What’s Important Now – A Dialogue with Experienced IABC Communicators

Join our panel discussion led by Angelo Ioffreda, Chief Engagement Officer at io spark communications, who will moderate an engaging discussion on “What’s Important Now – A Dialogue with Experienced IABC Communicators” in this rapidly changing environment.

The panel will discuss the topics below and there’ll be Q&A from you the audience

1. What’s top of mind for an experienced communicator (like yourself)?
2. What lessons would you like to share with the next generation of communicators?
3. What challenges are they tackling in their organizations or with their clients?

Brenda C. Siler: An award-winning journalist and marketing/communications/branding strategist who has led national, regional, and local communications departments in Atlanta and Washington, DC. These include AARP, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Red Cross, United Way, and UNCF-the United Negro College Fund. At UNCF, she oversaw the rebranding of America’s largest minority scholarship fund, retaining its iconic tagline, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” An IABC Fellow and former IABC chair, Brenda was the first “person of color” to lead the association. Brenda has a communications consultancy Best Communication Strategies.

Karen Vahouny: Following positions as a VP of corporate communication and later a founding partner of a successful PR firm, Karen Vahouny ABC started her own communication consultancy 10 years ago. Her work centers on executive coaching and change communication, and her clients range from corporate to government to non-profit. She is an adjunct professor in George Washington University’s strategic PR master’s degree program and a member of the teaching faculty of American University’s Key Executive Leadership Program. Karen is a former member of the IABC Executive Board & the IABC Research Foundation Board, and an expert in financial communications.

Makini Nyanteh: The vice president of Communications & Public Affairs at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), one of the world’s largest behavioral and social science research, evaluation and technical assistance organizations. For more than 25 years, Makini has applied her communications leadership in the public and private sectors, working with internationally prominent brands in a range of industries including pharmaceuticals, utilities, consumer goods, consumer packaging, financial services, and the federal government. Areas of expertise include strategic and change communications, issues and crisis management, media relations, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion communications. Makini is a past president of the IABC DC Metro chapter.

Angelo Ioffreda: A former chapter president of IABC DC Metro, Angelo is a management and strategic communications consultant, leadership coach, and faculty in American University’s Key Executive Leadership Program where he teaches Leadership through Strategic Communication. Angelo works with leaders on developing high-performing and inclusive teams and organizations, leading, managing, and navigating change, and engaging employees. Angelo has worked across the public, private, and non-profit sectors with organizations of all sizes, from small non-profits to large international companies. He is a board member of EcoAction Arlington, a local environmental non-profit that advocates, educates, and acts to create a sustainable community and address the climate crisis.

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