2025 Winter Symposium: Strategic Communication and The Quest for Creativity

2025 Winter Symposium

Friday, January 31, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. EST

This year’s Winter Symposium centers on the generation of creative ideas in strategic communication. Learn how leading communicators think about creativity and how industry pioneers are using AI to shape the creative process. Build your own creative capacity with thought-provoking development sessions. Connect with fellow seekers and find new inspiration in your work.

Space is limited. RSVP soon.

  • Strategic Communication Affiliates (Students, Faculty, Alumni, Administrators): Free
  • Columbia University Affiliates (Students, Faculty, Alumni, Administrators): $50
  • General Admission: $100

Please contact Charlene Perilla-Iqbal at cp2746 [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (cp2746[at]columbia[dot]edu) if you are a Columbia University affiliate for discounted tickets.
 

SCHEDULE


Check-in

8:30 a.m.– 9:15 a.m.


Opening Remarks

9:15 a.m.– 9:30 a.m.

  • Jesse Scinto ('12 SPS)(emcee), Deputy Program Director and Lecturer, Strategic Communication 
  • Kristine Billmyer, Ph.D., Program Director, Strategic Communication; Professor of Professional Practice and Dean Emerita of the Faculty of Professional Studies

  • Troy J. Eggers, Dean, Columbia University School of Professional Studies

     

Keynote

9:30 a.m.– 10:15 a.m.

How Do We Get Our Best Ideas?

  • Sheena S. Iyengar, Ph.D.
    S.T. Lee Professor of Business in the Management Division at Columbia Business School; author of The Art of Choosing and Think Bigger

  

Industry Panel

10:30 a.m.– 11:45 a.m.

Creativity in Communication

  • Ethan McCarty (moderator), Advisory Board Member and Lecturer, Strategic Communication; CEO, Integral
  • Adrianna Bevilaqua (’09SPS), Chief Creative Officer and Managing Director, M Booth
  • Craig Minassian, Chief Content, Communications and Marketing Officer, Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative
  • Jimmie Stone, VP, Global Head of Creative Shop, Meta
  • Teresa Yoo, VP, Brand and Content Strategy, IBM

 

Lunch

11:45 p.m.– 1:10 p.m.

 

Agency Spotlight

1:10 p.m.– 2:10 p.m.

AI-Powered Creative at FleishmanHillard

  • Rachel Catanach, General Manager, FleishmanHillard, and team

 

Leadership Sessions

2:20 p.m.– 3:00 p.m.


Bringing Talent to the Top: How to Lead a Creative Team

  • Gigi Downs, Managing Director, Brooklyn Brothers

Catalyzing Creativity: Lessons from Network Science

  • Jesse Scinto (’12SPS), Deputy Program Director and Lecturer, Strategic Communication

Who Owns the Idea? Legal and Ethical Challenges for the AI Era

  • Frank Oswald (’10SPS) (moderator), Lecturer, Strategic Communication
  • Kyle-Beth Hilfer, Esq., Principal Attorney, Hilfer Law; Of Counsel, Cowan Liebowitz & Latman

Human Ideation: Tools for Expanding Your Options

  • Lilian Ajayi-Ore, Ed.D., Lecturer in Discipline, Strategic Communication
  • Kevin Visconti, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Discipline, Strategic Communication

 

Creative Sessions

3:20 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.


Animating with AI: The Visual Creator's Workshop

  • Samantha Stark, Founder & Chief Strategist at Phyusion

Improv for Innovation: Letting It All Hang Out

  • Rick Andrews, Head Instructor, The Magnet Theater

The Beginner’s Mind: Mindfulness for Creativity

  • Rajiah Williams Leong ('12SPS), Hygge Hooga Mindfulness

Creative Research Practices for Greater Resonance

  • Carrie Patterson Reed, Head of Insights, Fantasy

 

Talent Showcase

4:10 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Rising Talents!  

  • Lauren Gover (’20SPS)(emcee), Lecturer, Strategic Communication; Managing Director, Blue Seedling

 

Networking Reception

5:00 p.m.– 6:30 p.m.

Registered guests must enter campus at WIEN GATE at 411 West 116th Street and allow additional time for campus access and event check-in. Guests who have not registered in advance and do not have an active Columbia University ID (CUID) will not be permitted on campus. Upon arrival at the gate, all registered guests must show:

  • Active CUID holders: a government-issued ID and active Columbia University ID
  • Non-CUID holders (including all alumni): a government-issued ID and the QR code issued by CU Guest Access prior to the event. This QR code is valid only for this event and the name must match that on the guest’s government-issued ID.

    Please email sps-events [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu with questions regarding campus access for this event.

Please note we do not permit the interruption of speakers or audience disruptions. All guests including students, staff, faculty, and alumni attending the event understand and agree to follow the responsibilities set forth in University policies, including the Rules of University Conduct and Standards and Discipline. Those found in violation will be asked to discontinue and may be asked to leave the venue.

For additional information about program offerings at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, please contact an Admissions Counselor at 212-854-9666 or inquire [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

Columbia University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Please notify the office at least 10 days in advance if you require closed captioning, sign-language interpretation or any other disability accommodations. Alternatively, Disability Services can be reached at 212.854.2388 and disability [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

For questions about health and safety, please visit Columbia University’s Hub for Emergency Preparedness for the latest policies, as they are subject to change.