Marketing Vanguard Stage
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
The Evolving Role of the CMO as a Culture Builder
As consumers increasingly expect brands to demonstrate understanding and authenticity, marketing leaders are being called to think beyond campaigns and consider how their organizations contribute to broader cultural conversations. The CMO's job is no longer just to tell a brand's story, but to help shape the cultural conversations that story lives inside of.
Featuring Heather Malenshek, CMO of Land O'Lakes, this conversation explores what it means to lead with authenticity in a moment when consumers can spot a hollow gesture instantly, and how marketing leaders can build organizations that contribute meaningfully to culture rather than just borrowing from it.