2023-2024 Board Members
Laura Oliveto
President
A communications professional for decades, Laura is Detroit Community Ambassador at AIMClear, a digital marketing agency in Duluth, MN. With 30 years’ experience in digital marketing, she saw the industry’s infancy as well as its maturity, developing innovative, strategic solutions for a variety of global clients. Laura served as president from 2012-2015 and 2021-2023, programs chair from 2016-2023 and as board secretary from 2011-2012.
Contact: info@womcomdetroit.org
Deniella Ortiz-Lalain
Immediate Past President, Secretary & Treasurer
Deniella has held marketing, communications, and project lead positions for companies in the IT, healthcare, finance, utilities, manufacturing, and government sectors. Previous positions include director of communications, vice president of Activities for the American Women’s Group in Paris, account relationship manager, and marketing communications at OpTech, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Valeo and SSOE. She served as board secretary and treasurer from 2021-2023, president from 2015-2021, VP of Programs from 2012-2015 and Matrix Co-Chair from 2013-2015.
Contact: info@womcomdetroit.org
Barbara Krajenke, MA
Director, Marketing – Social Media & Digital Content
Barbara is a Communications Specialist at Advantasure, a healthcare solutions provider of plans that improve healthcare experiences for members and providers. Barbara manages over 200 pieces of collateral annually for business operations, provider compliance, member campaigns and product marketing. Barbara served on AWC Detroit’s marketing committee as Social Media Content Management Manager since 2019.
Contact: marketing@womcomdetroit.org
Robin O’Grady
Director, Marketing – Campaigns & Programs
Robin is the Chief Communications Officer for LACASA Center, a nonprofit organization that provides critical services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual violence. She began her career as a journalist and later transitioned into the realms of advertising, public relations, marketing, and strategic branding. She has served on numerous professional boards and committees, and has earned several marketing awards, including two Clarion Awards from AWC.
Contact: marketing@womcomdetroit.org
Lisa Becker Campbell
Director, Member Retention
Lisa is a Content Coordinator at Best Version Media, which connects businesses to residents with family-friendly community publications. She is also a Freelance Writer for Michigan Home and Lifestyle Magazine. She received a BA in journalism from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Lisa joined AWC Detroit in 2017 and is excited about contributing to the future of the organization while connecting with longstanding and new members.
Contact: membership@womcomdetroit.org
Tarana “Ronnie” Hammond, MMC, MA
Director, Member Recruitment
A native of the “Motor City,” Ronnie is a doctoral student at Walden University, studying leadership. She is also a communications professor at Chicago State University and is dedicated to fostering a student-centered classroom environment based on mutual respect
and collaboration. Ronnie joined AWC Detroit in 2017 and served on the programs committee from 2017-2020. In 2021, Ronnie transitioned to the Student Ambassador role, supporting student initiatives.
Contact: membership@womcomdetroit.org
Currently, the Board Secretary, Director of Programs and President – Elect positions are open. Members in good standing with at least one year of committee experience in AWC or another organization are eligible for a board position. If interested, contact info@womcomdetroit.org
Members-at-Large
Sally Ann Brown
Medical Writer/Public Relations
Sally is a freelance editor and writer, after a career in public relations and special events. As a sole practitioner, her company handled public relations for clients in the food industry, law, real estate, retail, automotive, and many nonprofit organizations, including health care. Her work at Henry Ford Health has included leading media relations for multiple departments and the opening of the West Bloomfield hospital. In addition, she directed the nationally recognized Art & Apples Festival for three years. Sally is a past president of AWC Detroit.
Christine Bricker D’Angela
Corporate and Government Communications
Active in AWC Detroit since 1980, Christine led the organization as president for two terms, held several board positions and received the 1995 “Headliner” Award. Her communications skills include communications strategy; media, government, community, and public relations; internal communications; speeches; corporate learning; marketing and advertising. Semi-retired, Christine is currently a consultant for Logos Communications. Her career includes corporate communications at GM, U.S. House press aide, and instructor positions at the University of Arizona, University of Detroit, Baker College, and University of Phoenix.
Karen (Stewart) Spica, APR
Public Relations
Active with the AWC organization since college, Karen’s experience includes corporate communications, senior PR positions, and strategic planning. Her career includes PR agencies, insurance, automotive, events, and non-profit sectors. Karen is an AWC Detroit past president and Matrix Headliner.
Eileen Wunderlich
Corporate and Marketing Communications
Eileen is a longtime communications professional and an AWC Detroit past president and Matrix Headliner. She held numerous public relations and communications positions in the music, television, advertising, and automotive industries through the years, and retired from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) in 2018. Eileen’s professional expertise includes all elements that corporate, executive and marketing communications entail, including strategic planning, writing and media relations.