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Tag: 2025

Steve Taglieri

STEPHEN TAGLIERI

Marketing and Communications Consultant and Founder, Kingdom Multimedia, LLC

Gillian Brassil covers securities litigation for Bloomberg Law. Prior to joining Bloomberg, she reported on federal politics for McClatchy’s California papers in DC. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University. 

STEVE TAGLIERI

Marketing and Communications Consultant and Founder, Kingdom Multimedia, LLC​

Steve Taglieri is a conservation and climate communications specialist who graduated from George Mason University (Class of 2022). With a background in conservation biology and photojournalism, Steve has paired the two disciplines to assist eco-friendly organizations grow their online presence and outreach strategies. Steve has worked and written for the Smithsonian Zoo and Magazine, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Reverse the Red campaign, the Institute for Advertising Ethics, and the American Forest Foundation. Most recently, he founded Kingdom Multimedia LLC, a creative agency creating green impact through communications and marketing strategies. Actively working with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, Steve merges public relations, videography, and journalism to grow climate awareness at eco-oriented organizations that have not previously allocated resources to this mission.

Kayla Sharpe

KAYLA SHARPE

Deputy Newsletter Team Leader at Bloomberg Industry Group

Kayla N. Sharpe is a Washington, D.C.-based digital journalist focused on media, society, and audience engagement. She is the deputy newsletter team leader at Bloomberg Industry Group where she oversees the production of more than 60 newsletters covering law, government, tax, and accounting. She previously served as an associate editor at Axios, working with reporters in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Twin Cities covering national and local issues. She has also worked at POLITICO as an engagement editor for subscriber strategy and as a digital producer, and at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting supporting student and freelance journalists covering under-reported global issues.

Kayla graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2017 with degrees in film and media and American studies and served as the inaugural digital media editor for the campus newspaper, The Flat Hat. Kayla’s reporting has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, receiving their 2017 Regional Mark of Excellence Award for In-Depth Reporting, and William & Mary, receiving the university’s 2016 Rex Smith Journalism Award. She was also selected for the National Press Foundation 2024 “Widening the Pipeline” Fellowship focused on newsroom leadership skills for journalists of color.

Kayla is proud to be an engaged William & Mary alumna and currently serves as the co-chair of the Young Guarde Alumni Council and as vice chair of the William & Mary Washington Center Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Learn more about Kayla and view her work at www.kaylasharpe.com

KAYLA SHARPE

Deputy Newsletter Team Leader at Bloomberg Industry Group

Kayla N. Sharpe is a Washington, D.C.-based digital journalist focused on media, society, and audience engagement. She is the deputy newsletter team leader at Bloomberg Industry Group where she oversees the production of more than 60 newsletters covering law, government, tax, and accounting. She previously served as an associate editor at Axios, working with reporters in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Twin Cities covering national and local issues. She has also worked at POLITICO as an engagement editor for subscriber strategy and as a digital producer, and at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting supporting student and freelance journalists covering under-reported global issues.

Kayla graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2017 with degrees in film and media and American studies and served as the inaugural digital media editor for the campus newspaper, The Flat Hat. Kayla’s reporting has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, receiving their 2017 Regional Mark of Excellence Award for In-Depth Reporting, and William & Mary, receiving the university’s 2016 Rex Smith Journalism Award. She was also selected for the National Press Foundation 2024 “Widening the Pipeline” Fellowship focused on newsroom leadership skills for journalists of color.

Kayla is proud to be an engaged William & Mary alumna and currently serves as the co-chair of the Young Guarde Alumni Council and as vice chair of the William & Mary Washington Center Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Learn more about Kayla and view her work at www.kaylasharpe.com

Britney Crowe

BRITNEY CROWE

Faculty Advisor

Britney began her journey with WJMC six years ago when she nominated students for the program, and she continues to come back to this program as a faculty advisor. She is a mentor, teacher, co-worker, mother, and child of Christ. She is finishing her 27th year of teaching in Texas and she just distributed her 24th yearbook to a campus of 3000 students. She lives in central Texas near her grown children, and her companions include two kitties and her plants. Britney enjoys travel, hiking, camping, new foods, and gathering stories from strangers.

BRITNEY CROWE

Faculty Advisor

Britney began her journey with WJMC six years ago when she nominated students for the program, and she continues to come back to this program as a faculty advisor. She is a mentor, teacher, co-worker, mother, and child of Christ. She is finishing her 27th year of teaching in Texas and she just distributed her 24th yearbook to a campus of 3000 students. She lives in central Texas near her grown children, and her companions include two kitties and her plants. Britney enjoys travel, hiking, camping, new foods, and gathering stories from strangers.

Allison Alberty

ALLISON ALBERTY

Advance Team Member

Allison Alberty is the Assistant Director of Outreach Events and Programs in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. A proud (almost) double Patriot, she is both a George Mason and Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) alumna. Allison earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in Spring 2023 and is currently pursuing her MA in Strategic Communication. Outside of work and graduate school, you’ll find her at rock concerts, on a yoga mat, nurturing her growing plant collection, or finding the best new brunch spots in town.

Grad-Photo-2023-e1682972881473-300x300 (2)

ALLISON ALBERTY

Advance Team Member

Allison Alberty is the Assistant Director of Outreach Events and Programs in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. A proud (almost) double Patriot, she is both a George Mason and Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) alumna. Allison earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in Spring 2023 and is currently pursuing her MA in Strategic Communication. Outside of work and graduate school, you’ll find her at rock concerts, on a yoga mat, nurturing her growing plant collection, or finding the best new brunch spots in town.

Savannah Behrmann

SAVANNAH BEHRMANN

Politics and Congress Reporter

Savannah Rose Behrmann was most recently the Senate Correspondent for National Journal, where she roamed the halls of Capitol Hill focusing on the legislative and bipartisan gridlock of Congress’ upper chamber.  Prior, she served as a Congressional Reporter at USA TODAY, where she led the newspaper’s coverage of both chambers of Congress. Previously, she worked as a Politics NOW Reporter at USA TODAY, covering breaking political news that ranged from the 2020 election, Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court. Beforehand, she was a News Associate at CNN. Savannah hails from Utah, and attended George Mason University, where she graduated in 2018. She is a proud alumna of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, which she attended as a National Youth Correspondent in 2013, and then worked as a staff member for several years.

SAVANNAH BEHRMANN

Politics and Congress Reporter

Savannah Rose Behrmann was most recently the Senate Correspondent for National Journal, where she roamed the halls of Capitol Hill focusing on the legislative and bipartisan gridlock of Congress’ upper chamber.  Prior, she served as a Congressional Reporter at USA TODAY, where she led the newspaper’s coverage of both chambers of Congress. Previously, she worked as a Politics NOW Reporter at USA TODAY, covering breaking political news that ranged from the 2020 election, Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court. Beforehand, she was a News Associate at CNN. Savannah hails from Utah, and attended George Mason University, where she graduated in 2018. She is a proud alumna of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, which she attended as a National Youth Correspondent in 2013, and then worked as a staff member for several years.

Nadgeena Jerome

NADGEENA JEROME

Multimedia Journalist

A first-generation Haitian-American, Nadgeena Jerome is a dynamic multimedia journalist, on-camera host, and content creator with a focus on lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and entertainment. Over the past year, she has covered major cultural events including New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, Arizona Fashion Week, and Swim Week Las Vegas, while continuing to produce engaging digital content for national media brands and her personal platform, The JooJoo Journey.

Previously, she served as a senior lifestyle reporter and assistant editor at The U.S. Sun, and has held on-air and digital roles at News 12, Talent Recap, and 2M Media Group in Washington, D.C.

Nadgeena is a proud alumna of George Mason University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2017. She is also a proud 2012 alumna of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference and is honored to return as a featured speaker, continuing to give back to the organization that helped spark and shape her path in journalism.

Outside of journalism, Nadgeena is a signed professional model, a nationally recognized pageant competitor, and the founder of The Unbroken Collective, a mental health initiative tied to her lifestyle brand. She placed 1st runner-up at the 2024 and 2025 Miss Virginia USA pageants and is currently completing her first children’s book. She also serves as an advocacy ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and is a Girls Write Now mentor.

NADGEENA JEROME

Multimedia Journalist

A first-generation Haitian-American, Nadgeena Jerome is a dynamic multimedia journalist, on-camera host, and content creator with a focus on lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and entertainment. Over the past year, she has covered major cultural events including New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, Arizona Fashion Week, and Swim Week Las Vegas, while continuing to produce engaging digital content for national media brands and her personal platform, The JooJoo Journey.

Previously, she served as a senior lifestyle reporter and assistant editor at The U.S. Sun, and has held on-air and digital roles at News 12, Talent Recap, and 2M Media Group in Washington, D.C.

Nadgeena is a proud alumna of George Mason University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2017. She is also a proud 2012 alumna of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference and is honored to return as a featured speaker, continuing to give back to the organization that helped spark and shape her path in journalism.

Outside of journalism, Nadgeena is a signed professional model, a nationally recognized pageant competitor, and the founder of The Unbroken Collective, a mental health initiative tied to her lifestyle brand. She placed 1st runner-up at the 2024 and 2025 Miss Virginia USA pageants and is currently completing her first children’s book. She also serves as an advocacy ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and is a Girls Write Now mentor.

Rondene Grinam

RONDENE GRINAM

Global Email Marketing Manager, Microsoft

Rondene Grinam is a global email marketing manager at Microsoft. Previously, she was a marketing specialist at Gartner, a leading business research and advisory company.  In this role, she managed marketing campaign strategy through channels like email, web content, and social media. She also served as the communications lead for Gartner’s multicultural employee group.

She developed an early interest in communications as a writer for her high school news publications and columnist for her city’s newspaper. While attending George Mason University, she was involved in a variety of opportunities to develop a career around her passions for global communication, social media, and public relations.

An alum of the Washington Scholars Program for young aspiring communications professionals, she held a number of enriching internships throughout her undergraduate career, most notably in marketing at Northern Virginia Magazine and the British Embassy Washington. She has also refined her intercultural communication skills through studying abroad in France and Italy, and through interning for Italian travel agency Florence for Fun and George Mason’s Center for Global Education.

Rondene received a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in public relations and minors in journalism and global affairs from George Mason University in May 2016. In December 2018, she earned a master’s degree in International Commerce and Policy.

She loves being a part of the WJMC family and is thrilled to be a part of the conference again this year.

RONDENE GRINAM

Global Email Marketing Manager, Microsoft

Rondene Grinam is a global email marketing manager at Microsoft. Previously, she was a marketing specialist at Gartner, a leading business research and advisory company.  In this role, she managed marketing campaign strategy through channels like email, web content, and social media. She also served as the communications lead for Gartner’s multicultural employee group.

She developed an early interest in communications as a writer for her high school news publications and columnist for her city’s newspaper. While attending George Mason University, she was involved in a variety of opportunities to develop a career around her passions for global communication, social media, and public relations.

An alum of the Washington Scholars Program for young aspiring communications professionals, she held a number of enriching internships throughout her undergraduate career, most notably in marketing at Northern Virginia Magazine and the British Embassy Washington. She has also refined her intercultural communication skills through studying abroad in France and Italy, and through interning for Italian travel agency Florence for Fun and George Mason’s Center for Global Education.

Rondene received a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in public relations and minors in journalism and global affairs from George Mason University in May 2016. In December 2018, she earned a master’s degree in International Commerce and Policy.

She loves being a part of the WJMC family and is thrilled to be a part of the conference again this year.

Megan Tucker

MEGAN TUCKER

Communication Faculty, George Mason University

Megan Tucker is an assistant term professor and the Director of Academic Advising for the Communication department.  In the past, Megan served as the BA Program Director for the department from 2017-2020. Previoulsy, Megan has also worked full time in Washington DC at the National Communication Association on the student learning outcomes grant. She has formerly worked as an adjunct professor of Communication at Johns Hopkins University, Northern Virginia Community College, and as an academic advisor at Marymount University.

Megan received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and English (Journalism) from Christopher Newport University. Her Master of Arts in Communication is from George Mason University. In 2015, Megan earned her PhD in Higher Education with a focus in Communication from GMU.

Her research interests include student development, communication and academic advising, interpersonal and organizational communication, media, identity, small group communication, student services, learning outcomes, assessment and marginalized student groups.

MEGAN TUCKER

Communication Faculty, George Mason University​

Megan Tucker is an assistant term professor and the Director of Academic Advising for the Communication department.  In the past, Megan served as the BA Program Director for the department from 2017-2020. Previously, Megan has also worked full time in Washington DC at the National Communication Association on the student learning outcomes grant. She has formerly worked as an adjunct professor of Communication at Johns Hopkins University, Northern Virginia Community College, and as an academic advisor at Marymount University.

Megan received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and English (Journalism) from Christopher Newport University. Her Master of Arts in Communication is from George Mason University. In 2015, Megan earned her PhD in Higher Education with a focus in Communication from GMU.

Her research interests include student development, communication and academic advising, interpersonal and organizational communication, media, identity, small group communication, student services, learning outcomes, assessment and marginalized student groups.

Mark Hilburn

MARK HILBURN

Faculty Advisor

Mark has taught journalism for 15 years at Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska and advises the news broadcast, newspaper, yearbook, radio and sports live-streaming. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha teaching Media Writing and Public Speaking Fundamentals while working on a Ph.D. in educational leadership. Mark is the past president of the Nebraska High School Press Association, presents and judges at national JEA/NSPA and CSPA conventions and teaches journalism workshops nationwide He holds master’s in journalism and mass communication from the University of Nebraska. He was named the 2015 Nebraska Distinguished Journalism Teacher of the Year, in 2019 received the Dr. Sherrie Wilson Outstanding Service Award for Journalism, and in 2020, received the Future Administrator Award from JEA.

MARK HILBURN

Faculty Advisor

Mark has taught journalism for 15 years at Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska and advises the news broadcast, newspaper, yearbook, radio and sports live-streaming. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha teaching Media Writing and Public Speaking Fundamentals while working on a Ph.D. in educational leadership. Mark is the past president of the Nebraska High School Press Association, presents and judges at national JEA/NSPA and CSPA conventions and teaches journalism workshops nationwide He holds master’s in journalism and mass communication from the University of Nebraska. He was named the 2015 Nebraska Distinguished Journalism Teacher of the Year, in 2019 received the Dr. Sherrie Wilson Outstanding Service Award for Journalism, and in 2020, received the Future Administrator Award from JEA.

Dr. Richard T. Craig

DR. RICHARD T. CRAIG

MA Director, Communication, George Mason University

Richard Craig directs the MA program in the Department of Communication at George Mason University and teaches at the undergraduate and graduate level about the influence of the media.  He has been a part of the university and the communications department since the fall of 2009.  Dr. Craig received his BA in Journalism from Olivet College, his MA in Telecommunications Management from Michigan State University, and his PhD in Mass Communication/Media Studies from Howard University. His research centers on mass media political economy; addressing the production, distribution and consumption of media content.  He takes particular interest in exploring the social structure/struggle embedded in media production and interpreted in media consumption.  His goal is to use research to influence the development of policy to enhance opportunities for media production and distribution by marginalized cultures. In recognition for his work, he received the 2021 Spirit of King Faculty Award as part of Mason’s annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Evening of Reflection event.

DR. RICHARD T. CRAIG

MA Director, Communication, George Mason University

Richard Craig directs the MA program in the Department of Communication at George Mason University and teaches at the undergraduate and graduate level about the influence of the media.  He has been a part of the university and the communications department since the fall of 2009.  Dr. Craig received his BA in Journalism from Olivet College, his MA in Telecommunications Management from Michigan State University, and his PhD in Mass Communication/Media Studies from Howard University. His research centers on mass media political economy; addressing the production, distribution and consumption of media content.  He takes particular interest in exploring the social structure/struggle embedded in media production and interpreted in media consumption.  His goal is to use research to influence the development of policy to enhance opportunities for media production and distribution by marginalized cultures. In recognition for his work, he received the 2021 Spirit of King Faculty Award as part of Mason’s annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Evening of Reflection event.