Marketing Careers Panel Features Alumni
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The virtual panel “Marketing Careers in the Real World: Roles, Skills and Pathways” will take place at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in Violette Hall 1010.
The panel will feature Tara Bloch and Marco Ilardi, business administration alumni, and Dave Collett and Justin Gioia, communications alumni. The alumni have all succeeded in marketing and will come together to share their experiences and expertise with current students.
Bloch graduated from Truman in 2012 and currently works as the marketing director for Diode Dynamics, L.L.C., based out of St. Charles, Missouri. In previous years, Bloch had positions at Target, Truman and Financial Planners of Missouri, where she continued to enhance her marketing, advertising and promotional skills. Additional information about Bloch can be found on her LinkedIn profile.
Ilardi graduated from Truman in 1999 and currently serves as a managing partner for V2 Ventures, based out of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Before working at V2 Ventures, Ilardi worked for Adknowledge, Fox Interactive Media and Intermix Media in various presidential, marketing and strategic positions. Additional information about Ilardi can be found on his LinkedIn profile.
Collett graduated from Truman in 1996 and is currently the executive vice president and global client leader of Weber Shandwick, based out of the greater St. Louis area. Between 1997 and 2004, he worked for Boeing as a communications specialist and Fleishman-Hillard as the vice president. While at Weber Shandwick, he also worked as an adjunct professor at Washington University in St. Louis from 2019-2025. Additional information about Collett can be found on his LinkedIn profile.
Gioia graduated from Truman in 1993 and currently works as the chief strategy officer and vice president of marketing for Jim’s Formal Wear, Inc., based out of Trenton, Illinois. Previously, he worked for J. Gioia Consulting, Scottrade, Spire, Monsanto, A.G. Edwards/Wachovia Securities, A.G. Edwards and Provident Counseling in various marketing, directorial and communications positions. Additional information about Gioia can be found on his LinkedIn profile.
The panel will feature Tara Bloch and Marco Ilardi, business administration alumni, and Dave Collett and Justin Gioia, communications alumni. The alumni have all succeeded in marketing and will come together to share their experiences and expertise with current students.
Bloch graduated from Truman in 2012 and currently works as the marketing director for Diode Dynamics, L.L.C., based out of St. Charles, Missouri. In previous years, Bloch had positions at Target, Truman and Financial Planners of Missouri, where she continued to enhance her marketing, advertising and promotional skills. Additional information about Bloch can be found on her LinkedIn profile.
Ilardi graduated from Truman in 1999 and currently serves as a managing partner for V2 Ventures, based out of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Before working at V2 Ventures, Ilardi worked for Adknowledge, Fox Interactive Media and Intermix Media in various presidential, marketing and strategic positions. Additional information about Ilardi can be found on his LinkedIn profile.
Collett graduated from Truman in 1996 and is currently the executive vice president and global client leader of Weber Shandwick, based out of the greater St. Louis area. Between 1997 and 2004, he worked for Boeing as a communications specialist and Fleishman-Hillard as the vice president. While at Weber Shandwick, he also worked as an adjunct professor at Washington University in St. Louis from 2019-2025. Additional information about Collett can be found on his LinkedIn profile.
Gioia graduated from Truman in 1993 and currently works as the chief strategy officer and vice president of marketing for Jim’s Formal Wear, Inc., based out of Trenton, Illinois. Previously, he worked for J. Gioia Consulting, Scottrade, Spire, Monsanto, A.G. Edwards/Wachovia Securities, A.G. Edwards and Provident Counseling in various marketing, directorial and communications positions. Additional information about Gioia can be found on his LinkedIn profile.
