'Thoughts Become Things': Palatine PR & Marketing Executive Receives Business Award

Palatine public relations and communications strategy firm founder Melanie Santostefano promotes area businesses and organizations, and recently had the spotlight turned on her.

Santostefano was among 18 executives honored on November 5th at the Daily Herald Business Ledger’s 18th Annual Influential Women in Business Awards and Recognition event.

The awards were presented to outstanding women executives who excel in business, civic and personal arenas, and are based in DuPage County, suburban Cook County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County and Will County.

In her remarks at the ceremony, held at the Danada House Conference Center in Wheaton, Santostefano said she was “extremely honored and humbled” by the recognition.

She noted her background as the daughter of immigrants. Her mother’s and father’s work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as that of an aunt and three uncles who also built businesses, served as a model for Santostefano when she launched Vicarious Productions in 2004.

“This award shows that one can achieve their goals if they put their entire heart and soul into it,” she said. “Thoughts really do become things, and I am living proof of that.”

Santostefano grew up in Deerfield, and is a graduate of Deerfield High School and University of Illinois at Chicago.

Santostefano’s professional background began in the social services, where she worked for the Department of Children and Family Services. In the late 1990s, she began writing and reporting news for a heritage radio station, NewsTalk 1340 WSOY, in Decatur, Illinois. She went on to work for Shadow Broadcast/Metro Networks reporting news, traffic and weather on a variety of Chicago radio stations, and finally as an editor for Patch.com before focusing full-time on Vicarious Productions.

Santostefano serves on the board of directors for The Bridge Youth and Family Services, is on the Palatine 150th Celebration/Sesquicentennial Core Committee, and is a Young Entrepreneurs’ Academy (YEA) mentor. She also works closely with three northwest suburban-based non-profit organizations, C.A.T.I.F. [Celebrating All That Is Feminine], PATH-Palatine Assisting Through Hope and North West Housing Partnership.

In a nomination letter for the Daily Herald Business Ledger award, Patch.com regional editor Dennis Robaugh pointed to Santostefano’s passion as a key element in Vicarious Productions’ growth.

“Melanie connects so well with her clients she virtually becomes a part of their businesses and their lives,” Robaugh stated. “She’s not only a service provider, she’s a compassionate advocate and a champion. She creates amazing opportunities for them.”

Thomas J. Kaider, who serves as the Palatine Township Highway Commissioner and is president of A Plus Property Managers, Inc., also provided a letter, which lauded Santostefano’s “personal, caring approach.”

“I have known many driven women, but none that accomplished what she has, while being a dedicated mother and volunteer, maintaining such warmth, grace, and positivity,” Kaider stated. “Aside from her expertise in marketing and public relations, I appreciate her positive impact. Awards like this exist for people like her, and she deserves it!”

Vicarious Productions works with business owners, non-profit leaders and government bodies to assist in communicating who they are, what they do and how they can benefit their target audiences.

In 2014, Vicarious Productions was named Business of the Year by the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Daily Herald Business Ledger’s Influential Women in Business Awards and Recognition are presented in partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners – Chicago Area Chapter. Award sponsors are the Northern Illinois University College of Business; B.Gunther & Co.; Itasca Bank and Trust Co., and Leader Board of Chicago.

Vicarious Productions is online at www.vicariousproductions.com.

In addition to Santostefano, the other award recipients were:

Sarah Anderson, Vice President / Marketing, VHT Studios, Inc., Rosemont; Carol Blackwood, Vice President – Retail Banking, Village Bank & Trust, Arlington Heights; Lynn Caldwell, Executive Director, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles; Martha Carney, Program Manager, SBDC – College of DuPage, Lisle; Christina Currie, Owner, Christina Currie Events, Inc., Barrington; Amy Florian, CEO, Corgenius, Hoffman Estates; Karon Gibson, RN CCM, President, AmericaNurse, Ltd., Plainfield; Kaili Harding, President, Schaumburg Business Association, Schaumburg; Kathleen Henson, Founder & CEO, Henson Consulting, Inc., Chicago & Wheaton; Cindy Jaudon, President - North America, IFS Americas, Itasca; Amy McCormack, Vice President – Finance & Administration, Dominican University, River Forest; Angelica Monroy, Executive Director, British Swim School, Elmhurst; Liz Richards, Executive Vice President, MHEDA, Vernon Hills; Kimberly Shannon, President, Off-Site Business Services, Orland Park; Lisa Stamos, President, Quintessential Media Group, Barrington; Eleanor Anne Sweet, CEO, Corporate Success Partners.com, Barrington; and Deborah Winkleblack, Vice President, Int. Logistics & Compliance, Claire’s Stores, Hoffman Estates.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Melanie Santostefano, founder of Vicarious Productions, was honored at the Daily Herald Business Ledger’s 18th Annual Influential Women in Business Awards and Recognition event. (Photo by Dana Roe, In the Moment Photography)

Photo 2: Melanie Santostefano is accompanied by her father, Mario, at the Daily Herald Business Ledger’s Influential Women in Business Awards and Recognition on Nov. 5th.

Photo 3: Melanie Santostefano and her Vicarious Productions’ business partner, Shawn Jackson.

Photo 4: Melanie Santostefano expresses her appreciation for the recognition at the Nov. 5th event, held at the Danada House Conference Center in Wheaton.