You’ve heard the buzzword ESG and probably know it stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, but what does it mean to communicators?

Join us for coffee, conversation, and a panel discussion on April 21 at GRAEF headquarters in Milwaukee (GRAEF was named one of the “coolest offices in Milwaukee” – so check it out!). You’ll hear from three expert communicators and learn best practices in communicating ESG to key stakeholders. Our panelists include:

• Susan Ogle, CEO of Southern Gas Association and President of the Gas Machinery Research Council, is a sustainability and ESG executive with more than 20 years of experience operating at the forefront of social and business transformation, leading through rapid and disruptive change. As a national thought leader on ESG communications, her work has been published in Forbes, Pipeline Gas Journal and American Oil & Gas Reporter.  She teaches Introduction to ESG and Future Proofing Your Business to utilities throughout the United States and was recently published in Forbes with an article about ESG communications.
• Marci Pelzer is a communication and sustainability consultant who has spent most of her career leading external communication programs for Fortune 500 companies. Her sustainability and ESG expertise include report planning, media pitching, disclosure programs and ranker/rater strategy. Marci has worked in communication leadership roles at Rockwell Automation, SC Johnson, Time Warner Cable and ManpowerGroup.  She holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Marquette University.
• Paul Van de Sand founded Northwestern Mutual’s environmental affairs and engineering group for their global investment portfolio in 1988. He also led We Energies’ strategic alliances and sustainability initiatives to identify and service customers needing assistance in creating and implementing ESG programs. In 2009, created an ESG investment portfolio which outperformed the Dow Jones and S&P indexes consistently for 10 years. Today, he advises wealth managers on ESG issues and investments, and analyzes ESG programs for compliance and quality.

$10 registration ($5 for students) includes coffee, bagels, fruit and the ESG program. Parking (not included) is available on the street or parking structure. Coffee networking stars at 7:15, followed by the formal panel presentation from 8-9:15 a.m.

The ESG event is sponsored by GRAEF, whose location was named one of “Milwaukee’s Coolest Offices” by the Business Journal.

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Join us for a panel discussion to explore the latest strategies, advice, tools and opportunities related to influencer marketing. The panel will feature local influencers as well as marketing experts in this space to explore what makes a good partnership, preferences for working with a company and brand, content trends and tips, how to work with college and professional athletes as influencers, and the latest updates around NIL opportunities and policies. The panel will be moderated by Laughlin Constable Public Relation’s Julie Embling, a former multimedia journalist, and will feature:

Chelsey Knuth, also known as @thewisconsinista to her over 30K social followers, is a Milwaukee-based regional travel influencer with a focus on Wisconsin and the Midwest. She has worked on influencer marketing campaigns with dozens of destinations across the region as well as iconic Midwest brands. Chelsey will share her dos and don’ts for valuable and authentic partnerships.

Mark Rothwell is Managing Director/GM of The Varsity Collective that launched Fall 2022 to support University of Wisconsin athletes in navigating and maximizing their NIL opportunities. The Collective’s approach focuses on charitable opportunities and its sister organization VC Connect focuses on NIL business partnerships. Both abide by NCAA regulations and help equip student athletes with education and mentorship from UW alumni and professional athletes along the way. Mark will share the latest updates on the NIL marketplace and important considerations for your community organization, company or brand when working with student athletes.

Erin Guenterberg, adored by followers as @lakecountryfamilyfun, is all about fun and family events in Waukesha County. She went from social worker, to stay-at-home mom, to Lake Country Family Fun first as sales manager and now as owner. Her influencer and website business thrives at creating community (both on and offline), supporting local businesses, and promoting and hosting amazing local events. She regularly partners with special events, children’s brands, restaurants, retailers and destinations.

Devin Grainger is President of Conntent Studios, that was founded to concept, create, manage and support Milwaukee Buck Pat Connaughton’s content. Devin has deep background in agency influencer marketing and now is driving anything and everything that No. 24 shares with his fans and community from the court to his Foundation, business interests and community engagements.

Jordan Rubinstein is Director of Sales at Tagger Media, the technology platform that has revolutionized the social media marketing industry for some of today’s biggest brands and agencies. Tagger’s data-driven social intelligence platform allows marketers to plan campaigns, maximize workflow efficiency, connect with creators, and accurately measure ROI. Jordan will share the role technology plays for brands successfully partnering with creators.

PRSA would like to thank our board member Brian Knox and the rest of his team from Laughlin Constable Public Relations for putting this great event together!

This program will be hosted on Thursday, June 15 at the Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells Street in Downtown Milwaukee. It will begin with networking and light snacks from 4-4:30 pm and then the presentation will run from 4:30-5:30 pm so you can get home in time for dinner! Please come join us! Space is limited register soon!

As part of our ongoing community service effort, please bring boxes of cereal for Second Harvest Food Bank.

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At a time when so many employees are feeling stretched, disconnected and overwhelmed by the challenges of our new working reality – and businesses wrestle with significant change and cost pressures – communication leaders are looked to for answers.

What can communication leaders do to stay in tune with the needs of the business and be responsive to employees’ biggest needs and desires?

As David Grossman has discovered through decades of work with effective leaders – especially during the past two years of uncertainty and social unrest – the key lies in “Heart First” leadership. Heart First leaders who champion empathy, humanity and authenticity in the workplace set themselves apart because they build stronger, trusting relationships, which improve engagement, retention, and business results.

In this workshop, Grossman shares the best strategies and tips for Heart First leadership with a special focus on the unique role of communications leaders who wear two hats: one as leaders themselves, and a second managing and influencing a critical and complex set of stakeholders. Both hats are vital to building and protecting the employee experience and the business.

Attendees will:

• Understand what “Heart First” leadership is and how to make it a gold standard for how to lead & make the workplace better
• Explore why a Heart First approach to leadership is good for business
• Learn how to better equip themselves for today’s reality
• Know the specific steps to take to thrive in challenging times

This program will hosted on Thursday, September 21 at the Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells Street in Downtown Milwaukee. It will begin with networking and light snacks from 4-4:30 pm and then David’s presentation will run from 4:30-5:30 pm so you can get home in time for dinner! Please come join us! Or, if you prefer we do have a zoom option as well.

As part of our ongoing community service effort, please bring jars of peanut butter for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Register »