Second Communication in the Now Event is October 21 at 4 p.m. – DEI and Your Career

The second event of the Communication in the Now Speaker Series is scheduled for October 21 at 4 p.m. 

The East Carolina University School of Communication will host a virtual event on “How DEI Impacts Your Communication Career: What You Need to Know” Thursday, October 21 from 4-4:45 p.m. Michelle Duke, President of the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation and Chief Diversity Officer with NAB, will guide us in a conversation on communicating about diversity. 

Michelle Duke has 25 years of experience working in the media industry and as a trade association nonprofit executive. Duke assumed the role of Chief Diversity Officer in July. In this newly created position, Duke spearheads internal efforts to further equity and inclusion at all levels of the organization and elevate NAB’s external role as a resource to members in their efforts to increase and promote industry diversity. 

Prior to these roles, she held the position of Vice President of Diversity and Development at the NAB Leadership Foundation. In this role, she was responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Foundation’s diversity agenda. 

This event is the second in a three-part series. The Communication in the Now Speaking Series was developed in the spring by the School of Communication Alumni Advisory Board. Our first event was in May and focused on media-related issues. A third virtual event on sports and communication is being planned for late fall/early winter. 

Each session is typically 20 minutes followed by questions and discussion. All School of Communication alumni and students are welcome to join in on these timely conversations about communication. These sessions are designed to deliver important points on communication topics as well as connect alumni and students to each other and to key figures in a variety of communication-related fields. 

The School of Communication Alumni Advisory Board is composed of ECU communication alumni Michael Aho (international relations in United States government), Olivia Collier (Appalachian Regional Commission Program Director with the NC Department of Commerce), Sam Matheny (Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of NAB), Amanda Miller (Senior Communication Strategist and Owner of Mavis Consulting), Jamie Sigler O’Grady (founding partner with J Public Relations), Marian Pittman (Executive Vice President of Content, Digital Strategy Product and Innovation at Cox Media Group), Amy Royster (?), Patrick Wixted (Senior Vice President with Ketchum Sports and Entertainment), and Crystal Yelverton (Executive Director for Market Development in the Greater Los Angeles area for the March of Dimes). 

To join the October 21 event: 

SOC Communication in the Now Speaking Series – How DEI Impacts Your Communication Career: What You Need to Know for Your Career 

Hosted by Michelle Duke