Since small business CEOs wear a lot of hats from directing operations and overseeing accounting and finance to developing sales to marketing strategies, how should nonprofits engage CEOs in their cause? December's program will feature three recognized leaders from St. Louis's small business community in a panel discussion to provide their perspective on how nonprofits can communicate with the small to mid-sized CEO. Since a small business’ core competency may lie outside of community relations, the CEO panel will discuss what nonprofits can do to help them develop programs together.

Panelists:

• Cindy Brown, President, Shred-It
• Teresa Katubig, President and CEO, Extra Help, Inc.
• Jennah Purk, President and CEO, Purk & Associates, PC

If you have questions you would like the panel to address at the luncheon, please forward to Kate Howell at howellk@iistl.org or Leah Bernstein at Lbernstein@providentstl.org.

Nancy Tonkins joined Metro Theater Company as Marketing Director in February of 2007 with an extensive background in marketing, advertising, sales and management. As a key member of the leadership team, she helps create and implement marketing and public relations strategies as well as oversees the continued growth of local family performances, sales of touring performances, student matinees and education programs in local, regional and select national markets. 

After earning her BA in Art and Education from William Woods University, Nancy worked for Bradburn School Supply for more than 20 years, serving the educational community of St. Louis and the surrounding region. During that time she became the Director of Advertising. She later worked for NSI as an account coordinator facilitating a variety of marketing and advertising programs with regional and national advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies.

For fun, Nancy often plays golf or tennis. She served as past president of the St. Louis Business Women’s Golf Association and continues to enjoy the game. Art and animals are a big part of her life as well, and she often volunteers with both arts groups and animal rescues. At home two cats, Carly & Simon, romp around, entertain, and are often photographed and posted on Facebook.

“I came to a couple of CSPRC meetings and really enjoyed the format, the topics and especially the people,” she said. “I was hooked! And, I know that the exchanges in conversation as well as the interconnectivity in the non-profit arena will benefit our company. There is a really good comradeship within the CSPRC organization. It is my hope to both ‘be a sponge’ and learn what I can from others as well as share my knowledge and support to others. It is definitely a shared communion of gifted, experienced and knowledgeable people that makes for a great ‘think tank’ for my own work in public relations and beyond.”