2022-2023 Professional Chapters Council
PCC Executive Team, President
New Jersey Chapter
mfleischner@gmail.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Michael Fleischner is an entrepreneur, author, marketing strategist, and speaker with 19+ years of real-world experience. As the founder and CEO of Big Fin SEO, a search engine optimization and digital marketing company, he specializes in helping organizations improve online marketing practices and building a strong online reputation. Michael is a Past President of the AMA New Jersey chapter. He has appeared on the TODAY Show, ABC World News, and other major media. In addition, Michael has authored several marketing-related books, including the top-selling guide, SEO Made Simple, available on Amazon.com. Michael is also a co-host of today’s leading Podcasts for freelancers called the Digital Freelancers, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
PCC Executive Team, Immediate Past President
Alaska Chapter
holly.zachman@hcahealthcare.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Holly is a die-hard marketer with over 30 years of experience in branding, advertising, business development, and strategic planning. Currently, Holly is the Business Development Director of a local hospital where she represents the hospital to the community and helps connect employers, carriers, and brokers with hospital services. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Broadcasting and Communication from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Holly has been involved with AMA for over 20 years, holding various positions on the board, including sponsorship, communication, and president. Under her leadership, the Alaska Chapter was recognized as the Turn It Up Chapter of the Year with additional recognition as Membership Excellence and Finance Special Merit. Holly has gained countless experiences leading volunteers and teams to achieve small and big goals. She thoroughly enjoys helping people and teams reach for their highest potential.
PCC Leadership Advisory Team, Leadership Advisor Chair
Omaha Chapter
sarahwrotermund@gmail.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Sarah Morris-Rotermund is the Director of Marketing and Business Development at Lamson, Dugan and Murray LLP in Omaha, Nebraska, where she focuses on furthering business goals for the Firm and individual attorneys leveraging marketing strategies. Sarah is also a board member with the Omaha Public Library Foundation and Nebraska Children’s Home Society. With over 10 years of marketing experience, Sarah worked to advance marketing in the legal, IT, recruiting, and business consulting industries and has a smidgen of experience in the ad agency world. An American Marketing Association member and board member for nearly 10 years, Sarah led Omaha’s local board as President, VP of Communications, Secretary and is currently serving as the Co-President. She also volunteers on the National level of AMA, serving on the Professional Chapter’s Council as the Leadership Summit Co-Chair, planning for the 2023 Leadership Summit. She does all this to provide the best life for her 6-year-old, Ben, who’s a 90 pound Boxer/American Bulldog (Insta: @sweetboyben).
PCC Programming Team
San Antonio Chapter
vanessa_torres@live.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Vanessa C. Torres is a vivacious, creative, talented marketing professional specializing in integrated communications, strategy, and implementation. A leader in higher education marketing in San Antonio, Vanessa currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Previously, she was the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications at San Antonio College and served as the Enrollment Communications Marketing Manager at St. Mary’s University.
In addition to her day job, Vanessa is an adjunct marketing/communications professor and has been a mentor with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of South Texas, since 2012. She is also on the Board of the American Marketing Association (AMA) – San Antonio and served as its president in 2017-2018. In 2019, Vanessa joined the AMA’s Professional Chapters Council (PCC), a national advisory committee for AMA.
A native of San Antonio, Vanessa moved to Chicago to pursue higher education. She earned a B.A. in Marketing Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Columbia College Chicago and an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University.
PCC Programming Team
PDX Chapter
amberelysemckenna@gmail.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Amber McKenna is a personable and dynamic storyteller who has been living and breathing marketing for over 10 years. She has a knack for turning big ideas into action and a passion for people and creating memorable experiences.
She served on the board for the Portland, Oregon (PDX) chapter from 2015 – 2020, including Membership Chair, the Marketing Excellence Awards, and working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. In addition, Amber served as President during the 2018 – 2019 year. Under her leadership, the chapter was recognized for Membership Excellence, started a mentorship program, and rebranded their pro-bono marketing program, AMA PDX Agency, which she wrote about in Marketing News magazine.
As a Director of Brand Marketing for The Better Being Co., a global CPG company, Amber works on marketing strategy and brand development for multiple natural personal care brands. Outside of the office, she can be found eating delicious food, cheering on the Blazers, getting out in nature, or planning her next great travel adventure.
PCC Regional Retreats Chair and Leadership Advisor
Columbus Chapter
dpack@columbuslibrary.org
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Debra Pack is a strategic marketer with 30+ years of advertising and marketing experience. She is currently the Marketing Manager at Columbus Metropolitan Library in Columbus, Ohio, an urban library system with 23 locations. Debra leads the organization’s digital, brand and content marketing strategies, and serves as creative director. She founded Debra Pack & Associates early in her career and continues to work with clients when time permits. Debra previously held positions at an advertising agency and in marketing and sales promotion for a large retailer. She has been an AMA member and volunteer since 2009. She was a two-term president of the AMA Columbus board (2015-2016 / 2016-2017) and Chapter Excellence Awards winner. She remains on the AMA Columbus board as VP at Large, helping to move the chapter forward.
She holds a BS in Journalism from Bowling Green State University, where her focus was on feature writing, photojournalism, creative writing and fine arts. When she isn’t working, Debra enjoys reading, traveling, taking photos and creating art.
Chair, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Leadership Advisor
New York Chapter
karen@kayemediapartners.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Karen McFarlane is a solutions-focused Senior Marketing Executive and Board Member with more than 25 years of success across the technology, artificial intelligence, professional services, ecommerce, education, and entertainment industries. For the past 15 years, Karen led Kaye Media Partners, a strategic B2B marketing practice specializing in high-growth startups and innovative ventures. Through a strategic partnership, Karen serves as Partner & Chief Marketing Officer of LetterShop, a boutique marketing and creative agency delivering 360 solutions to Fortune 1000 companies.
Karen sits on several boards, including the Hudson Valley Credit Union, the fifth-largest credit union in New York State, GenderIDEAL, Leadership and Arts Coalition, and the New York chapter of the American Marketing Association, where she served as President for two years and is now the Chair of DEI Innovation. During her tenure, AMA New York earned eight Chapter Excellence Awards. She also sits on the AMA’s Professional Chapters Council serving over 70 chapters as the Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Past board/trustee board roles include the VR/AR Association, Jack and Jill of America – Mid Hudson Valley, and Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford, NY. Karen was an Adjunct Lecturer at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business.
Karen is a frequent speaker on inclusive marketing and was named most notable in marketing and PR by Crain’s Business. In her spare time, you can find Karen mentoring future leaders and advancing Corporate America’s role in achieving racial and gender equity.
Leadership Advisor
Atlanta Chapter
kimberly.strong@gmail.com
Kimberly Strong is executive director and co-founder of The A Pledge, a call to Atlanta advertising and marketing agencies to come together in a committed effort to match the diversity of their teams to that of Atlanta by 2030. It is an alliance of local agencies and corporate leaders who will work together to overcome systemic racism in our industry. Participating agencies and brands collaborate to develop a city-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) plan with concrete actions specific to the Atlanta marketing and advertising community.
She is a leader in strategic transformations and process improvement for organizations seeking course correction. Known for her positive guidance and entrepreneurial mindset in corporate marketing and non-profit operations, she enhances brand growth and operational efficiencies.
Kimberly is also the digital marketing specialist for Highwoods Properties, where she drives B2B brand growth and operational effectiveness to deliver superior financial performance.
She serves on several national committees and community boards, including the American Marketing Association’s National Professional Chapters Council and the AMA Atlanta Executive Advisory Board. She holds an MBA from Mercer University with a concentration in international business and a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and mass communications from the University of West Georgia.
Leadership Advisor
Toronto Chapter
craig@ama-toronto.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Craig Lund is a marketing and business development professional specialized in selling to the C-suite marketer. Having launched three businesses in the past 14 years in the Canadian & US Market for both Canadian based and Global B2B companies in media, consulting and marketing resource management, he has developed an affinity and passion for connecting the dots for the marketing community and proving opportunities for Mentorship.
Craig was also awarded the AMA’s Ric Sweeney Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award in 2022.
Leadership Advisor
Oklahoma City Chapter
jennifer@evolve-research.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Jennifer Shrewsbury is the Sr. Research Analyst and Project Manager at Evolve Research, LLC in Oklahoma City. She is a consumer insights expert, marketing research consultant, analyst, data visualizer, and (wannabe) graphic designer. She is an extremely adaptable team player who is always ready to dominate the next challenge at the drop of the proverbial hat.
Jennifer joined her company in 2013 after deciding to pursue a career in marketing. She has a natural aptitude for research, which is why she has been motivated to stay, learn and advance her skillsets for eight years and counting. Not only is she inquisitive, but the desire to find the “why” behind motivations and behaviors also burns in her brightly.
Additionally, Jennifer is an active member of her AMA Oklahoma City chapter. She served seven years on the board in various positions from collegiate relations, programming, and the 2019-2020 President of AMA OKC. Her dedication to her chapter earned her the 2017 AMA OKC Chapter Volunteer of the Year award. She was then honored as a finalist for the national AMA 2018 Ric Sweeny Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2019, she received Oklahoma’s NextGen Under 30 Award for her dedication and service to her community, career, and industry.
Outside of her day job and volunteer gigs, Jennifer won’t hesitate to wear her bright Oklahoma State orange on any given day. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two blue heelers, indoor cycling, going to the lake, “DIYing,” volunteering, planning events, and a patio on a nice day.
Leadership Advisor
Triangle Chapter
Misty.Wilson@amatriangle.org
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Misty is a creator and a builder. As a creative futuristic thinker, her background in both qualitative and quantitative analysis enhances the design of fully integrated, data-driven marketing campaigns that enable brands to create inclusive mission-driven communities – cultivating meaningful relationships while fostering a continuously forward-thinking vision.
After working toward her BA in Marketing and PR from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, she began her career in PR and event planning before moving to digital marketing where she eventually pivoted into a concurrent career in both data science and digital marketing. She now serves as the Director of Marketing for GreenBook where she gets to do what she does best – helping marketers bridge the gap between marketing, market research, and big data.
Prior to GreenBook, she served as the first Black President of AMA Triangle in North Carolina while working as a Data Scientist at ICON Health. In April 2021, she earned a prestigious spot on the “2021 Top 50 Black Marketers on the Rise” for influence and innovation in digital marketing, PR, and DEI. In addition to PR, marketing, and data, one of her greatest passions will always be giving back and creating community. As a result, in 2020 she co-founded a DEI Taskforce and co-authored an international DEI Pledge to help guide all 70 AMA chapters in their own implementation of DEI practices. In addition to volunteering, she’s also a proud dog mom, a frequent traveler, a foodie, and a southern girl, through and through.
Leadership Advisor
Houston Chapter
stephen@getonefootover.com
PCC Leadership Advisory Team Chapters
Stephen is a past president of the Houston chapter. He has served on the board since 2012 in various roles, including communications, programming, major events, and fundraising. Last year, he chaired the Strategic Efforts subcommittee for the PCC’s DEI initiative, which led to DEI practices included in Board in a Box, strategic planning, and more.
Outside of AMA, Stephen is the founder of One Foot Over, an unapologetically digital marketing agency, where he works with B2B clients to incorporate marketing technology and inbound marketing. He has spoken at conferences in the U.S. and Europe about online, agile, and growth marketing. A native of West Virginia, Stephen has lived in Houston since 2009. He also has an Instagram account that is 99% pictures of wine. @houstonwinefreak
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