Team Connect360

Meet the Connect360 Team

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Steve Edelman

Partner & President Mineola, NY

Steve Edelman is a Partner and President of Connect360. He is a leading expert on the measurement, valuation, and financial reporting of Public Service Announcements by not-for-profit organizations.  He is a CPA and has an extensive background in the application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to earned media valuations and in-kind donations nonprofits receive from broadcasting companies as part of their PSA campaigns.  He is the author of numerous articles on the subject and has serves as a resource to nonprofit CFOs, their CPA firms, and professional publications.

Steve’s career spans almost 40 years in senior financial positions at the NPD Group, Primedia, Disney, the Hearst Corporation, and WestGlen Communications. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New York State Society of CPAs where he serves on both of their not-for-profit committees.  He holds a MBA from New York University’s Stern Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College.  He began his career at Price WaterhouseCoopers.

Steve lives in Merrick, New York with his wife Sandy.  He loves playing fantasy baseball, golf, and chasing after his two energetic granddaughters.

O. 212-624-9181 | C. 516-639-0769 | E. [email protected]

Annette Minkalis is a partner and the Executive Vice President of Connect360 MultiMedia and is responsible for company sales.

For many decades Annette has been fortunate to live her passion which is helping organizations get the widest exposure for important “public service” messages, whether it’s cancer prevention tips, how to safely buy prescription medications online or providing services for our veterans.   Annette has always enjoyed talking to nonprofits, learning their mission and then taking that information to develop the best strategy for delivering maximum reach and results for their PSA campaign.

Throughout her career she has authored articles and spoken at seminars on the topic of public service announcements and their value to nonprofits.   Annette earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Annette lives in Lemont, IL, in what she likes to call a “sleepy” suburb in southwestern Chicago.    When she is not busy connecting with clients, Annette enjoys puttering in her garden and baking.

O. 212-624-9182 | C. 516-375-6723 | E. [email protected]

Annette Minkalis

Annette Minkalis

Partner & Executive Vice President
Mineola, NY
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Chris Cavello

Partner & Senior Vice President
Mineola, NY

Chris Cavello leads the digital and social media side of the Connect360.  Chris’ role is to stay on top of current trends in order to develop new, effective services for our clients.

Chris’s career in marketing and communications spans 20 years, with a focus on Internet and social media marketing over the last decade.  As one of the leaders in establishing the Internet as a viable tool for communications campaigns, Chris developed results-driven marketing campaigns and provided counsel, strategy, and ROI evaluation for corporations, national healthcare organizations, and a wide range of government agencies and non-profits. Chris frequently speaks at seminars across the country to media relations professionals, organizations and non-profits and has spearheaded interactive programs for such clients as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Heifer International, No Kid Hungry / Share Our Strength, The Toy Association and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Long Island University-Brooklyn.

O. 212-624-9183 | C. 347-280-6486 | E. [email protected]

Julie Ellman is a Partner and Senior Vice President at Connect360 Multimedia in the Bay Area office.  For over 25 years Julie has been a strategic media counselor for all types of nonprofits, associations, government organizations and PR/marketing firms.

In her role as senior advisor, Julie works closely with her clients to set the campaign strategy and collaborates with the Connect360 team to ensure KPIs are reached and success is delivered.

Under Julie’s stewardship her clients have experienced measurable results that have made a lasting impact such as increased brand awareness, upticks in website traffic, record-breaking campaign sign ups and more.  A client recently told Julie, “Our leadership is thrilled with the results of our PSA campaign.  It drove donations in certain areas where the PSA aired.  Your spot-on counsel made this a huge success.”

Over her extensive experience in cause-related media marketing, Julie has executed a variety of campaigns focusing on such topics as healthcare, youth, conservation, military/veterans, education, humanitarian and social justice issues.   One of Julie’s campaigns won a bronze Telly award.

Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a minor in psychology from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

Julie lives in the Bay Area with her two boys, husband and a very active puppy, Ella.  In her spare time, Julie enjoys listening to podcasts, hiking, reading, watching documentaries and whipping-up batches of her famous granola and chocolate chip cookies.

O. 650-579-7811 | C. 650-520-9413 | E. [email protected]

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Julie Ellman

Partner & Senior Vice President
San Francisco, CA
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Ivette Achong

Vice President
Mineola, NY

Ivette Achong leads Connect360’s public service division and is the company’s multicultural specialist. In these roles, Ivette provides clients with the strategic counsel and services that effectively connect them to their target audiences while generating maximum return on investment.

Ivette’s career in public relations spans over two decades with senior positions at numerous mainstream and multicultural agencies. During the past 15 years, Ivette has specialized in serving as a public service advertising strategist and team leader. In addition to running the daily operations of the PSA department, Ivette is a hands-on manager who works meticulously to strategize and execute public service campaigns so that these meet each client’s objectives and budgets. She has established a proven track record of success in garnering national exposure, as well as millions in donated media values and audience impressions, for dozens of nonprofit organizations such as Susan G. Komen, March of Dimes, Alcoholics Anonymous, Paralyzed Veterans of America and San Diego Zoo Global, among many others.

Additionally, Ivette’s multicultural marketing experience, diverse ethnic background and fluency in Spanish have helped her clients successfully reach the Hispanic market via culturally-oriented campaigns.

A native of the Big Apple and resident of Queens, Ivette holds dual degrees in journalism and sociology from New York University. When she’s not promoting important public service causes, Ivette spends time exploring the city, enjoying a variety of music and movies, and supporting the economy by shopping at her favorite stores.

O. 212-624-9186 | E. [email protected]

Holly Mulé is a Senior Campaign Specialist at Connect360 Multimedia and has nearly 10 years of experience in helping organizations connect with their target audience online. She applies her vast knowledge of the digital and social media world to develop result-driven online campaigns for Connect360 clients. Holly spearheads all aspects of digital campaigns, from client counsel and strategy, to implementation, monitoring and reporting. She also has extensive experience in developing online media assets such as infographics, digital website banners and landing pages.

Holly has garnered success for major nonprofit organizations, including the National Foundation For Credit Counseling (NFCC), Easter Seals, American Indian College Fund, Heifer International and the Will Rogers Institute. She attended East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, majoring in Media and Communications Technology. Holly currently resides in Queens, NY with her husband and son. When she’s not working on the latest C360 digital campaign, Holly enjoys music, wine, shopping, sunny days and relaxing with a good book.

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Holly Mulé

Senior Campaign Specialist
Mineola, NY
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Emely Lorenzini

Senior Campaign Specialist
Mineola, NY

Emely Lorenzini is responsible for planning design specs, HTML encoding, launching, tracking, and reporting of both digital and social media services. With over 15 years of experience, Emely has extensive knowledge in effectively executing online media assets including the development of web banners, landing pages, digital media rooms, and websites to support digital and social media campaigns. As Senior Campaign Specialist, Emely has successfully created dynamic campaigns for clients such as United States Air Force, COPD Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Paralyzed Veterans of America, San Diego Zoo Global and Genomic Health, Inc.

Emely enjoys constantly learning new things and has a great understanding of current and emerging platforms. With demonstrated, in-depth knowledge of website tools and management, she has built, revamped, and transferred web content to optimize websites for user friendly experiences.

Emely is a graduate of the New York Institute of Technology with a major in Advertising. A Queens native, Emely loves taking her dog on long walks, watching films, as well as dining out with friends and loved ones.

Shaliza Thomas has enjoyed over a decade of experience in the public service advertising and public relations industries. In her role as Campaign Specialist, she serves as the lead distribution contact for her clients and is responsible for all aspects of Connect 360’s PSA campaigns. This includes strategy and distribution counsel and implementation, design and development of campaign materials, selection of public service media targets, and management of all campaign logistics.

Shaliza also works to ensure her clients’ campaigns obtain maximum results and return on investment by conducting targeted media outreach with PSA gatekeepers across the country, and by managing ongoing PSA tracking and reporting. Through her multi-faceted campaign work, Shaliza generates widespread exposure and millions of PSA airings for a broad spectrum of nonprofit clients including Easter Seals, U.S. Air Force, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Prudential Foundation and many others.

Shaliza is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a major in Public Relations. When not working, she enjoys listening to Morrissey and The Cure, catching up on her Netflix queue and spending time with her family and friends.

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Shaliza Thomas

Campaign Specialist
Mineola, NY
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Toshamia Purran

Accountant
Mineola, NY

Toshamia Purran is the accountant at Connect360 Multimedia. She is responsible for the day to day accounting and financial reporting. Prior to joining Connect360, she worked at West Glen Communications for over 10 years. She has over 18 years of accounting experience. She started her career at a small CPA firm in Washington, DC, Bert Smith & Company. Toshamia holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Accounting from Lincoln University, PA.

Toshamia is a native of Washington, DC and enjoys returning home to visit family and friends. She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two children. When she is not working, Toshamia loves to chase her adorable kids around the playground!

Chelsea Olsen is Connect360’s Account Director and Senior Business Development Director.   She is responsible for managing client public service campaigns as well as spearheading the company’s new business development and marketing.

Chelsea believes in supporting important social causes.   She prides herself on really listening to the needs of each organization.  A cornerstone of her approach is to conduct a thorough review with a nonprofit to understand their objectives.  This helps her strategically recommend the best tactics to assure success.  Chelsea is well versed in traditional earned media as well as today’s newer options on digital and social media.

Chelsea graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Finance. She spent years working in banking and consulting for start up organizations until she found a new calling helping organizations and their causes.

Chelsea is a dedicated yogi, surfer and mother. She is passionate about nature, our oceans, protecting our climate, health and nutrition.

C. 516-655-0070 | E. [email protected]

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Chelsea Olsen

Senior Business Development Manager
Mineola, NY