Category: Speakers

Jada McClure

JADA MCCLURE

Donor Communications Manager, Institute for Justice

Jada McClure is a communications professional with a passion for storytelling that moves people to act. With a background spanning government communications, omni-channel marketing, and content strategy, she has a proven track record of producing award-winning documentary-style content for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and managing digital paid media campaigns across the United States.

Throughout her career, she has worked with esteemed organizations including ICF Next, Yes& Agency, and Sage Communications, and has supported federal clients such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Each experience has sharpened her ability to navigate complex projects, develop innovative strategies, and deliver results that matter.

Today, Jada brings that same strategic mindset to the Institute for Justice, where she serves as Donor Communications Manager at the Institute for Justice. In this role, she develops mission-driven content that connects supporters with the real-world impact of IJ’s work, defending the rights of everyday Americans.

Originally from North Carolina, Jada is a proud alumna of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC). Her journey began here in 2014 and continued at George Mason University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in 2019. She is thrilled to return to where it all started, this time as a speaker!

JADA MCCLURE

Donor Communications Manager, Institute for Justice

Bria Lloyd

BRIA LLOYD

Investigative Reporter, Connecticut Public Radio

Bria Lloyd is a journalist with experience in local, national and international news. She has worked in radio and television producing a wide array of projects including investigations, documentaries and narrative podcasts. Her work has taken her to Norway where she produced a documentary about prison reform. That story received an Edward R. Murrow Award and was nominated for a regional Emmy. She is also the co-host and producer of the podcast “In Absentia,” which explores the history of government scandals in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She is currently managing a documentary project that explores Black history in Virginia. She is getting her master’s degree in media management from The New School in the hopes of one day becoming a media executive.

BRIA LLOYD

Investigative Reporter, Connecticut Public Radio

Jenna Cohen

JENNA COHEN

Visual Journalist and Associate Product Manager, PBS NewsHour

Jenna Cohen is a visual journalist with a passion for producing top tier graphics, web designs, data visualizations and news products. Currently an Associate Product Manager at PBS NewsHour, she works alongside the digital team on various product development and design projects. She started at the NewsHour as the first undergraduate selected to be a Roy W. Howard fellow.

She has a B.A. in Journalism from University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, where she was on the digital design team for the award–winning Printing Hate and Nowhere To Go investigations. She attended WJMC in 2017 and returned as an intern in 2018 and is thrilled to be back and meet this year’s National Youth Correspondents.

Annie Mae Weiss

ANNIE MAE WEISS

Arena Host, Washington Capitals and Reporter/Anchor, FOX 5

Annie Mae is in her third season in the NHL and second season in Washington, D.C. with the Capitals as the In-Arena Host. While hosting for the Capitals, she was also a Social Contributor for Bleacher Report: Open Ice in her opening season. Additionally, Annie Mae works for the Fox 5 morning team reporting morning news and traffic, and anchors Good Day DC. Prior to coming back to the DMV area where she grew up, she was a Broadcast Associate for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2021-22 season. She then went on to be a Social Correspondent on the NHL’s YouTube show “Third P3riod Live” covering Eastern and Western Conference Finals. Annie Mae has a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Penn State.

ANNIE MAE WEISS

Arena Host, Washington Capitals and Reporter/Anchor, FOX 5

Megan Eichenberg

MEGAN EICHENBERG

Director of Communications & Publicity, The Washington Capitals

As director of communications & publicity for the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals, Megan Eichenberg oversees corporate communications surrounding the team’s initiatives across marketing, business, charitable and community endeavors, and youth hockey development. As the Capitals primary media contact for “off-ice” programming, Eichenberg works with Capitals players and staff to spotlight the organization through local and national media coverage. Eichenberg also oversees the production of the team’s annual lifestyle magazine W, a publication for Capitals fans that is geared toward profiling Capitals players away from the ice.

Eichenberg has served in communications roles with the Capitals since 2012. Prior to her employment with the Capitals, she served in communications internship roles with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the University of Mary Washington (UMW) as well as in a community relations role with USO-Metro. Eichenberg received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UMW and a master’s degree in sports industry management with a concentration in strategic marketing, communications and new media from Georgetown University.

Patrick Money

PATRICK MONEY

Director of Freshman Admissions, George Mason University

Patrick Money is the Director of Admissions for Freshman Recruitment for George
Mason University. After starting as a student employee at the Admissions office in
2006, he has spent the last sixteen years as a member of the Mason Admissions
family helping students and families find the right college destination.

Patrick is a Mason alumnus x 2 with a B.A in Psychology and his M.A in Higher
Education Administration. If he is not attending a Washington Nationals game
in D.C, you will find him overseeing domestic recruitment strategy and
implementation, admissions data management, and freshmen application review for Mason. Being busy is a must, but his love for coffee carries him through most of the recruitment cycle!

One of his favorite memories was when he made his initial
decision to come to Mason back in 2006 after he saw the Men’s basketball team reach the final four live at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.! (He still talks about it like it happened yesterday, and shows no signs of changing that!!)

Patrick has a passion for higher education and even more so for George Mason University and the opportunities for an access-driven enrollment strategy. Whether it be about equitable enrollment practices, or the best places to eat while on the recruitment trail, he is always ready for a lively discussion and hopes to share it with all those who are interested.

PATRICK MONEY

Director of Freshman Admissions, George Mason University

Patrick Money is the Director of Admissions for Freshman Recruitment for George Mason University. After starting as a student employee at the Admissions office in 2006, he has spent the last sixteen years as a member of the Mason Admissions
family helping students and families find the right college destination.

Patrick is a Mason alumnus x 2 with a B.A in Psychology and his M.A in Higher Education Administration. If he is not attending a Washington Nationals game in D.C, you will find him overseeing domestic recruitment strategy and implementation, admissions data management, and freshmen application review for Mason. Being busy is a must, but his love for coffee carries him through most of the recruitment cycle!

One of his favorite memories was when he made his initial decision to come to Mason back in 2006 after he saw the Men’s basketball team reach the final four live at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.! (He still talks about it like it happened yesterday, and shows no signs of changing that!!)

Carmella Boykin

CARMELLA BOYKIN

Host and TikTok Producer, The Washington Post

Carmella Boykin is a host and TikTok Producer at The Washington Post. She writes, shoots and edits news TikToks that often involve dancing to explain news topics. Previously, she worked as a local TV reporter in Rochester, NY where she started her TikTok account. Carmella joined the Post in December 2021 and holds a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University.

CARMELLA BOYKIN

Host and TikTok Producer, The Washington Post

Richard Todd Stafford

RICHARD TODD STAFFOR

Director of Communications, Honors College, George Mason University

Richard Todd Stafford is the Director of Communications in the Honors College at George Mason University. The Honors College gives the most motivated undergraduate students from all majors and backgrounds the support that inspires them to pursue their curiosity and undertake meaningful civic engagement and experiential learning opportunities. Dr. Stafford mentors and supervises the Honors College Communication team. Dr. Stafford has written, spoken, and taught extensively about cultural dimensions of climate change, energy, and the environment, including on the “Capitalism, Climate, and Culture” podcast, in the media, and at @richardtoddstafford on Instagram.

RICHARD TODD STAFFORD

Director of Communications, Honors College, George Mason University

Maggie Yanchulis

MAGGIE YANCHULIS

Social Media Manager, Washington Commanders

Maggie Yanchulis is the Social Media Manager for the Washington Commanders. She graduated from George Mason University in 2021 with a degree in Sport Management. She previously worked at Caesars Sportsbook and Major League Baseball, and has interned for Special Olympics and the Washington Spirit. She was raised in Northern Virginia with her three sisters and all have a deep love for DC sports teams – even during losing seasons. She gained a passion for social media by starting a Washington Nationals fan twitter account in high school, honoring her favorite Nat, Ryan Zimmerman.

Patty See

PATTY SEE

Freelance TV Producer

Patty See is a freelance television producer at ABC in Washington, D.C., covering general interest news stories. Previously she worked at German public broadcaster ZDF, Al Jazeera, and Fox News Channel, where she covered the Clinton and Bush White Houses. She holds a BA in English literature from George Mason University.