This will be the first session of our 2024 quarterly series of digital marketing trainings designed to empower you with essential skills and knowledge to enhance your organization’s online presence.

Participants who attend three or more training sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

Panel Discussion Topics:

• The Power of Storytelling: how compelling narratives drive engagement
• Engaging Your Audience Authentically: techniques for creating content that connects
• Content Development: strategies for creating impactful digital content
• Getting Heard: how to amplify your storytelling through organic media
• Tools: exploring essential tools and technologies for effective digital marketing

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your digital marketing skills and network with fellow professionals.

Click here to register!

Panelists:     

Nicole Beachum, UAB Professor of Marketing and Co-Founder, Uptick Marketing

Dr. Nicole Beachum is Co-Founder of Uptick Marketing and Assistant Professor of Marketing at University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of South Alabama. Her research has appeared in the Journal of Services Marketing and Go-To-Market Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs. Nicole has been in digital marketing for 13 years, starting out as a freelance writer and ultimately creating and running a digital marketing agency before going into academia. She has a sweet 5-year-old daughter who is adopted through foster care and a love for all things coffee.

Katie Garfinkle, APR, Lead Coordinator, Marketing & Internal Communications at Children’s of Alabama

Katie Garfinkle, APR serves as the lead coordinator for internal communications and marketing at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham. She is responsible for executing internal campaigns for annual hospital initiatives, including coordinating messaging to more than 5,000 employees in conjunction with Children’s’ strategic business and communications objectives. She is also responsible for managing national and international conference support to meet marketing goals for clinic departments, physicians and medical divisions within the hospital. Katie began her career with the American Red Cross, working in both the development and communications departments. Prior to joining the staff at Children’s, she worked in development at Glenwood, Inc. A native of Birmingham, Ala., she received her B.A. in public relations from Auburn University. In 2019, she earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). She is currently president of the Public Relations Council of Alabama – Birmingham Chapter, a member of the Public Relations Society of America and serves on the planning committee for Do Dah Day.

Chip Graham, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications at United Way of Central AL

Chip Graham is the Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Communications at United Way of Central Alabama. He is responsible for all marketing and communications including planning, strategy and tactical implementation. Chip holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Birmingham Southern College. Prior to assuming his current role at United Way, he worked for eighteen years at EBSCO Industries, Inc. in various roles ranging from traditional marketing to digital marketing and e-commerce. Chip is also a head soccer coach at the Birmingham United Soccer Association (BUSA), where he enjoys investing some of his time towards the development of youth boys’ soccer within Birmingham, Alabama.

Jennifer R. Gonsoulin, Founder, Total Communication LLC

Jennifer Gonsoulin is the founder of Total Communication LLC, a public relations firm dedicated to empowering educational institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses. Jennifer is a seasoned communications expert with over a decade in journalism, including roles as a news anchor, reporter, and producer. With degrees in Communication Studies and Higher Education Administration, she transitioned from media to founding her own PR firm. Jennifer’s firm specializes in aiding educational institutions, nonprofits, and small enterprises in shaping their narratives and establishing distinct brand identities. Known for her integrity and storytelling prowess, she’s a respected figure in public relations, dedicated to elevating her clients’ voices.

Silvia Espinosa Laxson, MPA, Development and Communications Director, ¡HICA!

Silvia Espinosa Laxson, MPA is the Development Director at the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!). Since 2018, she has been at the forefront of ¡HICA!’s fundraising initiatives, donor engagement, event planning, branding, and marketing. Originally from Colombia, South America, Silvia relocated to the U.S. in 2010 as an international student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she earned her B.S. in Marketing and her Masters in Public Administration with a nonprofit concentration.

Beyond her responsibilities at ¡HICA!, Silvia actively engages in multiple community organizations. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Jones Valley Teaching Farm and holds the position of President on the Fiesta Birmingham Board of Directors. She was part of the 2022 FBI Citizenship Academy and 2022-2023 Alabama Leadership Initiative classes. Silvia is married to Landon Laxson and finds joy in cooking, traveling, spending quality time with her dog, Chiquita, and visiting her family in Colombia.