna Communications (an IPG company), where she helped plan and execute an award-winning consumer health campaign, integrated media segments and data and regulatory announcements. ​​

Caroline is passionate about the importance of strategic communications to earn the trust of company’s stakeholders and to help organizations succeed in their business objectives and corporate mission.​​

Caroline holds a BA in political science from Georgetown University.​

Gap Analysis Panel

Ted Birkhahn
Managing Director
Vested

Ted’s approach to strategic marketing and communications integrates data, content, and technology to enable companies to respond to shifts in the market with speed and purpose. His 25+ years in brand communications, issues management, and digital marketing run deep, counseling clients such as AIG, Chubb, EY, Marsh and McKinsey.

Before Vested, Ted was President of Peppercomm, a leading PR firm, and was a founding partner of Hot Paper Lantern, an integrated marketing firm, where he spent five years developing campaigns for global financial, technology and industrial brands.

Before agency life, Ted was a journalist covering breaking news and politics in NYC and served as Press Secretary for the NYC Department of Buildings. He is also the recipient of numerous awards, including PR News’ 15 to Watch and PR Week’s 40 Under 40.

Leslie Wojcik
Head of Global Communications
SEI

Michael A. Jacobsen, APR
Sr. Director, Corporate Communications
Diebold Nixdorf

Mike Jacobsen is senior director of corporate communications at Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE:DBD), a global leader in banking and retail technology and services. He is responsible for managing and executing the company’s corporate and industry-related public relations functions, including reputation management, crisis communication, executive and financial communications, and community engagement.

Jacobsen has worked at Diebold / Diebold Nixdorf in various marketing communications, public relations and internal communications capacities since 1994. Prior to joining the company, Jacobsen was a freelance communications specialist. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and is an Accredited Public Relations professional.

Todd Blecher
Independent Practitioner
Immediate Past Chair
Corporate Communications Section

Todd Blecher is a seasoned Fortune 100 communications leader who drives results through integrated campaigns promoting and protecting an organization's reputation. Recently he led external and internal communications for Thermo Fisher Scientific's multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical services business, achieving higher share-of-voice than competitors and expanding leadership positioning through a robust LinkedIn strategy. Prior to that he was lead media spokesperson for Boeing's defense and space unit, a more than $20 billion organization serving the U.S. and other militaries along with NASA, as well as spokesperson for corporate activities including quarterly earnings and executive compensation. More details about his expertise can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/toddblecher.  

Eugene Colter
Head of Corporate Communications, MSCI

As a communications executive with deep expertise in creating strategic messaging for Fortune 500 companies, Eugene leverages an in-depth understanding of global markets, media, and consumers to drive bottom-line business results.

Eugene is Head of Corporate Communications at MSCI, a $45 billion firm providing critical resources and services for the global investment community and capital markets, including indexes, ratings, portfolio analytics and construction tools, and climate products.

Previously, as Chief Communications Officer at TIAA, Eugene created and led enterprise-wide marketing, messaging, and positioning strategies that enabled profitable growth in the face of increased market competition and regulatory scrutiny. Overseeing all internal and external communications and a team of 60+ professionals, he was an influential advisor to executive leadership on corporate operations, risk governance, and crisis management.

Eugene was also the Global Head of Communications and Marketing Strategy for Nuveen, TIAA’s global asset manager ($1.2T AUM), where he collaborated with the leadership team to successfully reposition the brand from a municipal bond manager to one of the most well-known and diverse asset management firms in the country.

In earlier roles, Eugene led strategic messaging and content creation at BlackRock and Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO), helping these elite organizations establish and structure innovative thought leadership programs that enhanced brand reputation and fueled growth in new markets. Before becoming an in-house communications leader, Eugene sharpened his expertise by serving a variety of multinational clients as a Senior Editorial Director and Client Counselor at Peppercomm, a New York-based, independent communications firm.

Eugene spent the first 15 years of his career as a journalist working for business media leaders, including The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. Throughout his tenure, he covered economic news, foreign exchange, US credit and futures markets, as well as corporate news in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Building this strong foundational knowledge in international business served him well when he later pivoted to corporate communications in the financial services industry.

Prioritizing hard work and collaboration, Eugene is a player-coach who leads by example. He values diversity of thought and the open exchange of ideas, deepening cross-functional synergies and instilling a broader business perspective at all organizational levels.

Elric Martinez
founder
EJM Consulting

Mr. Martinez is the founder of EJM Investor Relations. He has over 24 years of experience in investor relations, financial and ESG communications. He has previously worked as assistant vice president of investor relations at Lippert Heilshorn. 

He headed both investor relations and financial communications for Legrand Hart. Additionally, he has held senior positions at The Dilenschneider Group and Morgen-Walke Associates. Mr. Martinez teaches an investor relations class at Baruch College and is an advocate for social equality within the investor relations and financial communications industry. He holds a BA in Business Journalism from Baruch College and a Masters Degree in Investor Relations from Fordham University

Moderator:
Marian Daniells
Director, Vested

Marian works with firms to extract and share impactful stories, and to counsel seismic business shifts that will position financial firms as thought leaders in the future. Passionate about the important role communications can play during times of transition, she’s consulted on Net Zero commitments and climate plans, managed brand transitions and corporate reputation programs, supported firm’s diversity and talent programs, and launched podcasts to boost culture in a remote environment.

Prior to joining Vested, she worked at two other financial agencies, and she is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional. Marian was a 2018 finalist for PR News’ Marketer of the Year, a 2020 PR News Rising Star, and an inaugural 2022 fellow for the Climatebase Fellowship.

Alyssa Gilmore
Global Head of Communications
Bloomberg Financial Products

Alyssa Gilmore is the Global Head of Communications for Bloomberg Financial Products. She leads an international team that promotes the company's brand and achievements through advances in media relations, content creation, customer advocacy and third-party influence. Previously, she developed and led global analyst relations, instituting innovative advocacy and advisory practices for the company's financial information and technology division.

Prior to joining Bloomberg in 2014, Alyssa held management positions in marketing and communications at SunGard Financial Systems, where she also created SunGard’s global analyst relations division. Since entering the Financial Technology sector with Thomson Financial in 1996, she has led strategic initiatives in front and back office solutions, risk management and corporate banking.

Alyssa is a recognized writer, speaker and commentator on the evolution of the communications profession and financial and fintech industries.

Gregg Feistman
M.A., Assistant Chair for Public Relations and Professor of Practice
Temple University
Co-author
Raising Social Capital: A Roadmap for Effective Corporate Advocacy and Impact Strategies in the Era of Social Change

Gregg Feistman, M.A. is the Assistant Chair for Public Relations and Professor of Practice at Temple University. His teaching and research interests include the use of emerging technology in public relations education, and corporate social advocacy and activism, and is the co-author of the forthcoming book, Raising Social Capital: A Roadmap for Effective Corporate Advocacy and Impact Strategies in the Era of Social Change. He has been widely quoted in numerous consumer, business, and PR trade media, and is the Faculty Advisor to Temple’s nationally award-winning PRSA chapter and nationally-affiliated student-run PR firm.  

Heather LaMarre, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair, Communication and Social Influence
Temple University’s Lew Klein College of Media and Communication
co-author of Raising Social Capital

Heather LaMarre, Ph.D. is a social and behavioral scientist, professor, author, speaker, and executive advisor with experience that spans management, public affairs, government relations, communication, and social change. Dr. LaMarre co-authored Raising Social Capital: Corporate Social Advocacy and Impact in the Time of Social Change.  

Dr. LaMarre is a tenured senior professor of communication and social influence in the Klein College of Media and Communication, Temple University, as well as a senior fellow in the Public Policy Lab. Professor LaMarre is also a Fulbright Specialist and a board member for the Social Entrepreneurship Academy in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute. 

Dr. LaMarre regularly partners with purpose-driven organizations to create solutions-based communication and management strategies addressing social issues and leadership policy. She trains C-Suite leaders and board members on corporate social advocacy and social impact, speaking regularly on topics ranging from sustainability and climate to corporate advocacy and public affairs. Most recently, Dr. LaMarre presented the keynote at the 2024 Future of Climate Summit in New York where she spoke about the importance of including women in the green energy transition and AI for climate solutions.  

As a communication and social change expert and media psychologist with over 50 peer reviewed publications, Dr. LaMarre’s work spans political, science, and policy communication and leadership. Professor LaMarre’s work has been featured on a variety of national and international media including National Public Radio, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC, The Colbert Report, Winnipeg Free Press, The Guardian, The Conversation, Bloomberg News, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Time Magazine, Huffington Post, LA Times, Rolling Stone, Sky News, and The Atlantic Monthly among others. 

Dr. LaMarre has a strong commitment to public service and has held multiple appointed and elected position in local government. Dr. LaMarre previously worked in Government Relations Directors in a Fortune 500 Insurance company. 

Natan Edelsburg
Chief Partnerships Officer, Muck Rack   

Natan Edelsburg is the Chief Partnerships Officer at Muck Rack, the software platform that enables thousands of organizations including Google, International Rescue Committee, Golin and Duolingo to find the right journalists to pitch, report on media coverage and prove the value of their work. In this role, Natan is responsible for leading and cultivating strategic industry partnerships and driving international expansion. Previously, Natan was Chief Revenue Officer at Muck Rack, where he led the Sales and Customer Success teams. He joined Muck Rack in 2009 as the company’s first employee and held several positions including Chief Operating Officer, helping to build the business to what it is today. Natan is a member of the Board of Trustees for the PRSA Foundation. He is a frequent speaker on social media, PR, journalism and the future of TV. He’s been honored as one of PR News’ Rising Stars and one of PRSA’s 15 Under 35.   

Natan’s a frequent speaker on social media, PR, journalism and the future of TV. He’s moderated panels or given presentations at SXSW, PRWeek, Social Media Week, Collision, Web Summit, Digital Hollywood, PRSA, Ragan’s and Cannes Lions You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @natanedelsburg. 

Brian Buchwald is a creative, high-energy leader with a strong background in business intelligence, data analytics, large-scale global operations and accelerating joint ventures within B2B and consumer markets.

Brian leads Edelman’s global product, data and AI strategy, where he drives the firm’s AI strategic planning, core capability and product development and agency enablement to deliver best-in-class AI solutions. He oversees Edelman’s team of data scientists, engineers and product developers in the creation of Trust Stream, the world's first AI-powered trust intelligence platform.

Brian joined Edelman from Talkwalker Inc., a strategic Edelman partner ranked as a leader in Forrester’s current AI Enabled Consumer Intelligence Wave and Gartner’s Social Analytics Magic Quadrant. There, he served as the Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer, evolving the company into a leading multi-channel consumer intelligence business.  

Prior to Talkwalker, Brian was President of Global Intelligence and part of the executive leadership team at Weber Shandwick and was the cofounder and CEO of BOMODA, a market-leading big data business intelligence provider based in New York and Shanghai offering unparalleled access and understanding of China’s constantly evolving consumer marketplace. Previously, Brian held various positions in media and ad-tech. He was a co-founder of Hulu and a senior executive at NBC Universal and DoubleClick.

Brian’s expertise has been quoted in publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and Business Insider, among many others. He has served as a frequent guest on CNBC and Bloomberg News to discuss the intersection of AI and consumer understanding.

Tom Campbell is the Senior Vice President of AI Product Strategy & Consulting at Edelman. With a robust background in global intelligence and data analytics, Tom has a proven track record of building AI- powered products and solutions to enable communications teams in delivering for Fortune 500 clients.

Bringing years of experience applying natural language processing and deep learning algorithms to evaluate brand performance, assess corporate reputation, and inform marketing campaigns, Tom now leads Edelman's internal consulting efforts to integrate AI tools and solutions across the global network.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, majoring in International Politics from Georgetown University.

Allan Schoenberg
CCO
Vinson & Elkins

Allan Schoenberg is the chief communications officer at Vinson & Elkins, leading a dynamic team responsible for the firm’s comprehensive public relations efforts, encompassing brand services, media relations, internal communications, rankings, and digital media. His team employs a multi-channel strategy to elevate the firm’s brand and reputation through storytelling and thought leadership. Allan brings extensive experience in business-to-business communications, having held senior roles at Nasdaq, CME Group, Bloomberg LP, and Accenture.

In his role, Allan is dedicated to fostering a strong organizational culture, enhancing brand identity, and managing the firm’s reputation. He excels in developing and implementing strategic communication plans that align with business goals and ensuring consistent messaging. Allan’s expertise includes issues management, thought leadership, and using data-driven insights to shape communication strategies.

Under Allan’s leadership, the communications team has been pivotal in supporting the firm’s growth and maintaining its competitive position in the market. His innovative approach to communications has helped build a resilient and influential brand, positioning the firm as a leader in the legal industry.

James Shackelford, APR
Vice President, Head of Global Communications, Brand & Celebrity Talent
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research

Tricia Taylor
Vice President
Corporate Communications and Change Management
Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services

As Vice President, Corporate Communications & Change Management, Tricia is responsible for leading strategic planning, development, implementation, and measurement of all corporate communications programs for Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services Company. She supports the change management and communications elements of strategic, organizational transformation projects based upon business priorities. Additionally, Tricia’s position provides executive assistant support to the Office of the President. Since joining the company, she has held leadership roles of increasing responsibility including that of Director and Senior Director.

Early in her career with the Coca-Cola system, Tricia served as Senior Manager, Communications and Change Management with Coca-Cola Bottling Investments Group (BIG), The Coca-Cola Company. Her responsibilities included strategically leading the continued improvement of BIG IT and Coca-Cola Refreshments (CCR) IT internal communications as well as supporting change management initiatives for projects from a messaging perspective. Tricia also provided communications management for the Office of the President, BIG and Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit (NAOU) IT. She joined The Coca-Cola Company in 2014, working in the areas of corporate communications, change management and information technology communications.

Tricia has more than 20 years of progressive experience in strategic communications management coupled with deep consumer products goods industry knowledge. Prior to joining the Coca-Cola System 10 years ago, Tricia held roles which steadily escalated in responsibility with Graphic Packaging International and Allegis Group. She had internal and external communications responsibilities with both organizations.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Tricia finds great joy and warmth in nestling away precious moments with those she holds dear. Her heart dances at the thought of globetrotting adventures, getting lost within the pages of a riveting book, and indulging in the thrilling roller coaster that is politics.

Jess Xu
Associate Strategy Director, Integrated Strategy
GenZ Lab Ambassador
New York

Jess is a part of Edelman’s integrated strategy team, developing strategies for clients across both Brand & Corporate sectors, ranging from tech to CPG to financial services. Throughout her 2.5 years at Edelman, she has implemented purpose platforms, creative campaigns, thought leadership reports, social media strategies and more.

She also serves as a NY Ambassador for the Edelman Gen ZLab, where she often participates in a variety of focus groups, panels and campaigns that are looking to understand and reach Gen Z in an authentic way.

A graduate of the University of Chicago where she majored in psychology and minored in visual arts, Jess is always looking to combine her human behavior expertise and creativity into the work that she does.