KMG ANNUAL Symposium 2024
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
247 S. State Street, Chicago IL 60604
Please enter the building from the 247 S State Street entrance.
The Future is Here:
Next Generation Marketing
In its 16th year, DePaul University’s Kellstadt Marketing Group is the premier graduate student organization for graduate marketing students. KMG is known for organizing professional events for its target audience. KMG’s premier event is the annual KMG Symposium.
Organized as a daylong conference, KMG’s Symposium brings together marketing professionals, marketing graduate students, marketing alumni, and faculty to hear from leading industry experts on topics relevant to marketing. KMG’s Symposium includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, brief presentations on industry trends, and networking opportunities to all attendees.
This year, once again, we have a phenomenal day filled with Keynote and TED Talk-style presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A with high-level executives and CEOs that are leaders in their industry in store for you. Topics covered include next generation marketing, entrepreneurship and side hustles, business of fashion & beauty, and more!
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
SPEAKERS
(Click a speaker tile to know more)
Keynote Speakers
Steven Dyme
CEO & Co-Founder,
Flowers for Dreams
Steven Dyme is the Co-Founder & CEO of Flowers for Dreams, the first B Corporation florist in North America with locations across the Midwest region. Every locally crafted bouquet they sell benefits a small local charity in need. To date, that model has resulted in over $1,400,000 donated to 220 neighborhood nonprofits -- all from the sale of flowers. Steven is considered a leading voice on social enterprise, having served on the Illinois Governor's Task Force on Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise, as an instructor on human-centered entrepreneurship at Northwestern University, as well as penning op-eds on ethical business in the Chicago Sun-Times, Crains, and others.
Steven Silverman
Principal,
Brand Constellations LLC
Steven is a visionary marketing strategist and branding expert with consulting, management, and academic experience that spans over three decades. Steven's work is centered around transforming brands and taking them to new heights with innovative strategies and practical insights. Recognized for his contributions by industry leaders such as Microsoft, Amazon, Mars, Bose, and DuPont, he consistently delivers creative, results-oriented strategies by leveraging complex data.
As the Principal Consultant at Brand Constellations LLC, Steven has pioneered a groundbreaking brand-building model that transcends conventional marketing frameworks. This model, rooted in practical, research-based insights across eight distinct dimensions, redefines how organizations approach brand strategy. With his innovative approach, Steven has influenced and inspired various organizations by shaping their narratives and strategic direction, highlighting the immense power of branding.
In his recent role at Advata, Steven served as Director of Product Marketing and successfully spearheaded the marketing initiatives for a thriving healthcare financial management SaaS startup. Thanks to Steven's guidance, the team not only devised a successful go-to-market strategy but also built a brand identity that deeply resonated with the B2B sector, ultimately leading to a remarkable $30 million sales pipeline in just one year.
Beyond the corporate realm, Steven is a fervent advocate for education and knowledge sharing. Holding both a PhD and MBA in Marketing, he currently shares his experience and expertise with MBA and Executive MBA students at Washington State University Global Campus. Through these roles, Steven bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application, preparing future leaders to navigate the complex world of marketing with insight and integrity.
Steven's core philosophy centers around the belief that ideas can bring about profound change. By consistently demonstrating innovation, strategic foresight, and creative execution, he emphasizes the importance of great ideas in achieving business success. Steven is at the forefront of driving the progress of branding and marketing strategies, utilizing compelling brand narratives, dynamic campaigns, and strategic brand development.
TED-Talks
Hauk Nelson
Dir. of Business Development,
NRG / Full Squad Gaming
Hauk Nelson is the Director of Business Development at NRG and Full Squad Gaming. A lifelong gamer, Nelson has been an avid consumer of esports content since 2010, and has worked professionally in the esports and gaming media space since 2019. Having both managed the execution of gaming media programs, as well as designed and sold them, Hauk has operated on both ends of the spectrum. Nelson has worked with major brands such as Samsung, McDonald's, Levi's, T-Mobile, Coinbase and Nestle.
Jon Zasiebida
Global Brand Director,
Robert Bosch Tool Corp.
With an international background in the corporate world, I've leveraged my extensive experience in brand marketing, product innovations, digital & IoT, and business development to not only excel in high-stakes environments but also to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Co-founding Smaller Things alongside my wife, I've applied my corporate acumen to the operations, marketing, and growth strategies of our business, helping to deliver a sustainable and ethically driven brand for millennial parents. In just three years, our commitment to high quality plus fun and stylish designs has resulted in nearly 50,000 pajama sets sold and a customer base approaching 20,000, with our products proudly featured in airports, museums, and gift shops across the US.
Proud DePaul IME Alum 2008.
Jim Phillips
Co-Founder,
GrayMatter
Jim is the Co-Founder and CEO of Graymatter Labs. Graymatter partners with PhD Molecular Biologists to make plant-based alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. Jim grew up in the city of Chicago and has spent his entire career in start-ups as a Co-Founder of Fooda.com, Charm.io, and 1st US Employee at Ritual.co.
Jennifer Kregor
Vice President, Product,
Brightfield Group
Jennifer Kregor, Vice President of Product at Brightfield Group, bridges over a decade of experience in AI, product strategy, and empathetic consumer insight. At Brightfield, she has been instrumental in transforming the company from a cannabis market company to an industry leader in nuanced consumer insights. Jennifer's unique approach leverages AI and multiple data sources to delve into consumer psyches, honoring the unique singularity of each individual. Each insight is treated as a thread in the vast tapestry of human experience, driving significant business growth and reshaping how brands connect with individuals authentically.
Her career began in research and data science, evolving into leadership roles that stretch strategic vision and innovative methodologies. Her academic background in Education Policy and Psychology, enriched by numerous technical and management certifications, underpins her ability to merge technical expertise with insights into human behavior.
Jennifer's work reflects the belief that successful businesses see consumers as people with stories, not just statistics. With a proven track record of operational excellence and a passion for blending AI with human-centric storytelling, she demonstrates how data science can be harnessed to unveil the complexities of consumer needs, motivations, and aspirations in our evolving digital landscape.
Kate Floyd Stevenson
Director, Client Strategy,
Brightfield Group
Kate Floyd (Stevenson) leads Client Strategy for Brightfield Group. Kate has 15 years of experience in marketing strategy, change management, and communications across a variety of industries including Non-profit, Consumer Packaged Goods, and financial sectors. Kate is passionate about helping clients turn in-depth insights into meaningful action.
Entrepreneurship and Side Hustles
Brian Almalvez
Co-Founder/CEO,
Pogi Studios
Brian A. is the CEO / Co-Founder of Pogi Studios who believes it’s possible to create a business built off of kindness, respect, & love - while still making a profit. His hope is that more people learn how empowering it feels to have someone who truly believes in them. Someone in their corner who can see others as they are & help them feel they can take on the world.
Pogi is an award-winning, minority-owned film / tv studio headquartered in Chicago that specializes in producing content made with love & care, for screens of all sizes. Their client list includes Vogue, MLB, Wells Fargo, McDonalds, and Rolling Stone magazine, as well acclaimed musical artists MUNA, Chance the Rapper, and Saba.
His latest co-venture is Triple 7 - a nimble creative studio specializing in content with taste: work that lives on the pulse of today’s media landscape and cuts through the noise.
Stu Schisgall
Principal SEO Specialist, Discover Financial Services
Stu is an award-winning digital marketing leader and entrepreneur focusing on search engine optimization (SEO) and consulting. A former writer and sales professional, Stu has been helping Fortune 500 companies develop digital marketing strategies since 2012. Seeing the need for a trusted SEO partner, Stu founded Searics to help companies incorporate SEO to hit their sales goals.
As Discover Financial Services' Principal SEO Specialist, Stu develops strategies and innovations to help Discover build organic visibility and make money. In his free time, Stu is a full-time father of two children 2 and under. He also is an avid traveler and most recently visited eastern Europe.
Kelsey Brown
CEO/Founder,
KABCollective
As the Founder and CEO of KAB Collective, Kelsey Brown founded her company in 2020 through pure grit, determination, and a love for all things social. She applies her 10 years of experience and degrees in Digital Marketing and Honor's Marketing (IME) from DePaul University to elevate every client's social media presence. Kelsey believes that Social Media and Digital Marketing are some of the biggest assets ANY company can take advantage of — big, small, family owned, or otherwise! She brings a creative, kick-ass, and non-BS approach to branding, social marketing, paid advertising, and design to her clients nationwide. She is committed to giving her all to every client. Working with Kelsey means a tailored experience that's curated specifically to you and your business needs.
Kice Akkawi
Principal,
Treblemonsters
As one of the hottest DJs and producers based out of Chicago, Kice is using his impeccable knowledge and skills to transform the entertainment industry around the globe and tackle head-on the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kice’s passion for music began during his childhood in Amman, Jordan, and then Chicago, where he earned a reputation for his beatboxing skills. It wasn’t long until he learned how to mix and realized he could translate his love for music onto the turntables. He developed a philosophy that drives his ongoing love for music today: That music expresses what cannot be said, and yet is the universal language of the world.
Kice emerged onto the music scene when he was 18 years old, with his first major set at Bon V Nightclub Chicago. For more than a decade, beginning in 2007, he enjoyed immense popularity as he performed at high profile venues. Over the years, he developed a reputation for skillfully reading his audience, innovatively integrating all genres of music, attracting crowds, and most importantly, bringing energy to any venue.
In 2015, Kice founded Treblemonsters, which provides world-class artist management and music program curation, management, and consulting services to top-tier global talent and event venues internationally. Clients include international names in the nightlife, hospitality, and corporate worlds.
As Treble Squad, he has also gained acclaim as an international touring act integrating his original music and Treblemonsters artists Violin Girl (Violin) & MGabriel (Saxophone), with sets at Burning Man, Northern Nights Music Festival, Spring Awakening Music Festival, Hard Rock, PRYSM Nightclub, and many other notable venues.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kice stepped up as an artistic leader, initiating a movement to support unemployed artists during the pandemic. That movement was one of the driving forces behind the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA) in Illinois, which allows the self-employed and others who did not qualify for state unemployment benefits to receive financial assistance.
In order to further support struggling artists during the COVID-19 crisis, Kice co-founded Chicago Entertainment Relief, a resource where artists and musicians can find information during economically uncertain times about everything from where to locate discounted food to where to find economic resources and relief.
The pandemic may have slowed down the entertainment industry, but it has not slowed down Kice’s passion for music and entertainment. His new initiative, called “Bring Out The Creative,” uses virtual reality to create an experience that is as much like performing in person as possible.
As a place for artists and performers who have lost their outlet to deliver their talent and performance, Bring Out The Creative events attract hundreds of viewers and high-caliber performers on a regular basis.
Bring Out The Creative, Chicago Entertainment Relief, and Treblemonsters, along with Kice’s other achievements, highlight his ongoing commitment to advancing incredible music and entertainment and supporting the artists who provide it.
Business of Fashion and Beauty
Tania Marx
Sr. Category Manager,
Revlon
Tania Marx currently serves as Senior Category Manager for hair color, beauty tools and deodorant at Revlon, where she develops transformative retail solutions based on market trends, consumer insights, demographics, and category dynamics. For the past 13 years, she has held roles in Category Management, Marketing and Market Research across the beauty and natural food industry. Prior to joining Revlon, Tania was a Director of Customer Insights and Growth Solutions at KeHE, where she oversaw retailer strategy and insights. Tania holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from DePaul University in Chicago and currently resides in Downers Grove, IL.
In her free time, Tania enjoys exploring new parks with her husband and 18-month-old daughter.
Kudzai Mutasa
Dir. of Marketing and Product Innovation,
Combs Global
Kudzai Blessing Mutasa, a Zimbabwean multi-hyphenate creative, who immigrated to the United States at the age of 4 and has since dedicated herself to sharing her talents and experiences to inspire others. Her mission is to celebrate the black female experience by inspiring women and creating inclusive beauty products as a Beauty Marketing Director. Kudzai's artistic style blurs the line between painting and relief sculpture, incorporating 3D elements into her work while on a 2D background. Classically trained by a portrait painter, she now utilizes mixed media to create detailed and engaging pieces that connect with her audience in a genuine manner. In her collection of nature-inspired scenes, Kudzai skillfully transforms ordinary materials into intricate layers that draw viewers into her paintings.
Beyond her artistry, Kudzai holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from DePaul University and an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg and has a successful track record managing major beauty brands like ORS Olive Oil, Pleasing (Harry Styles), Combs Global (P. Diddy), Fashion Fair, Freeman Beauty and VO5. She has also taken on roles as a moderator at events like T.D. Jakes MegaFest, the Stellar Award Pre-show, and as a Radio Announcer Trophy Model, showcasing her versatility and presence in various fields.
Based in Chicago, she has a strong desire to share her message globally and believes that her most impactful work is yet to be created. She is dedicated to using her gifts of artistry for the betterment of humanity and actively seeks opportunities to make a positive impact through her talents.
Eric Acevedo
Product Manager, Digital Experiences,
Ulta Beauty
With a strong background in digital product management and entrepreneurship, Eric has a proven track record of bringing new products to market and driving revenue. Over the past decade, He has held roles at Ulta Beauty, Bosch, and Walgreens, where he led cross-functional teams, conducted user research, and developed product roadmaps. He excels at building relationships, solving problems, and communicating effectively. His expertise in product marketing and e-commerce has enabled him to successfully launch products and drive growth.
Raul Miranda
Boutique Director,
SVRN
I started working in fashion industry in 2016 at Leaders1354. From there I went on to work for Don C and Virgil Abloh at RSVP Gallery for a few years. While there I learned more about the the fashion industry. After that, I worked at Farfetch before transitioning to SVRN.
Lunch Table Discussions
Lynn Hazan
President,
Lynn Hazan & Associates
Lynn Hazan, executive recruiter for 39 years, the last 24 as President of LH&A, is committed to hiring “best in class” talent. She was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business – Marketing Advisory Council (MAC) in June 2018. Lynn also served as the MAC Past-President.
Moderators & Hosts
Janaki Soni
Marketing Analytics Manager,
CDW
Janaki is a Double Demon, with an MBA and undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems from DePaul University. She works as a Partner Marketing Analytics Manager at CDW and is an adjunct-professor for Loyola University. She has worked at CDW, Kofax, Morningstar, Thorton Tomasetti ranging across the technology industry, financial services, and structural engineering. Janaki was also the previous President of Kellstadt Marketing Group during her time at DePaul. Throughout all of her roles she has focused on multi-channel marketing strategy, analytics, marketing campaign planning and execution, and event planning. Janaki's favorite thing about analytics is being able to synthesize a story with the data and make recommendations to see the improvements come to life. In her spare time, you can find her traveling, hanging out with family and friends, hip-hop dancing, kayaking, or reading a good book.
Olena Cruz
Senior Marketing Manager,
Kraft Heinz
With over a decade of experience in the CPG industry, Olena Cruz is an accomplished marketing, strategy, and sales professional. She has worked with global iconic brands, including Heinz, Kraft, Philadelphia, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, and Suntory, among others. Olena has held various roles at Kraft Heinz, IRI (Circana), and Beam Suntory, specializing in customer marketing, insights and strategy, brand growth, product management, and enterprise sales. She combines her entrepreneurial drive with a big-thinking, scalable approach to lead actionable strategy and business growth. Olena holds an MBA in Marketing Management and Business Strategy from DePaul University's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and a BA in International Studies, Communications, and Business Institutions from Northwestern University.
Shafeeqa Aiman Syeda
Graduate Student,
Business Analytics
Shafeeqa Aiman Syeda is a passionate advocate for both business and social good. As the Co-Founder of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs, a non-profit empowering female entrepreneurs, Shafeeqa demonstrates her dedication to fostering opportunity and growth. Her skills extend beyond leadership, as evidenced by her recent victory in the prestigious Purdue Data4Good national case competition. This win highlights Shafeeqa's ability to leverage data analysis for positive impact, a quality that positions her for great success in the field of Business Analytics.
Dr. Zafar Iqbal
Associate Professor,
DePaul University
Dr. Zafar Iqbal is Associate Professor of Marketing at DePaul University's Driehaus College of Business and Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. He is also Associate Director for Regional Initiatives at DePaul and is responsible for developing and executing DePaul's internationalization strategy in India. In addition, he is the Co-Director of the Integrated Marketing Education undergraduate marketing honors program at the Driehaus College of Business.
Dr. Iqbal earned a PhD in Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh, an MS in Industrial Relations from Iowa State University, and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Poona, India. At DePaul, he teaches courses in new product development, developing sustainable business models, marketing strategy and management, and advanced consumer insights. Additionally, he has taught at the doctoral level at Driehaus' Executive Doctoral Program, at the MBA level at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand and the Czech Management Center in the Czech Republic, and at the senior executive level at Steinbeis University in Germany. He has led international study abroad programs for DePaul students to India, Japan and the Middle East. For his teaching, he has been awarded the Lawrence W Ryan Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award 7 times, the DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Award 2 times, and the Gus Economos Distinguished Graduate Teaching Award 2 times.
Dr. Iqbal is also the author of business and scholarly articles that appear in journals such as Journal of Marketing, California Management Review, Sloan Management Review, Journal of Service Research, and Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management.
Dr. Iqbal has worked in business-to-business marketing for Thermax Corporation, India. Zafar is the Principal Consultant at Erudite Consulting, which he founded in 2005. He has 15+ years of consulting experience at numerous companies, a sampling of which include Knowles Electronics, Bosch, Chicago Tribune, Newell Rubbermaid, Wahl Clipper Corporation, MB Financial, cars.com, Terumo, Alfa Laval, Skoda Automotive, Walgreens, Motorola, Healthpoint, DHL, ISACA, Pohang Iron & Steel Company, Zenith Corporation, Credit Suisse First Boston, and the Iowa Department of Transportation.
He is the co-founder of Friends for India's Development and Assistance (FIDA), a not-for-profit founded to educate tribal children in rural India. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu and Gujarati. He speaks German at an intermediate level, and reads Arabic at a basic level.