Brand Groupies

Amanda Walter is a communications strategist and founder of Walter Communications. She started her practice to help architecture firms build specific reputations supporting their business goals. Informed by her earlier experience leading global communications programs at large design firms, Amanda tells her clients' stories across a variety of communications channels to reach the intended audience more effectively. In addition to her client work, Amanda has served as a board member of various architecture- and sustainability-focused organizations. She co-authored Social Media in Action, the first book of its kind focused on built environment consulting firms, and she has contributed articles to The Architect's Newspaper, Metropolis POV, Design Intelligence, Landscape Urbanism, The Zweig Letter, and a variety of industry blogs.http://waltercomms.com/https://brandgroupies.com/

Brand Groupies’ Carey Balogh, Lauren Genest, and Ming Chen presented to AEC and CRE leaders at the Real Estate Networking & Transactions Group (R.E.N.T.) event in New York City. Carey, Lauren, and Ming share insights about the benefits of Podcasting, 2024 Podcast trends, and how you can leverage Podcasting to fuel your brand’s growth. The Groupies explain how to establish your company’s Brand Pillars to stand out and how to incorporate Podcasting into your Social Media strategy.  R.E.N.T. is a unique network of real estate firms and professionals created to emphasize multidisciplinary teamwork. Members deliver an exceptional level of coordinated professional knowledge and experience. https://realestatenetworkny.comhttps://brandgroupies.com/

Gina Rivera is the executive director of Professional Women in Construction’s New York Chapter, a leading professional member association supporting women in the architecture, engineering, construction, and design fields. Gina has a passion for women stepping into their deserved space to lead. She joined the organization in 2021 with 18 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her background in nonprofit management and event producing stems from her ten years of working at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Today, she is guiding the organization, with the support of PWC-NY's Board of Directors, to grow the membership and expand within the AEC community.https://pwc-ny.org/https://brandgroupies.com

Alexandra Pony is an award-winning PR strategist and founder of PONY Communications. In 2023, the PR firm won Inc.’s Power Partner Award. With 15 years of extensive industry experience, Alexandra has worked with organizations ranging from startups to global entities known for cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions and leading AEC brands, including NASA, Perkins&Will San Francisco, Lundberg Designs, Climeworks, OhmConnect, Prado Group, the Foundation for Climate Restoration, CMG Landscape Architects, and Bright Machines. Alexandra’s team consistently secures top-tier coverage in media outlets like The New York Times and Architectural Record and the firm has earned PR industry awards for their work.https://www.ponycommunications.comhttps://brandgroupies.com

Lurdes Borges is Vice President of Marketing & Communication at dancker. She joined the interiors solutions provider following nearly 14 years of working with leading architects and designers in New Jersey. Today, she contributes to the success of the organization, its clients, and partners with strategic planning, compelling storytelling, and thoughtful solutions that deliver exceptional client experiences. Lurdes is also an advisor on dancker’s Employee Advisory Council and their Workplace Strategy Team to help co-create destinations that inspire employees and clients alike. https://www.dancker.com/ https://brandgroupies.com/

Eva Hagberg is an author, historian, educator, and Studio Director of Loebach Designs. Eva is the author of When Eero Met His Match: Aline Louchheim Saarninen and The Making of An Architect, and the critically acclaimed memoir How To Be Loved. https://www.evahagberg.com/ https://brandgroupies.com/

Paulina Lopez is an author, speaker, business coach, consultant, and strategist with a background in finance, operations, strategy, human resources, and communications. Paulina is the CEO and Founder of The Business of WE (Women Entrepreneurs), a tight-knit, trusting, and supportive Mastermind community based in New York City. The Business of WE brings together professional women at their highly interactive workshops, mastermind groups, conferences, summits, and wellness retreats. https://brandgroupies.com/ https://bizofwe.com/

Marci Thompson is the Chief of Strategy and Growth at The Society for Marketing Professional Services. She leads the strategic direction for marketing, engagement, publications, and training, representing a dynamic network of more than 7,400 marketing and business development professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and speciality consulting firms located throughout the United States and Canada. A contributing writer for trade publications and a two-time author, Marci studied social work at Bowie State University and is certified in instructional design, digital event strategy (DES), and diversity and inclusion (d+i). https://www.smps.org/ https://brandgroupies.com/

Alison Smith is the Vice President of Communications with STO Building Group. Alison serves as the “voice” for STO Building Group by helping the company tell its stories internally and externally. She spent several years as an editor and teacher before entering the AEC industry nearly 20 years ago. She has written and edited projects for dozens of industry publications and organizations and is involved in the marketing and communications committees for the New England Chapter of CoreNet Global and the Boston Chapter of Professional Women in Construction (PWC). https://stobuildinggroup.com/ https://brandgroupies.com/

This Brand Groupies Podcast special episode is dedicated to our Brand Groupies 2nd Annual Fashion Funds The Fight for Cancer Cartel on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 12pm - 3pm at Nest located at 32 Mechanic St. in Red Bank, NJ. Cancer Cartel was founded by three cancer survivors, Shelly, Kerry, and Katy, with the important mission to provide financial resources and relief to those fighting cancer. One way they fund their mission is by collecting and selling donated luxury designer handbags, shoes, jewelry, and clothing. HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? ▶ DONATE new or gently used designer items by April 23rd (items you’d send to The RealReal) - Drop donations off at Compass, 623 River Rd, Fair Haven (M-F, 8:30am–5 pm) - Schedule a porch pick-up by texting Liz McCurrach at #908-309-1768 ▶ PURCHASE an event ticket: https://bit.ly/42SOZ8g - Even if you’re unable to attend the event, 100% of ticket sales are donated to Cancer Cartel. ▶ SHOP luxury resale items on April 28th and meet the three inspiring Founders of C

This special Brand Groupies Podcast episode is dedicated to our Brand Groupies X Cancer Cartel Spring Pop-up Shop event. We’ve partnered with Cancer Cartel to do a charity shopping night on April 28, 2022 from 5-8pm at Brand Groupies in Red Bank, NJ. Cancer Cartel was founded by three cancer survivors with the important mission to provide financial resources and relief to those fighting cancer. One way they fund their mission is by collecting and selling donated luxury designer handbags, shoes, jewelry, and clothing. We're joined by Cancer Cartel Founders Katy, Kerry, and Shelly and our local ambassadors – fashion stylist and former United States of America’s Mrs. Ann Pennington, The Blonde Shallot Founder Jess Rogers, and celebrity jewelry designer Christina Caruso. There's 3 ways to get involved: 1) DONATE new or gently used designer items (women's and men's). Email lauren@brandgroupies.com to coordinate. 2) PURCHASE an event ticket in advance: https://bit.ly/3M8QVQL 3) SHOP donated designer goods and

Jen Person is the President and Founder of Jeneration PR, an award-winning public relations and creative studio. Her mentorship and direction as Founder of the Profitable PR Pros community has led thousands of international boutique PR agency owners to quickly scale their businesses to six-figures and beyond. www.jenerationacademy.com www.brandgroupies.com

MK Larsen coaches leaders to use their voices to build a strong and authentic message to connect with their audience. She has over 15 years of experience training Fortune 500 leaders, TEDx Speakers, and growing businesses nationally. Her coaching is proven to help messaging be more engaging, authentic, and compelling. She has coached over 100 TEDx Speakers and is highly skilled with creating and executing TED Talks. https://eloquentlyspoken.com/ www.brandgroupies.com

DP Knudten- Brand Strategist, Podcaster, and Author of NONFICTION BRAND. DP has worked with some of the biggest—and smallest—brands in the business, including Coca-Cola®, The Athlete’s Foot, ClosetMaid, and Georgia-Pacific. DP cut his branding teeth in the trenches at McCann Erickson, creating a variety of work for Coca-Cola and their brands. https://collaboratorcreative.com https://brandgroupies.com

Mark Beal - the Gen Z Expert - is a an author, full-time professor at Rutgers University School of Communication & Information, and keynote speaker. Before authoring his most recent book, Engaging Gen Z, Mark served as a public relations practitioner and marketer for more than 25 years, developing and executing public relations campaigns for category leading companies and brands around such major sports and entertainment platforms. www.markbealspeaks.com www.brandgroupies.com

Meet the Cancer Cartel - Kerry, Katy, & Shelly - 3 strong, female cancer survivors who founded a 501c3 non-profit that combines their passion for luxury fashion, beauty & lifestyle with funding for people fighting cancer.  Cancer Cartel’s important mission is to provide financial resources and relief to those fighting cancer, and they are doing it in fun innovative ways. www.cancercartel.com www.brandgroupies.com

Alycia Yerves is the Founder and Creative Director of Alycia Yerves Creative: an award-winning marketing and design agency on the Jersey Shore. www.alyciayerves.com https://brandgroupies.com/

Debra Rizzi is a partner and president of Rizco, a brand-led marketing agency, which she co-founded in 2000. She is also a partner and vice president of marketing of Plum Practicewear, a global gymnastics apparel company. She has over 20 years of experience in developing brand strategies. https://rizco.com https://brandgroupies.com/

Ali J. Taylor is the CEO and Creative Director of BelMarketing Design Studio. With the accelerated shifts in the way people are buying and selling today, many businesses are frustrated with figuring out how to market their business. They want the freedom to run their business and do what they do best. As a StoryBrand Certified Guide and HubSpot Solutions Partner, Ali takes the uncertainty out of growing your audience and getting more sales with marketing strategies, systems, and processes that work. https://www.belmarketingdesignstudio.com/ https://brandgroupies.com/

Stefany Gittleman is the founder of The Gold Maze, a social media company to escort brands, personas and small businesses through the digital process. www.thegoldmaze.com https://brandgroupies.com/