Steven Beasley is Director of Digital Media at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. Steven is responsible for driving the Museum’s digital strategy forward, extending and expanding the “in-building” museum experience (digitally) beyond the walls of the institution. Prior to the Museum, he spent nearly a decade in managing and creating digital entertainment, games, [...]

Female Factor springs from the extensive research of CEO Bridget Brennan, a pioneer in marketing and selling to women. She is the author of the acclaimed book Why She Buys: The New Strategy for Reaching the World’s Most Powerful Consumers (Crown Business, 2009), and one of the world’s most popular speakers on this subject. Her book [...]

Jeff Cole is a recent transplant to Western Michigan, relocating from the suburbs of Chicago to work for Kellogg as their Senior Manager of Global Social Media Operations. In his current role, Jeff helps provide guidance, insights, direction and best practices for Kellogg’s social media practice. He helps internal and external partners with process and protocol [...]

Amy Colton is an executive vice president  for Current Lifestyle Marketing’s Chicago office. A seasoned marketing professional and mother of three, Amy Colton knows what it takes to get into mom’s mindset and effectively influence her purchase decision. Her expertise lies in digging into the everyday life of the average busy mom to help her [...]

“Extreme Passion” and “high energy” are words that best describe Deleon’s love for the pizza business. He has been using Social Media since before the word existed. Deleon claims, “AOL Instant messenger was my micro-blog before Twitter was invented.” His social media strategies were recently highlighted at Gravity Summit Harvard & streamed Live on CNN.com. [...]

Pivotal Production, LLC is the marketing firm owned and operated by Shannon Downey. Since 2007, Pivotal has been designing and producing successful experiential, digital and social media campaigns. Connectors, collaborators and communicators, Downey loves to explore new avenues and channels that can help her clients gain traction, make an impact and stay relevant in a world [...]

With stints in print and digital media at Playboy.com, People magazine and AOL.com, Sam Jemielity is now the Director of Content for Digital in Playboy’s Print/Digital group. He oversees all creative for Playboy.com’s marketing and ad sales businesses, supervising digital campaigns to support Playboy’s subscription businesses as well as top entertainment and lifestyle brands such [...]

Gina is senior manager of communications for Tropicana. She joined PepsiCo (Tropicana’s parent company) two years ago with 13 years of experience in food and nutrition marketing communications. In her current role, she leads editorial, digital and health influencer strategy and relationships.

Currently, Adam is a senior vice president with Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading public relations and communications firms. He specializes in interactive/digital, social and emerging media communications and has more than 12 years of interactive and public relations experience. He leads a team of seven and has developed award-winning digital and social media [...]

For nearly 14 years, Adam Kmiec has worked for some of the most forward-thinking organizations in the world, while helping some of the most dynamic brands find success in the interactive and social space. His career spans both the client and agency sides of the marketing and advertising industry, covering stops at renowned organizations that include [...]

Krause is CEO and founder of Suite Partners, the originator of live social media. Their innovative award-winning LiveLabTM studios represent a new medium where live reality meets live-streaming digital. Krause is also one of 5 CEOs being tracked for a new book on leadership in the 21st century by Wiley Press. Called an “Agency Innovator” by Advertising Age, Krause [...]

Currently the Senior Vice President/General Manager for Experian Consumer Direct, Charlie Lee is an entrepreneurial and well-rounded executive with demonstrated ability in developing and implementing sales, marketing and strategic alliance plans. Lee is also experienced in leading large-scale startup and turnaround efforts; creating and analyzing sophisticated financial schedules and deal structures; maximizing employee potential and [...]

Mari Luangrath is currently growing her third entrepreneurial venture, Foiled Cupcakes, Chicago’s most talked about gourmet cupcake company. Passionate about bringing people together, Mari’s goal is to foster personal relationships while providing the absolute best in personal service, delivery and quality. Clients include the Adler Planetarium, Bank of America, BP North America, The Chicago Cubs, [...]

Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, Katy Lynch is the founder of SocialKaty, an agency specializing in social media. Katy says, “When you hear social media, you think ‘everyone is doing it’. Someone opens a Twitter account, posts a single tweet, and starts telling everyone they are a social media expert. So many companies are now saying [...]

Barbara Maldonado is the Social Media Strategist at Legacy Marketing Partners. With over 12 years experience in digital, experiential, mobile and social media marketing for Fortune 500 brands, Barbara focuses on social media and digital engagement extensions. Barbara currently serves as Board Member for the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Human Resources Professionals, is [...]

Sean McGinnis has been involved in the web since the mid 90s. In 1999, Sean founded one of the first DVD movie review sites on the web DVD Verdict. After graduating law school, Sean spent 15 years with Thomson Reuters serving the business in a variety of roles, including sales, marketing and operations assignments. From 2006 to [...]

Lisa Miner is the Director of Public Relations for the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.  In her role as director, she serves as spokesperson for the Museum and is charged with developing and implementing strategic public relations initiatives designed to create awareness and raise the profile of the Museum.   Recent exhibit launches and work [...]

Kim Moldofsky is a Chicago-area Social Media Mom of tween boys. On her blog she writes about parenting gifted children and marketing to moms, as well as whatever else catches her attention. She is also the founder of MomImpact, which connects brands and bloggers for conversations and events. In addition to being a full-time mommy, Moldofsky is [...]

As Director of Public Relations at Jockey International, Inc., Mo Moorman probably knows more about your underwear than you do! Moorman oversees Jockey’s external communications functions, including media relations, social media, experiential marketing, reputation management, crisis communications and sponsorships. Moorman’s goal is to get people talking about, and ultimately, wearing more Jockey products, so as he [...]

Azure Nelson is the Editorial Director for OneWed.com, a top 10 wedding planning website.  Launching OneWed’s bridal blog just two years ago, Azure used her social media savvy, SEO expertise and keen eye for style to generate tremendous growth for OneWed.  Today, the blog gets over 150,000 unique monthly visitors and has been named a [...]

Dan Newman is the Co-Founder of 12 Most. Dan is an idea guy by nature. Since 12 Most is a passion project, Dan spends his days serving his customers, employees, and community as the Chief Executive Officer of United Visual Inc. United Visual is a 62-year-old privately held corporation that focuses on integrating communication solutions and [...]

Lynde O’Brien is Director of Electronic Media Strategy for Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). She launched the social media initiative for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas at the end of 2008 when few were certain a conservative health insurance company should “engage.” In addition to managing the [...]

Bill is an SEO Manager at Critical Mass. His strong background and in-depth knowledge of SEO and web design has helped him become a valued SEO evangelist, coach, and strategic SEO lead for clients such as Nissan, Infiniti, Moen, and TE Connectivity. Since graduating in 2000 from Siena College with a degree in Psychology, Bill [...]

Leah Segedie is a fitness matriarch in the social media realm who helps “digital moms” learn and sustain healthy living practices to combat obesity. She has lost over 170 lbs. over two pregnancies and is an inspiration to women all over the internet with her communities Bookieboo.com and Mamavation.com. Leah has been recognized for several [...]

As VP of Social Media at Critical Mass, Heidi Skinner assesses the evolution of consumer behavior and communities with a goal to help Critical Mass clients emerge as strategic digital leaders. Heidi has a broad scope of responsibility, including P&L accountability, social media business design/policy development, strategic consulting, business development and client services. She built the social practice at [...]

Danielle Smith is a storyteller.  Once upon a time, Danielle was an award-winning television news anchor.  When the redlight was on, Danielle was at her best, relaying the day’s events to those viewers who were fortunate enough to watch Danielle do what she loves; tell a story. Danielle has turned the page on her traditional media [...]

An Indiana native, Emerson created MuggleNet in 1999… when he was twelve years old. As a bored home-schooled student, he had too much spare time on his hands and thought it would be fun to create a Harry Potter website. He had no idea what he was getting into. Since then, MuggleNet has grown to [...]

Brooks Thomas (@brooksethomas) is a refugee from the news industry working at Southwest Airlines. He graduated from SMU in broadcast journalism. After graduation, he set sail for the sandy beaches of…Waco, Texas. Brooks cut his teeth producing and occasionally reporting the news. After a year, he moved to Dallas. Brooks called FOX 4 News home for nearly three years, where [...]

In 140-characters or less, Tompkins describes herself as “Grateful daughter, sister, fiancee & friend. Organ donor advocate. Researcher & chief community gal @CrainsChicago. First-time marathoner.” Since earning her MSJ in Journalism from Northwestern University, Tompkins’ career has centered on the social media landscape. She has quickly scaled the ladder at Crain Communications, and now holds the [...]