Vanessa LaCoste, Chapter Development Chair
What do you do as Chair of the
Chapter Development Committee?
I'm responsible for cultivating relationships with current and
prospective sponsors. I support growing the BMA-Milwaukee chapter's
revenue and develop new funding sources to help sustain the
organization.
How long have you been a member of BMA?
Since 2005.
Tell us about your background in
marketing.
My first marketing assignments involved dressing up as a pink
gorilla and waving to drivers to advertise townhouses for sale. I
moved from Chicago and received my marketing degree from the Lubar
School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since
then, I've worked for a few advertising agencies including KSK
Design, Seroka, and B+L managing rebranding initiatives,
advertising, PR, interactive projects and significant product
launches for international manufacturers. My responsibilities of
project management as an Account Executive grew into a new business
development role, a natural fit of my passion to consult with
companies about their marketing communications challenges and share
ideas as a potential resource. It's great having a team of talented
co-workers to collaborate with for their expert opinions to provide
insight to prospective clients.
My marketing background extended into the non-profit world in
2008 as I join the Board of ArtWorks for Milwaukee, a local charity
that offers job training to at-risk teens through paid, arts-based
internships. My leadership role as Marketing Chair grew into the
Board President position for ArtWorks in 2010. I joined the BMA
Board as Chapter Development Co-Chair in 2008 and in 2009, I
started consulting with APSE, a national organization focused on
integrated employment for citizens with disabilities, on their
marketing communications.
What is most valuable about your membership in
BMA?
The networking opportunity. I am a huge advocate of networking and
Milwaukee is a small city. Between the business development I do
for B+L and community involvement with ArtWorks, it's important to
be out there in the community meeting new people and being a
resource to connect people. Like they say, it's not about who you
know, it's who knows you.
What do you do when you're not busy being Chapter
Development Chair?
I spend a lot of time around ArtWorks as it's a growing
organization. I also play classical piano as it's a great way to
de-stress. I love to travel and am planning my next international
trip to Australia. I play volleyball in a bar league with friends
and participate in charity walks and runs. I had a great time
participating in the Madison Mud Run and Mud Volleyball.