External Advisory Board

External Advisory Board

Alan Turner, Chair

Former Saluki and professional athlete transitioned to an accomplished leader with 15+ years of success as an executive responsible for building enterprise-level teams, driving P&Ls to large top and bottom-line gains, developing strategic partnerships, and optimizing service delivery at artificial intelligence, analytics, and SaaS companies such as Intel Corporation, McAfee, Prescient Edge, Searchmetrics, HRS Group, and currently Productsup. Alan has a strong entrepreneurial drive and extensive experience working in diverse environments from startups to Fortune 50 companies across NA, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regions and is driven by a fixed yet evolving set of core tenets that Alan believes facilitate success: Team/family, a customer first approach, strong leadership, experience with facing adversity, process discipline, and the ability to quickly adapt and learn.

Alan has developed an expertise within the software and hardware space as a systems integrator working in the private and public/federal sectors. Alan has worked at the forefront of artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud where it has been incorporated into business systems to create efficiencies, solve complex problems, develop risk mitigation strategies, advance research, and help businesses make the most of data.

 Desmond Walker, Vice Chair

Desmon Walker is the CEO and co-founder of Narratent, a dynamic, digital-first marketing agency built to amplify stories worth telling. A proud graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Desmon has carved a path that blends academic rigor with real-world practice. His career journey includes key roles at Comcast, Groupon, NP Digital, and G&S Business Communications, where he sharpened his expertise across both traditional and digital marketing landscapes.

Beyond business, Desmon is committed to sharing knowledge and experience. His position on the School of Management and Marketing External Advisory Board is a full circle opportunity to use both professional and entrepreneurial lessons to help shape the new experiences for Salukis inside and outside of the classroom.

Hannah Frisch, Secretary

Specializing in digital marketing, education, and community leadership, Hannah helps brands grow through strategies that blend creativity with data-driven results. As Co-President of AMA Saint Louis and Founder of Frisch Digital, she leads initiatives that connect, mentor, and inspire the next generation of marketers while building innovative campaigns for clients.

She also serves as Digital Marketing Manager at Ecolink and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Webster University, bridging industry insights with academic growth.

With experience spanning SEO, content, brand strategy, and community engagement, Hannah thrives on creating meaningful connections and driving impact for organizations that value purpose and growth.

Mariette Frey, Secretary-Elect

Mariette Frey is a seasoned sales leader with over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, holding client-facing and leadership roles at five Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, Mariette was the Southeast Healthcare Field Sales Manager for CDW, before stepping into her current role as the Director of Sales and Channel Partnerships at TMG Global. In this capacity, she drives growth through strategic partner engagement, innovative sales approaches, and operational excellence.

She is the host of two podcasts and an alumna of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations in 2000. She is proud to bring both her professional expertise and her Saluki roots to the SIU School of Management and Marketing External Advisory Board.

Yemi Akisanya

Yemi Akisanya is a purpose-driven executive and nationally recognized leader in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), with a bold vision for creating workplace cultures where everyone thrives. As Vice President of JEDI and People Experience at Axon, Yemi leads the global strategy to embed high performance and belonging into the fabric of the company, across people, practices, and products. His work ensures Axon remains at the forefront of innovation, not just in technology, but in culture.

Prior to Axon, Yemi served as Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Groupon, where he architected and executed a company-wide global DEI transformation. Before that, he launched and led the inaugural Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), driving measurable impact across the financial services industry.

Yemi brings both heart and strategy to every table he joins. He serves on the Boards of i.c.stars, digitalundivided, and the Chicago State University Foundation, championing economic empowerment, workforce development, and access to sustainable opportunities.

A sought-after speaker, advisor, and advocate, Yemi’s influence spans boardrooms, classrooms, and global stages—including Kellog School of Management, Northwestern University, Grace Hopper Celebration, AfroTech and beyond. He holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Southern Illinois University.

William Davis

Illinois Region President, Deaconess Illinois Chief Administrative Officer, Deaconess Illinois Crossroads and Deaconess Illinois Medical Center

 William Davis is the Illinois Region President for Deaconess Illinois and serves as Chief Administrative Officer of Deaconess Illinois Crossroads in Mt. Vernon, IL, and Chief Administrative Officer at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion, IL, with more than 16 years of executive leadership experience in Southern Illinois. As Illinois Region President, Will oversees operations in the Illinois market and organizational planning for the Illinois facilities, which include Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion, Deaconess Illinois Crossroads in Mt. Vernon, Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital in Anna, and Red Bud Regional Hospital in Red Bud. He also directs and coordinates operations and strategic planning in support of the mission and vision of Deaconess.

William Davis has been nationally recognized as a “Rural Hospital CEO to Know,” a “Black Healthcare Leader to Know,” and a “Rising Stars: 104 Healthcare Leaders to Know” by the prestigious Becker’s Hospital Review. In 2023, William was voted “Best Local President/CEO" and Deaconess Illinois Crossroads was voted “Best Place to Work” in the Southern Illinoian Readers' Choice Awards edition. He was also previously listed in the “20 Under 40 Leaders” by the Southern Illinois Business Journal for making a difference as a young leader in the region while serving as Associate CEO of Heartland Regional Medical Center.

In addition to his roles at the hospitals, Will is known for giving back to the region through civic organizations; he currently serves on Rend Lake College Foundation Board where he recently received the prestigious Presidents Award acknowledging his outstanding efforts in services. Additional civic services include the Illinois Hospital Association Board of Directors, Hospice of Southern Illinois Inc. Board of Directors, Jefferson County Economic Development Board of Directors, American Red Cross of Illinois Advisory Board, Illinois Rural Hospital Steering Committee, CEO Program Board, Co-chair the ICAHN Issues Committee, and is a member of the ACHE.

Will has earned a Negotiation Mastery Certification from Harvard University, a Lean Six Sigma Certification from Villanova University, his Master of Business Administration degree from McKendree University, and his Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Will is originally from Washington, D.C. and has lived in Southern Illinois for over 30 years. He and his wife, Brandee, have a 14-year-old son and twin toddlers - a boy and a girl. Their family enjoys playing games together as well as traveling. Will has a strong faith in God and believes, “Life is what you make it, so make it a great one."

Jodi Golden

Jodi Golden is the Director of Business Coordination at Egis, a global engineering and consulting firm with more than 20,000 employees worldwide and $3 billion in annual revenue. In this role, she leads the Business Development Team and supports local governments in securing federal and state infrastructure funding.

Prior to joining Egis, Jodi served as Indiana’s State Infrastructure Administrator under Governor Eric Holcomb and as Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. She has also held multiple executive leadership positions within state government, including Executive Director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), Executive Director of the Illinois Capital Development Board, and leadership roles with the Indiana Education Savings Authority and the CollegeChoice 529 Plan.

Beyond her professional career, Jodi is actively engaged in community and leadership organizations. She has served on the SIU College of Business Dean’s External Advisory Board, the SIU MPA Advisory Board, the Board of FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic, and the Board of the Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence. She is also the former President of the Kennedy-King Neighborhood Association and contributed to the Super Bowl XLVI Indianapolis Host Committees.

Jodi holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Master’s in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University—Carbondale.

Erin Kopec

Erin Kopec serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing at HireLevel, where she leads the company’s brand strategy, marketing initiatives, and client engagement efforts. A 2008 graduate of Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, she brings nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and business development.

Since joining HireLevel in 2011, Erin has played a key role in driving the company’s growth through sales and marketing strategies and award-winning brand development. She currently oversees all aspects of sales and marketing, including lead generation, client retention, and customer experience, ensuring alignment with HireLevel’s mission of putting people first.

Beyond her role at HireLevel, Erin is deeply committed to community and professional development. She has been an active member of Rotary for 12 years and currently serves as President of the Heartland Rotary Club of Williamson County. She is also involved with the St. Louis chapter of the American Marketing Association, where she stays connected to industry trends and thought leadership.

She still lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and son and enjoys traveling with her family and friends.

Aaron Melvin

Aaron Melvin is a 2004 Graduate of the SIU College of Business: graduating with Honors.  He currently resides in Energy Illinois with his wife of nearly 20 years Emily, and his two kids-Jayne and Henry.  He entered the beverage industry in 2009 and has been with the Coca Cola bottling system since 2013.

Aaron’s experience in beverages includes distribution, inventory control, operational and sales management, and developing the talent within those capacities to success.

He currently is a District Sales Manager for Heartland Coca Cola and supervises a team that services a large section of the Southern Illinois Geography. 

Outside of work Aaron has been a long-time wrestling coach, enjoys a good book and spending time with his family.

Malia Nix, LMSW

Executive Director | Trauma Resilience Trainer

Malia is a mission-driven leader with a distinguished career spanning the nonprofit, government, corporate, and education sectors. She brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, mental health advocacy, and community engagement expertise, shaped by a deep-rooted commitment to public service and veteran support.

Malia serves as Executive Director of This Able Veteran, founded in Carbondale this nonprofit trains service dogs for veterans with PTSD. She spearheads strategic programming, cultivates community partnerships, and provides direct guidance to program participants and alumni—maintaining sustained engagement with program participants.

Her work is deeply personal—Malia comes from a multi-generational military family—giving her an authentic connection to the populations she serves.

Her professional journey also includes a transformative role with the Dallas Independent School District in Dallas, Tx, where she spearheaded the adoption of a volunteer management platform. Under her leadership, active participation skyrocketed from 8,000 to over 27,000 volunteers in just one year—highlighting her strategic acumen and capacity to mobilize and sustain community engagement.

Her professional background also includes experience in the corporate world, enhancing her cross-sector perspective and strategic approach to leadership. Malia’s career is anchored by her unwavering belief in the power of service, resilience, and the positive influence of engaged communities.

Malia holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Baylor University and a Master of Social Work from East Texas A&M University.

Jené Pulliam

Jené Pulliam is Vice President – Internal Audit and has oversight of the Internal Audit Department for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Companies.

She began her State Farm career in 2007 and served in various analyst, supervisory, management, and executive roles within Financial Shared Services, Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management and Financial Reporting & Analysis. She was selected as a Leadership Enterprise Development Associate (LEDA) in July 2023. In October of 2024, she assumed her current role and has oversight of the Internal Audit department.

Jené graduated from Southern Illinois University (SIU) with her Bachelor of Science in Finance (2007) and Accounting (2019). Additionally, she holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designations. In May 2024 she earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The Ohio State University.

Joe Szynkowski

Joe Szynkowski is the founder of The UpWrite Group, a branding and communications firm that helps executives and companies elevate their visibility. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2005 with a degree in journalism and has worked with startups, midsize businesses, and Fortune 500 companies across the U.S.

In 2024, he launched The UnderDawg, an independent SIU sports outlet aimed at closing the local coverage gap. Joe also speaks regularly on personal branding and thought leadership, helping professionals tell their stories with clarity and impact.