Surviving a Crisis and Choosing the Right Spokesperson
Sponsored by IABC Philadelphia and PRSA Philadelphia
A crisis can strike at any time and destroy your company’s operations, brand reputation and community goodwill. It could happen in a flash or bubble under the surface for months or years. Either way, you need to be prepared in advance to quickly and accurately communicate about what happened, why it happened and what you are doing to address it.
Having a crisis communication team in place is essential to your company’s survival. Designating the right spokesperson to handle public-facing communications is equally vital. On the other hand, the wrong person could exacerbate the situation
The right person is not a one-size-fits all solution. Each crisis requires a different touch. Media trainer, and Emmy Award-winning former TV news anchor Kerry Barrett will walk you through everything you need to consider when selecting a spokesperson for your brand or client.
June 16, 2021
Noon-1:00 p.m. Eastern
Members: $10
Guests: $20
Students: $1
During her presentation, Kerry will discuss:
- How to pick the right spokesperson
- How to deliver a message to the camera
- How to handle a hostile interview
- How to anticipate what questions will be asked
- Top three mistakes
About Kerry Barrett
With over 20 years of on-air experience as a news anchor, reporter, and producer on NBC, Fox News, and, ABC, Emmy-Award winning Kerry Barrett knows what it takes to be performance ready. She has interviewed heads of state such as Janet Napolitano, financial shaman Suze Orman, and top celebrities such as Bradley Cooper, as well as prepared luminaries for debates. She has proven skills that make her unflappable and unstoppable.
Kerry Barrett Consulting provides individuals, and groups with the resources and information they need to enhance their public appearance in the best way possible.
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Read moreBoard of Directors
| President Alexandra Spooner |
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Alex leads the Communications team at AmeriGas, where she is responsible for the design, execution and continuous improvement of the overall communication strategy in support of the Company’s business objectives. Her role includes overseeing the planning, development and distribution of all internal communications, identifying process efficiencies within the department and establishing Communications business-partner relationships with other corporate functions. Alex has more than 14 years of experience in corporate communications, in areas including employee communication and Public Relations. She spent most of her career at Pep Boys, one of the nation’s leading automotive aftermarket chains, in communications roles of progressive responsibility. Most recently, she served as the Director of Communications. She was responsible all facets of internal communication for more than 20,000 employees in stores, support centers, field organizations and distribution centers across the country and in Puerto Rico. In addition, she led Media Relations and Public Relations activities for the Company. Alex 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.
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| President-Elect Rick Alcantara |
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Rick Alcantara is executive communications director at Princeton Strategic Communications where he helps clients prepare and test their crisis communications programs. 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. Rick Alcantara LinkedIn Profile
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Immediate Past President Michael Smith |
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Michael Smith is the Corporate Director of 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 Smith LinkedIn Profile
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Board Member Emeritus Bill Seiberlich |
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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 Seiberlich LinkedIn Profile
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President-Elect Rick Alcantara |
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Rick Alcantara is executive communications director at Princeton Strategic Communications where he helps clients prepare and test their crisis communications programs. 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. Rick Alcantara LinkedIn Profile
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VP of Technology Steve Lubetkin |
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Steve Lubetkin, vice president, technology and digital infrastructure, IABC Philadelphia, is the managing partner of the Lubetkin Media Companies LLC, an award-winning Internet broadcasting, digital image and video and news publishing organization, which produces documentary and news-style audio and video programming, digital photography and high-performance websites for clients.
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VP of Programs Donna Cusano |
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Donna has more than 30 years of award-winning communications experience, both internal and external, in the financial services and pharmaceutical arenas. She currently heads U.S. Primary Care Sales Communications at Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, where she leads the development and implementation of strategic communications for the diabetes and cardiovascular field force, as well as executive communications for sales leadership. Donna holds an M.S. in Communications Management from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Communications from Seton Hall University. She also holds a graduate certificate in Organizational Leadership from Rosemont College. She is also a volunteer with the Association of Change Management Professionals.
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Member-at-Large Cathy Toner |
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Cathy is the Assistant Dean for Talent and Staff Development, Community and External Outreach at the Villanova School of Business (VSB) at Villanova University. She is responsible for all communications and marketing for VSB including alumni and advisory council communications, media relations, advertising, sponsorships, marketing of all graduate and entrepreneurial programs including executive and online programs, and rankings communications. She also leads and manages talent development and community and external outreach for the School. She was previously the Director of Communication and Marketing at VSB. During her tenure, the VSB BusinessWeek undergraduate ranking improved from #13 to #1 and the online graduate programs are ranked #2 in the nation by US News & World Report. Graduate enrollment has nearly doubled, from 700 to almost 1,200 students in the past five years. Media hits have increased from 455 to over 3,000 in six years, including national publications and networks such as AP, CNN, NPR, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, and Forbes. Cathy is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business, teaching Corporate Responsibility & Regulation and Business Writing at VSB. Before joining Villanova, Cathy worked at the Vanguard Group in various senior roles in legal, marketing and communications; at CIGNA in corporate communications, and at CoreStates Financial Corp in human resources and communications. She holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Journalism from Temple University and has an undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Scranton.
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Board Member Emeritus Christine Kuhinka, ABC |
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Christine Kuhinka, ABC, is a client-focused, results-driven senior communications and management consultant who designs integrated communications and business strategies that drive growth, support engagement and generate profits. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, global team leadership and strategic counsel, she is adept at designing and implementing communications strategies and campaigns, facilitating change management; enhancing corporate reputations, managing complex brands and integrating diverse teams in global matrices. Her experience was acquired primarily at Fortune 100 companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical and consumer packaged goods industries, including Pfizer (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals), Nestlé Nutrition and Dow Chemical (Rohm & Haas).
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Member-at-Large Matthew Taddei |
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Matt is a communications consultant with The Vanguard Group in Malvern, PA, where he has worked in various internal and external communications roles (including copywriting, copyediting, video production, and internal consulting) since 1997. In his current posting with Vanguard’s Institutional Investor Group, he serves colleagues who help people save for retirement. Matt is a graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia and is currently studying strategic communications and public relations at The Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University. He lives in Malvern, PA, with his wife, Laura, and their children. Matthew Taddei LinkedIn Profile
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Board Member Emeritus Elena Perri |
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Elena is manager of communications and public relations for Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the United States. Her responsibilities include overseeing internal and external communications for the church. Elena previously worked for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a copy editor and managing editor for The Catholic Standard and Times (now CatholicPhilly.com) as well as serving as a communications director at two Catholic independent schools in the Philadelphia area.
A Temple University alumna, Elena also is a graduate of the Defense Information School where she completed training in photojournalism and public affairs. She served as a photojournalist in an Army Reserve public affairs office for 12 years. Elena has held various roles on the IABC Philadelphia board, including serving as chapter president.
Elena lives in Havertown with her husband Paul, two sons, and Bruno, a rather large but super friendly pit bull terrier/boxer who is not a fan of social distancing.
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| President Alexandra Spooner |
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Alex leads the Communications team at AmeriGas, where she is responsible for the design, execution and continuous improvement of the overall communication strategy in support of the Company’s business objectives. Her role includes overseeing the planning, development and distribution of all internal communications, identifying process efficiencies within the department and establishing Communications business-partner relationships with other corporate functions. |
| President-Elect Rick Alcantara |
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Rick Alcantara is executive communications director at Princeton Strategic Communications where he helps clients prepare and test their crisis communications programs. 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. |
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Immediate Past President Michael Smith |
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Michael Smith is the Corporate Director of 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.
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Board Member Emeritus Bill Seiberlich |
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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 Seiberlich LinkedIn bio |
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VP of Technology Steve Lubetkin |
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Steve Lubetkin, vice president, technology and digital infrastructure, IABC Philadelphia, is the managing partner of the Lubetkin Media Companies LLC, an award-winning Internet broadcasting, digital image and video and news publishing organization, which produces documentary and news-style audio and video programming, digital photography and high-performance websites for clients. Steve Lubetkin Linkedin profile |
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VP of Programs Donna Cusano |
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Donna has more than 30 years of award-winning communications experience, both internal and external, in the financial services and pharmaceutical arenas. She currently heads U.S. Primary Care Sales Communications at Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, where she leads the development and implementation of strategic communications for the diabetes and cardiovascular field force, as well as executive communications for sales leadership. Donna holds an M.S. in Communications Management from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Communications from Seton Hall University. She also holds a graduate certificate in Organizational Leadership from Rosemont College. She is also a volunteer with the Association of Change Management Professionals. Donna Cusano LinkedIn profile |
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Member-at-Large Cathy Toner |
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Cathy is the Assistant Dean for Talent and Staff Development, Community and External Outreach at the Villanova School of Business (VSB) at Villanova University. She is responsible for all communications and marketing for VSB including alumni and advisory council communications, media relations, advertising, sponsorships, marketing of all graduate and entrepreneurial programs including executive and online programs, and rankings communications. She also leads and manages talent development and community and external outreach for the School. She was previously the Director of Communication and Marketing at VSB. During her tenure, the VSB BusinessWeek undergraduate ranking improved from #13 to #1 and the online graduate programs are ranked #2 in the nation by US News & World Report. Graduate enrollment has nearly doubled, from 700 to almost 1,200 students in the past five years. Media hits have increased from 455 to over 3,000 in six years, including national publications and networks such as AP, CNN, NPR, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, and Forbes. Cathy is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business, teaching Corporate Responsibility & Regulation and Business Writing at VSB. Before joining Villanova, Cathy worked at the Vanguard Group in various senior roles in legal, marketing and communications; at CIGNA in corporate communications, and at CoreStates Financial Corp in human resources and communications. She holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Journalism from Temple University and has an undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Scranton. |
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Board Member Emeritus Christine Kuhinka, ABC |
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Christine Kuhinka, ABC, is a client-focused, results-driven senior communications and management consultant who designs integrated communications and business strategies that drive growth, support engagement and generate profits. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, global team leadership and strategic counsel, she is adept at designing and implementing communications strategies and campaigns, facilitating change management; enhancing corporate reputations, managing complex brands and integrating diverse teams in global matrices. Her experience was acquired primarily at Fortune 100 companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical and consumer packaged goods industries, including Pfizer (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals), Nestlé Nutrition and Dow Chemical (Rohm & Haas). Christine Kuhinka LinkedIn profile |
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Member-at-Large Matthew Taddei |
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Matt is a communications consultant with The Vanguard Group in Malvern, PA, where he has worked in various internal and external communications roles (including copywriting, copyediting, video production, and internal consulting) since 1997. In his current posting with Vanguard’s Institutional Investor Group, he serves colleagues who help people save for retirement. Matt is a graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia and is currently studying strategic communications and public relations at The Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University. He lives in Malvern, PA, with his wife, Laura, and their children. |
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Board Member Emeritus Elena Perri |
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Elena is manager of communications and public relations for Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the United States. Her responsibilities include overseeing internal and external communications for the church. Elena previously worked for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a copy editor and managing editor for The Catholic Standard and Times (now CatholicPhilly.com) as well as serving as a communications director at two Catholic independent schools in the Philadelphia area.
A Temple University alumna, Elena also is a graduate of the Defense Information School where she completed training in photojournalism and public affairs. She served as a photojournalist in an Army Reserve public affairs office for 12 years. Elena has held various roles on the IABC Philadelphia board, including serving as chapter president.
Elena lives in Havertown with her husband Paul, two sons, and Bruno, a rather large but super friendly pit bull terrier/boxer who is not a fan of social distancing.
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Welcome to IABC Philadelphia
Welcome to IABC Philadelphia - We unite business communicators in the greater Philadelphia area.
Our networking events, workshops and webinars bring together local professionals and influencers in corporate communications, public relations and marketing.
One of 100 chapters of the International Association of Business Communicators, IABC Philadelphia serves Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.
The International Association of Business Communicators was founded in 1970 and now has 14,000 members in 70 countries. It organizes an annual, three-day World Conference, where attendees network and learn the latest tactics in everything from crisis management to employee engagement. CW Magazine, produced by IABC, contains insight into business communications.
Join us today to expand your network, expertise, and circle of friends.
Become a volunteer
IABC Philadelphia offers many opportunities for you to get involved, expand your professional network and improve your communication skills. If you would like to volunteer to support the chapter, please fill out the following form.
Become a volunteer