Sharon is the founder and CEO of Bankable Marketing Strategies. With more than thirty years in marketing and sales management, Sharon has served in leadership positions with Fortune 500 companies, including Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM Corporation, and Ford Motor Company. She has also held positions in the public sector represented by the County of Wayne, with its county seat in Detroit, Michigan.

Serving as Director of Communications and Press Secretary, Sharon led a team of public information officers (PIOs) that developed and implemented countywide marketing programs and campaign strategies for the thirteenth largest county in the United States with nearly two million residents. Sharon has also consulted in education, arts and culture, and non-profit organizations.

With a commitment to creating engaging and impactful content that connects with target audiences and drives action, the Bankable Marketing team has a proven track record of increasing brand awareness, generating leads, and boosting sales for its clients. With a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a vision for growing and scaling the agency, Bankable is a sought-after, creative, and results-oriented marketing partner that exceeds client expectations.

Erica is a seasoned professional with two decades of expertise in marketing, branding, and communications. Serving as Senior VP, Marketing Communications, she plays a pivotal role in developing marketing strategies and crafting messaging that resonates with internal and external audiences. Known for her strategic vision, Erica has successfully navigated complex communication landscapes, ensuring that our client’s narrative aligns seamlessly with their objectives. She leads our team across diverse channels, ensuring cohesive and impactful messaging.

Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated leadership, steering successful campaigns and initiatives that elevate brand presence, including campaign management with the Ford Motor Company Fund in three primary areas: innovation and education, community development and American legacy, and auto-related safety education, developing several projects for the Ford Racing Team and serving as lead agency liaison on programs including the Grand Prix of Toronto, National Black MBA Convention, The Ford Motor Company Centennial Celebration, The Ford Motor Company GLOBE (Gay, Lesbian or Bi-Sexual Employees) Annual Big Bash Gala and the Congressional Black Caucus Convention.

With a proven track record of driving results, her ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives consistently sets her apart and drives business growth. Her innovative approach continues to shape and redefine industry standards. With a passion for clear, impactful communication, Erica remains dedicated to organizational success.

Eliot is an expert at the intersection of Digital Marketing and Hospitality. With a comprehensive understanding of the evolving digital landscape, he has seamlessly blended innovative marketing strategies with the unique demands of the hospitality industry, contributing to a distinguished career marked by success and impact managing events and campaigns for the University of Michigan, the Sickle Cell Disease Association, Detroit Chapter, and Neighborhood Services Organization (NCCS).

As the Director of Digital Marketing and Hospitality, Eliot spearheads initiatives that transcend traditional boundaries, leveraging cutting-edge digital marketing techniques to enhance our client’s brand presence.

With a career spanning over 15 years, he has honed expertise in crafting data-driven marketing campaigns, optimizing online presence, and driving customer engagement. Eliot has successfully navigated the nuances of the hospitality sector, bringing a creative, fresh, and dynamic approach to events that resonate with our clients and today’s ever-changing Hospitality industry.

A strategic thinker and results-driven leader, he continues to navigate the convergence of digital marketing and hospitality, driving brands toward new heights of innovation and customer engagement. Eliot remains committed to delivering exceptional value by staying ahead of industry trends and embracing the transformative power of digital marketing in the ever-evolving landscape of Marketing and Hospitality.

Galen T. Pauling has more than twenty years of product development, brand building, advertising, and product marketing experience. In those years, he won national awards such as American Corporate Identity’s “Design Excellent Award” for logo design. Galen has helped extend the brand identity of several educational organizations, including McCormick Theological Seminary, Concordia University, Starr Detroit Academy, and Plymouth Educational Center. Global brands such as Mercedes-Benz, McDonald’s, Hewlett-Packard, and the Detroit Tigers Baseball Team have had marketing tools developed and enhanced by Galen. For ten years, Galen worked in the development of a children’s brand named “Q.T.Pie.” He was responsible for the entire licensing program for the Q.T.Pie Brand under his management company, the SanPaul Group, LLC. He consulted with licensees in developing successful strategies for branding the company’s consumer products. Galen provided graphic design services for all promotional and published materials. He also successfully negotiated licensing agreements with Scholastic Inc., Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target Stores for the national distribution of his Pie Children’s Brand.