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About IABC

IABC Atlanta is the premier professional communications association that provides professional development, networking and best practices specifically for a broad range of communication professionals at all career levels. With membership across internal, external, executive, marketing and PR sectors, the association provides unique networking events and learning opportunities for communication professionals to advance their careers and build meaningful connections within the Atlanta community.

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, IABC is a non-profit organization that advocates for best practices that enhance economic, personal and professional well-being; celebrates innovative communicators as leaders within their companies and fosters educational networking opportunities.

IABC Atlanta

IABC Atlanta is a local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. We represent approximately 300 professional communicators in the metropolitan Atlanta area and reach over a thousand unique marketing, PR, and communications professionals each month through our meetings, social channels, and digital broadcasts. Our members include professionals working at Fortune 500 companies, communication agencies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, as well as independent writers, freelancers, and consultants. People at all stages of professional development are active with IABC Atlanta, but a significant percentage is at manager level or above. All have a commitment to continue professional development and a desire to network with other communicators.

IABC Atlanta helps create great communicators who can create business success. Our members and participants are empowered to drive their company’s success through communications so Atlanta prospers economically and culturally across multiple disciplines.

Meet the Board
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President

Chrystal Neely

As president, Chrystal leads board planning and meetings, sets expectations of other board members, oversees board activities, keeps board members informed and provides resources, recruits volunteers and identifies and creates development opportunities for board members. She’s been an IABC member since 2017. Previously, she served as Vice President, Professional Development, where she led the team responsible for planning virtual, hybrid, and in-person events to connect members and enhance their professional capabilities. Chrystal is a Communications Business Strategist for Target. In this role, she manages relationships and drives integrated communications plans for Client Service aligned with the corporate objectives, goals, and priority initiatives. Chrystal is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is an award-winning communications professional who has served on the International Association of Business Communicators Grant Selection Task Force and was a 2020 Inspire Atlanta Leadership Program member. Chrystal has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina-Columbia and an MBA from Brenau University.

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VP Awards and Amusements

Eric Berrios

Eric Berrios is an independent brand strategist with over 25 years of integrated marketing experience in B2B, spanning brand approach all the way through to marketing activation and sales effectiveness. Eric had worked in agency life for most of his career as head of client services for a range of clients and businesses before splintering off in 2019. Now, he works as a fractional CMO for a limited number of clients while supporting a small boutique agency as in-house strategist and advisor.

An avid environmentalist and supporter of causes, Eric treats work as his practical means to fund his gardening habits. As a board member of IABC, Eric has served and managed Professional Recognition for a decade promoting the Golden Flames Awards.

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Vice President, Communications

Delitha L. Morrow Coles

In this role, Delitha will lead the committee responsible for building awareness of IABC Atlanta and the work it does to drive professional development and create networking opportunities for communicators on social media and other digital channels. Delitha is an award-winning, long-time member of IABC Atlanta and previously served as a member of the recognition, communications and membership committees. She also has served as VP, Public Relations, for the New Jersey chapter of IABC. Delitha is a communications, marketing and certified change management consultant in Metro Atlanta who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Spelman College and a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

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Chapter Administrator

Anne Melanson

Anne is a strategic marketing communications professional who leads high-profile projects, defines and implements communication strategy, and structures messages for traditional and digital channels that engage target audiences and prompt action. She provides leadership over marketing initiatives, coordinate team members, and communicate with senior leadership, executives, Board members, and the community.

Anne has conducted marketing communications engagements which span social media campaigns, the largest annual fundraiser for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and training and development sessions on project management for Fortune 500 clients.

The added value she brings to the table is her unique combination of strengths in writing, creating, and coordinating internal and external communications. She is an effective storyteller, adept at translating complex concepts into compelling messages. Anne can apply these skills to not only lead marketing, but also to enhance brand identity, drive outreach, and cultivate partner relationships.

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President Emeritus

Frank May

As a former president, Frank helps advise on board planning and meetings with other board members, keeps board members informed and provides resources, listens to member concerns, recruits volunteers and identifies and creates development opportunities for board members. He’s been an IABC member since 2018. Previously, he served as chair, Professional Development Committee, where he and the committee planned and executed virtual, hybrid and in-person events throughout 2022, which served to connect members and enhance their skills. He is an award-winning Internal Communications manager for Piedmont Healthcare, where he has worked since 2012. He has been instrumental in Piedmont’s employee communications regarding the pandemic, and he and his team at Piedmont earned IABC Atlanta Golden Flame Awards for Crisis Communications and Employee Engagement for their COVID-19 work in 2020-21.