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Career Coffee: Going Solo – Thriving as an Independent Consultant

The Twin Cities is home to a thriving community of independent “solo” communicators. Each independent has their own reasons for going solo and creates their business model to support their personal and professional goals. Being your own boss allows you to control your client roster, make your own schedule and choose the projects you want to work on. But it isn’t without challenges. Whether you are thinking about going solo, recently went solo or have been independent for some time, this Career Coffee is for you! During this session, we’ll share stories, advice and make connections.

The Career Coffee series is free to members and non-members, but space is limited.

Panelists:

Eva Keiser, APR
Eva Keiser is a public relations and communications expert with more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, specializing in developing and executing campaigns for emerging and midsize B2B and B2C companies in the professional services, technology and manufacturing sectors. As an independent consultant, Eva is on the front lines bringing elements together to drive business results and develop a company’s brand. Prior to forming the plural i in 2011, Eva honed her skills working at leading Twin Cities public relations and marketing communication agencies. She also gained a wealth of experience through her work on political campaigns, nonprofit organizations, grassroots organizations and at various print and broadcast media outlets. A tireless advocate for the profession, Eva is an adjunct professor in the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she is active in PRSA including serving as President of the Minnesota chapter in 2018 and chairing numerous committees. Currently she serves as Vice-Chair of PRSA’s Midwest District.

Cathy McLane
Cathy McLane is a communications professional with over 20 years in marketing in both B2C and B2B spaces. Agency-trained, Cathy provides a customer-driven approach for global companies as well as smaller organizations and non-profits; she is skilled at – and enjoys – working across functions, creating integrated strategic plans and programs that drive success. Cathy founded CathyConnects Communications in 2014 to help teams and organizations develop communication programs that drive results and help achieve organizational goals. Cathy lives in Maple Grove with her husband and two beloved (and high energy) Viszlas, and is the proud stepmom of two.

Amy Spencer
Amy Spencer is Founder and Principal of Evo Communications, and a former communications executive with extensive experience in many areas of corporate communications. In Amy’s role at Evo Communications, she connects corporate clients to top-tier communications solos through a hand-picked matchmaking process that makes the search and placement process easy and efficient. In addition, Amy often serves as a fractional Chief Communications Officer for clients with growing corporate communications needs. Amy works beside corporate Marketing, Human Resources and Communications leaders to assist them in starting new communications functions, adding temporary capabilities and expanding bandwidth. Amy often brings in specialty solo talent to support the evolving needs of Evo clients. The circle of Evo consulting talent has been built slowly and personally by Amy through networking and word of mouth. Prior to founding Evo Communications in 2017, Amy spent more than 20 years in agency and corporate communications leadership roles at Kohler, Target and United Health Group. Amy earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has a Master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Michael Walsh, ABC, APR
Michael is the owner of Michael Walsh Communications, a public relations and strategic communications consulting firm. With more than 25 years of professional communications experience, Michael was formerly vice president of Corporate Communications for U.S. Bank. Prior to that, he held leadership roles in PR and communications for Capella Education Company and the Wilder Foundation. Michael holds a master’s degree in business communications, as well as a bachelor’s degree in print journalism, from the University of St. Thomas. He has accreditations from both IABC and PRSA.

Candee Wolf, APR
Candee Wolf, APR, founded Wolf Olson Communications to meet the growing need for strategic integrated communications. She has more than 20 years of experience working with global and national organizations including UnitedHealth Group, Cargill, Affinity Plus Credit Union, American Dental Partners, North Memorial Health and CentraCare. She holds a master’s in communications, a bachelor’s in psychology and is Accredited in Public Relations (APR). Candee currently serves as Ethics Officer for Minnesota PRSA and served as Chapter President in 2010.