2022 Alumna Pursues Purpose-Driven Creativity

“I love the mix of disciplines where I get to build financial models one day and write or shoot a script the next,” said Georgia. “Creativity is the best way to express myself and to share my thoughts, stories, and observations of the world. I also love connecting those stories to the right audience so they can find their own resonance.”

Hamden Hall is where Georgia first discovered her passion for creativity through the avenues of writing and music. She credits former English teacher Arnold Sabatelli and his creative writing class, Upper School Dean John Greenawalt for organizing events such as MayFest and Coffeehouse, and singing in the chorus with Upper School Choral Director Matt Harrison for giving her the opportunity to explore her creativity via different mediums. Those experiences encouraged her to keep exploring creative fields in college, which eventually led to film.

It was through an online application that Georgia learned about the New York Asian Film Festival/New York Asian Film Foundation, and she has since been deeply involved for almost two years. She began working as a digital marketing intern and now serves as the sponsor and donor relations associate. In her role, Georgia cultivates relationships with institutional sponsors, corporate partners, and individual donors to ensure their support feels meaningful and rewarding. Her tasks range from planning sponsor-focused events to promptly handling day-to-day questions and logistics. She has scouted and secured food and beverage partners for the festival, which unexpectedly gave her exposure to New York City’s Asian hospitality scene.

In conjunction with working at the NYAFF, Georgia interned at Hallmark Media as part of the Ad Sales Team this past summer. With the team, she helped contribute to sponsorship and branded content projects and observed the negotiation of integration deals, including product placements in original movies. She noted that it was not only eye-opening to see how advertisers help bring heartfelt Hallmark stories to life beyond traditional commercial buys, but that she gained a broad view of the media and advertising ecosystem in New York.

Georgia is set to graduate from Barnard a semester early this December. Outside of academics, Georgia serves as the president of the Columbia Mandarin Debate Association, where she leads weekly practices and helps organize national tournaments. Additionally, she has worked on several short films by MFA film students at Columbia, both behind the camera and as an actor, which has given her a firsthand look at collaborative, independent filmmaking.

“As I prepare to begin my first full-time job, I hope to build a career where I can continue to listen to people, understand their needs, and create solutions that let them feel heard,” said Georgia.