Keynote and Plenary Sessions

Keynote Presentation

Find Your Voice! Diplomacy, Influence, and the Evolution of Communications

Monday 27 June
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM EST

When stakes are high, communicators can be central figures in influencing for impact. But it’s those small, quiet moments of influence that matter just as much, if not more. Frank X. Shaw, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Communications, will share an insider’s perspective on the critical role communicators play at Microsoft, and how he and his team build influence internally and externally to find and focus the voice of the company through all the noise. 
As the Communications discipline evolves at lightning speed, Frank will reflect on how diplomacy has never mattered more – and how communicators can best rise to the challenge to succeed today and into the future.

Frank Shaw, Corporate Vice President of Communications, Microsoft

In his current role as CVP of Communications at Microsoft, Frank leads the team that defines and manages Microsoft's communications strategies worldwide. His charter includes establishing the vision and implementation of best practices for company-wide storytelling, product PR, media and analyst relations, executive communications, employee communications, global agency management, and military affairs.

As an avid technologist with more than 20 years of experience in communications, Frank has led diverse teams representing government, entertainment, food, and retail. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2009, he was the president of the Microsoft account worldwide at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide where he held key responsibilities for all global PR, communications and influence efforts.

Before the technology chapter of his career, Frank proudly served in the US Marine Corps and is a graduate of the Department of Defense Information School, also holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon.

Keynote Presenter

Communicating with Belief-Driven Employees & Consumers in 2022

Wednesday 29 June
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM EST

As Edelman’s U.S. Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Osborne Ross is at the center of critical issues facing some of the world’s most innovative brands. Among her many responsibilities, Ms. Ross helps clients – and Edelman itself –tackle challenges associated with the future of work, stakeholder engagement, DEI, and corporate purpose. She understands the growing responsibilities and expectations facing communicators as they play even more vital, value-creating roles within their organization.  
 
Her session – “Communicating with Belief-Driven Employees & Consumers in 2022” – will touch on many of these topics. Following the fireside chat between IEB Chair Danielle Bond and Ms. Ross, they will engage in question-and-answer session with attendees. 

Lisa Osborne Ross, U.S. Chief Executive Officer, Edelman

Lisa Osborne Ross is a public relations industry veteran with over 30 years of experience as an in-demand communications, public affairs, and crisis management counselor to senior executives at Fortune 500, higher education, and government institutions. Lisa serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Edelman U.S., the world’s leading PR firm. In addition to her role overseeing Edelman’s largest global division, she is senior client counselor, specializing in social purpose, corporate and public affairs, and DE&I initiatives. Over the past few years, she has been instrumental in creating Edelman’s Covid-19 and Racial Justice Task Forces and helping businesses respond to the evolving social issues landscape. 
 
Prior to Edelman, Lisa held executive positions at APCO Worldwide, Ogilvy Public Relations, and FleishmanHillard. Lisa also served in the Clinton Administration as Communications Director for the Department of Labor, Deputy Director of the bipartisan Federal Glass Ceiling Commission, and was a member of the White House Office of Women’s Initiatives and Outreach.
 
Lisa devotes considerable amounts of time to her philanthropic endeavors, particularly her efforts to build a better Washington and empower the next generation of leaders. 
 

Plenary Session: Changing the Conversation: Communicating Climate Science

Tuesday 28 June
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

The climate emergency is a global threat requiring innovation from everyone committed to change. Much of this relies on governments and businesses committing and acting to achieve net-zero targets. This will not only impact our environment but also the way we live, work, and interact. Great communicators know that this needs productive conversations, which include both talking and active listening.

To be most effective at translating technical scientific concepts into accessible language that connects with a variety of audiences, leaders and professional communicators may have to listen more and then make the case for addressing the very real threats to everyday life with targeted messages. How might an active listening approach augment communication and change efforts to ensure that messaging from climate change organizations is resonating and properly targeting the right audiences? This panel comprised of climate change communicators will discuss the evolving approach to change the conversation.

Plenary Session: Communication Professional 2030

Monday 27 June
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

What does the future hold for the profession? What new technologies are emerging today that communication professionals will need to be fluent in? How might the evolution of industries and business models impact the profession? How do business communicators play a role in shaping the future? This panel, consisting of leaders with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, will provide their envisioned future for the practice of communications, new trends in technology, and the skills needed to be successful.

Plenary Session: Why Influence Beats Intelligence In Communication

Tuesday 28 June
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM EST

If the past few years of pandemic misinformation, fake news, conspiracy theories, corporate corruption, political polarization and institutional abuse by those we were supposed to be able to trust has taught us anything, it’s that facts alone are impotent and that influence is where the game is won. If you can lead the conversation, you can lead people. Communication is indeed King. We know this to be true intuitively. Though we never quite say it out loud, we know deep down that the best product doesn’t win in the marketplace, the best candidate doesn’t win the prize role or the election nor do the most expert win the hearts and minds of their communities. Rather, it is the one who creates the greatest engagement that wins. This means, it’s not enough to be technically smart or professionally competent, we must be people smart also!