Richard S. Helstein
Director, Emeritus
Richard S. Helstein is currently President of Creative Focus, A Marketing and Advertising Consulting Firm; as well as having served as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the Darden Graduate Business School, University of Virginia.
Previous to this, Dick served as Vice President, Global Advertising, KraftFoods North America. In addition to his responsibility for Kraft’s Advertising, Mr. Helstein was in charge of Kraft’s efforts in Digital Marketing, including Kraft’s Web Site, Kraft Marketing Training and Development efforts, and Kraft Strategic Alliances.
Dick was the first recipient of Kraft’s highest award, The President’s Award, established in 1998 to honor an individual for continuous achievements in building the growth of the company.
He served as Campaign Director of the Drunk Driving Prevention campaign for the Ad Council for which he received the Robert V. Goldstein Award in a ceremony at the White House with the President in recognition of outstanding results. He also has served on the Board of Directors of the Association of National Advertisers. Since leaving Kraft Foods, Dick has served as a Marketing Consultant for a number of companies including Nabisco, Microsoft, Pfizer, Sara Lee, Snyder- Lance and Pinnacle Foods.
Dick received a BA from Duke University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Dick was married to his wife Sue for 50 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2013 and passed away in November of 2019. Dick was her primary caregiver. He is currently serving as the facilitator for his GAP (Giving Alzheimer’s Purpose) Support Group and has been working with the Alzheimer’s Association appearing on various radio and television shows discussing the role of Care Givers today.
