The Point People:
Meet Our Team
Positioned at the leading-edge of integrated public relations, our agency’s can-do attitude and curiosity redefines what is possible for our clients’ growth.
COO and Executive Vice President
Simply put, Lauren runs All Points PR like a fine-tuned machine. Her savvy business sense combined with stellar organization and planning keep All Points PR’s accounts on track. From conceptualizing and systematizing internal processes to accounting, HR, hiring, technology and training, Lauren does it all with grace, understanding and attention to detail. She is the visionary behind the company’s sustained growth, creating pathways for new agency services and departments, while also building out strategic recruitment plans to fill newly formed positions with top talent.
Plus, Lauren has been the driving force behind some of All Points PR’s most substantive work, including launching the Positive Impact program that includes quarterly volunteering and service events for agency team members to contribute to the Chicagoland community together.
A graduate of Indiana University, Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in education as well as a post-graduate Master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Northwestern University. Lauren has since begun an additional Master’s degree and earned a leadership certification through Northwestern University.
Lauren honed her skill set as an educator in the Chicago Public Schools system as well as at one of the city’s most prominent private schools. She demonstrates her dedication to giving back as a philanthropist by volunteering at her children’s school and with the Alzheimer’s Association. She also organizes multiple book clubs, including one for the All Points Public Relations team members.
Lauren is married to Jamie and together they have two children, several pet fish, chickens and three dogs — Cubby, Ivy and Wrigley. As a family, they enjoy outdoor activities, attending the theater and cheering on the Cubbies. Lauren is an avid fan of technology, the news, running and gardening.
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President
Among company heads in the entrepreneurial and franchise-focused PR realm, Jamie Izaks possesses a combination of credentials rarely found in others. His professional experience spans nearly 25 years, including executive level management at the leading national public relations agency serving the franchise industry prior to launching All Points PR. Previously, Jamie was the public relations manager for Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corporation, working at the company’s global headquarters. Earlier in his career, he earned his stripes in the news industry as an anchor, reporter and producer at various NBC, ABC, FOX and FOX SportsNet network affiliates throughout the United States.
Jamie’s professional background paved the way for the unique space that All Points Public Relations fills in the franchising industry and beyond. As a leading integrated public relations agency, his vision has been to leverage PR as the foundation for an integrated mix, blending it with social media, content marketing, digital marketing, graphic design, paid strategies and sales representation. Taken together, the integrated approach creates a powerful, strategic approach for clients that fuels the agency’s THINK BIG, ACT BIG, PRESENT BIG mantra.
A seasoned publicist, writer, presenter and public speaker, having made speeches to rooms filled with hundreds of entrepreneurs as well as in small panel and roundtable settings, Jamie’s work has resulted in driving client objectives beyond expectation. This high level of achievement has earned Jamie respect among industry peers and afforded him the opportunity to successfully pursue new business development, International Franchise Association Board placement and involvement in various industry committees.
Dating back to his days as a teenager, working in media has always been a professional pursuit. Jamie parlayed that passion into a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the esteemed Ernie Pyle School of Journalism at Indiana University. He went on to work as a journalist in several U.S. markets, including Chicago, as a television anchor, reporter and producer. Eager to learn more about the forces driving industry in America, Jamie pursued post-graduate studies and earned his MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Together with his wife Lauren, Jamie launched All Points Public Relations in August 2011 to realize their shared entrepreneurial dreams and to advance the dreams of other entrepreneurially spirited individuals and companies.
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Spencer Abbott
Creative & Digital Director
There are countless reasons why I chose to work at the agency. I love the variety of brands we get to work with. Everything from fast-casual restaurants to automotive repair, I get to design for a wide range of concepts. I also enjoy the fast-paced energy in the office. There's never a dull moment at All Points, plus I am the Inbox 0 King! Having a clean and organized inbox frees up so much time and energy for me to think more creatively and focus on my main priorities for the day. A tidy inbox also helps ensure that client needs are met and no plates are dropped.
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Jonathan Bazar
Creative & Digital Account Lead
I believe two things that make me unique are my people skills and my emotional intelligence.Being able to understand people's feelings and empathize with them is a quality that not a lot of people have. I believe this is a trait that is applicable to not only our work life but everyday living. It can also strengthen relationships and build longer-lasting bonds.
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Leiah Breitfelder
Creative & Digital Associate
I'm not afraid to stand out in a crowd! I wear every color of the rainbow and take pride in both my style in fashion and the design world.
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Lillian Broad
Public Relations Associate
What makes me unique is that I love to dabble in a variety of creative/adventurous hobbies.Call me a "Jill of all trades" if you will. I love singing, photography, piano, traveling, theatre,content creation, learning languages... the list goes on! I wouldn't say I'm outstanding in any of my hobbies, but I find itincredibly fun to try and experience different things. This is why I chose to go into PR, I've always been intrigued by the ability to work in basically any field you want,such as entertainment, nonprofit, education, travel, etc. There are endless opportunities, so you're almost certain to find a job you'll love!
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Emily Cashen
Pod Lead & Senior Account Lead
I think I have a unique perspective and understanding of people, whether that be teammates, clients or consumers, in general, because of my background in psychology. I have always enjoyed learning about the different ways that we interact with others and the world around us. It helps me to recognize the best way to work with others, which is a skill we use a lot in PR. I'm really proud of my ability to stay calm under pressure. It definitely comes in handy in PR when it comes to evaluating crisis situations and meeting tight deadlines. I hope to continue to always be a rock for my teammates in their times of need!
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Adilla Daoud
Lead Office Manager
My greatest strength is the ability to be adaptable in any environment. I am not afraid of failure and always try to be proactive in any environment but never shy away from a challenge.
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Maddie Darling
Pod Lead & Senior Account Lead
I believe that my greatest strengths are my independence, passion and commitment to always doing great work. I am a firm believer in being able to be on your own and get things done, and I am not one to settle for "good enough." I think that if you really set your mind to it and work very hard, you can achieve anything,and excel even your own expectations. I am very close with my family and also a "Pure Michigan" kind of girl, so the most adventurous thing I've done was moving away from my entire family in Detroit to pursue my dreams of working and living in Chicago.
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Liz Diamond
Public Relations Associate
I went into PR because I love storytelling. It's one of the most human things you can do, and I think there's a lot of value and power in the ability to help someone tell their story. Luckily my greatest ability is to stay calm in stressful situations, mostly because I don't think there's much in life that's worth ruining the rest of your day over.
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Freddy Drzewiecki
Creative & Digital Account Lead
I chose PR because of the human aspect of the industry. I wanted to work in an area that deals with real people and caters to an audience. Public relations is about more than numbers and metrics; there is a whole human aspect to the things that we get to do and create.
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Tyson Frucci
Public Relations Account Lead
My greatest strength is my willingness to try new things. Whether it's an activity, new food, or something else, I always try to approach each situation with an open mind and a positive attitude. When I was based out of Paris, I traveled to cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona,Budapest, Vienna, and more. My favorite thing I did was visit the Budapest baths! Even if I don't end up liking something, at least I can say I tried it!
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Katie Gibbons
Public Relations Senior Account Lead
I would say that my attention to detail and care that I have for my clients and the work I do! I give 110% to everything and spend a lot of time editing my work, making sure that items are prepared properly for the client or media.
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Catherine Gross
Creative & Digital Account Lead
What makes me unique is my tenacity and perseverance. When asked to face a new challenge I always tackle it head-on. I work until I feel I have a mastery over new initiatives, and when new challenges come my way, I am able to think on my feet.
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Patrick Haeffele
Content Marketing Associate
My greatest strength is my ability to relate to people on a personal level. I have a variety of hobbies/interests, and I can talk all about anything–from Chicago sports to the latest Bravo reality show drama and more. I’ve always been intrigued by the psychology behind what makes someone engage with one marketing piece versus another. I also love adapting the client's voice to my writing and communicating the message that they want to promote.
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Peyton Harvey
Public Relations Associate
My greatest strength is my positive attitude. I make it a goal each day to be a light in someone's life, even if that means simply putting a smile on their face. I also pride myself on my ability to connect with anyone I meet. I'm a firm believer that everyone has a story to tell, and I enjoy helping others share their stories through this career. I also love that I have the freedom to be creative and punny! Most of all, I enjoy the opportunity it provides to meet people and build long-lasting relationships.
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Jonny Heinzen
Creative & Digital Associate
What makes me unique is my desire to keep my life exciting. I am not someone who likes to settle with what I have. I want to push myself, learn new things, and start new hobbies. This desire motivates me to do better and to grow in my everyday life and my professional life. The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is probably scuba diving with sharks. I love scuba diving and I enjoy doing things that push me outside of my comfort zone. Whenever I am in an area where I can scuba dive, I try to go. I have dove with sharks multiple times but my favorite experience was with an 8-foot lemon shark.
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Bailey Hewit
Vice President of Sales & Strategy
I originally went to school to be a meteorologist, but I quickly realized how much more I enjoyed my journalism courses. PR allows me to blend my interest in news and storytelling with business. I'm good at reading people and anticipating their needs. Regarding client relations, I really try to put myself in their "shoes" and try to always anticipate their next question so I'm prepared.
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Benny Hieb
Creative & Digital Associate
I have a knack for creative outlets and have picked up guitar, photography, design, sculpting, painting, and illustration, along with the skills I use every day with All Points! My biggest strength is my ability to try new perspectives for thinking and designing.
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Emily Hild
Public Relations Associate
What makes me unique is my dedication to learning and growing as an individual and professional. I'm also a highly creative and driven individual with strong communication skills. Some other fun facts about me include my love for fitness, my dog, and reality tv.
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Cubby Izaks
Point Puppy
Living with the Izaks, I’ve grown up eating, sleeping, playing and barking fur-ranchising. With a talent for sniffing out a great pitch and posing for the All Points Public Relations social media pup-arazzi, I work like a dog every day. My biggest strength is helping the team keep a pawsitive attitude.
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Ivy Izaks
Point Puppy
With a mentor like Cubby, I’ve always put the right paw forward in my public relations career, living up to my pet-tential from Day 1. I have a fur-rociously persistent approach to pitching and great instincts that always lead me to bark up the right trees. I’ve also dabbled in the creative, digital and content departments, drafting fetching copy and graphics.
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Wrigley Izaks
Point Puppy
From generating paw-sitive media coverage to chasing leads, Wrigley is already living up to his name and hitting it out of the park. With an extensive background in puppy relations, Wrigley approaches every project with paws-itivity and is a natural born leader. Whether he's sniffing out new pitching angles or barking at reporters, his persistence never stops retrieving results.
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Mickey Johnson
Public Relations Associate
I've always been super involved in music, I started playing violin when I was nine and taught myself how to play guitar and ukulele. I also like to write songs when I have the time/inspiration, and minored in music in college, as well as worked at Loyola's radio station as a DJ for most of my college career — best decision I have ever made. My first concert was in 8th grade seeing the Plain White Tees, and I have been to probably more than 50 shows since. Music and PR have always helped me be in tune with others’ emotions and easily earn their trust.
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Alli Kimmons
Content Marketing Associate
I've always been an English and Reading person rather than Math and Science, so I knew that I wanted to do something that involved writing. I knew that working in PR would give me the chance to become more articulate in the way I communicate, and it also lets me be a bit creative and teaches me to think outside the box. I'm really self-reflective and I do my best not to sweat the small stuff.
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Annmarie Lavorata
Public Relations Associate
I have such an energetic drive to accomplish my goals with whatever obstacles are in my way. I use my voice, energy, and determination to push myself into the deep end. My passion to learn, listen, and communicate is my greatest strength. Without passion, you aren't able to truly enjoy what you are doing.
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Charlie McGroarty
Creative & Digital Associate
PR and creative work, in general, are something I've always been drawn to because of how varied and ever-changing it is. I'm a firm believer in the idea of lifelong learning, filled with constant intellectual, social, and/or personal growth. The term "Jack of All Trades" is one I often apply to myself, and with how constantly changing PR is as a career field, it is the perfect choice for how I want to go about my daily life.
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Rachel Nehring
Pod Lead & Senior Account Lead
I love being in the know and keeping up with the news cycle. With PR, I'm able to play a part in creating news for our clients. I’m also a Bravo superfan. Ask me anything about the Real Housewives franchise, I'm your girl!
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Grace Nelson
Creative & Digital Account Lead
I was drawn to PR because of the fast-paced environment that keeps you on your toes. There's always something new to learn and endless opportunities to be creative and build relationships. One of my greatest strengths is that I'm quick to understand new concepts and skills. I love being taught new ideas that I can absorb and apply to my work moving forward.
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Sarah O'Beirne
Content Marketing Account Lead
Don’t let my shy first impression fool you; I am actually very headstrong and determined. I’m not one to back down from a challenge or opportunity to better myself. I am a CRM wiz and able to navigate potential problems at the drop of a hat! I chose to go into PR because I could combine my passion for writing while helping brands tell their stories. No two days are alike, which keeps things interesting!
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Kelsey O'Berry
Content Marketing Account Lead
What makes me unique is I am a good communicator and find it easy for me to relate to other people, which in turn allows me to be a better team player. I always try to put myself in the other person's shoes and listen attentively to best connect with any individual. My greatest strength is being able to view things from multiple perspectives with an empathetic approach. I aim to understand others by hearing their stories and opinions and using those learnings to guide me into bettering myself and my work. Helping to weave a brand story that evokes emotion and sparks action is a joy and I am grateful to do it with a team like All Points.
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Nicole Odziewa
Pod Lead & Senior Account Lead
My ability to adapt and learn quickly as well as wear many hats has helped me a lot in my personal and professional life. For example, I have a really strong interest in photography and graphic design which lets me bring a creative perspective into a lot of what I do. I feel like the story for many PR professionals is that they just end up falling into it. For me, I had an interest in PR before even realizing it was PR. As a huge music fan, I've always loved paying close attention to music artists' albums and single rollouts — all the interviews and press around it. All it took was one Google Search of me trying to figure out who the masterminds behind it all are to convince me to go into PR.
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Rachel Padgett
Public Relations Associate
My motivation to always try new things is what makes me unique. Throughout my life, I've always tried to push myself out of my comfort zone and explore things that I normally wouldn't gravitate towards. One saying that has always stuck with me is "you never know unless you try." Recently, I've tried some new foods that I would have never eaten in the past and took up a dance class. While these are things outside of a professional setting, I believe this mindset translates to PR. PR allows you to push the boundaries and never settle, which is why I always aimed to wind up within the industry.
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Erin Pattie
Creative & Digital Associate
I genuinely love creating things. It really is exciting for me to make something from scratch, whether it's design or writing a variety of content I can learn from. That love makes it continue to be fun to do my job, even if I'm feeling stuck on something. I chose PR, specifically All Points, because I wanted to work on a lot of different kinds of projects and mediums, not just the same thing every day. I value the variety of content I can learn about and produce in PR that I wouldn't be able to in other industries.
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Ben Rodrigues
Creative & Digital Associate
One of the most unique things about me is my drive to try new things and never settle. Whether I'm working on a big design project or creating my grandma's 80th birthday cake, I put 110% into everything I do. When working on designs, I look at the viewer's relationship and how I can make their interaction with my work as enjoyable as possible. While making designs look good is requirement, I feel that focusing on the human aspect is more important.
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Alex Sanchez
Pod Lead & Senior Account Lead
I've always been fascinated with the media and have a passion for helping people's voices be heard. Being a people person is my biggest strength! I love making new connections and building genuine relationships with everyone I meet. My culture and my ability to see from different perspectives is a huge benefit to me.
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Allison Sawyer
Content Marketing Associate
Most people can't say they've been to 25 countries and lived abroad 3 times. Somehow, I managed to work as an Environmental Reporter in Costa Rica, sail around Europe and the Mediterranean on Semester at Sea, and teach English in Bali. But what makes me unique is not the number of countries I can count on -- it's the curiosity and eagerness I've always had to venture somewhere completely unfamiliar and adapt. My greatest strength is my willingness to be uncomfortable in the pursuit of growth. Whether it's showing up in a foreign country by myself or diving head first into a new task, anyone who knows me knows I love to challenge my comfort zone.
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Lizzi Stendler
Public Relations Associate
My greatest strength is my planning and organizational skills. After taking a press release class in college, I loved to write and wanted to take my skills into the professional world. I have always been the event planner of my friend group so working with people and planning is something I love doing.
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Brooke Sutcliffe
Public Relations Associate
I chose to go into PR because of the relevance of relationship building within the profession. Relationships are the anchor to success and creating bonds with others is unique and honorable. Being able to be who you are within your professional career is something that I value, and PR is a career that enables me to do so. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. I have an empathetic sense that allows me to constantly put myself in other people's shoes to resonate with what they're going through. I always want to be a person I would want to go to if I was ever struggling, and I try harder each day to be able to be a solid rock for anyone who is going through any hardship.
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Jacob Van Gorp
Lead Qualifier
I'm drawn to opportunities where I can think strategically and work in a collaborative environment. Whether I'm meeting someone for the first time or continuing a professional interaction, I enjoy connecting with others, and PR has tremendous potential for professional growth, which I find very appealing.
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Eliza Vega
Office Manager
I would say the fact that I'm a very adaptable and positive person is my greatest strength. This makes me feel unique since I know I can blend well in any situation I may be placed into. It's the Capricorn in me!
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Jackie Walsh
Public Relations Associate
I went to college in Washington D.C., after living in the Midwest my entire life. It took some time to get used to living on the East Coast, but I am so glad I went outside my comfort zone and found a new home across the country. College is also where I discovered my passion for writing. I quickly realized that I could combine my passions for working with others and bringing ideas to life through my writing in PR.
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Joey Weisshaar
Senior Director
PR is essential for building meaningful relationships. As a people person, I love being able to blend my passion for creativity and personal skills to help brands tell their stories in an authentic way. Plus, I enjoy working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that encourages critical thinking. I'm a people person at my core. I'll go pretty far to make a client stand out. One time I made a replica of Wrigley Field using hot dogs and condiments for a Chicago restaurant's blogger event!
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Cierra Wills
Public Relations Associate
I am very adventurous. I like to push myself in order to be the best I can be whether that be moving to a new city not knowing anyone or working in Africa for a month - words to live by "getting comfortable with the uncomfortable." For me, this means taking risks with a "YOLO" mentality. I have been able to take my creativity, research, and problem-solving skills here at All Points and draw real solutions serving my clients a nice neat bow of success.
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