Launching the Institute for Experiential AI

The Institute for Experiential AI was a brand-new organization created to drive AI research, applications, and education across Northeastern University's global campuses while advancing the science and practice of Experiential AI. Like any startup, it needed more than a logo and a website. It needed a communications strategy, a clear identity, and a team capable of bringing that vision to life.

As the Institute's first communications hire, I helped build that foundation. My responsibilities ranged from writing website copy and thought leadership articles to shaping the Institute's messaging, managing the editorial calendar, recruiting writers and creative partners, and serving as a liaison to our external public relations agency. As the Institute grew, so did my role. I helped interview candidates, build the content team, assign projects, approve work, and contribute to broader strategic discussions around hiring, budgets, and communications priorities.

Our biggest challenge came just weeks before the Institute's inaugural launch event. After losing both our social media coordinator and event manager within a matter of weeks, our small team had one month to prepare for a high-profile event that would introduce the Institute to leaders in academia, industry, and the media. We quickly reorganized responsibilities, expanded our creative team, and kept every communications workstream moving toward launch.

Following the event, I led editorial strategy for Discover Experiential AI, a 39-page executive publication that transformed a one-day event into a lasting resource. Working with leadership and faculty across the Institute, I organized content into a cohesive narrative that introduced the Institute's philosophy, highlighted interdisciplinary research, showcased industry partnerships, and demonstrated the real-world impact of Experiential AI. I also partnered with a freelance designer to shape the final publication and ensure it reflected the Institute's emerging brand. 

The launch generated coverage in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, VentureBeat, Datanami, and News@Northeastern, while helping establish the Institute as a credible voice in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. For my contributions, I received the institute's Exceptional Performance Award.