Communication consulting team

Alison Davis
Founder and CEO

Alison sets the strategic direction for her firm, leads the development of new products and services, and provides senior counsel to clients such as BNY Mellon, ITT, Johnson & Johnson, MasterCard, Merck and PepsiCo.

She is co-author of the new book, The Definitive Guide to HR Communication (FT Press, 2011), and co-author of Your Attention, Please (Adams Business, 2006). Davis is a former online columnist for The New York Times and frequently writes articles for business publications, including The Conference Board Review, Communication World and PR Strategist.

A sought-after speaker on communication issues, Alison facilitates 10 to 15 speaking sessions per year for national organizations and associations. In 2009, she was rated a top speaker at the national Society for Human Resource Management Annual Conference.

Alison is a member of the Northeastern University Communication Program Global Advisory Panel, the International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Society of America and the Council of Communication Management. Alison earned her B.A. from Douglass College, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Matt Davis
Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer

Matt works closely with clients to provide consulting services on change communication, Internet and intranet strategies, publication management, research and measurement and using communication vehicles effectively. He also directs Davis & Company's internal systems, financial, web technology and creative services and is the firm's Human Resources Communication practice leader.

Matt has won numerous awards for his work and helped build the company's technology, graphics and web design groups. He has led successful communications projects for Janssen, Endo, Pfizer, Aetna, Johnson & Johnson, Georgia-Pacific, Prudential and many other top global organizations. His knowledge of messaging, web, corporate communication, strategic consulting and web technology provides a perspective that is unique to the industry.

Matt

David Pitre
VP, Consulting Services

David is a senior consultant and project resource for Davis & Company clients. His work in employee communication stretches from strategy to implementation and includes measurement, writing, information architecture, facilitation, training and multi-media delivery. He has developed and implemented annual communication plans, intranets, brand building programs, large change initiatives and HR programs (including compensation, benefits and pension) for many Fortune 500 companies. David is co-author of the company's latest book, How to conduct employee focus groups.

He has conducted workshops for the Canadian Pension and Benefit Institute and the Institute of Communications and Advertising. In 2008, Pitre chaired the Council of Communication Management's annual conference. Recent speaking engagements include: the Conference Board's Employee Communication and Measurement conference (New York and Chicago), and the IABC Heritage Region conference (Cleveland).

He holds a bachelor's degree in Instructional Media from Ryerson University (Toronto) and an MBA in design management from the University of Westminster (U.K.). Pitre is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Council of Communication Management.

David

Julie Weissbach
Project Director

As project director, Julie helps Davis & Company clients solve their employee communications challenges. Since joining the Client Services team in 2001, Julie has used her in-depth knowledge of design and technology to provide consulting and implementation support to a number of clients including Dow Corning, Lafarge and Merck. Julie has also participated in successful employee research, intranet and change management projects.

Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey and completed a Web Master Certificate Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Julie

Andrea Schulz
Project Director

As project director, Andrea provides consulting and implementation services to clients seeking solutions to their employee communications challenges. Since joining Davis & Company, she has worked with several of the firm's clients, including Janssen, Phillips-Van Heusen and International Flavors & Fragrances.

Andrea brings more than 15 years of experience in communications, human resources and project management. Most recently, she was director of corporate communications for AMRI (Albany Molecular Research, Inc.), an international pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing organization, where she was responsible for designing and implementing multiple strategic communications programs to support business activities, including global expansion, brand management, employee engagement and cross-cultural awareness, crisis communication, regulatory compliance and community relations. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from James Madison University.

Andrea

Chip Ambrogio
Project Director

As project director, Chip brings his various experiences in Human Resources communication and special projects, like health and wellness programs and employee engagement to the Davis & Company team. As a corporate scriptwriter, he has won several Telly awards for corporate video.

His resume includes time spent as editor and publisher of Commuter Monthly magazine and communication management and consulting positions at Sony Electronics, NJ Transit and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

As a former stand-up comedian and comedy writer, Chip has written for the Friars Club Annual Roasts and many of today's top performers. He has used that experience to add appropriate humor and some fun to corporate speeches, presentations and events.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire.

Chip

Caroline Hey
Project Director

Caroline leverages over 25 years of communications experience to craft world-class communication strategies and tools for her clients, including Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Hamilton Sundstrand. Prior to joining Davis and Company, Caroline developed and managed a wide range of communications initiatives for multinational and Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Sony, Ernst & Young, Benjamin Moore and Reckitt Benckiser.

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Northeastern University and is certified in Crisis Communications from the Institute for Crisis Management.

Caroline

Liz Leyland
Associate Project Director

Liz’s extensive background in marketing, internal communications and project management helps drive successful employee communication projects for Davis & Company clients such as Janssen, Merck and BASF.  Prior to joining Davis & Company, Liz was responsible for managing a Speaker Bureau program at a pharmaceutical marketing agency. Additionally, she worked for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, administrating projects for one of the university’s research centers.

In 2005, Liz was awarded a prestigious fellowship at Johnson & Johnson world headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J., in conjunction with Rutgers University.  In her work with the J&J Corporate Communications team, Liz assisted with the production of internal publications and helped promote the company’s partnership with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, as well as other philanthropic programs. She holds a master’s degree in Communication and Information Studies from Rutgers University.

Liz

Cheryl Ross
Associate Project Director

As a associate project director, Cheryl uses her expertise in writing, corporate communication and research to create clear employee messaging for clients such as International Fragrances and Flavors, Nextel International and Janssen. Prior to joining Davis & Company, Cheryl spent four years as a communication specialist for a N.J.-based insurance claims adjusting firm, where she honed her skills by writing internal newsletters, administrating employee intranet sites, crafting presentations, managing award programs and conducting internal surveys.

Cheryl holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and French Language from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park. She also holds a citation from the University's College Park Scholars in the Arts program.

Cheryl

Lily Murtagh
Project Specialist

Lily joined Davis & Company in 2010 as a summer intern, dividing her time between administrative and consulting service work. In her new role as project specialist, Lily supports client projects with research, writing and project management for companies that include Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Medical Optics and Sun Life Financial. Lily holds a bachelor's degree in Communication, Public Relations from Montclair State University.

Lily

Breana Van Rye
Project Specialist

Breana joined Davis & Company as a project specialist in October 2011. In this role, she provides writing and research support to clients, including NII Holdings, Rogers Communications, Wakefern Food Corporation and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Prior to joining, Breana worked as a corporate communications coordinator for Heineken USA, where she helped develop and deliver internal and external communication projects. During her time at Heineken USA, Breana published employee newsletters, coordinated employee engagement events and promoted climate awareness.

Breana holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and a master's degree in Public Relations from Iona College.

Breana