Donna Wertalik
- Director of Student Engagement and Founder/Advisor of Prism
880 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Biography
Donna C. Wertalik is a distinguished Professor of Practice and Director of Student Engagement atVirginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business, where she has transformed marketing education andstudent engagement for over 17 years. As an innovative, achievement-oriented senior manager withdiverse corporate and academic experience, training, and acquired skills in the identification ofmarketing opportunities, brand management, social media engagement and measurement as well asoverall product development, she brings three decades of industry expertise to her academicleadership role.
Most notably recognized for founding PRISM in 2010—a nationally recognized student organizationthat now boasts a network of over 300 successful alumni and a current cohort of 68 student members—Wertalik has established herself as a pioneer in experiential marketing education. With a 100% jobplacement rate, PRISMites are making their mark from coast to coast, working among some of themost renowned companies such as Google, Apple, Ogilvy, Altria, Disney, The Martin Agency, Frito-Lay,Capital One, Salesforce, and many more.
Publications
- 2017's Best Frequent Flyer Program | 2017
- Social Media and Building a Connected College | 2017
- Market Research Versus Brand Research | 2007
- Bloomberg Business Week-2012 Best Professor
- "Selling to C-Suite Exec's" 11 Steps to College (quote) | 2010
- Upcoming August 2017 Release: Social Media Marketing, Case Studies
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Review
Additional Information
- Faculty Advisor-Prism (Pamplin Reinventing Social Media)
Noteworthy Accomplishments & Recognition
- 2017-2018- Board of Advisors- McGraw Hill. Appointment was based on National recognition and a key feedback leader in the prototype development for principles of marketing.
- 2017 Telly awards – VT PRISM was awarded two Bronze Telly awards for a video promoting a major initiative within the Pamplin College of Business. There were over 13,000 submissions. https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2017/05/pamplin-telly.html
- 2016 Telly award —VT PRISM was awarded a Bronze 2016 Telly for the Welcome to Pamplin online video they developed. They competed within the 36th Annual Telly Awards which received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. http://www.pamplin.vt.edu/pamplins-prism-awarded-telly-for-welcome-to-hokie-nation-online-video/
- 2016 MUSE Award – VT PRISM was awarded a GOLD Muse award. The student organization competed against 12,000 submissions from 33 countries with a 40-foot bus wrap designed for First & Main Shopping Center http://www.pamplin.vt.edu/prism-wins-award-for-first-main-blacksburg-transit-bus-wrap/
- VT PRISM — Nominated as 2016 Student Organization of the Year by Virginia Tech DSA
- Donna Wertalik was nominated as the 2016 Advisor of the Year by Virginia Tech DSA
- Membership and Participation within the CT+E Marketing-Destination Areas Curriculum Committee
Service
Beyond her academic and industry contributions, Wertalik serves on multiple advisory boards andcommittees, including the Virginia Tech Marketing Advisory Board, where she has been instrumental inincreasing funding by over 50%. Her service extends to external organizations focused on privacyadvocacy, women in business leadership, and digital literacy education.
- Marketing Committee Board Member, Promote Care Prevent Harm
- Board Member, The Weight Club (Marketing & Social Media)
- Virginia Tech Faculty Leadership Academy
- Multiple university committees focused on creativity, technology, and innovation
Advisory Board
I have been a founding member of the Marketing Advisory Board since its inception. In Spring 2014, I took over the role of Faculty Liaison for our alumni advisory board. Since that time, we have built a board of 14 committed alumni members annually, who provide an annual average of $10-$15,000 ($45k currently is available for student usage) through our marketing excellence fund and marketing advisory operating fund.
In addition, I also built a strategic alliance with Coca-Cola, who for the last 2 years (and continuing into the 3rd) is sponsoring our annual “Barracuda Bowl”, which made VT News this past year and allowed 50 marketing students to compete in a shark tank “like” competition. This year’s winner’s will be provided a $7,000 budget to create an on-site activation for Coca-Cola. The success of their event and ongoing social media campaign locked in full-time job opportunities for both and Coca-Cola’s continued support and sponsorship.
Finally, our board has also finalized their vision and mission, and is highly regarded by Pamplin for their help with our students and for their support of GBAC and the potential to gain their corporations as sponsors.
Board Roles
- The Weight-CLub, 2017-Present
- McGraw-Hill, 2018-2019
- Virtual LI-Marketing Advisor | 2014 - 2015
- Pi Sigma Epsilon-VP Educator | 2009 - 2015
Student Advising/Student Funding
Since joining the department, I have advised all three current organizations - PSE, PRISM & the newly re-chartered AMA. I have worked to ensure internships and full-time opportunities and served as a VP Educator on the National Pi Sigma Epsilon Board and built a strategic alliance with Ferguson, who is the Top 3rd employer for our students. In addition, I raised funds through sponsorship contracts for all three organizations representing over $250,000 in the last three years. These funds have been utilized in student RSO accounts for training, certifications and field explorations. I have taken over 1,000 students to conferences, field trips and seminars all over the country, with a focus on NY, DC, Chicago and San Francisco.
Students in PSE rose to Top Silver Chapter during my time advising and encouraged the need for a Sales Minor for the department. The student organization PRISM, which serves under the department and Dean’s office in two capacities, has won 3 National Telly awards’s for their work, along with a Gold Muse. Almost 50% of students in Prism represent marketing majors.
Awards
- Faculty Advisory of the Year - Virginia Tech, 2021
- National Telly | 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Addy | 2008
- VSMPR | 2008, 2009, 20010
- Faculty Advisor of the Year-Virginia Tech-University of Student Relations | 2011
- Appointed Key Note Speaker -Pamp li n College of Business Commencement | 2011
- Case iii Award-Marketing Website | 2012
- Bloomberg Business Week-Outstanding Professor | 2012
- Pi Sigma Epsilon-National Faculty Advisor of the Year | 2012
Teaching Awards
- VT Faculty Advisor of the Year-2015
- Teaching Excellence- Pamplin College of Business 2013
- Pi Sigma Epsilon-National Faculty Advisor of the Year-2013