In the fast-paced world of marketing, communications, and public relations, success is often measured in metrics like impressions, engagement, and return on investment. At Kane Communications, however, success begins somewhere deeper: with trust, values, and people who believe communication can be a force for good.

That philosophy has shaped not only the agency’s work, but also its workforce. In recent years, Kane has welcomed a growing number of St. Norbert College alumni to its team. 

Their impact has been unmistakable.

Founded in 2013 by President and CEO Kimberly Kane, Kane Communications in Milwaukee grew from a sole-proprietor consultancy into a certified, multi-office business, expanding to Green Bay while staying focused on one core principle: delivering meaningful outcomes while treating people like human beings.

Kane’s own professional journey, from broadcast journalism to corporate communications to entrepreneurship, shaped her belief that a strong work ethic should coexist with strong values and balance. That belief is now embedded in the agency’s culture.

When Kane Communications acquired Leonard & Finco in Green Bay in 2023, it also gained closer proximity to St. Norbert College and, quickly, to its graduates.

What stood out immediately was consistency.

SNC alumni arrived with strong work ethics, intellectual curiosity, and a deep sense of responsibility to the teams and communities they serve.

“They’re curious. They ask strong questions. They care about doing the right thing,” Kane says. “And they bring a work ethic that our clients notice.”

For Sydney (Zima) Pini ’22, now an account manager at Kane, the transition from SNC to agency life felt surprisingly familiar.

“SNC is such a tight-knit community,” she explains. “You’re constantly working with others, in classes, on teams, in student organizations. You’re always counting on someone and someone is counting on you.” 

That mindset, she says, translates directly into agency work, where collaboration, accountability, and trust are foundational.

Her liberal arts education also taught her how to adapt her communication style, think creatively, and approach unfamiliar challenges with curiosity rather than fear. Those skills now guide her work with clients across differing industries. 

“Curiosity is a strength and learning starts with being willing to admit what you don’t yet understand,” she emphasizes.

Katie (Hulce) Carlson ’22 credits her confidence to SNC’s emphasis on leadership, presentation, and mentorship. Entering the professional world as one of the youngest voices in the room could have been intimidating. Instead, it became empowering.

“SNC gave me confidence by putting me in leadership roles early and often,” Carlson recalls.

Matt Matuszak ’18, now an account supervisor, sees a direct parallel between Kane’s guiding principle — do what’s right, even when it’s hard — and the ethical grounding he gained at St. Norbert.

In high-stakes client moments, that grounding matters.

“The ability to ask thoughtful questions, understand different perspectives, and think ethically? Those skills are essential,” Matuszak says. “They’re what clients rely on in moments that really matter.”

For him, hard skills in the workplace can be taught, but critical thinking and ethical judgment are formed from early on through experiences of all kinds, whether it’s in the classroom, on a community service trip, in a student-athlete program, and so on.
 

“The ability to ask thoughtful questions, understand different perspectives, and think ethically? Those skills are essential. They’re what clients rely on in moments that really matter.”

Matt Matuszak ’18

Agency work demands adaptability, especially when problems don’t come neatly defined. Kane leaders consistently note that SNC alumni stand out not because they have all the answers, but because they ask insightful questions.

That curiosity fuels stronger strategy, deeper client relationships, and work that moves beyond surface-level solutions.

Kaitlin Foley ’23, a senior account coordinator, points to her campus leadership experiences in student media and national honor societies as preparation for managing deadlines, balancing priorities, and thinking critically under pressure.

These were daily realities at St. Norbert and remain day-to-day occurrences in her professional role with Kane Communications.

“Agency work mirrors what I did at SNC,” Foley says. “Managing complexity, collaborating with others, and staying accountable.”

For Kane Communications, hiring St. Norbert alumni is not about recruiting from one specific institution, it’s about investing in people shaped by an education focused on developing the whole person.

“These graduates aren’t just out for themselves,” Kane says. “They want to contribute to something bigger … to the team, the culture, and the community.”

As higher education continues to emphasize career readiness, Kane’s experience offers a compelling reminder of how a liberal arts education that’s grounded in values better prepares graduates to thrive long after they receive their diploma.

When values and education align, everyone benefits: clients, communities, and the people doing the work.

As Kane says, “I’m not hiring just one skill. I’m hiring a person.”