The BrandLab

🚀 Career Development Takes Center Stage at Our 3rd Summer Monday! This week, we dove into all things career growth with an action-packed day: 🎤 HR Insights – Key takeaways for navigating your professional journey. 💬 Professional Panel – Real talk from industry leaders on building your path. 🔍 Small Group Breakouts – Personalized advice and networking. 📸 Headshots – Because every career move deserves a sharp new look! Shoutout to our incredible partners: ✨ Target – Thank you for being our Minnesota partner and helping make this day a success! ✨ SRH – Huge thanks for powering our Milwaukee session! Another Monday, another step forward—let’s keep growing! 🌱 Enjoy this recap brought to you by our rockstar interns: Elliana Nordhaus, Chhayheang Chea, Zhara Christopher, and Andre Ziemer

🚀 We’re Thrilled to Welcome Folklore as a Gold Sponsor for the 2025 Ignite Gala! Thank you for powering our mission to build a more inclusive and innovative workforce. Together, we’re igniting change on September 25th—and beyond! ✨ Want to join in supporting this transformative event? 📩 Contact Sierra Nixon at snixon@thebrandlab.org to explore sponsorship opportunities.

🚀 We’re Thrilled to Welcome KNOCK Inc. as a Silver Sponsor for the 2025 Ignite Gala! Thank you for powering our mission to build a more inclusive and innovative workforce. Together, we’re igniting change on September 25th—and beyond! ✨ Want to join in supporting this transformative event? 📩 Contact Sierra Nixon at snixon@thebrandlab.org to explore sponsorship opportunities.

🔥 THE NIGHT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING. AGAIN. 🔥 Last year’s Ignite Gala left us electrified. This year? We’re rewriting the playbook. ✨ IGNITE 2025: THIS IS THE TIME ✨ A celebration where energy meets impact—and every moment sparks what’s next. 🎟️ Early bird tickets end 8/15! Don’t just witness the future—ignite it. 👉 Secure yours NOW: thebrandlab.org/ignite

🚀 We’re Thrilled to Welcome Ovative Group as a Gold Sponsor for the 2025 Ignite Gala! Thank you for powering our mission to build a more inclusive and innovative workforce. Together, we’re igniting change on September 25th—and beyond! ✨ Want to join in supporting this transformative event? 📩 Contact Sierra Nixon at snixon@thebrandlab.org to explore sponsorship opportunities.

Congratulations to our 2025 The BrandLab scholarship recipients! 🎉 Each year, our Ovative team funds scholarships through our Champions of Change program, directed toward BIPOC students making a positive impact across the Midwest. This year, we’re proud to award scholarships to four incredible changemakers: Danquyen, Ramier, Luciane, and Rose. These students inspire us with their dedication, passion, and commitment to making a difference. We can’t wait to see the incredible impact they’ll make within their communities and careers. Learn more about our Champions of Change program: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.pbit.ly/4l55G8F

🚀 We’re Thrilled to Welcome Target as Our Presenting Sponsor for the 2025 Ignite Gala! Thank you for powering our mission to build a more inclusive and innovative workforce. Together, we’re igniting change on September 25th—and beyond! ✨ Want to join in supporting this transformative event? 📩 Contact Sierra Nixon at snixon@thebrandlab.org to explore sponsorship opportunities.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the 2025 Ignite Gala—where inspiration, innovation, and celebration collide! This year’s theme, "This Is The Time," promises powerful insights, electrifying energy, and a night to remember. 🎤 Your Emcee for the Night: The multi-talented Miss Shannan Paul—comedian, speaker, TV/radio host, and powerhouse emcee—will keep the energy high all night long! ✨ Keynote Speakers: 🎤 Lili Hall (President/CEO of KNOCK Inc.) – "The Future of Inclusive Innovation In Marketing" 🎤 Chufue Yang (Packaging Photography Ops Lead at General Mills) – "From Intern To Industry – My Journey and Vision" The Night’s Highlights: 🍽️ Gourmet dinner 💡 Insights from our 2025 State of the Profession Report 🎭 Live & silent auctions 🎶 Live DJ & dancing ⏰ Early bird tickets end 8/15! Secure yours now: 🔗 thebrandlab.org/ignite All proceeds will support our programs to empower the next generation of creative problem solvers. Don’t wait—this is the event of the year! 🚀✨

Sierra said it best - The BrandLab’s gala is going to be 🔥. Check out details and tickets 👇

Our 2nd Summer Monday session was packed with incredible insights! 📍 Twin Cities Highlights: 🤖 Emily McCarthy broke down how to Leverage AI in Marketing & Advertising—think smarter campaigns, sharper targeting, and next-level creativity! 💡 Michelle Lawless shared the secrets to powerful Social Branding—because your brand’s voice matters more than ever. 📍 Milwaukee Highlights: 🚀 Cameron Vetter also dove into AI in Marketing, showing us how tech is transforming the game. 🧘 Shannon Johnson brought the balance with a Wellness Session—because great work starts with a great mindset! Huge thanks to all our speakers for sharing their expertise! Enjoy this recap video made by our rockstar interns Juan Rengifo, Nasra Shube, Kathleen Phan, and Jaber Abdalla! 🎉