A conversation between Center for Communication alumni now working in the media industry, exploring their early career experiences, sharing their thoughts on the state of inclusion and equity in the media, and offering career enrichment guidance for current students.
Joseph Gonzales, Sales Associate, Paramount
Joseph Gonzales is a Digital Sales Associate at Paramount Advertising Sales. He handles the daily operations and placements of advertisements and primarily works with local Boston and political advertisers. Joseph is an alumnus of the Center of Communication's programs, having attended the Diversity Summit and spoken at the Stanton Award Ceremony honoring Jo Ann Ross, and got his Master of Science in Media Management at The New School in 2021. In his spare time, Joseph enjoys traveling, writing screenplays, and cooking Italian food.
Natalie Lifson, Agent Trainee & Executive Assistant, Buchwald; Co-Editor-in-Chief, The Hollywood Assistant
Natalie Lifson is an Agent Trainee and Executive Assistant to a VP at Buchwald, where she works in Comedy, Unscripted, Podcasts, Branding, and Lectures, among other departments. She is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Hollywood Assistant, a newsletter designed to share information, support, and provide resources for entry level entertainment professionals. She is also a freelance pitch deck builder and consultant who has worked on pitches for A-list celebrities, writers, directors, producers, and production companies across television, film, theater, music, fashion, and more. Natalie is on the board at JHRTS.
Melissa Nyarko, Senior Global Brand Manager, Live Nation Entertainment
Melissa Nyarko crafts and curates headline-worthy opportunities for established and emerging brands. Honing her diverse skill set, Ms. Nyarko is a detail-oriented big picture thinker with the ability to build and boost exposure for the world's most influential brands.
In this current phase of her career, Ms. Nyarko is leveraging her background in publicity and talent management to craft record-breaking business strategy, engaging promotional programs, viral brand collaborations and exclusive celebrity events around the world.
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Deeply passionate about equitable education, Ms. Nyarko works to uplift the next generation of professionals by equipping students with the valuable knowledge needed to succeed in creative careers. She currently serves as a mentor and on the board of three non-profit organizations centered on youth education in media: Black Girls in Media, Girls UniverCity & Veronica Arts Media. Additionally, she runs The Melanista Boutique, an emerging fashion brand dedicated to celebrating the beauty of Black women.
Stay connected with Melissa on LinkedIn (Melissa Nyarko) and Instagram (@LissaTheBoss__)
Amarachi Ugonabo, Creative Social Coordinator, Ralph
Amarachi Ugonabo is currently working at Ralph, a social media agency, as a Creative Social Coordinator. She's worked on the social campaigns and online marketing strategy for brands such as Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Amazon Music, and more. As a huge pop culture nerd, Amarachi loves to encourage bringing on new perspectives when it comes to creative storytelling in the media landscape.
Moderator: Alexandra Merceron, EVP, Rubenstein; Lecturer, Columbia University
Alexandra Merceron is a communications professional and educator with more than 20 years of experience. She specializes in helping organizations meaningfully engage diverse audiences, across channels and platforms.
Currently, she’s an Executive Vice President at RUBENSTEIN, a strategic communications and reputation management firm, where she leads research, messaging, DEI, culture, and training initiatives for the firm. Before joining RUBENSTEIN, she worked for, and as a consultant to, numerous organizations, including the FDA, Sugar Hill Children’s Museum, The Intersector Project, IBM, Harvard Business Review, The Boston Globe and New York Times, and Billboard Magazine, among others.
Alex is also an award-winning professor, with 13 years of experience training and mentoring the next generation of communications professionals. Since 2017, she has been a Lecturer at Columbia University, and previously taught at Georgetown University, Boston University, Queens University of Charlotte, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Connecticut.
Presented with the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and SVA Theatre
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
The Center's programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Accessibility: Center for Communication provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. Requests for accommodations for Center for Communication events should be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the accommodation need. Please email community@centerforcommunication.org for assistance.
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