Previous Speaker Bios
PETER JUNG
Chief Marketing Officer,
NASCAR
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 75th 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.
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KAREN KOZAK
Former VP Global Brand
Cargill
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. (read more)
BLAYNE BEAL
Director of Centennial Coordination
Texas Tech 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.
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SEAN FINDLEN
AVP, Enterprise Communications
Unum Group
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 175th anniversary.(read more)
GIBSON OAKLEY
Producer/Director
Tribe Pictures
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. (read more)
VERN OAKLEY
Founder, CEO,
Chief Creative Officer
Tribe Pictures
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.(read more)
PETER COFFEY
AVP, Community & Government Relations
DePaul University
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.
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STEPHEN CHAMBERS
Managing Director
Winthrop Group
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. (read more)
LISA ALONGE
Founder
Anniversary University®
Lisa Alonge, Founder of Anniversary University®, is a trailblazer in milestone anniversary planning. As the author of Milestone Anniversary Planning, Lisa has pioneered an industry focused on helping organizations strategically leverage anniversaries for transformative growth. Her approach, blending strategic vision with tactical execution, is recognized as the gold standard in anniversary planning.
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