Platforming Purpose: How to Craft Equitable and Inclusive Content that Celebrates Your Brand Values

Daniel currently serves as Head of Communications for BrightDrop, a start-up created by General Motors with a portfolio of products and software designed to decarbonize last-mile deliveries and reduce congestion. He oversees a team focused on both internal and external communications for the business. Before this role, he was the Global Innovation & Growth Communications Lead at General Motors. In this role, he led the communications team focused on GM’s Global Innovation incubator that creates new start-ups for the company and GM’s Global Connected Services that integrates Apple, Google, and Amazon products into vehicles. He previously served as Head of State Policy Communications at Facebook where he led the policy communications strategy across all 50 states and served as a spokesperson for tech issues at all levels of the U.S. government, including the Administration, Congress, and State and Local governments. Before Facebook, he led East Communications at Lyft where he managed public relations firms in various markets – DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, and others – while overseeing the execution of national campaigns at the regional level. Prior to Lyft, Daniel spent time at Viacom Media Networks; worked at Edelman Public Relations; served in the Obama White House; worked at the National Governors Association; served in the Office of U.S. Representative Elijah E. Cummings; and interned for First Lady Michelle Obama.

Neil Bates is a Digital Content Manager at Nestlé. He is responsible for social media content and campaign strategy for the Nestlé master brand globally. Neil is passionate about driving content and campaign effectiveness through compelling digital storytelling anchored in audience insights and purpose. With over a decade spent in digital communications, Neil finds the most effective and authentic way to bring to life an organization's purpose, especially one as large as Nestlé, is through tangible representation of on-the-ground experiences. Currently based in Switzerland, Neil's career has been spent throughout Europe, including working in Spain, the Netherlands, and Finland across financial services, cultural heritage, tech, and energy. An audiophile and avid hiker, Neil can often be found at home listening to his vinyl collection or snowshoeing throughout the Swiss Alps.