Join or Renew Now and Save 50% of Your Dues
It's time to make an investment in your professional self and IABC has the membership options to help you do it. Welcome to IABC's Member Month! A month-long promotion that allows you to take advantage of a 20% discount on International IABC membership.
Secrets of Success: An Interview with IABC Past-President Michael Smith
Michael Smith, past president of IABC Philadelphia and head of corporate communications for Acts Retirement-Life Communities, shares industry challenges and how he uses messaging to create more uplifting narratives.
Effectively Measuring Your Communication Programs: A Profile of Angela Sinickas
by Michael Piperno --
Angela Sinickas has been measuring the effectiveness of communication since 1981. A lot has changed since then, but her passion for helping businesses make decisions based on the right data has not.
Read moreUnleashing 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!
Read moreBoard of Directors
|
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. Rick Alcantara LinkedIn Profile
|
|
Treasurer and Immediate Past President Alexandra Spooner |
 |
|
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 18 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.
|
|
Director-at-Large Michael Smith |
 |
|
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 is a past president of IABC Philadelphia. |
|
Secretary |
|
|
|
Amy Ashmen is the national director of communications at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, where she oversees internal and external communications, including public relations and social media, for the nonprofit, which serves many of our country’s most vulnerable populations in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and child welfare. She holds more than 25 years of corporate communications experience in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Previously, she was a communications manager at Farmers Insurance, communications director for Harleysville Insurance and communications specialist for the California State Automobile Association. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a specialization in journalism from Loyola University in Baltimore, Md. She is a graduate of the Institutes of Organization Management, a professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and is a certified Zurich Lean Yellow Belt. |
|
Director-at-Large 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
|
|
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. |
|
Treasurer and Immediate Past President Alexandra Spooner |
|
|
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 18 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. Alexandra Spooner LinkedIn bio |
|
Director-at-Large Michael Smith |
|
|
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 is a past president of IABC Philadelphia.
|
|
Secretary Amy Ashmen |
|
 |
Amy Ashmen is the national director of communications at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, where she oversees internal and external communications, including public relations and social media, for the nonprofit, which serves many of our country’s most vulnerable populations in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and child welfare. She holds more than 25 years of corporate communications experience in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Previously, she was a communications manager at Farmers Insurance, communications director for Harleysville Insurance and communications specialist for the California State Automobile Association. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a specialization in journalism from Loyola University in Baltimore, Md. She is a graduate of the Institutes of Organization Management, a professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and is a certified Zurich Lean Yellow Belt. |
|
Director-at-Large 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 bio |
Jobs
One goal of the International Association of Business Communicators is to help communication professionals to find meaningful, satisfying employment in the communications field. That’s why IABC Philadelphia features this page on our website. We want to facilitate the connection between communication job seekers and employers in the greater Philadelphia area.
Applying for jobs on this page is free to members and non-members alike, and there are no strings attached. If you want to make it easier for us to spread the word about this service, help us to find future listings by mentioning IABC Philadelphia when you apply for one for the jobs on this page.
Posting jobs is also free. If you’re an employer and have a job to be included on our site, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also use this link to report if a posted job has been filled so that we can keep our listings up to date.
View current job listings.
Some job search tips
-
Create a target company list. Find out everything you can about the company and then customize your pitch for each one.
-
Network. Both online and face-to-face. Even in informal settings, think about how you can expand your network. Go out to lunch or dinner with friends/colleagues and strike up a conversation about your job search and your target companies. You’ll be surprised by the number of contacts your networks have.
-
You’ve made it to an interview – be prepared. Be ready to provide specific examples of the results you’ve achieved. Also, have questions ready to ask to make sure the organization is a good fit for you.
-
Follow-up. Whether it’s after an interview, lunch, or a new introduction, follow up with the person you met and thank the person who made the connection for you.
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.
Join us on September 20 when Jen McFarland will provide timeless strategies for navigating uncertainty. On October 3, attend our virtual event Media Readiness for Communications Pros. On October 17, Ann Wylie will show you how to cut through the clutter, measurably boost your content's readability and hit your targets.
The International Association of Business Communicators was founded in 1970 and now has 8,000 members across 100 chapters. It organizes an annual, four-day World Conference, where attendees network and learn the latest tactics in everything from crisis management to employee engagement.
Join us today to expand your network, expertise, and circle of friends.
Check out all our upcoming programs.
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 volunteerAbout IABC Philadelphia
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philadelphia Chapter is a membership-based trade association for business communicators, who live or work in southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware. IABC Philadelphia represents one of the 100 chapters of IABC worldwide.
Mission
IABC Philadelphia empowers its members to be successful professional communicators by providing learning and development, networking and career enhancement opportunities.
We provide opportunities to further professional development, network with industry peers, and connect communications professionals with local companies and organizations.
The IABC Philadelphia Chapter provides educational programming, networking, job search assistance, job postings, and volunteer opportunities for its members and non-members. We represent a diverse array of expertise and experiences, including:
|
|
IABC Philadelphia Chapter members also represent varied organizations, such as:
|
|
Committed to helping its members advance their professional careers, IABC Philadelphia offers valuable opportunities to students, entry-level, mid-career and executive communicators.
If you would like to expand your knowledge, learn new skills or meet new friends, we invite you to join IABC Philadelphia.