Benevolent Media is an all-volunteer collaborative project, based in Washington, D.C., involving passionate people who care enough to create positive change through storytelling and design but don’t take themselves too seriously in the process. We’re here to learn and to listen. Get to know our team…
Erica Lee Schlaikjer, Creator and Curator
Erica Schlaikjer is a writer, editor and digital media strategist, with a passion for storytelling, sustainable cities, technology, design and social change.
She currently works full-time as the Media Relations and Online Engagement Coordinator for EMBARQ, the sustainable transport program of the World Resources Institute, an environmental think tank. As a member of the global communications and marketing team, Erica collaborates with an international staff to set and execute strategy, manage multimedia content, coordinate events, and influence key stakeholders to support EMBARQ’s mission to improve quality of life in cities. She is also Managing Editor of EMBARQ’s blog, TheCityFix.com.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and international studies from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. As a reporter, she wrote for National Geographic, Crain’s Chicago Business, The Chicago Reporter, WorldChanging.com and other print and online publications. She also created ResponsibleChina.com, a blog about environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship.
To learn more about her, browse her work-in-progress portfolio: www.eschlaik.com. Or follow her on Twitter: @eschlaik and @benevolentmedia.
Em Hall, Festival Director
Em Hall is an award-winning marketer with a background in digital strategy, online communications, and social media.
As the Retail Marketing Manager at Goodwill of Greater Washington, Em blogged as the “DC Goodwill Fashionista” and was the driving force behind the groundbreaking “Fashion of Goodwill” campaign, garnering press from The New York Times, NPR, CNN, and The Washington Post, among others. As the Web Communications Manager at the USO, Em built the social media strategy from the ground up, increasing Facebook fans from 2,000 to 100,000 in just under 16 months.
Em has a BA in Political Science from the University of Chicago and is currently embarking on her Metro-Venture. Follow her on Twitter: @EmilyHaha.
Courtney Brown, Community Events Coordinator
Courtney Brown is a fundraising and events professional at a national non-for-profit organization.
Hailing from the Empire State, Courtney earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the State University of New York at Cortland. Courtney also holds a certificate in Business Administration from Georgetown University, and a Certificate in Spanish Language from the University of Salamanca.
Courtney’s career in fundraising and event planning started early. During her sophomore and junior years of college Courtney teamed with classmates to raise nearly $250,000 for the American Cancer Society by hosting the first and second annual Relay for Life fundraising events on her college campus. Over the past 7 years Courtney has continued to develop innovative and creative ways to showcase causes she believes in. In her current position Courtney helps raise millions of dollars of funding by coordinating fundraising cocktail receptions, book signings, panel discussions, and galas. Her most recent events have boasted special guests, including former Presidents, sitting Senators and Congressman, A-list celebrities, and national press personalities.
Bloggers
Interested in being a contributor to our blog? Contact us.
2011 Festival Volunteers
In addition to monthly community events, Benevolent Media hosts an annual festival to celebrate storytelling and design for good. The first annual festival was held on November 4-7, 2011 during Digital Capital Week in Washington, D.C. See the full agenda.
Sarah Barr (@barrmsarah)
Courtney Brown (@CocoDC )
Garrett Bradford (@tterrag)
Carolyn Greenspan (@craftycarrreau)
Em Hall (@EmilyHaHa)
Kevin Lustig
Julian Lytle (@julianlytle)
Rhianna Mendez (@RhiannaMendez)
Sapna Mulki
Jeff Riecke (@jeffreyriecke)
Natalie Rosado (@natalierosado)
Monika Shepard (@MonikaKShepard)
Brian Sykora (@bsykora)
Scott Thompson
Interested in being a volunteer for the 2012 Benevolent Media Festival? Contact us.
