Master of Entertainment Industry Management - Student Bios
Adwaieet Bhide
Undergraduate Education: Maharashtra Institute of Technology, India, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Hometown: Pune, India
Favorite Film: Snatch (2000)
Area of Interest: Video Game Development - Production and Management, Sports Media - Analytics and Strategy
Adwaieet’s interest in the entertainment industry began at a young age. Growing up, he often shared his passion for gaming, sports, film, and TV with friends and family. What he loves most about gaming is its immersive nature and the complex narratives it can create. After completing his undergraduate degree, Adwaieet pursued his passion by working at Rockstar Games for four years. To further his career in the entertainment industry, he enrolled in the Master of Entertainment Industry Management program at Carnegie Mellon University.
For his summer internship, Adwaieet worked as a Creator Partnerships, Gaming Intern at Studio71, and a Social Media Analytics & Strategy Intern at FootballCo. At Studio71, he worked closely with the Director of Creator Partnerships - Gaming, gaining insights into the digital media entertainment industry and the creator economy. He is continuing his internship with FootballCo, where he has been deepening his understanding of the sports media industry in the U.S., with a focus on men’s and women’s soccer. Adwaieet will take on additional responsibilities in business development while continuing his work in social media analytics, where he has been providing actionable insights for content strategy.
Chen (Dalvina) Bian
Undergraduate Education: Boston University, Film & Television; Business Management
Hometown: Beijing, China
Favorite Musician: Tom Misch
Area of Interest: Marketing in Film and Music Industry; Theme Park Design
Dalvina’s passion for the entertainment industry is rooted in her background in film, acting, and singing. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in Film & Television and Business Management, she further honed her skills through professional experiences in integrated marketing, film/TV production, live events, and news production. Most recently, Dalvina completed a summer internship at BerlinRosen as a Strategic Campaign intern, where she managed work across seven client-facing accounts and drafted 50+ press releases, advisories, and news pitches to increase brand exposure on national news outlets.
Dalvina also served as the Head of Event Coordination for the CMU International Film Festival, where she led 20 live events from master planning to resource allocation, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, departments, and outside vendors. To enhance DEI initiatives in entertainment, she worked as an Assistant Producer at Silicon Valley Community Media, a non-profit media organization, where she helped marginalized communities share their stories, cultures, and values.
DAMON CONDON
Undergraduate Education: Baldwin Wallace University, Digital Media & Design, Theatre
Hometown: Versailles, OH
Favorite Television Show: The Middle
Area of Interest: Family Film & Television Development
Damon’s love for the entertainment industry stemmed from his upbringing in the middle of corn country Ohio. With little to do as a child in the rural area, he and his younger siblings would spend their days watching and absorbing as much film and television as they could.
Over the years, he developed an admiration and love for family entertainment that offers appeal to all age groups like he and his family spent watching every day. Damon attended Baldwin Wallace University where he was a dual major in Digital Media & Design and Theatre with a directing focus. After years of pursuing his career in graphic design, he realized it was time to make a change and take the plunge into the entertainment industry he had always dreamed of. He spent his summer interning for Luminous Blue Limited, working on development and marketing for the animation pipeline, and is continuing with the company for the fall as an Associate Producer, Development Intern. Damon is currently in post-production for his short family film ‘The Day the World Fell Apart’ that he is directing based on a story he wrote through the Reel Time Film Club at Carnegie Mellon. He hopes to make a significant impact on children and family’s lives by bringing people together through the entertainment they are consuming.
AZMAYEEN FAYEQUE (RHYTHM)
Undergraduate Education: University of Rochester, Computer Science, Economics
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh; Denver, Colorado
Favorite Film: In the Mood for Love (2000)
Area of Interest: Film Acquisitions, Sales and Distribution
With a solid foundation in computer science and economics, coupled with hands-on experience in filmmaking, Rhythm brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative insight to the entertainment industry. Having grown up immersed in international cinema, Rhythm developed a deep appreciation for the diverse narratives and perspectives that global films offer. This passion led him to pursue a career focused on the acquisition, sales, and distribution of international films in the US and around the world. He is particularly drawn to the challenge of identifying and championing independent films, recognizing the immense potential they have to resonate with audiences and create cultural impact.
This summer he worked at NEON as a theatrical distribution intern and at BMP Creative, a marketing agency as a marketing and analytics intern. He will be working at Viva Pictures as an acquisitions and operations intern this fall. His goal is to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the independent film market in the US, leveraging his business acumen and creative background to identify opportunities, negotiate deals, and drive successful distribution strategies.
KARIM GHOBRIAL
Undergraduate Education: Fordham University, International Political Economy
Hometown: Cairo, Egypt
Favorite Film: Black Swan (2010)
Area of Interest: Agency and Marketing
Karim graduated from Fordham University with a degree in International Political Economy before being introduced to the entertainment industry in his hometown of Cairo, Egypt. His initial professional journey began in Dubai at the security and identity firm where he honed his business acumen. However, Karim quickly realized that his true passion lay in the entertainment sector. This epiphany led him to gaining first-hand experience and fueling his decision to pursue a Master's degree in Entertainment Industry Management. His background in both the practical aspects of business and the dynamic nature of entertainment uniquely positions him to excel in this field. Over the summer, Karim interned with Kino an interactive streaming service where fans can discover new films & interact with their favorite artists.
ANANYA GOKHALE
Undergraduate Education: University of Texas - Austin, Marketing
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Favorite Film: The Duplex (2003)
Area of Interest: Film Marketing/Post Production
Ananya graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a major in marketing and concentration in media and film studies but always had a passion for the performing arts. As early as middle school, she was part of her school's theater programs and knew, eventually, she would find her way back into entertainment. After joining the MEIM program, Ananya has been able to further explore her love for storytelling. Over the summer, Ananya interned at NBCUniversal in the publicity department, and this fall she has a marketing internship with the TV Academy where she recently worked the Emmy’s broadcast. To bridge her previous marketing knowledge with film and TV, she has found the dynamic field of media and entertainment marketing. Ananya aspires to help bring unique and diverse voices to the screen through her work and hopes to see more minority talent in Hollywood's next generation of professionals. Her specific interests include brand storytelling, content creation, dance, theater, and stand-up comedy!
RITIKA GOKHALE
Undergraduate Education: Maharashtra Institute of Technology, India, Computer Engineering
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Favorite Film: Lady Bird (2017)
Area of Interest: International Marketing, Business Development, Strategy
Ritika’s journey began during her undergraduate studies in computer engineering at MIT in India, where she discovered her passion for theatre. This creative interest led her to blend her technical skills with her love for the arts. After gaining experience as a marketeer at TED Talks and The Times of India, Ritika knew she wanted to work in the STEAM field, combining technology with creative strategies to implement data-driven marketing solutions. Her internship with TATA Group of Industries provided her with a strong foundation in business analytics, further fueling her desire to merge tech with entertainment-based marketing. Pursuing the MEIM program at Carnegie Mellon University, Ritika found the perfect opportunity to gain industry-specific skills while deepening her technical expertise.
At Carnegie Mellon, Ritika quickly made her mark by becoming the marketing head for CMU's International Film Festival and managing events for NBCUniversal's premieres, including Kung Fu Panda 4 and Trolls. She broadened her experience on the global stage as a sales specialist at the 77th Cannes Film Festival with Grandave International, a film sales agency. Over the summer, Ritika expanded her marketing portfolio by working on projects with L'Oréal, completing a strategy internship at Beats by Dre, Apple, and serving as a marketing intelligence intern at RelishMix. This fall Ritika is a social analytics & insights intern with Sony Pictures. With these experiences, Ritika is eager to continue honing her marketing, sales, and strategy skills as she prepares to step into the business side of the film industry.
SOFIA HELLER
Undergraduate Education: University of Pittsburgh, Film Production
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Film: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Area of Interest: Film Development
Sofia has always had a strong passion for the entertainment industry (specifically film) and after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, decided to pursue the MEIM program. With a strong foundation in film and a focus on global studies from her undergraduate education, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of storytelling and culture. During the summer and continuing in fall, she is interning in the Production & Operations department at NBCUniversal. Sofia is committed to exploring the ways in which the entertainment industry can bridge cultural divides and create impactful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Her academic journey and professional experiences equip her with the skills and insights needed to navigate the ever-evolving world of entertainment.
JABreneÉ Hussie
Undergraduate Education: Delaware State University, Information Technology
Hometown: Prince George's County, Maryland
Favorite Artist: Victoria Monet
Area of interest: Music Sync & Publishing
Jabreneé Hussie is a Master of Entertainment Industry Management student at Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Delaware State University. Growing up in Prince George's County, Maryland, instilled the values of resilience, compassion, and authenticity, which are carried into her work and life. She is passionate about the intersection of music, TV, film, and technology, where she aims to contribute through roles in music, film, TV, and data analytics. Jabreneé experienced the podcasting world through her internship with Cinema Sounds & Secrets over the summer and in fall will be interning with entrepreneur and filmmaker Nadia Marie Sasso. Outside of her studies and professional pursuits, she enjoys exploring global music, watching Asian dramas, and capturing life’s moments through photography. She is excited to bring her diverse experiences and creative energy to the entertainment industry, where she can help shape the stories that connect us all.
CAMRYN JOHNSON
Undergraduate Education: Hampton University, English (Film Concentration), Journalism Minor
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Favorite Film: The Lion King (1994)
Area of Interest: Film and Television Development/Production
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Camryn Johnson has always been steeped in a culture that seeks to challenge the status quo. That culture combined with her innate curiosity and love of stories has led her to pursue a career in film and television. From her HBCU experience at Hampton University, to various fellowships and internships in academia, archives, and entertainment, to now as a MEIM student, Camryn has explored different paths but has always kept storytelling at the core. She has also directly experienced the film, TV, and unscripted development space through her summer internship with Blumhouse and her current internship with Blackmaled Productions. Camryn’s career goal is to be a writer/producer, championing diverse stories that anyone can enjoy.
SAHITHI JOSYULA
Undergraduate Education: Mahindra University, Computer Science
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Favorite Band: The Doors
Area of Interest: Marketing Analytics/Management, Licensing, Agency
A music and film enthusiast currently a Master of Entertainment Industry management student at Carnegie Mellon University. Sahithi is an avid learner, seeking an opportunity to work in the fields of music marketing, analytics and business development. She studied computer science during her undergrad at Mahindra Ecole Centrale. This summer, she interned at RelishMix in Analytics as well as Breakpoint Booking as a Brand Partnerships and Business Intern. She is currently a social media and A&R intern at Mezz Entertainment. She is particularly interested in strategy and data-driven analytics with marketing. In addition, Sahithi is a composer, writes her own music and was also part of rock and roll cover bands in India and Pittsburgh which enabled her to keep in touch with her creative capabilities which are songwriting, production and live music!
RACHEL LAFERRIERE
Undergraduate Education: University of Dayton, Communication and Theatre and M.A. in Communication
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Favorite Film: Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Area of Interest: Casting for TV and Film
When she was growing up, Rachel's favorite activities were going to the movies and watching TV past her bedtime. When she was in undergrad, she took a visit to LA and realized that Hollywood wasn't out of reach! After graduating from the University of Dayton with a B.A. and M.A. in Communication, she joined the MEIM 2025 cohort. Since then, she's interned with the Pittsburgh Film Office, Creative Artists Agency at the Cannes Film Festival, ATN Entertainment, and NBCUniversal. She also worked on two short films directed by her fellow MEIM classmates/friends. Her dream is to be a casting director on major feature films. She is VERY thankful for all the MEIM program has given her, especially the wonderful people in her cohort.
JIARUN (YUKI) LI
Undergraduate Education: Hohai University, Broadcast Journalism & Business Administration
Hometown: Jinan, China
Favorite Film: Inception (2010)
Area of Interest: IP Development and Adaptation (film, anime, manga), Game Publishing
Yuki completed her studies in Broadcasting and Business Administration in Nanjing, China. She has gained valuable experience through internships at CCTV and TikTok, focusing on content creation, brand communication, and digital marketing. Yuki spent the summer interning at Stories, where she promotes renowned Japanese IPs like One Piece and Gundam in the U.S. market. Currently she is an intern at Amuse Group USA in the Film & TV Development department. She is passionate about bridging cultural gaps and bringing exceptional Asian IPs to a global audience. With broad interests ranging from intellectual property to MOBA games, Yuki, as a gamer, took a Game Design course that deepened her passion for the gaming industry. She is eager to explore opportunities in game publishing to further apply her skills and insights.
TAYLOR LIEN
Undergraduate Education: University of Northern Iowa, English with Creative Writing Concentration and Digital Media
Hometown: Cedar Falls, IA
Favorite Film: Lady Bird (2017)
Area of Interest: Television Development
Raised in the Midwest but born in the west valley of southern California, Taylor returned to her roots by coming back to LA to work in the entertainment industry. Her lifelong love of storytelling has evolved into a passion for both the creative and business aspects of television. After majoring in both English and digital media in undergrad, Taylor knew a career in the entertainment industry was the only one she wanted to pursue. Her educational career at Carnegie Mellon has helped her reach the people and places she’s always dreamed of, like her summer and fall internship in television research at Disney. Her educational and professional background means that she has a deep knowledge of many creative and business aspects of film and television. She hopes to bring her many passions into a career in television writing and development.
YUTONG LIU
Undergraduate Education: Boston University, Film/Television, Sociology, Arts Leadership minor
Hometown: Beijing, China
Favorite Film: Landscape in the Mist (1988)
Area of Interest: Film Global Distribution/Content Strategy Research
Yutong Liu, born and raised in Beijing, is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Her early experiences span film production, sociology, and arts management, and she strives to create cross-cultural films that tell the stories of unheard voices and underrepresented people. With social analytical and management skills from her undergraduate studies, along with education in business management, finance, and cultural insights, she intends to start a career in cultural strategy research and film distribution.
Yutong has developed a solid skill set through her academic training and professional experiences at Stewart Talent, the CMU International Film Festival, AHA Video (Tencent), and other entertainment companies and arts organizations. She is a motivated lifelong learner and a true caretaker, striving to promote content that engages social consciousness and connects communities.
MIKEY LOGUERCIO
Undergraduate Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Music Composition
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Favorite Film: Michael Clayton (2007)
Area of Interest: Film Development
Mikey Loguercio's passion for music laid the foundation for his love of film and entertainment. At Carnegie Mellon University, he pursued a major in music composition with a minor in film studies. During his undergraduate years, Mikey achieved notable accomplishments, including music directing a production at the esteemed CMU School of Drama and having one of his compositions performed by the CMU Philharmonic. Seeking to expand his creative leadership beyond music, Mikey set his sights on the broader world of film and television development. His graduate studies provided opportunities for internships at Eclectic Pictures and Hidden Pictures, where he gained valuable insights into development, distribution, and financing aspects of the industry. His goal is to find the sweet spot where his twin passions for film and music intersect, allowing him to make meaningful contributions to both fields.
ALEjandra mantilla-diaz
Undergraduate Education: Philipps Marburg University, Media Studies & Art History
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Favorite Film: The Curse (2023)
Area of Interest: Film and TV Marketing, Programming
Growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, Alejandra had the personal challenge of watching every film at her local movie rental store. The store went out of business before she could achieve this goal, but her love for visual storytelling remained. The intersection between creativity and management has always interested her, which is why after completing her undergrad in Art History and Media Studies at the Philipps University of Marburg in Germany, she started her career leading digital marketing campaigns for companies such as HBO Max, Reebok, and PepsiCo.
Following her passion for digital innovation and entertainment, she decided to join the MEIM program. Since then, she has worked in Business Development for Studio 71 and as an Entertainment Analyst for Relish Mix and is now currently interning at both 13 Films and Rideback Rise. She was also the co-director of the Short Film Competition at the CMU International Film Festival, where she initiated the Short Film Competition Volunteer Program and the Smartphone-Film category to support first-time filmmakers.
With her international experiences, Alejandra hopes to help diverse and unique voices in film and TV find their audience and continue their work, creating new opportunities for underrepresented stories.
oghogho (harriet) osemwegie
Undergraduate Education: Stillman College, English
Hometown: Edo State, Nigeria
Favorite TV Show: Peaky Blinders
Area of Interest: Marketing (Fashion)
Oghogho has a passion for fashion, marketing, and all things digital. She is enthusiastic about intertwining this passion with her studies in the entertainment industry. Over the past three summers, Oghogho has worked at NVIDIA as a product, partner, and campaign marketing intern, which she believes has prepared her for a full-time career in marketing. During the fall she is excited to intern with entrepreneur and filmmaker Nadia Marie Sasso. Oghogho is committed to perfecting her skills in Adobe Creative Cloud and photography, both of which she is confident will contribute to her long-term goals as a brand (fashion) designer, brand marketer, and ultimately, a fashion brand owner.
pranay raj peddareddy
Undergraduate Education: Manipal University, Industrial Engineering
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Favorite Film: The Social Network (2010)
Area of Interest: Film & TV Acquisitions and Distribution
Hailing from Hyderabad, India, Pranay worked for over three years at Deloitte, where he developed strategies, performed data analytics, and managed projects for Fortune 500 firms. After gaining considerable experience consulting for diverse industries, he decided to focus his learnings and business acumen toward the film and television industry, a realm he had always been passionate about.
At the Guru Group, an international production house based in India, he played an integral role in the business affairs of international co-production ventures, remake rights, and streaming partnerships. During the summer he was an International Sales and Distribution intern for EST Media and Product Management intern at Too Lost, a music distributer. He looks forward to continuing with Too Lost in the fall. An avid watcher of international films, he aspires to work in international acquisitions.
nick robinson
Undergraduate Education: Emory University, Business Administration and Film & Media Studies
Hometown: Summit, NJ
Favorite Film: Hot Rod (2007)
Area of Interest: Management and Development, Film and TV
Born and raised in Summit, NJ, Nick has always been passionate about film and television of all types. Before joining the MEIM program, Nick completed his bachelor's degree at Emory University in Atlanta, GA with a double-major in business administration and film & media studies. Nick has previously interned in advertising strategy with Omnicom Media Group’s HBO Max Originals client team, and in development with the CMU International Film Festival, and has also worked as a background actor during his time living in Atlanta. Currently, Nick is interning in sourcing & procurement at The Walt Disney Company in Burbank, CA and is hoping to find a full-time position within the film or TV industry that draws on his strategic/organizational abilities and cultural/aesthetic awareness.
peter shireman
Undergraduate Education: Northeastern University, Business Administration with Concentration in Marketing
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Favorite Movie: Spirited Away (2001)
Area of Interest: Film Development & Acquisitions
Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Peter (Yuuta) Shireman grew up being shaped by both Western and Japanese cultures. Currently a Master of Entertainment Industry Management candidate at Carnegie Mellon University, Peter is focused on applying his professional experience and academic knowledge to make a positive impact in the entertainment industry.
Before pursuing his graduate studies, Peter spent five years at a leading Japanese talent agency, where he worked in various areas including social media, international business, and sports entertainment. His time as an assistant to the CEO and Chairman provided him with valuable insights into the industry in Japan. Over the summer, Petter interned with New Paradigm Media working as an assistant to the CEO. He looks forward to continuing his internship in the fall with them in development.
Peter is passionate about blending Western filmmaking techniques with Japanese storytelling to help revitalize the entertainment landscape in Japan. His goal is to energize the Japanese entertainment industry, whether through acquisitions or the development of new films, by creating content that resonates globally while staying true to its roots.
zoe Alexandra (tsamitis)
Undergraduate Education: Point Park University, Cinema Production
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Film: Pearl (2022)
Areas of Interest: Film Marketing, Development, Distribution, Production (Directing, Writing and Producing)
Zoe Alexandra is a filmmaker from Pittsburgh, PA and a Master's of Entertainment Industry Management Candidate at Carnegie Mellon University. With a B.F.A. in Cinema Arts from Point Park University, Zoe has produced over 20 short films, including the internationally acclaimed "Green Hat Diner". In 2018, she founded Slow Drift Productions to highlight female-driven narratives. Her work, deeply rooted in psychological thrillers and dramas, explores themes like alternate universes, death, time travel, and the afterlife. Zoe aims to create films with strong female leads that inspire and encourage women in filmmaking to express femininity and women-centric themes through their artwork.
In addition to her creative work, Zoe has interned at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, where she assisted with panels and programming, Burr! Productions as a Development Intern, and Film Pittsburgh as a Marketing Intern. Currently Zoe is interning in the marketing department at the Television Academy and in the distribution department at Kino. Through these experiences, she has gained valuable insights into the business side of the film industry, including marketing, development, and management. Zoe enjoys the business aspects of filmmaking, recognizing the importance of strategic planning and promotion in bringing creative visions to life. She strives to balance her artistic endeavors with a strong understanding of the industry's commercial dynamics, ensuring her projects reach and resonate with diverse audiences.
KELLY UFFORD
Undergraduate Education: Ball State University, Musical Theatre
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Favorite Film: Stand By Me (1986)
Area of Interest: Film/TV Development & Production, Event Production
Kelly Ufford began her journey in entertainment as a performer, taking the stage at the age of 10 and later earning a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University. She spent several years working in regional theaters and theme parks before settling in Seattle, where she continued to pursue her acting career. Alongside her artistic endeavors, Kelly transitioned into the financial services industry, working as an operations associate at Freestone Capital Management, an industry leading wealth management firm. Over six years, she developed expertise in operations analysis, investor relations, marketing strategy, and event planning.
Driven by a passion for storytelling and armed with her business acumen, Kelly returned to the entertainment industry to merge her creative roots with her strategic experience. Now as a Master of Entertainment Industry Management candidate, Kelly is focused on bringing her unique perspective to TV and film development and production. Kelly spent the first year of the MEIM program interning for the Pittsburgh Film Office, and over the summer she worked as a TV Production Finance Intern at Sony Pictures. This fall, Kelly will intern in the publicity departments at both DDA Group and Kultura PR. Kelly seeks to contribute at the intersection of creativity and finance to bring stories to life and foster a new generation of talent.
RUI WANG
Undergraduate Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Film & Visual Media, Statistics
Hometown: Suzhou, China
Favorite Film: The Substance (2024)
Area of Interest: Film Development, Acquisitions, Distribution, Research & Analytics
Rui Wang's passion for the entertainment industry is driven by her dual background in Film & Visual Media and Statistics from Carnegie Mellon University. This unique combination has enabled her to excel in both creative and analytical aspects of storytelling. Rui’s dedication to her craft has been recognized internationally, with her short films winning awards at various film festivals. Her internships at Myriad Pictures and Luminous Blue and now in the fall at Sony China will further hone her skills in film production, distribution, and strategic analysis. Rui is committed to leveraging her talents to create impactful content, driven by data insights and creative vision. She aspires to contribute meaningfully to the industry, using her analytical skills to craft stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.
ABIGAIL WHITEHURST
Undergraduate Education: Florida State University, Bachelor of Music in Woodwind Performance - Bassoon
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Favorite Film: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Area of Interest: Film Development and Production
A life-long learner and researcher, Abigail is pursuing her Master of Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University to diversify her skill sets and explore the intersections of traditional and digital media. While completing her Bachelor of Music at Florida State University in bassoon performance, Abigail realized she didn't need to be on stage to be fulfilled by her work and shifted to supporting the arts and entertainment from behind the scenes. Experiences in film sales at the Cannes Film Festival, script development at 13 Films, writing for Hollywood Insider, marketing at Pittsburgh Opera, research at the Warren D. Allen Music Library, and living all over the world as part of a military family gives her a unique, creative perspective of the entertainment industry and where it's going. Abbie will be working at The Dragonfly Agency this fall while continuing to write for Hollywood Insider and pursuing development and production roles in the future.
JIALONG (MICHAELA) WU
Undergraduate Education: University of Toronto, Double Major in Book and Media Studies & Linguistics
Hometown: Xiamen, China
Favorite Film: Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Area of Interest: Branded Entertainment, Experiential Marketing
Michaela Wu is a second-year Master of Entertainment Industry Management student at Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in branded entertainment and experiential marketing. She possesses a deep passion for creative endeavors, with interests in graphic design, K-pop, anime, and puzzle games.
Michaela's multicultural background has enriched her perspective. She is fluent in both English and Mandarin, with elementary proficiency in French, Japanese, and Korean. Born and raised in China, she pursued her undergraduate studies in Canada. Over the summer Michaela interned with STORIES International, RelishMix, and TOORLY. For the fall she’ll be a Community Manager intern with WOM Branding LLC and a Brand Account intern with Gushcloud International.
With over five years of hands-on experience in graphic design, marketing, advertising, social media, and event coordination, Michaela has developed a robust skill set that seamlessly blends creativity with strategic thinking. She is eager to explore opportunities that allow her to merge her passion for entertainment with business, branding, and marketing.
MENGYI YANG
Undergraduate Education: University of Pittsburgh, Double Major Media and Professional Communications - Digital Media andHumanities - Theater Arts, Studio Arts, Film
Hometown: Beijing, China
Favorite Film: Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Area of Interest: Television & Film Production, Live Events Management
Mengyi's passion for the entertainment industry stems from her media-savvy upbringing. Her career spans a wide array of roles, including serving as a member of the creative producers' team for Hunan TV and Beijing TV, where she produced popular unscripted TV shows like "Back to Field" and "Super Orator". Mengyi has also made her mark in the fashion industry, collaborating with top Chinese celebrities for COSMOPOLITAN China and THE ICON magazines creating innovative cover shoots in Beijing and New York.
Mengyi’s diverse experience also includes 2nd AD and art department coordinator on short and vertical films, as well as a PR coordinator at DDA in the Cannes Film Festival and a creative producer for the CMU International Film Festival. This fall, she’s interning in development and packaging for an action Feature Film at Threshold Entertainment. Passionate about film and TV, Mengyi is driven by her dream of becoming a producer
HOWARD ZHANG
Undergraduate Education: Communication University of China Main, Art of Announcing And Anchoring, Presentation Art, Culture Industry Management
Hometown: Shenzhen, China; Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Film: Interstellar (2014)
Area of Interest: Marketing
Howard was originally from Los Angeles and has grown up in a multicultural background across the United States, China, and Australia. His love for diverse cultures led him to spend half a year living in both London, New Zealand and the Philippines. These experiences highlighted the entertainment industry’s powerful ability to transcend cultural and economic barriers. He earned a degree in Broadcasting and Hosting Art from the Communication University of China, with a minor in Cultural Industry Management. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University, Howard focuses on marketing, agency work, and management.
In the summer of 2024, he worked as a casting assistant at Beijing Culture Film Company, and in 2023, he interned as a news reporter at a television station while also managing recruitment efforts at a startup park. Howard has strong creative abilities and has ventured into entrepreneurship, social media, and the cultural industry.
MICHAEL ZHANG
Undergraduate Education: Lawrence University, Economics
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Favorite Artist: Ed Sheeran
Area of Interest: Music Publishing and Artist Management
Michael's passion for the entertainment industry, particularly music, has been a driving force throughout his life. He has actively participated in numerous music events, taking on the role of band leader and using music to express his unique personality. During his undergraduate journey at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, he combined his analytical skills with his artistic interests by majoring in Economics and minoring in Film Studies, which ultimately inspired him to pursue a Master's in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University. This blend of talents informed his summer internship at Jaded and his summer and fall internship with 72 Music Management, where he applies his distinctive perspective with aspirations of a future career in music marketing and artist development.
XIRU ZHANG
Undergraduate Education: Communication University of China, Digital Media Arts
Hometown: Beijing, China
Favorite Video Game: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Area of Interest: Gaming, eSports & Sports Management, Animation Production
Playing basketball and Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games (MOBA) ignited Xiru's passion for the athletic gaming and sports industry. With a bachelor’s in digital media arts from Communications University of China and currently pursuing her Master's degree in Entertainment Industry Management from Carnegie Mellon University, Xiru has a solid knowledge foundation of video production, editing, project management, data, and financial analysis. Through the internship at Olympic Broadcasting Services, Xiru is becoming both a content producer and a communicator who plans and disseminates brands. She interned over the summer for Tencent Timi Studio Group (Timi Esports), King Pro League and is now a Client Relations intern at the Clio Awards. Her goal is to design and execute more brand collaborations across industries and create impactful events.