Characteristics of World Class Briefing Programs Jurors
Candie Hurley
has been both a company member and a supplier member of ABPM. She has managed single-site briefing centers as well as global briefing programs for Fortune 100 companies. As a presentation skills coach and trainer with Mandel Communications she works with briefing program staff, presenters, and discussion leaders to help them facilitate and deliver effective briefings. Candie is a frequent ABPM workshop facilitator, has served on the ABPM advisory board, and has provided insights from her fieldwork to help advance the Characteristics of World Class.
DeeDee Rixe
As Director for the Executive Connections team in Enterprise Marketing, DeeDee and her team enable high-impact engagements between Microsoft and key customers and partners through the development and maintenance of executive profiles and facilitation of over 360 executive sponsorships. Prior to this role, DeeDee managed Microsoft's Redmond Executive Briefing Center business, technology and operations teams to provide award winning customer experiences and operational excellence. Additionally, during her 19+ years with Microsoft, she has managed Global Executive Roundtables, Worldwide Enterprise Communications, and served in several direct customer/partner field sales roles in the U.S. Midwest District. The Microsoft briefing program was recognized in 2006 as Briefing Program of the Year by ABPM under DeeDee's leadership. She has been an active member of the ABPM, serving on the ABPM Advisory Board from 2005 - 2008. This is her first year as a judge for the World Class Awards program.
Linda Stevens
Founded Global Executive Briefing Services in 2008 which provides strategic briefing planning services for multi-site global briefing programs. She developed the Business and International Protocol Workshop, and ABPM Core Competency, and is affiliated with Mandel Communications to deliver the workshop. She is recognized in the industry for her deep knowledge of briefing programs and understanding of cultural differences that impact customer experiences. Previously Linda established and lead Microsoft's Global Executive Briefing Program, which included EBC's in Europe, Asia and the USA. During her tenure at Microsoft, she managed teams responsible for briefing orchestration, presentation content, speaker development, marketing communications, facility operations, and customer experience. The Microsoft Briefing Program was recognized in 2006 as Briefing Program of the Year by ABPM. Linda is an active member of the ABPM who serves on the Advisory Board, leads breakout sessions and served on this year's conference planning committee. This is her second year as a juror for the World Class Briefing Awards.
New or Renovated Center Jurors
Stevanie Demko
IIDA and LEED AP has over thirty years experience as an interior designer with a diverse portfolio of renovation and new construction projects in both the corporate and educational sectors. As a Perkins + Will Principal and Managing Director of the Connecticut office she oversees office management and design. She is also expert in programming, space planning and interior design and has earned various awards for her work. She has been the Director of IIDA, International Interior Design Association for Connecticut, served on the Board of Directors for the Real Estate Exchange and chaired the Community Involvement, The Developer Showcase and The Blue Ribbon committees. Stevanie has also participated on the Construction Institute Education Committee associated with the University of Hartford. Stevanie has been a member of ABPM since 2008 and has led a breakout session focused on Green Design of briefing centers. As the design principal for the Aetna Customer Center, Stevanie has gained valuable expertise in the process involved in the development of briefing centers which fully integrate corporate values into a representative venue to realize its goals through technology, design and sustainability.
Russ Fowler
is the Senior Director of Corporate Creative at Derse. His experience encompasses creating face to face marketing environments & experiences for executive and customer briefing centers, exhibitions, and museums. He provides creative solutions and overall creative leadership for Derse’s largest projects & accounts. Projects such as Samsung, Fiserv, Sub-Zero, Miller Brewing, Moen, and Verizon. He also teaches a Master Class in Exhibition Design for the Masters Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Russ has been with Derse for the past 15 years and is the father of triplets, all in their senior year of college. He is an active member of ABPM who has been behind the creative for the conference communications the past 2 years. This is his third year as a judge for the World Class Awards program.
is a registered architect and a principal of ZB SPACE, where he specializes in experiential design, merging architecture and interior design with corporate messaging and brand awareness. Over the years, he has been responsible for the design of millions of square feet of space for projects of enormously varied design and budget parameters. His clients have ranged from small businesses to international Fortune 500 companies. He is often invited to act as visiting design critic and lecturer at architectural and interior design schools, real estate seminars and marketing forums where he discusses the role of design in corporate marketing venues. He is frequently published in architectural trade journals, and is a charter member of the Association of Briefing Program Managers where he has often served as a juror for its annual design awards.
The ABPM Team thanks this year’s jurors for volunteering their expertise and time on this project.
