Board Members &
Advisory Board

Recognized as a leader in the field of diversity, Tiffany is a talent strategist with 22+ years of championing diverse professionals in the advertising industry. In 2005, she founded ADCOLOR, which has launched the ADCOLOR Industry Conference, ADCOLOR Awards and ADCOLOR University. As President of ADCOLOR, she is deeply involved in the direction the industry is taking around diversity.

Susie Nam is CEO of Publicis Creative U.S., overseeing Publicis’ renowned agency brands, including Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Fallon, BBH, Team One, The Community and Turner Duckworth. 

Susie is known for her ability to design agency systems and cultures that yield breakthrough ideas and best-in-class talent. With leadership roles spanning account management, chief operating officer and ultimately CEO, Susie was instrumental during her 14-year tenure with Droga5 in driving its growth and notoriety from a 35-person team to an industry-leading brand spanning the NYC flagship office and four global hubs, which eventually became part of Accenture Song.  

Susie has been recognized by The Ad Club as Innovator (2023), to the GoldHouse A100 List (2022, 2018), as an Aspen Institute First Movers Fellow (2020) and as part of the Adweek 50 (2017). She’s also consistently served as an executive leader, champion, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion across communities. Susie has been honored with the Impact Award by the Asian American Federation (AAF) and named Chair of the ADCOLOR Board, the premier organization celebrating and promoting professionals of color in the creative industries.  

Susie’s career began in publishing with a role at George magazine following the presidential campaign trail before she became features editor for The New York Times’ first-ever online edition. She went on to study at the London School of Economics and practiced as an urban planner in England before she returned stateside with Fallon and then with Droga5 in 2009.

After seventeen years at the American Advertising Federation, Constance Cannon Frazier knew it was time to share her wisdom, judgement, and experiences on a broader level, resulting in her creating Cardinal Change Consulting, where she is the principal. Connie has spearheaded countless programs and initiatives, successfully managed budgets during economic downturn and conceived numerous ideas resulting in increased revenue, while earning the respect of colleagues across the advertising, higher education and public broadcasting industries. She has served on numerous non-profit boards, including ADCOLOR since its inception and was recently appointed to the Quantcast Board of Directors.

Meet Ashley McGowan, a passionate marketer and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusivity in the industry. As the Global Lead for Business Equity at Meta, Ashley is dedicated to showcasing how businesses can accelerate a more diverse and inclusive future through intentional practices.

Based in Chicago, Ashley has embarked on a unique professional journey that has taken her to several creative agencies, Microsoft, Under Armour, and now to her current role at Meta.

Throughout her career, Ashley has made it her personal mission to create opportunities for diverse professionals. In 2012, she founded Coalesce Chicago, a community-driven organization that provides resources, networking opportunities, and mentorship to diverse talent across Chicagoland. The program has impacted over 1,500 diverse professionals in Chicago and is acclaimed as the premier resource for diverse talent in the city.

Ashley’s impact has been recognized globally, including three ADCOLOR recognitions and a 2019 appointment as an ambassador to the Cannes Diversity Collective. She is also a 2020 appointee to the 4As Foundation Board of Directors, where she continues to champion diversity and inclusivity in the industry.

When she’s not working, Ashley loves listening to 90s music, exploring new cities, and learning about Chicago’s rich history. She is determined to leave the industry better than she found it and is on a mission to make that a reality.

Carla Eboli is a seasoned communications professional with practice in Latina America and US. With over 20 years of experience in communication, Carla has a strong knowledge of Public Relations, Advertising and Social Media. She joined the Dieste family in 2008 as Chief Marketing Officer, and since then has been working to promote the agency’s growth and helping Dieste stay top-of-mind among the media and key opinion leaders.

Prior to Dieste, Carla worked as the Director of Healthcare at Ketchum Brazil, maintaining a close working relationship with clients in Latin America, Europe and North America. She was also part of Ketchum’s Board of Directors and the Crisis Management Group, and served as Coordinator of Media Training for CEOs and directors.

Carla graduated in Journalism and was part of the Presidential Media Committee in Brasilia, where she covered well-known government, entrepreneurs and businessmen as a special reporter for media vehicles. She then worked for the Culture State Department in Brazil, where she implemented the communications platform and led its public relations services. She continued to serve as Communications’ Consultant for the United Nations, managing the communication team of one of the largest NGOs in Brazil, Alfabetização Solidária.

CP is a sales leader with 20+ years-experience growing tech businesses and innovating through new technologies. As H&W Head of Industry, CP works with client partners to redefine the future of digital marketing in Pharma and Health Services. Before that, CP built businesses in gaming, advertising, SMB/Corporate marketplaces and Enterprise Sales. CP is uniquely talented at creating energizing, driven and high-performing teams that win through inclusivity.

Doug Melville is CEO of Jodie, an Al-powered personal learning assistant for DEI. Most recently, Melville resided in Geneva, Switzerland where he was the International Head of DEI and Board Governance Committee member for Richemont, a luxury holding company. He was formerly chief diversity officer, North America, for TBWA Worldwide and was founder and CEO of RedCarpets.com. Prior to that he served as president of ZMagic and vice president of business development and marketing for Magic Johnson Enterprises.

He is a three-time TED speaker and the author of Invisible Generals: Rediscovering Family Legacy, and a Quest to Honor America’s First Black Generals (Simon & Schuster, 2023). He’s been featured on CBS Saturday Morning, The Daily Show, CNN and The Breakfast Club among others. He is also a Forbes.com contributor and lecturer at Stanford GSB.

As President & CEO of The ADVERTISING Club of New York, the industry’s premiere forum for exchanging ideas, recognizing creative excellence, innovation, cultivating talent and promoting inclusion, Gina Grillo is a champion of the industry. She leads The AD Club team and over 5,000 members with access to a network of thought leaders; the fuel for creativity; progress toward greater diversity and inclusion; and the best training for professional development.

In her 20+ years at The AD Club, Gina has transformed the Club into the voice of the modern ad industry which, in turn, shaped the conversation around diversity of thought, start-up innovation, support of Young Professionals, cultivated the importance of bravery in advertising, and has become a platform to the entire advertising, marketing and media community in New York. The Club, now in its 120th, year remains a reliable and trusted source for thought leadership, giving back to serve the community and fostering young and diverse talent.
Through i’mPART, the Club’s diversity initiative that aims to raise awareness of the benefits of diversity in business and the importance of increasing and retaining a diverse workforce, The AD Club has made a $2 million investment in the nation’s leading diversity programs thus far.

Gina is a force to be reckoned with – she oversees the International ANDY Awards, leading them to hold the first ever LIVE judging event accessible to the entire industry in 2018. In an effort to strengthening the advertising/marketing industries and advocate for diversity retention, she sits on the NYC Virtual Enterprise Advisory Board, the Advertising Week Board, and is also a Founding Member on the Board of the ADCOLOR Industry Coalition. In 2017, the 4A’s named her to their esteemed list of ‘100 People Who Make Advertising Great.’
Gina also works closely with the prestigious industry leaders who comprise The AD Club’s Board of Directors to support the Club’s mission to move the advertising industry forward. Prior to joining The AD Club, Grillo held positions at Young & Rubicam and MTV Networks. A St. John’s University graduate and native New Yorker, she resides here with her husband and three children.

Have you heard of Keesha Jean-Baptiste? If not, you’re missing out on learning from an innovative and effective C-suite leader who made waves in the advertising, marketing, and media industries, leaving a lasting impact beyond the traditional HR scope. Often described as “quietly fearless,” having “a level of energy that never stops,” and being “a true visionary and business partner,” Keesha is a change agent inspiring the C-suite and other executive leaders.

Her zeal and caliber are evident in her work, as she uses her purpose-driven approach to uncover insights that help organizations align their business strategy through their most prized assets, their people. Due to her vision and unique perspective, her impact is felt during and beyond her tenure at Digitas, Wieden + Kennedy, and Hearst Magazines.

Born in Japan and raised in Virginia as the child of a military father, Keesha’s childhood shaped her into a curious, open-minded, and adaptable individual. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from James Madison University and a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication from Emerson College. She also serves on the board of directors for ADCOLOR.

Most recently, Keesha’s global perspective was further enriched while living in Switzerland, where she served as a deputy to the Global Chief People Officer at Richemont. Her experience in an international setting broadened her understanding of cultural dynamics in a highly complex organization.

With Keesha’s extensive experience, innovative mindset, and dedication to transforming organizations, there’s no doubt that she will continue to succeed as she pivots out of the corporate world into leading her practice, called The LeaderSHIFT Method.

With additional credentials like being a Shift Positive 360 coach, Keesha has a new approach to feedback that you won’t find elsewhere. Her certification in Compassionate Leadership means she is equipped with the skills to lead with empathy and understanding.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Keesha is a devoted mother of two children. She has a passion for travel, music, and dancing. Additionally, Keesha is an accomplished writer and has been a columnist for Women’s Health magazine, showcasing her talent for storytelling. Her ability to be vulnerable and authentic translates in written form, adding to her magnetism. Keesha’s life journey was featured in Re-Imagineer as part of the ROAR Forward newsletter. She is working on writing her memoir, adding another dimension to her multifaceted career.

If you’re looking for inspiration and guidance on transforming your organization’s people strategy, Keesha Jean-Baptiste is the person you need to know. But it’s not until you meet her in person that you realize the magnitude of her firepower, charisma, and unwavering commitment to transforming organizations. Take the time to learn from her, and you’ll be amazed at the results you can achieve.

Kim Getty leads a team of world-class creative thinkers who help businesses thrive. She’s helped build Deutsch LA into what Fast Company has recognized as one of the industry’s Most Innovative Companies. During her tenure, Kim has developed new practice areas and led breakthrough campaigns for Taco Bell, Walmart, Dr Pepper, Snapple, PetSmart, Nintendo, Opendoor and Lowe’s among others, earning Deutsch LA top spots on Ad Age’s Agency A-List numerous times.

Recognized as a Trailblazer by Adweek, one of the Most Powerful Women in Advertising by Business Insider and awarded the AAF’s Mosaic Award for Career Achievement, Kim is a champion of change and staunch advocate of equality in the marketing industry. She’s been honored by ‘She Runs It’ as one of the top Working Mothers of the Year and has made progressive parenting policies a priority at Deutsch LA by advocating for unlimited PTO, flexible work schedules, remote years and sabbaticals.

Committed to nurturing young talent, Kim serves on the faculty at USC’s Annenberg School and sits on the Board of Directors for ADCOLOR, and The Paley Center for Media. Kim is a proud mother of two daughters, a struggling surfer and an SF native turned Angeleno.

Mark is a Human Resources and Operations executive with extensive experience in recruiting and developing employees to achieve overall company goals. He builds partnerships with all levels of an organization to gain alignment of objectives and develops strategies for implementation of programs in talent management, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, training and evelopment, succession planning, change management, organizational development, employee relations and recruiting.

Mark has spent the majority of his career working in the Advertising/PR industry. Prior to Edelman, he worked at D’Arcy Advertising and Publics Worldwide, where he led the HR function through three separate mergers and honed his skills in change management and cultural development.

Being a very active member of the industry, he had served on the AAAA committees for Human Resources and Diversity for 14 years. He currently serves on the ADCOLOR Board of Directors and is proud to be a founding member.

Michael Muñoz is Google’s Global Marketing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Lead. Michael is responsible for leading the efforts to build a more representative and inclusive team, whose work represents its users. He is tasked with developing and executing the DEI plan in service of accelerating progress on workforce representation and driving racial & social equity for the organization, including driving execution of Marketing’s DEI Commitments and Operational Plans. In his role, Michael advises senior leaders to build capability and shared accountability for DEI efforts and outcomes; partnering cross-functionally, leveraging trend data and solutions to advance DEI efforts, objectives and support the work of Google’s Marketing org.

Prior to joining Google, Michael has been a part of the Diversity & Inclusion efforts at Aetna, MassMutual, EY and ESPN where he’s led several Women’s Leadership Development efforts, launched ERG’s, created D&I Scorecards, developed and delivered company-wide trainings and influenced Diversity Staffing efforts. Michael has also been active in facilitating Anti-Defamation League’s ‘A World of Difference’ Training for the last 20+ years.

Michael has a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut and a Masters in Human Resource Management from Cornell. He and his wife Courtney currently live in York, Maine with their children Ariana and Noah.

Ghee is the Founder and CEO of Expectant Media. A Black female owned boutique Ad Tech and content agency that connects clients to the culturl audeinces that fuel their growth while elevating other Black Owned Media.

Ghee has worked for some of the most powerful media companies in the world generating more than a billion S’ in revenue. Including, the CEO of Ebony and Jet, where she helped revive the iconic brand, Allen Media Group, The Weather Channel, CNN, A&E, The History Channel and BET Networks.

While at BET, Michele created and ran the first and only network for black women: BETHer. Her mission is simple: lead people, transform communities and drive revenue. Ghee has received many honors, authored three books and was honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters form her alam mater, Golden Gate University.

Ghee resides in New Jersey and is a proud wife of husband Tony and and honored to be the mom of Taylor and Jordan.

With a career spanning over 25 years, Nicole has led HR strategies that drive business growth and organizational success. A seasoned Human Resources leader with a proven track record in talent management and organizational transformation, she has worked with some of the world’s most influential advertising and communications companies.

In 2023, she joined St. Francis College as Executive Director of Human Resources, playing a strategic role on the Leadership Team. She is instrumental in the college’s initiative to restructure academic and programmatic offerings while rebuilding infrastructure for long-term institutional success.

In 2020, Nicole founded Kol Consulting, an executive coaching consultancy dedicated to empowering professionals to reach their highest potential and achieve business objectives. Rooted in the Columbia University Coaching Methodology, her practice focuses on mid-to-senior-level professionals, guiding them through career growth, leadership development, and organizational impact. She also earned a certification in Compassionate Leadership, equipping her to help senior leaders harness empathy as a driver of team motivation and peak performance.

A recognized mentor and industry influencer, Nicole serves on the Board of ADCOLOR and is an active member of Baruch College’s Executives on Campus program.

Singleton Beato is the Global Chief Diversity & Engagement Officer at McCann Worldgroup, where she is responsible for designing and leading strategic initiatives that increase organizational capacity, innovation and growth. With over 25 years of experience as an accomplished executive, Singleton is recognized for her success driving large scale people and organizational change initiatives across a wide range of industries, having held talent leadership roles at J. Walter Thompson, Crunch Fitness International, and Bloomberg L.P.

Previously, Singleton was EVP, Diversity Strategy and Talent Development at the 4A’s where she provided leadership and advice to senior advertising and media agency executives working to create and activate a strategic approach to D&I. Singleton was the visionary and architect of high-profile initiatives including The Face Of Talent symposium and the Ad industry’s only Talent Leadership Conference, Talent@2030. She also led the transformation of the renowned Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP) and the 4A’s Foundation. And, after assuming P&L responsibility for Talent Development and Diversity related revenue streams, Singleton consistently delivered on revenue and margin growth targets for the organization.

Singleton received a MS from Fairleigh Dickinson University and serves on several non-profit boards including the Brand Erwin Center for Brand Communications, AdWeek’s D&I Council, the AAF’s Mosaic Council, NYWICI, Own The Room and Figure Skating in Harlem as well as the Advisory Board of the Brand + Integrated Communications program. She has received numerous awards and accolades from the AAF, the 4A’s, the ADCOLOR Coalition, the National Diversity Council, the World Diversity Leadership Summit. Additionally, Singleton was named one of 2019’s Most Influential Women In Corporate America by Savoy Magazine, one of AdWeek’s 2020 Women Trailblazers and one of New York’s Most Outstanding Corporate Citizens.

Stephen Kim is a longtime promoter of Diversity & Inclusion in the media, advertising, and technology industries. In addition to having served in senior advertising sales leadership roles for 15 years at Microsoft and Verizon, Stephen was formerly an attorney, a journalist, and a startup entrepreneur. Currently, he leads the Communication & Information department at the Princeton University Art Museum with a special focus on connecting historically under-served communities through the world of art.

Stephen received his B.A. from Brown University and holds an M.A. in Communications and J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.levision violence.

Ghada Dajani is an award-winning brand and marketing leader who is recognized for breaking through the noise and catapulting brands into cultural relevance to achieve both brand and business impact.

Ghada joined the founding marketing team at WhatsApp —the most used messenger app in the world— with over 2 billion users globally. Since joining WhatsApp in 2021, Ghada has shaped its brand and creative strategy to evolve the brand’s presence in the cultural zeitgeist and tech landscape globally. Her work included securing WhatsApp’s first brand partner, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and producing two long-form films with him; leading the product marketing and narrative strategy for all expressive creative features in the app; and winning the Grand Prix in Entertainment at Cannes in 2024 for her leadership and executive producer credit on the renewed documentary We Are Ayenda. 

Prior to WhatsApp, Ghada was previously at Wieden+Kennedy shaping iconic brands through periods of transformation such as Old Spice and Ford Motor Company. 

Ghada has an 11-year long history with ADCOLOR, starting at GSD&M, where she served as an Associate Account Executive on the ADCOLOR brand during a period of brand and design evolution. Since then, Ghada has served on the Advisory Board as a committee lead and, in 2020, founded the community group MENA for ADCOLOR.

Ghada’s passion lies at the intersection of brand, community, and creativity, telling culture-shaping stories for those often overlooked or underserved. Outside of her career, Ghada runs a community organization in partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art and a food design studio that brings the essence of Arab hospitality to experiential events. She is also a 2020 Marketing Academy scholar, selected as one of 30 for this highly-competitive leadership program.

Aaron is a Blerd, social media enthusiast, sneakerhead, and lover of all things DEI.

He was first exposed to the marketing industry via the 4A’s MAIP program, and since then have worked across several verticals including retail, finance, gaming, and tech. Aaron takes pride in fusing cultural nuance and strategic thinking to build impactful, inspirational consumer-focused approaches. In addition to his day job as an Associate Strategy Director, he uses his platforms via social and speaking engagements to cover topics such as building a personal brand, creative strategy, and the future of social media.

In 2022, Aaron founded Black Visionaries, a non-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission to democratize access to resources and community for Black professionals. The organization curated both virtual and in-person experiences for their community including their yearly event The Black Visionaries Brunch

Aaron’s love of community has translated into distinctive honors such as MAIPer to Watch, Mr. ADCOLOR 2022, the inaugural recipient of both the 4A’s x McCann Worldgroup Billy Davis Award & the “Right Hand” Plug Award, as well as the 2024 Rockstar award from the Ad Club.

Jochebed Fekadu is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Omnicom Precision Marketing Group. In this role, she leads seven workflows for the OPMG family of agencies to align efforts and internal management for an inclusive culture and equitable workplace. In addition to this work, Jochebed is dedicated to continue to contribute to the experience within Omnicom and sits on the board for OPMG BLQ and Black Together, the practice area & global ERGs within the company landscape.

Prior to joining Omnicom, Jochebed was a Digital Marketing Manager at Wpromote. At Wpromote, Jochebed led a portfolio of 25 clients across various business sectors by driving strategy and marketing efforts across Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Ads & Search Engine Optimization. She also aided in the establishment of the first Black ERG in agency history, Black Voices, and was elected as sitting president. Jochebed graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She was selected as an Outstanding Graduate in 2019 and sat on the DE&I Council of her college.

Jochebed is a proud alumna of The IRTS Foundation, where she actively speaks on panels and mentors summer fellows. She is also a 2021 ADCOLOR Future & is honored to be a member of the organization. Bringing people, ideas and inspiration together has helped her embrace her disruptive nature across companies and groups. Her passion for equity, quality and progress lights a fire beneath everything she does, enabling her to create lasting impacts along the way.

Until binge-watching shows becomes a viable career, Tiffany Leung is happily building inclusive spaces and equitable opportunities. As a DEI Events and Engagement Specialist, Tiffany finds partnership opportunities to invest in communities, creates experiences to recruit talent, and amplify the stories of historically excluded communities. She is a proud FUTURES 2022, MPMS 2020, MAIP 2019, and The LAGRANT Foundation 2018 alum, who enjoys staying connected and involved with these communities. Tiffany also serves as the Chair of the American Advertising Federation’s Mosaic NextGen Council. Tiffany loves testing her luck at claw machines and Broadway lottery tickets. She is a self-proclaimed sushi + dim sum + KBBQ connoisseur and professional binge-watcher. Tiffany is the proud child of immigrants.

Alicia transforms global brands into cultural icons by crafting marketing strategies that resonate with audiences. She has led brand, engagement, and social strategy for major brands like BMW, Roc Nation, PepsiCo, The North Face, Samsung, Pernod Ricard, and AT&T at agencies including Ogilvy, United Entertainment Group, and most recently, Translation, where she is Group Strategy Director. Alicia is also the creator of The Invisible Thread, a digital series and community that highlights strategists of color and their influence on culture. After one season, The Invisible Thread has become an essential mentorship resource for strategists of color.

As an Integrated Marketing Manager at Discord, Armando is focused on developing brand and content marketing campaigns to help Discord reach gamers. He is passionate about the potential for gaming to unite friends and bring joy to people’s lives.

Being a first-generation college student, Armando deeply knows the importance of championing others and dedicates his time outside of work to connect with emerging talent. He has served on the Advisory Board for We Are Next, where he spearheaded the Brand Ambassador Program, the Young Talent in Tech team, and the widely popular Coffee at a Distance. He also serves on his alma mater’s alumni board, the James Webb Young Board, in order to consult university staff and faculty on how they can create the best programming and educational opportunities for the next generation.

Armando also loves LEGO, playing video games, annotating books so much to the point you can’t read them, and wearing watches where it’s hard to tell the time. If you ever want to chat, Armando’s virtual door is always open.

Carlin currently serves as a co-lead on the Alumni Engagement Committee for the ADCOLOR Advisory Board. In addition to his role with ADCOLOR, he is an Associate Strategy Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day\NY, where he champions the creation of equitable and inclusive narratives rooted in culture.

As an award-winning culture-first strategist, Carlin has collaborated with prominent brands such as Hilton, The Mayo Clinic, Brooklyn Film Festival, and Persil. His achievements include being named a 2018 ADCOLOR FUTURE, recognized by Business Insider as one of the 50 Rising Stars on Madison Avenue in 2021, and receiving the designation of Mr. ADCOLOR in 2023.

A proud Midwesterner hailing from Cleveland, OH, Carlin holds a B.A. in Media Production & Studies from Bowling Green State University, where he focused on the intersection of media, race, representation, and culture.

Cherish is currently a Communications Strategy Director at Anomaly where she helps brands shape the ways they show up in culture in order for them to build lasting connections with their audiences. She believes deeply in the power of a nuanced & authentic understanding of communities in order to unlock compelling creative work that is truly representative of the world & communities we live in today. Outside of her 9-5, Cherish currently serves as a co-lead on the FUTURES Alumni Engagement Committee for the ADCOLOR Advisory Board.

Her accolades include being selected for the 2018 ADCOLOR FUTURES class, where she was recognized as part of the next generation of leaders in the advertising, media, and marketing industries

Cherish has a B.S. in advertising communications from the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. Cherish, who currently resides in New York city, hails from the sunny island of Singapore.

Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt began her career with FleishmanHillard (FH) as an intern in 2017 and is now the agency’s first Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Programs.

Over her years in client service, she helped build campaigns and social strategies and led influencer marketing programs.

In 2018, she became the Diversity Champion for FH Sacramento. She guided local DE&I efforts and ensured those efforts matched the overall agency goals. She also created Remix Your Algorithm, now an FH global initiative.

In 2020, she experienced a shift in perspective. Her career goals changed from growing in client services to a desire to create spaces with inclusion, equity and safety at the center.

Since 2021 she has worked within the Office of the CDIO (Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer) as the global Sr. Program Manager. Here, she applies her skills and passion for moving DE&I programs for FH forward and tackling FH’s goal to be the most inclusive communications agency in the world.

She uses her position to lead the DE&I Champions globally, elevate diverse voices and perspectives at every career level, create a safe and welcoming space, center learning and unlearning, and continually advocate for all companies to recognize DE&I as a moral AND business imperative.

In addition to her role at FleishmanHillard, she is a co-host of Omnicom’s “In the Black,” a TV series presented by Black Together, one of Omnicom’s ERGs.

Courtney Jones has nearly 10 years of experience leading business development and growth initiatives for both holding companies and independent agencies alike. While at The Martin Agency, the agency has been recognized as the 2023 A-List Agency of the Year by AdAge, 2021 & 2020 Agency of the Year winner by Adweek, and is one of the top 10 Most Innovative Agencies in the country (Fast Company.) Outside of her new business responsibilities, she is very intentional about infusing diversity and inclusion into multiple aspects of the business. From marketing and brand communications to new business pitches and creative work, Courtney lends a critical, yet empathetic, point of view to cultural relevance and impact.

She has been recognized by leading ad and marketing magazine Campaign US, as an Inaugural Female Frontier honoree and one of Business Insider’s Rising Stars of Madison Avenue 2021. She currently serves on the 2023-2024 ADCOLOR Advisory Board, the 4As New Business Committee, Diversity Steering Committee & Change Management Task Force; has previously served on the board of the Atlanta chapter of SheSays and #TimesUp; and is a mentor and advisor with 4As Multicultural Advertising Internship Program (MAIP). Her fearless approach and fresh perspectives have helped her to secure multiple new business wins for the agency, and further accelerated The Martin Agency’s ability to create impactful work.

Gabrielle Gomez currently serves as the Associate Director of Creative Recruiting at TBWA\Chiat\Day NY. In a past life she worked as a creative, doing design and art direction, then pivoted into her creative recruitment career at R/GA.
Since then, she has worked at Grey NY and TBWA\Worldwide before joining Chiat NY to lead creative recruitment.

Jacklyn (they/them) works as a strategy director at Fig, an independent creative agency. There- and at McCann New York for 6.5 years before- they’ve partnered with leading brands to be more intentional, inclusive, and innovative across everything they say and do.

Jacklyn is a proud alum and supporter of programs that champion people’s intersectional identities and challenge the industry to do the same. These include 4As MAIP, the Ad Club of Ne York’s imPART Fellowship, and ADCOLOR FUTURES.

J.L. is a Sr. Manager of Global Brand Strategy at Delta Air Lines in Atlanta, focused on developing values-driven storytelling for the Olympics/Paralympics, Sustainability, DEI, entertainment parnterships and more. With 13+ years of experience working in-house and external agencies across roles including Account Management, Copywriting, Strategy, and Media for some of the world’s biggest brands, his passion for how advertising comes to life began as a child on the Tex-Mex border as a first-gen Hispanic. When he’s not playing Ad Man, you can find him exploring the wonderful world of mixology, attending another live concert, and traveling the beaches of the globe with his wife and three-year-old son.

Kevin is a connector by nature. As a Digital Partnerships Manager at Mastercard, he uses his product and industry knowledge to connect partners with payment and data solutions that help them address some of their biggest pain points.

He graduated from New York University with a major in Media, Culture & Communication with a minor in Urban Design & Architecture. At NYU, he was the President of the Student Alumni Council, an organization dedicated to fostering relationships between current students and alumni.

Throughout his career, Kevin has worked at various organizations in different roles, including the D.C. Mayor’s Office, McCann, CJ ENM, WarnerMedia, and Mastercard. Outside of work, Kevin dedicates time to mentoring aspiring marketers and has been exploring his new neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY.

Keyon Branch is currently the Manager Influencer, Talent & Culture marketing at the NFL where he creates experiences that enable influencers & celebrities to connect with players and the league as a whole. Additionally, he has an extensive background in sports & entertainment brand marketing, digital media marketing, creative storytelling, & brand strategy working with a myriad of big networks and brands such as the NBA, Electronic Arts (EA Sports), CBS, & Lionsgate FIlms.

In addition to his work in advertising media, Keyon is champion for diversity and inclusion in the marketing space and has committed himself to encouraging and developing the next group of diverse talent, by providing them with the skills and necessary tools so they are successful specifically within the HBCU network. Keyon’s ability to adapt and willingness to learn in conjunction with his analytical and creative skills have helped garner his success. He graduated from Morehouse College, Cum Laude, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing in which he attributes his passion for marketing & advertising. More recently, Keyon was named a 2019 ADCOLOR Future, a distinct honor that identifies the next generation of leaders in the advertising, marketing, media, and public relations industries.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan and now residing in New York City, Keyon lives by the mantra “But out of limitations comes creativity” in which he applies across many aspects of his life.

Lauren Guity embraces new opportunities that challenge her to grow. She traded her Seattle roots for Chicago to pursue her college education. After graduating, she began her career at Microsoft and rose to become a Industry Account Lead in the Health & Wellness industry. She partners with some of the largest pharmaceutical companies and helps them achieve their advertising goals. She has comprehensive experience in managing complex client relationships, crafting strategic business plans, and generating revenue. She has been a top performer in the Global Enterprise Media Sales segment since joining in 2017.

She’s a visionary leader who looks at the bigger picture and creates solutions for change. Lauren is passionate about DE&I and has initiated several programs to progress these values at Microsoft and beyond. She founded and led Blacks at Microsoft Chicago, an employee resource group that empowers and advances Black employees at the company. She also started an onboarding program for new hires that fosters a positive work culture. She has mentored Chicago students, facilitated employee workshops on privilege and allyship, and shared her personal journey as a Hispanic Black woman in corporate America. She has been featured in blog posts, invited to speak at various events, and honored with awards for her role excellence.

Lauren knows how to have fun and enjoy life. She loves to travel the world, attend different events, and try new restaurants. She likes to relax by boxing, scrolling through Tik Tok, keeping up with pop culture, and cuddling with her mini labradoodle Migo while watching Real Housewives.

Marcus Andrew is a multidisciplinary creative who’s worked with some of the world’s leading entertainment platforms and Fortune 500 brands, on both the agency and in-house side.His career work is primarily driven by new platforms and forms of storytelling.

He joined Apple TV+’s marketing team in its infancy to help establish it as a leader in the streaming space, he built creative marketing strategies for Netflix’s newest vertical (Unscripted) and expanded the branded content strategy of CNN’s Great Big Story startup into the international market. He also established VICE’s presence on platforms like Snapchat Discover and helped build its one-of-kind content partnership with Intel, the Creators Project. He started his career at Ogilvy, where he helped launch one of the first agency practices focused on online video in 2011.

Outside of marketing and campaign work, you can find him spending time with his infant daughter and wife, painting, illustrating or fiercely rooting for his alma mater, the Duke Blue Devils.

If you don’t know Mefah, you should. She’s a talented marketer with over 7 years experience working at large technology companies. She is passionate about building equitable and inclusive spaces for all and will always serve in a position where she can promote diversity, equity and inclusion and weave it into a space’s DNA. Currently she serves as a global product marketing manager at TikTok where she creates global marketing strategies to bring innovative ad products to market.

Natalie Alcide is a native Brooklynite, art director, and designer whose work focuses on telling stories that often go untold. Her Haitian roots and working class upbringing inform her passion for crafting narratives that authentically represent the cultures of underrepresented communities. She’s worked on stories that lie at the intersection of relevance and social impact for brands like Proctor & Gamble, Advil, and Modelo.

Natalie’s work has been featured in AIGA, ADWEEK, and We Are Next for championing initiatives that help foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the communications industry. Currently, Natalie is a Senior Art Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day and an adjunct professor at the City College of New York.

Her experience working across brand, social, and diversity equity and inclusion strategy, led to her become a Cultural Strategist— where she focuses on finding unique opportunities for companies and creatives to center diverse voices, and create socially impactful work that propels the cultural narrative.

Throughout her tenure at agencies like Leo Burnett, Havas, Cold Chillen, MullenLowe and Cashmere she’s worked across major brands such as P&G Always Global, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniels, Patron, and Amazon Music.

Most recently she Co-Founded of The New Vanguard, a creative coalition dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for new wave creatives of color.

A passionate travel enthusiast, business owner, and dedicated advocate for diversity in tech, Rob is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in account management and digital marketing. Currently serving as a Senior Account Executive at LinkedIn, he specializes in building strong relationships with technology clients and driving impactful business outcomes.

Prior to his role at LinkedIn, Rob worked at Google in Travel and TechB2B, where he helped prominent brands like Meta, CheapOair, and HubSpot enhance their digital presence across platforms such as Search and YouTube. During his tenure at Google, he also co-led the Black Googler Network NYC Chapter, focusing on fostering external partnerships and creating a supportive community for Black employees.

Committed to giving back, Rob volunteers as a mentor for Black and Latinx high school students interested in STEM careers through the Governor’s Committee for Scholastic Achievement. He provides guidance on resume building, college preparation, and professional development, helping students navigate their academic and career paths. Rob has served as Co-Lead for the ADCOLOR FUTURES Hackathon and has been active on the ADCOLOR Advisory Board since 2021.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Rob is a dedicated entrepreneur. He runs nineOH7 (nineoh7.com), a thriving online apparel and accessories brand that celebrates HBCUs and Black art where he is a licensed vendor for 15+ HBCUs and has even partnered with Lids to get into 5 college bookstores. With a keen eye for design and a passion for creativity, he leverages his skills to help small business owners develop effective marketing strategies.

A proud alumnus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of Maryland University College, Rob brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion to his work.

Sylvia Knight Hanner has been the Senior Manager of NA Marketing – Integrated Media Strategy at Weight Watchers Inc since October 2021.

Prior to Weight Watchers, Sylvia spent over 8 years on the media agency side as a media strategist and planner across a diverse range of clientele including: WHOOP, Janseen Pharmaceuticals, Cotton, Forevermark Inc, MovieStarPlanet, TGI Friday’s and Jaguar. Sylvia has specialized in digital media strategy and planning for the past 5 years expertly managing client, publisher and agency relationships to create innovative and bespoke media plans and partnerships. Sylvia is a strong believer in collaboration and provocation which has helped her create unique opportunities for clients while also being nimble when needed for the fast pace of the ever changing media landscape. In 2020, Sylvia also had the pleasure of being selected as one of the AdClub of NY’s imPART fellow which is a year-long executive and leadership training program designed specifically for mid-level rising female stars.

When she’s not at work, you can find this Texas native cooking or eating BBQ! She’s a skincare and makeup junkie and also loves meeting up with her monthly book club to read their next page turner. She’s finding ways both big and small to fulfill her life’s motto of removing barriers for others. One of the biggest ways she’s done that is through her over 6 year mentorship of Nora, currently a college junior, who she’s worked with to both prepare, apply and succeed in college.

From fortune 100 companies to active-duty roles and military deployments, Lois has spent over 20 years engaged in both supporting, developing and coaching talented humans as they work to advance their personal, professional and business goals. From working in client-facing roles at the worldʼs most-respected creative agencies, to advancing education through learning & development or through building the foundations of human resources practices in startups, Lois has maintained the importance of DEI and cultural fluency as a critical component & pathway to personal and business success. As the head of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for Basis Technologies, Lois helps evolve workplace culture, enhance corporate infrastructure and engage employees to foster greater inclusion, representation, and equity in the digital media industry. Lois has built a depth of expertise driving diversity and inclusivity at scaled and start-up organizations. Previously director of talent and inclusion at agency Highdive Advertising, Castillo established the agencyʼs HR organization and architected its practices for staffing, onboarding, training, and employee support. Prior to this role, Castillo held various positions at Leo Burnett, first with a multi-year career working with clients, and then transitioning into roles supporting employee professional development and growth. When promoted as Leo Burnettʼs director of inclusion and engagement, she guided numerous aspects of its DEI strategy and goals. Before starting her professional career in the private sector, Castillo served in the U.S. Army for five years. She has multiple accreditations for inclusionary practices and employee development.

Marques is an award-winning marketing strategist and brand builder that operates at the intersection of creativity, culture, and commerce. He currently serves as Head of Multicultural Marketing at American Express. In this role, he is responsible for developing and executing a marketing strategy around how and where the American Express brand shows up to authentically connect with Multicultural communities to drive brand consideration, demand, and loyalty.

Prior to American Express, Marques was a finance director at PepsiCo where for 9 years he held roles of increasing responsibility across account management, partnerships, and business development helping grow the Frito-Lay North America (FLNA) business. Passionate about recruiting and developing talent, Marques was also one of the executive sponsors for diversity recruiting at the MBA and BA levels across the enterprise.

Prior to joining PepsiCo, Marques was a strategy and operations consultant with Deloitte Consulting focused on M&A strategy. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Business Administration from Morehouse College and holds an MBA from Cornell University.

Lastly, Marques is a member of the Cornell University Council and Cornell University Library Advisory Council, serves on the Steering Committee of the Alvin Ailey Young Patrons Circle, and is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. In his free time, Marques enjoys planning international trips and attending music festivals.

Originally from Stafford, TX, Marques currently resides in Harlem NYC.

Sakinah Charbeneau is a diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner with added expertise in events, marketing and branding. As the Director of DEI for Omnicom Media Group (OMG), a leading global media network, she currently oversees DEI for 12 agencies which spans more than 4,000 employees, by driving transformational initiatives to help attract and retain diverse talent. Prior to her tenure at OMG, Sakinah worked at Resolution where she led all D&I and employee engagement initiatives by strategically leveraging partnerships with companies including Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter. She has planned high end events with public figures at venues around the country like SXSW, the Pritzker Pavilion, and Michelin-star restaurants including Daniel, Hatfield’s and Per Se. Some of her branding work has been featured in premiere publications including Adweek, CS Brides, Conde Nast Traveler and USA Today. Sakinah graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications. She resides in Chicago with her husband Jeff, and their two children Aria and Zachary, and recently filmed a pilot episode for a reality TV show tentatively titled Chicago Moms. She enjoys nothing more than binge-watching TV, traveling the world, dining at new restaurants and dancing.