Winter 2018 Conference Speakers
Chuck Hansen
KEYNOTE: KEEPING BALANCE AND HUMOR AMIDST (HURRICANE-STRENGTH) WINDS OF CHANGE
Humorist Chuck Hansen has written three books, and for more than a decade his essays have appeared in Virginia publications. As a young man, Chuck drifted through many jobs, including copier salesman, blackjack dealer, daycare teacher, private detective, donut maker, bouncer in a Caribbean saloon and crew on a 51-foot sailboat crossing the North Atlantic. Chuck went on to earn a master’s degree and serve as press secretary for a congresswoman, speechwriter for a governor, and executive speechwriter with three Fortune 500 companies. Chuck pulls humor from these experiences and daily life in his writing and speaking.
Corey Byers
NINE WAYS TO NAVIGATE TOUGH SUBJECTS
Corey Byers joined VCU’s University Public Affairs staff as the public relations specialist for VCU Police in March 2014. She manages internal and external communications, media relations, and social media for the agency. Prior to joining VCU, she worked as a public relations specialist at Northern Virginia Community College, as the public information officer for the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office, and as a reporter at The Free Lance-Star newspaper in Fredericksburg. Byers earned a master’s degree in multimedia journalism from VCU in 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Mary Washington and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America.
Jennifer Carmean
NINE WAYS TO NAVIGATE TOUGH SUBJECTS
Jennifer Carmean joined VCU’s University Public Affairs staff in November 2013. She oversees communication and strategy efforts for university-level communications as well as serves on the executive communications team. Carmean has served the Division of University Relations in various communications roles, with a focus on integrated communications. Much of her career has focused on marketing communications for higher education. A VCU alumna, she completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1998. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America.
Justin Mattingly
MEDIA PANEL
Justin Mattingly is the education reporter at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering K-12 schools, higher education, and statewide education issues. Mattingly moved to Richmond from New York City where he covered healthcare for Bloomberg News. A proud Syracuse University alumnus, he was the editor in chief of The Daily Orange, the independent student newspaper, while studying newspaper and online journalism and political science. The son of two teachers, Mattingly attended local school board meetings for fun as a teenager, creating an interest in education policy. In his free time, the native northern New Yorker enjoys reading biographies, analyzing baseball and hiking around the James River. Connect with him on Twitter (@jmattingly306) or by email (jmattingly@timesdispatch.com).
Mark Tenia
MEDIA PANEL
A graduate of Old Dominion University, Mark Tenia started his career in TV working behind the scenes for WVEC, the ABC affiliate in Norfolk, before moving north to work in front of the camera. For three and a half years Mark reported, produced, and anchored for WCAV, the CBS affiliate in Charlottesville. Mark is married with two daughters. He loves sports, watching movies, and spending time with his family.
Jamal Watson
MEDIA PANEL
Jamal Watson is the executive editor of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. A former senior staff writer, Watson has written for the publication since 2005. A native of Philadelphia, Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in English and theology from Georgetown University, a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and master’s and doctoral degrees in Afro-American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His writings have appeared in numerous publications including The Baltimore Sun and USA Today. He is the author of the forthcoming biography on the Reverend Al Sharpton.
Sarah Milston
EFFECTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR FUNDRAISING AND FRIENDRAISING
Over the last 10 years as a consultant, Sarah Milston has worked with over 100 associations, nonprofits, and businesses to help at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and action. Milston is an active speaker and trainer around the Mid-Atlantic region on all aspects of strategic planning, nonprofit sustainability, and brand strategy. She is a frequent presenter at Tidewater Community College’s Academy for Nonprofit Excellence and was named Instructor of the Year in 2015 at Nonprofit Learning Point. She counts Mary Baldwin University and VCU as her alma maters. When she isn’t at work, she wrangles two very different young girls with the hope of raising good humans.
Joel Erb
MANAGING THE AD CAMPAIGN MEDIA MIX
Joel Erb has a restless mind – and the people he helps appreciate that.
At 15, Erb started his own digital agency, which he later named INM United. He went on to co-found several other technology companies too, including the digital platform SpotTrot. There he collaborated with talents like Dave Mathews to connect musicians and their fans.
Since then, Erb’s gained two decades of experience developing smart, insightful digital strategy for start-ups, multinationals, schools and nonprofits. A seasoned tech entrepreneur, Joel is known as a strategic change agent. He understands how technology fits within complex business environments, and uses it precisely — solving problems and capturing pivotal opportunities.
Erb heads the Padilla digital team, where he leads digital initiatives and creates new business opportunities. His client experience includes companies such as AOL, Allianz, Walmart, BFGoodrich, Air New Zealand, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Wine.
Recently he has added to his experience in the health, wellness and nutrition sectors by helping start-ups like RoundTrip and Modo. He’s inspired by impactful technology that improves people’s lives and health.
Erb has been recognized as a Rising Technology star by the Greater Richmond Technology Council, Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Small Business Administration and one of Virginia’s Top 40 Under 40. In 2009, he was featured in Upstarts!, a book featuring young entrepreneurs.
Erb earned his bachelor’s in marketing and business administration from the University of Richmond, Virginia.
When his mind isn’t on technology, he holds a passion for cooking and urban gardening, a skill he learned growing up on a farm in southern Virginia.
Christian Munson
MANAGING THE AD CAMPAIGN MEDIA MIX
Christian Munson is a senior director in Padilla’s corporate practice. With more than 20 years of journalism, corporate communications, public relations and government affairs experience, he leads some of the practice area’s largest accounts with a sharp focus on research-based brand development, campaign execution, content creation and persuasive communications, especially in higher education.
Munson has led or supported agency initiatives with Longwood University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Reynolds Community College and Ruffalo Noel Levitz. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at VCU.
His work has been recognized by PR Week, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and other industry and trade groups.
Munson sharpened his communications skills covering technology in the nation’s capital for the Washington Business Journal. His marketing career includes corporate communications, brand development and media relations for global companies, universities, nonprofits, startups, economic development projects and the Virginia Governor’s Office.
Munson graduated cum laude from James Madison University and was named one of Richmond’s “Top 40 Under 40” (when he was under 40).
Beyond the Bio
Husband, father, Brewers fan
Lisa Chinn Marvashti
TAKE STOCK — AND DITCH IT: HOW TO ACHIEVE AUTHENTICITY WITH CAMPUS PHOTOS
Lisa Chinn Marvashti started her writing and editing career at a daily newspaper in the ’90s. She’s written about everything from belly-lights and mantyhose — yes, man-ty-hose — to health and the military. Her work has appeared in publications as diverse as The Denver Post and Ridemagazine. As the University of Mary Washington’s assistant director of media and public relations, Lisa is queen of the 500-word story, capturing the spirit of UMW’s incredible students, faculty and alumni in dynamic, digestible prose. Anything to make Mary Washington shine!
Maria Schultz
TAKE STOCK — AND DITCH IT: HOW TO ACHIEVE AUTHENTICITY WITH CAMPUS PHOTOS
Maria Schultz has served as Assistant Director of Design Services at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia for over ten years. Her background is eclectic, from working in advertising agencies, to product design, to traditional illustration. At UMW she partners closely with the admissions office to create branded recruitment publications and a range of digital collateral materials. In addition to designing a breadth of high-impact communications materials, she also oversees the University’s photographic style and production. Creative directions on branded photo shoots, directing video shoots, and working with photographers and subjects are all part her job. Outside of UMW, Maria is herself a freelance photographer, designer, and author. Her work has been published in magazines such as Dog Fancy, Rapid Magazine, and Outside Online.
Catherine Spears
ACCESSIBILITY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR COMMUNICATORS
Catherine Spears is Associate Vice President, Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR), University of Virginia
George Webster
ACCESSIBILITY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR COMMUNICATORS
George Webster graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in communications. He started his career in higher education as a multimedia and web specialist at his alma mater. After that, he moved back to Richmond and worked at Eagle Construction as a web developer. There he produced award winning sites, receiving top honors at the MAME awards for 3 consecutive years. Webster also has developed sites for local start-ups and charity organizations.
Currently Webster is the web development manager at Reynolds Community College. His focus is on UX design, accessibility, and engaging students. When he is not spending time with his wife and two sons, he enjoys nerding out on code, guitars, drones, and Game of Thrones.
Brett W. Tubbs
FACEBOOK LIVE: OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND POINT AND SHOOT
Brett W. Tubbs is the Public Relations & Social Media Manager at Regent University in Virginia Beach. Her roster of work includes coordinating media relations for on-campus events including the university’s United States Presidential Candidate Forums (2015-2016), and notable alumni such as academy award-winning actor Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development) and New York Times best-selling author Charles Martin (The Mountain Between Us). However, she considers her greatest accomplishment her ability to fold quotes from The Office into any conversation. She graduated from Regent in 2012 with her Master’s in Communication with a Journalism concentration. In 2010, she graduated from James Madison University with her Bachelor’s in Media Arts & Design, and English. She’s a big fan of coffee, Instagram, and the Oxford comma.
Anne Dreyfuss
FACEBOOK LIVE: OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND POINT AND SHOOT
Anne Dreyfuss is a public relations specialist at Virginia Commonwealth University where she manages communications for the academic medical center’s five health sciences schools. In addition to devising integrated public relations plans for each school, Dreyfuss works directly with physicians and faculty in a variety of health-related disciplines to promote their research. Her pitching and media relations efforts have resulted in positive coverage for VCU from national outlets including the Wall Street Journal, People magazine, and the Discovery Channel. Dreyfuss brings several years of experience as an award-winning journalist to VCU, having served as a writer and editor at a regional magazine before transitioning to public relations. She is currently pursuing a MBA.
Keith Kaufelt
PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITIONS
As the social media specialist for VCU Health, Keith Kaufelt oversees social media strategy for the academic medical center. His efforts have resulted in improved content quality and the introduction of growing platforms for the health system, including Facebook Live. Kaufelt earned an undergraduate degree in mass communications with a concentration in creative advertising at Virginia Commonwealth University. He brings a wealth of experience to VCU Health, having worked previously with the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia, and Chil Creative in Atlanta.
Kelsey Leavey
A CAMPUS IN CRISIS: TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR LEVERAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN YOUR CRISIS COMMS PLAN
Kelsey Leavey is a PR and digital strategist at The Hodges Partnership, where she spends a majority of her time helping clients uncover the digital and social strategies that will help them achieve their goals.
Sean Ryan
A CAMPUS IN CRISIS: TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR LEVERAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN YOUR CRISIS COMMS PLAN
A former print journalist at The Richmond Times-Dispatch and Inside Business, Sean Ryan joined The Hodges Partnership in 2003 and leads Hodges’ media relations team. He manages media relations strategy and helps place subject matter experts on CNN, FoxNews and MSNBC and more. He regularly helps place op-eds in top-tier papers like the New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today.