AMA in the PM: She-Suite Marketing Leadership Panel

Female executives have faced it all and while they have made sizable gains in senior leadership, it’s been a long and arduous journey for most. The path to senior leadership looks very different to their male counterparts with the biggest hurdles in advancement, experiencing microaggressions, and increased pressures to do it all – personally and professionally. 

While female leaders continue to show immense value to their organizations, they are still outnumbered in the C-Suite. Women represent roughly one in four C-suite leaders, and women of color just one in sixteen, according to the Women in the Workplace 2023 Report from McKinsley/Lean In. That’s why we’re bringing you the She-Suite Marketing Leadership Panel for our upcoming AMA in the PM event.

This annual signature event held during Women’s History Month will feature extraordinary female leaders in Baltimore who are paving the way in their industries. Get ready to hear our panelists’ perspectives on what it takes to be a leader in the marketing space and share their personal journey to the C-Suite. 

Gain unique industry insights on everything from key marketing trends and personal branding and professional development to effective revenue growth strategies, and more. The She-Suite Marketing Leadership Panel will include the following top-level executives:

• Debbie-Bates Schrott, Chief Marketing Officer, Yes& Agency - With over 25 years in marketing leadership, Debbie has combined creative insight with strategic focus to drive brand growth and inspire high-performing teams. As Chief Marketing Officer at Yes&, she leads initiatives in brand awareness, client engagement, and agency growth, emphasizing relationship-building and long-term partnerships for lasting success.

• Alanah Nichole Davis, Chief Storyteller, City of Baltimore - Alanah Nichole Davis is a seasoned marketing professional, award-winning journalist, and Baltimore-raised changemaker. Currently serving as the Chief Storyteller in Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office of Innovation, she leverages her expertise to craft impactful narratives that connect communities with city initiatives.
• Sharon Nevins, Chief Revenue / Marketing Office, The Baltimore Banner - A highly experienced, results-driven, entrepreneurial sales and marketing executive, Sharon is responsible for the brand strategy and revenue generation for the just 2 year old independent, journalism start up. Sharon has over 30 years experience in multi-disciplinary marketing and media strategy, sales and brand development and Event conception and planning. Sharon’s career has combined a unique blend of driving results for clients and profitability for companies.
• Liesa Ross, Award-Winning Marketing Communications Expert and Department Head - Liesa is a seasoned marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in marketing communications, specializing in education, science, and professional industry-focused nonprofits and small businesses. Most recently, she served as Director of Marketing for The Children’s Guild, where she established a data-driven marketing department that strengthened the organization’s public image.

By attending the She-Suite Marketing Leadership Panel, you will learn:

• Tactical and strategic tips from local female marketing leaders in different sectors
• Real-world stories from top-level female executives
• Professional and personal advice for those moving up the corporate ladder
• Leadership lessons from the best of the best

Many thanks to our event partner, !

Event Details

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:30 pmStarTUp at the Armory | 307 Washington Avenue | Towson, MD 21204

Ticket sales will end two hours prior to the event’s start time. Non-members rate will increase 24 hours before the event.

Meet the Panel

Debbie Bates-Schrott

Chief Marketing Officer, Yes& Agency

With over 25 years in marketing leadership, Debbie has combined creative insight with strategic focus to drive brand growth and inspire high-performing teams. As Chief Marketing Officer at Yes&, she leads initiatives in brand awareness, client engagement, and agency growth, emphasizing relationship-building and long-term partnerships for lasting success. 

Previously, Debbie led Beyond Definition (formerly Bates Creative), a certified women-owned agency, for almost 20 years until its acquisition by Yes& in 2021. Her career is fueled by continuous learning and a passion for pushing industry boundaries, which she shares as a speaker at events by Adobe, the American Marketing Association, and General Assembly to name a few. Debbie is also committed to community service, serving on non-profit boards such as Blossoms of Hope and contributing to organizations like the American Marketing Association’s D.C. Chapter and the Association of Media & Publishing. 

Alanah Nichole Davis

Chief Storyteller, City of Baltimore

Alanah Nichole Davis is a seasoned marketing professional, award-winning journalist, and Baltimore-raised changemaker. Currently serving as the Chief Storyteller in Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office of Innovation, she leverages her expertise to craft impactful narratives that connect communities with city initiatives.

Holding a Master’s degree in Social Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Alanah brings a unique, human-centered approach to her work. Affectionately known as Baltimore's Godmother, she is celebrated for her empathetic leadership and community-driven storytelling.

Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Alanah led marketing and production efforts for renowned brands and organizations, including Red Bull, Tostitos, Station North Arts, Impact Hub, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, and Motor House. In partnership with New Creatures, she collaborated on dynamic campaigns for both Tostitos and Red Bull, further showcasing her ability to bridge creativity and strategy in ways that resonate and inspire.

Sharon Nevins

Chief Revenue / Marketing Officer, The Baltimore Banner

Sharon Nevins is the Chief Revenue and Marketing officer for the Baltimore Banner. A highly experienced, results-driven, entrepreneurial sales and marketing executive, Sharon is responsible for the brand strategy and revenue generation for the  just 2 year old independent, journalism start up. Sharon has over 30 years experience in multi-disciplinary marketing and media strategy, sales and brand development and Event conception and planning. Sharon’s career has combined  a unique blend of driving results for clients and profitability for companies.

Sharon began her career on the advertising agency side of the business spending  her first decade in account services for a number of Baltimore’s  best-known advertising agencies. She then spent a decade working for internally as lead marketing officer for a number of  organizations before landing in the most senior roles of marketing and sales in publishing and media including lead roles for WYPR, Baltimore Magazine and the Baltimore Sun.

Sharon graduated from the George Washington University and is fluent in Spanish. Her two children landed in similar careers, one a public relations professional and the other a journalist. Both live in NY. Sharon lives in Pikesville, Maryland with her husband.

Liesa Ross

Award-Winning Marketing Communications Expert and Department Head

Liesa Ross is a seasoned marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in marketing communications, specializing in education, science, and professional industry-focused nonprofits and small businesses. Most recently, she served as Director of Marketing for The Children’s Guild, where she established a data-driven marketing department that strengthened the organization’s public image. Within her first seven months, she earned the Eagle Eye Award for her forward-thinking approach, and in 2024, her team won the AMA Platinum Award for Integrated Communications Campaign.

She holds advanced degrees in advertising, marketing and management, and integrated marketing communications.

Originally from Chicago, Liesa spent 12 years in Washington, D.C., before moving to Baltimore in 2013. During her time in D.C., she was a long-time student mentor, working with Higher Achievement for eight years, mentoring middle school students, and with Capital Partners for Education (CPE) for four years, supporting a high school student. She was the first recipient of Higher Achievement’s Mentor of the Year Award.

Since moving to Baltimore, Liesa has been active in the community, volunteering with Strong City Baltimore (as an adult mentor), a local PTO, and The Village Learning Place (VLP), where she currently serves on the board. She lives in Charles Village with her wife, Tina, their two teen daughters, and two dogs.

Outside of family, work, and volunteering, she enjoys riding her bike to and from Zumba class at The Y, watching cartoons (old and new), reading YA novels—while aspiring to publish her own someday—and treating herself to her favorite neighborhood junk foods that remind her of her Midwestern roots.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

StarTUp at the Armory, 307 Washington Avenue, Towson, United States