Building a Culture-First Brand
boon
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
10:35AM – 11:10AM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators

Aaron Walton
CEO, Walton Isaacson
America is diversifying at a rapid pace, and as a result, it’s becoming increasingly harder for brands to communicate authentically to everyone. How can culture, and brand’s command of culture, help build equity with all consumers in a way that is authentic and impactful? In this fireside chat, Alia Kemet, CMO of Shipt, and Dabo Ché, CEO/CCO of CHÉ Creative, will discuss the principles of what it takes to build a culture-first brand, why it’s important, how to activate a brand in culture, and most importantly, how to measure its impact!
This Blackweek discussion is proudly sponsored by Shipt. We’re grateful for their generous support and commitment to right-sizing industries to help create more opportunity for equity and ownership.
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
10:35AM – 11:10AM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Redefining DE&I
boon
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
3:45PM – 4:25PM
Stage
Impact stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Ogilvy
Global Chief Diversity & Social Impact Officer, IPG
Founder, Head of Culture & Marketing, Valerie

Adrianne C. Smith
SVP & Senior Partner, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at FleshmanHillard
DE&I is undergoing a significant transition. Driven by political agendas that seek to downplay or diminish the need for a level playing field for individuals from diverse backgrounds, we are witnessing a troubling reduction in corporate America’s commitments to maintaining vital DE&I roles and programs. DE&I departments are being downsized or eliminated, and supplier diversity programs are also facing scrutiny under this new wave of opposition. In this panel we will examine the forces impacting DE&I and explore how it must evolve to endure and thrive.
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
3:45PM – 4:25PM
Stage
Impact stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
MJ Acosta Ruiz
MJ
Acosta Ruiz
boon
MJ Acosta-Ruiz is a television host and sportscaster, currently featured as the anchor of ESPN’s Sportscenter and as a sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes’ Monday Night Football. She can also be seen co-hosting the widely acclaimed Season 2 of “Like a Girl” for Fuse.
The Emmy Award winning journalist became the first woman of color to host a show at NFL Media. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, you can find her working internationally to reach the diverse and growing landscape outside of the U.S.
With nearly 15 years in the TV & Entertainment industry, she continues her work as an advocate for representation and equality. MJ works closely with women’s empowerment groups such as A Seat at the Table and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
More Speakers
More Speakers


























































































Carole Diarra
More Speakers
More Speakers


























































































Jocelyn Carter-Miller
More Speakers
More Speakers


























































































Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
More Speakers
More Speakers


























































































Adrianne C. Smith
More Speakers
More Speakers


























































































Chante Butler
Chante
Butler
boon
Marissa Solis is a magnetic business leader with over 25 years of expertise in business consulting, CPG, Retail, and Sports marketing. Currently, Marissa leads all global brand and consumer marketing initiatives for the NFL, including all national advertising, traditional and digital media initiatives, in-stadium marketing, and new fan development.
A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.S. in International Economics and the University of Texas at Austin with an M.A. in Public Policy, she began her career in brand management at Procter & Gamble Latin America, where she led marketing for brands like Ariel, Downy, and Pampers in Central America and the Caribbean.
Marissa spent a few years as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting, leading change initiatives and communication consulting for Public Sector clients. She also spent time as a political consultant, contributing to the communication strategies of key campaigns in Texas and Mexico. In 2003, she took a role in marketing at Pepsico’s Frito Lay North America Division. During her 18-year tenure at Pepsico, Marissa led numerous brand marketing initiatives and national campaigns for globally renowned food and beverage brands like Doritos and Pepsi. She also held roles in shopper marketing and sales for key PepsiCo retail customers like Walmart, Target, and Costco.
In 2017, Marissa led the creation of a cross-functional Hispanic Business Unit – the first of its kind – winning Industry Recognition for work to engage Latinos in key brand initiatives. She went on to lead marketing for brands at Frito Lay North America, including the coveted relationship with the NFL. She won several Reggies, Sports Clios, and a Grand Prix Cannes Lion for her work on Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos brands. In 2021, Marissa was recognized by Adweek as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports for elevating the football-watching occasion with the NFL and Frito Lay partnership. In 2023, Marissa and her team won a Sports Emmy for the “She Runs It” Superbowl campaign featuring star flag football player Diana Flores.
In addition to her full-time marketing position, Marissa serves on the Board of Directors of Consolidated Communications, a leading broadband and business communications provider that serves wireless and wireline customers across rural and metro communities. She is a new member of the Board of Directors of AIMM – Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. She also serves as a board member on the North Texas Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and The Melville Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of minority children in Dallas. She has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and resides in McKinney, Texas, with her husband Juan and 18-year-old daughter Gabriela.
More Speakers
More Speakers


























































































Stephanie Childs
Stephanie
Childs
boon
Marissa Solis is a magnetic business leader with over 25 years of expertise in business consulting, CPG, Retail, and Sports marketing. Currently, Marissa leads all global brand and consumer marketing initiatives for the NFL, including all national advertising, traditional and digital media initiatives, in-stadium marketing, and new fan development.
A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.S. in International Economics and the University of Texas at Austin with an M.A. in Public Policy, she began her career in brand management at Procter & Gamble Latin America, where she led marketing for brands like Ariel, Downy, and Pampers in Central America and the Caribbean.
Marissa spent a few years as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting, leading change initiatives and communication consulting for Public Sector clients. She also spent time as a political consultant, contributing to the communication strategies of key campaigns in Texas and Mexico. In 2003, she took a role in marketing at Pepsico’s Frito Lay North America Division. During her 18-year tenure at Pepsico, Marissa led numerous brand marketing initiatives and national campaigns for globally renowned food and beverage brands like Doritos and Pepsi. She also held roles in shopper marketing and sales for key PepsiCo retail customers like Walmart, Target, and Costco.
In 2017, Marissa led the creation of a cross-functional Hispanic Business Unit – the first of its kind – winning Industry Recognition for work to engage Latinos in key brand initiatives. She went on to lead marketing for brands at Frito Lay North America, including the coveted relationship with the NFL. She won several Reggies, Sports Clios, and a Grand Prix Cannes Lion for her work on Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos brands. In 2021, Marissa was recognized by Adweek as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports for elevating the football-watching occasion with the NFL and Frito Lay partnership. In 2023, Marissa and her team won a Sports Emmy for the “She Runs It” Superbowl campaign featuring star flag football player Diana Flores.
In addition to her full-time marketing position, Marissa serves on the Board of Directors of Consolidated Communications, a leading broadband and business communications provider that serves wireless and wireline customers across rural and metro communities. She is a new member of the Board of Directors of AIMM – Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. She also serves as a board member on the North Texas Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and The Melville Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of minority children in Dallas. She has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and resides in McKinney, Texas, with her husband Juan and 18-year-old daughter Gabriela.
More Speakers
More Speakers


























































































Joy Allen-Altimare
More Speakers
More Speakers

























































































