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Nov. 12, 2026 Source: Shift*ology news release SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Shift•ology Communication announces the promotions of Emily Bennett to director of client services and Mara Schmid to assistant account executive, along with the hires of Alex Stackline as virtual experiences producer and Jason Meeker as virtual events and digital media manager. The staffing changes and additions strengthen the agency's ability to deliver innovative virtual experiences -- including its signature Virtual Farm Trips program --and compelling strategic communication services for clients in agriculture, rural health and rural communities.
Bennett has been with the agency for 13 years and has served in a variety of roles including, communication specialist and account manager. During that time, she has developed the firm's rural health portfolio. She serves on the Greater Springfield Partnership's Board of Directors. In 2026, she presented at the Public Relations Society of America's (PRSA) Health and Life Sciences Conference.
Before joining Shift•ology, Stacklane served as alumni events and engagement officer for The Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he led more than 40 virtual and in-person events annually, connecting alumni, donors, faculty, students and university leadership. He began his career at Ohio State in 2019, supporting the Career Success team and helping transition career fairs, coaching appointments and interviews to virtual formats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stacklane graduated from The Ohio State University in 2014 with a degree in psychology. He has also held roles in higher education supporting students' educational and volunteer goals, bringing a passion for connecting people and creating meaningful experiences to his work.
Meeker has produced digital media for organizations in the agricultural, energy and medical sectors, including The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and Successful Farming. He produced 11 seasons of Successful Farming TV, which aired weekly on RFD-TV, and earned two Telly Awards for his work. Originally from Iowa, Meeker graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and earned a Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Schmid joined Shift•ology in May 2024 as a content creator. During her time with the agency, she has managed client content across social media, exhibits and events, paid advertising and video production. She also supports the agency's Virtual Farm Trips program and has served as interim virtual experiences producer. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Schmid earned a degree in community leadership and extension education with a focus on production agriculture. Before joining Shift•ology, she owned a nutrition drink business and worked in Extension education. "Connecting people through meaningful experiences and communication is at the heart of what we do," said Melanie Wilt, founder and CEO of Shift•ology Communication. "Alex and Jason bring valuable capabilities to our virtual experiences team, while Emily and Mara's promotions reflect our commitment to developing talent from within. Together, they strengthen our ability to help clients build understanding, trust and relevance with the audiences they serve." About Virtual Farm Trips Virtual Farm Trips is an award-winning program developed by Shift•ology Communication that connects students with farmers through live, interactive online experiences. The program allows classrooms to visit farms virtually, ask questions in real time and gain firsthand insight into how food is grown and produced. Since its launch, the program has reached more than 1.7 million students across the country, helping bridge the gap between consumers and modern agriculture. About Shift•ology Communication Shift•ology Communication is a national strategic PR firm specializing in rural health, agriculture and communities. Through research, communication strategy, public relations and leadership communication, Shift•ology helps organizations build trust, navigate complex issues and create measurable impact through science-based communication. The agency was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Springfield, Ohio. To learn more, visit shift-ology.com. Tweet |
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