Jasmine Ahlgren '20
Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Arthur Elliott (Ad Agency in Charlotte, NC) - Media Manager
Major: Public Relations with Media Studies Minor
University Involvement: Alpha Delta Pi
Bio:
Jasmine Ahlgren is a results-driven Media Manager with expertise in digital advertising, social media strategy, and data-driven marketing. At Arthur Elliott, she develops and optimizes multi-channel ad campaigns, leveraging analytics to drive measurable results. With experience in social media management at Dole Food Company, she excels in content creation, influencer collaborations, and audience engagement. Passionate about emerging trends and performance marketing, Jasmine combines creativity with strategy to maximize impact.
Sophie Baine '24
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Still applying for roles
Major: Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA, Sigma Kappa
Bio:
"I’m Sophie, a passionate communicator and creative strategist with a deep love for storytelling and problem-solving. As a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, I’ve gained hands-on experience across public relations, digital marketing, and nonprofit communications.
Throughout my career so far, I’ve crafted engaging campaigns, built meaningful connections, and contributed to impactful projects. From developing strategic messaging as a Design & Communications Intern at Equitable Advisors to creating content that increased engagement during my time with the Hunger and Health Coalition, I thrive at the intersection of creativity and strategy. My leadership as PRSSA Chapter President and the completion of my honors thesis on AI in public relations have further fueled my passion for innovation and collaboration.
Now, I’m excited to bring my skills and energy to the next chapter of my career—I’m currently seeking opportunities in NYC where I can contribute to innovative campaigns and drive results that matter.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me running, exploring new places, or volunteering with organizations that make a difference. Let’s connect—I’d love to chat about PR, digital strategy, or creative problem-solving!"
Haley Brown '17
Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Hamlin School, San Francisco - Alumni Manager
Major: Journalism
University Involvement: APPS Club, The Appalachian
Bio:
Haley Brown is an experienced professional who is passionate about building connections and driving philanthropic initiatives in the education sector. She has spent her career working at not-for-profit organizations in Santa Cruz County and at independent schools in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Her expertise in event planning, fundraising, marketing and communications have helped her achieve both philanthropic and relational goals throughout her career.
Emily Broyles '22
Pronouns: she/her
Job: The Charlotte Observer, Senior Audience Growth Producer
Major: Journalism
University Involvement: The Appalachian, Appalachian Student Ambassadors
Bio: Originally from Camden, NC, Emily is an audience journalist with expertise in news promotion, reader engagement, and newsletter creation.
A Diversity Scholar, Emily graduated Magna Cum Laude from Appalachian State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Journalism and and a minor in Spanish. She was the first person of color and Latina to be Editor-in-Chief of The Appalachian, App State's student paper, in 2021.
Based in Louisville, KY, Emily now works remotely for The Charlotte Observer, providing SEO/headline coaching, newsletter strategy and project promotion planning.
Kat Bundy '14
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Senior Marketing Manager, American Cancer Society; Owner, Kat Bundy Strategic Marketing
Major: Comms - Public Relations; English - Creative Writing
University Involvement: Sigma Tau Delta
Bio:
Kat Bundy is a strategic marketing leader with more than a decade of experience crafting and sharing the stories of impactful brands across numerous industries. Kat serves as a senior marketing manager for the American Cancer Society’s enterprise brand strategy team, owns a consulting business, and co-owns a property management company.
Kat resides on South Holston Lake in Bristol, Tennessee with her partner Jake and their ever-changing menagerie of critters collected from roadsides and dumpsters everywhere. In her heaps of free time, she enjoys all things plants, every moment on the water, and pretty much any book she lays a hand on.
Kelly Carrazzone '21
Pronouns: she/her
Job: TRACK mgmt - Management Coordinator
Major: Public Relations
University Involvement: APPS, Appalachian State Dance Team, University Housing (RA),
Bio:
"Without a single musical bone in her body, Kelly set her sights on working with artists and bands in the music industry at age 15 and never looked back.
In her 4 years at Appalachian State University working towards a Public Relations degree, Kelly spent all her free time finding ways to build her skillset in music venue booking, artist management, music PR work, music blog writing, and indie marketing endeavors. Post-graduation, Kelly accidentally moved to Nashville, TN (though she had notoriously despised country music) and quickly realized that despite not knowing a single person in Nashville, there was no better city to learn from the entertainment industry's biggest executives and global superstars.
Fast forward to present-day, Kelly works for an artist management company and has played an instrumental role in helping artists expand their fanbases, build their brands, and find creative ways to communicate their true artistry to the world through their music releases. Kelly's current artist wheelhouse includes working for Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Ashley Cooke, ERNEST, Jake Worthington, and MacKenzie Porter. "
Eric Cunningham '18
Pronouns: he/him
Job: Full Metal Chicken - Marketing Coordinator. Elections Daily - Editor in Chief
Major: Journalism
University Involvement: The Appalachian (School Paper, Writer)
Bio: Eric Cunningham is the founder and editor-in-chief of Elections Daily and a digital marketer at Full Metal Chicken. He is a lifelong resident of North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication, Journalism. His work has appeared in The Assembly, Ordinary Times, and The Dispatch.
Autumn Dagenhardt '24
Pronouns: She/Her
Job: The Green Room Theatre, Marketing and Communications Manager
Major: Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA (President), AMA
Bio:
Hi, I'm Autumn! I currently work as the Marketing and Communications Manager at The Green Room Theatre in Newton, NC. After graduating from Appalachian State University with a degree in Public Relations, I had the chance to intern with Blumenthal Arts in Charlotte, where I learned a lot about marketing in the arts world.
While at Appalachian, I was actively involved in PRSSA, even serving as Chapter President, and I also helped out with communications for the College of Arts and Sciences. I’ve had the chance to explore different areas of marketing and communications, from PR writing to visual content creation, and even worked as a brand ambassador for Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea.
When I’m not in the office, you can find me acting in commercials and films, which is another big passion of mine. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned along the way and help students navigate their own journeys!
Larken Egleston '17
Pronouns: He/him
Job: NC Department of Justice
Major: Advertising/Business
University Involvement: Pi Kappa Alpha
Bio:
Larken Egleston is the Congressional District Director for U.S. Representative Jeff Jackson (NC-14). Egleston previously served two terms on the Charlotte City Council and represented Republic National Distributing Company as a brand ambassador for Western North Carolina. He has also written for local publications including the Charlotte Observer, Elevate Magazine and Creative Loafing.
Egleston serves on the North Carolina advisory committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, serves as an advisory board member for Central Piedmont Community College’s Culinary Arts program, and serves on the board of directors for Preservation NC. He was previously the City of Charlotte’s representative on the Centralina Regional Council as well as the NC League of Municipalities, was a volunteer firefighter for the Long Creek Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Carolinas Chapter Board of Directors, and has served the local and state Democratic Party as President of the Mecklenburg County Young Democrats, a member of the State Executive Committee, and a local precinct chair. Egleston was also chair of the City Council’s Charlotte International Cabinet and vice chair of the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. Egleston served as a delegate to the 2016 and 2020 Democratic National Conventions and has been named one of Charlotte’s Top 30 Under 30 (2010) by Elevate Lifestyle, Top 40 Under 40 (2020) by the Charlotte Business Journal, and is a Hunt Institute State Policy Fellow as well as a Political Partner of the Truman Project.
Larken received an associate degree from Johnson & Wales University and a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, where he serves on the Board of Visitors.
Gabriela Elder '13
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Director of Marketing, Harbor (Publicis Groupe)
Major: Advertising & Communications
University Involvement: NCAA D1 Womens Tennis Team
Bio: Gabriela Elder is a seasoned marketing leader with over a decade of experience driving growth and building global brands in the entertainment and advertising industries. As Director of Global Marketing at Harbor and Anchor, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives across creative, sales, and operational fronts, crafting impactful brand strategies and fostering innovation in marketing campaigns.
Gabriela has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results, including leading a global team to increase brand awareness by 71% through organic social media strategies and managing multi-million-dollar budgets to achieve maximum ROI. Her expertise extends to developing account-based marketing campaigns, overseeing award-winning brand redesigns, and launching Anchor, a cutting-edge production technology platform.
A proven leader in communications and public relations, Gabriela has played a pivotal role in guiding organizations through complex mergers and acquisitions, ensuring alignment across global entities. She has also developed and executed crisis PR strategies during industry-wide disruptions, reinforcing trust and stability with clients.
Her collaborative leadership has been instrumental in cultivating relationships with industry stakeholders, managing crisis communications during pivotal moments, and producing high-profile events such as Sundance and Cannes Lions activations. Additionally, she has championed global communication strategies and driven cultural transformation efforts within her organization.
Gabriela holds a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Applied Communications from Appalachian State University. She is actively involved in industry organizations, serving as a Board Member of the Post New York Alliance and an Advisory Council Member for Reel Works.
Kendall Englehart '16
Pronouns: Mrs. // she/ her/ hers
Job: Communities In Schools of Cape Fear Communications Manager
Major: Journalism and Communication Studies
University Involvement: App Speaks/ Panorama, Her Campus
Bio:
Kendall McGee Englehart is the Communications Manager for Communities In Schools (CIS) of Cape Fear. In her role, she manages the nonprofit’s website, media relations, social media content creation, event marketing, brand development, and collaborates to create and execute donor cultivation efforts. Englehart joined the staff at CIS full time in 2022 after leaving a career as a tv journalist for WECT News, where she covered New Hanover County crime and education.
Spencer Foster '15
Pronouns: He/Him
Job: M Booth, Senior Digital Strategist
Major: Communication/PR
University Involvement: APPS, ACT blood drive committee, 2 semesters with WASU
Bio:
Spencer currently resides in Winston-Salem, NC, with his beloved dog and cat. He leads digital strategy for Google for Education and Google.org, running social media accounts for both brands. Previously, he has managed successful PR and social campaigns for GRAMMY-winning artists, CPG brands, and Fortune 500 companies.
Sara Harkey '13
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Appalachian State University, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement
Major: Communications, Advertising
University Involvement: University Honors Program, Lambda Pi Eta, ASU Ad Club
Bio: Sara (Leinbach) Harkey completed her Bachelor of Science in Communication with a concentration in Advertising and a minor in Marketing in 2013. Following graduation, she worked for several years at Lees-McRae College in digital marketing and communications. She was excited to come back to her alma mater in 2020 with the Office of Alumni Engagement at Appalachian State University. She now serves as the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement for Communications & Services, overseeing all alumni communications, including: the alumni website and social media platforms, event registrations, mass emails, graphic design, branding and swag.
Faith Hatton '19
Pronouns: she/ her
Job: Associate Publisher/ Editor
Major: Electronic Media Broadcasting
University Involvement: App TV
Bio:
"Faith Hatton is the associate publisher and editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal in Fayetteville, NC.
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Hatton holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media Broadcasting. From 2019-2021, prior to joining GFBJ, Hatton was a multimedia journalist and news anchor at KMOT, a TV station in Minot, North Dakota affiliated with NBC and Fox,she also provided content as a multimedia journalist for the channel’s sister station, KFYR-TV.
Following the end of her time in North Dakota, Hatton returned to North Carolina and joined the GFBJ team in July of 2022 as assistant editor before being promoted to editor in January of 2023.
Along with managing editorial content focusing on business news across a seven county coverage area, Hatton has overseen continued growth of the Journal including launching the area’s first Health Care Heroes event for which Hatton served as the Master of Ceremonies. That role would later continue into fall of 2024 where Hatton would become the regular MC for the Journal’s quarterly Power Breakfast Series.
After two years of working as Editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, Hatton was promoted to associate publisher/editor effective as of Jan. 20, 2025.
With this new role, Hatton continues to work as editor while overseeing continued growth, expanding the Journal’s team and developing marketing strategies to help strengthen brand recognition. She also works to develop partnerships with local businesses and professionals."
Lauren Hempen '20
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Work: Barker Title: Copywriter
Major: English, Creative Writing
University Involvement: Appalachian Student Ambassadors, The Peel Magazine, Kappa Delta, and Panhellenic Council as a Rho Gamma
Bio:
Lauren Hempen graduated in 2020 with a degree in English, Creative Writing and used her love for writing in the professional world as an advertising copywriter– thanks to a summer internship at a pharmaceutical ad agency. Since then, she's written TV commercials, social ads, websites, and video scripts for a range of products including LUMIFY eye drops and metastatic breast cancer treatments.
She spends her days working at Barker, a NYC-based, independent agency.
Heather Hollister '24
Pronouns: she/her
Job: College Board, Coordinator
Major: Communications, Advertising
University Involvement: Omega Nu Lambda
Bio:
Heather Hollister is a higher education administrator with experience in student affairs, nonprofit leadership, and university administration. Currently, she serves as Coordinator for the Learning and Assessment division at College Board, where she supports initiatives that expand access to higher education. Prior to this role, she worked in student affairs in Texas, including in the Vice President for Student Affairs office. Heather is currently pursuing a master's degree in Higher Education Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is passionate about student success, financial strategy in nonprofit settings, and policy work that improves educational equity. Heather earned her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University and is excited to give back to their alma mater by sharing insights with current students.
Erin Hudson '04
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Town of Morrisville, Strategic Performance Manager
Major: Communications, Concentration in Corporate Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA
Bio:
Erin Hudson is the Strategic Performance Manager and Legislative Liaison (and current Interim Town Clerk) for the Town of Morrisville, located just outside of Raleigh. She earned a BS in Communication with a concentration in Corporate Public Relations from Appalachian State University in 2004 and a Master of Public Administration through the Distance Education Program, Forsyth Cohort, in 2014. Even though she daydreamed of having a glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle of a Public Relations Executive, she found the next best thing – the unglamorous and highly stable life of a local government professional! August 2025 will mark the start of Erin’s 18th year in local government service, where she has worked in communities ranging in size from just over 21,000 to nearly 237,000 residents. One of her most accomplished traits is adaptability: being able to mold and melt into situations and conversations, irrespective of the subject matter or audience. She attributes much of this skill to a strong communications background… and Appalachian State University.
Anna Kathman '21
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Job: WNEM TV5, Producer
Major: Double major in Journalism and Broadcasting
University Involvement: The Appalachian, AppTV, The Appalachian Weekly News
Bio:
"Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Anna Kathman found her calling producing news for WNEM TV5 in mid-Michigan.
Anna enjoys rooting for her alma mater, Appalachian State University, where she met her wonderful husband, Brandon. Roll neers!
When not crafting compelling stories, she enjoys spending time with her three cats and dog. "
Kate Keane '22
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Communications Coordinator @ CSCCa
Major: Communication, Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA, Second Story Media, Honors College
Bio:
Kate Keane is a marketer, copywriter, and above all else, storyteller with a passion for crafting compelling narratives that connect brands with their audiences. With a strong foundation in strategic communication, Kate excels in creating content where information is second nature to inspiration. She currently serves as the Communications Team of One at the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), an Austin-based sports performance nonprofit, as well as on the PRSA Austin Board of Directors as Director-at-Large, Marketing & Communications.
A first-generation college graduate, Kate earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations with a minor in History from Appalachian State University, where she was honored as a Chancellor’s Scholar, receiving Appalachia’s oldest and most academically competitive merit-based scholarship. This opportunity provided her with full institutional support, experiential research opportunities, and personalized academic mentorship, with a side of unrivaled mountain views.
When she's not working her day job, you can find Kate practicing yoga through her side gig at YTX Austin, reveling in Austin’s iconic music scene, or traveling home to Ireland to spend time with family. Connect with her via LinkedIn to collaborate, or just to share your favorite playlist!
Jessica Kimes '22
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Marketing Director, Branch Wealth Partners and Plumber Today
Major: Communication and Advertising
University Involvement: The Appalachian, Student Made Store, Second Story Media, Delta Zeta, CRU
Bio:
As Marketing Director for multiple startups, I drive growth and optimize performance across diverse business landscapes. With a strong foundation in digital marketing and content creation, I excel at crafting and executing strategic campaigns that deliver measurable results. Every decision is fueled by a creative outlook. From crafting engaging, educational videos for the plumbing company, to developing and launching an online learning platform for the real estate side, I've cultivated a diverse skill set that yields consistent success and drive tangible business growth.
Anne-Elizabeth McLoughlin '24
Pronouns: She/her
Job: Just finished at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as a conservation educator and animal interpreter on the communication team
Major: Political Science and Communications
Bio:
I worked on the communication team as a professional intern at Walt Disney World in the Animal, Sciences, and Environment department of the company. I worked directly with scientists and animal keepers on communication initiatives that would reach around 2 million guests that entered Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot. I also worked on interpreting the behavior of endangered animals to guests and sharing their conservation stores.
Jeff Merritt '89
Job: Executive Director -- The Centennial Authority/Lenovo Center
Major: Political Science/Communications
University Involvement: WASU, Student Government, Summer Orientation Leader, Sigma Nu Fraternity
Bio:
Since 2011, Jeff Merritt has served as the Executive Director for the Centennial Authority. The Authority oversees operations of the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, the 19,000-seat multi-purpose home of the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University Men’s Basketball.
Prior to coming to the Centennial Authority, Jeff was Business Development Director for Clancy & Theys Construction Company from 2007 until 2011; Eastern Regional Director for Government Affairs for KB Home from 2003-2007; and Vice President for Government and Community Affairs for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce from 1998 until 2003. He began his career in 1989 as a Press Assistant to then-North Carolina Governor Jim Martin.
Jeff is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he earned a bachelor’s in Political Science with a concentration in Communications and North Carolina State University where he earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. He is a Fellow of the North Carolina Institute for Political Leadership and The German Marshall Fund of the United States. In 2007, he received a Marshall Memorial Fellowship. He was recognized in 2001 as one of the Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”, is a recipient of North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine and was recognized by the Raleigh News & Observer as the Most Influential Person in Raleigh-Durham Sports for 2023.
He serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, and a liaison to the Board of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. He is a past president of the Appalachian State Alumni Council, Chairman of Appalachian State University’s Department of Communication Professional Advisory Board and former member of the University’s Board of Trustees and Foundation Board. He served from 2006 until 2013 as the Wake County Commissioner’s appointee to the Triangle Transit Authority (GoTriangle) Board of Trustees and served for more than two years as the agency’s Chairman. In 2005, he chaired Leadership Raleigh. He has had leadership roles in committees tasked with passing local and county bond efforts for school construction, transportation, parks and open space.
Patrick Mullaney '19
Pronouns: He/Him
Job: The University of Alabama Athletics, Crimson Tide Productions - Broadcast Engineer
Major: Electronic Media & Broadcast
University Involvement: AppVision, 90.5 WASU, AppTV
Bio:
Sports broadcast producer/director and engineer. Experience with technical directing, graphics operation, replay, audio mixing, and graphic design.
Sophie Reinhardt '24
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Student at VCU Brandcenter, Marketing Intern for Savara Hospitality
Major: Communication Studies
University Involvement: Second Story Media, Spring Forward
Bio:
After recently graduating from App State last spring, Sophie Reinhardt moved to Richmond, VA, to pursue a master's degree in Business & Branding at VCU Brandcenter, with a focus on Creative Brand Management. During her time at App State, Sophie spent three semesters working with Second Story Media, culminating in her role as president. She was also involved in planning Spring Forward last year and is thrilled to return this spring to reconnect with current students and share what she’s learned in her first year after graduation!
Megan Roberson '16
Job: Green Bay Packers, Planning Specialist, Marketing & Sales
Major: Communication, Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA, Student Yosef Club
Bio:
Megan Roberson is in her 4th year in professional sports with the Green Bay Packers. Roberson focuses on large-scale events at Lambeau Field. She was a leader in bringing the first international soccer game between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester City to Green Bay in July 2022. She also was a key member of the team who submitted the bid for the NFL Draft. Currently, Roberson’s focuses include preparing for the NFL Draft in Green Bay, which will be held in April 2025, along with the preparations to be a Team Base Camp for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Other potential future events include college football games, concerts, and further international soccer games. Megan is a Big Sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and also sits on their board. She is also a member of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund Marketing Committee.
Sammi Scharf '18
Pronouns: she/her
Job: LendingTree - SEO Writer
Major: Communications, Advertising
University Involvement: Advertising Club and Delta Zeta Sorority
Bio: I’m a staff writer at LendingTree, where I compare and review credit cards. I love to help consumers make the best financial decisions and find products that match their lifestyles. I entered the personal finance space in 2022 when I joined LendingTree as a web content coordinator.
Through my work, I’ve fostered a profound knowledge of credit card products. I enjoy deep-diving into card benefits that people may not know about and helping readers see how they can leverage all the features on their credit cards to save money.
Before joining the personal finance world, I worked in various marketing roles, including paid media and content writing at a marketing agency, as well as a marketing coordinator for both a home appliance company and a real estate firm.
These experiences allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of marketing and decide which area I wanted to focus on. My passion for explaining products to consumers and helping them tackle major financial decisions led me to personal finance writing.
Kristen Shook '22
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Franchise Ramp/ Brand Team Leader
Major: Communication Studies
Bio: I have grown into a leader on the executive team at Franchise Ramp, where I oversee Brand Teams and collaborate with C-suite investors and franchisors to drive strategic growth. My expertise lies in strategic communications, brand positioning, and corporate thought leadership, helping brands establish a powerful presence in the franchise space.
With a background in media relations, consumer engagement, and project management, I thrive in high-level collaborations with executives to create and execute impactful strategies. I’m skilled in strategic planning, content creation, and marketing campaigns, leveraging AI technology and social media to enhance brand visibility and performance.
Public speaking, decision-making, and innovation are at the core of my approach. I’m passionate about shaping brand narratives, fostering meaningful connections, and driving results that make a lasting impact.
Natasha Adams Spencer '22
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Job: Senior Manager of Scholarships, Thurgood Marshall College Fund; Graduate Research Associate, NC State Belk Center for Community College Leadership & Research
Major: Communication, Advertising; minor in Sociology
Bio:
Natasha Adams Spencer is a driven educator, strategic communicator, and nonprofit leader dedicated to advancing educational opportunities and equity for all students. Currently a doctoral student in the Community College and Career Education concentration of NC State’s Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development PhD program, Natasha’s academic and professional work are united by a mission to empower underserved communities, especially within Community Colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Her professional journey is marked by impactful roles, including her current position as a Senior Manager of Scholarships at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, where she assists in managing a $2M scholarship portfolio. Natasha excels in strategic communication, having created plans that significantly increase awareness and engagement with scholarship opportunities. Her leadership extends to supervising teams, advising corporate partners, and developing comprehensive marketing strategies. With a Master's in Strategic Communication from East Carolina University, Natasha's capstone project focused on enhancing messaging for HBCU scholarship opportunities, demonstrating her commitment to educational advocacy. Her background also includes a Bachelor's in Communication Advertising from Appalachian State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. With a strong foundation in educational leadership, strategic communication, and nonprofit management, Natasha Adams Spencer is poised to continue making significant contributions to the field of education and beyond.
Maddie Thomas '24
Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Brandsymbol - Client Relationship Specialist
Major: Communication, Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA and Alpha Phi
Bio:
I graduated from App State in May 2024, with a BS in Communications, Public Relations. Following my summer Marketing Internship, I became a Client Relationship Specialist for Brandsymbol. Brandsymbol is a smaller brand naming agency located in Charlotte that mostly assists pharmaceutical companies in drug, medical device, and clinical trial naming but we also work with some B2B/C companies as well. Brand naming and logo/design are our two major specialties, but we also offer corporate identity, brand strategy, market research, regulatory screening, etc.
Will Vickers '87
Pronouns: He/Him
Job: Arch Mortgage Insurance Company, Vice President Industry Technology
Major: BSBA Business Information Systems
University Involvement: WASU, The Appalachian
Bio:
Will Vickers
Arch Mortgage Insurance Company
Will Vickers is the Vice President of Industry Technology at Arch Mortgage Insurance (Arch MI), where he manages the Digital Channel, builds strategic partnerships with industry technology providers, and provides technology consulting to Arch MI customers.
Will has 37 years of experience in financial services technology with Arch MI, Black Knight Financial Services, First Union Bank, Wachovia Bank Mortgage and three additional mortgage insurance (MI) firms.
Maddi Walsleben '22
Pronouns: she/her
Job: Associate Marketing Specialist at JMP (a SAS company)
Major: Public Relations
University Involvement: Delta Zeta, the Appalachian, Tau Sigma Transfer Honor Society,
Bio:
"Maddi Walsleben is a communications professional with a passion for account-based marketing and public relations. She earned her bachelor's degree in public relations with a double minor in marketing and nonprofit organizations from Appalachian State University in 2022. Maddi pursued her master's degree in public relations and corporate communications at Georgetown University. Her experience includes marketing and communications work in student affairs at Appalachian State, an internship with SAS, and her current role at JMP (a SAS company), where she is completing a marketing rotational program."
Annesley Womble '22
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Job: Marketing and Communications Specialist at the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah and Game Night PR Communications Staff at the Utah Jazz
Major: Communication, Advertising
University Involvement: Rock Climbing Team, Alpine Ski Team, University Club Representative, ASE Peer Leader, First-Year Orientation Leader, CIEE Semester Study Abroad, Spring Forward Intern
Bio:
Annesley Womble brings three years of marketing experience specializing in campaigns, brand awareness, social media management, and editorial content. As a Marketing and Communications Specialist at the David Eccles School of Business, she drives strategic initiatives to engage audiences, produce compelling content, and enhance brand presence. This season, Annesley also joined the Utah Jazz Public Relations team, supporting media efforts, coordinating pre- and post-game press conferences, distributing game stats, and ensuring seamless communication on game days. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, skiing, cooking, and exploring the state of Utah.