Speakers / Lead-to-Cash Bash

SPEAKERS & PANELISTS

Mellesa Boudeman, Chief of Staff, Advertising - Lee Enterprises

Mickaela Lusignan, President - Gannett Media Solutions

My passion is protecting the First Amendment through strong monetization efforts to support journalism, integrity of truth, protection of local businesses and the right to start conversations in communities.

I believe a data driven society can be used for positive, and it is our responsibility to protect citizens from nefarious practices, abuse of personal data and to educate on and build a beautiful digital ecosystem. I believe strongly that freedom of the press and the integrity of truth are essential to our democracy.

As a leader in the company’s digital space charged with strategic growth, I have proven success in managing teams with the ability to produce measurable results for the company and clients, while controlling costs. I have a strong track record of leadership, change management, and sales & product development in multiple areas.

I am known for:

1. FOCUS ON PEOPLE
It’s all about the people. As a leader, I help my direct & indirect reports gain the experience they will need not just for their next position, but for two-to-three positions into the future. An active listener and passionate developer of people, I get to know people’s skills and interests. This helps me build high-functioning cross-functional work groups. I know when people are engaged in work that challenges them, they bring their very best each day. I set a high bar for performance and ensure progress by tracking towards our agreed goals.

2. SOLVING PROBLEMS
A systems thinker with experience working with senior business decision makers, I know that the key to solving problems is identifying and defining the problem to be solved. This is where a careful look at available data is helpful. When decision makers agree on the problem focus, those priorities are translated into comprehensive plans including setting cadences, agendas, and logistics, to allow the Leadership Team to align their time with those priority areas. I am especially energized by opportunities to innovate. I am comfortable leading change management and implementing new directions, owning initiatives in the short term, and handing off in the longer term.

3. ACHIEVING RESULTS
Motivated by continuously solving hard problems, I am able to shape end-to-end business programs and articulate missions, performance criteria, and stakeholder buy-in. I am adept at working within our complex, dynamic company environment to address multiple products, audiences and KPI models simultaneously. A strong communicator, I have a track record of driving results through direct and indirect influence.

Mike McCarthy, Sr. Director of AI, Sales & Business Solutions - Hearst Newspapers

Michael McCarthy is the Senior Director of AI, Sales and Business Solutions at Hearst Newspapers, where he leads the development and adoption of generative AI tools that streamline advertising workflows and drive measurable revenue growth. As a Founding Member of the OpenAI Champion Network, Michael sits at the intersection of innovation and execution—bridging strategy and sales through AI enablement at scale.

His work has been featured by INMA, America’s Newspapers and Digiday, where he shared strategies highlighting Hearst’s advancements in personalization, campaign planning, and media storytelling.

Prior to his current role, Michael held leadership positions at Hearst Connecticut Media Group and MJH Life Sciences, with a track record of building high-performing sales teams and digital-first transformations.

Jamie Valencour, National Sales Director, Mobile Product - OUTFRONT Media

As National Senior Director of Mobile Product Management at OUTFRONT Media, Jamie leads the company’s mobile business operations across all major U.S. markets. With over a decade at OUTFRONT, she develops growth strategies in partnership with executive leadership and oversees a national team driving integrated OOH, DOOH, mobile, OTT, and cross-device campaigns.

Kris Brown, Director, Advertising Operations & Innovation - Postmedia

Kris Brown is a strategic operations and innovation executive specializing in transforming advertising workflows through automation, AI, and technology-driven process design. With extensive experience across media operations and revenue systems, he focuses on building scalable, data-centric frameworks that bridge sales, production, and finance—creating a seamless Lead-to-Cash ecosystem.

At Postmedia Network, he leads the modernization of advertising operations across print and digital platforms, driving efficiency, cost reduction, and cross-functional integration. His work centers on re-engineering legacy systems, automating order and fulfillment processes, and designing CRM-based architectures that enhance visibility, accuracy, and adoption across diverse teams and technologies.

Kris has built a career around operational transformation—simplifying complex systems, embedding predictive analytics into daily workflows, and enabling teams to operate with greater speed and precision. His approach balances strategic vision with hands-on execution, ensuring that technology investments translate directly into measurable business impact.

Brian Kennett, VP Digital Advertising & Agency Services - Star Tribune

As VP, Head of Digital Advertising at the Minnesota Star Tribune, I oversee all digital advertising strategies, using innovative, data driven solutions to connect brands with Midwest audiences. Our team leverages one of the region’s strongest first party data assets to deliver targeted campaigns across premium platforms. I specialize in digital transformation that drives measurable growth, proving that disruption is a profit lever.

Led a 50 plus person organization and partner directly with the CRO and CEO on enterprise OKRs and cross functional initiatives

Grew digital agency revenue from $7M to $34M by reshaping operations, building new offerings, and aligning sales and marketing around unified customer value

Managed over $30M in client ad spend last year and supported over $145M in attributable client revenue

Sustained 90 percent client retention at Foundry North

Built seven custom GPTs, including Foundry North Sales GPT, to streamline planning, QA, reporting, creative briefs, sales enablement, and onboarding

Integrated automation and agentic AI into trafficking, pacing, anomaly detection, and reporting, improved speed, accuracy, and consistency

Helped lead the full rebuild of our digital tech stack (CMS, OMS, CRM) and advise the internal AI Lab on revenue alignment and strategic impact

Full funnel demand generation that connects pipeline to revenue, disciplined experimentation and incrementality testing

Attribution and media mix modeling in partnership with analytics and data science, improved decision speed and ROI

Channel leadership across search, social, programmatic, video, and mobile, with tight collaboration across web, lifecycle, content, creative, sales, and product teams.

Jennifer Craig, Regional Director - Prudential Advisors

As a Regional Director with Prudential, my responsibilities include recruiting, selecting and developing high- quality Financial Professional Associates (FPAs). FPAs are expected to gain a thorough understanding of Prudential’s products and services and develop skills in our relationship- based sales process. I support our FPAs’ successes by working with them during sales calls and extending valuable feedback and training at their weekly coaching sessions. In addition, I assist FPAs in developing a marketing strategy that will help them reach their full potential.

Jennifer Craig is a Financial Planner with, and offers securities and investment advisory services through LPL Enterprise (LPLE), a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC, and an affiliate of LPL Financial. For hyperlinks to FINRA and SIPC, please refer to ‘Contact’ section.

“Prudential Advisors” is a brand name for the proprietary retail sales channel of The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“PICA”) and its insurance company and other affiliates (collectively “Prudential”). Prudential Advisors financial professionals are licensed insurance agents of Prudential.

Pursuant to a strategic relationship among Prudential, LPLE, and LPL Financial, Prudential Advisors financial professionals provide securities brokerage services and/or investment advice on securities solely as registered persons of LPLE, an affiliate of LPL Financial. These financial professionals are permitted to brand under “Prudential Advisors.” LPLE and LPL Financial are not affiliated with Prudential.

Third party posts found on this profile do not reflect the views of LPL Enterprise and have not been reviewed by LPL Enterprise as to accuracy or completeness.

The financial professionals associated with LPL Enterprise may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

Jon Babicz, Head of Digital Media - MediaMax Network

Full-funnel digital media expert and cross-functional leader. “If you can stream it, you can do it.” I see the world in high-tech as a Digital Marketing Professional with the bandwidth to create integrated campaigns, execute online objectives across all platforms, all while training an entire organization across multiple channels and platforms. As an experienced media consultant and former small business owner, I draw on direct experience and deliver on metrics and KPIs.

With over 20 years of proven performance in digital advertising, marketing, and customer service, I am a project developer and versatile leader who ensures valued clients and strong teams stay up-to-speed in fast-growing industries. Much like the technology I employ, my role is multifaceted as I oversee overall digital strategy from spec to launch.

Kat White, Director, Sales Operations & Enablement - Hearst Newspapers

Katerina White is a media sales enablement and operations leader with a passion for building high-performing teams and scalable strategy. As Director of Sales Operations and Enablement at Hearst Newspapers, she drives performance through smart systems, training, and tools that align with the fast-moving world of modern media. Her work bridges the gap between big-picture strategy and day-to-day sales success.

Prior to her current role, Katerina held leadership positions at Hearst Houston, McClatchy and E.W. Scripps. in Sales Enablement and Digital Strategy roles.

Eric Olson, Digital Media Operations - Forum Communications

Eric Olson is the Digital Media Operations Manager at Forum Communications Company, headquartered in Fargo, ND. In this role, he oversees the teams responsible for Forum’s publisher-owned digital advertising operations, audience extension, and search engine marketing initiatives. Eric also manages strategic partnerships and vendor relationships across DSPs, reporting platforms, workflow tools, and project management systems.

With over 20 years of experience in both digital and traditional media planning, buying, and operational workflows, Eric brings a deep understanding of the evolving media landscape. He has played a key role in mentoring sales teams and driving digital revenue growth across multiple markets.

Jamie Cohen, SVP, Broadcast Digital - Salem Media Group

Salem Media Group is a leading broadcaster, Internet content provider, and publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. In addition to its 95 radio stations apps and websites, Salem owns Salem News Channel, a news, opinion, and commentary television network, Salem Podcast Network, the nation's fastest-growing podcast network and Salem Radio Network which syndicates talk, news, and music programming to 3200 affiliates.

In my role at Salem, I manage the digital P/L for the Broadcast division. My scope includes change management, sales transformation, digital sales enablement, revenue acceleration, digital sales fulfillment, and operations.

Erin Hagood, SVP, Digital Sales Markets East - iHeartMedia

Erin Hagood is a focused and driven Digital Sales and Marketing leader possessing a combination of Search, Social, OTT/CTV, Mobile and Email Marketing experience. Proven sales track record with experience in Digital Sales and Services coupled with strong communication and presentation skills. She is accustomed to performing in deadline-driven environments within budget requirements while maximizing ROI. She sold digital locally, nationally and on the agency side.

She has years of digital experience in the Media Industry including selling digital for Television, Radio and Newspaper companies.

Deb Williams, General Manager - Federated Media

Deb Williams brings nearly three decades of experience in broadcasting and digital marketing. She currently serves as General Manager for Federated Media and Federated Digital Solutions, leading efforts to integrate traditional radio with innovative digital strategies. Deb is passionate about helping businesses leverage radio and digital assets to maximize ROI and create impactful marketing opportunities. Her career includes leading sales teams, driving digital growth, and building community-focused campaigns that have contributed millions in advertising support to local nonprofits. Federated Media is recognized for its commitment to digital innovation while maintaining strong roots in local broadcasting. Deb thrives on guiding teams and clients toward measurable, integrated marketing success.

Steve Goldstein, President - 2060 Digital

2060 Digital provides a comprehensive platform of digital services that help local, regional and national brands drive measurable business outcomes across a diverse array of digital marketing channels. 2060 Digital's clients span a variety of industries within the B2C, B2B and B2G sectors across the United States.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, 2060 Digital operates offices in ten Hubbard Radio markets as well as field offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Nashville. 2060 Digital is a subsidiary of Hubbard Radio.

Rebecca Capparelli, Vice President of Promotions - USA Today Ventures

Rebecca Capparelli is Vice President of Promotions for USA Today Ventures. In this role she supports all Gannett Markets with developing new revenues and increased ROI for Advertisers from Promotions. This includes support in planning, strategy, and sales enablement through full marketing and production services.

Previously she was GateHouse’s vice president of sales productivity, overseeing the company’s training programs, promotions and targeted sales initiatives. She joined GateHouse in 2010 after working for 16 years in the digital-out-of-home advertising industry with Screenvision. She served as Senior Vice President for Screenvision Direct, where she led the Sales and Marketing Teams generating revenue from local advertising on 10,000 screens in over 1,200 movie theaters across the country.