Navigating Your Career: A Personal Guide by an Entrepreneur and an Executive
Monday, September 16 from 5 - 6pm ET.
This session is based on the seminal 50th anniversary Report conducted by The Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE) in 2023, detailing the future of the Public Relations profession and the important interaction of educators and practitioners to advance the profession through education.
While Navigating Change: Report and Recommendations for Advancing Public Relations Education seeks to reach its primary audiences of educators, deans and directors of university programs, those who accredit and certify programs, and those who hire Public Relations graduates, two of the industry’s notable leaders have gone a step beyond.
Jim Weiss, Founder/Chairman, Real Chemistry, and lead sponsor for the CPRE study, and Gary F. Grates, President, 120/80 GROUP, who authored The Guide to ‘Navigating Change’ for Students and Early Professionals, have committed themselves to help the next generation draw upon the Report to understand and adopt the critical elements necessary for successful careers.
Key topics for this interactive session will include optimizing your PR education for impact; the role of internships; honing your Point-of-View (POV); the power of curiosity; strategic thinking; the need for diverse perspectives, and ethics.
The discussion will also feature working cases from the presenters’ long-time counsel for clients across a wide range of industries and specializations.
Jim Weiss - Full Bio
Jim Weiss
Chairman + Founder, Real Chemistry
Jim Weiss, Chairman and Founder of Real Chemistry, is a health care, biopharma and medical tech visionary, entrepreneur, business leader, investor, citizen advocate and digital health pioneer. Over the past 22 years, he evolved Real Chemistry from a one-person
consultancy to a global health innovation company that uses real-world data, proprietary technologies and analytical insights to solve the health care industry’s most significant challenges.
As Chairman, Jim actively serves as a mentor and strategic advisor to Real Chemistry’s people and clients, including opening up new pathways for growth through M&A, partnership and expanded capabilities. In addition, he serves as an Executive Advisor to New Mountain Capital, Real Chemistry’s investment partner. In that role, he focuses on identifying and integrating opportunities at the intersection of technology and life sciences.
Jim built Real Chemistry through a #MakeItHappen work ethic, deep values and a relentless pursuit of innovation. He started his corporate career at biotechnology bellwether Genentech during its formative years where he learned to follow the data to get to the right outcome. Jim is a pioneer in the application of analytics, data and precision targeting to the biopharma and health care industry. He is an action-oriented driver to advance diversity, inclusion and health equity to make the world a healthier place for all.
Jim and his wife Audra founded the Weiss Center for Social Commerce at his alma mater, Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Jim and Real Chemistry also sponsor the Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab, an innovative learning experience focused on data, technology
and audience engagement.
He is often recognized as one of the most influential people in the health care industry. Recent accolades include being named a Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Winner (2023), Agency Entrepreneur of the Year (2021), a Top 50 Health Influencer (2016, 2017, 2018,
2019, 2020) and Innovator of the Year (2020). He was inducted into the Newhouse School’s 50 Forward as one of its most accomplished graduates of the last 50 years.
Jim is a board member and investor in Indapta Therapeutics, a natural killer cell company focused on cancer, and investor in HAVAH Therapeutics, an Australian company developing innovative, proprietary hormonal therapies that aim to improve the quality
of life for women across the world. He is also a business advisor to IMIDomics, a discovery company employing real-world data, AI and genomics to identify and develop new therapies for immune-mediated diseases; Corvus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage
biotech company focused on novel medicines for autoimmune diseases and cancer; Dstillery, a custom audience solutions company; and MAHA Global, an AI SaaS company helping companies track and predict corporate reputation and business outcomes.
He is an Operating Partner in Contour Ridge, LLC, a value-oriented, operationally focused private equity firm, and advisor and investor in venture firms including Magnetic Ventures. He is also a Board member and contributor to several nonprofits, including
the Foundation for the Institutes of Health, LAGRANT Foundation, the Cancer Research Institute, the American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association. Most recently, Jim joined American Cancer Society
CEO Dr. Karen Knudsen’s Executive Advisory Council.
Jim resides with his wife and two children in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Gary Grates - Full Bio
Gary F. Grates
President of 120/80GROUP
Gary F. Grates is President of 120/80GROUP, a leading health communications and technology company operating two distinct agency brands, 120/80MKTG and AoX3.
120/80 GROUP is the fastest growing firm in the health care communications field working with digital health brands and organizations globally conveying purpose, vision, mission and efficacy to key stakeholders to impact revenue, valuation and growth.
The organization houses two distinct brands, 120/80MKTG, based in New York City, and partnering with leading brands and organizations in the digital health sector. AoX3, ased in Silicon Valley, is focused on AI oriented health technology companies
looking to transform health through technology producing better physician and patient outcomes.
Grates leads the firm’s Strategy Board overseeing the strategic direction and governance of the enterprise.
He is a globally renowned, recognized, and respected expert in corporate communications, change management communications, employee engagement, and corporate strategy execution. Grates counsels senior leaders and Boards of Directors from global
organizations in the areas of health communications and positioning, business transformation, leadership transition, M&A integration, crisis/issues, labor-management relations, organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, function optimization,
internal communications improvement, and strategy implementation.
His work, specifically in health care communications and change management/business transformation and strategy deployment is regarded globally as his work includes Pfizer, Viatris, Merck, Galderma, GSK, J&J, General Motors, Volvo, Caterpillar, PepsiCo,
Harley-Davidson, Vale, Dell, HP, Kimberly Clark, Merck, and Ipsen to name a few.
Prior to 120/80GROUP, Grates was President of Grates Consulting Group (GCG), a communications advisory and consulting firm with clients in health, automotive, consumer, and pharmaceutical industries. Before GCG, he was a Principal at Real Chemistry (RC), a global health innovation company with offices globally. The firm - which from $47m to $450 m during his tenure - comprises complementary communications, marketing, strategy, creative, digital, clinical trial, science, and medical expertise focused on integrated business solutions in the areas of product supremacy, innovation, change, organizational effectiveness, and growth for the world’s leading organizations, specifically healthcare.