ConnellyWorks, an independent agency offering public relations, marketing and events services, announced the appointment of Laura Smith as Director, Learning & Engagement. Smith brings with her more than 20 years of experience in associations and non-profits as well as events and meetings. At the same time, the company announced the promotion of Jamie Lien to Director, Executive Events.
Smith joins ConnellyWorks from the American Council for Technology-Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC), where she has spent the last four years as Director of Professional Development, serving as the trusted point of contact for influential leaders across more than 400 federal contracting companies and every Cabinet-level federal organization. She also managed three leadership development programs, as well as worked on all events for the association. Prior to joining ACT-IAC, she spent 18 years in resource development and corporate fundraising for several large nonprofit organizations.
“Laura brings to the team a profound understanding of associations and events as well as her deep relationships in both industry and government,” said Joanne Connelly, President & CEO of ConnellyWorks, Inc. “This experience, combined with Jamie’s leadership on the executive events line of business, positions us for even greater success in 2018. Events are becoming an even more important tool in the marketer’s toolbox, and our new leadership team is one of the strongest in the market.”
ConnellyWorks executes on approximately 50 events a year, from CXO roundtable discussions to multiple-day industry conferences to charitable galas.
In her new role, Smith will play a key part in leading ConnellyWorks’ association business—to include AFCEA Washington, DC, AFCEA Bethesda, and the Government Information Technology Executive Council—as well as spearheading the delivery of the company’s educational events.
ConnellyWorks also announced the promotion of Jamie Lien to Director, Executive Events. In this role, Lien is responsible for ConnellyWorks’ corporate events business, to include thought leadership roundtables, charitable events and executive advisory boards. Lien joined ConnellyWorks in 2013. Smith and Lien will work together to oversee, manage and deliver the full events and association client portfolio.