Peer Mentor
Program

Alice M. Walton is a strategic communications consultant with a journalism background, specializing in high-stakes public affairs and media relations for clients navigating complex regulatory and legislative landscapes. Alice brings knowledge and experience on client management, agency life, career transitions and managing dynamic teams.

Andrea Exter is a seasoned publisher and project manager who combines her passion for storytelling, design and magazine journalism to create compelling custom publications. As co-owner of Monarch Media & Consulting, she leads with curiosity, strategic calm, and a passion for mentorship—delivering impactful print and digital content while fostering strong, collaborative relationships.

Anne Lasseigne Tiedt is an accredited public relations and strategic marketing communications executive who helps businesses solve their communications challenges and achieve measurable results within changing, complex environments.

Caitlyn Macaluso is a strategic communicator and problem-solver who thrives on jumping into new challenges, figuring things out, and making an impact. She currently serves as Chief of Staff at FVF Law and has held multiple leadership roles with WCA, including VP of Communications, Banner Brunch, and Operations.

Cindy has 20 years of branding, integrated marketing, design and advertising. She specializes in creative/design direction: integrated/strategically marketing focused; branding: From startups to rebranding, repositioning existing brands, and developing brand guidelines, design direction, iconography, photo/illustration art direction and brand voice direction.

Diane has decades of coaching experience, and certification by the International Coaching Federation, and is ready to discuss many topics and skills to help clients achieve success in their business or company.

Genevieve, who goes by Vivvi, is a strategic healthcare public relations leader with nearly a decade of agency experience helping pharma, biotech, and medtech brands–from startup to Fortune 500–build standout communications strategies. With a background that spans education and tech sales, she brings a diverse, real-world perspective to mentoring and career growth.

Jacqueline Sinex is Managing Director at WEBii, a digital agency that specializes in custom web design and development. She enjoys over 25 years of experience in agency leadership and work in the website development field. Her background includes fine arts, creative design, web development, user experience, e-learning, agency leadership, and leadership in non-profit organizations.

Jane Baxter Lynn is an experienced strategic planner, facilitator and professional communicator. She has spent three decades in global, national and regional communications, marketing and non-profit management, and has a wealth of contacts and resources worldwide.

Jen is an experienced marketing and communications professional and currently serves as Communications Supervisor at the Austin Board of REALTORS®. With more than 25 years of experience in communications, marketing, and book publishing, Jen thrives on bringing ideas to life, turning concepts into compelling stories that inform and engage. Her approach blends strategic thinking with a passion for clear, audience-focused communication. She enjoys sharing knowledge and helping others succeed.

“Morning Edition” Host, KUT 90.5 FM. Jennifer Stayton is a native Austinite with nearly 30 years of experience as a radio broadcaster. She has worked in both public and commercial radio as a host, newscast anchor, interviewer, news reporter, DJ, producer, writer, editor, news assignment coordinator, delivery and speech coach, intern supervisor, and (briefly) salesperson.

Karen is an independent fiction and nonfiction writing coach, book editor and ghostwriter. She is a trusted content editor for businesses.

An accomplished marketing and communications leader, Kerri currently serves as Director of Marketing and Communications at The Texas Tribune, where she leads brand strategy and promotion for the organization’s journalism, products, and flagship events. With a career spanning leadership roles at nonprofits, media, tech, and education, she also empowers professionals as a freelance branding consultant.

Following a 25-year in public relations, Laura created a significant career change by forming a Pilates and fitness business, Mat Pilates ATX, as an extension of her coaching/consulting practice for executives in transition. As both a teacher and a coach, Laura support clients to navigate challenges related to their personal and professional goals and well-being.

LuAnn is a freelance writer and editor. She loves helping colleagues who are leaping into freelancing/entrepreneurship and building an agency of one, particularly those grappling with choosing a specialty (she worked many years in PR before focusing exclusively on writing and editing), juggling work and family, finding and maintaining clients, and reaching profitability.

Mary Anne is a former journalist (network news producer and regional magazine editor), frequent PR pro and now media consultant for clients ranging from tech thought leaders to innovative startups to fillmmakers and authors to state and city agencies to global nonprofits. Passionate about promoting media literacy, caregiving, neurodiversity and the creative arts, she strongly believes in finding fulfilling, mission-driven work that utilizes our greatest gifts, empowers individuals, provides financial independence and supports the greatest good. As our world rapidly transforms and adapts to chaos and change, she believes we must as well.

Maura Nevel Thomas is an award-winning international speaker and trainer on individual and corporate productivity and work-life balance, and the most widely-cited authority on attention management. Her proprietary Empowered Productivity™ System has been embraced by the likes of NASA, Dyson, and Google. She is a TEDx Speaker, founder of Regain Your Time, author of six books, and was named a Top Leadership Speaker in Inc. Magazine.

Nicole is an experienced content strategy leader with demonstrated skills in user-centered information architecture, systems thinking, content engineering, process design and client service to make a lasting impact. She has worked in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, as well as being self-employed as a freelancer.

Paige helps nonprofits, schools, and other purpose-driven clients define their brands, refine their messaging, and develop strategic marketing and communication plans to achieve their goals. Paige’s strengths are curiosity, pragmatism, and ideation.

Reesa is a TED Talk Trainer who prepares executives and ESL Speakers for leadership. She has worked with corporate leader executives and technology & sales departments in executive development and influential leadership for 25 years. Reesa studied in-person with the father of cognitive therapy Albert Ellis, Ph.D., in his 90’s and Ram Dass after he published Be Here How.

Roberta Coffin is a marketing communications professional who generates results by focusing on what are the needs, the pain points and the solutions. Her strategic mindset, empathetic approach, and industry insight make her an exceptional mentor for those seeking clarity and confidence in their journey.

Sandra is a veteran journalist and manager who left the news business to reshape a career that needed some fresh air. Now, she is a freelance writer, editor and consultant who brings news sensibilities to success stories, case studies and profiles for her clients.

Sparker is an Editorial Director, freelance writer, and large dog enthusiast. Her career in tech spans back to the days when she was literally the intern running Twitter, and she’s used that experience to fuel running content strategy and production for startups, global corporations, and freelance clients.

Sharon Jayson is a versatile journalist who can tell stories across platforms, with experience online, in print and broadcast. Her work has appeared in publications, including The Washington Post, Time, U.S. News & World Report, KFF Health News, NBC News, AARP and UT’s McCombs magazine, among others.