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!
Contact Us Give TodayWho 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 ProgramsOur 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 OpportunitiesOur 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
Michaela Clubb
Director of National Programs
Kayla Pollard
Fellowship Coordinator
Taylor Gaudion
Marketing Coordinator
Kirsten Brown-Persley
Executive Director, Kansas City
Amy Brown
Program Manager, Kansas City
Akiyaa Depusoir-Cochrane
Program Coordinator, Kansas City
Thomas Toley
Executive Director, Twin Cities
Koisey Hiama
College and Beyond Program Manager, Twin Cities
Abby Wenzel
High School Program Coordinator, Twin Cities
Kweku TeAngelo Cargile Jr.
Executive Director, Milwaukee
Mariela Fonseca Ruiz
College + Beyond Coordinator
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
Mike Caguin
Chief Creative Officer at Periscope
Frank Crowson
Chief Marketing Officer at Best Buy
Melanie Jones
Region President at Sysco Corporation
Jeff King
Chief Executive Officer at Barkley
Kathy McCuskey
Chief Executive Officer, Yamamoto
Milena Oliveira
Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at 3M
Julie Schiefle
Managing Partner and Owner at Mayfly Design
Travon Sellers
Senior Designer, KNOCK inc
Alyssa Abilo
Content Strategy Advisor at Thomson Reuters
Our Advisory Board
Mark Addicks
Advisory Board Member and Chief Executive Officer, Manova Summit
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.