Uncommon Journeys: Brooke Skinner Ricketts

Brooke Skinner Ricketts ’97 returns to campus to talk how she turned a BA in Politics and Art History from Simon’s Rock into a successful marketing career and became a highly sought-after brand strategist for some of the most exciting companies in the world, including Twitter and financial-technology start-up Avant.

Her talk, entitled “Selling Out Early: Lessons from a Career on the Implosion Team,” will discuss how she’s combined the values of her education, her own life experiences and her expertise in corporate marketing to effect social change within the corporate world.

“When I was asked to come speak, I imagined myself as a Rocker, and then I imagined how I would have reacted to someone like me coming to speak. I know I would have chuckled with my posse of ‘weird girls with short hair and glasses,’ as we called ourselves -- and said, ‘Man, what a sellout.’ But the truth is that Simon’s Rock set me up for an incredible journey.”

The event, which will be followed by a Q&A and a light reception, is free and open to the public. Reservations are recommended.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uncommon-journeys-brooke-skinner-ricketts-tickets-27581748753

Brooke Skinner Ricketts is a digital & communications strategy expert. She is passionate about ideas that move people on a mass scale and in a cross-cultural, cross-channel manner. She has launched brands, technology, products and creative campaigns around the world. A native of Louisville, KY she has lived in Chicago for 10+ years where she has worked most recently at FinTech startup, Avant and Twitter as head of brand strategy. Previous roles include Head of Brand Strategy at DigitasLBi Chicago & San Francisco and Global Strategic Planning Director on the SC Johnson account at FCB. She has taught courses and been a guest speaker at the Miami Ad School, the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College, Northwestern University, 4As Transformation and DMA2013. She has been honored as Crain’s 2016 #Tech50, Crain’s Chicago 40 Under 40, Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, White House LGBT Tech Summit Fellow, and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. She serves on the boards of SHE100, Housing Opportunities for Women and Cubs Charities.