Veronica Appleton

Veronica S. Appleton is an adjunct professor in the College of Communication with a focus on organizational and intercultural communications, and racial equity and culture. She serves as vice president for diversity, equity & inclusion at Omnicom Group, Inc. agency, The Marketing Arm. She previously served on the College of Communication Committee for Contingent Faculty, a 25-person faculty team. Veronica’s research interests include organizational behavior in the workplace and diversity management within corporate environments.

Her academic preparation includes a Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University and a Master of Arts from DePaul University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree (expected 2022) in organizational behavior and leadership at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with research interests in organizational culture and diversity management.

Veronica formerly served as assistant director, diversity & inclusion for We Are Unlimited, an Omnicom Agency. Prior to joining We Are Unlimited in 2017, Veronica served in various roles within academia at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, Feinberg School of Medicine and Purdue University. She also served in various roles at FCB Chicago, Burrell Communications, ABC 7 Chicago, Sports Illustrated and PepsiCo: Gatorade & Propel Fitness Water.

In addition to her professional and academic roles, Veronica is also a multicultural children’s author and her debut book, "Journey to Appleville", shares a tale of diversity for all multicultural families. The book has received acclaim from FOX 32 Chicago news, WGN TV, WCIU-TV, Story Monsters Ink Magazine, WGN Radio, Sinclair Broadcasting, Inspiration1390 and more (see Appleville Books for press).

Veronica is also a board of director for the Chicago Advertising Federation, Bernie’s Book Bank, She Runs It and the Chicago Foundation for Women. She’s also a supporter of various organizations within Chicago including the South Side Community Art Center, Chicago Urban League, Chicago Scholars, and New Moms.

Veronica has been featured in Diversity Journal’s Top Professionals in Higher Education, Crain’s Chicago 20 in their 20s 2018 Honoree, received the Relationship Advocate Award from Chicago’s Perspective Charter Schools, received the Champion of Growth Award from Coalesce Chicago, named the 2017 Chicago 35 Under 35 Schools, received a nomination for the 2016 Bill Sharp Award and received the 2017 DiversityMBA Magazine’s Top 100 under 50 Emerging Leaders Award. She is a native Chicagoan.

In her spare time, Veronica loves visiting art galleries, developing research pertaining to interests, writing children books and participating in marathon walks – which she was awarded her first medal in the World Vision 6k Walk for Water in 2015 and 2016.

Veronica lives by words of Maya Angelou who once said, "You alone are enough," and with this, you can accomplish anything. Veronica's passion is to take on challenges and open doors for those who have only seen closed ones.