2023 SMPA Newsletter

The Frank Sesno Newsmaker Conversation Series, supported by alumni Ted Segal and Meredith Perla Segal, will showcase leading voices in politics and culture and will aim to promote critical civil discourse, public understanding and the enrichment of student experiences at GW.

SMPA welcomes the award-winning journalist to the endowed professorship named after the CNN founder and conservationist. Sutter's body of work on the climate crisis and the environment has been widely recognized and awarded.

Named in honor of groundbreaking broadcast journalist, the late Cokie Roberts, and her husband, Steve Roberts, the J.B. and M.C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs, the Cokie and Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund will provide support for SMPA undergraduate students as they pursue their education at GW. 

The purpose of this fund is to support students facing financial hardship, including unmet need and financial emergencies. In the spirit of Cokie and Steve, the fund will support as many students as possible each semester and students with the greatest need will be given priority. Cokie and Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund awards typically range up to $7,500. You can support the fund here. 

Katherine Miller, a leader in helping socially responsible companies address the world’s most pressing problems and Molly O’Toole, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who chronicles the human impact of immigration, are the School of Media and Public Affairs 2022-2023 Terker Distinguished Fellows. 

Katherine and Molly will play in an important role in the SMPA community, joining in classroom discussions, participating in public events, and working closely with SMPA students. Read more here. 

Stacy Marshall, BA ‘96, joined INCLUDEnyc in October, 2022 as the Executive Director of Parent and Family Engagement. Stacy and her team support K-12 students with disabilities and their families throughout New York City.

Kristina Messner, BA ‘90, in June, launched Messner Media Group LLC, specializing in public relations for aerospace, defense and emerging technology clients. The agency's launch was recognized by coverage in AdWeek, Capital Communicator and O'Dwyers.

Bailey Mohr, BA ‘15, served as Senior Advisor for Digital to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's campaign during the 2022 election cycle.

Marissa Moran Gantman, BA ‘10, moved to Colorado in 2022 and works as Strategic Communications Director for RMI, a nonprofit dedicated to the global clean energy transition.

Henry Morillo, BA ‘13, continues to produce unscripted television content across a variety of genres. Most recently, he was Supervising Producer for the 24th season of "Big Brother" on CBS, as well as a new survival challenge show soon to premiere on TBS.

Tony Palermo, BA ‘91, MPA ‘93, is Assistant Director for the City of Fort Myers Community Development Department and served four weeks at Lee County Emergency Operations Center as a liaison between the City and the County in response to Hurricane Ian.

Lynn Pellicano, BA ‘07, three years ago, was asked by a management consulting firm to create a market research vertical in their company for one division. Lynn was just promoted to director of market research and global head of their newly formed Market Research Center of Excellence.

Lauren Perez, BA ‘21, is a second year law student at New York University School of Law.

John Perrino, BA ‘15, is a policy analyst at the Stanford Internet Observatory leading policy engagement and communications for online trust and safety issues.

Christopher Peterson, BA ‘97, works in the film/television/emerging media industry at Nice Shoes, a New York City - based creative shop and post production facility. He is also an executive board member and board secretary of the Post New York Alliance.

Laura Shuey-Kostelac, BA ‘14, MA ‘15, was recently promoted to the role of Partner, Global Public Affairs at FINN Partners.

Lisa Surhio (formerly Stronawski), BA ‘01, is a City Magistrate in Tucson, Arizona.  She presides over the City of Tucson Mental Health Court and the Pima County Consolidated Misdemeanor Problem Solving Court.

Drew Trachtenberg, BA ‘75, is happily retired and living back in his hometown of Philadelphia after long stints as a reporter/editor/executive producer at Dow Jones and CNN. Drew still writes occasional freelance articles on personal finance.

Michael Valerio, BA ‘10, joined CNN Newsource as a correspondent based in Los Angeles. Since March 2022, Valerio covered the repatriation of American World War II remains from the South Pacific, the Uvalde school shooting investigation and climate change in the West.

Lisa Ann Wissink, BA ‘93, was recently named Managing Director and Co-Lead, U.S. Financial Services, for Edelman Smithfield, a financial communications boutique that specializes in the financial markets and strategic situations.