The Best Practice Forums are a new series of workshops from SBN and Forsei Consulting that will use member case studies to create meaningful opportunities to learn, connect, and build a better business. In these interactive sessions, presenters will share the “behind the scenes” story of their business – including successes, challenges, and failures – and then outline the practices that enabled them to overcome obstacles.
This debut program will showcase Message Agency, a full service interactive studio based in Philadelphia that works exclusively with nonprofits and sustainable businesses. Marcus Iannozzi, Founder, Principal, and Creative Director, will discuss how the company made diversity and inclusion part of the day-to-day management of their business and how it has affected the triple bottom line. Members of an expert panel (please see below) will ask questions to open up the conversation, and the audience will also have the opportunity to pose questions.
Continental breakfast will be served.
Our Presenter and Panelists:
Marcus Iannozzi, Founder and Principal of Message Agency, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and has more than 20 years of experience implementing communication and marketing strategies for the public and nonprofit sectors. Entrepreneurial in spirit, but a poet at heart, Marcus firmly believes that business can be done differently. He has grown Message Agency from a solo practice to a thriving social enterprise with the sole mission of providing nonprofits, universities, foundations, and governments with the tools and resources they need to impact the greater good.
Marc Coleman is the founder, chief executive officer, and president of The Tactile Group. A highly motivated serial entrepreneur, he has more than two decades of experience in creative direction, design, business management, and client relations.
Marc is an innovative leader who knows the power of teamwork. He inspires collaboration by building widely diverse and effective teams of designers, programmers, and other IT-professionals to meet the specific needs of clients.. He is also the driving force in developing business relations and The Tactile Group’s artistic vision. As a Philadelphia native, Marc is passionate about his Tactile Group team and about inspiring and training Philadelphia youth as the future generation of technology leaders and innovators.
With a diverse staff of 16 in 2016, the firm’s mission states “Designed to give a damn, we actively seek work whose goal is to improve the quality of life for all people.” The company’s clients include the US Department of Education, the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport, PGW, the City of Boston, The University of Pennsylvania, small and medium size not-for-profits, and professional corporations including attorneys and architects.
Marc serves on the Boards of the Philadelphia Merchants Fund and the William Way LGBT Community Center. He is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Philadelphia African-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Independence Business Alliance. His is a certified Minority Business Enterprise via NMSDC, an 8(a) certified business through the US Small Business Administration, and an LGBT Business Enterprise as certified by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
Theresia Kody is a Business Service Representative at PA CareerLink® Philadelphia. PA CareerLink® Philadelphia focuses on bridging the gap between employers and job seekers at no cost to all parties involved. Services to employers include placement assistance, training reimbursements, and hiring initiatives. If you’re looking to diversify your workforce and build inclusivity, contact PA CareerLink® Philadelphia to help make this happen.
Tracy Levesque is Co-Owner & Co-Founder of YIKES, Inc., a Philadelphia web design and development shop located in the vibrant neighborhood of Fishtown. She is also a WordPress instructor for Girl Develop It Philly.
When not wrangling the business, Tracy drinks coffee, rides her bike, plays drums, chases her 9 year old daughter and takes pictures of abandoned buildings.
Many thanks to Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses for their support of this event.
Thank you also to our promotional partners:
- Climate Social, LLC
- Global Philadelphia
- Green Philly Blog
- Keep Philadelphia Beautiful
- My MilkCrate