Speakers | Flagler COM Week

Meet our Speakers

Jenna Boerst

Filmmaker, Flagler College grad

Hello, my name is Jenna Boerst, a recent graduate from Flagler College. I have a BA in Digital Media Production and Journalism and I heavily focused on underwater storytelling during my time as an undergraduate. This passion bloomed due to my love for the ocean and my desire to capture and share the beauty of the underwater world with others in hopes of inspiring people to conserve it. While all areas of conservation are important, I focused on shark conservation for the past two years, creating a documentary covering the debates on this topic for my senior thesis. I also traveled to Indonesia, where I interned with a non-profit called Project Hiu, working directly with shark fishermen. I believe that film and photography can create deep impacts on audiences and is a catalyst for creating change. That is why I hope to use my degree to inspire change and conservation for our planet.

Florian Boyce

Co-Founder, Knew Amsterdam Entertainment, COM Week 2025 Keynote Speaker, Flagler grad

Florian "Flobo" Boyce is a Brooklyn-born, Los Angeles-based presenter, master of ceremonies and personality. In 2017 he launched his own digital media, podcasting, and live event company, Knew Amsterdam Entertainment which has brands and properties enjoyed by audiences worldwide. As a stand-up comedian, Flobo has appeared on stage at world-class venues like The Comedy Store, and as an esports shoutcaster, Flobo has been in the booth for tournaments featuring the games Rocket League, Formula 1, and Madden25. Additionally, he is a noted sports content creator with a particular interest in the sport of baseball, currently contributing to the Black Baseball Mixtape and the Just The Sandwich media outlets.

Max Chesnes

Environment and Climate Reporter, Tampa Bay Times

Max is the climate and environment reporter for the Tampa Bay Times. He reports on state lands, environmental justice, pollution, wildlife and intensifying hurricanes. Prior to working for the Times, Max covered environmental issues for Treasure Coast Newspapers and the USA Today network, writing about Lake Okeechobee, the Indian River Lagoon and Florida’s Everglades. Max is a 2023 journalism fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and a recipient of several environmental writing awards. He studied both journalism and sustainability at the University of Florida and is licensed to fly drones.

Dalton

Full-service Advertising and PR Agency

Panelists will include: Cari Bessinger, Dalton Director of Strategy & Planning (Flagler Alum ’08) Chris Obarski, Dalton PR Account Supervisor Pat Donnell, Dalton VP, Web & Interactive (Flagler Alum ’07) Louise Lee, Dalton Social Media Manager Kelsey Strange, Dalton Senior Paid Media Planner Eden Sutherland, GATE Director of Marketing & Communications

Lilly Dietz

Flagler student and 2024 Pulitzer Reporting Fellow

Lilly Dietz is a senior at Flagler College, majoring in Digital Media Production and Journalism. Passionate about human rights journalism, she was awarded a prestigious Pulitzer Center Campus Consortum Reporting Fellowship Grant where she traveled to report on homelessness in Finland and explored innovative solutions to a global issue. In addition to her academic pursuits, Lilly serves as an on-air personality and social media director for WFCF 88.5 Flagler College Radio, where she combines creativity and leadership to engage with the community. Lilly is a skilled photographer, and uses her lens to amplify stories that deserve attention. With a dedication to impactful storytelling, Lilly strives to make a difference through journalism and media.

Leslie Gibson

Vice President of Unified Partnerships at IHeartMedia

For over a decade, Leslie has helped organizations grow through strategic communication and business development, data-driven audience insights, and media planning. With communication and public health degrees from Flagler College, University of Florida, and University of North Florida, Leslie is passionate about using marketing to drive meaningful social impact. An expert in government marketing and communication contracting, Leslie specializes in solicitation analysis, proposal development, and procurement strategies, securing contracts with agencies such as the CDC, HHS, and DHS. Her expertise spans across digital and traditional media, leading campaigns focused on mental health, public safety, and health equity. Leslie brings a unique blend of academic insight and real-world strategy to every initiative.

Evan Lauteria

Assistant Instructional Professor of Sociology, University of Florida

Evan W. Lauteria is an Assistant Instructional Professor of Sociology at the University of Florida. His areas of study include cultural sociology, globalization, gender/sexuality, and science and technology studies. Dr. Lauteria’s research explores the emergence and proliferation of video game “localization,” a set of business strategies employed by Japanese companies to tackle global and regional market challenges and uncertainty. These strategies necessarily produced complementary discourses and mythologies of cultural difference, many of which are now taken-for-granted assumptions about national cultures and consumer tastes in the games industry today. In his research, Dr. Lauteria employs comparative-historical methods, social network analysis, and textual analysis, and he draws on interdisciplinary training in science and technology studies, women’s and gender studies, media studies, and cultural studies. Dr. Lauteria holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of California, Davis, an MS in Cultural Foundations of Education from Syracuse University, and a BA in Women’s Studies from the University of Florida.

Jess Maddox

Associate Professor in Journalism and Creative Media, University of Alabama

Jessica Maddox (Ph.D., University of Georgia) is an Associate Professor of Digital Media at the University of Alabama in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media. Her research focuses on content creators, influencers, and social media platforms, and she is the author of The Internet is for Cats: How Animal Images Shape our Digital Lives (Rutgers University Press, 2023). She has been an advocate in the family vlogging legislation space for several years now, and has provided written testimony for numerous states considering legislation. She consulted on California’s Child Content Creator Rights Act, which was signed into law in 2024.

Mackenzie Quick

Flagler Professor, Session Moderator

Dr. Mackenzie Quick joined the Flagler College faculty in 2023 as an Assistant Professor of Public Relations. She has since taught courses on campaign planning, case study analysis, advanced writing, political communication, and social media content creation. Dr. Quick also serves as the faculty advisor for PRSSA, wherein she supports students in efforts to provide supplementary programming that better prepares them for a career in strategic communication. When she's not in the classroom, Dr. Quick spends time implementing research that explores the interconnectivity between politics, public relations, and social media. Her recent work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals such as First Monday, Journal of Public Relations Research, Sport & Communication, and Western Journal of Communication. Before entering academia, Dr. Quick garnered five years of professional experience in higher education advancement and communication, as well as various publications and media organizations.

Jessica Scheidler Grossberg

Public Education Coordinator, LifeQuest

Jessica was born and raised in Ohio and graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in Education and Communications. While teaching for Duval County Public Schools, she completed her Masters of Public and Global Health at the University of North Florida. Since then, she has worked for a variety of nonprofits. Jessica is currently the Public Education Coordinator for LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services for the past four years. She is also an active board member and secretary for Donate Life Florida and Donate Life America’s team.

Chuck Todd

Former political analyst, NBC News

Chuck Todd is NBC News’ chief political analyst. He's the former moderator of the network’s flagship Sunday public affairs program Meet the Press. Todd, a three-time Emmy® Award-winner for his contributions to NBC News’ election night and breaking news coverage, was named moderator of Meet the Press in 2014. Chuck Todd’s most recent publication is The Stranger: Barack Obama in the White House.

Alumni Panel

Paige Chapman

COM Dept Chair, Session Moderator

Dr. Chapman is an assistant professor and the chair of the Communication Department at Flagler. She teaches classes in journalism and media studies.

Ash Chatmon

Youth Learning Services Program Presenter, Jacksonville Public Library

As a Media Studies and Digital Media Production & Journalism double major, Ash Chatmon ('24) sought to preserve and dignify untold stories. Her favorite projects included co-creating and producing "Watering Our Roots," a video series for Florida Historic Coast highlighting Black History Cultural institutions in St. Augustine and presenting research at the Popular Culture Association at the South & American Culture Association in the South (PCAS/ ACAS) Conference. In addition to numerous awards and successful internships, Ash sought to increase campus inclusivity and unity by creating partnerships between affinity groups and community organizations as Flagler's Black Student Union President. Since her time at Flagler College, Ash Chatmon has continued the efforts of her academic and community-focused work at the intersection of youth education and African American cultural preservation. After graduating in May of 2024, she joined the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) System's "Memory Lab" staff. She helped establish an oral history project funded by the Mellon Foundation to expand JPL's African American History Collection. She now works with the Youth Learning Services department, presenting programs for children across multiple library branches. Ash works with the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, and the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance in her free time.

Kara Pound

Owner/Founder, Old City Public Relations

A Connecticut native who has lived in St. Augustine since 2004, Kara Pound is the owner and founder of Old City Public Relations and publisher of the Instagram page @StuffToDoInStAugustine. She has a degree in communications with a focus on print journalism from Flagler College and spent more than a decade as a professional writer before starting her PR firm in 2017. Kara and her team has garnered media placements for clients in The New York Times, Edible Northeast Florida, Southern Living, and Jacksonville Magazine – to name a few. When she’s not working, Kara enjoys cooking for her family and friends, hanging with her rescue pup, Buddy, and spending as much time as possible in her happy place, the Green Mountains of Vermont. Social Media Handles: @oldcitypr @stufftodoinstaugustine"

Lexi Ray

Photographer, First Coast News and Jacksonville Armada FC

Lexi Ray is a Jacksonville-based photojournalist with First Coast News and a photographer/content creator for Jacksonville Armada FC. She specializes in capturing high-energy moments in both sports and news, covering everything from breaking stories to match-day action. A 2024 graduate of Flagler College, she majored in digital media and journalism with a focus on photojournalism, sports, and graphic design. While at Flagler, she worked in athletics communications and served as the photo editor for The Gargoyle. Whether on the sidelines or in the newsroom, Lexi is passionate about storytelling through visual media.

Grace Richards

Public Relations Specialist, Pink Stork

Grace Richards is a communications professional who works as a public relations specialist at Pink Stork, a women-owned wellness company. After graduating high school with her Associate's Degree, Grace maximized her two and a half years at Flagler College. Majoring in Strategic Communication, Grace led as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, earned the Henry Flagler Athlete of Character Award, and maintained Dean's List and PBC Presidential Honor Roll status throughout. Since graduation, Grace's ventures include freelancing for a PGA Tour professional, photographing his Lululemon Ambassador campaign, and solely running a nonprofit's marketing and PR. She now works closely with Pink Stork’s CEO to secure speaking engagements and media placements.

Sam Sawney

Academic Advisor, Flagler College

Samuel Sawney is an Academic Advisor in the Center for Advising and Core Experience (CACE) office at Flagler College. Sam earned a B.A. in Digital Media Production and Journalism in May 2022. During his time as a student, Sam was involved in several short film productions, created a podcast for his Honors Capstone Project, and completed two communication internships. As an Academic Advisor, Sam primarily advises first-year students in the School of Creative Arts and Letters, which includes—Communication, English, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts departments.

An Insider's Edge

Cam Buttrick

Intern, Aura Agency

Piper Hadsell

Intern, Aura Agency

Sara Orr

Co-editor, Gargoyle

Chloe Smith

Co-editor, Gargoyle

Lilly Dietz

Social Media Director, WFCF Flagler College Radio

Audrey Jirak

Music Director, WFCF Flagler College Radio

Madison Torres

Digital Production Director, WFCF Flagler College Radio

Evita Carrasco

Creative Director, Strike Magazine

Jess Giraldo

Editor-in-Chief, Strike Magazine

Maya Kayyal

Writing Director, Strike Magazine

Communication Under Siege

Jim Gilmore

Visiting Filmmaker

Tracy Halcomb

Professor and Filmmaker

Erin Horan

Visiting Assistant Professor

MJ Kim

Assistant Professor

Matthew Wysocki

Associate Professor

Women in Film and Television (WIFT)

Janeen Sara

Jacksonville Chair of Women in Film and Television, Flagler grad

Janeen Damiano Sara graduated from Flagler College with a degree in Broadcasting. She freelanced in Film and Television in Orlando for 6 years in companies such as Universal Studios, Nickelodeon, Lifetime Movies, NBC, Academy of Country Music Awards, Ford Motor Company, WInn Dixie, Broadcast Service Group, Buenavida Productions and Amblin Television. Janeen moved back to St. Augustine with her young children and opened LuLi's Cupcakes for 10 years. When her children went to college, she returned to work as a production coordinator in Jacksonville. She now freelances in production, writes screenplays, is the Board Chair for Women in Film and Television Florida and heads the Jane Austen Society of North America's Young Filmmakers competition. Janeen also owns LiLu's Fine Art Gallery in the historic district of St. Augustine and her daughter Lily is graduating from Flagler in May.

Keagan Anfuso

Producer and Filmmaker at Kennetic Productions

Keagan Anfuso is a filmmaker and creative director with over 12 years of experience in documentary, television, and commercial storytelling. A graduate of Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, she is currently an adjunct professor of producing at JU while leading creative work at Kennetic Productions. Her documentary short The Grey Area, exploring masculinity in women, has over 300k views on YouTube and has won multiple festival awards, including Best Documentary Short at OUT at the Movies and the Jacksonville Film Festival. As Creative Director at Kennetic, her work has been recognized with the Audience Honor in Storytelling from the Shorty Awards (2024), a Gold ADDY, and multiple Angel Awards for public service advertising. She also serves as the Video Producer for TEDxJacksonville, shaping visual narratives for the annual conference. Guided by her belief that "The truth is a good story," she leverages her skills to challenge narratives, shift social perspectives, and inspire deeper understanding.

Kay Hill

Owner, Florida Film Academy and Steel Spyda Production Group

Kay Hill is a journalist, writer, and producer with 30 years of experience creating content for global networks, including Sky, National Geographic, Discovery, BBC, FIVE, and Netflix. Kay is a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalism, a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, and a former Board Advisor for the National Geographic Society’s All Roads Film Initiative. She now focuses much of her time on education, co-founding Florida Film Academy, a creative hub for young students in Orlando, FL.

Monique Madrid

Jacksonville Producer of the LOL Film Festival and the 48-Hour Film Challenge

Monique Madrid, UNF alum, is a festival organizer based in Jacksonville. In 2016, she became the first black female film festival organizer in Jacksonville. She created a comedy film festival called LOL JAX Film Festival providing a platform to local community filmmakers, actors/actresses, and comedians to showcase their short films and talent. The motto of the festival is “Love Our Locals while Laughing Out Loud”. She is the co-city producer of the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project which is an international filming competition that challenges filmmakers to make a short film in only 48 hours. The Jacksonville city winner goes on to compete with other city winners from around the world at Filmapalooza for a chance to have their films screened and honored at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. In 2023, Jacksonville won grand champion at Filmapalooza and were able to represent Duval in France. She has worked on film projects as a story editor, line producer, assistant editor, voice over and camera operator. She was selected for 40 under 40 in 2020 by Jax Business Journal and was selected as one of the Women of Influence in 2023 also by JBJ. Her festival has won Best Film Festival with Folio’s Best of Jax 5 years straight and is the current winner for 2025. Monique understands the importance of the arts through visual storytelling and makes it her mission to promote, create opportunities, expand inclusion and celebrate the local arts community.

Book of Freedom: The Fort Mose Docudrama

Max Gibbs

Grip/Gaffer/Camera Assist

Maxwell Gibbs is a born and bred local to Anastasia Island, 20 years old, and a Sophomore here at Flagler College. He is a student of the honors college, and is double majoring in Cinematic Arts and International Business. Hobbies include; fishing, surfing, diving, hunting, hiking, rock climbing, birding, and cooking.

America Hill

First Assistant Director

America Hill, a recent graduate of Flagler College, currently serves as the COM/CMA Equipment Room Manager in the Communication Department. During the production of " A Book of Freedom," America played a significant role in the preproduction phase as a Student Writer and Associate Producer. On set, she coordinate a team of fellow CMA and COM students as the First Assistant Director. Grateful for the experience and the lessons learned, she aspires to further her education and advance her career.

Kyle Miller

Script Supervisor

Kyle Miller is a junior majoring in Cinematic Arts with a double minor in Digital Media Production and Film Studies. For A Book of Freedom: The Confessions of Francisco Menéndez, Kyle worked as the Script Supervisor on set. He was also in the film's writers' room and has played a part in working on nearly every other stage of the project. His personal poetic documentary Signs was recently shown at the St. Auggies Shorts film festival last month. Kyle is now eagerly editing A Book of Freedom and can't wait for everyone to see it!

Sarah Sasser

Costume Design and Makeup

Sarah is a junior majoring in Theatre Arts, with a focus in costume design, and minoring in Cinematic Arts. She is a work grant in the costume shop allowing for opportunities to design shows. She was nominated for costume design by KCACTF for Streetlight Woodpecker. Currently, she is designing Little Women at Flagler College. She designed costumes and makeup for the student film A Book of Freedom.

Grace Schwinn

Second Assistant Director

Grace Schwinn is a Sophomore at Flagler College, double majoring in Cinematic Arts and Theater with a minor in Graphic Design. With her time working on the Confessions of Fransico Mendez, she originally was being taught under Lilly Russel, a graduating senior, for the title of 2nd Assistant Director, before taking over. Thanks to this opportunity, she has been able to further improve her ability to take on more high-ranking roles and responsibilities. She will be performing in Flagler Colleges Trojan Women, directed by Andrea McCook. Additionally, her documentary titled FDNY: A Personal Life, which tells the story of a New York Firefighter, and how his experience with the attacks of 9/11 effected his marriage, will be featured at the Auggies Short Films Festival. Only halfway through her college experience, she still is eager for future opportunities to further her education at Flagler College.

Madison Torres

Assistant Camera/Cinematographer

Madison Torres is a senior expecting to graduate in May 2025, double majoring in Digital Media Production and Cinematic Arts and with a minor in Film Studies. She has a work study at Flagler College's radio station, WFCF as the Digital Production Director of over two years. She also has is a photographer for fashion magazine Strike anticipating Issue 09 to release in May. For the Confessions of Fransico Mendez, she worked as the First Assistant Camera and later learned to be the Director of Photography in the student led portions of filming. She plans on using this experience as a reference point when leveraging herself in the film industry. Additionally, she is applying for grants and sending her senior thesis to film festivals. What Could've Been, is a short documentary film about the education system in Puerto Rico, the most recent showing being The Auggies Short Films Festival. With only a few months left to graduate, she is taking the time in preparation for her career after the ceremony.

Kasey Valentine

Second Camera Assistant

Kasey Valentine is a junior majoring in Cinematic Arts with a double minor in Theatre Arts and Film Studies. For the confessions of Fransico Menendez, she worked as the 2nd Camera Assistant and is currently working on editing the film. She works in Flagler Colleges TV Equipment room and also currently has an internship with The St. Augustine Film Society. Her film was recently shown in the St. Auggie Shorts film festival. She's expected to graduate in 2026 and plans to work in the camera department.