Ringling’s lunchtime career lecture series
Food4Thought is a multi-week, student-focused lecture series on career-building topics. Each session will be presented at lunchtime to ensure students are able to attend outside of their scheduled classes. The Center for Career Services brings in a variety of industry professionals, Ringling College faculty, staff, and alumni to speak on these topics. Please feel free to bring your lunch, snacks will also be provided.
Wednesdays | 11:30 am-12:15 pm
Goldstein Library Room 113
Fall 2025: Entrepreneurship
This year’s sessions are provided to help you develop and share your employability skills in addition to your creative skills, based on the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. These Competencies are the top skills employers look for when identifying candidates.
Sept. 3
Navigating Entrepreneurship
Cat Gulácsy is a longtime friend of Ringling College, having recruited several Ringling alumni for a variety of animation and visual effects studios over the years. Join her as she shares her perspective on the differences between working as a full-time employee in a corporate setting and growing a career as an entrepreneur, freelancer, or contract professional.
Cat Gulácsy is a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist and Outreach Partner focusing on post-production, interactive, and design. Through her company, Calling All Talent LLC, Cat draws upon more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition to advise, source and consult for many internationally recognized studios. Cat’s previous collaborations and professional credits include work with Buck, Framestore, Nickelodeon, and The Mill. She is a passionate advocate for inclusion, education, and mentorship. She serves as adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University, Pratt Institute, and the School of Visual Arts, where she teaches the Business of Being an Artist. Cat serves as Chapter Lead of ACCESS: VFX. Additionally, she is the Industry Outreach Advisor for The Animation Project Inc., which helps expand access to design education and new talent in animation.
Sept. 10
Defining and Marketing Your Business
At MakSchu LLC, Christina and her partner, Karim Maksoud ’15, Motion Design, focus on creating promotional content through design, animation, live-streaming, and video campaigns for 100s of brands.
At MakSchu LLC, Christina and her partner, Karim Maksoud ’15, Motion Design, focus on creating promotional content through design, animation, live-streaming, and video campaigns for 100s of brands.
Come hear how the connections made through Ringling College and numerous local professionals have allowed them to collaborate and work on a vast array projects and with major brands including Bealls, Inc., Champs Sports, Visit Sarasota County, Sarasota Opera House, U.S. Masters Swimming, Benderson Development, Visit California, to name a few and have let to awards, such as Tellys, Local ADDYs, Online Video Trend Awards, Vega Awards, and District ADDYs.
She was a two-term President for the American Advertising Federation of the Suncoast (AAF Suncoast), an active member of the Junior League of Sarasota, to which she was recently named Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Vice President for the organization. Christina has also been very involved with community networking groups such as BNI, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Sarasota, Gulf Coast Leadership Institute, and helped launch the first Women’s Business League chapter in Sarasota.
Through all of her efforts, Christina has been recognized as a Women on the Scene through Sarasota SCENE Magazine, Best Videographer for four years in a row through SRQ Magazine, a 35 Under 35 Honoree also through SRQ Magazine, the inaugural class of Tampa’s Women Power Network 40 Women to Watch in 2024 and most recently Greater Sarasota Chamber Young Professional Honoree of 2025
Sept. 17
Basics of Launching a Freelance Business: Contracts, Incorporating and Paperwork
This session focuses on the necessary documents you need and paperwork to track to make sure your ideas don’t fail from the start! Set yourself up for success by making sure you have all the legal boxes checked to protect yourself and your money.
Alejandra is the Director of the Center for Career Services at Ringling College of Art and Design. She has 15+ years of experience in career services, in addition to a background in Arts Administration and Art History. Alejandra frequently educates students on freelancing, entrepreneurship, and many more career-related topics.
Sept. 24
Securing Your Financial Well-Being
In this session, you’ll discover the tools to build a stable financial foundation so you can focus on what you do best: your art. We’ll show you how to legitimize your work with a simple but crucial first step and what to do with your money once you start earning.
Melanie Lavender, a spoken-word artist and proud Sarasota native, is a Hermitage Fellow and the Manager for the Opportunities For All program at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Her journey began at Booker High School, where she discovered a passion for poetry, which she refined through performances at open mics and churches across Central Florida. In 2022, she transitioned into radio as the producer and host of ‘Community Conversations with Mel’ on WSLR 96.5 FM. Melanie’s work, which is influenced by life’s chaotic beauty and a love of history, includes pieces for non-profit organizations and a spoken-word album, Newtown Proverbs: Love Letters to My Community, which she recorded with the support of a grant. Through her writing, she has found a powerful way to transform anxiety and depression into community activism, and she has been featured on the Emmy-winning show Greater Sarasota and as a speaker at TEDx: Access is Representation.
Oct. 1
Crowdfunding
Annie Stegg Gerard is an oil painter based in Northern Georgia, deeply inspired by the 18th-century Rococo masters. Their imaginative spirit, dreamlike palettes, and lively brushwork have profoundly shaped her artistic approach. Annie admires how these painters sought to transport viewers to fantastical realms, and she strives to evoke that same sense of wonder in her own art. Known for her captivating figures and vibrant creatures, Annie’s work explores the hidden worlds nestled in everyday spaces and the quiet dramas of their unseen inhabitants. Her paintings invite viewers to uncover secrets and experience the mystery of fleeting, hidden moments. Annie’s art has been exhibited in galleries and featured in projects for clients such as Disney, Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, Easton Press, Netflix, HarperCollins, and more. Her pieces are treasured in private collections worldwide.
Inspired by nature, mythology and classic Disney films, Justin Gerard has made a career out of painting imaginative creatures, malevolent dragons, terrible monsters, and the brave heroes that battle them. His narrative-driven work have taken him through classics like Beowulf, King Arthur, St. George, and The Hobbit, and off into the modern fantasy worlds of Magic the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Owing the majority of his technical expertise to the 2001 theft of a Step-by-Step Graphics Guide on the illustration methods of Peter De Seve, Justin has spent his life obsessively collecting and studying the works of classical and contemporary masters. Of these, he has a specific love for the Golden Age Illustrators like Arthur Rackham, Edumnd Dulac, and John Bauer. He even attempted to distill their collective genius down into a potion that he might sell for millions. And while that particular alchemic endeavor ended in disaster, (and may have caused the financial crisis, the extinction three rare species of moth, and the fall of two small countries,) his experience studying these great artists has left a powerful impression upon his own illustrations. Justin loves the outdoors and back country hiking, particularly in the American Pacific Northwest. The raw wilderness of these places have been a constant inspiration for him and often end up as the settings and backgrounds of his paintings. Justin was never caught. He gave up his life of gambling, piracy and horse-thieving in 2013 to marry Annie Stegg and start a new adventure with her.
Oct. 8
Pitching and Selling Your Idea
Come learn about how to turn your dreams and ideas into a reality! You will learn the basics of pitching an idea to your respective audience, balancing running a business and making time for your art, and looking for new opportunities to advocate and promote yourself as an artist.
Lindsay Agnew is an Orlando-based artist, graphic designer, author, and illustrator whose work celebrates ideas, imagination, and curiosity. She is the founder of Studio Agnew, a creative brand and online shop where she shares original art, fine art prints, upcycled creations, and interactive children’s books designed to spark wonder and play.
Originally from Massachusetts, Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic + Interactive Communication from Ringling College of Art and Design. Her creative journey spans crafting immersive experiences with Walt Disney Imagineering, leading design for Panama Jack and other top e-commerce brands, and now shaping Studio Agnew into a space for boundless creativity and community connection.
Driven by the belief that everyone is Born to Create, Lindsay uses her art to nurture imagination in both children and adults—reminding people that creativity should never be left behind. Her children’s books, including Princess Anna & the Twinkling Jewels and Star’s Imagination: A Creative Journey of Art and Stories, invite readers to create, connect, and dream. Through pop-ups, private art experiences, and her online shop, Lindsay inspires others to believe in their ability to make, imagine, and explore.
Previous Visits
Fall 2024 Presentations
Lauren Dennis
Lauren Dennis (pronouns she/her) joined the Peterson Counseling Center at Ringling College in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Florida. Lauren is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida and is also a Qualified Supervisor, which allows her to supervise counselors-in-training. Her counseling interests include helping students with adjustment to life changes, including starting and completing college. Lauren also enjoys both group and individual therapy to help students explore their self-identity, family dynamics, and relationships. Lauren has over 14 years of experience in college counseling, administration and student affairs, in addition to work in community mental health. Lauren likes to enjoy the natural Florida landscape, including the water and wildlife. She also loves to read about history, society, and culture.
Travis Stair
Travis Stair is a dedicated higher education professional with 15 years of experience in fostering student success. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida and a master’s in Strategic Communication from Washington State University, he brings a comprehensive skill set to the realm of student development. Travis is passionate about equipping students with the communication skills necessary to excel in today’s competitive job market. A staunch advocate for leadership, engagement, and well-being, he has a proven track record of implementing strategies that align with NACE’s communication competency, enabling students to effectively articulate thoughts and ideas, build strong relationships, and thrive in professional settings.
David Foote
David Foote is the Director of Ringling College of Art and Design’s INDEX initiative which coordinates and manages real industry experience opportunities for Ringling students. David has written and taught a variety of art, design, and advertising courses and has 20 years of professional experience in design and advertising agencies. He holds a BFA and MFA in Graphic Design, and is the recipient of several advertising industry awards, including Clio’s and national ADDYs.
Ringling College’s Student Government
Ringling College’s Student Government
President — Ella Satterfield ’26, Film
Vice President — Tim Oler ’26, Computer Animation
Secretary — Sierra Sonberg ’25, Computer Animation
Treasurer — Alyssa Copeland ’26, Computer Animation
Club Liaison — Daniella Barone ’26, Illustration
Outreach Coordinator — Alissa Powell ’26, Computer Animation
Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) developed a mission statement and a vision that took teamwork and development of ongoing team roles. Members of SGA (that’s you) and the Executive Board works together for ALL students.
The Executive Board will provide examples of great teamwork.
Zeta Bengoechea
Zeta Bengoechea ’27, Illustration, is a dedicated student leader at Ringling College of Art and Design, committed to fostering equity, inclusion, and multicultural understanding on campus. As President of the International Cultures Club (ICC), she spearheads initiatives that celebrate global diversity, creating inclusive spaces where all students can engage with and learn about different cultures. In her role as Student Outreach Coordinator at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Zeta continues to advocate for inclusiveness by organizing events and creating illustrations that celebrate and honor diverse communities on campus.
The International Cultures Club
The International Cultures Club is dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and appreciation at Ringling College of Art and Design.
The International Cultures Club’s goal is to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can share and learn about the richness of global cultures. The ICC organizes events like cultural festivals, food fairs, and workshops that showcase and celebrate traditions from around the world. A key event is the “International Education Week,” a campus-wide initiative that invites the entire community to engage in activities of global importance.
Valerie Miller
Valerie is a sophomore Illustration student with aspirations of going into toy design or children’s literature illustration. She is an RA, a PACC peer advocate, and a Lazarus scholar who is passionate about campus life and service.
Widya Kendran
Widya is an international Film student from Indonesia at Ringling College of Art and Design, focusing on Branded Entertainment. She is dedicated to using her talents as a young woman of color, volunteer, and filmmaker to amplify diverse voices and support the health and well-being of historically marginalized people.
Leo Motherway
Leo Motherway (he/him) is a second year Illustration major, RA, and member of the Lazarus Engaged Learning Assistantship.
Dan Williford
Dan Williford recently joined Ringling’s Goldstein Library as an Instructional Design Librarian. He earned his master’s in Library and Information Science from UCLA in 2019. He previously earned his PhD in English from UCLA in 2015 and taught undergraduate literature classes for two years there. He has worked in the library field since then, focusing on teaching information literacy and academic research.
Kelly Lindberg
Kelly Lindberg has been an Instructional Design Librarian in Ringling’s Goldste in Library for just over a year. She received her Master of Science in Information from Florida State University in 2021 and two bachelor’s degrees from the State University of New York at New Paltz in English and Digital Media Management. Previously, Kelly worked as an Instructional Design Librarian at New College of Florida and was a teen librarian for Sarasota County Public Libraries.
Student leaders are recognized at the Annual Dr. Tammy S. Walsh Student Leadership Luncheon for making a difference both on-campus and in the community through a variety of clubs, departments, and campus activities.
Ella Satterfield ’26, Film — Emerging Student Leader Award
Tori Abramov ’25, Illustration — Volunteer of the Year
Samantha Woods ’25, Illustration — Ambassador of the Year
Zeta Bengoechea ’27, Illustration — Enhancement of Multicultural Understanding
Melanie Perez ’25, Graphic Design — Remy’s Award
Over 20 additional awards were given to amazing campus leaders.
Fall 2023 Presentations
The path to your dream career is rarely a straight line—enjoy the ride!
Brandon Jeffords (Illustration ’00) is a director, story artist, and voice actor for animated films. He has over 15 years of experience in story and visual development at major animation studios and believes that story, character, cinema, and collaboration are the most important aspects of producing successful and entertaining content. Throughout his career, Jeffords has had the opportunity to work with such industry leads as Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Illumination, and Sony Pictures. He began as a storyboard and visual development artist for commercials, animated series, and feature films. This experience led him to land the role of head of story on two films, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Smurfs: The Lost Village, co-direct Vivo at Sony Pictures, and direct Bye Bye Bunny, a Looney Tunes musical at Warner Bros. His most recent credits include Michells vs. the Machines, The Super Mario Brothers Movie, and Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. Jeffords holds an AA in musical theatre from Utah Valley University and a BFA in illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design.
You will spend 90,000 hours working. Shouldn’t it be something you genuinely enjoy that is aligned with who you are? Take a drive down the road of self-discovery so you can design a perfectly tailored career path.
Dr. Erin Wheeler is a bestselling author, nationally respected success and leadership coach, and higher education expert. As a cognitive psychology expert, Dr. Wheeler has over a decade of experience in brain development, organizational development, emotional intelligence, learning, and personal growth. She has used her expertise to improve college completion rates, build successful teams, and develop a new generation of leaders.
Position yourself for industry success by establishing your personal brand
Kenny Routt (Illustration, ’15) is a designer, art director, and illustrator, working in advertising on brand and entertainment projects. His work has appeared in cinema, broadcast ads, print, and social media for major brands and clients. His career as an illustrator has taken him from landing successful work in Sarasota to NYC and then Los Angeles, where he earned his production chops working for various ad, animation, and VFX studios like Logan and Laundry. During his time in LA, he made connections in the music space creating art for artists like Flatbush Zombies, CJ Fly, and Freddie Gibbs. Routt was an art director, creative producer, mentor, and editor for an online motion design school and a contract storyboard/designer for multiple short films for Philips Healthcare. Routt is happy to be back in his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, working remotely for agencies and studios, creating work for clients like SVEDKA Vodka, FX, Google, Lions Gate, Budweiser, Silk, and more.Agency (LA), creating work for clients like SVEDKA Vodka, FX, Google, Lions Gate, Budweiser, Silk, and more.
Imagine meeting and interacting with over 10 powerful and influential professionals who want to get to know you. Your chance has arrived! Join Gianna Kramer as she leads several rounds of speed networking.
Gianna Kramer is a driven and visionary individual who recently completed her Bachelor of Science in marketing from the prestigious Muma College of Business. With a deep-rooted passion for community, business, e-commerce, and digital ventures, Kramer has already made a significant impact on both Sarasota and Manatee County. As a serial entrepreneur with a remarkable track record, she has successfully nurtured several startups, transforming them into thriving six- and seven-figure enterprises. Her relentless pursuit of innovation and keen business acumen have been the cornerstones of her achievements. Kramer firmly believes that through entrepreneurship, she can bring about positive changes in society and create opportunities for others to prosper.
Kramer’s commitment to giving back is at the heart of her endeavors. Emphasizing the importance of community-building, she was actively involved in founding Marketing on Main, a platform that fosters growth and collaboration among aspiring artists, and budding and established business professionals. Her drive to make a difference is evident in her dedication to mentorship programs and involvement in various initiatives that promote creativity, diversity, and social responsibility.
Combining her passion for both people and business, Kramer has explored the dynamic world of e-commerce and digital platforms. With a keen eye for innovation and an insatiable curiosity, she has successfully bridged the gap between these fields, creating innovative, sustainable, and socially conscious business models.
During her time in Sarasota, Kramer was an instrumental force in inspiring her peers to dream big and embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. Her infectious enthusiasm and determination have earned her recognition as a thought leader among art and business students alike.
In the years ahead, Kramer aims to leave an indelible mark on the art and business landscape, empowering students to unleash their potential. Her unwavering commitment to giving back, paired with her penchant for innovative solutions, will undoubtedly pave the way for her continued success in shaping a brighter future.
For art and business college students, Gianna Kramer is someone you want to connect with. She stands as an inspiration, proving that with resilience, creativity, and a focus on community, one can create massive change and drive the world forward.
Your career is decades long. This Food For Thought presentation will showcase “adaptability”. Join this session to open your mind and learn a mind-set of resilience and endurance that will help you flourish through changes and challenges that arise with whatever career path you take!
Lindsay Agnew is a multi-faceted creative who has guided start-ups to top fortune 500 companies with innovative art and design.
Her design career started at Walt Disney Imagineering as an environmental graphic designer. Working for “The Mouse” opened her eyes to what you can achieve as a creative. With that mindset, she has been directing and creating for lifestyle brands such as Disney, The Villages, Panama Jack, and Legendary Whitetails, and in industry fields such as entertainment, real estate, transportation, and product retail merchandise in marketing.
Agnew’s approach with any type of graphic, whether it be large or small, a marketing piece, logo, signage, website, or app graphic, is to focus on the visual communication, story, theme, purpose, and how the guest experiences or the user will be engaged with that exterior or interior space, ride, object, product, or app.
Agnew is an alumni of Ringling College of Art and Design with a BFA in graphic interactive communications.
Overcome the common pitfalls that cause many to stall in their capstones, projects, and careers. Learn how to use your creativity to fuel your self-worth and propel you to success. We will walk through an empowering exercise and hear relatable stories on how to overcome anxiety and fear and use them as tools for success.
Mitch is a high-demand speaker and coach at EXCELLence Performance, repeatedly voted as the #1 Business Consultant and Trainer in Venice, Manatee, and Sarasota by the Herald-Tribune Readers Choice Awards.
He has a passion for speaking on communication, confidence building, and bridging generational differences within organizations. Mitch was recognized as one of Sarasota’s 35 under 35 by SRQ Magazine and the Most Valuable Professional of the Year under 40 in Manatee County.
Mitch dedicates his time to helping individuals lead lives at their utmost potential and equipping them with the skillsets to pursue their professional and personal goals.
Fall 2022 Presentations
Meet with Founder and CEO of FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, Inc., and engage in a meaningful discussion about how to make sure you’re set up for success in your career. Watch the ⏯ video.
Peabody and multi-award winning executive producer with a proven track record in producing critically acclaimed, high quality programs and ratings results. Seasoned programming and production executive in the media industry highly regarded as a strategic thinker, visionary, and team builder.
Peggy is the Founder and President of iSTAND Media, LLC and iSTANDtv, a content studio and creative incubator for young people (ages 18-34), who believe in the power of media and want to use that power for good. iSTANDtv’s goal is to promote compelling stories that come from a perspective of hope and authenticity.
In 2017, Peggy created and produced the FUTURE NOW Media & Entertainment Conference as an initiative of iSTANDtv. The annual conference is the first of its kind, providing high potential college and graduate students from around the country unprecedented access and opportunity to connect with, learn from and be mentored by today’s top industry executives, leaders and professionals. Later that year, Ms. Kim established the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit leadership incubator, whose mission is to raise up and equip the best and brightest future leaders in media.
Prior to establishing iSTAND and FUTURE NOW, Peggy was VP of Programming & Production at Alloy Media & Marketing, where she built AlloyTV, a multi-platform distribution network and content studio producing original fashion, music and pop culture entertainment for Millennial audiences.
In her previous position as Director of Programming and Executive Producer at The History Channel, she developed and oversaw 300+ hours of programming, managing multi-million dollar budgets and delivering hit series like Digging for the Truth, which attracted a younger audience, hailed unprecedented press coverage and defined a new era at the network. Her instinct and passion for great story-telling were honed in her prior production roles at MSNBC, Court TV, CBS New Productions, NBC Sports, NBC Olympic Unit, ABC Sports and ABC News.
Peggy’s work has been recognized with the industry’s top awards and honors, including the Peabody, Emmy, IDA, Cine Golden Eagle, Telly, Imagen, Gabriel, New York Festivals, Parents’ Choice, and Prism awards for programs like Blood Diamonds, Rwanda – Do Scars Ever Fade?, Beyond the Da Vinci Code, Secrets of the Aegean Apocalypse, Conquest of America, LBJ vs. The Kennedys: Chasing Demons, Inside Pol Pot’s Secret Prison, and more.
In 2005, she was named to CableFAX 100’s Also Influential list (‘Nobody embodies the youth movement at The History Channel more than Kim….’), and Cablevision Magazine called her a ‘Woman to Watch.’
Peggy also teaches Technology Innovation and the Media at Pace University in NYC as an Adjunct Professor. She currently serves on the boards of Asbury University and OM USA, and is a founding member of Asian Americans in Media. She has served on the board of Women in Cable Telecommunications New York, and is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, New York Women in Film & Television, National Association of Multi-ethnicity in Communications, International Documentary Association, and Asian American Journalists Association.
Peggy earned her Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Williams College. For “Distinguished Achievement in the Arts & Entertainment Field,” Williams College honored her with the 2007 Bicentennial Medal, one of the most significant honors bestowed by the College.
Connect Now to Lead your Creative Career, presented by the Center for Career Services
Learn how to lead your own career path throughout your years at Ringling College. We’ll share networking tips and recruiting information, resources, and services. We look forward to meeting and learning about you, too. There will be a Q&A for any additional questions!
Watch the ⏯ video.
Discover the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) through the Genos model. This session includes a fun, interactive exercise and discussion. Watch the ⏯ video.
Julian is a strategist, player-coach, mentor and a lifelong learner.
For more than 30 years, he has enabled senior leaders and their companies across the globe to better understand value opportunities, set priorities, execute effectively, and build capabilities to thrive, learn and improve continuously.
In his current coaching and consulting practice, Julian partners with established and emerging leaders–and their organizations—to experience a unique approach that blends strategic and operational analyses, leadership development, emotional intelligence, personal introspection and storytelling.
He loves seeing how his clients gain clarity, declare their success narratives, and pursue more authentic and confident paths towards their priorities—as persons, in-role leaders and on behalf of their organizations.
Julian also loves to learn and reinvent himself—a core skill for all talent into the 21st century. In the past 3 years, he has trained and become certified as a business school instructor, executive coach, SCORE mentor, emotional intelligence practitioner and a qualified public Board director candidate.
He lives in FL with his better half Elie and is the proud father of 3 adult children. Julian is a big baseball fan (Go Dodgers!), an avid traveler and foodie and enjoys dancing, yoga and writing.
The road traveled by a corporate innovation leader is a dramatic journey, fraught with many creative challenges. Both friends and frogs of the future lurk around every bend, especially within a large organization. Obstacles such as risk aversion, NIH syndrome, collaborative idea ownership all need to be constantly addressed along the way.
Georgina has been on this journey as a creative leader for many years, innovating in the fickle and fast paced play and entertainment industry. This talk will highlight some of the more familiar innovation roadblocks that occur cross-industry and offer up a toybox of proven strategies that will help you on your innovation journey to lead yourself, your team, and your organization into the frontier of future.
Georgina began as a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, majoring in Illustration. She started her design career as a puppeteer and quickly discovered the world of toy and play design. For decades, she created within the play industry and always gravitated to the beginning part of the process. She eventually became the Vice President of Innovation at Hasbro, tasked with the mission of leading the corporation into the future of play. Most recently, Georgina has formed her own studio called Studio Big Rock where she consults and invents across industries. Her latest project, soon to be launched, is the Walker Squawker. This product is designed to bring joy to walker users and invented in collaboration with her 95-year-old mom.
Join this session as Ringling alumni share their experiences from school to work and provide a variety of possibilities for your path at Ringling College and beyond. Bring your questions to learn and network with these amazing Ringling graduates. Find more Ringling alumni on your Career Mentoring Network at: www.collegecentral.com/ringling. Watch the ⏯ video.
Sarah Tildsley
Sarah Tildsley Creative Services Director at Feld Entertainment, the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Sesame Street Live!, DreamWorks Trolls The Experience and Jurassic World Live Tour.
Sarah’s experience includes executive level creative leadership, leading and inspiring teams, translating big ideas across multiple mediums, executing projects to the highest standards on time and budget, pitching and winning new business and much more.
The common denominator among the broad range industries in her background is creating ideas that meet business objectives. She has led brands like The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Moffitt Cancer Center, Verizon, Mosaic, PSCU, Visit Sarasota and Nokia. This work has been recognized locally, regionally and internationally by ADDY Awards (Local Silver & Gold, District Four Silver & Gold, and Best of Bay), Stevie Awards, Telly Awards, Hermes Creative Awards, Print Regional Design and Graphic Design USA, to name a few. Sarah’s most recent achievements include the esteemed International Bronze Stevie Award for Women in Business for the Small Budget Marketing Campaign of the Year.
Jamiel Law
Jamiel Law is an illustrator, problem-solver, and creative thinker.
I was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. It was here where I was exposed to the arts and the cultures behind them.
I strive to make every art piece matter by taking the time to consider its meaning and importance to myself and the viewer. I aim to constantly learn about the world around me through observation and to present that through my artwork in a different and fresh way. The goal is to create work that resonates with others and establishes a genuine connection.
Christina Maksoud
Christina Maksoud owns MakSchu Productions with her partner Karim Maksoud, both of whom have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Motion Design from Ringling College of Art and design. Christina graduated in May of 2016, and within three weeks of graduation married Karim and started their video production based business.
MakSchu Productions has spent the last 6 years focusing on creating promotional content through design, animation, live-streaming, and video campaigns for 100+ brands. The connections made through Ringling college and numerous local professionals have allowed them to bring on specialists from different fields to their projects and work on a vast array of portfolio pieces.
Christina and Karim have had the opportunity to work with several major brands including Bealls Inc., Champs Sports, Visit Sarasota County, Sarasota Opera House, and Visit California to name a few. Some of these collaborations have led to awards, such as Tellys, Local Addys, Online Video Trend Awards, Vega Awards and District ADDYs.
Join alumna Katelyn Johnson ’19, Game Art, as she shares her insights on achieving her goals and growing.
Why is investing time in leadership and networking skills important? These are key factors to more confidence in your values, abilities, communication, and overall growth. By allowing more opportunities for shared knowledge, you will naturally expand your network and gain insight to new possibilities. Your takeaway should be how the nature of communication is evolving, and the power of flexibility in your career can provide freedom. Watch the ⏯ video.
Pronouns: she/her
Nickname: KJ
Katelyn Johnson currently works as an environment texture artist at Naughty Dog, working on titles such as The Last of Us: Part II, God of War Ragnarok, Stormland and The Last of Us Part: I Remake. She’s a Ringling alumna from the 2019 class with a degree in game art. She joined the video game industry to be a storyteller, making worlds to share and explore with others while also becoming an advocate for change. Pushing to uplift more women, POC, LGBTQI +, Transgender people and any marginalized humans in the industry. Katelyn is building a better place while growing in communication and leadership areas!
Turning Passion into Profession
The first step to your dream job starts here.
No matter where you are in your career, we have resources to help. Get in touch with the Center for Career Services today!
Thousands of jobs and internships at your fingertips.
Craft a portfolio that makes recruiters take notice.
Helping set you up for success in applying for work.
