--- title: 2026 Velocity - Speakers --- [![medill\_media\_summit\_logo](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/2027%20Media%20Summit/medill_media_summit_logo_vector_transparent.svg "medill_media_summit_logo")](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/medill-media-summit?hsLang=en) [![Medill Executive Education Logo](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Medill_ExecutiveEducation_Lockup_Color-3.jpg?width=250&height=84&name=Medill_ExecutiveEducation_Lockup_Color-3.jpg "Medill Executive Education Logo")](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/?hsLang=en) [![velocity\_logo+text\_4E2A84-bottom-space](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Webpage%20Graphics/velocity_logo+text_4E2A84-1.png?width=86&height=83&name=velocity_logo+text_4E2A84-1.png "velocity_logo+text_4E2A84-bottom-space")](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/?hsLang=en) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [Speakers](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/medill-media-summit-speakers) - [Agenda](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/medill-media-summit-agenda) - [REGISTER](https://cvent.me/9g5k84) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. #### Speakers ### Bradley Akubuiro Partner Bully Pulpit International ![Bradley Akubuiro](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Bradley%20Akubuiro-1.png) Bradley Akubuiro Partner Bully Pulpit International About Bradley Akubuiro ### Danielle Bell Associate Professor, Clinical and Academic Director of Medill Executive Education (Individual programs) Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications Northwestern University ![Danielle-Bell](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Danielle-Bell.png) Danielle Bell Associate Professor, Clinical and Academic Director of Medill Executive Education (Individual programs) Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications Northwestern University About Danielle Bell ### Pete Blackshaw Founder & CEO brandrank.ai ![Pete Blackshaw](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Pete%20Blackshaw-1.png) Pete Blackshaw Founder & CEO brandrank.ai About Pete Blackshaw ### Doug Chavez EVP, Global Retail Strategy OneMars Publicis Commerce ![Doug Chavez](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Doug%20Chavez-1.png) Doug Chavez EVP, Global Retail Strategy OneMars Publicis Commerce About Doug Chavez ### Wendy Clark President The Consello Group ![wendy-clark](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/wendy-clark.png) Wendy Clark President The Consello Group About Wendy Clark ### Marcus Collins Assistant Professor of Marketing Ross School of Business University of Michigan ![Marcus Collins](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Marcus%20Collins.png) Marcus Collins Assistant Professor of Marketing Ross School of Business University of Michigan About Marcus Collins ### Jon Halvorson Chief Marketing & Digital Officer Kenvue ![Jon Halvorson](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Jon%20Halvorson.png) Jon Halvorson Chief Marketing & Digital Officer Kenvue About Jon Halvorson ### Tariq Hassan Former CMO McDonald's ![Tariq Hasssn](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Tariq%20Hasssn.png) Tariq Hassan Former CMO McDonald's About Tariq Hassan ### Drew Ianni Co-Founder The Athena Project ![Drew Ianni](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Drew%20Ianni.png) Drew Ianni Co-Founder The Athena Project About Drew Ianni ### Tara Walpert Levy VP, Americas YouTube ![Tara Walpert Levy](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Tara%20Walpert%20Levy.png) Tara Walpert Levy VP, Americas YouTube About Tara Walpert Levy ### Helen Lin Chief Digital Officer Publicis Groupe ![Helen Lin](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Helen%20Lin.png) Helen Lin Chief Digital Officer Publicis Groupe About Helen Lin ### Mike Linton Host CMO Confidential ![Mike Linton](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Mike%20Linton.png) Mike Linton Host CMO Confidential About Mike Linton ### Renetta McCann Chief Inclusion Experiences Officer Publicis Groupe ![Renetta McCann](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Renetta%20McCann.png) Renetta McCann Chief Inclusion Experiences Officer Publicis Groupe About Renetta McCann ### Sheena Rubin Head of Earned & Social Media US Army ![Sheena Rubin](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Sheena%20Rubin.png) Sheena Rubin Head of Earned & Social Media US Army About Sheena Rubin ### Kim Sample President PR Council ![Kim Sample](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Kim%20Sample-1.png) Kim Sample President PR Council About Kim Sample ### Shelby Saville CEO Starcom ![Shelby Saville](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Shelby%20Saville.png) Shelby Saville CEO Starcom About Shelby Saville ### Molly Schonthal Managing Director Agentic Commerce Transformation VML Commerce ![Molly Schonthal](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Molly%20Schonthal-1.png) Molly Schonthal Managing Director Agentic Commerce Transformation VML Commerce About Molly Schonthal ### Sherina Smith Enterprise CMO American Family Insurance ![Sherina Smith.jpg](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Sherina%20Smith.jpg.png) Sherina Smith Enterprise CMO American Family Insurance About Sherina Smith ### Matt Spiegel EVP TruAudience Growth Strategy TransUnion ![Matt Spiegel](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Matt%20Spiegel.png) Matt Spiegel EVP TruAudience Growth Strategy TransUnion About Matt Spiegel ### Rishad Tobaccowala Co-Founder The Athena Project ![Rishad Tobaccowala](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Rishad%20Tobaccowala%20(1).png) Rishad Tobaccowala Co-Founder The Athena Project About Rishad Tobaccowala ### Vijay Viswanathan Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications and Associate Dean, IMC Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications Northwestern University ![Vijay-Viswanathan.](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Vijay-Viswanathan.jpg-1.png) Vijay Viswanathan Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications and Associate Dean, IMC Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications Northwestern University About Vijay Viswanathan ### Charles Whitaker Dean and Professor Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications Northwestern University ![Charles-Whitaker](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/velocity%202026/Velocity%20Speakers%20Purple%20Background/Charles-Whitaker-1.png) Charles Whitaker Dean and Professor Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications Northwestern University About Charles Whitaker ### Veronika Kryuchkova [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) Global Head of Capability Building | The Marketing Academy Reckitt ![Veronika Kryuchkova](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/Veronika%20Kryuchkova.jpg) Veronika Kryuchkova Global Head of Capability Building | The Marketing Academy Reckitt About Veronika Kryuchkova [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) ### Arpit Jain [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) Global President, Marcel.ai Publicis Groupe ![Screenshot 2026-05-26 at 10.07.02 PM](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-05-26%20at%2010.07.02%20PM.png) Arpit Jain Global President, Marcel.ai Publicis Groupe About Arpit Jain [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/apex-lisasmith) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/apex-lisasmith) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/apex-lisasmith) ### Jen Hartmann [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) Global Director, Corporate Reputation & Brand Marketing John Deere ![Jen Hartmann](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/Jen%20Hartmann.jpg) Jen Hartmann Global Director, Corporate Reputation & Brand Marketing John Deere About Jen Hartmann [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/apex-lisasmith) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/apex-lisasmith) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/apex-lisasmith) ### Rex Curtiss [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) Chief Tractor Officer John Deere ![1719364592908](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hubfs/1719364592908.jpg) Rex Curtiss Chief Tractor Officer John Deere About Rex Curtiss Alvin Rogers is a highly accomplished and sought-after speaker, renowned for their expertise and captivating stage presence. With a diverse background in \[relevant field or industry\], they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every speaking engagement. Their dynamic and engaging style seamlessly combines powerful storytelling with actionable insights, leaving audiences inspired and equipped with practical strategies for success. Alvin has delivered impactful keynote addresses at prestigious conferences and corporate events worldwide, consistently receiving rave reviews for their ability to connect with and energize audiences. Whether addressing topics such as \[specific areas of expertise\], leadership, or innovation, Alvin is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/apex-lisasmith) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/apex-lisasmith) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/apex-lisasmith) ### Jeff Brecker [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) Partner, Growth & Innovation Siberia Jeff Brecker Partner, Growth & Innovation Siberia About Jeff Brecker Alvin Rogers is a highly accomplished and sought-after speaker, renowned for their expertise and captivating stage presence. With a diverse background in \[relevant field or industry\], they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every speaking engagement. Their dynamic and engaging style seamlessly combines powerful storytelling with actionable insights, leaving audiences inspired and equipped with practical strategies for success. Alvin has delivered impactful keynote addresses at prestigious conferences and corporate events worldwide, consistently receiving rave reviews for their ability to connect with and energize audiences. Whether addressing topics such as \[specific areas of expertise\], leadership, or innovation, Alvin is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/apex-lisasmith/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/apex-lisasmith) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/apex-lisasmith) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/apex-lisasmith) \* Sessions and speakers are subject to change. ## Secure Your Spot [Request an Invitation](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/velocity/invitation-request?hsLang=en) ![White Medill Media Summit Logo 300x300](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20Medill%20Media%20Summit%20Logo%20300x300.png?width=150&height=100&name=White%20Medill%20Media%20Summit%20Logo%20300x300.png "White Medill Media Summit Logo 300x300") Home Agenda Speakers   Presented in partnership with [![Medill-Executive-Education-Horizontal-White-Logo](https://medillexeced.northwestern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Medill-Executive-Education-Horizontal-White-Logo.png?width=1000&height=187&name=Medill-Executive-Education-Horizontal-White-Logo.png "Medill-Executive-Education-Horizontal-White-Logo")](https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/)  © 2026 Medill Executive Education