Barbara O’Brien Brown, Principal and Co-owner barbb@brownflynn.com
Since co-founding the firm in 1996, BrownFlynn’s clients have benefited from Barb’s focus on helping companies “do good and do well.” In addition to providing strategic consultation, marketing communications planning, employee communications solutions or interactive media oversight, Barb is a practiced communicator in the language of the Global Reporting Initiative’s standards who helps clients report on their ethical and environmental impact. This means staying abreast of social responsibility and sustainability trends as they pertain to a company’s core competencies, ethical values, and revenue goals. In all of these skills, excellence in verbal and written communication has been the driving force behind Barb’s individual success and the success of BrownFlynn.
Barb draws on experience gained during her tenure with Margie Flynn as co-vice presidents and managers of National City Corporation’s corporate communications department. Previously, she was a marketing manager for a multi-million dollar real estate developer and an account executive for an advertising firm outside Chicago.
Community Engagement
- International Association of Business Communicators
- We-Inc., National Community Engagement Advisor
- Global Reporting Initiative, Organizational Stakeholder
- John Carroll University Entrepreneurs Association, Vice Chair
- ParkWorks, Board of Trustees and Chairman of its Committee on Trustees
- Jumpstart, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee and Communications Chair
- Susan G. Komen Foundation, Northeast Ohio Affiliate Corporate Advisory Committee
- Business as an Agent of World Benefit, Ambassador
- American Society of Association Executives, 2008 Summit Leader
Honors
- Inside Business Cleveland Chapter ATHENA Award finalist (2007)
- Northern Ohio Live Rainmaker Award recipient (2006)
- Selected as John Carroll University’s alumnae “making a difference” in the community (2002)
Margaret Pigott Flynn, Principal and Co-owner margief@brownflynn.com
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Margie shares her deeply ingrained passion for the community and belief in “doing well by doing good” as principal and co-owner of BrownFlynn. Margie speaks the language of bottom-line impact and has been instrumental in creating communications strategies to accomplish a variety of objectives for corporations and organizations. She is adept in finding efficient and effective ways to establish, improve and solidify relationships with key stakeholders.
Margie’s strong commitment to ethical business practices and eye on global impact also make her a dynamic speaker and trusted advisor for clients who seek to improve their business practices while catalyzing positive change. She approaches all obstacles with unfailing optimism, pragmatism and a willingness to listen, which has led her to mastermind creative cause-marketing alliances, long-term strategic communication solutions and valuable community relationships for clients.
Before 1996, Margie spent more than a decade with National City Corporation where she served as co-vice president and manager of National City Corporation’s corporate communications department with Barb Brown. Prior to that, Margie managed marketing and advertising for an insurance brokerage firm.
Community Engagement
- Leadership Cleveland, 2004, Graduate and President
- We-Inc., National Community Engagement Advisor
- In Counsel With Women, Member
- Shoes & Clothes for Kids, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee and Communications Committee Chair
- American Red Cross Blood Services, Board, Member of the Donor Recruitment and Nominating Committees
- Cleveland Foodbank, Marketing Committee
- The Center for Families and Children, Community Advisory Board Member
- Corporate Sustainability Network (formerly Sustainable Cleveland), Steering Committee Member
- Beaumont School’s Alumni Association, Member
- University Circle, Inc., Joseph D. Pigott Leadership Award selection committee
- Public Relations Society of America’s, Counselor’s Academy
- St. Paschal Baylon Church, Eucharistic minister
Honors
- Inside Business Cleveland Chapter ATHENA Award finalist (2007)
- Northern Ohio Live Rainmaker Award recipient (2006)
- Sales & Marketing Executives of Cleveland, Distinguished Marketing and Sales Award (2005)
- Beaumont School, Distinguished Alumnae (2002)
Emily Baunach, LEED® AP, Associate Consultant emilyb@brownflynn.com
Emily’s passion for environmental science and social justice are evident from both her academic and occupational background, which have given her a unique ability to communicate fluently in the languages of both natural and social sciences. She helps clients find and understand sustainable business practices and is able to translate the more technical aspects of those practices for internal or external company communications that avoid “greenwashing.” She also has experience with the stakeholder engagement planning and implementation that is vital to a successful sustainability program. Emily has a dual bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geology and Women's Studies, and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Environmental Studies. Prior to coming to BrownFlynn, Emily worked and volunteered for Vanderbilt University’s Women’s Center, where she held leadership positions in several campus efforts to combat violence against women. She is also working on publishing her first novella, which she finished last year.
Erin Henninger, Associate Consultant
erinh@brownflynn.com
Erin joined the BrownFlynn team in 2003 and has since developed a track record for success in conceptualizing creative, strategic and effective communications – from advertising concepts to taglines and print materials – for a variety of clients, including the Cuyahoga County Public Library System, National City and Lake Erie College. Clients benefit from Erin’s quest for clear, simple communication and her ability to stretch or shrink to different perspectives to understand the big picture and the individuals impacted by it. She has tackled many communications challenges, addressing a range of audiences from donors and shareholders to employees and consumers.
Community Engagement
- Cleveland Foodbank, Marketing Committee
- Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club, Philanthropy Committee
- Hands on Northeast Ohio, Board Member
Hallie Rich, Associate Consultant
hallier@brownflynn.com
With a background in regional government and non-profit work, Hallie carries with her a unique perspective on the community impact of social and environmental issues. At BrownFlynn, Hallie provides strategic communications and sustainability consultation to our for-profit and non-profit clients. Her broad knowledge of corporate responsibility and reporting trends allows Hallie to guide clients in the design and implementation of sustainability strategies tailored to fit their needs. Currently attending the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Business, Hallie is passionate about strengthening the link between business and world benefit.
Community Engagement
- Shoes & Clothes for Kids, Associate Board, Co-chair
Khaled Salehi, Senior Consultant
khaled@brownflynn.com
Khaled draws upon his 10 years of experience to create vision, identify opportunities and build organizational value for a wide range of public and private entities. His expertise includes stakeholder and community engagement, message development and strategic communication, and research design and analysis. He also specializes in government relations, coalition building, grassroots/grasstops organizing, advocacy, and managing political and issue campaigns. At BrownFlynn, Khaled provides strategic advice and tactical execution to clients to forge solid stakeholder relationships. These relationships establish necessary support for long-range objectives that lead to growth, stability and success. By shaping the framework for companies to develop and implement socially and environmentally responsible programs, his work also focuses on reporting those initiatives to create economic and social value and a sustained commitment to the community.
Christina (Tina) Tamburro, Associate Consultant
christinat@brownflynn.com
Having gained much of her knowledge about social responsibility and sustainability from her internship at BrownFlynn, Tina is keenly aware of how to shape key business strategies for companies and non-profit organizations into definitive bottom-line impacts. Her creative and disciplined ethic derives from strong communication and writing skills supplemented by experience working in the non-profit and civic sector. A dedication to lobbying and advocating for specific causes, both locally and nationally, supplies Tina with an unwavering edge to charge others to make a difference. This same passion drives her understanding of evolving market pressures and global trends on the current corporate landscape through extensive reading and research. Prior to joining BrownFlynn, Tina worked for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Chicago, Illinois, as creative consultant and retail associate for AnnTaylor in Chicago, Illinois and lobbyist for John Carroll University in Washington D.C. and Columbus, Ohio.
Community Engagement
- The City Club’s New Leaders Group, Member
- MedWish International, Volunteer
Melissa Wicinski, Senior Consultant
melissaw@brownflynn.com
Melissa has been an enthusiastic member of the BrownFlynn team since its inception in 1996, when she became the Firm’s first full-time staffer. In her more than a decade of service to the Firm, Melissa has played an integral role in crafting BrownFlynn’s strategic direction, leveraging the Firm’s impact across the community and developing the Firm’s brand enhancement practice area. Specifically, she has implemented many of the firm’s award-winning marketing and communications programs and branding campaigns. With creativity and innovative thinking, she has tackled a wide range of complex communications challenges, including employee and shareholder initiatives, donor communications, video production, event planning and strategic message development. Previous work experience includes an extensive internship with a large financial institution where she managed marketing projects and coordinated media communications. In addition, she worked for community and daily newspapers, gaining experience in editorial, advertising and sales positions.
Community Engagement
- Cleveland Bridge Builders, Class 2007, Member
Anita Zak, Controller
anitaz@brownflynn.com
With nearly 20 years office management and accounting experience, Anita’s priority is to keep the BrownFlynn account service teams running smoothly. Organized and efficient, she manages the Firm’s account payables and receivables, information systems and benefits. In addition, she enhances the Firm’s client service through prompt handling of client inquiries and efficient management of vendor relationships. Describing herself as the “behind-the-scenes” person, Anita finds satisfaction in supporting her co-workers in every way “so they can concentrate on giving the best service possible to their clients.” Before joining BrownFlynn, Anita worked for 15 years at an international sports marketing firm, where she was responsible for ensuring timely payments for her clients as well as for her employer.
Community Engagement
- Mayfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Cleveland Chapter, Board Member
- Cain Park, Volunteer
Charles Berry, Senior Advisor
In addition to serving as chief operating officer of OneCommunity, Charles Berry serves as a senior advisor to BrownFlynn and is involved in supporting the Firm’s client and marketing initiatives. Charles’ strong track record in obtaining Board level and C-suite buy-in for strategic initiatives has characterized his career of identifying and implementing strategies and solutions that achieve success. His formula involves a demonstrated ability to communicate, motivate, mentor, manage and empower talented people throughout organizations to perform to their highest ability. Charles brings over 16 years national and international experience in marketing, corporate restructuring, program design/implementation, change management, business process alignment, and merger/acquisition (M&A) integration management to BrownFlynn’s clients. Before joining BrownFlynn Charles worked as a Senior M&A consultant for Acloché Accounting, Director of Operations and M&A for Saber Software, and numerous senior-level posts in operations, marketing and program development at Analysts International.
Ms. Carol Caruso
Vice President, Government Advocacy
Greater Cleveland Partnership
Mr. Paul Clark
President, Northern Ohio
National City Corporation
Ms. Polly Clemo
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
The Benjamin Rose Institute
Ms. Leslie Dunn
Private Investor & Civic Leader
Retired Senior Vice President, Cole National Corporation
Retired Partner, Jones Day
Mr. Randell (Randy) McShepard
Vice President, Public Affairs
RPM, Inc.
Ms. Joan K. Shafran
Executive Managing Partner
The Berimore Company