2023 finalists

Lakecia has broken the boundaries of copywriting, as she plays a valuable role in branding, conceptualizing, storyboarding, and leading copy for events, installations, commercials, and much more. Her clients come back time and again for her ability to bring them bold ideas that set them apart. Lakecia’s portfolio showcases the heart behind the words people see, and she deserves to be honored for her creative passion—one that she’s consistently nurtured from the start of her career.

Three years ago, Prissly was living paycheck to paycheck and had to embark on a journey marked by grit and unwavering determination, all in the pursuit of a brighter future for her Autistic daughter and her family. Prissly dove headfirst into the intricacies of B2B marketing, soaking up every morsel of knowledge as she tirelessly refined her skills during late nights and early mornings. She became an unstoppable force, swinging open doors that she had thought were immovable and leading her to start her now-thriving business. Prissly’s daughter’s resilience and unique perspective has remained her guiding star as she continues to build a life teeming with opportunity, understanding, and unwavering support for her family. Her story isn’t just one of survival—it’s a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit. 

In a world that often glorifies hustle and the pursuit of high-paying careers, Heather felt trapped. Days blurred into one another as she dedicated endless hours to a job that delivered financial success but left her spiritually bankrupt. In a declaration of self-worth, Heather left behind the lucrative, high-paying job that had her constantly racing against the clock. She took time off to reflect, heal, and rediscover the joy of living and working on her own terms. During this hiatus, Heather poured her heart into creating a small business that aligned with her values and resonated with her true self. As she nurtured herself, her business grew, proving success can be built on a foundation of well-being and authenticity, a realization that has brought her true liberation.

Travis recognizes that life is wide and wonderful, and people shouldn’t be so quick to put themselves in a box. Everything about him is eclectic, from his education (environmental studies to an MBA to maybe law school) to his work experience (from sales to recruitment to consulting), as well as his volunteerism (from Team Jack to The Union) and even his hobbies (master gardening and sports). Travis loves the human element and psychology of marketing, and he enjoys offering workshops so that his clients can grow and better support themselves—even if that means outgrowing his services. In a true Renaissance Man spirit, Travis has also written a book about Recruitment Marketing, fought for democracy, organized local marketer meetups, and hosted a career coaching podcast called The Winding Road.

Allie is a comms strategist with experience in audience development, go-to-market, and media planning. She has deep brand strategy knowledge and an impressive book of success with high-profile clients as the founder of Allie Robino Communications in Austin, TX. Vanessa is on the brand/creative strategy side of things, having worked at some of the most notable agencies and as a creative driver for highly visible brands before founding her consulting organization, STAND, in her city of Denver, Co. Together, they collaborate across state lines for the benefit of campaigns nationwide—to function as the right and left brains working together in synchronized motion with a proven history of producing both creative AND data-driven results. “Combined, we are most definitely the most magical of all unicorns,” says the spirited duo.

Giving back is just part of who Kaelyn is—thanks to her mom, who taught her from a young age that small gestures of kindness really do make a difference. As a college student, Kaelyn volunteered with many local organizations on and off campus, including the Boys and Girls Clubs. Now as a young professional, she’s still stretching that humanitarian arm. Kaelyn sits on the board of the Washington, DC chapter of the American Marketing Association, volunteers with the Tigerlily Foundation, and offers her services to small businesses and entrepreneurs through the Greater Washington Urban League, which works to strengthen the economic and political power of the region’s Black population. Kaelyn is determined to continue to combine her love of marketing with her desire to give back by supporting nonprofits that serve historically marginalized and unprivileged communities.