AdPR Executive Advisory Board Welcomes Eight New Members

The Department of Advertising and Public Relations proudly welcomes eight new members to its Executive Advisory Board: Trebor Banstetter, Nancy Elder, Katie Gohman, Trevor Guthrie, Lauren Hitchins, Craig Hodges, Marni Schapiro and Carrie von der Sitt. 

The AdPR Executive Advisory Board is a diverse group of communications experts and leaders committed to advancing the mission of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. The board assists the department with activities that align with Grady College’s strategic plan. These leading and outstanding professionals are essential in supporting the department to identify partnerships and collaborations across public and private sectors while identifying opportunities and resources to support our students through professional development, experiential learning, and mentorship.

“We are thrilled to have these accomplished communications leaders join our advisory board,” said Dr. Juan Meng, UGA Athletic Association Endowed Professor and head of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. “Each of these new members has unique experiences and professional insights that will undoubtedly encourage our efforts to be one of the top advertising and public relations programs in the country. We are so grateful for their presence and passion!”

You can learn more about the expertise and accomplishments each new board member brings to the AdPR Executive Advisory Board below:

• Trebor Banstetter is the managing director of Global Corporate & Executive Communications at Delta Air Lines. With a strong background in media relations, corporate storytelling and reputation management, he partners closely with senior leadership to drive impactful narratives that align with Delta’s mission to connect the world. As a former Wall Street Journal journalist, he brings expertise in crafting narratives that connect organizations globally.

• Nancy Elder (ABJ ’88, Public Relations) serves as an advisor at the New York Mets. She was the former chief communications officer for the New York Mets and has held senior leadership roles at DAZN Group, Mattel and JetBlue. After advising several Fortune 500 companies on reputation, crisis, brand and business strategy, she now serves as board member, advisor and shared-value consultant.

• Katie Gohman (BA ’00, French and Political Science) is the chief marketing officer at OLAPLEX, INC. She is a visionary beauty and fashion executive with nearly two decades of experience shaping iconic brands including L’Oréal, Ralph Lauren, Coach and Marc Jacobs. Blending data-driven insights with creativity, she offers students wisdom in brand storytelling, innovation and building culturally relevant careers. 

• Trevor Guthrie is a co-founder of Giant Spoon, an independent, integrated agency that expands the ways people experience brands by turning marketing upside down. Named a Media All-Star by ADWEEK, Guthrie Trevor has led Giant Spoon to become one of the most awarded agencies of its size. His work has appeared in Ad Age, ADWEEK, Fast Company, Business Insider and The Wall Street Journal.   

• Lauren Hitchins (ABJ ’99, Advertising) is the head of industry-specialty retail at Google, where she partners with retailers to drive meaningful consumer connections and business growth. As an 18+ year Google veteran, she brings deep retail expertise. Prior to Google, Hitchins spent several years working in media at multiple advertising agencies. 

• Craig Hodges is the senior vice president of corporate affairs at Cox Enterprises where he oversees corporate social responsibility, corporate communications and public affairs. Previously at VF Corporation, he was responsible for all aspects of communications that helped to promote and protect VF’s reputation. He brings expertise in leadership and social impact to help students build purposeful careers with integrity.

• Marni Schapiro (ABJ ’96, Advertising) is the general manager of Global Advertising at Block, where she is building a bold new commerce media business across Afterpay, Cash App and Square. Shaping YouTube’s growth at Google and Snap’s monetization strategy, she provides students valuable insight into careers at the intersection of technology, advertising and entrepreneurship.

• Carrie von der Sitt is the global head of growth at Golin, leading the firm’s new business and marketing functions across its 50+ offices worldwide. With more than 30 years of agency experience and honors, including the 2022 PRWeek Women of Distinction Honoree and Campaign Female Frontier Class of 2022, she is passionate about building high-functioning teams and leading with joy and kindness.

Peter Bunarek, co-chair of the AdPR Executive Advisory Board, president and CEO at BBDO Atlanta, expresses his excitement of the new addition to the current board: “At a time of rapid and unprecedented change in the industry, the addition of such an accomplished group of practitioners will serve to strengthen the hands-on learning and professional development of every AdPR student. The Department of Advertising and Public Relations at UGA Grady just upped its game once again.”

The AdPR Executive Advisory Board will convene at Grady College for its fall board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Authors: Haven Newbold, haven.newbold@uga.edu and Sofia Rios, sofia.rios@uga.edu