Frank 2014 - frank

Roland Walker is the Marketing Communications Manager at Sledgeland Ghana Limited, where he drives brand growth through innovative storytelling, strategic partnerships and impactful media campaigns that strengthen the company’s market presence and engage audiences.

Roland Walker

Marketing Communications Manager at Sledgeland Ghana Limited

Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and Air America Radio, is a leading political satirist. A former correspondent and co-host of Unfiltered, she’s been recognized by major media and named one of EW’s “100 Most Creative People.” She now leads Abortion Access Front, using humor to defend reproductive rights.

Lizz Winstead

Founder/Chief Creative Officer at Abortion Access Front

Diane McFarlin led UF’s College of Journalism and Communications for eight years, overseeing 100+ faculty and 3,000 students. Under her leadership, the College grew enrollment and expanded research and interdisciplinary classes, launched The Agency, earned major awards and advanced strategic initiatives in communication innovation.

Diane McFarlin

Dean Emeritus, Univeristy of Florida College of Journalism and Communications

Marjan Safinia is an Iranian documentary filmmaker exploring identity, community and justice. She co-directed the acclaimed series And She Could Be Next. An Academy member, she serves on several boards, including Chicken & Egg Pictures and co-hosts The D-Word podcast.

Marjan Safinia

Director and Producer at And She Could Be Next

Kristina Robbins is a documentary filmmaker and founder of Sweet Antelope in Los Angeles, blending food, storytelling and community to promote sustainability. With 17+ years of experience, she’s produced award-winning films like The McCombie Way and leads Juice Workshops, fostering creativity and connection.

Kristina Robbins

Founder of Sweet Antelope

Stacy Hess is a communications expert with nearly 20 years in PR, marketing and crisis management. Founder of positivePR, she builds grassroots support for social causes and has worked on high-profile cases like kidnap survivor Hannah Anderson’s. Stacy holds degrees in Communications and Spanish.

Stacy Hess

Business Development Consultant

David Fenton is a pioneering communicator and founder of Fenton Communications, the first PR firm for social change. With 50+ years in progressive media, he helped launch groups like JStreet and Climate Nexus.

David Fenton

Pioneer in Progressive Communications

Mina Radman is Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at Hilton with expertise in CSR, sustainability and crisis management. She holds degrees in journalism and strategic PR and has worked across public health, corporate and nonprofit sectors, mentoring staff and securing national media coverage.

Mina Radman

Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at Hilton

Thaddaeus Gregory is Policy Director for Seattle Councilmember Mark Solomon, specializing in land use, real estate and environmental law. A former land use lawyer, he helped shape Seattle’s One Seattle Plan. Recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer, he serves on local boards and fights for family-driven policy.

Thaddeaus Gregory

Policy Director – Councilmember Mark Solomon District 2

Jacqueline Bond is founder and Chief Literary Officer of Bond & Grace Co, a women-owned publishing house elevating all voices. With a background in strategic communications and public health marketing, she’s recognized for creating platforms that amplify underrepresented stories through literature and media.

Jacqueline Bond

Founder and Chief Literacy Officer at Bond & Grace Co LLC

Kalev Hannes Leetaru is an internet entrepreneur and senior fellow at GWU’s Center for Cyber & Homeland Security. Co-creator of GDELT, he pioneers big data analytics to forecast social trends. Named a Top 100 Global Thinker by Foreign Policy, he bridges tech, journalism and geopolitics worldwide.

Kalev Hannes Leetaru

Founder of the GDELT Project

Ann Searight Christiano is founder of the Center for Public Interest Communications and a clinical professor at the University of Florida. She pioneered public interest communications education and has worked with global organizations like the UN and Gates Foundation to advance social change through storytelling.

Ann Christiano

Director for Center for Public Interest Communications

Jennifer Jihye Chun, Ph.D., is a UCLA professor and chair in Labor and International Development Studies. Her research explores labor, accessibility, migration and social movements, focusing on low-income workers under global capitalism.

Jennifer Jihye Chun

Professor and chair in Labor and International Development Studies at UCLA

Cynthia Barnett is an award-winning environmental journalist and author focused on water and the environment. Her books include Rain (National Book Award longlist) and The Sound of the Sea (NPR best science book). She teaches environmental journalism at the University of Florida and writes for National Geographic and The Atlantic.

Cynthia Barnett

Environmental Journalist & Author, Director of Environmental Journalism Initiatives at the University of Florida

Midya Ponte is the founder of Ponte Firm, an Austin-based communications agency specializing in influencer strategies and brand partnerships. The firm offers storytelling, content creation, social media marketing, talent management and event programming, delivering innovative marketing solutions across industries.

Midy Aponte

Founder of Civil Strategies

Ava L.J. Kim is an Assistant Professor at UC Davis. With a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, her research spans biological studies, postcolonialism and Latin and Asian American studies. She is well-liked by students, friends and fellow researchers.

Ava L.J Kim

Ph.D..

Jenifer Willig is a social impact entrepreneur and CEO, co-founder of WRTHY and founder of initiatives like motive and Whole World Water. With 20+ years in marketing, she’s led global brands and nonprofits focused on social change, accessibility and sustainable development, known for driving positive impact through business.

Jennifer Willig

Co-founder and CEO of WRTHY

Elizabeth Carger, based in Milwaukee, holds a BA and MA from the University of Chicago. She has led roles as VP at Thinkgen and CEO of Beacon Insight Group, specializing in consumer insights, social marketing and public policy. Elizabeth advises organizations on complex social challenges with expertise and experience.

Elizabeth Carger

Director of Analytics, Lead

Linda Hon is Professor Emeritus of Public Relations at the University of Florida, where she taught for 28 years. Known for her research in digital social passion and PR theory, she’s received the Pathfinder Award and PR News’ Measurement Hall of Fame honor for her impact and mentorship.

Linda Hon

Professor Emeritus (Retired), Department of Public Relations, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida

Samir Rachid Zaim, Ph.D., is a Seattle-based biostatistician and data scientist with 10+ years in biomedical informatics. Formerly at the Allen Institute for Immunology, he specializes in machine learning, clinical informatics and bioinformatics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and advances healthcare through innovative research.

Samir Rachid

Supervisor, Biostatistics at Allen Institute for Immunology

Jessica Coston Wells is a Public Information Assistant at Onslow County Schools with a background in education and communications from UNC Chapel Hill. She focuses on media relations and community engagement to enhance transparency and support school initiatives, fostering strong connections between schools and their communities.

Jessica Wells

Public Information Assistant at Onslow County Schools

Jinna Yoo is a researcher, educator and writer blending data-driven insights with storytelling. She teaches public health and communication, publishes on media and emotion and writes award-winning science fiction. Jinna bridges research and creative writing to inspire and inform audiences.

Jina Yoo

Adjunct Professor at Meredith College

Joe Marx is a senior advisor at Burness with 30+ years in communications and policy. An Emmy-winning filmmaker and former Communications Director at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, he’s led health access and tobacco control initiatives. Joe enjoys cycling, reading, music and family time.

Joe Marx

Senior Advisor at Burness

Hari Pulapaka, born in Mumbai, is a chef, educator and mathematician. Founder of The Global Cooking School and Associate Professor at Stetson University, he’s a Worldchefs Master Chef and four-time James Beard semifinalist, celebrated for plant-forward cooking, food waste awareness and culinary innovation.

Hari Palupaka

Chef and Founder of The Global Cooking School

Annie Neimand, Ph.D.., is a social change strategist and researcher specializing in systems thinking, human-centered design and frameworks for justice. Formerly Director of Research at UF’s Center for Public Interest Communications, she’s collaborated with the UN, Gates Foundation and National Geographic.

Annie Neimand

Ph.D..

Gabriela Gomez is Managing Supervisor at GMMB in Fairfax, Virginia. Since joining in 2021, she’s advanced to lead nonprofit and global communications, with expertise in bilingual media, press relations and strategic campaigns. Previously, she managed media efforts at UnidosUS.

Gabriela Gomez

Managing Supervisor at GMMB

Andy Burness is the founder and president of Burness, a global communications firm supporting nonprofits tackling poverty, health and environmental challenges. For over 35 years, he’s partnered with 600+ organizations worldwide and teaches at Harvard and GWU. A recognized leader in public interest communications and storytelling.

Andy Burness

President at Burness Communications

Erin Birx Hart is the founder and president of Hart Strategies, a San Francisco-based firm driving social change through strategic communications in health, environment, education and justice. Formerly of Spitfire Strategies and the Moore Foundation, she teaches at the University of Oregon and is a leader in public interest communications.

Erin Hart

Founder and President at Hart Strategies

Kristen Grimm is the founder and president of Spitfire Strategies, a communications firm advancing social and environmental justice. With 20+ years of experience, she’s guided hundreds of nonprofits, created tools like the Smart Chart and Mindful Messaging and founded AndACTION.org to link education with storytelling.

Kristen Grimm

Founder at Spitfire Strategies

David Bornstein is a journalist, author and CEO/co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, which advances rigorous reporting on responses to social issues. Co-author of The New York Times’ “Fixes” column, he’s written acclaimed books on social innovation and earned awards for promoting social entrepreneurship.

David Bornstein

Co-founder & CEO at Solutions Journalism Network

Kristen King, EVP and Managing Director of Agency and Brand Partnerships at ATTN:, is known for her human-centered marketing that fuses strategy and empathy to build authentic brand connections. Formerly at FIG and Engine, she led growth and high-impact campaigns while mentoring teams to unite insight, creativity and purpose.

Kristen King

Deputy Director, Campaigns and Communications at We Mean Business Coalition

Cody Yu Romano, a Seattle-based tech lead, specializes in generative AI and interactive world-building for video games. Blending creativity with precision engineering, he develops AI tools that automate design and enhance immersion, establishing himself as a leader in generative media innovation.

Cody Romano

Software Engineer at Meta

Dr. Carolyn Day, a communication professor at Savannah College of Art and Design, holds a Ph.D.. from the University of South Florida and an M.A. and B.S. from California State University, Northridge. Her award-winning research explores rhetoric, corporate social responsibility and global communication ethics.

Carolyn Day

Ph.D., M.A. B.S

Dr. Jacob Atem, a South Sudanese “Lost Boy,” co-founded the Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization, bringing affordable care to thousands. After fleeing war, he earned an MPH from Michigan State and a Ph.D.. from UF. Now a humanitarian leader, he transforms tragedy into hope through healthcare and education.

Jacob Atem

Ph.D., MPH. CEO, Co-Founder of Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization

Title for This Block

Meet the frank 2014 speakers