Kate Kromann is the E-Communications Director for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. She came to the United Way in June 2007. As the first person in her position, Kroman has been able to develop and build an e-communications strategy for United Way. Previously, she worked as marketing director for an agency in Columbia, Mo. Kroman graduated magna cum laude from the school of journalism at the University of Missouri in 2005.

Kroman is involved with the St. Louis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is on the Bronze Quill committee for the International Association of Business Communicators in St. Louis and teaches preschool ballet at Covenant Theological Seminary, where her husband is a student. She also enjoys dancing, photography and being outdoors.

Brian Powell - Widget Realm

Brian Powell

Brian Powell is an internet entrepreneur and developer. Powell is the founder of Inset Solutions, a Web site solutions and development company based in St. Louis, Mo. Inset Solutions' portfolio includes work for such companies as Working Caregiver, RV Listings Online, and many more. Powell was graduated from the Olin Business School at Washington University in 2003 and was a member of the Theta Xi Fraternity. Other professional experience includes Competitive Intelligence Manager at Martiz, Inc.

Jay Byrne - v-Fluence Interactive Public Relations

Jay Byrne

Jay Byrne is president of v-Fluence Interactive Public Relations. He has 20 years of experience in public relations, campaign communications and government affairs. Byrne has held senior communications positions at the White House, U.S. State Department, Monsanto Company and for the City of Boston. He has directed communications and media relations for various U.S. political campaigns, global activist campaign responses and other international public relations initiatives.

Byrne's media relations and interactive campaigns have won numerous awards and recognitions including: B2B Magazine's top 10 corporate Web sites, Best Corporate Web Site from the Creativity in Public Relations Awards, and Reputation Management Magazine's "Netty" award for Best Public Affairs Web Site. An alumnus of Tufts University, Byrne has also completed post-graduate studies at George Washington and Iowa State Universities. He is a member of PRSA.

Les Landes - Landes & Associates (Moderator)

Les Landes is president of Landes & Associates, a consulting firm that provides services in the areas of planning, marketing and public relations, organizational communications, performance improvement systems, executive coaching, and meeting facilitation. The firm serves clients in various industries, as well as government and non-profit organizations. Landes has served in several leadership positions in the communications profession, including 1984 President of the Association for Multi-Image International (St. Louis Chapter); 1986 President of the Corporate Volunteer Council (St. Louis Chapter); 1995 President of the St. Louis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA); 2006 Board Director for the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). He is also a long-standing member of the Professional Advisory Board for the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication.