Young Alumni Council

Blake grew up in a family of seven — the oldest of five brothers. Four of them are Bobcats. Blake and his wife recently moved home to Ohio after three years living and adventuring in Colorado.

While in Colorado, Blake served as the marketing and communications director for three pro sports teams simultaneously. Professionally, he enjoys connecting with new and interesting people, telling stories and growing within a community. He has spent his entire young career in the sports industry so far, but his new role as the marketing writer for Ohio State Newark and Central Ohio Technical College presents a new and exciting challenge.

Karli Bell is a WNBA reporter and analyst located in Chicago. She’s spent the last 5 seasons covering the Chicago Sky, creating original programming around the team for regional sports networks.

She is now independent with her own site and podcast: Courtside with Karli Bell, which is fully dedicated to the WNBA and women’s basketball.

Makenzie Bowker is an award-winning storyteller and social media leader whose work has earned some of the industry’s highest honors, including multiple Webby Awards, Telly Awards, and recognition as a 2025 Bold Brands Honoree by The Social Intelligence Lab. After graduating with honors from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Makenzie began her career at CNN, where she worked nearly every shift and role imaginable—from archives specialist to live event producer to 3 a.m. Pinterest craft builder, and everything in between. While there, she was tapped to help build the network’s first-ever social discovery team. During her tenure, she covered two presidential campaigns, led social newsgathering workshops for staff, and regularly sourced and produced high-impact content that shaped CNN’s digital storytelling.

Currently, Makenzie serves as the senior manager of social media and influencer strategy at City of Hope, where she has led transformative digital initiatives. Within her first 90 days, she implemented a new social-first content strategy and rebranding effort that drove a 180% increase in video views, a 53% growth in audience footprint, a 77% rise in impressions, and a 105% boost in engagements year-over-year. In her role, she leads a team of content producers and strategists while advising C-suite leaders and cross-functional partners on best practices and emerging trends. She has developed a comprehensive suite of strategy playbooks and governance documents covering influencer and user-generated content, social listening, employee advocacy, and community management.

Prior to her role at City of Hope, Makenzie was managing editor of brand strategy and content marketing at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), which was later acquired by City of Hope. There, she conceptualized and published over 600 marketing and communications assets, including a new content series for patients and caregivers that helped increase site page views by 10% in just six months. She also launched a new awards program that reached over 60,000 people at its debut and doubled annual page views from social traffic and engagements.

Makenzie’s earlier career includes a pivotal tenure at WebMD, where she rose through the ranks from social media editor to senior manager of social media and audience engagement. She led a team of editorial producers and strategists, increasing yearly page views from social traffic by 112% and social engagements by 125%. Her innovative mobile push notification strategy boosted clickthrough rates and page views by over 1,000%. She also launched WebMD’s presence on Reddit, producing over 25 AMAs with leading institutions such as Cleveland Clinic, Harvard, Emory, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and City of Hope.

In her spare time, Makenzie advises brands and thought leaders as an independent consultant. She has also been invited to speak for organizations including SocialMedia.org, The Carter Center, Ohio University, and Sprout.

Mary Carter leads PRE4CLE's communication efforts, including coordinating its year-round, multi-media marketing campaign-and supports its advocacy efforts through paid, owned, and earned media storytelling as the organization’s communication director.

Previously, Mary was an account executive at Lamark Media, a performance marketing agency, with a focus on strategy and planning. She also served as an associate writer and public relations specialist with Shark&Minnow, a marketing consultancy, spearheading efforts around communicating the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations to Cleveland's most vulnerable communities.

Mary also works with local organizations across the city of Cleveland as a freelance copywriter and editor, focusing on projects that tell the story of micro-communities, underrepresented communities, and communities of color. Most recently, Mary has worked with Jews of Color Cleveland, Reframe History, The Hispanic Heritage Hub, and Pueblo Strategies. In the pursuit of giving back to her community, Mary serves as a member of the Scripps Young Alumni Council at Ohio University and is an Associate Board Member of Recovery Resources, a Cleveland-based non-profit organization working to help people triumph over mental illness, alcoholism, drug, and other addictions.

Mary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Mary lives in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland and spends her free time reading any book she can get her hands on and exploring the national parks with her dog Ollie and fiancé Shaun.

Rachael Cathey is a proud Scripps alumna with a bachelor’s degree in communication, focusing on Integrated Media Production. With a background in advertising and experiential marketing, she’s led influencer campaigns, brand activations, and national media efforts for industrial brands like RIDGID, Greenlee, and Rheem.

A passionate storyteller and connector, Rachael is excited to give back to the Scripps community and help students and recent graduates find their place in the media industry.

Danny Cox is an entrepreneur, consultant, and passionate advocate for continuing education. After establishing a well-rounded foundation at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, he began his career in Chicago working for award-winning agencies such as Weber Shandwick and Razorfish, supporting clients including Delta Air Lines, Samsung Mobile, Google and others.

In 2014, he relocated to the Reno/Tahoe area for an opportunity to lead the marketing team for one of Vail Resorts' Tahoe resorts, Northstar California. In 2015, he began his first business, a full-service marketing agency/consultancy, supporting startups, SMBs and mid-market organizations with everything from branding to website design and development to performance media campaigns.

He is currently pursuing an MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno, where he is also an instructor for the College of Business.

Mary Davies works as a producer and executive producer for WNBC, NBC’s flagship local station in New York City. During her time at NBC New York she has produced Emmy, Regional & National Edward R. Murrow and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University award-winning newscasts and breaking news coverage. She serves a leader of NBC's MyAbilities employee resource group, is an NBCUnites Ambassador and a member of the Creative Council through NBC's Creative Impact Lab.

Outside of NBC, Mary serves on the Awards Committee for NATAS New York, is a past participant in Poynter’s Producer Project and Lead With Influence programs and a member of the inaugural class of RTDNA’s Leaders of Tomorrow.

Josie Finley earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication with a major in Information Telecommunication Systems (ITS) from the Scripps College of Communication in 2021, along with a minor in Business and concentration in Management Information Systems (MIS). She was actively engaged with the Telecommunications Systems Management Association (TSMA,) where she contributed to organizing annual fundraisers that supported an educational trip to the Nationwide Arena, where she and her fellow students toured the IT infrastructure at the Blue Jackets Arena and then stayed for a game.

Josie says Ohio University’s supportive environment prepared her for entry into the professional world. With the support of the McClure School Mentorship Program, she secured an internship at Atos Solutions Inc., working directly within the office of the North American CEO. Her responsibilities during the internship helped her develop both technical and strategic insight within a corporate IT setting.

Following the completion of her internship and graduation, Josie accepted a full-time position as an IT infrastructure project manager at Atos Solutions Inc. In this role, Josie enjoys the perfect balance between technical execution and business leadership. Her portfolio includes managing projects that range from routine cabling adjustments to complex global infrastructure rollouts. One of the greatest benefits of this role is that it allows her to work remotely and she is able to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders across multiple continents.

When not immersed in project plans or virtual stand-ups, you’ll often find Josie on her back porch overlooking the Ohio River, sewing a new arts-and-crafts creation or in the kitchen attempting a new baking recipe. Though she is still working on my baking skills, her husband has taken pleasure in taste-testing every experiment. Josie is motivated by a curiosity for new experiences—whether traveling, discovering new hobbies, or spending cozy evenings curled up with a book and her miniature dachshund.

Josie loved her time at OHIO and is thrilled to have opportunities to stay involved. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!

Alyssa Goodenow is a life-long storyteller, a non-profit communications professional, a proud OHIO alumna and a passionate advocate for the welfare of humans and animals. In her role as Communications Coordinator at Mid-Ohio Food Collective, she captures the stories of individuals involved in a network of partners — from the inspiring narratives of the people it serves, the volunteers that dedicate their time to its mission, the donors who make it their mission to fight hunger and partner agencies who have selflessly decided to give back to their communities every single day.

During her time at OHIO, Alyssa founded and was the president of Ohio University's cat-based student organization, All 9 Lives (A9L). A9L works with the Athens County Humane Society to better the lives of cats in Athens County. Alyssa is happy to say that A9L continues to remain a strong student organization. Because of her presidency, she was the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award through the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Alyssa also served as the VP of Finance for Scripps PRSSA and was in the Culture, Art & Design and Audience Engagement sections of The Post.

Brooklynn Kramer is a communications professional with a passion for telling stories that connect people to brands and communities. Over the past eight years, she has led content and engagement strategies for everything from healthcare to lifestyle and local culture, growing audiences and building authentic connections along the way, blending creativity with data to create content that not only looks good but also drives real results.

She is the Ohio University Alumni network representative for Nashville and the chair for the Scripps Young Alumni Council. She completed the Young Alumni Leadership Program in 2024. 

Emma Kramer is a proud 2019 graduate of Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication, where she studied Information Design in the School of Visual Communication and minored in Marketing. During her time in Athens, she discovered a passion for storytelling, sports, and strategic content creation. That passion has fueled a dynamic career across the NHL, MLS, NFL, and now the craft beer industry.

She previously held leadership roles with Real Salt Lake and the Arizona Cardinals, where she built social strategy grounded in data and creativity. Today, Emma serves as the social media manager for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., where she continues to lead bold, authentic brand storytelling. She’s especially passionate about platform-specific content, emerging trends, and helping brands connect with their audience in meaningful ways.

Bridget Livengood is a strategic marketing and communications leader with a passion for purpose-driven storytelling. A 2010 graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, she currently serves as senior director of donor brand experience at City of Hope—one of the nation’s most trusted cancer nonprofits and among the top five cancer centers in the U.S. for research and treatment. In her role, Bridget leads brand strategy and marketing campaigns that connect donors to groundbreaking science and compassionate care.

Bridget’s career spans journalism, brand marketing, and philanthropy communications, giving her a unique perspective at the intersection of mission and message. She credits Ohio University with shaping her professional foundation—and some of her closest lifelong friendships.

Ashleigh Mavros is a storyteller at heart and strategist by trade, with over a decade of experience crafting clear, compelling communications that connect people to purpose. She currently serves as manager of OpEx Communications at McDonald’s, supporting the Global Technology function by shaping and sharing the company’s digital transformation narrative.

Previously, Ashleigh led global internal communications at Avison Young, where she partnered with executive leadership across the globe to drive employee engagement and lead strategic change initiatives. She has also previously held communications roles at RedShelf, Geben Communication, and Fahlgren Mortine, with a consistent focus on simplifying the complex and connecting people to purpose.

Ashleigh earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University (Class of 2014), majoring in Strategic Communication with a Spanish minor and Business specialization. At OHIO, she was active in PRSSA, served as communications director of ImPRessions, and worked as both a campus tour guide and Aquatics Facility supervisor.

Based in Chicago, Ashleigh can be found playing volleyball lakeside, traveling with friends and family, volunteering with Chicago Scholars, or finding the next Little Free Library in her neighborhood.

Arielle Patterson is a 2015 graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. While Arielle studied News and Information Journalism during her time at Ohio University, her career has allowed her to grow in multiple fields of communications, including media relations for an athletic conference, editor for print publications and content writer for a billion-dollar company.

Arielle currently works in tourism marketing for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, where she oversees the digital content for the company's tourism website and serves as the editor of the annual Charlotte City Guide. When Arielle isn't working, she's exploring the (true) Queen City's culinary scene and showcasing her epicurean adventures on her blog.

Alexa Pressman graduated from Ohio University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication degree. She studied in the School of Media Arts and Studies. Since then, she has been working in the live music industry, which took her to Nashville in 2022.

Alexa is the ticketing director for a small venue management company where she supervises six box office managers at different venues. She is a dedicated leader in the UpDog (Disc Dog) local community as well as a CMA Member and member of the Women in Music Business Association.

Rob Razzante (PhD, Arizona State University) is an experienced educator and international communication specialist who facilitates people’s growth through adult learning and professional development strategies. He is the founder of Redwood Communication LLC, a human and organizational development business. Starting in the fall of 2025 he is joining Belmont University as an Assistant Professor of Communication with a focus on corporate communication.

Rob most recently worked at Falck USA, a private ambulance company located in Orange, Calif., as a Learning and Development Specialist leading leadership training for front-line managers. He previously worked at CloudKitchens, a tech-restaurant startup company in Los Angeles, as a talent management associate creating e-learning courses.

As a communication coach, Rob works with executives and young professionals to enhance their communication skills through mindfulness. For example, his international coaching with Alan Carroll & Associates engages business professionals to enhance their clarity and confidence through mindful communication practices.

As an organizational consultant, Rob worked with Cleveland Clinic Foundation in designing and delivering an employee-driven methodology to guide the organization’s strategic planning and implementation regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As a communication facilitator, Rob has experience cultivating dialogue and deliberation with The Institute for Civil Dialogue, StoryScope—A Story Circles Project, and Fighting to Understand. These dialogic spaces cultivate empathy, perspective-taking, and compassion to reduce stereotypes, prejudice, and biases with the intention of collaboratively transforming conflict into an opportunity for growth.

As a communication educator, Rob has taught 12+ communication courses including communication research methods, intercultural communication, and organizational communication for various institutions such as: Arizona State University, The College of Wooster, Western Washington University, and California State University, Long Beach, to name a few.

Heather Wilson Schiltz is a motorsports communications and marketing consultant. As the CEO of High Gear Success, she helps motorsports companies, event organizers and racers get noticed, improve operations and increase revenue. A lifelong motorcyclist, Heather enjoys teaching others how to ride safely and responsibly. Beyond motorsports, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two golden retrievers.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University and has worked in the motorcycle industry for more than a decade. She is deeply involved in her community -- contributing to causes she champions, such as the 4-H program and various nonprofits.

I remember coming to Athens for my orientation, telling Jeff Redefer that I was planning to apply and switch to the VisCom school after my first quarter, and having him answer: "You know you can do both?"

I knew then that I'd made the right choice in coming to Ohio University. In 2014, I graduated from the school of Media Arts and Studies with my BSC in Media Production, and from the School of Visual Communication with my BSVC in Multimedia Design. After spending time in Los Angeles in broadcast news at KTLA, I moved back to Cincinnati in 2018, freelancing as a graphic designer and continuing to work in broadcast news production, before taking a big leap and moving on to my current role as art director at Mertz Design, fully embracing the agency lifestyle and managing our Startup & Small Business program with a whole team of co-ops to manage.

At my core, I'm a visual designer who's passionate about storytelling and brand building. I'm a Cincinnati native, part-time D&D dungeon master, jack-of-all-trades, and a Capricorn Sun/Taurus Moon – ambitious, stubborn, responsible, problem-solving and fundamentally hard-working. Need I say more?

Janelle Sohner is a 2010 Scripps graduate and first-generation college student who studied the journalism PR "track" (when "tracks were still a thing). Flash forward, and today, she is proud to be a brand storyteller and communications leader with 15+ years of experience translating culture, creativity, and mission into earned media moments, compelling content, and community connection.

Janelle is known for turning bold ideas into tangible brand impact—rallying teams and partners to craft narratives that matter, whether she is building a communications function from scratch, leading major campaign launches, or navigating a crisis with clarity and care. She leads with empathy, delivers with precision, and always keeps people and purpose at the heart of the story.

Janelle has built and led high-performing PR, social, and content teams across industries like travel, outdoor, wellness, and sustainability. Her work has shaped reputations for brands, including Orvis, Ski Utah, the Wyoming Office of Tourism and Filson—bringing to life everything from creator programs and influencer strategy to global media coverage, C-suite positioning, and owned storytelling platforms.

Most recently, she is proud to have transitioned from a career of PR agency work to being "in-house" at Aspen Skiing Company, a world-class, year-round destination in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.

Kylie Souder is a director at ASC Advisors, a boutique PR firm that works exclusively with alternative investment managers. Servicing high-profile clients from startups to titans managing approximately $500 billion, Kylie advises clients on brand building and reputation management, profile-raising initiatives, message development, investor communications, industry awards and conferences, crisis planning and activism support. 

Prior to joining ASC Advisors, Kylie has held similar roles at Mission North and Aspectus Group, where she advised clients across the financial services, regulatory/compliance, technology and insurance industries. 

Kylie graduated from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.

Mimi Stillman has spent over seven years in the marketing and media industries as a producer, video editor, marketing strategist, and multimedia designer.

She launched her professional journey in New York City, leveraging her Bachelor of Science in Communication in Media Arts and Studies from Ohio University. Mimi has collaborated with a range of esteemed brands, including the Miss Universe Organization, WME IMG, and EXPRESS.

After graduating in 2018 from Ohio University, Emily moved to Washington D.C. to complete a year of federal service as a first grade Math and Science Teacher via the AmeriCorps program. She then moved into the non-profit sector working with collegiate nursing programs to maintain their accreditation under the U. S. Department of Education.

In 2022, Emily transitioned to the private/consulting sector where she works heavily in the world of healthcare technology and assists clients in managing federal drug programs. Outside of work, Emily enjoys reading, traveling, attending trivia. She currently volunteers with the local shelter as a volunteer case manager for their foster program.

Wes is a marketing strategist with an extensive background in creating impactful content for brands. This, along with a strong passion for problem solving and business optimization, gives him the ability to create tailored marketing strategies that drive meaningful results.

Before working at Gorilla 76, he led marketing for a nationally-recognized commercial construction company, and spent time interning with NFL Films and Pella Windows and Doors.

Wes graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication (focus in media studies) and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Outside of work, he enjoys serving at his local church, powerlifting, and spending time with his wife Kathryn and two cats: Diva and Lucy.