Our Team

Barbara W. Thompson, President and CEO

As “chief cook and bottle washer” of The Roberts Group, Barbara brings more than 35 years of experience in healthcare marketing to her clients. She believes healthcare is the greatest industry in the world and loves problem-solving for her clients … helping them better understand where they are and where they want to go to, and then working diligently to get them there. Inside her agency, she considers mentoring junior staff members to be the most gratifying part of her job.

A nationally respected expert in healthcare communications, Barbara founded The Roberts Group in 1981 and made it one of the first strategic advertising agencies to focus exclusively on healthcare in the United States. Throughout the years, her consistent healthcare insight, vision and strategic planning, marketing, branding, public relations, and crisis management expertise have earned The Roberts Group dozens of accolades – and incredible results for her clients.

Three words that best describe you?

Driven, honest, innovative

Biggest pet peeve?

I-should-haves…

Any hidden talents?

I can tie a cherry stem into a knot in my mouth in less than 30 seconds. (Too many Manhattans.)

You wish you could…

Sing on Broadway

Dream vacation destination?

Exploring Italy’s wine regions

What’s currently in your DVR queue?

I can’t work my DVR!

Mark Thompson, Executive Vice President

Mark is a University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduate, Green Bay Packers fanatic and inspiring leader at The Roberts Group. He is a healthcare marketing veteran, having been in the industry for nearly 40 years, with a focus on strategic marketing for physician group practices. Mark’s insight and experience in physician research is boundless, and he can masterfully analyze and integrate client input with market knowledge, research and feedback.

He values client relationships – enjoying the contact and problem-solving and making his clients and their organizations shine. When asked what he loves best about his job, Mark says, “Being able to work together as a team to develop creative solutions that really work.”

Biggest Pet Peeve?

Grown-ups who whine. Actually, anyone or anything whining!

Three words that best describe you?

Curious, creative, confident

Any recurring dreams?

I keep getting elected to public office

You wish you could …

Play the piano

Song that best sums you up?

“Take It Easy” by The Eagles

If you could share a cab with anyone, living or dead, you would choose …

George Carlin

Lori A. Bruss, MEd, CHES, Executive Vice President

A certified health education specialist, Lori holds a master’s degree in health education, has more than 15 years’ experience in healthcare marketing and has been with The Roberts Group for more than a decade. Before that, she held a leadership role in community health education at a prominent academic medical facility. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate classes and is frequently asked to speak at state and national conferences.

Lori’s favorite part of her job is getting results and watching young talent blossom. Her forward thinking, passion, attention to detail, strong client relationships, and knowledge of market sectors and media has helped her clients achieve their strategic goals time and time again.

Three words that best describe you?

Driven, passionate, caring

Any hidden talents?

I was a competitive swimmer.

Your all-time most embarrassing moment?

Karaoke night with the crew on my very first video shoot

Song that best sums you up?

“All Fired Up” by Pat Benatar

What you like best about The Roberts Group?

The family relationship we share with all of our clients and staff

David Haznaw, Producer

David graduated from University of Wisconsin with a degree in journalism. Today, he is a creative/writer/director working closely with marketing, advertising and public relations professionals – with more than 10 years’ healthcare experience with The Roberts Group. He loves solving a challenge in the moment – sitting down with someone for the first time and pounding out great ideas, strategies and tactics. David truly loves what he does and is grateful. He knows most people can’t say that about their jobs.

What you like best about working with The Roberts Group?

I love the overall thought process that combines data-gathering, intuition and creativity. It just works.

Any hidden talents?

Spend some time with me, and you’ll find out what they are.

Dream vacation destination?

Austin, Texas. Not very glamorous, but I love music.

Your all-time most embarrassing moment?

I showed up to a job interview with cheese spread on my suit. (It’s a long story.)

What’s currently in your DVR queue?

“Modern Family” and a bunch of junk my kids insist on recording

Favorite book?

“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck

Jen Roberts, MSHC, Account Executive

Every day, Jen learns something new from her clients. With a master’s degree in health communications from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Saint Louis University, she spent four years in the promotional products industry working with international vendors. After that, she moved into physician alignment and hospital business development.

Jen uses her broad business perspective and marketing insights to create revenue, exposure and growth for her clients. It’s these client relationships she’s most proud of.

You wish you could …

Be just a few inches taller.

Proudest achievement in life thus far?

Going back to school to complete my master’s

Song that best sums you up?

“Roll out the Barrel” – I’m a Wisconsin girl!

What you like best about working at The Roberts Group?

The clients – each one has different needs, nuances and challenges.

If you could share a cab with anyone, living or dead, you would choose …

Aaron Rodgers, of course.

Erin Anderson, Account Leader

Erin received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Valparaiso University. She spent the first six years of her career in sweepstakes and promotions marketing for consumer packaged goods for brands like Pepsi, Kellogg’s, Keebler and Samuel Adams. Erin then moved into healthcare marketing, spending the last seven years working for a healthcare technology ad agency, Bader Rutter & Associates and The Roberts Group. She adeptly maintains healthy relationships with her clients — and finds growing smart ideas into tangible campaigns to be the most gratifying part of her job. Erin loves working with the close-knit group of awesome people at The Roberts Group … who are like family.

Three words that best describe you?

Organized, passionate, loud

A good day starts with …

An excellent cup of dark, black coffee and a home-cooked breakfast

Any hidden talents?

I started a chapter of Barley’s Angels, a women’s beer appreciation and education club, in Milwaukee. It combines two of my favorite things – organizing social events and bringing like-minded people together.

Dream vacation destination?

It might be easier to list the places I don’t want to visit – I have serious wanderlust.

Your celebrity doppelgänger?

Molly Ringwald

Favorite movie or book?

"Breakfast at Tiffany’s" (movie), "To Kill a Mockingbird" (book)

Laura Gazzana Pagel, Media and Research Director

Laura’s strong relationship-building skills help her achieve optimal results with vendors, clients and co-workers. Holding a communications degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and with close to 20 years of media sales, planning and implementation experience, she communicates clearly, conducts in-depth research and is a firm negotiator.

In her four years with The Roberts Group, her vendor relationships and negotiation skills have helped her consistently create strong media plans that directly reach target audiences and get more for clients’ media dollars.

Proudest achievement in life thus far?

My daughter

Any hidden talents?

I sing!

Your celebrity doppelgänger?

Tina Fey

Favorite iPhone app?

Talking Tom Cat

If you could share a cab with anyone, living or dead, you would choose …

I’d like to introduce my daughter to my late grandmother. If it has to be in a cab, so be it.

Kim Dunn, Associate Creative Director

Ask Kim what her primary task is at work, and she’ll say simply, “to create.” Her passion is creating, pitching and executing smart concepts that excite her co-workers and clients and get them actively involved in the creative process. Graduating with honors with a graphic arts degree from Mount Mary College, Kim brings more than a dozen years of experience to the table — with 10 of them right here at The Roberts Group, where her career has flourished. Her many artistic talents impact an array of communication pieces she creates for her clients. She is also a member of the new-business team.

A good day starts with…

Silence … and my golden retriever lying at my side.

What do you bring to the table, professionally?

Creativity and motivation

Dream vacation destination?

Australia, mate!

Your celebrity doppelgänger?

People say Kate Winslet, but I don’t see it. (I’d take her accent, though.)

Favorite book?

“Harold and the Purple Crayon.” What can I say? I love my inner child…

Katie Stensberg, Emerging Media Specialist

With a bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and diverse media experience in her five years at The Roberts Group, Katie brings an array of great ideas to the table. She thinks well beyond traditional media practices and tactics – seeking ways to use technology to share information in new, innovative ways. She enjoys the people (and the free Diet Coke) at TRG. Katie also loves that she’s helping real patients and people on the receiving end of her marketing efforts.

Any hidden talents?

I can wiggle my ears independently.

Dream vacation destination?

Greece

Your favorite season?

Spring – I love the smell of blossoms and grass thawing

Favorite iPhone app?

Instagram on the iPhone and Flipboard on the iPad

Proudest achievement in life thus far?

I built a kayak without any woodworking skills

Song that best sums you up?

“Trenchtown Rock” by Bob Marley

Michael Andes, Art Director

Mike is a master of multitasking at The Roberts Group, adeptly balancing “tech guy” and “art guy” duties. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and for 20 years has designed, art directed and been the technology expert at a number of area companies. He has art directed many award-winning campaigns during his 10 years at The Roberts Group – and enjoys the people he works with and the successes of projects he has helped create.

Three words that best describe you?

Caffeinated, versatile, reliable

Biggest pet peeve?

I’m the only one who eats the leftovers

Any hidden talents?

I can snap bottle caps and matchbooks across a room. Watch out!

Dream vacation destination?

Golfing in Scotland

If you could share a cab with anyone, living or dead, you would choose …

Anthony Bourdain from “No Reservations”

Monica Cerletty, Senior Graphic Designer for Print and Web

Monica is passionate about creating smart and memorable work for her many clients. After earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, she worked as a graphic designer at an area ad agency for nearly a decade before beginning her print and web design career here in 2006. Monica enjoys collaborating with her creative peers, and feels that the tight-knit group of employees who work here is what makes TRG such a great place to be.

Three words that best describe you?

Calm, creative and giggly

What’s currently in your DVR queue?

"Bones," "Fringe," "How I Met Your Mother" and "Wild Kratts"

Favorite iPhone app?

Anything that can keep my 4-year-old daughter occupied at a restaurant

You wish you could …

Play the guitar

Dream vacation destination?

Ireland