MEET OUR 2024 JUDGES
The Women in Content Marketing Awards (WICMAs) are judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders and experts in content marketing. Learn more about our judges!
Donna Barker
Former SVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Health Monitor Network®, x- Pfizer, x-Unilever
Donna Barker is a dynamic and results driven marketing executive with a track record of transformative leadership across the health, wellness, food, and personal care industries. She was most recently SVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Health Monitor Network®, the pioneering point-of-care company in the U.S. and a founding member of the Point of Care Marketing Association (POCMA).
Prior to Health Monitor Network, Donna held senior marketing leadership roles at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, GSK, and Unilever, leading OTC and CPG brands with revenues ranging from $50M to $1B. She successfully delivered high-impact omnichannel marketing campaigns for brands such as Hellmann’s ®, Wish-Bone ®, Slim-Fast ®, Centrum®, ChapStick ®, Advil Respiratory ®, Robitussin ®, Knorr ®, Ragu ®, Lipton ®, and many more iconic consumer brands.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Donna is committed to community impact. She serves on the Executive Leadership Council of United Way of Northern New Jersey, advocating for ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations. Donna holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from The College of New Jersey. Graduated with honors (magna cum laude).
Bria Bell
Former SVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Health Monitor Network®, x- Pfizer, x-Unilever
Bria Bell is a storytelling powerhouse, serving as Vice President on the Payments — Industry Engagement Marketing team at J.P. Morgan Chase. She leads the Speakers Bureau for North and Latin America, collaborating with internal teams and experts to enhance speaker positioning at industry events. Previously, Bria was the Director of Marketing at a Dallas tech startup and spent nearly a decade as a TV reporter, covering major events like the 2016 presidential election and the 2020 George Floyd protests.
A Texas native, she holds a Master of Liberal Arts from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University, where she played basketball. In 2024, Bria was honored with the Pivot Award by the Women in Content Marketing Awards. In her free time, she enjoys HIIT workouts, weekend adventures, and playing with her Border Collie, Oreo.
Alina Benny
Head of Content
Aura
Alina Benny is a full-funnel revenue marketer with 10+ years of experience in organic customer acquisition, with a focus on content, product marketing, and SEO. As a consultant and advisor for companies like Gong, Figma, and Pango, she’s built and grown content programs directly tied to revenue. At Aura, she runs the gamut of security content and has been part of the organic growth team since day one. Before that, she led part of Nextiva’s marketing. Alina also spent over three years as a mentor with First Round Capital’s Fast Track program. Born in South India, she now calls Toronto home and holds a degree in electronics engineering.
Kristen Berke
VP, Strategic Branded Content Partnerships
LA Times Studios
Kristen has worked in content marketing for 15 years, first at the agency level before moving into the MCN space and then landing at the LA Times in 2014. She most recently started a new role overseeing LA Times Studio's new branded content team, including the go-to-market strategy and client partnerships group. The LA Times Studios Short Docs team won an Oscar in 2024 for Best Short Documentary, and our branded content division has worked with some of the largest companies in the world including Pfizer, Focus Features, Bank of America, Audible, Netflix, CBS, UNICEF, Versace, Balenciaga, Blue Cross and many more. In her spare time Kristen enjoys amateur baking (emphasis on amateur) and trail running.
T.K. Brady
Editorial Director
1-800-Flowers.com
T.K. Brady is a passionate editor and strategic storyteller, currently serving as the Editorial Director for 1-800-Flowers.com. She leads creative copy and brand storytelling, collaborating cross-functionally to deliver engaging content that amplifies the brand’s mission across all channels.
With over a decade of editorial experience, T.K. is a tactful wordsmith with a knack for high-performing content. She is known for driving impactful results and previously led commerce content for Food Network and HGTV, developing product testing processes, social video strategies, and editorial frameworks that boosted engagement and revenue.
T.K. is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
Christie Brown
Director, Product Development
Butler/Till
Christie Brown is an award-winning marketing and product development leader and the Director of Product Development at Butler/Till, where she plays a key role in the agency’s emerging product and technology practice. Previously serving as Director of Creative Operations, she built Butler/Till’s content offering from the ground up, shaping it into a strategic, results-driven discipline. She has developed high-impact content strategies across industries, including automotive, insurance, and health. In 2024, she was named Content Marketer of the Year by the Women in Content Marketing Awards, recognizing her innovation and leadership in the field.
Beyond her work in content and product innovation, she is passionate about mentorship and being a meaningful sponsor for the next generation of women in the workforce. She also serves as the Education Co-Chair for the American Advertising Federation of Greater Rochester. As a 2025 judge, she brings her expertise in content strategy, creative execution, and product development to help identify and celebrate the industry’s rising stars.
Janet Celosia
Vice President, Marketing Strategy
BackPocket Agency
What makes content truly memorable? Janet Celosia believes it’s the perfect mix of strategy, storytelling, and a deep understanding of the audience. As Vice President of Marketing Strategy at BackPocket Agency, she brings more than 18 years of experience helping B2B, nonprofit, and association brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.
A two-time Women in Content Marketing Awards finalist, Janet has been recognized for her innovation and leadership in the field. She earned her journalism degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and has worked as both a writer and a grants officer, honing her expertise in storytelling and strategic communications.
Passionate about community engagement, she has served on the Chicago Women in Philanthropy board and the Donor’s Forum Asian Giving Circle grants committee. When she’s not shaping content strategies, Janet is balancing life as a mom of two and finding inspiration in everything from fitness to gardening.
Carolyn Cohen
Global Content Strategist
Lockton
Carolyn Cohen is the Global Content Strategist at Lockton, the world's largest independent insurance brokerage. She oversees content marketing for global business development groups as well as intellectual capital, focused on driving awareness and engagement through valuable content. She works cross-functionally to help enable faster innovation, development and delivery of content and collaborates across disciplines, geographies and lines of business.
Carolyn has more than a decade of content marketing leadership experience, previously leading Social Media marketing at H&R Block and Garmin, overseeing consumer facing strategies, content development, advocacy programs, influencer marketing and more. She got her start at advertising agencies Barkley and VML where she began building her foundations in content marketing.
Carolyn is a graduate of the University of Kansas where she received a Bachelor's of Science in Journalism and Bachelor's of the Arts in Psychology.
Jeannine DeFoe
Owner
Jeannine DeFoe Writer LLC
Jeannine DeFoe is a versatile freelance financial writer who focuses on topics including investing, personal finance and fintech. She provides writing and strategy support to leading financial services firms and content marketing agencies. Before starting her firm in 2020, Jeannine worked in communications and marketing roles for Morgan Stanley, TIAA and Standard & Poor’s. She began her career as a reporter for Bloomberg News and still enjoys the opportunity to interview subjects for her content clients.
Jeannine was a 2024 finalist in the 2024 WICMAs in the Freelance Excellence category and looks forward to serving as a judge this year.
Amy Fair
Editorial Lead | Salesforce
Aquent Studios
Amy Fair is a content marketer specializing in creating impactful content marketing strategies and writing killer thought leadership content. She currently works at Aquent Studios as an Editorial Lead for Salesforce. With almost 20 years of marketing experience and a journalism degree, Amy excels at bringing brand and customer stories to life through content marketing.
Amy is passionate about all things content marketing. She enthusiastically promotes the benefits and value of content marketing and loves building meaningful connections with other content marketers. In 2023, Amy was recognized as the Content Marketing Institute (CMI) Community Champion for her contributions to the content marketing community.
Bex Fellows
Senior Brand Executive
On The Tools
Bex Fellows, Senior Brand Executive at On The Tools, is a content marketer with a mission: using media to challenge perceptions and push for real change in the construction industry. Despite having fewer than five years in marketing, Bex has already made waves, crafting campaigns that spotlight diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Their work has driven industry-wide conversations, from the ‘Women On The Tools’ white paper, which directly influenced positive change, to the ‘Tradespeople Against Tool Theft’ campaign, which caught the attention of policymakers.
As a former WICMA finalist, Bex knows the power of recognition in elevating important work and underrepresented voices. Now, as a judge, they’re looking for bold, purpose-driven content that doesn’t just engage but makes a difference.
Georgia Galanoudis
Principal Owner
GA Marcom Consulting, LLC
Georgia Galanoudis is a strategic advisor who helps business leaders navigate growth and transformation with confidence while keeping their humanity intact. With expertise spanning telecom, healthcare, financial services, consumer goods, and nonprofit sectors, Georgia is passionate about helping organizations make meaningful connections with their audiences.
Georgia has successfully managed marketing solution agencies within major publishers, guided the strategy practice for a full-service digital agency, and led new business efforts for best-in-breed content agencies. Drawing on her diverse experience across corporate, nonprofit, and agency roles, she specializes in using content to build trust, educate audiences, and foster community.
Georgia serves on the board of New York Women in Communications (NYWICI.org) and hosts the WomenHeard Changemakers podcast, exploring how empathetic leadership and business growth can successfully coexist.
Megan Gilbert
Vice President
FORTUNE Brand Studio
Megan Gilbert is Vice President of the award-winning FORTUNE Brand Studio, a division of Fortune Media. She drives the editorial direction, strategy, and production of all branded content, co-leading the creative studio team and guiding storytelling in all formats for high-profile clients such as Salesforce, PayPal, De Beers, Accenture, and more. Her career in branded content includes positions at Gawker/Gizmodo, Fusion/Univision, The Washington Post, Slate, and VICE.
Megan is a graduate of Boston University and earned her M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches a graduate-level Branded Content course at New York University (NYU). She was named to the 2024 class of Ragan’s ranking of Top Women in Marketing, won Content Marketer of the Year in 2022 (Women in Content Marketing Awards), and was included on the 100 Most Significant Women in Native Advertising list in 2018 and 2025. She is a judge for the Webby Awards, Signal Awards, Anthem Awards, Telly Awards, AIVA/W3 Awards, WICMA Awards, and Native Advertising Awards and is a proud member of the Brand Storytelling community at Sundance.
Tiffany Grinstead
Vice President - Personal Lines Marketing
Nationwide
Tiffany Grinstead serves as vice president of personal lines marketing for Nationwide. She is responsible for driving segmentation, marketing strategy and promotion for auto, homeowners, RV, boat, renters, condo, umbrella and powersports insurance across independent agencies, partners, members and direct-to-consumer.
She previously served as vice president of agency marketing for Nationwide Property Casualty. Prior to that, she was vice president of marketing for Nationwide Financial, Individual Products and Solutions (IPS) including life insurance and annuities, Nationwide Financial Network and Nationwide Business Solutions Group. She also served as vice president for Nationwide Investment Management Group marketing.
Grinstead has more than 20 years of experience in marketing, brand, distribution strategy, communications, leadership and solutions development.
She is a Registered Corporate Coach and a graduate of The Ohio State University. She was recognized by Columbus Business First Magazine as a Top 40 Under 40, was finalist for a 2016 CMO Club Award and was commended by the international group Women in Marketing in 2018 in the Best Leader in Marketing- Brand category and was a finalist for the 2024 Women in Content Marketing Awards.
Cynthia Gumbert
CMO
Litera
Cynthia brings over 20 years of expertise in technology marketing and executive leadership as Chief Marketing Officer at Litera. She served nearly six years as CMO at SmartBear, where she spearheaded growth, profitability, a sale transaction, and brand transformation into a unified, market-leading portfolio. Prior to SmartBear, Cynthia held marketing leadership roles at CA Technologies (now Broadcom), Dell, and private tech companies, including in the legaltech market. Known for blending her engineering and analytical expertise with business acumen and creative vision, Cynthia is passionate about creating products that empower customers and deliver value. She employs a multidisciplinary approach to achieving business results and inspiring teams. Cynthia holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from MIT, a master’s from Tufts University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Kelly Haggard
VP, Marketing Innovation
Synchrony
Kelly Haggard has over 20+ years in omni-channel marketing, covering multiple industries, including financial, retail, publishing, healthcare, and education. Kelly leads marketing innovation work at Synchrony, evaluating new opportunities through a scoring framework and activating new capabilities in the Fintech marketing space. Kelly serves as co-chair for the Email Excellence Committee with the Association of National Advertisers and received the Stefan Pollard Email Marketer of the Year award in 2023.
Kelly lives in Costa Mesa, CA, and volunteers with multiple non-profit organizations, including the OC Wine Society and South Coast Repertory Theatre, and co-leads Synchrony’s volunteer Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the Costa Mesa site.
Erin Hansen McKnight
Principal, Global Content Strategy
Adobe
Erin Hansen McKnight has 15+ years of experience in content creation for both publication and marketing. In her current role as Principal, Content Strategy at Adobe she creates, develops, and delivers thought leadership content for the Adobe Experience Cloud business. Her role as the lead strategist for the annual Digital Trends campaign has earned Adobe a finalist status for both the “Best Multi-Year Content Marketing Program” (2023) and “Best Content Marketing Program” (2022.)
Prior to joining Adobe, she worked as a copywriter and culture journalist for Kovel/Fuller, The FADER, and Complex Media, and is published in the Cité de la Musique - Philharmonie de Paris book, Jamaica Jamaica! When not strategizing, she enjoys painting at home in Los Angeles, California.
Jodi Harris
Director of Editorial Content and Strategy | Editor-in-Chief
Content Marketing Institute
Jodi Harris (she/her) is Director of Editorial Content & Strategy at Content Marketing Institute and Editor-in-Chief of its executive-focused content brand, Chief Content Officer. Prior to this role, Jodi spent over a decade developing and managing content initiatives for brand, media, and agency clients in the entertainment, CPG, healthcare, technology, and biotech industries.
In addition to her passion for all things content-related, Jodi is an avid music fan, animal lover, aspiring voiceover artist, and one-time Jeopardy contestant.
Christina Heiser
Content Director
Saatva
Christina Heiser is an experienced writer, editor, and content marketer with 15 years of experience working in digital media. She honed her chops as an online health reporter at Everyday Health and Women's Health before transitioning into content marketing and SEO, working with clients like L'Oreal and Vitamin Shoppe. Currently, Christina is the content director at Saatva, a luxury mattress brand, where she oversees content strategy for the company's mattress education and sleep health blog.
Christina is also a freelance health writer and regularly contributes to publications like National Geographic, AARP, Shape, and PopSugar. Outside of work, Christina is a passionate advocate for celiac disease. She's an ambassador for Beyond Celiac, serves on the board of Celiac College Guide, and publishes a popular weekly newsletter on Substack about gluten-free living.
Amy Higgins
Director, Content Strategy
Cloudflare
An award-winning marketing director highly regarded for extensive experience building and developing top integrated marketing teams, including content, campaign, SEO, customer, community, influencer, and social. Recognized as a natural leader with expertise in storytelling, strategic planning, and data-driven insights. Defines and executes marketing strategies that attract, engage, activate, and retain new audiences.
When she’s not online, you can find her diving the deep blue ocean, hiking the tallest mountain, or crafting wearable art in the jewelry studio.
Brittany Howard
Senior Copywriter
Visit Savannah
Brittany Howard is a passionate content marketer and storyteller with extensive experience in copywriting, advertising, and digital marketing. As a Senior Copywriter at Visit Savannah, she has spent the past four years crafting compelling narratives that inspire travel and drive engagement. With expertise in newsletter and email marketing, website and content management, and brand storytelling, she skillfully combines creativity and strategy to engage readers in memorable experiences through narrative conversations.
In 2024, she was honored with the Pivot Award for the Women in Content Marketing Awards, recognizing her ability to adapt and innovate in the ever-evolving marketing landscape. Now, as a judge for the 2025 awards, she is eager to celebrate and encourage fellow content marketers pushing the industry forward.
Jessica Hreha
Head of Marketing AI Strategy & Transformation
Jasper
Jessica’s 20-year career is marked by her drive to challenge status quo and get epic sh*t done. As the leader of Jasper’s AI Transformation Office, Jessica engages directly with clients to collaborate on developing and expanding genAI initiatives. Her focus is on fostering AI literacy and responsible adoption within GTM teams by identifying, building, and scaling strategic use cases and programs.
In early 2023 as Head of Global Demand Content Strategy at VMware, Jessica founded the world’s first Marketing AI Council, a cross-functional team dedicated to educating and empowering marketers to use genAI tools responsibly and effectively, ultimately scaling responsible AI literacy and adoption to over 750 global marketers.
Jessica is proof that anyone, at any level, within an organization can step up and spark widespread change and transformation within an organization. Her mission is to champion other marketers to take action in this new AI era–it’s a wide open leadership opportunity for any career level to become an agent of action and change.
Sydney Lamoureux
Content Lead
Leadhub
Sydney Lamoureux is the Content Lead at Leadhub, a marketing agency based in San Antonio, Texas. With a Bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in professional writing from the University of Texas at San Antonio, she brings a strong foundation in language and storytelling to her role. Sydney oversees the development and execution of content strategies across web, paid media, social media, email, and other channels.
She has built and continually refines content processes for more than 100 clients, with a focus on driving organic SEO growth and improving user engagement. Her leadership is grounded in strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and a deep understanding of the home services industry.
Known for her methodical, detail-oriented approach and high standards, Sydney is passionate about creating content that educates, inspires, and converts. Outside of work, she is a dedicated fiction reader and aspiring fantasy author.
Veronica Magan
Editor in Chief
SHRM
Veronica Magan is a seasoned content management and strategy professional with over 15 years of experience leading innovative editorial initiatives that drive audience engagement, brand loyalty, and revenue growth. As Editor-in-Chief and Content Strategy Director at SHRM, she combines her passion for storytelling with a deep understanding of digital and print media to shape content that resonates. She leads a dynamic team overseeing five podcasts, two print magazines, and 16 specialized newsletters tailored to diverse HR audiences. Veronica is known for building and mentoring high-performing teams and for her ability to translate complex ideas into accessible, compelling narratives.
She holds a Master’s degree from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Outside of work, Veronica channels her creativity as a drummer for her garage punk band Teen Cobra, and supporting the D.C. music scene.
Megen Musegades
Digital Marketing Project Manager
Watermark Retirement Communities
Diana Kelly LeveMegen is excited to be a judge for Women in Content Marketing this year and to celebrate the amazing women shaping the industry. A passionate storyteller, she was a 2024 finalist for Content Marketing Program of the Year with WICMA for her and her co-creator's award-winning online magazine that highlights the voices and experiences of seniors across 40+ communities. Their work has earned top industry recognition, including the Content Marketing Awards Best New Publication award and a finalist spot for the Eddie & Ozzie Awards.
In addition to content marketing, Megen is a filmmaker currently in post-production on a short film. Her original TV pilot, Rebeccas, recently won Best New TV Drama Pilot in 2024 at the Catalyst Content Festival. Whether crafting editorial features, resource-driven articles, or cinematic narratives, she believes the most impactful content is rooted in authenticity and purpose.
Karri Neal
Content Strategy Consultant/Writer
KBN Content Solutions
Karri Neal is a freelance content strategy consultant and writer with over a decade of experience helping brands across industries connect with their audiences through thoughtful, data-informed content. Most recently, she led content marketing and financial education strategy at Regions Bank, where she launched the Regions Insights podcast and oversaw an omnichannel strategy designed to empower customers and communities on their path to financial confidence.
Prior to her work in financial services, Karri led donor communications at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, contributing to the success of the university's $1 billion capital campaign. Her experience in the agency world is where she built a strong foundation in brand strategy and account management that continues to shape her collaborative, insight-driven approach.
Karri holds a bachelor’s degree in both Arts Management and Marketing from the Women’s College of Brenau University.
Mia Ortiz
Senior Creative SSenior Manager, Executive and Digital Communications
Pfizer
As an Executive and Digital Communications Senior Manager at Pfizer, Mia specializes in crafting dynamic and engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences across the company’s corporate and executive social media platforms. She collaborates closely with internal teams and external agency partners to develop tailored content for influencers, advocates, and key stakeholders. Mia is also instrumental in co-managing the content strategy for Pfizer’s award-winning Global Podcast platform, ensuring each episode aligns with the company’s broader communication goals and reaches the right audience.
In addition to her core responsibilities, Mia serves as the communications co-lead on Pfizer’s Latino Community Leadership team. In this capacity, she amplifies the voices of diverse colleagues across the organization, creating visibility for their contributions and promoting an inclusive culture within Pfizer. Through her work, Mia is committed to fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
Emily Paulsen
Editorial Consultant/Writer/Editor
EAP Communications, LLC
Emily Paulsen is an award-winning freelance writer and editor, focused on health and healthcare topics. She has a special interest addressing issues of health equity and increasing access to quality care for underrepresented and underserved populations. Working with non-profits, associations, healthcare organizations, and government agencies, Paulsen produces clear and accurate communications for consumers as well as healthcare professionals and administrators. She also works with subject matter experts and healthcare leaders to hone their message and disseminate their work. Paulsen is Immediate Past President of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the nation’s leading organization for freelance and independent journalists, authors, and content writers.
Kate Pfetsch
Global Senior Director of Content Strategy & Head of Content Studio
Marriott International
Kate Pfetsch blends expertise in marketing, entertainment, production, media, and branding to create award-winning storytelling that drives measurable impact. She launched Marriott’s Content Studio, leading global entertainment strategy and producing acclaimed video series, podcasts, and social content—earning Telly, Webby, Shorty Impact, Brand Film, and NAACP Image Awards, along with film festival selections. Kate led Marriott’s streaming debut with two Amazon Prime Video series that shattered engagement records. As Global Head of Content Strategy, she established the company’s first Content Center of Excellence, guiding strategy across 150 countries.
Before Marriott, she led branded entertainment at Discovery, crafting multi-platform campaigns for major brands like Toyota, American Express, Purina, and E*TRADE. Kate currently serves as President of the Alumni Board for the Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, her alma mater.
Lauren Piro
Digital Content Director
Warner Bros. Discovery
Lauren is the director of digital content for Food Network and HGTV, the lifestyle brands at Warner Bros. Discovery. She brings 15 years of experience in content and brand strategy, editorial, social media, content marketing and user experience, leading content teams that serve mass consumer audiences.
Previously, she edited content at legacy brands like Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart Living and Ladies' Home Journal. A graduate of Villanova University and the International Culinary Center, Lauren's expertise is in the lifestyle, food and hospitality space; she loves getting consumers excited all about things they didn't even know they wanted to know about.
Chelsea Podraski
Member Management Marketing Specialist
Nationwide
Chelsea is a proud alumna of The University of Findlay College of Business, where she earned her degrees in Marketing and Business Management. Chelsea is a Marketing Specialist at Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company and in her role within the P&C Marketing Department, she focuses on Personal Lines Insurance, to develop and implement strategic marketing initiatives that drive engagement, boost retention, and promote self-service. Her journey within marketing has been fueled by a passion for creativity and a commitment to delivering results. At Nationwide, she’s able to collaborate with cross-functional teams to craft campaigns that resonate with audiences and align with brand values. Chelsea thrives in dynamic environments and is eager to learn and adapt to challenges.
Sangeeta Prasad
Chief Marketing Officer
Slalom
Sangeeta Prasad joined Slalom, a next-generation professional services company, as its first global chief marketing officer in 2020. She is responsible for leading both the external and internal marketing efforts for Slalom.
Before joining Slalom, Sangeeta worked in a variety of brand management and marketing leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase, American Express, and Procter & Gamble. Most recently, she served as the first global chief marketing officer for Russell Reynolds Associates. Sangeeta is a creative marketer and intrapreneur who operates at the intersection of brand transformation and demand/performance marketing. Her vision is to help Slalom become a global brand that is known for building better tomorrows for all, while also helping accelerate business growth through marketing.
Sangeeta’s global perspective and ability to forge consensus across cultural boundaries are informed by having lived and worked across the globe, including Korea, Brazil, India, Australia, and several cities in the United States.
Susan Sasu
Senior Content Marketing Manager, Selling Partner Communities
Amazon
Susan Sasu is an experienced marketing leader who holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Over the course of her career, she’s honed her expertise at powerhouses like Unilever, Microsoft and Amazon, working across global markets and crafting winning marketing strategies for a wide range of regions and audiences. Currently, Susan applies her marketing prowess at Amazon, where she shapes content marketing strategy for Amazon sellers, including many small businesses. This role allows her to leverage her strategic marketing vision and deep understanding of digital marketing.
Susan is deeply passionate about giving back and dedicates her time to mentoring people from underrepresented backgrounds. She also loves travelling with her family, seeking out new experiences and destinations.
Charlotte Seymour
Communications and Brand Marketing Leader
Pentair
Charlotte Seymour is a leader in strategic communication and brand marketing. She has led content and brand strategy, including first-of-its-kind brand storytelling, at companies that include UnitedHealth Group, Pentair, Cargill, General Mills and 3M. Charlotte started her career in advertising and was also a producer for the CBS This Morning show in San Francisco.
Charlotte currently serves on the marketing board committee for the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Minnesota Chapter and is Governance Chair for Pentair’s Women’s Resource Group. She has received numerous professional awards from employers, including Pentair, UnitedHealth Group and 3M. She was also a finalist for the Content Marketing Institute’s Women in Content Marketing awards in the Marketing Leader of the Year category in 2024.
Charlotte holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Saint Mary’s University of California and has completed significant coursework toward an MA in Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. She lives in the Twin Cities area with her family.
Jennifer Shambroom
CMO
Fictiv
Jennifer Shambroom is a SaaS and Mobile Marketing leader, author and four time CMO directly focused on achieving high growth rates within start-up, turnaround and rapid growth environments.
Jennifer’s marketing leadership has contributed to 10 funding events, the sale of five software companies, and the acquisition of several more. Named Executive of the Year, Marketing Executive of the Year, Shortlist for Most Innovative Woman in Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations, 50 Women to Know in Martech and Mobile Women to Watch.
Elizabeth Sile
Director of Content
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Elizabeth Sile is an award-winning editor and writer. She is currently the director of content at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, where she oversees the foundation’s content strategy. A former magazine editor, she has held staff positions at Real Simple, Departures, and Esquire, and her byline has appeared in numerous outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Inc., Delta Sky, Reader’s Digest, and more. As a freelance editor, writer, fact-checker, and strategist, Elizabeth has consulted for tech companies, nonprofits, small businesses, and media outlets. Elizabeth won a 2024 WICMA Pivot Award. She lives in the New York City area with her family.
Stephanie Stahl
General Manager
Content Marketing Institute
As General Manager of CMI, Stephanie Stahl leads the brand’s event and digital operations – and gets to work with the best team on the planet! Previously, Stephanie served as VP of Content Marketing for UBM’s Technology portfolio, providing strategic guidance on content development, content optimization, audience engagement, and go-to-market platforms for technology clients. She’s worked for Informa (previously UBM), for nearly three decades, helping shape new multimedia content and event offerings. Stephanie lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her husband and they enjoy spending time taking care of their many pets and visiting their two daughters in different parts of the country.
Sharon Stenger
Vice President, Content Marketing
Prudential
Sharon leads the delivery of meaningful content experiences that enable Prudential audiences to take positive financial action.
With a career marked by leading teams, brands, and businesses through transformation, Sharon has a proven track record of driving growth. Her success is built on:
Imaginative, insights-based strategies.
Execution focus to meet or exceed targets.
Organizational perception and talent mindset to inspire teams.
Before joining Prudential, Sharon worked in packaged goods marketing, creating billions in value for global companies like Colgate Palmolive, Diageo, and Campbell's Soup. Earlier in her career, she was a Process Engineer in the pharmaceutical industry.
Sharon holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She lives in Connecticut with her husband Bill, son Mitch, and dog Puck.
Jenn VandeZande
Editor-in-Chief of The Future of Commerce blog
SAP Customer Experience
An award-winning marketing, editor, and content strategist with deep expertise in SEO and community building, Jenn is a highly regarded consultant and advisor to brands big and small, as well as the Editor in Chief for The Future of Commerce, an SAP Customer Experience site. With a proven ability for creating all facets of content that earns organic growth and is directly tied to revenue, she’s worked with brands to provide strategic planning, detailed customer journeys, thought leadership, SEO guidance, copy + marketing content, technical writing, corporate communications, and grant writing. When not engrossed in visits with her loyal murder of crows, she donates her time to several non-profits and political organizations, assisting with strategic planning, messaging, social, and branding efforts.
Pooja Vijay Kumar
Head of Platform Content Design
Autodesk
Pooja has spent a large part of her career shaping how the tech world tells its stories—working with brands like Autodesk, Robinhood, Oracle, and high-growth startups to transform complex software into clear, relatable narratives. She currently leads platform content strategy at Autodesk, where her work spans leading content across AI and API experiences.
In 2024, Pooja was named a Women in Content Marketing Awards (WICMAs) recipient and one of Silicon Valley’s most influential people (Silicon Valley Business Journal), and is known for her legacy in humanizing technology and empowering teams to think beyond words toward impact, equity, and innovation. Her passion lies in building content systems that connect people—not just to products, but to possibility. When she's not leading global content efforts, she’s mentoring creatives, speaking on the future of AI ethics, or trail walking to EDM beats.
Monica Wallis
Freelance Copywriter & Founder
Copy That
Monica Wallis is the Founder and CEO of Copy That, a full-service copywriting and content writing agency specializing in destination, food & beverage, wellness and nonprofit work. Her clients have included Nothing Bundt Cakes®, Visit Napa Valley, Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC) and more. Before launching Copy That, Monica spent time on JCPenney’s advertising team, led content marketing for a Dallas AI tech company and contributed to the award-winning Augustine Agency.
With a decade of content marketing experience, Monica’s had her writing featured in People Magazine, plus ad campaigns for Drybar, Avocados From Mexico, North Lake Tahoe and beyond. She’s earned various writing awards and was a Women in Content Marketing Awards finalist for Freelance Excellence in 2024.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the Bob Schieffer School of Communication at Texas Christian University (TCU) and lives in Frisco, TX. When away from her keyboard, she’s likely spending too much money at Barnes & Noble or obsessing over the packaging copy in the nondairy aisle of the grocery store.
Follow along with Copy That on Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also subscribe to her writing and solopreneurship newsletter here.
Julie Weber
Marketing Content Manager
Siemens EDA
Julie Weber has been creating content and telling marketing stories for 15 years. She currently works as the Marketing Content Manager for the Electronic Board Systems division of Siemens EDA. In this role she manages the content strategy for all product launches and marketing campaigns, which includes the creation of digital assets, production of the Printed Circuit Podcast, management of the editorial calendar, and oversight of the web properties.
She previously worked as a marketing manager for Rockwell Automation and has held other content roles at Johnson Controls, Honeywell, and Spacesaver Corporation. She holds a Master of Arts degree in writing and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, both from Mount Mary University.
Fransiska Weckesser
Co-founder and CEO
The Very Creative Firm
Fransiska’s innovative leadership, the exponential growth of TVCF under her management, and her contributions to her community earned Fransiska a known place in the event industry.
Fransiska Weckesser, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of The very creative firm, hails from Holland but made her mark in Shanghai and Los Angeles. Her enterprise specializes in large-scale shows, events, and video productions, boasting clients from Louis Vuitton to Hilton and even BMW. After doing projects all over the world from Europe to China, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and now the US she created this special way of thinking about how creative concepts & plans can be transformed into realization. This is one of the main reasons why she loves her work!
Besides a thriving Business, Weckesser is devoted to community service, volunteering where and whenever she can, supporting local enterprises & starting business owners, as well as being a board member on the GenV board (part of Visionary Women). A proud mother and pet owner, she emphasizes the importance of spreading positivity daily. Her journey, from a young dreamer to a successful entrepreneur, stands as a testament to her belief that the world is full of undiscovered possibilities.
Sydnye White
Vice President, Content and Storytelling
Special Olympics
Sydnye White is dedicated to fostering inclusion through her work as Vice President of Content and Storytelling at Special Olympics. Every day, she amplifies the voices of athletes, sharing their stories to teach about collaboration, empathy, and openness. Sydnye is passionate about blending ideas, visuals, and sound to create impactful content that challenges perceptions and inspires change. At Special Olympics, she brings the brand to life by crafting and executing a dynamic, global content and storytelling strategy. She is constantly seeking out stories and platforms to showcase how athletes are driving change both on and off the fields and courts, in their communities, countries, and around the world. Sydnye is a 2024 Women in Content Marketing Awards Content Marketer of the Year recipient, an Emmy-nominated documentary television producer, and an aspiring novelist.