Before joining Halstead as president in 2002, Bill served for 18 years in a variety of capacities at Lehigh University. He helped position Lehigh as a top national research university and intellectual driver of regional economic development. He worked with three presidents, raising their profiles in the national media and higher education circles, and was a leader in several strategic initiatives, including a branding effort that transformed the university's visual and verbal identities. He also held marketing and public relations positions for two Fortune 500 companies and began his career as a newspaper editor. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Pennsylvania Newspapers Publishers Association Award for excellence in reporting, the Lehigh Distinguished Service Award, and three Council on Advancement and Support of Education awards. Bill graduated with a B.A. in English from Manhattan College, and is an accredited member (APR) of the Public Relations Society of America.
Marilynne is a senior member of our media relations team. With her widespread contacts, warmth, and tenacity, she has been effective in developing successful strategies for our clients that have led to their increased national visibility. Prior to joining the firm, Marilynne was director of public relations at Iona College, where she developed initiatives to advance admissions, increase academic visibility and further development efforts. Before assuming her responsibility at Iona, Marilynne was a senior account executive at Ruder Finn for seven years, where she worked on public and consumer affairs accounts. As a former stringer photographer for The New York Times, Marilynne is also capable of providing photography services for clients. She is the recipient of two Clarion Awards from Women in Communications. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and staying active in local politics. Marilynne has a B.A. degree from Colorado Women's College.
Debbie specializes in media relations and event planning. Her former and current clients include the Institute of International Education, The Trevor Day School, Skidmore College, Bank Street College of Education, and the Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program. Before joining Halstead, Debbie worked in promotion and marketing in book publishing at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., Simon & Schuster, and Stewart, Tabori & Chang publishers. As a public relations freelancer, she has worked with clients such as The Ford Foundation, American Booksellers Association, Corning, and the Shaklee Corporation. Deborah has a B.A. from Denison University.
Lina Barbieri, Associate Account Executive
Lina Barbieri has been in college public relations for more than 15 years. During that time, she served as the senior public relations officer in several private liberal arts institutions in the Northeast including Muhlenberg College, DeSales University and Cabrini College. Earlier in her career, she provided public and media relations support for Blockbuster Video and Binney & Smith, now Crayola. Today, she is a private public relations consultant specializing in higher education media relations and strategic marketing and public relations for a small group of diverse customers. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business communications from DeSales University.
Mary Buff Penrose manages market research and develops branding strategies for clients. Her most recent Halstead projects include qualitative focus group research and the development of communications programs for Saint Meinrad Archabbey and School of Theology, Bank Street College of Education, the College of Saint Elizabeth and The Dwight School in NYC.
Her other consulting experience includes corporate identity, communication and branding strategy research and development for clients in the power and telecommunications industries. Previously, Buff was vice president at Warwick Advertising in charge of strategic planning, copy development and testing, inaugural advertising, and research. She also worked at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, J. Walter Thompson Agency and as a research analyst for national political campaigns. Buff has a B.A. degree from Cornell University."