Forum 2023 Speaker Bios

Shellie Frey has a distinguished 21-year career at Golden State Foods, one of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice and retail industries. As VP and Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Shellie had the privilege of leading GSF’s 75th Anniversary year-long global celebration and wrote the book, GSF 75th Anniversary: Our Enduring Legacy. Shellie is a partner in the company and board member of the GSF Foundation and serves on the organization’s executive strategic planning council.

Dr. Tina Bernot is the Executive Director of Development at Murray State University with more than twenty-five years of professional development experience. Most recently, Dr. Bernot co-led the planning and execution of the University’s Centennial Celebration. She is also leading the University’s comprehensive capital campaign, Be Bold – Forever Blue & Gold, the Centennial Campaign for Murray State University.

Dr. Bernot was board president of the United Way of Murray/Calloway County and the United Way of Kentucky Board of Directors. In 2022, Dr. Bernot established the Murray State Women’s Philanthropy Society.

Tina holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Edgewood College in Wisconsin, a master’s degree in organizational communication and a doctorate in P-20 and Community Leadership with an emphasis in post-secondary education leadership. Both graduate degrees were earned at Murray State University.

Blayne Beal serves as Director of Centennial Coordination and in that role, he is responsible for the planning and execution of Texas Tech’s Centennial Celebration in 2023. He has spent 22 years on the Texas Tech University campus, including 15 years in athletics where he served as Associate Athletics Director for Communications. Prior to joining the Office of the President, he served as Director of Marketing & Communications for the College of Arts & Sciences. Over the course of his career, he has been honored to receive numerous professional accolades from entities such as the American Advertising Federation, the Football Writers Association of America, The Telly Awards, Texas Tech University, and PRSA. Blayne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Texas Tech University and a Master of Science in Sports Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Vern is the founder, CEO, and creative director of Tribe Pictures. For more than three decades, Vern has worked with scores of Fortune 500 Companies, CEOs, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. His films and videos have helped launch some of the world’s biggest brands and have been credited with raising billions of dollars for colleges, universities, and philanthropies. He has crafted films to celebrate a number of major milestones, including Hamilton College’s 200th, Quest Diagnostics’ 50th, and the 50th anniversary of the transistor for Bell Labs.

In addition to his work in corporate communications, Vern has directed and produced feature films, documentaries, television programs, and commercials that have garnered over five hundred international industry awards. He’s worked with some of the world’s biggest industry figures and cultural icons including Ken Chenault, Arthur Penn, Stanley Tucci, Paul Newman, and Andy Warhol. He’s led Tribe Pictures through decades of technological change, cultural and financial upheavals. In fast-changing, tumultuous times, he’s learned that the power of the right story and the desire for authentic connection are more important than ever.

Jennifer is an experienced Director of Communications for KPMG, and led Communications early on for their year-long 125th Anniversary Celebrations. Along with her team, Jennifer collaborated in building the strategy and narrative, visual identity, developed the communications strategy and helped build the plan that would activate over 35,000 professionals to give back to the communities where they live and work during the firms milestone Community Impact Day – a real ‘tent-pole’ moment. In her daily role, Jenn leads Communications for KPMG Lakehouse, the firms $450 Million dollar state-of-the-art innovation and learning space representing the commitment and investment in the firms most valuable point of pride: their people. KPMG Lakehouse reflects the rich 125-year history of the firm while bringing in new diversity of thought, perspectives, and backgrounds with each learner who enters. Spending time at KPMG Lakehouse is already a keystone experience for many professionals to meet, learn, recharge, give back to the community, and, most importantly, grow. And, it was the site of several 125th Anniversary activations, including a $1M donation to LIFT Orlando, and a surprise pop-up concert by popular rock band Neon Trees.

Hallie led the C&F 200th Anniversary year-long campaign along with an exceptionally skilled and experienced event planner. Hallie, with her communication and marketing team, managed every aspect including crafting the 200th anniversary story and history, communicating to leadership and employees designing brand collateral, creating client lists, and overseeing a 650-person memorable celebration event on Ellis Island with former President George Bush, singer Sarah McLaughlin, and C&F leaders. Hallie leads C&F’s external & internal communications, marketing, PR & advertising, social and digital platforms, and events & sponsorships. A seasoned international marketing and communications professional – whose career includes leadership positions at AIG, Zurich Financial Services and MetLife – she has extensive experience including product development & multi-channel distribution, market research & analysis, and brand management & business development – both domestically and internationally. She has lived and worked in several countries around the world.

The managing director of The Winthrop Group, Stephen Chambers draws on extensive milestone anniversary experience. At Winthrop, he has worked with numerous organizations on related initiatives. Recent clients include multiple global financial firms and hedge funds, an international electronics manufacturer, a top health care organization, an aerospace leader, a worldwide distribution company, as well as leading nonprofits, foundations, and institutions of higher education.

As managing director, Stephen collaborates with elite organizations and their executives to develop internal, strategic initiatives, as well as public-facing thought leadership and content across platforms: articles and books, exhibits, presentations, videos, and digital media. He believes that authentic historical storytelling is a true source of competitive advantage. A graduate of The University of Chicago, Stephen holds a Ph.D. in history from Brown University.

Lisa Alonge is the Founder of Anniversary University® and the author of Milestone Anniversary Planning, a comprehensive playbook for leaders.

Since 2012, hundreds of organizations have benefited from anniversary planning resources curated by Anniversary University and from Lisa’s advisory council. Southwest Airlines, Avnet, College of Charleston, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Valaris, Medtronic, Purdue University, Opry Entertainment, Special Olympics, Delta Airlines, Ace Hardware, and Forbes Media are among the many who have benefited from the comprehensive planning resources provided by Anniversary University. Lisa is a visionary, connector, and educator who believes you’re different in the market when you’re privy to knowledge, insights, truths, or data that others are not. When you combine that with what you uniquely do, you have something of value to offer the world. Propelled by Lisa’s vision and mission, Anniversary University provides great value to those served. Lisa holds a business degree from New York University.