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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
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President Rick Alcantara |
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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
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Treasurer and Immediate Past President Alexandra Spooner |
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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.
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Director-at-Large Michael Smith |
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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. |
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Secretary |
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Amy Ashmen is the national director of communications at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, where she oversees internal and external communications 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 foster care. She holds more than 25 years of corporate communications experience in the insurance, nonprofit and travel industries. Prior to Devereux, she held the following positions: communications manager for 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. |
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Director-at-Large 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 is a past president of IABC Philadelphia. Bill Seiberlich LinkedIn Profile
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President Rick Alcantara |
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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. |
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Treasurer and Immediate Past President Alexandra Spooner |
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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 bio |
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Director-at-Large Michael Smith |
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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.
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Secretary Amy Ashmen |
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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. |
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Director-at-Large 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 is a past president of IABC Philadelphia. Bill Seiberlich LinkedIn Profile
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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
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Create a target company list. Find out everything you can about the company and then customize your pitch for each one.
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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.
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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.
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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.
One of 100 chapters of the International Association of Business Communicators, IABC Philadelphia serves Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.
Our networking events, workshops and webinars bring together local professionals and influencers in corporate communications, public relations and marketing.
On May 28, Regine Nelson will present "Beyond the Buzzwords: Making DEI & ESG Undeniable in Your Culture."
On June 23, Steve and Cindy Crescenzo will show you how to convert your communications from reactive and corporate to strategic and creative in five steps.
On July 21, Shel Holtz returns to IABC Philly to discuss the unleashing of AI's potential - how to drive employee adoption through strategic communication.
The International Association of Business Communicators was founded in 1970 and 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.
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.
Send messageBecome 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