What the data says about IC’s impact, influence, and future

Carolyn Clark is the VP of Internal Communications & EX Strategy at Simpplr, a modern intranet platform. A seasoned leader, with deep roots in employee communications and employee experience, Carolyn joined to help Simpplr elevate the employee experience by driving innovation and reimagining how employee communication is delivered in today’s world.

Throughout her career, Clark has intentionally diversified her experience to all facets of communication. From producing broadcast news to consumer and product public relations, media relations and corporate communication. Before joining Simpplr, Clark led internal and HR communication at major tech companies including Yahoo, Oath (Verizon Media), Pandora, GoDaddy, and Opendoor. Clark has led countless transitions, navigated more crises than she can count, and shepherded thousands of employees through complex acquisitions and integrations. She has a passion for navigating difficult situations and an ability to drive employee experience strategy through complicated corporate issues.

Clark lives in North Carolina with her husband and energetic 10-year-old daughter.

Michele Rest leads internal communications at Vera Therapeutics, where she focuses on connecting employees to the company’s mission, science and strategy during a period of rapid growth. A strategic communications leader with more than 20 years of experience in life sciences, Michele has built modern internal communications programs that strengthen culture, elevate leadership visibility and keep employees informed, engaged and aligned.

Throughout her career, she has partnered closely with executive teams to shape corporate narratives, translate complex science into clear and compelling stories, and deliver communications that connect employees to business priorities and progress. Prior to Vera, Michele held senior communications leadership roles across the biotechnology sector, including at Guardant Health and Gilead Sciences.

Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland.

Zac Zaffke is an Enterprise Communications Manager at Ascentek, based in Golden Valley, Minnesota. He leads strategy and execution for internal and external communications that connect teams to the information they need in clear, engaging ways. Zac partners closely with cross‑functional stakeholders to plan enterprise-wide messaging, manage content calendars, and elevate employee and customer engagement. Known for his strategic mindset and strong editorial voice, he brings structure, consistency and creativity to complex communications, helping organizations turn information into impact.

Kristen Eliason is the Sr. Director of Corporate Communications at MasterControl, a quality and manufacturing software company recently valued at over $1B. With 12+ years of experience in communications spanning the tech, finance, renewables, and advertising industries, Kristen brings creative insights to employee engagement and internal communications. She has an MFA from the University of Notre Dame and cites her time there as giving her a leg up on the ‘creative nonfiction’ required for working in corporate communications. Kristen is a published poet and is the co-founder of a small literary magazine, Menagerie. In her spare time, she works on abstract expressionist paintings.