Photo by Pat O'Leary.
In 2025, the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication launched the Director's Advisory Council, a group of alumni, industry leaders and philanthropists willing to meet biannually to discuss the school's strategic plans.
Currently, the Council roster includes:
Elisia Cohen — Director, Hubbard School
Martin Brandt — CEO, TrueBrand
Lynn Casey — CEO (ret). Padilla
Jill Giefer — Head of Enterprise Research & Experience Measurement, Best Buy
Lili Hall — CEO, Knock
Kyndell Harkness — Head of Culture and Community, The Minnesota Star Tribune
Michael Hill — Editor (ret.), Washington Post
Lisa Hills — Executive Director, Minnesota Newspaper Association
John Himle — CEO, Himle LLC
Deborah Hopp — President, MSP/MSPC Communications
Stan E. Hubbard — CEO, Reelz/Hubbard
Joseph Johnston, Jr. — Director of Public Affairs, Hubbard Broadcasting
Josh Jones — Design Director, The Minnesota Star Tribune
Dave Lee — Retired, WCCO Radio
Chris Matt — Vice President of Marketing, UnitedHealthcare
David Mona — Chairman (ret), Weber Shandwick – Minneapolis
Jay Novak — Senior Vice President (ret), Aethlon Capital
Wendy Paulson — Executive Director, Minnesota Broadcasters Association
Jorg Pierach — Founder, Fast Horse
Marsha Pitts-Phillips — CEO & Founder, MRPP & Associates Communications
David Royle — Executive VP Programming and Production (ret), Smithsonian Channel
James Schweigert — President, Gro Alliance
Jennifer Schweigert — Owner, Schweigert Fitness, LLC
Jennifer Stoltenow — Senior Director, Global Brand Strategy, Creative & Design, Solventum
Kathy Tunheim — CEO & Principal Tunheim
K. (Vish) Viswanath Lee Kum Kee — Professor of Health Communication, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Ellen Wartella — Al Thani Professor of Communication (ret.), Northwestern University
There are many ways that Hubbard alumni can continue to engage in the work of the school: Join alumni engagement events planned by Hubbard's outreach centers; apply to participate in Hubbard's Alumni Mentoring Program and attend alumni mixer events. Find out more about how to connect with the Hubbard School.
In addition, the University’s College of Liberal Arts also offers several opportunities and resources for Hubbard alumni and other CLA alumni to connect with each other and the university.