There’s a well-known Greek saying, “the only constant is change.” Yet, in so many ways, life is cyclical, almost repeatable. This week in the U.S., we’re getting ready to celebrate another Thanksgiving – as we’re also still coming down from the tense excitement of another tight presidential race. While change is unstoppably in the air, there’s also a heavy sense of déjà vu. For some, it feels like hope as the tides change, and for many, a sense of uncertainty and fear over unknown and possibly very consequential administrative changes.
While some Thanksgiving dinner tables may be divisive this year, there’s one thing we here at PAN are constantly focusing on, regardless of the state of global or American politics – and that’s allyship. This year, we’d like to dedicate our Thanksgiving blog post to the allies who show up for causes that are larger than themselves.
Allyship isn’t a passive thing – it can’t be. For systemic change to occur, marginalized communities rely on active allyship. Throwing a “Black Lives Matter” tagline in your social profile or changing your picture to be rainbow washed in June is beautiful – and those communities need that support and visibility. But to drive meaningful progress, things must go further. Allies need to show up to the protests, sign the petitions, educate their loved ones on allyship and equality, and stand up to their families and friends who are causing fear and harm to the marginalized. It can be uncomfortable, but progress isn’t always – in fact it’s not usually – comfortable.
Ask yourself what it means to be an ally. You may have friends from marginalized communities, but do those friends also consider you an ally? Do you show up for them beyond being their friend? Because to be clear, being a friend is not the same as being an ally. Do you join their fights for justice in an actionable way, or simply say “you know I support you.”
As we think about this in the context of workplaces and how we counsel clients on their communications strategy, we can apply similar thinking. While many businesses are backing off their DEI commitments, there are still many who are doubling down and providing support to these communities in meaningful ways. To those brands looking to ensure they show up, we encourage them to back up their social posts and marketing strategies with commitments beyond visibility. Consider what your company’s values are, and how you can stand behind them, engaging in social advocacy and offering employes the space and support they need to engage in community events, and bring their whole selves to work.
Getting back to the central theme, this year as families and friends gather to partake in fun, food and football, we’re spotlighting allies and allyship. We are grateful for those who show up, who commit and who don’t back down when things get uncomfortable. PAN will continue to be an ally to marginalized communities and we encourage our workforce to engage as well.
THANK YOU to our PAN community, and to allies all around the world!
As is our annual tradition, we’ve asked the PAN team to join us in saying thanks for all the good in their lives this year. Please see what the team has to say below as we wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all from the PAN team!
It’s PANtastic! Cheers to all things PAN, PAN Culture and PAN People!
“Can’t express ENOUGH how thankful I am for the PAN content marketing team! I was welcomed with open arms when I transitioned to this team back in January. The support is amazing, and I can’t wait for more great work together!!” – Dina Magdovitz, Senior Content Strategist, PAN Sunshine Squad
“So thankful for our new team at PANBlast! Such an amazing team of talented professionals and wonderful people!” – Elizabeth Famiglietti, Chief People & Culture Officer
“I’m grateful for a truly flexible and supportive workplace that has allowed me to do some incredible things this year! I’m also grateful for the fact that Nobody Wants This and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives both got renewed for another season!!! Most importantly though, I am grateful for Marki Conway and Neil Costa.” – Jess Tasman, Account Supervisor, PAN Sunshine Squad
“I’m thankful to have landed at PAN (approaching my 2-month anniversary woot woot!), and am especially thankful for the chance to meet my Wicked PAN peeps in a couple of weeks down in the town of beans. I will do my best to not be PANtisocial, PANnoying, or PANgry if the bowls don’t roll my way (am I doing it right?).” – Grant Burfeind, Senior Content Strategist, Vermont (Wicked PAN)
“Thankful for you [Marki], this tradition, and how hilariously you capture what makes PAN great in this exercise. 🤣 …That’s not an entry [but yes it is though], just a special thanks to YOU.” Megan Kessler, Chief of Integrated Marketing & Strategy, Wicked PAN
“So beyond thankful for my Pizza Bagels and PANhattan crew who have welcomed me to the team with open arms. It’s a privilege to work alongside you all day in and day out. Here’s to another year of Gussy’s, trivia, and freezing together in the office. No one else I’d rather enjoy it all with!” — Bristol Rice, Vice President & Head of NY Region, NYC (Pizza Bagels)
“I’m thankful for sabbaticals, saBRATicals and saDADicals. Whatever you want to call it, it’s a much appreciated PAN benefit that defined my year in 2024 and gave me some much-needed perspective on how to live my best life.” Enlightened Adam Novak, SVP and Wicked PAN Czar, probably meditating somewhere on sabbatical
“I’m thankful for my full first year at PAN, all the wonderful friends I’ve made so far, and for the opportunity to explore a new city thanks to the HyFlex model 😊” – Bri Ary, Account Supervisor, Wicked PAN
“Thankful to have joined PAN this year and make my first ever trip to Boston (first of many) to meet the incredible, the famous, the hilarious – Marki Conway.” – Azizza Brinson, VP Media Relations and Head of DEI, PAN Pizza Bagels (NYC)
“I’m so thankful to become part of the PAN team this year! Few people can say they support a wonderful CEO, who makes them laugh constantly and a C-Suite team that is kind, caring, and thankful for even the smallest requests. I’ve loved getting to know all the tremendously talented people here at PAN (and meeting Marki in-person of course). I’m also thankful for colleagues like Eva, Brys, and Emma who answered my million questions as I got up to speed on all things PAN and the new brand! Guess I’ll take a second to stop gushing about my incredible first year at PAN, to shout out my boyfriend for making me a very grateful fiancé this year and accompanying me on one of our bucket list trips this fall to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. Can’t wait to marry him in 2025!” – Lauren Gangemi, EA to Philip A. Nardone Jr., Wicked PAN
“Every day, I feel like I learn something new from Marki, so I couldn’t let another year pass without me shouting from the rooftops that she continues to be the backbone of the agency. Whether it’s the comic relief or the creative thinking we need to crush a pitch meeting, you can always count on Marki to bring exactly the energy we need. #thecloser #wickedcool #thefunnel” – Mark Nardone, CMO and Marki’s #1 fan, Wicked PAN
“I’m thankful to work with such kind, caring, and most importantly, FUNNY teammates! My PAN colleagues never fail to make me laugh on a hard day, especially the amazing Natasha Koleas. Also, thankful Natasha convinced me to start RHONY and RHOP this year #taxreform #godblessthehugers.” – Emma Nugent, AE, PAN Pizza Bagels (NYC)
“Thankful for Marki’s dedication to the blog and fixing formatting issues for Emma when she forgets.” – Natasha Koleas, Account Supervisor, PAN Pizza Bagels (NYC)
“I’m grateful for Saquon Barkley (& the Giants, you’ll get ‘em next time maybe?) but more importantly, grateful to have spent the last year with PAN and being welcomed with open arms! Oh, and Marki for taking me on my first PAN business trip. Best chaperone EVER.” – Emily O’Brien, Senior Account Executive, PHILLY PHILLY (PAN Pizza Bagels)
“At PAN, there’s a lot to be thankful for, from Summer Fridays to unlimited PTO, and remote working all year round! Beyond the benefits we get, I’m most thankful for my Teams, of which I have some of the best in the biz. Nothing makes work better than doing it alongside people you admire and adore. Here’s to you, PAN fam ❤” – Shannon Shewbrooks, Account Supervisor, PAN Sunshine Squad
“Extremely grateful to Nik Barkley.” – The Entire PAN Agency, but mostly biz dev
“I’m very grateful for the chance to connect in-person with coworkers this year that I usually work with virtually, it has been a great to grow a supportive work community!” – Olivia Fitzpatrick, Assistant Account Executive, PAN Left Coast Legends
“Thankful to PAN for having the BEST guest speaker this year at Syracuse when I was still a student there. I think her name was… Marki?” – Caroline Estella, AAE, Wicked PAN
“I am thankful for our amazing IM group and our committed Client Relations Leadership team for all they do across our organic efforts. I mean, have you all met MARKI?! I’m also thankful for the time I was able to spend with our SXMW and Wicked Boston regions this year, both virtually and in-person. Lastly, I’m thankful for the support from my growing family ;)” – Chris Nardone, Vice President, PAN SXKLJHFSEIUFNIUN (he’s not sure, he’s having an identity crisis about his location)
“Reflecting back on the year I am so thankful for a team that finds a way to support each other, even in our virtual world 😊 Whether celebrating our highs or helping each other through challenges, I am so thankful for the amazing squad that is Team IM.” – Brittany Eagar, Director, Wicked PAN
“First and foremost, I am incredibly thankful to have joined such a wonderful and welcoming team at the beginning of this year. I couldn’t have asked for a better onboarding experience with such amazingly helpful teammates! I’m also very grateful for Harry Styles’ hair finally growing back.” – Melinda Pham, Senior Account Executive, Costa Mesa (PAN Left Coast Legends)
“So thankful for all my teams this year. You’ve all busted your butts to get the job done. You make me laugh every day and I am so happy to have the opportunity to work with each of you – shout out to all my teams!” – Laura Beauregard, Vice President, PAN Sunshine Squad
“Grateful that Taylor Swift keeps coming out with bangers for me to jam out to and that singing virtual Elf card season is almost here!” – Gary Torpey, something in finance maybe?, Wicked PAN
“I’m thankful to be part of a company where my ideas are valued, growth is encouraged, and successes are celebrated together. For the PANhattan team specifically, I’m grateful for the quick and easy commute on the 6 to the office, Joe & Juice’s spicy tunacado, and trivia night at Triona’s.” – Chloe Russell, Account Executive, NYC Pizza Bagels
“Grateful I got to live out my dream of seeing Busta Rhymes in concert at HLTH this year, and that clamming season is only five months away!” – Dan Martin, SVP, Wicked PAN
Family, Fur Family, Found Family, and Life’s Milestones and Messiness
“It’s a privilege to live in a home that gets dirty by two wild furballs that we adore. To wake up to dishes in the sink from late nights of friends and family eating dinner around our dinner table. To do loads of laundry covered in dirt from the garden or sweaty after long runs. I am thankful for the mess.” – Lindsay Kerr, Senior Multimedia Designer, Boston (Wicked PAN)
“Thankful for dogs. My dog Nessie gets credit for getting me out every day and keeping up with Nia’s daily step count! Nessie always reminds me to look at the world with double-concentrate joy and enthusiasm.” – Kerry Marshall, Account Director, PAN UK
“This year I am so grateful for and blessed by the birth of my granddaughter Sophia Elizabeth Barton. Family is everything!” – Elizabeth Famiglietti, Chief People & Culture Officer
“What a year! I’m grateful for the opportunity to buy our first home, for two healthy toddlers (and for daycare), and for Kari Hulley’s steady leadership.” – Katie Johnston, Director, Pizza Bagels
“Grateful to be a steady leader. And for Marki, of course.” – Kari Hulley, SVP, Wicked PAN
“Came all this way, had to explain, direct from Domingo. Thankful for PAN, and all my pals, excited for end of year though.” – Domingo, Miami
“This year, I am deeply grateful for my beautiful, healthy, and happy son—I couldn’t love him more if I tried! I’m also incredibly thankful for my amazing team at PAN and all the support they provided me, making it possible for me to enjoy a truly special maternity leave this year.” – Sarah Hoffman, Sr. Director Employee Experience, Wicked PAN
“I’m thankful for the health and happiness of my family and friends, my tiny girl gang that keeps me going and guessing, and our newest family member Bear 😊 And I can’t forget the amazing PAN people and teams that I work with each day – you are unmatched!” – LeeAnn Coviello, Director, PAN Boston (Wicked PAN)
“Thankful for all the laughs over the years, the late nights at Sissy K’s with Marki and crew, and expensive cab rides home with detours to Lynn.” – Darlene Doyle, Chief Client Officer, Wicked PAN
“Thankful for kiddo giggles, pizza Fridays, Sunday scaries, weekend bike rides, meaningful work, live music, career growth, hugs, good health, Sparktoro, hikes in the woods, trains, leaf piles, work friends, snuggles, travel, fruit, my family, and canoes.” – Matthew Briggs, SVP Healthcare, Wicked PAN
“Thanks to Marki, I got to watch a Pats game with David Spade this year – so cool!” – Mike O’Connell AKA MOC, Director of Content, Wicked PAN
“So thankful I’m a rising podcast star. Thank you, Beyoncé!” – Brittany Poulin, Senior Account Supervisor, Sunshine Squad
“Thankful for the health of my family, specifically my twin boys.” — Kelsey Sowder, Director of Client Relations, Indianapolis (PAN SXMW)
“Really thankful for Gene’s shirts, this year and always!” – Ariel Novak, VP, Wicked PAN
“This year I got married and I’m so thankful for the moments of celebration with family and loved ones.” – Olivia Fitzpatrick, Assistant Account Executive, PAN Left Coast Legends
“Wicked grateful for all my PAN dudes and dudettes. Especially Marki, the heartbeat of PAN.” – Philip A. Nardone, III, something in Business Development, Wicked PAN
“Eternally grateful this year for health—to be healthy, to watch those I love the most gain their health back, to work in healthcare. Also, forever thankful for my home team (as I like to call them), who I wouldn’t have made it through the past year without. Cheers to spending time around loving family and the best friends this holiday season!” – Michelle Panico, Vice President, PAN SXMW
“Grateful for all the PAN memories over the years. From my first PAN outing/scavenger hunt and being on the winning team with Marki, to today and Marki making sure I’m included in this post even from maternity leave.” – Kath Arrigg, VP, Wicked PAN
“This year it’s easy to be thankful with the birth of my son Jett, who appropriately has the coolest name in history. Also thankful for my dog Bear, husband Corey and BFFL Marki.” – Lauren Hill AKA LK, VP Integrated Marketing, PAN Japan but currently crushing motherhood from White Plains
“Super grateful for the most elite candy bars to exist, 100 Grand bars! Such a delicious, MODERN treat that all the cool kids love, as Marki reminded me of so poignantly.” – Julienne Hughes, SAE, Wicked PAN
“I am immeasurably grateful for my health this year. It’s a privilege to wake up healthy and work with teammates that inspire me, for clients making impactful change in healthcare. I am thankful for all the incredible individuals that make up team MOJO. A special shoutout to my directors – Katie Johnston & Alex Connelly – who I’m beyond lucky to learn from each day.”– Olivia Mannion, Account Supervisor, PAN Virtual
“I’m grateful for another successful year being part of the Funky Bunch AKA team Marki – the best in the biz! Also for K-pop, always.” – Kally Lavoie, Senior Account Supervisor, PAN Sunshine Squad
“I’m thankful for pictures of Wade Warble (thank you Lauren), seeing Blink-182 live for the first time, and the half day before Thanksgiving!” – Emily Hubbard, Supervisor, PAN Left Coast Legends
“Grimsby’s, Bud Heavys and the Kid. And Summer Fridays, but don’t tell Karen.” – Eugene Carozza, SVP, Wicked PAN
“Thankful for holding space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity. I didn’t know it was happening, but it’s what I wanted ❤ #iykyk” – Sana Haque, Senior Account Executive, PAN Pizza Bagels.
“Thankful to share a birthday with the two baddest b…. people around, Marki and Laura B!” – Nicole Das, Senior Account Supervisor, PAN Pizza Bagels (NYC)
“So thankful for Britt P for keeping me humble in my old age. For keeping me informed on the latest gossip and TikToks that I should watch while also heckling me on the daily!” – Laura Beauregard, Vice President, PAN Sunshine Squad
“Thankful for clients who love Beyonce, for having the dopest boss ever even if she does wear skinny jeans still, and for having the coolest curliest hair.” – Kate Adams, Account Supervisor, Wicked PAN (forever and ever – definitely never moving to Pizza Bagels)
“I’m thankful for the health of my family and friends and the support of my village this year.” – Megan Kessler, Chief of IM and Strategy, Wicked PAN
“Welp, I am grateful for all of it. For prioritizing gratitude and mental health this year, for the incredible support systems I have, the quality family time this year. Thankful for getting back to in-person kickoffs and meetings where the chemistry is electric. Winning and kicking off incredible new clients this year. And also to Vinny for keeping me up to date on Gen Z lingo, and Britt Poulin and Natasha for trying so hard to keep me cool with the trends and reality TV drama, despite my ongoing reluctance to care. Last but not least, my fur family, including our newest puppy Mocha who is too cute to stand. – Marki Conway, PAN Comic Relief and VP, Wicked PAN
