2019 PALADIN AWARDS
Honoring Torod Neptune | Chief Communications Officer, Lenovo
The Paladin Awards is the PRSA Foundation’s signature event, with proceeds from the evening going to grants and scholarships designed to help jump-start the careers of promising students from diverse backgrounds, as well as to the mentoring and professional development for mid-level professionals.
Torod Neptune is VP Worldwide Communications and Chief Communications Officer for Lenovo, the world’s largest PC and tablet manufacturer and, through its ownership of Motorola, one of the world’s most iconic mobile brands. At Lenovo, he oversees worldwide corporate and product PR, social media, events & sponsorships, as well as internal & executive communications teams.
Before joining Lenovo, Neptune was Corporate Vice President of Corporate Communications for Verizon Inc. Previously, he was Chief Communications Strategist for the U.S. Congress, responsible for establishing the first post-September 11 and anthrax crisis communications functions for the U.S. House of Representatives. Preceding Capitol Hill, he was Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications with Bank of America Corp.
PRSA Foundation President Joe Cohen, APR, commented, “Torod is among the most respected and admired communications leaders in the profession and he stands apart for his commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion within our field. Throughout his career, Torod has leveraged his position to help engage and inspire others to embrace and promote D&I as a core business imperative while consistently looking to create opportunities for the future generations of diverse professionals.”
EVENT PROGRAM
Cocktail Hour
Introductory Remarks from Paladin Co-Chairs
Vickee Jordan Adams | SVP, Corporate Communications, Wells Fargo
Chris Kuechenmeister | SVP, Communications, PepsiCo
Opening Keynote
David Albritton | President, General Motors Defense
D&I Best Practices Presentation
Ramcess Jean-Louis | Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Verizon Media
Paladin Award Presentation to Lenovo CCO Torod Neptune
Joe Cohen | APR, PRSA Foundation President & CCO, AXIS
“Rising Stars” Panel
Moderator: Manuel Goncalves | Interim CCO, BNY Mellon
Cedric Brown | Digital Campaigns Strategist, Advancement Project
Imani Greene | Senior Communications Manager, LinkedIn
Natalie Godwin | Director of Global Corporate Communications, Hilton
Christina Tso Metz | Director, Corporate Communications, KPMG
Networking Mixer