One Duke, Many Voices,
Shared Purpose

Meeting the Moment—Together. 

Thank you to the more than 200 communicators, marketers, and public affairs professionals who joined us for the inaugural INSIGHTS Summit. It was a day dedicated to connection, collaboration, and inspiration across the Duke community. Special Thanks to our sponsor, Duke Health, for making this very special day possible. 

Trudy Stoudamire standing in the audience laughing with communicators during her talk
Trudy Sullivan Stoudamire,
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO)

The power of communication is realized when we come together to inform, inspire, and shape what comes next.

Frank TramblE, Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs

Highlights from the Day

Opening Fireside Chat: President Vince Price and VP Frank Tramble launched the summit with a candid conversation about the evolving role of communications and the power of telling Duke’s story with clarity and trust.

Blueprint Series: We heard rapid-fire talks from leaders and communicators across Duke, each offering fresh perspectives on strategy, leadership, and innovation:

  • Antwan Lofton, Duke Human Resources
  • Fedor Kossakovski, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
  • Kirsten Khire, Director, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
  • Beth Berg, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
  • Dave Hart, School of Medicine 
  • Stephanie Lopez, Duke Health
  • Julie Schoonmaker, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
  • Stephanie Worrell, Duke Health

Keynote Address: Dr. Aaron Dinin delivered an electric session on social media strategy—challenging us to think differently about how we build audiences, spark authentic engagement, and push Duke’s storytelling into new spaces.

Insights Awards: We closed the day by celebrating excellence across our community, with peers lifting up peers in recognition of extraordinary work.

Watch the Keynote Session

In a world of constant creation, attention spans are shorter than ever. So how do you make people care? Dr. Aaron Dinin, a professor in Duke University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship department, delivered this powerful keynote at the Communicator Insight Summit.

Dr. Aaron Dinin headshot

Dr. Aaron Dinin
Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University

Highlights of the creativity, campaigns, and storytelling produced by communicators in schools, departments, and units all across the university.

Duke leaders share their appreciation for the communicators who elevate stories, strengthen connections, and make the university’s mission visible every day.

Celebrate Our Awardees

Meet the winners of the first-ever INSIGHTS Awards, honoring excellence, ingenuity, and collaboration in communications across Duke.

The Emerging Communicator Award recognizes someone who has made a quick, meaningful impact through fresh ideas, strategic thinking, or early leadership. 

Winner:
Alainna Liloia
AI Communications Manager, Learning Innovation & Lifetime Education

Paul Grantham and Pamela Gibbs-Smith presenting the Emerging Communicator Award to Alainna Liloia on stage

The Institutional Impact Award honors long-standing service with deep commitment, continuity, and sustained excellence in advancing Duke’s communications mission.

Winner: 
Andrea Martin
Associate Dean for Digital and Brand Communications for the School of Medicine Strategic Communications Office

Paul Grantham and Pamela Gibbs-Smith presenting the Institutional Impact Award to Andrea Martin on stage

The Excellence in Digital Storytelling Award honors outstanding use of social media or digital platforms to engage, inform, or inspire audiences in innovative and effective ways.

Winners:
Connor Dunlap, Jeannie Naujeck, Maria Muniz, Valerie Marino
Duke Law Communications and Marketing

Paul Grantham and Pamela Gibbs-Smith presenting the Excellence in Digital Storytelling Award to Connor Dunlap, Jeannie Naujeck, Maria Muniz, and Valerie Marino on stage

The Strategic Ingenuity Award recognizes a creative campaign or communications project that achieved outsized results with limited resources. It celebrates smart strategy, clever execution, and adaptability.

Winner:
Jennifer Carpenter
Associate Director, Marketing, School of Medicine

Paul Grantham and Pamela Gibbs-Smith presenting the Strategic Ingenuity Award to Jennifer Carpenter on stage

The Cross-Campus Catalyst Award goes to someone who exemplifies collaboration across departments, units, or teams to drive forward integrated communications efforts and shared institutional goals.

Winner:
Denise Miner
Sr. Digital Analyst, Duke Health Marketing and Communications

Paul Grantham and Pamela Gibbs-Smith presenting the Cross-Campus Catalyst Award to Ashleigh Bunn on behalf of Denise Miner on stage
Ashleigh Bunn accepting on behalf of Denise Miner.

The Insight Vanguard Award is given to a standout communicator whose work best exemplifies the spirit of the Duke Insights community. 

Winner:
Stephanie Lopez
Director, Communications and Marketing, Duke Health

Paul Grantham and Pamela Gibbs-Smith presenting the Inishgt Vanguard Award to Stephanie Lopez on stage

The INSIGHTS Summit was a powerful milestone for communicators at Duke University. Bringing colleagues together across schools, departments, and disciplines fills me with gratitude—I’m inspired by all that we will continue to create, together.

Pamela Gibbs-Smith, AVP Operations and Strategy | Chief of Staff, Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs

See the Day in Photos

Explore our photo gallery capturing the people, energy, and moments that made the day unforgettable.

Frank Tramble and President Price sitting in chairs on stage in front of a projection of a fire place for a fireside chat
Paul Grantham and Pamela Gibbs-Smith presenting an award
Antwon Lofton standing at the podium holding a microphone and smiling
Kirsten Khire and Fedor Kossakovski present on stage in front of a projection of a news story about forest fires
Julie Schoonmaker, Stephanie Lopez, Beth Berg and Dave Hart stand on stage in front of a slide about partnering on Duke Research Saves Lives
Stephanie Worrell speaking on stage in front of a proejected quote, "AI isn't waiting for us. It's already rewriting the rules of communication."
Some attendees sit at round tables chatting will other stand a talk in the background
Five people from the Working@Duke team standing in front of the step and repeat
A group of six communicators standing in front of the step and repeat
Three communicators with refreshments talking in a group at the reception
Three communicators standing around the table at the reception
Two communicators standing near their table talking during a break at the summit
A group of 8 communicators standing in front of the step and repeat
A group of three people chat at the reception

See you next year! 

For more information about the INSIGHTS Summit, please contact Pamela Gibbs-Smith.