The BrandLab

Today, we raise a virtual anniversary toast to three of our amazing staff members: Amy, Mariela, and Akiyaa! 🎉   🌟 Amy Brown, our incredible Partnerships Manager, continues to forge valuable connections and drive our collaborative efforts forward. 🌟 Mariela Fonseca Ruiz, our dedicated Regional Program Coordinator, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of our programs in our Milwaukee region. 🌟 Akiyaa Depusoir-Cochrane, our outstanding Regional Program Manager, brings passion and excellence to our regional initiatives.   Thank you for your hard work and commitment! Here's to many more years of success together! 🥂✨ #TeamCelebration #AnniversaryToast #AppreciationPost #WorkAnniversary

July 7th marks our 15th anniversary of impact and innovation. 🥂   15 years ago, John and Cindy Olson founded The BrandLab to address the growing diversity gap in the Minneapolis marketing and advertising workforce. Since then, The BrandLab has grown from a small initiative into a powerful force for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in multiple locations across the Midwest.   As we reflect on our past achievements, we are filled with excitement for the future. Our mission remains as vital as ever: to change the face and voice of the marketing and advertising profession by empowering a new generation of diverse leaders. Here's to 15 amazing years and many more to come.   #TBL #TheBrandLab #Anniversary #15thAnniversary #Impact #Equity #Exposure #Opportunity #Access #BIPOC #Marketing #Advertising

We are proud to introduce Cindy Olson, Sean Irwin, and Mercedes McFarland Jackson as the newest members of our board of directors! We're so excited for the innovative ideas and experience they'll contribute to our organization. 🎉   Cindy, co-founder of Olson Advertising and The BrandLab, has significantly influenced the advertising industry with her innovative leadership as Executive Creative Director. Over her 30-year career, she has shaped Olson Advertising into one of North America's top independent agencies and earned numerous Effie awards for her impactful campaigns. Cindy has collaborated with major partners like Target, Minnesota Wild, Allianz, and the Detroit Pistons, consistently elevating brands and resonating with consumers.   Sean, a Senior Director at Ovative Group, has over 15 years of marketing and measurement experience and has significantly contributed to the company's growth by leading key teams like Financial Planning & Analysis and Retail Media Activation. Since 2010, he has been actively involved with TBL as a mentor, event attendee, financial contributor, and finance committee member, showcasing his dedication to mentorship and community involvement. Outside of work, Sean enjoys spending time with his family at their cabin, and his rich background in marketing, finance, and leadership makes him a valuable asset to any board.   Mercedes, Shareholder and Vice President at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., specializes in debt finance transactions and advises C-Suite executives on transactions and compliance matters. With over 18 years of experience, she has expertly guided organizations through financial challenges such as the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating her strong capabilities in risk management and corporate governance. Additionally, Mercedes is actively involved in nonprofit board directorship, advocating for ESG, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles while leveraging her extensive expertise in commercial financing, venture capital, IPOs, and mergers and acquisitions.   Join us in welcoming these amazing individuals to The BrandLab!   #TBL #TheBrandLab #BoardOfDirectors #Marketing #Advertising #Welcome

Thank you, Milena Oliveira and Frank Crowson, for 4 wonderful years on our board! Your impact has been truly amazing and we can’t thank you enough for all the support and love you have given to our organization. Wishing you both nothing but the best in your future endeavors! 🌟   #Appreciation #BoardService #TBL #TheBrandLab #Marketing #Advertising #BoardMembers

Understanding personal experiences helps organizations identify and address gaps in their inclusivity efforts.   This segment provides personal, real-world insights into the experiences of belonging and exclusion from our alumni. It offers a deep, empathetic understanding of the emotional and social impact of inclusion and exclusion, highlighting personal stories that resonate on a human level.   Meet our panelists: Alvin Onkware - Twin Cities The BrandLab Internship Alumni Emely Cruz - Kansas City The BrandLab Internship Alumni Cristal Ortiz - Milwaukee The BrandLab Internship Alumni Seven D. - Twin Cities The BrandLab Internship Alumni Felipe Alejandro Fernández Nuñez - Twin Cities The BrandLab Fellowship Alumni   Until June 30th, get 12 months of exclusive access to our Fearless Alumni Panel Segment for $50 off. This segment includes a workbook, making it great for individual learning and team trainings.   Use the link in our below or link the the comments to learn more! https://bit.ly/3KZ3mQG #Fearless #FearlessConference #DEIB #DEI #TheBrandLab #TBL #Workshop #Marketing #Advertising

Last week, we kicked off our first Summer Monday! Our interns enjoyed a wellness session, inspiring remarks from our CEO Kelli Williams, and met their summer coaches.   Excited for a fantastic season ahead! 💼✨   #SummerInternship #Wellness #Leadership #TeamBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment #TBL #TheBrandLab #summermondays

Effective DEI initiatives in talent management ensure that organizations attract, develop, and retain diverse talent, leading to a more inclusive workplace.   In this segment, HR/DEI professionals explore actionable strategies for embedding DEI into all stages of talent management, focusing on practical steps HR and DEI professionals can take to turn intentions into measurable impacts.   Meet our panelists: Delphanie Daniels - DEI Leader, Best Buy LeeAnn Rasachak - CEO, WomenVenture Thomas Jefferson - HR Leader Jesse Pedraza - Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Barkley   Until June 30th, get 12 months of exclusive access to our Fearless HR/DEI Panel Segment for $50 off. This segment includes a workbook, making it great for individual learning and team trainings.   Use the link below or the link in the comments to learn more! https://bit.ly/3KZ3mQG #Fearless #FearlessConference #DEIB #DEI #TheBrandLab #TBL #Workshop #Marketing #Advertising

📣 Milwaukee interns and alumni! The Future Innovators Scholarship closes soon!    Our scholarship applicant pool is significantly smaller compared to other scholarships. This means the likelihood of you winning is greater! Make sure to capitalize on this opportunity by applying today ! 🚀    Apply using the link below or link in the comments!  https://lnkd.in/gwwhPJbF 🚨Applications close June 28! 🚨    #scholarship #Quad #TBL #TheBrandLab #Marketing #Advertising #Milwaukee

Addressing the retention of underrepresented groups in specific fields like marketing helps organizations create more supportive and inclusive environments.   In this segment, industry professionals discuss the unique challenges faced by underrepresented individuals in the marketing profession and offers strategies for retention. It sheds light on the specific retention challenges within this industry, providing targeted insights and solutions.   Meet our panelists: Marilka Velez - SVP, Senior Director of Marketing, Associated Bank Kelley Briggs - Managing Director, broadhead. Milena Oliveira - CMO, Carrier Lorenz Esguerra - CEO, Folklore Sanjit Sethi - President, Minneapolis College of Art and Design   Until June 30th, get 12 months of exclusive access to our Fearless Professional Panel Segment for $50 off. This segment includes a workbook, making it great for individual learning and team trainings.   Use the link below or link in the comments to learn more! https://bit.ly/3KZ3mQG  #Fearless #FearlessConference #DEIB #DEI #TheBrandLab #TBL #Workshop #Marketing #Advertising

Dipanjan Chatterjee is the Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester, leading the brand experience and strategy practice. He has been featured in major media outlets like CNN, NPR, and The New York Times, and writes for notable publications such as the MIT Sloan Management Review and AdAge. Dipanjan has spoken at prestigious events including SXSW and Mobile World Congress, and lectured at Cambridge University. He is also a Fellow at the KU Institute of Economics at the University of Cincinnati. Prior to Forrester, he held senior roles at Y&R, FedEx Office/Kinko’s, and a Berkshire Hathaway portfolio company, and began his career at Morgan Stanley and Booz. He holds a BA in economics from Amherst College and an MBA from the University of Chicago.   In this segment, Dipanjan provides strategies for achieving representation at senior levels within organizations, emphasizing the importance of senior-level diversity and offering concrete steps for building a diverse leadership pipeline.   Until June 30th, get 12 months of exclusive access to Dipanjans's Fearless Segment for $50 off. This segment includes a workbook, making it great for individual learning and team trainings.   Use the link below or link in the comments to learn more! https://bit.ly/3KZ3mQG   #Fearless #FearlessConference #DEIB #DEI #TheBrandLab #TBL #Workshop