Forum 2024 Speaker Bios

As head of Marketing at NASCAR, Pete oversees the company’s award-winning marketing department and is responsible for growing the NASCAR brand, driving fan engagement, and attracting new fans to the sport. Jung led the brand strategy and marketing plans to commemorate the 75^th Anniversary of NASCAR in 2023.

Based in Charlotte, N.C., Jung’s leadership includes brand and consumer marketing, driver and team marketing, data and insights. He also leads marketing and promotional efforts in support of NASCAR racetracks across the country.

Under Jung’s leadership, NASCAR has revamped its focus on key growth segments and strengthened multicultural marketing strategy to cultivate a younger and more diverse fan base.

Since joining NASCAR in 2014, Jung has delivered successful marketing and advertising campaigns to promote the season launch, the NASCAR Playoffs and other key initiatives for the sport. In 2017, he spearheaded NASCAR’s first rebranding initiative in nearly 40 years to refresh and reposition the most iconic brand in motorsports.

Previously, Jung was Vice President of Global Marketing at Mastercard where he was responsible for consumer strategies and marketing plans in several international markets. Prior to Mastercard, he worked for Time Inc., and also held multiple agency positions where he supported a variety of consumer brands in media and account planning roles.

Pete is a University of Dayton graduate and lives in Charlotte with his wife and two children.

Karen Kozak is a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in brand and marketing across diverse industries. Most recently, she served as VP of Global Brand at Cargill, the largest privately held company in the U.S. and a global leader in food, agriculture, and innovation. At Cargill, Karen developed and implemented the company’s brand strategy and led the 150th Anniversary program, engaging over 150,000 employees across 650 activities on six continents. Her work created a cohesive brand experience benefiting stakeholders worldwide.

Prior to Cargill, Karen held key roles at Eastman Kodak Company, where she managed strategic growth initiatives in emerging markets across Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. She also led e-commerce, online marketing, and demand generation programs for Kodak’s B2C and B2B businesses in North America and Latin America. Additionally, Karen directed global corporate sponsorships, including Kodak’s Olympic, motorsports, and entertainment programs.

Karen lives in Minneapolis and enjoys hiking, photography, and international travel. She serves on the development committee of Childspring International, a nonprofit providing medical surgeries to children in developing countries.

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.

Based in Portland, Maine, Sean Findlen leads enterprise communications for Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) – an international provider of workplace benefits and services. Reporting to Unum’s Chief Communications Officer, Sean directs a team of strategists focused on company-wide communications planning and implementation. In 2023, Sean served as the executive sponsor of a yearlong enterprise campaign to mark Unum’s 175^th anniversary.

Throughout his career, Sean has served as a political aide, C-suite leader, and more than a decade as a global PR agency executive. Before joining Unum Group, Sean was Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where he led the integrated marketing, communications, and public affairs strategy for one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.

Prior to Bates, Sean worked for more than a decade with the global communications firm, Weber Shandwick, leading the corporate and issues management practice for New England.

Sean earned a J.D. from Suffolk University in Boston and a B.A. in French from Bates. He was admitted to the bar in the State of Maine and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Beyond the office, he volunteers on non-profit boards, mentors young professionals, and provides strategic counsel for local economic development initiatives.

Gibson Oakley is an award-winning Producer/Director at Tribe Pictures. During his tenure at Tribe, Gibson has worked in various capacities, from writing to editing to producing to directing. He also developed Tribe’s first podcast project producing episodes across the country.

Gibson holds a B.A. in Drama from Kenyon College and a M.A. in Arts and Culture Management with a focus on Outreach and Advocacy from the University of Denver. Before joining Tribe, Gibson spent six years with the Walt Disney World Resort performing at various stages across the property, developing and presenting educational experiences for visiting school groups, and coordinating visiting talent for annual festivals and shows.

Vern is the founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Tribe Pictures.

His mission is to help institutions and business leaders connect to and mobilize their stakeholders by crafting strategic stories that speak to the heart of the people who matter most.

Projects creatively directed by Vern have garnered over 500 industry awards, launched some of the industry’s largest public offerings, built the brands of Global 1000 companies, and been credited with helping to raise over nine billion dollars in contributions to colleges, universities, and philanthropies.

He authored the awarding winning book “Leadership in Focus: Bringing Out Your Best on Camera” the first book to help leaders convey authenticity on camera.

He is named after his grandfather Vern Gibson, a gifted storyteller who was an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman assigned to bodyguard Betty Davis, while filming the movie “Dark Victory.”

Peter Coffey is Associate Vice President for Community & Government Relations at DePaul University where he leads a team of professionals charged with managing DePaul’s relationships with Chicago’s government, civic and community leaders. From Washington to Springfield, and from City Hall to Lincoln Park and the South Loop, the office of Community & Government Relations is focused on deepening DePaul’s distinctive connection to Chicago. Peter joined DePaul in 2006 as Director of Government Affairs.

As an external relations professional, Peter was enlisted to serve on DePaul University’s 125^th Anniversary Planning Commission. His charge was to use this celebration to further connect with the broader city of Chicago. If the strategic goals of the Anniversary were to achieve success, the celebration had to engage not only with its internal community of students, faculty, staff and alumni, but also the wider community in which DePaul operates. Peter served alongside a diverse group of DePaul leaders representing various internal stakeholders and brought with him the external perspective that added distinctly Chicago messages and engagement aimed at underscoring DePaul’s relevance to Chicago.

As Managing Director of The Winthrop Group, Stephen Chambers brings extensive experience in milestone anniversaries, working with organizations on archives, commemorative publications, and more. His recent clients include global financial firms, hedge funds, an international electronics manufacturer, top healthcare organizations, and leading nonprofits, foundations, and universities.

Stephen collaborates with elite organizations to develop internal initiatives and public-facing thought leadership across various platforms—articles, books, exhibits, videos, and digital media. He believes that authentic historical storytelling offers a true competitive advantage. His prior consulting experience includes roles with Analysis Group, Monitor Group, and Random House.

An expert in U.S. business history, leadership transitions, and reputational strategy, Stephen also writes on strategic management. He is the author of several works, including No God But Gain: The Untold Story of Cuban Slavery, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Making of the United States.

Stephen holds a Ph.D. in history from Brown University and is a graduate of The University of Chicago.

Lisa Alonge is the Founder of Anniversary University®, and a trailblazer in the field of milestone anniversary planning. As the author of the definitive playbook, Milestone Anniversary Planning, Lisa has pioneered an entire industry dedicated to helping organizations strategically leverage milestone anniversaries for transformative growth. Her comprehensive approach, blending strategic vision and tactical execution, has been widely recognized as the gold standard in anniversary planning. (read more)

Lisa has observed that while senior executives excel in their industries, many lack experience in planning milestone anniversaries. Her approach empowers leaders to integrate anniversary celebrations into long-term business strategies, equipping them with the knowledge to plan and execute successfully. Since 2012, Lisa has worked with prestigious organizations, including Southwest Airlines, Duke University, and Shriners Hospitals, helping them transform milestone moments into long-term value.

A sought-after advisor and educator, Lisa’s deep expertise allows her to identify the unique opportunities anniversaries present. Her mission is to equip organizations with the insights and strategies to turn these celebrations into pivotal moments for growth. Lisa holds a business degree from New York University and continues to shape how organizations approach milestone celebrations, ensuring these events drive sustained success.