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Our mission is to change the face and voice of the marketing industry.

We’re changing the face and voice of the marketing industry by creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. Since 2009, our non-profit organization has envisioned an industry that thrives with the creativity and insights of all. That means you!

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Who We Serve

Our Participants

We work with young Talent of Color to achieve professional greatness in marketing and advertising. We hire and place high school and college level students as interns, and provide continuous support through industry workshops, experiential skills training, professional development, advanced jobs programs and career guidance.

Student Programs

Our Industry

The marketing and advertising industry is in a unique position of power and influence. The BrandLab works with organizations to ensure that the work, workplace, and workers allow for inclusive and equitable environments for all talent to thrive. We support employers in hiring, elevating and valuing Talent of Color at every level of employment.

Partnership Opportunities

Our Markets

Twin Cities

Kansas City

Milwaukee

We are driven by our values for exposure, access, opportunity, and equity.

Exposure: You can’t ask for a job if you don’t know it exists. That’s why The BrandLab meets high school and college students in the classroom. Through an innovative, experiential curriculum, students try on the idea of a creative career.

Access: Our paid internship program is about getting into the workplace, growing 21st century skills, and developing that first professional network. Students receive intensive training and coaching led by industry professionals to support and guide their career path.

Opportunity: Taking away barriers and building a bridge to that first job is critical. That’s why our Connect program provides thousands of dollars in college scholarships, ongoing mentorship and training sessions, and advanced internships for young talent hungry for more experience as they approach full time employment.

Equity: In order to thrive, our rising stars need to enter workplaces free from bias and exclusion. Through our Fearless programs–a combination of workshops, events, podcast, and consulting–we work with our partners to ensure that both the workplace and work being produced are culturally competent and equitable.

We are powered by a talented team of educators, designers, and innovators.

Kelli Williams

Chief Executive Officer

National Team

Michael Wurth

Development Director

National Team

Taylor Gaudion

Marketing Coordinator

National Team

Michaela Clubb

Director of National Programs

National Team

Kayla Pollard

Fellowship Coordinator

National Team

Kweku TeAngelo Cargile Jr.

Executive Director

Milwaukee Team

Mariela Fonseca Ruiz

College + Beyond Coordinator

Milwaukee Team

Amy Brown

Program Manager

Kansas City Team

Akiyaa Depusoir-Cochrane

Program Manager

Kansas City Team

Thomas Toley

Executive Director

Twin Cities Team

Koisey Hiama

College + Beyond Program Manager

Twin Cities Team

Abby Wenzel

High School Program Coordinator

Twin Cities Team

Our Board of Directors

Mary Beth George Puder, Chair

Vice President, Store Experience Marketing at Target

Thomas "TJ" Jefferson, Vice Chair

Vice President Human Resources at Renewal by Andersen Windows

Lorenz Esguerra, Treasurer

General Manager, Brand Practice, US Heartland and Southwest at Edelman

Taylor Harris, Secretary

Sr. Sales Executive, CPG Partnerships, SXM Media at SiriusXM

Eric Ashworth

Executive Vice President, Product and Market Strategy & President Agency Solutions at Quad

Frank Crowson

Chief Marketing Officer at Best Buy

Jeff King

Chief Executive Officer at Barkley

Kathy McCuskey

Chief Executive Officer, Yamamoto

Milena Oliveira

Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at 3M

Travon Sellers

Senior Designer, KNOCK inc

Alyssa Abilo

Content Strategy Advisor at Thomson Reuters

Lynn Franz

Director of Brand & Engagement Strategy at Land O' Lakes

Delphanie Daniels

Strategic Community Engagement Director at Best Buy

Our Advisory Board

Kevin DiLorenzo

Advisory Board Member and President and Chief Executive Officer, Rise and Shine and Partners

Eric Erickson

Advisory Board Member and Marketing Consultant

Christine Fruechte

Advisory Board Member and Chief Executive Officer, Colle McVoy

Barry Wolfish

Advisory Board Member and Strategic Consultant

We are a nonprofit supported by donors like you

Thanks to our individual and industry supporters, The BrandLab is able to inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers and change the face and voice of the marketing industry.

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