2024-2025 Board Members
Renee Ahee
President
Renée Ahee is owner of In Other Words, where words, whether written or oral, video or print, motivate, inspire and change behavior. Renée has been in the world of public relations and marketing her entire career, both on the corporate side of PR, Marketing and Investor Relations, and running nonprofits.
Renée also is a Project Manager for Yellow Flag Productions, a full service media, event and television production company. creating award winning TV series, feature shows, documentaries, commercials, podcasts, live streaming and social media content for clients across the Midwest.
Contact: info@womcomdetroit.org
Laura Oliveto
Past President
A communications professional for decades, Laura currently is at Catalyst Media Factory. Prior to this, she was the 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
Treasurer
Deniella held roles in marketing, communications, and client relationship for companies in the IT, healthcare,
finance, utilities, manufacturing, and government sectors. Her background includes director of communications,
vice president of Activities for the American Women’s Group in Paris, account relationship manager, and marketing at OpTech, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Valeo, and SSOE. She is an enthusiastic member of Toastmasters and is passionate about connecting graduates to their career. Deniella previously served on the AWC Detroit board as president, board secretary, VP of Programs, and Matrix Co-Chair.
Contact: info@womcomdetroit.org
Kim Walsh
Board Secretary
Kim is founder and CEO of Writeffect Communications. Kim’s career spans public relations, marketing and broadcast management. She joined AWC after transitioning from media sales to PR and development for WDET-FM. Kim is a past president, co-chair of the 1993 regional conference, and served on the programs committee from 2014-2021. Kim is the recipient of AWC’s prestigious Headliner and Vanguard Awards. Her board experience includes the International Association of Audio Information Services, Michigan Literacy Inc, and the Aging Services Consortium of Detroit. She continues to consult and represents her mother’s art and estate.
Contact: info@womcomdetroit.org
Sherri Kolade
Member Recruitment
Sherri Kolade serves as the Program Specialist at Our Daily Bread Ministries and is part of the interim leadership team for one of the ministry’s branches. She specializes in writing, editing, communications, and non-profit strategy.
Sherri joined AWC Detroit to connect with fellow women communicators, learn from experienced professionals, and build meaningful relationships within the industry. She is especially interested in connecting with women who are passionate about journalism, writing, communications, or public relations and are exploring their next career step. An avid volunteer, Sherri is passionate about investing in the next generation. Sherri is blessed to be part of such an intentional, warm and friendly group, and she hopes to encourage and connect with emerging communicators while continuing to grow alongside a supportive community of women professionals.
Contact: info@womcomdetroit.org
Tarana “Ronnie” Hammond, MMC, MA
Member Engagement and Retention
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
Laura Oliveto
Programs and Campaigns Marketing
A communications professional for decades, Laura currently is at Catalyst Media Factory. Prior to this, she was the 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
Emma Ramsey
Marketing – Social Media & Digital Content
Emma is excited about her current role with Basco, a real estate developer focused on constructing creative communities throughout Southeast Michigan. She is the general manager at the Harmonie Club Detroit, one of Detroit’s historic venues where she leads the communications initiatives and develops community relationships. Emma held various communications positions in the mortgage, automotive and higher education sectors. Shortly after joining AWC Detroit Emma served on programs committee.
Contact: info@womcomdetroit.org
Members-at-Large
Sally Ann Brown
Editor/Freelance Writer
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 relations; government, community and public relations; internal communications; speeches; corporate learning; marketing and advertising. Her career includes corporate communications at GM, U.S. House press aide, county government relations, 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 work with Fortune 500 companies, and PR agencies, specializing in insurance, automotive, events, non-profit sectors and media interview training. Karen has served several terms as an AWC Detroit past president and is a 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.