PRDecoded: Navigating Uncertainty

COMING BACK TO CHICAGO THIS FALL!
OCTOBER 16, 2025
CONVENE, CHICAGO
#PRDECODED

PRDecoded: Navigating Uncertainty

As businesses and organizations try to make sense of a world in flux, they are turning to their communications leaders and agencies for high-level strategic counsel and support.

Whether it is the impact of tariffs; crackdowns on immigration; the dismantling of federal departments; a volatile stock market; jittery investors, staffers and customers; or the AI revolution, PR pros are utilizing their unique skills to turn on a dime and navigate an uncertain world.

PRDecoded will convene the industry in Chicago this fall to identify and share best practices that are proving the effectiveness of a profession that has never been more valued and in demand.

Delegates will come away with the tools, techniques and connections to help you do your best work in a febrile environment.

COUNTDOWN TO THE EVENT

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MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

STACEY TANK

CEO

BESPOKE BEAUTY BRANDS

Stacey Tank is a Fortune 500 veteran, experienced board director and currently Chief Executive Officer for Bespoke Beauty Brands, owner of high-growth color cosmetics and skincare beauty brands including Jason Wu and KimChiChic. During her tenure, Tank has delivered triple-digit growth, unleashed a high-energy innovation pipeline and pioneered next-generation brand-building in the emerging social commerce space.

Prior to her current role, Tank was based in Amsterdam as Chief Transformation Officer for Heineken. Before that, she led the multi-billion-dollar Home Depot Installation Services and Home Depot Measurement Services businesses for The Home Depot. She previously also led corporate affairs globally for both Heineken and The Home Depot. Tank spent the first decade of her career at General Electric in roles spanning communications, marketing, audit and finance. Tank serves as an independent director for CoreCivic, Blackstone-owned Interior Logic Group and privately owned global manufacturing technology company Barry-Wehmiller. She is also the founder of Our Happy Place, a 501(c)3 non-profit serving children, educators and families navigating childhood mental wellness.

MATTHEW VANDER LAAN

VICE PRESIDENT CORPORATE AFFAIRS

MONOSOL

As Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Planning at MonoSol, Matthew Vander Laan leads all internal and external communications, while also overseeing companywide strategic planning, stewardship and sustainability, public affairs, and legal affairs.

A catalyst-style leader, Matt is known for connecting dots across teams and functions to bring clarity and alignment around MonoSol’s vision, mission, values, and strategy. He plays a critical role in translating high-level goals into organizational structure and execution—ensuring teams understand not only where the company is going, but how their work drives progress. His leadership bridges long-term strategy with day-to-day action, creating shared purpose and momentum across the enterprise.

Matt is an active voice in the industry and has held leadership roles with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Trustees at Trinity Christian College. He currently serves as Chairman of the Consumer Education, Outreach, and Reputation Management Committees for the American Cleaning Institute in Washington, D.C.

Prior to joining MonoSol in 2018, Matt spent 21 years at Edelman, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the firm’s Chicago-based corporate advisory practice. There, he led teams specializing in reputation management, corporate positioning, and complex issues management.

CHRISTIAN HERRMANNS

PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, MONOSOL

EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KURARAY GROUP

In January 2022, Christian Herrmanns was appointed as President of MonoSol. Under Herrmanns' leadership, MonoSol set a new vision for the company, “A future without waste.” This vision is supported by MonoSol’s new mission to make consumer goods simpler, safer and more sustainable and by a new set of values.

His strategic vision has spurred significant investments, including a $10 million Innovation Center in Chicago, market expansion into Asia and a focus on developing biobased products of the future. His efforts also extend to streamlining operations with new production facilities in Poland, improving regional supply chains, and reducing the company's production footprint in higher-cost areas. In 2024, the company posted the best safety record in its history. What started as an exercise in vision in 2022 has manifested in strategic action that is delivering results.

Before coming to MonoSol Christian developed extensive international and strategic marketing experience beginning at Omya Group in Germany where he held positions in sales, marketing and product management. In 2007 he joined Rohm and Hass which became Dow Chemical in 2009. He moved with Dow in 2011 to the Unites States to lead strategic marketing for Dow’s North American non-woven resin portfolio.