IGNITE! 2025 Session: B2B Panel – 10:45-11:45 Friday, September 26 upstairs at Cintas Center
Storytelling in the Age of AI: Making Prospecting & the Pipeline Personal
In an era where inboxes overflow and algorithms dominate first impressions, the human story still cuts through the noise. This panel brings together experts in storytelling, branding, social selling, and innovation to explore how AI can amplify, not replace, the personal touch in prospecting and pipeline development.
With perspectives ranging from hands-on practitioners to academic researchers, panelists will share real-world experiences on what works (and what doesn’t) when technology meets authenticity. Expect an honest, no-fluff conversation about how to craft stories that resonate, how to scale personalization without losing humanity, and how to transform AI-driven insights into genuine connections that move business forward.
Attendees will leave with practical tools, fresh perspectives, and inspiration to make their own customer and prospect experiences more meaningful and more effective in a world where AI is everywhere but authenticity is everything.
Attendees will leave with:
✅ Practical tools
✅ Fresh perspectives
✅ Inspiration
Perfect For:
Professionals working for or serving B2B organizations. From sales, insights, and marketing pros to business owners and SaaS firms, if your customers are businesses (and the humans who make them tick), this is your session!
PANELISTS
Lauren Dennison
Director, Digital Marketing Growth, Paychex (Paycor)
I am a dynamic and results-driven senior marketing professional with a proven track record in demand generation, abm and inbound lead strategies. I have over thirteen years of experience leading teams and delivering compelling, integrated marketing campaigns that increase awareness, drive leads, and grow company revenue. I’m driven by data, fueled by innovation, and passionate about solving complex company challenges to drive measurable results. Beyond the metrics, I’m committed to empowering families in the autism community and serve on the board for Autism Connections. I bring a data-backed approach to demand generation to drive to every project. Let’s build something extraordinary. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn.
Dr. Roseann Hassey
Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Cincinnati
Dr. Roseann V. Hassey (roseann.hassey@uc.edu) is a Strategic Marketing expert and personal branding advocate with 25+ years of experience shaping world-class brands at Procter & Gamble and Reebok. As a Marketing professor at the University of Cincinnati, she empowers students—especially UC athletes—to develop authentic, influential personal brands that extend beyond the classroom and into their careers and communities. Roseann is widely recognized for her excellence in teaching, mentorship, and community building—honored by students, peers, and administration alike—and serves on numerous university and nonprofit boards. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Marketing from UC, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a B.A. in Economics from Duke University. A dedicated mentor and storyteller, she helps tomorrow’s leaders articulate their values, purpose, and voice. Roseann lives in Over-the-Rhine with her husband Kevin and enjoys running, cooking, reading, and cheering on Duke basketball—while always championing the Bearcat spirit..Connect with Roseann on LinkedIn.
Joseph Lewin
Head of Podcast Strategy, Scrappy ABM and Founder, Sell Through Social
Most people think B2B marketing is about driving leads. But that positions you as a commodity and drives down your price. Great B2B marketing builds trust in the market as an individual and as a brand. As my friend Bob Burg says, “All things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust.” But how do you build trust? Is it with more generic outreach? Bragadocious marketing? AI comments? No! You build trust by having meaningful conversations with the right people. You build trust by giving more in value than you take in payment. (Thanks again, Bob!) You build trust by helping people overcome painful problems. Why am I saying all of this? I’ll tell you. You can build trust and authority ridiculously fast by creating content WITH the people you want to know. Then sprinkle in content that illustrates your competence by solving painful problems. Don’t know how to create content that starts conversations and builds authority? That’s what I’m here for. Connect with Joseph on LinkedIn.
MODERATOR
Cortlan Booker
Sales Manager, Spectrum Reach
Cortlan Booker is an accomplished digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience implementing effective strategies for clients across a wide range of industries. As an Advertising Sales Manager for Spectrum Reach, he has built a proven track record of delivering measurable results through a thoughtful, strategic approach to marketing and advertising. Cortlan is the author of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Modern Marketer, a book that explores the intersection of AI and marketing strategy, helping organizations understand how emerging technologies can transform communication. His impact extends beyond the workplace, as recognized by the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 award and the Urban League Young Professionals’ Affirmed Award. He has also served organizations such as the American Marketing Association, the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and Guiding Light Mentoring.
Originally from California, Cortlan earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University and now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. Outside of his professional and volunteer work, he enjoys sports, music, and film—drawing inspiration from teamwork, creativity, and storytelling. Connect with Cortlan on LinkedIn.
SPONSORSHIP/PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
LEVERAGE OUR PLATFORM
We have Ignite Sponsorships and other Chapter Partnership opportunities (both cash and in-kind) available! To support our nonprofit volunteer effort and collaborate with us to create the ideal value exchange, contact partnerships@amacincinnati.org!
