What People are Saying
Learn more about ALI Conferences
Learn more about our services, conferences, trainings, and how you can connect with us.
Agenda
Day 1: General Sessions - 04/30/2025 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
8:30 am - 9:00 am | Registration: Badges, Breakfast, & BeveragesEnjoy complimentary coffee, tea and continental breakfast as you meet your fellow attendees. Sign-in, pick up your materials and enjoy a continental breakfast before we start the day. Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors! | |||
9:00 am - 9:30 am | Chairperson's Welcome & Speed NetworkingBridget Quigg, CEO & Founder | BQ Productions Welcome to Strategic Corporate Communications West! | |||
9:30 am - 10:05 am | Case Study: Boosting Team Morale and Brand Visibility Through Employee AdvocacyCaroline Johns, Director of Corporate Communications | Saatva This presentation dives into how a strategic partnership between Internal Communications and Social Media led to the successful launch—and continued momentum—of Saatva’s Employee Advocacy Program. Designed to boost employee engagement and elevate our employer brand, the program taps into the power of authentic storytelling from within. By organizing small, time-bound cohorts of highly engaged employees, we provided hands-on support, gamified participation, and focused on sharing culture-driven content that resonates. The outcome? Stronger internal connection, increased brand visibility, and measurable gains across both employee sentiment and social media performance. We’ll share what worked, what we’ve fine-tuned along the way, and how employee voices continue to shape Saatva’s brand from the inside out. In this session, you’ll learn:
| |||
10:05 am - 10:40 am | Case Study: Leading Through Change: Communication Strategies for ResilienceJessica Sipperley, Director, Communications and PR | Health Care Service Corporation Jessica Sipperley is a communications leader with more than 15 years of experience in a variety of industries, supporting health payer and technology leadership in developing and executing robust communication strategies. As both an individual contributor and people leader, Jessica has sought to keep employee understanding and engagement at the forefront of her work, encouraging senior leaders to do the same. Change is an absolute in all industries and within all companies. The scope of a change, or the pace of change, will be different, but at their core, all changes affect employees. This could range from curiosity about “why?”, enthusiasm about the new direction and a desire to engage, or a retreat into wanting to keep things as they are. As communicators, we create the messages and shape the tone, but more often than not, rely on our senior leaders to deliver. This release of ownership means a message may land in a different way than we intended. My presentation will share approaches that have been successful in times of change, as well as examples of opportunities to pivot, learn and do better next time.
| |||
10:40 am - 11:10 am | Morning Refreshments, Networking Break + Visit Your SponsorsEnjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers. | |||
11:10 am - 11:45 am | Case Study: Transforming Employee Engagement with Minimal ResourcesDanielle Marks, Director, Internal Communications | Urban Institute Discover innovative ways to enhance engagement and drive connection by creatively leveraging existing tools and meeting employees on the platforms they already enjoy. Key Takeaways:
| |||
11:45 am - 12:15 pm | Case Study: Mastering the Art of Communication During Organizational ChangeAndrea Riggs, Senior Director, Corporate Communications | Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Organizational restructuring can be a disruptive time for employees and stakeholders alike. At the heart of any successful reorganization lies effective, strategic communication. This speech will explore the critical role communications professionals play in guiding organizations through periods of transformation. Attendees will learn how to craft clear and empathetic messaging, anticipate challenges, and foster trust during moments of uncertainty. | |||
12:15 pm - 2:15 pm | Lunch On Your Own, But Not Alone—Reservations Are Booked!Reservations have been made at several local restaurants. **Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch. | |||
2:15 pm - 2:50 pm | Interactive Session: Creative Collaboration BreakoutBridget Quigg, CEO & Founder | BQ Productions How creative are you? According to our facilitator Bridget Quigg, you are infinitely creative. Let's get moving and enjoy group exercises designed to get us playing, collaborating, laughing, and growing our confidence in our natural creativity. Plus, we'll learn how to draw creativity out in others. | |||
2:50 pm - 3:25 pm | Case Study: Powered by People: Transforming Corporate Communications Through Authentic StorytellingKelly Massad, Communications and Public Relations Global Manager | Husky Technologies The shift toward people-focused communications marks a pivotal change in how organizations connect with their audiences. This case study explores Husky Technologies™ strategic transformation of its corporate communications approach through the lens of authentic employee storytelling. Learn how the integration of internal and external communications channels created a cohesive narrative that strengthened employee engagement while building brand credibility. Through practical examples and measurable outcomes, discover how Husky’s "Powered by People" approach revolutionized traditional corporate communications methods and humanized the brand. Join this comprehensive discussion where you will learn:
| |||
3:25 pm - 3:40 pm | DIY with AI: Scaling Internal Video Production to Streamline, Innovate, and EngageBrittany Du Bois, Content Marketing Manager | PlayPlay Video has become an indispensable medium for effective corporate communication, driving engagement, alignment, and connection across both internal teams and external stakeholders. But creating professional-quality videos in-house can feel overwhelming, especially when budgets and timelines are tight. The good news? AI is here to help. By integrating AI into your content creation workflows, you can create impactful corporate videos more efficiently, cost-effectively, and creatively than ever before. In this short session, you’ll learn how to:
AI won’t replace your role in corporate communications—but it can make you more effective than ever. Join us to discover how you can become the driving force behind scalable, resonant video content that elevates your organization's messaging both internally and externally! | |||
3:40 pm - 4:05 pm | Afternoon Refreshments & Networking BreakEnjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers. | |||
4:05 pm - 4:45 pm | Panel: Navigating AI and Automation in Corporate CommunicationsModerator: Bridget Quigg, CEO & Founder | BQ Productions Tracy Akinade MBA, MA, Associate Director Community Engagement & Economic Impact | The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School Geneva Lewter, MA, SHRM-CP, Strategic Communications and Change Management Senior Consultant | Deloitte Kristine Frech, Vice President, Corporate Communications | Amplify Kait Gillen, Director of Internal and Executive Communications | Upside With the rise of artificial intelligence and automation, corporate communication teams are redefining their strategies to stay ahead. This panel explores how organizations are leveraging AI-powered tools for content creation, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced personalization. Experts will discuss challenges such as maintaining authenticity, managing ethical concerns, and ensuring that technology complements human creativity. Key Takeaways:
| |||
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Close Of Day 1—Join Us for a Networking Reception @ Venue BarDon't stop the conversation! | |||
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Dinner With a Group—Reservations Have Been MadeWant to keep the conversation going? Join a group of attendees for dinner at a local Washington D.C. hot spot.
**Dutch treat. |
Speakers


Chris Lee
Vice President Employee Experience and Internal Communication | Gallagher


Jessica Sipperley
Director, Communications and PR | Health Care Service Corporation


Ali Martin Duncan
Director, Corporate Communications, Strategy and Operations | BMO


Adam Schair
Vice President, Global Internal Corporate Communications | Stanley Black & Decker Inc.


Sang Lee
Corporate Communications Manager | Glassdoor


Caitlin Harper
Founder | Commcoterie
What People are Saying
Sponsors
ALI works with the best, so you can learn from the best. Our sponsors are industry leaders that are leading the way in communications.
There are a variety of sponsorship packages available and we are open to discussing a customized package that meets your needs.
Interested in becoming a Sponsor?
Introduce your brand, product, or services to key decision makers