"Finding and Delivering Fresh Stories" with Nneka Enurah
 (in conversation with Ken Calhoun)

Nneka Enurah is a dynamic leader and collaborative development and partnerships executive. She leads global video production partnerships for Amazon Ads currently.

Prior to joining Amazon, Nneka was the Head of Development & Partnerships for REACT Media where she led branded and premium content development and packaging for TV and platforms. Nneka also spent two years as Director of Digital Development & Production at Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine where she oversaw the development and production of social video and branded content for partners including Lexus, PepsiCo, P&G, Mailchimp and KitchenAid.

She previously established Authentic Entertainment’s partnership division and served as Vice President of Multiplatform & Partnerships. During her tenure at the Emmy award-winning production company, she shepherded new series for linear and brands generating millions in revenue.

In 2020 she became the first Black woman to be named Elon University's School of Communications "Alumna of the Year". In 2018 she was honored by Cynopsis Media as a “Top Woman in Digital” and in 2017 as a member of the “Digital It List” which recognizes the most innovative executives in digital media.

Nneka has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts & Entertainment from Elon University and is originally from Atlanta, GA. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Life After Lasell—Conversation with Lasell Alums
(moderated by Marie Franklin and Deborah Baldizar)

March 8, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Yamawaki Auditorium (with reception to follow)

GREGG CASAZZA ('19), Journalism -- Gregg works for a marketing agency in the Seaport called Wave Collective where he develops and curates content for a variety of clients. His work focuses on new media and social platforms like Instagram and Facebook. He works with clients to create written, video, and photo content that markets their specific brand’s voice and style. While at Lasell, Greg performed in several of the university’s theater productions.

RYAN FITZGERALD ('17), Journalism -- A Cape Cod native, Ryan has worked for the Provincetown Independent newspaper for the last two years as a staff reporter covering sports and other community topics. He also provides content for website/social media production as well as hosting the paper's weekly radio show 'The Indie News Hour' on WOMR. He was a sports writer and later co-editor of the 1851 Chronicle while at Lasell.

JARED GUIRLEO ('21) Radio and Video Production -- Since graduating last year, Jared has worked as a Freelance Videographer & Editor and enjoys working on creative projects. He recently produced a show called "Blind Kitchen" for Hearst Media. While at Lasell, Jared held leadership positions with both LCTV and WLAS radio.

KIERSTAN HYWELL ('19), Arts Management -- Since graduation, Kierstan has been a Gallery Assistant at The Wit Gallery in Lenox Massachusetts. She assists in representing over 50 artists from the United States, Canada, England, Ukraine and Israel. While at Lasell, Kierstan worked at the Wedeman Gallery.

JENNA MUCCI ('16), Graphic Design -- Jenna an outgoing young professional whose passions include graphic design, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors. She has experience with working for some of the biggest off-price retail chains in the US and learned so much over the past six years as a designer at TJMaxx/TJX. She was the Art Director for Polished Magazine while at Lasell.

AMBER ROSE MURPHY ('20), Graphic Design -- Amber graduated in 2020 from Lasell University with a BA in Graphic Design. She has experience helping small businesses build their visual brand identity and online presence. She now works as the Art & Media Lead for Ivy Camps USA, an online education service provider.

KATIE NAUM ('19), Graphic Design -- Katie is a multimedia graphic designer with experience currently working in the Boston area. She developed multiple forms of digital web content for Vantage, Talbots and freelance clients. She most recently worked as a Production Artist at Workhuman. She has also worked with companies like Coursera, Yahoo and most recently Yelling Mule, Boston’s #1 Web Design Agency, to create stunning websites, social media and branding materials.

MARY RAND ('21), PR Promotion -- Mary is working towards earning her Master of Business Administration at Lasell, giving her the opportunity to become a Double Laser and earn two degrees in as little as five years. A first generation college student, she concentrated in Public Relations as an undergrad because she loves creating personable relations and helping others.

EMMALYN ANDERSON REID ('11), Journalism -- Emmalyn joined the ABC6 team in October’ 21, and continues to keep southern New England up to date with the latest breaking news every night at 11 p.m. as a Multimedia Journalist. Prior to working for ABC6, she spent several years as a Reporter & Anchor at WMCT News in Marlborough, MA and feels privileged to tell the stories of our local communities. While at Lasell, Emmalyn had her own radio show and produced work for LCTV.

Design the World So You Belong with Jessie McGuire
(in conversation with Ken Calhoun)

March 8, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Yamawaki Auditorium

Jessie McGuire is the Managing Director at brand design studio ThoughtMatter, leading a diverse team of artists, writers and strategists to create daring designs and identities for global brands, local communities, art museums and foundations, institutions and non-profits.

Jessie has been integral in shaping the purpose and creative vision of ThoughtMatter, spearheading projects and campaigns that reflect the agency’s culture and mission, including a modern redesign of the U.S. Constitution and the recently launched For The People docuseries. She has raised awareness and support for socially progressive causes such as March for Our Lives, Girls Write Now and The Joyful Heart Foundation as well as on community-minded efforts for The New-York Historical Society, Downtown Staten Island and The Center for Arts Education.

Jessie holds a BFA in Communications Design and Advertising Art Direction from Pratt Institute and a MPS in Branding from The School of Visual Arts. Before joining ThoughtMatter, she produced and designed projects for billion-dollar brands owned by Kimberly-Clark, P&G and Colgate Palmolive. In addition, Jessie formerly served as the Advocacy Chair on the board of directors of the New York chapter of AIGA, and is a regular speaker at conferences across NYC. When Jessie is not designing, she can be found running in Brooklyn—alone, in a race or after her two kids.

"The Art of Producing" with Lisa Marie Russo
(in conversation with Meryl Perlson)

March 22, 3:00 - 4:00pm

Lisa Marie-Russo is a BAFTA-winning English film producer best known for her work on The Spirit of 45 among others. Russo‘s credits include Ken Loach The Spirit of ’45, Terence Davies Of Time And The City, Gillian Wearing Self Made and Andrew Kotting’s Swandown. In 2009, she launched production company Fly Film with Kate Ogborn. Since 2015, her company has executive produced 72 short films by young people for Screen South Ignition Random Acts Network, supported by Arts Council England and Channel 4.

In 2018 Doc Society announced (formerly BRITDOC) has appointed Lisa Marie Russo as film fund executive of the BFI Doc Society Fund. The BFI announced the Doc Society as the delivery partner for documentary in December 2017, awarding them £1 million of national lottery funding per year to support and develop UK documentary filmmakers.

Lisa Marie is currently a Consultant and Executive Producer for the BFI Doc Society Fund on select titles, having been the Fund Executive from its inception in 2018 through to the summer of 2021.

Her films have won an EMMY (The Nightcrawlers), a BAFTA and a Digital Broadcast Award (Locked In) and two Grierson Awards (Locked In and Country Girl). Poly Styrene: I am a Cliche won the Raindance Discovery Award and Best Documentary at the BIFA’s. Nothing Compares and the VR project Child of Empire premiered in Sundance 2022.

Free Design Tools for the Non-Designer

CATRINA GARDNER ('14)

April 5th, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Arnow Campus Center

Catrina Gardner is an experienced, design-driven marketing professional. As a Communications Manager at Vision Advertising, she helps clients achieve success via social marketing strategy and public relations.

With a degree in graphic design & studio art from Lasell University, Catrina has a notable background in print design. Her designs have been sold at Homegoods, Bed Bath & Beyond, and in small décor shops across the country. Catrina has been able to use her design background to successfully elevate the marketing strategy she uses for clients day-to-day.

SOCIAL MEDIA STORYTELLING PANEL

APRIL 12, 5:00 - 6:00

Panelists

EMILY CRUME

Emily Crume is the Director of Strategy for Social Media Examiner, the world's largest social media marketing resource. She has a track record for architecting strategies that drive business growth and her expertise is in sales and business development. Currently she organizes all strategic relationships, sponsorships and alliances for the company, helping businesses and brands connect with social marketers and digital influencers in the community.

LAUREN PROCIV

Lauren currently works for the nationally-recognized Martin Agency as a Vice President and Strategic Planning Director. The Virginia Tech graduate has been with the Martin Agency for nine years, entering the field as an account executive and eventually moving over to the UX side of the agency. Lauren is a dynamic, analytical thinker and has worked on advertising accounts for UPS, GEICO, Trident, Walmart, and Chevrolet among many other brands.

RAJ RAWAL

Raj has been obsessed with storytelling and food his entire life. His Indian background has fueled his passion for providing a unique lens into the real world in order to amplify and support voices in the digital world.

Raj is currently the Content Lead at Tastemade, and oversees programming for Tastemade's Instagram channels under the “Food” vertical -- @tastemade, @tinykitchentm, and @chefsfeed.

He has also worked with some of the top talent in the entertainment industry as well as some of the biggest production companies in the U.S. In 2016, he had the honor of producing the interactive “Yeezy Season 3” show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Over the years, Raj has been able to offer his expert knowledge on all things digital and social with top and emerging talent as well as innovative platforms. His ability to build authentic relationships with creators and to develop sincere stories around food are skills that have allowed him to continue to elevate social content in the lifestyle space.

Raj hails from the great state of New Jersey and holds a BA of Communications in Media Arts in Entertainment and a Minor in Creative Writing from Elon University in North Carolina.