Our senior principals

Cindy Kurman Barrie
President and CEO

Cindy Kurman, whose company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2008, believes her company’s success has everything to do with her ability to inspire those with whom she works, be they client, employee or the media. Those who know Kurman understand that her tenacity, insight and dedication have contributed greatly to their successes.

Working within a service industry, not unlike restaurants and foodservice, Kurman is amused by those who think marketing communications is one big party. Her insight into the problems of running a business - staffing, training and retention - have a big part in her formula for success and the success of her clients.

“You have to be able to accept failure and look beyond the immediate to visualize and accomplish your long term goals,” Kurman says. “Approach everything with a positive, can-do attitude and a willingness to try.” That spirit and determination has set her company apart from the competition. COMPLETE BIO

Lee A. Barrie
Vice President

Lee Barrie has been with Kurman Communications, Inc. since 2001. He brings more than twenty-five years experience in marketing, media management and corporate communications to Kurman Communications. He manages a broad array of KCI’s marketing, business development, account service and communications functions.

At Kurman Communications, Barrie wears many hats, from business development to writing communications material and day-to-day account management. He has been instrumental in bringing state-of-the art technology, such as electronic distribution processes and customized HTML formatted press materials, to the agency.

Barrie earned his MBA in marketing at Northwestern University’s prestigious Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1982. He then joined Carlson Marketing Group, one of North America’s largest marketing services companies. At Carlson, he worked with Fortune 500 corporations to design and implement marketing channel development programs. Focused on strengthening learning, communications and motivation throughout the sales channel, these programs helped increase dealer/retailer loyalty, helped improve their product knowledge and sales ability. His clients came from a wide range of industries including manufacturing, banking and financial services, utilities and automotive. COMPLETE BIO

Catherine Patterson
Account Team

Catherine joined Kurman Communications in January of 2008, and has since worked with a number of clients including A Silver Lining Foundation and Sweet Baby Ray’s. Catherine’s responsibilities include client and media relations, account management, creative writing, campaign research, and new business development. Much of her time at Kurman has been spent building strong connections within the media industry, which she utilizes on a daily basis. She has secured placements in various local, regional and national publications, including Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Chicago Magazine, and Baking Buyer. She has also coordinated local broadcast segments for stations including WGN-TV and NBC.

Catherine is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, specializing in public relations. She also spent a summer abroad, studying Mediterranean sociology at the University of the Aegean in Greece. During her time at Michigan State, Catherine was an active member of the school’s Public Relations Student Society Association (PRSSA) chapter, in which she took part in the National Bateman Case Study competition. She also served as an intern for Martin-Waymire Advocacy Communications, where she worked with U.S. Steel and Greektown Casino on promotion and design.

Stephanie DeMeester
Account Team

Since joining the Kurman Communications team in May 2007, Stephanie has worked with a number of clients on local and national projects. Her duties include account management, media relations, creative writing, strategic planning, internal training and new business development.

By building strong contacts in the media industry, Stephanie has secured placements in various local, regional and national publications, including Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Conde Nast Traveler, Reader’s Digest, Restaurants & Institutions and Midwest Living. She has also coordinated local and national broadcast segments, including an event with Bravo’s Top Chef Season Three contestant, Sara Mair, and a live demonstration on NBC’s former show, In The Loop with iVillage, co-hosted by Bill Rancic.

Stephanie is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising, and was an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. During her college years, she served as an intern for Martin-Waymire Advocacy Communications where she collaborated on a campaign proposal banning affirmative action that went to vote in a statewide election.

Stephanie is currently a member of the Michigan State University Alumni Association and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).