Brand Partners
Our brand and agency partners provide necessary project access and financial support to continue our mission of building the next generation of brand leaders. Many of our partners work with our Brand Communications students directly in classes, support brand challenge projects in our student-led agency, Cadency, host students on experiential career trips and participate in Clemson's brand-building networking and portfolio events. For more information on brand partner opportunities, please contact our Executive Director, Katie Hildebrand.
2025-2026 Brand Partners
Mentors
Currently: Chairman and Lead Owner at Greenville; President and Founder at Endeavor, and Co-Founder of The Erwin Center for Brand Communications
Role Description: Serves and connects the Upstate of South Carolina Triumph SC Professional Soccer League
Education: B.A., Political Science, Clemson University '79
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Currently: SVP, Executive leader in Marketing, Communications & Customer Experience, SAP
Role Description: Leads strategic initiatives with a cross-functional team to reemphasize customer experience.
Education: M.S., Industrial Engineering, Clemson University
MBA, Marketing & Finance Concentration, Robert Morris University
Executive MBA Program for Leadership, Harvard Business School
Currently: Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, McCann Worldgroup
Role Description: Delivers game-changing people and culture solutions that optimize business value and growth.
Education: M.S., Org. Development & Business Law, Fairleigh Dickinson University
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Currently: Founder & Chief Growth Partner of HMS Growth Partners
Role Description: Spearheads a team that partners with companies and leaders across industries.
Education: B.S., Marketing and Business Analysis, Baylor University '93
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Currently: Growth, Brand, and Customer Experience Transformation Consultant at Prophet
Role Description: Helps deliver growth strategies and results for businesses.
Education: B.S., Marketing, Clemson University '94
MBA, University of Florida '01
Currently: Global Consumer Goods Executive, CEO at Helen of Troy
Role Description: Leads multi-functional organizations to surpass business challenges and launches growth opportunities within strategies and innovation.
Education: B.A., Language and International Business, Clemson University '92
MBA, University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Currently: Chief Experience Officer at TIGER21
Role Description: Helps high-net-worth wealth creators to navigate challenges and provide opportunities for better investment, life and family atmospheres.
Education: B.S., Secondary Education and Teaching, Clemson University '89
M.A., English, Georgetown University
Currently: CEO of Bee's Knees Wellness, Strategic Advisor & Investor at Segmanta
Role Description: Guides Bee's Knees in its execution, helps grow the marketplace while delivering effective personalized experiences.
Education: B.S., Business Administration/Marketing, Clemson University '87
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Currently: ECD and EVP Creative
Role Description: Provides leadership within cross-functional teams and collaborates with clients.
Education: B.S., Accounting and Finance, Clemson University '02
MBA, Marketing, Purdue University '14
Currently: Executive Director, Customer Digital Experience at Chick-fil-A
Role Description: Bring strategic and creative initiatives to life in a digitally-fluent market strategy.
Education: B.S., Marketing/Entrepreneurship, Clemson University '99
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Currently: CMO of Smoothie King
Role Description: A confident leader in growing her team to deliver powerful sales and engagement levels.
Education: B.A., Liberal Arts, Clemson University '94
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Currently: CMO/CCO at Impossible Foods
Role Description: Creative vision to exceed expectations and strive to grow Impossible Foods into a household name.
Education: B.S., Marketing, Clemson University '91
Miami Ad School Atlanta at Portfolio Center, Copywriting '93
Currently: SVP of Global Marketing at ESL FACEIT Group, Podcast Host for The Marketing Marriage
Role Description: Pushing eSports growth in the community by conducting multiple marketing strategies and creative ideas.
Education: B.S., Corporate & Organizational Communication with Minor in Sports Management, Clemson University '02
MBA, Business Management & Marketing, Northwestern University '13
Currently: VP of Marketing & Communications at McLaren Automotive
Role Description: In charge of multiple initiatives and global strategies for the marketing team to increase McLaren sales.
Education: B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University '90
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Currently: VP of Client Services at The Brand Leader
Role Description: Focuses on planning and building brands strategically while collaborating and leading highly functional teams.
Education: B.S., Marketing, Clemson University '98
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Erwin Center for Brand Communications
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Erwin Center for Brand Communications | 130 Wilbur O. and Ann Powers Hall, Clemson, SC 29634
