Miami Brand Summit

Fontainebleau Miami Beach
February 24 – 26, 2019

Location

Miami, FL

Date

February 24-26, 2019

Discussion Participants

70+ Executives

Purpose

Personal Growth & Marketing

Content. Connections. Commerce.

Our Summit is designed with one goal in mind – to help you solve actual marketing challenges. For that journey we have created a truly unique experience, based on 3 core principles:

  • Professional development goes hand-in-hand with personal growth.
  • Problems get solved by very smart people in small groups.
  • Powerful networks are built on meaningful connections.

As an invitee you will be part of a very exclusive and highly curated group of 75 senior brand leaders for this once-in-a-lifetime event. You will be inspired, you will be challenged, and you will be prepared to deal with the challenges that you face in your industry. In the evenings, as we have fun exploring historic Charleston, you will forge relationships that will strengthen your support network and overall career path well beyond the Summit. By the time you leave you will have mapped out the next steps on your professional and personal journey as a marketer and as an individual.

The format is dynamic and engaging. To be a participant we ask that you come prepared to be an active contributor – this is unlike any other professional gathering you will have experienced before. The Summit is free to attend (hotel and Summit pass) for qualified brand executives.

We invite you to explore the schedule outline and contact us if you feel you can both benefit from, and contribute to, The Room Marketer’s Summit.

Schedule

7:00 am - 8:00 am

Morning Sweatworking

8:00 am - 9:30 am

Breakfast

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

General Session (timing breakdown below)

9:30 am - 9:45 am

Summit Welcome

Beth Mach Beth Mach
9:45 am - 10:25 am

Fireside Chat with Susie Sarich

Susie Sarich Susie Sarich
10:25 am - 10:35 am

The Financial Mirror: What Your Best Friend Would See in Your Finances (That You Don’t)

You’ve led teams, built brands, and made decisions that move markets. But what happens when you turn that same lens inward—toward your own financial life? In this TED-style segment, Tatiana shares her story of graduating from the “Harvard School of Divorce” and transforming her financial life—and others'—by seeing money not as a math problem, but as a mirror. A reflection of self-worth, vision, and ownership. You’ll walk away with a powerful reframe: your career acumen and financial clarity aren’t separate—they’re meant to reinforce each other.

Tatiana Sunik Tatiana Sunik
10:35 am - 11:20 am

Facilitating Joy: Why it Matters, What’s in the Way and How to Have More of it at Work and in Life

In this interactive and engaging session we’ll look at the seven core energy levels, determine where you’re currently residing, and gain the mindset, skillset and toolset to level up at any time regardless of the circumstances around you. You’ll walk away from this session with: - An understanding of the 7 core energy levels - A tool to coach yourself out of any joyless day by ‘WOOP-ing’ it up (WOOP = a tool steeped in neuroscience that shifts your energy and moves you into action) - The ability to shift from an external to an internal locus of control resulting in an always-on feeling of empowerment and unshakable belief in yourself - A commitment to challenge the faulty narrative that many women have been given that suffering and service are the paths to joy - A commitment to enroll others on the journey of facilitating joy as a competitive advantage

Maureen Falvey Maureen Falvey
11:20 am - 12:00 pm

Unapologetically Powerful: Leading with Authenticity & Authority

What if your greatest leadership strength is who you already are? In this inspiring and science-backed keynote, speaker Sara Pedersen unpacks the double bind women face between being liked and being respected—and offers a powerful new path forward. Through personal stories, psychological insights, and practical tools, you'll learn how to lead with both warmth and authority, silence self-doubt, and own your presence without apology.

Sara Pedersen Sara Pedersen
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Power Hour Lunch

An interactive lunch experience designed to spark real conversations and meaningful connections. Gather in small groups for guided reflections on authenticity, leadership, and the masks we wear. Through shared stories and powerful prompts, you'll gain fresh insights, strengthen your voice, and walk away with one bold permission slip—to lead exactly as you are.

Sara Pedersen Sara Pedersen
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Workshops Round 1

Workshop 1A: Mastering Your New Role: The Make-or-Break 90 Days

The leap to a new senior role comes with a unique set of pressures—you need to prove yourself quickly while building credibility with peers who may have been skeptical of your appointment. This session focuses on the critical first 90 days, where the decisions you make and relationships you build will determine whether you thrive or struggle. Whether a new CMO or Director, we'll discuss how to identify your early wins, navigate the political landscape of the C-suite, and establish the momentum that sets you up for long-term success. Come prepared to share your experiences and leave with ideas for any new executive role.

Carolyn Henry Carolyn Henry
Sarah Ripmaster Sarah Ripmaster

Workshop 1B: How We Make It Better for Ourselves and Everyone Coming Next

How can we work together—both to empower each other right now and to build something better for the women coming behind us? We'll explore practical ways to support other women in our own careers, examine how we can collaborate to create real change, and discuss what we owe to the next generation of women leaders. Come ready to share your own experiences with lifting up other women and leave with actionable strategies for building the kind of mutual support that benefits everyone—today and tomorrow.

Lisa Collings Lisa Collings
Lori Adler Lori Adler

Workshop 1C: Moving Beyond Self Promotion to Thought Leadership

Thought leadership has become a buzzword, but the real thing—the kind that genuinely advances your career—can't be manufactured or faked. This session explores how to build meaningful influence by staying true to what you actually care about, whether that's through writing, speaking, podcasting, or other platforms. We'll discuss how to show up as yourself rather than a corporate spokesperson, how to translate expertise from your side interests into professional credibility, and why authenticity beats polish every time. You'll leave with practical strategies for building a voice that feels natural to you and opens unexpected opportunities in your career.

Andrea Javor Andrea Javor
Olivia Kory Olivia Kory

Workshop 1D: The Art of the Upstream Sell: Moving Ideas from Concept to Commitment

In today's complex organizations, your best idea means nothing if you can't get the right people behind it. Lets tackle the real challenge every executive faces: how do you persuade up when you're presenting to boards, navigating C-suite politics, or working across departments where your title doesn't guarantee cooperation? Lets explore what actually motivates different stakeholders, techniques for building genuine buy-in and how to turn skeptics into champions.

Amanda Kramer Amanda Kramer
Jenny Porter Jenny Porter

Workshop 1E: Navigating the Generational Divide

Three decades of digital change have created vastly different approaches to work and communication, but some leaders have figured out how to make it work beautifully. This discussion brings together senior executives to share what's actually working when you're leading across generational lines—the communication strategies, team structures, and management approaches that turn differences into real advantages. Come ready to contribute your successes and leave with fresh strategies for getting the best from every generation on your team.

Carly Turim Irizarry Carly Turim Irizarry
Emily Schmitt Emily Schmitt

Workshop 1F: From Frantic to Focused: Choosing an Intentional Life

You're ready for something different—a career and life that feels intentional rather than frantic. If you are feeling burnt out from busyness and want to create space for deep work, meaningful relationships, and the things that will actually matter five years from now this is the session for you. We'll discuss practical strategies for saying no without guilt, aligning your time with your partner's expectations, and restructuring your days around what you want to be present for. Come ready to examine what you're willing to let go of and leave with a clearer sense of where your energy should really be going.

Ashley Hart Ashley Hart
Stefanie Henderson Stefanie Henderson

Workshop 1G: The Great Reorganization: Building Marketing Teams for the AI Era

We're living through a transformation as significant as when digital first disrupted marketing—except this time, it's happening faster and touching every aspect of how we organize, hire, and lead. This discussion moves beyond the scary headlines about job displacement to explore what marketing organizations actually need to look like in an AI-driven world. We'll examine how smart leaders are rethinking talent strategies, restructuring teams, and preparing for the massive shifts coming for both agencies and brands. Come ready to discuss the fundamental changes you're seeing and planning for, and leave with a clearer vision of how to position your organization for what's coming next.

Alicia Lisowski Alicia Lisowski
Lauri Baker Lauri Baker
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm

Transition Break

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Workshops Round 2

Workshop 2A: Mastering Your New Role: The Make-or-Break 90 Days

The leap to a new senior role comes with a unique set of pressures—you need to prove yourself quickly while building credibility with peers who may have been skeptical of your appointment. This session focuses on the critical first 90 days, where the decisions you make and relationships you build will determine whether you thrive or struggle. Whether a new CMO or Director, we'll discuss how to identify your early wins, navigate the political landscape of the C-suite, and establish the momentum that sets you up for long-term success. Come prepared to share your experiences and leave with ideas for any new executive role.

Kate Rush Sheehy Kate Rush Sheehy
Diya Basu Diya Basu

Workshop 2B: How We Make It Better for Ourselves and Everyone Coming Next

How can we work together—both to empower each other right now and to build something better for the women coming behind us? We'll explore practical ways to support other women in our own careers, examine how we can collaborate to create real change, and discuss what we owe to the next generation of women leaders. Come ready to share your own experiences with lifting up other women and leave with actionable strategies for building the kind of mutual support that benefits everyone—today and tomorrow.

Julie Berger Julie Berger

Workshop 2C: Moving Beyond Self Promotion to Thought Leadership

Thought leadership has become a buzzword, but the real thing—the kind that genuinely advances your career—can't be manufactured or faked. This session explores how to build meaningful influence by staying true to what you actually care about, whether that's through writing, speaking, podcasting, or other platforms. We'll discuss how to show up as yourself rather than a corporate spokesperson, how to translate expertise from your side interests into professional credibility, and why authenticity beats polish every time. You'll leave with practical strategies for building a voice that feels natural to you and opens unexpected opportunities in your career.

Liz Reeves Liz Reeves
Cerisse Velasco Cerisse Velasco

Workshop 2D: The Art of the Upstream Sell: Moving Ideas from Concept to Commitment

In today's complex organizations, your best idea means nothing if you can't get the right people behind it. Lets tackle the real challenge every executive faces: how do you persuade up when you're presenting to boards, navigating C-suite politics, or working across departments where your title doesn't guarantee cooperation? Lets explore what actually motivates different stakeholders, techniques for building genuine buy-in and how to turn skeptics into champions.

Selina Wang Selina Wang
Stephanie Martin Stephanie Martin

Workshop 2E: From Frantic to Focused: Choosing an Intentional Life

You're ready for something different—a career and life that feels intentional rather than frantic. If you are feeling burnt out from busyness and want to create space for deep work, meaningful relationships, and the things that will actually matter five years from now this is the session for you. We'll discuss practical strategies for saying no without guilt, aligning your time with your partner's expectations, and restructuring your days around what you want to be present for. Come ready to examine what you're willing to let go of and leave with a clearer sense of where your energy should really be going.

Ariel Barlow Ariel Barlow
Sage Edson Sage Edson

Workshop 2F: The Great Reorganization: Building Marketing Teams for the AI Era

We're living through a transformation as significant as when digital first disrupted marketing—except this time, it's happening faster and touching every aspect of how we organize, hire, and lead. This discussion moves beyond the scary headlines about job displacement to explore what marketing organizations actually need to look like in an AI-driven world. We'll examine how smart leaders are rethinking talent strategies, restructuring teams, and preparing for the massive shifts coming for both agencies and brands. Come ready to discuss the fundamental changes you're seeing and planning for, and leave with a clearer vision of how to position your organization for what's coming next.

Heather Stuckey Heather Stuckey
Johanna Bauman Johanna Bauman

Workshop 2G: Beyond Ozempic: How Health Trends Create Business Opportunities

GLP-1 drugs and cannabis legalization aren't just changing individual habits—they're reshaping entire industries and creating unexpected opportunities across every sector. This discussion explores how the massive shift toward health and wellness is affecting consumer behavior beyond the obvious categories, from the boom in non-alcoholic spirits to untapped potential in beauty and fitness. We'll examine how brands outside traditional wellness verticals can capitalize on these trends through smart positioning, strategic partnerships, and targeted media strategies. Come ready to discuss what you're seeing in your own industry and leave with actionable ideas for riding the health revolution wave.

Bianca Da Silva Bianca Da Silva
Marion Hargett Marion Hargett
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Networking Activity

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Dinner

10:00 pm - 11:30 pm Octagon

Late-Night Spot (Optional)

At attendee's discretion.

7:00 am - 8:00 am

Morning Sweatworking

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Breakfast

8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Shipping Desk

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Workshops Round 3

Workshop 3A: The Great Reorganization: Building Marketing Teams for the AI Era

We're living through a transformation as significant as when digital first disrupted marketing—except this time, it's happening faster and touching every aspect of how we organize, hire, and lead. This discussion moves beyond the scary headlines about job displacement to explore what marketing organizations actually need to look like in an AI-driven world. We'll examine how smart leaders are rethinking talent strategies, restructuring teams, and preparing for the massive shifts coming for both agencies and brands. Come ready to discuss the fundamental changes you're seeing and planning for, and leave with a clearer vision of how to position your organization for what's coming next.

Lauren Busch Lauren Busch
Charlotte Hansen Charlotte Hansen

Workshop 3B: Beyond Ozempic: How Health Trends Create Business Opportunities

GLP-1 drugs and cannabis legalization aren't just changing individual habits—they're reshaping entire industries and creating unexpected opportunities across every sector. This discussion explores how the massive shift toward health and wellness is affecting consumer behavior beyond the obvious categories, from the boom in non-alcoholic spirits to untapped potential in beauty and fitness. We'll examine how brands outside traditional wellness verticals can capitalize on these trends through smart positioning, strategic partnerships, and targeted media strategies. Come ready to discuss what you're seeing in your own industry and leave with actionable ideas for riding the health revolution wave.

Michelle Chester Michelle Chester
Paige Patterson Paige Patterson

Workshop 3C: Channel Surfing: What Happens When the Old Rules Don't Apply

Consumer behavior has fundamentally shifted—they're not scrolling through Meta and TikTok the way they used to, and traditional digital channels are losing their grip on attention. Meanwhile, podcasts, CTV, Reddit, and other emerging platforms are becoming serious contenders for top-of-funnel marketing, not just experimental budget line items. This session explores where your customers have actually migrated and how leading brands are adapting their strategies to meet them there. We'll discuss which new channels deserve real investment versus which are just shiny objects.

Rachna Patel Rachna Patel
Carrie Daly Carrie Daly

Workshop 3D: Getting Back to Brand After Years of Chasing Conversions

The obsession with measuring everything has left many brands efficient at driving clicks but completely forgettable. This session tackles the challenge every marketing leader faces: how do you balance the constant pressure for immediate, measurable results with the slower work of building a brand people actually care about? We'll discuss how to guide teams who've been trained to chase every conversion, ways to make the case for investing in unmeasurable brand work, and strategies for running campaigns that don't force you to choose between sales today and relevance tomorrow. Come ready to share your own tug-of-war between brand and performance and leave with practical approaches for doing both well.

Christina Nevoso Christina Nevoso
Cathy Collette Cathy Collette

Workshop 3E: The Career Marathon: How to Run Like A Champion

You're in your fifties, at the peak of your expertise, but you can feel the industry's subtle pressure around age—colleagues are starting their own consulting practices, younger is cheaper (which seems to be of high value), and somehow your decades of experience are being treated as a liability rather than the incredible asset they actually are. This discussion addresses the backwards thinking that devalues seasoned professionals and explores how to combat the perception that age means outdated. We'll discuss how to showcase the depth of knowledge that only comes with time, strategies for continuing to learn in areas like analytics and data while leveraging your strategic perspective, and practical approaches for reframing the conversation around experience versus inexperience.

Ami Sirlin Ami Sirlin
Allison Clarke Allison Clarke

Workshop 3F: What I Would Advise a Younger Me?

If you could sit down with your 30-year-old self, what would you tell her about the choices ahead? This discussion explores the career and life decisions that shape us—from questioning whether the CMO track is really what you want, to figuring out if staying at big companies is actually easier, to navigating the reality of being a working mother. We'll talk honestly about work-life integration versus the myth of balance, share hard-won wisdom about setting boundaries as a mom, a manager, and discuss the personal questions that career advice rarely addresses: how do you build a full life while climbing the ladder? Come ready to share the insights you wish you'd had earlier and leave with perspective that might help the next generation make better choices.

Kelsey Ragsdale Kelsey Ragsdale
Beth Hoff Beth Hoff

Workshop 3G: The Great Skill Reset: Training Teams When the Fundamentals are Different

Your younger team members are smart and eager, but they're missing basic business skills that previous generations picked up along the way—like how to run an RFP, manage vendor relationships, navigate corporate processes...or dare we say it: assess priorities! Meanwhile, some resist AI tools that could enhance their careers, seeing them as threats rather than opportunities. To top it all off, skill set needs are changing day by day. This discussion tackles the practical challenge of building fundamental skills when training time is scarce and traditional learning paths no longer exist. Come ready to discuss your own training challenges and leave with actionable approaches for developing well-rounded teams that can handle both the basics and the future.

Meghan Reynolds Meghan Reynolds
Jamie Byrdak Jamie Byrdak
10:30 am - 11:00 am

Networking Break

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Workshops Round 4

Workshop 4A: The Agency Shuffle: How to Build Relationships That Actually Last

Every week brings news of another agency acquisition, massive layoffs, or sudden consolidation—leaving brand leaders wondering if their current partnerships will survive the month. This discussion tackles the practical reality of managing agency relationships when the landscape keeps shifting under your feet. We'll explore when it makes sense to bring work in-house versus sticking with external partners, what makes some brand-agency partnerships thrive while others fall apart, and how to structure relationships that benefit both sides equally. Come ready to share your own partnership challenges and successes, and leave with frameworks for creating partnerships that both sides actually want to protect and invest in.

Sofya Vannelli Sofya Vannelli
Marla Newman Marla Newman

Workshop 4B: Staying Cool When You're Literally Not

Picture this: you're delivering your quarterly results to the C-Suite when suddenly you feel like you're standing next to a furnace. Welcome to menopause in the corner office—the experience that affects all women in some way, yet is rarely discussed. Let's talk about managing a major life transition while running our lives, leading teams, and maintaining the polished executive image we've worked decades to build. Share what's actually helped, and build the frank support system we all deserve.

Jenni Finch Jenni Finch
Jennifer Huber Jennifer Huber

Workshop 4C: Designing Your Financial Architecture

You’re already the architect of your brand, your business, your life. Now it’s time to design your wealth with that same intention. This intimate, high-impact session is built for women who are done outsourcing their financial power - and ready to build clarity around how money aligns with values, vision, and future. Together, we’ll explore: - Why your current financial reflection may not match your aspirations - How to shift from autopilot to architecture in your financial life - The hidden complexity of women’s mid-career wealth: equity comp, taxes, caregiving, cash flow, and more

Tatiana Sunik Tatiana Sunik
Deva Bronson Deva Bronson

Workshop: 4D: Becoming an Angel: Investing in Startups Does Not take Millions

Angel investing feels like it's reserved for tech billionaires and family offices, but the reality is you don't need millions to start backing promising startups. This discussion breaks down the real barriers versus the perceived ones, explores accessible paths into startup investing, and shares practical strategies for getting started at whatever level makes sense for you. We'll cover everything from angel groups and syndicates to newer platforms that have democratized access, plus what to look for in early-stage companies. Come ready to learn how successful women are building startup portfolios and leave with a clear roadmap for becoming an angel investor yourself.

Beth Mach Beth Mach
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Lunch & Town Hall

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Departure Shuttles

Discussion Leaders

Aaron Cohen

The Room

Abhi Vyas

Veronica Beard

Alicia Lisowski

Old World Industries

Allison Clarke

VIZIO Ads

Amanda Kramer

Albertsons Media Collective

Amber Wade

Digg Inn

Ami Sirlin

Response Media

Amy Tunick

National CineMedia (NCM)

Andre Quadra

Hisense

Andrea Javor

Starcom

Angela Gruzka

Charitybuzz

Ariel Deitz

Nexxen

Ashley Hart

Stanley 1913

Beth Hoff

National CineMedia

Beth Mach

The Room

Bianca Da Silva

Suntory Global Spirits

Cami Schenck

Sargento

Cathy Collette

PadSquad

Cecilia Seiden

TransUnion

Charles Ewald

Zeta Global

Charlotte Hansen

MobileFuse

Chris Baszto

Industrious

Dametria Kinsley

LYS Beauty

Danny Fishman

The Room

Dave Jacobs

Farther

Deva Bronson

dentsu Media

Diya Basu

American Dairy Association

Elaine Lohse

Flagstone Foods

Emily Schmitt

Aristocrat Gaming

Summit Sponsors

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Hayley Nelson

Moderator

Bio coming soon.

Duncan Houldsworth

Moderator

Bio coming soon.

Beth Mach

Advisor / Moderator

Beth Mach brings over 25 years of experience driving growth through marketing, media, and technology solutions for Fortune 500 brands. She is currently the Co-founder and COO of Spacely and a moderator and advisor for The Room. Beth actively contributes to several start-ups such as Compliant, Brandstory Architech, and Influential and is also an accomplished public speaker, mentor, investor, and active volunteer.

Aaron Cohen

Advisor / Moderator

Before The Room, Aaron was the CEO of five digital media companies from 1998-2018 including Bolt (sold to GoFish), The GirlsOn Blog Network (sold to Oxygen) and Menupages (sold to Grubhub). 15 years ago, he became a professor of Internet media history at NYU where he continues to teach undergraduates.

Lou Alaimo

Lou Alaimo

Advisor / Moderator

Bio coming soon.

Nicole Healy

SVP, Experience

Nicole is the SVP of Experience at The Room where we define ‘experience’ as the intersection of community and event operations. She previously held leadership roles as Chief Strategy Officer for a VC backed start-up and as Co-Founder of VMA Media, a marketing events company she took through acquisition in 2018.

Micca Tuason

Community Supervisor

Micca is passionate about creating exceptional event experiences. As part of the Community team, she contributes to the entire event lifecycle, from planning and execution to post-event follow-up.

Lauren Carlucci

Community Manager

Bio coming soon.

Laiza Cabarrubias

Community Growth Coordinator

Bio coming soon.

Katie Burke

Senior Community Manager

Katie currently serves as a leader in community and event management, driven by her innate creativity and passion for fostering connections. Her career spans roles in business development, event management, field marketing, and community building. In her free time, Katie runs a thriving global community of 50K+ 20-somethings called ‘Not Wasting My Twenties.’

Justin Buen

Sales Coordinator

I have over five years of experience in sales operations, executive assistance, and customer service. I enjoy supporting teams by keeping schedules on track, improving workflows, and ensuring clients are well taken care of.

Josh Messinger

Partner

Josh has been bringing together marketers for over 20 years. He has seen multiple companies through acquisitions, held leadership roles as VP, Online, President, and founder at media companies including dmg :: events, iMedia, ad:tech, and VMA Media.

Jess Porec

Experience Manager

Bio coming soon.

Doug Bandes

Doug Bandes

VP, Sales

Bio coming soon.

Danny Fishman

Partner

An authority in the converging media space, Danny is known and respected for his accomplishments in the entertainment, media, advertising & marketing, digital, and technology industries. For the past two decades Fishman has been a highly successful serial entrepreneur, leading multiple companies to exponential revenue growth, category dominance, and financially lucrative exits.

Dan Orcino

Senior Experience Coordinator

With 20 years of experience delivering exceptional customer service in the BPO industry, Daniel Orcino is a passionate advocate for sales and leadership. He excels in operations management, team leadership, and facilitation. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel enjoys traveling and exploring the great outdoors, always seeking new adventures.

Cathleene Tagari

Executive Assistant

Prior to joining The Room in September 2023 as an Executive Assistant, Cathleene honed her skills in client relations. She now leverages this experience to provide comprehensive support to the partners, collaborating closely with them to optimize workflows, enhance productivity, and reach goals.

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