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Rick Alcantara published Silver Quill Communication Awards are Back in News 2021-03-31 18:42:42 -0400
Silver Quill Communication Awards are Back
From the pandemic to political, social, and economic upheaval, communicators weathered multiple storms over the past year. But you rose to the challenge—keeping your clients, company, and others informed.
The silver lining? You now have amazing work to submit to the IABC Heritage Region Silver Quill Communication Awards Program.
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Rick Alcantara published Unleashing the Power of Storytelling: A Profile of Rob Biesenbach in News 2021-03-17 09:29:02 -0400
Unleashing the Power of Storytelling: A Profile of Rob Biesenbach
by Bill Seiberlich
Rob Biesenbach works with leaders who want to be more persuasive and authoritative in everything they do. That means helping them break free from “Death by PowerPoint,” tell their story…and communicate like human beings!
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Rick Alcantara published Achieving Leadership Success: A Profile of Ken Jacobs in News 2021-03-08 15:50:10 -0500
Achieving Leadership Success: A Profile of Ken Jacobs
by Bill Seiberlich
For nearly 15 years, Ken Jacobs has helped communications agencies grow and manage business, improve client service and relationships, and enhance staff performance. He does so via consulting and training. Through his executive coaching, Ken has also helped communications leaders--from C-suite executives to managers—achieve and surpass their goals.
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It's IABC Member Month
It’s #IABCMemberMonth! Join or renew this month to save 20% with code IABC20. You’ll be entered into a raffle to win a 2021 All-Access Academy Pass or 2021 World Conference package. Five winners will be selected to win either the Academy or Conference package of their choice! https://bit.ly/3kLDM2I
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President's Letter January 2021
As I write to you to introduce myself, I can’t help but reflect on all that happened in 2020 and what’s taken place thus far in 2021. I see how these events have put a spotlight on the importance of – and the power of – communication, and the critical work we do in our profession. That’s why I’m glad we are all part of IABC and have access to the tools, resources and connections it provides.
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President's Letter December 2020
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As the familiar saying goes, how time flies! On December 31, my two-year term as IABC Philly Chapter President will come to an end, and there are so many individuals (too many to mention by name) who I’d like to thank that have provided incredible support to me and made this experience one of the highlights of my professional career. Throughout my tenure, I’ve heard from so many of our members on how this membership association can continue to be a vital resource for those in the communications profession in the greater Philadelphia area. I promise you that our board leadership team remains hard at work on behalf of our chapter membership and has many exciting things in store in 2021.
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Job Sites
Here's a list of public relations, marketing and advertising job sites.
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Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a welcoming community that supports, develops and connects communication professionals around the world. We recognize the value and power of a diverse community, and are committed to embracing the diversity, equity, equality and inclusion of all people.
Regardless of your race/ethnicity, religion, family status, age, physical abilities and attributes, sexual and affectional orientation, actual or perceived gender, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, and occupational focus, you are an equal and valued part of our global community. We require you abide by the IABC Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct.
IABC’s shared values state: We are a diverse community. We welcome diverse communication professionals of all levels and practices. We embrace diverse viewpoints, encourage conversation and celebrate cultural differences. We believe these differences benefit our community and we are more enlightened, well-informed and successful when we honor our unique experiences and perspectives. We Commit to:
- Cultivating a global, inclusive and diverse community of practitioners.
- Encouraging the interest and active participation of under-represented groups within the communication profession.
- Guiding the profession to ensure that organizations and institutions can be transformational in their DEI communication practices.
- Being a community of practitioners that demonstrate the values of equity, equality, inclusion and belonging.
- Taking action to build an association of greater diversity, inclusion and belonging within the profession.
The International Executive Board reaffirms IABC’s commitment to supporting and encouraging diversity, equity, equality and inclusion in our global communication community.
(Updated July 2021)
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Take the 2020 IABC Philly Chapter Survey
We are asking all members to take a few moments to tell us their thoughts about IABC Philly.Your feedback is important to us so we can learn how we can better serve you and help you get the most out of your membership. The IABC Philadelphia Chapter Survey can be completed in less than five minutes!
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Board of Directors
Immediate Past President
Rick Alcantara
Rick Alcantara is the principal of Rick Alcantara Consulting. Previously, he founded Tara Communications LLC, a digital marketing agency, led social media marketing for USI Affinity and taught public relations courses at Rowan University. Rick is a member of PRSA’s Counselors’ Academy, past president of the Philadelphia Chapter of PRSA, a two-time PRSA national committee co-chair, and a member of the St. Andrews Society of Philadelphia. He coached youth soccer for 24 years in Southern New Jersey. He holds a master's degree in public relations from Rowan University and a bachelor's degree in communications from Susquehanna University. President
Rashi Iyer
As senior vice president, of corporate communications at Radian, Rashi is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the company’s corporate and business public relations including online print and social media channels; corporate and business brand experience; corporate philanthropy/social impact; corporate reputation and crisis management; event marketing; corporate and business creative services and executive/strategic employee communications strategies and programs. Rashi holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism and Media Studies, and before joining Radian worked in various capacities in academia, government and corporate in communications roles of increasing and varied responsibility. She holds several postgraduate certificates in both internal and external communications and is a current holder of the IABC’s Communications Management Professional (CMP) certification.
Treasurer and a past president
Alex Spooner
Alex is the director of corporate change communications at Burlington Stores, Inc. She provides change management support for the Company’s large-scale, high-impact strategic initiatives focusing on associate communications. Previously, Alex was the Director of Communications at AmeriGas, responsible for internal comms. and Public Relations. Earlier in her career, she held a similar leadership role at an iconic Philadelphia-born company, Pep Boys. Alex has more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications and holds a B.A. in Public Relations and a B.A. in French language and culture from Penn State. She likes to exercise and spend time with her family.
Director-at-Large and a past president
Michael Smith
Michael Smith is the Managing Director of Corporate Communications for Acts Retirement-Life Communities, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of senior housing and services, where he leads internal and external communications strategies including brand communications, executive and employee communications, public and media relations, digital/social media, and crisis communications. Michael has more than 20 years of corporate communications and public relations leadership experience in both the private and nonprofit fields. He is a graduate of Temple University and a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations Society of America. Michael is a past president of IABC Philadelphia. Director-at-Large and a past president
Bill Seiberlich
Bill Seiberlich, is president of Wedgewood Communications Services, a writing, editing, and communications services company. Bill was part of the corporate communications department of Saint-Gobain Corporation, the world’s largest building materials company, for more than 30 years, where he was involved in employee communications, public relations and corporate philanthropy. He has been a member of IABC since 1983, serving first on the Board of Directors of IABC Lehigh Valley and then on the IABC Philadelphia board since 1988. Bill is a past president of IABC Philadelphia.
Immediate Past President
Rick Alcantara
Rick Alcantara is the principal of Rick Alcantara Consulting. Previously, he founded Tara Communications LLC, a digital marketing agency, led social media marketing for USI Affinity and taught public relations courses at Rowan University. Rick is a member of PRSA’s Counselor’s Academy, past president of the Philadelphia Chapter of PRSA, a two-time PRSA national committee co-chair, and a member of the St. Andrews Society of Philadelphia. He coached youth soccer for 24 years in Southern New Jersey. He holds a master's degree in public relations from Rowan University and a bachelor's degree in communications from Susquehanna University.
President
Rashi Iyer
As senior vice president, of corporate communications at Radian, Rashi is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the company’s corporate and business public relations including online print and social media channels; corporate and business brand experience; corporate philanthropy/social impact; corporate reputation and crisis management; event marketing; corporate and business creative services and executive/strategic employee communications strategies and programs.
Rashi holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism and Media Studies, and before joining Radian worked in various capacities in academia, government and corporate in communications roles of increasing and varied responsibility. She holds several postgraduate certificates in both internal and external communications and is a current holder of the IABC’s Communications Management Professional (CMP) certification.
Treasurer and a past president
Alexandra Spooner
Alex is the director of corporate change communications at Burlington Stores, Inc. She provides change management support for the Company’s large-scale, high-impact strategic initiatives focusing on associate communications. Previously, Alex was the Director of Communications at AmeriGas, responsible for internal comms. and Public Relations. Earlier in her career, she held a similar leadership role at an iconic Philadelphia-born company, Pep Boys.
Alex has more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications and holds a B.A. in Public Relations and a B.A. in French language and culture from Penn State. She likes to exercise and spend time with her family.
Alexandra Spooner LinkedIn bioDirector-at-Large and a past president
Michael Smith
Michael Smith is the Managing Director of Corporate Communications for Acts Retirement-Life Communities, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of senior housing and services, where he leads internal and external communications strategies including brand communications, executive and employee communications, public and media relations, digital/social media, and crisis communications. Michael has more than 20 years of corporate communications and public relations leadership experience in both the private and nonprofit fields. He is a graduate of Temple University and a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations Society of America. Michael is a past president of IABC Philadelphia. Director-at-Large and a past president
Bill Seiberlich
Bill Seiberlich, is president of Wedgewood Communications Services, a writing, editing, and communications services company.
Bill was part of the corporate communications department of Saint-Gobain Corporation, the world’s largest building materials company, for more than 30 years, where he was involved in employee communications, public relations and corporate philanthropy. He has been a member of IABC since 1983, serving first on the Board of Directors of IABC Lehigh Valley and then on the IABC Philadelphia board since 1988. Bill is a past president of IABC Philadelphia.
Bill Seiberlich LinkedIn Profile
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Join the IABC Silver Quill 2021 Committee

The IABC Heritage Region Silver Quill Awards Program is looking for volunteers to join its 2021 committee.
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President's Letter October 2020
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The fall is always one of my favorite times of the year. I always feel a sense of renewed optimism and energy in the remaining months before the beginning of another year. Here at IABC Philly, we certainly have much to look forward to this fall starting with a great line-up of virtual programs planned that you won’t want to miss.
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Philly IABC to Host a 9/24 Fireside Chat: The Intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility, Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Communications
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hat lies at the intersection of corporate social responsibility, artificial intelligence and corporate communications? How is COVID-19 affecting our planning horizons? Why are we increasingly skipping the human component of our corporate decision-making? Find out during our September 24 virtual fireside chat with economist, author and futurist Dr. Rod Wallace.
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Contact
Visit the IABC Philadelphia LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts for timely chapter news and announcements. If you have a question about membership, events, professional development, job opportunities or other chapter-related matters, please complete the following form.
Contact information for each board member is listed with their biography.
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Rick Alcantara, VP of Communications
Rick Alcantara
Executive Communications Director at Princeton Strategic Communications


