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Who We Are

Welcome to the Office of Communications

Members of our team include former print and broadcast journalists, and publications, marketing, design and communication experts.

Learn more about the OC team below.

OC leadership

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Jennifer Berryman
Vice chancellor for communications
jennifer.berryman@umassmed.edu

Jennifer Berryman is vice chancellor for communications and the chief communications officer at UMass Chan Medical School. Jennifer’s team tells the stories of UMass Chan and its unique contributions to the academic health sciences by highlighting groundbreaking biomedical research, top-rated education and public service efforts that advance the health and wellness of our diverse communities throughout Massachusetts and across the world. Prior to joining the medical school in 2014, Berryman spent 19 years at WCVB-TV, where she helped to lead the news team that earned the national Edward R. Murrow Overall Excellence Award, one of journalism’s highest honors, in 2012 and 2014. She is a graduate of Ithaca College and in 2009 completed the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation’s Health Coverage Fellowship.

 

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Lisa M. Larson
Assistant vice chancellor for content
lisa.larson@umassmed.edu

Lisa Larson oversees an experienced team of writers, editors and multimedia content creators who identify and develop timely news and feature stories on the world-class research, education, health care and public service missions at UMass Chan. Lisa, a Massachusetts native, worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for 20 years prior to joining the Office of Communications at the Medical School as a news media producer in 2011. A graduate of Fitchburg State University, her first job in journalism was at her hometown paper, the Clinton Item, before working for the MetroWest Daily News and most recently, the Boston Herald. The mother of two daughters, Lisa is an active Girl Scout leader in her local community.

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Mark L. Shelton
Associate vice chancellor for communications
mark.shelton@umassmed.edu

For more than 27 years, Mark L. Shelton has been helping tell the stories of faculty, staff and students at UMass Chanincluding managing the press announcement of a Nobel Prize. As associate vice chancellor for communications, Mark leads the day-to-day operations of a busy news and communications office and serves as a strategic messaging resource for leadership and faculty. Prior to joining UMass Chan in 1995, he was a journalist, magazine editor and teacher of writing, whose facility at bringing technical subjects alive is apparent in two books of nonfiction and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. A native of Chicago, he has a Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts in writing from the University of Pittsburgh. 

  • Samuella Akaab

    Samuella Akaab

    Junior graphic designer
    samuella.akaab@umassmed.edu

    Samuella Akaab joined UMass Chan in early 2022. Prior to that, Samuella was a graphic design intern at the Nigerian-American fashion company Femi Aina New York. She received her Bachelor of Arts in marketing and graphic design from Assumption University. Outside the office, she enjoys exploring new TV shows and music and is a foodie.

  • Natalie Almeida

    Natalie Almeida

    Media relations specialist
    natalie.almeida@umassmed.edu

    Natalie Almeida recently joined the Office of Communications as media relations specialist. Natalie is a lifelong Rhode Islander with a passion for communicating evolving minority experiences. With her degree in journalism, she loves amplifying stories that are not always heard. She is interested in national and state-level politics because of the key role they play in how we live in the world. Being a Cape Verdean woman, she has a passion for exploring stories associated with social justice as well as telling the stories of those immigrating to this country.

    Prior to joining UMass Chan, Natalie worked at the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University, where she was able to turn her passion into action by working to communicate the evolving Latino experience in Rhode Island through community engagement and public advocacy.

    Natalie earned her degree at Roger Williams University in 2019 and was a New Leaders Council Fellow in 2021. In her free time, she loves all things Walt Disney, loving on her pibble pup and exploring new adventures. She is a fierce advocate for women’s and animal rights.

  • David Anavim

    David Anavim

    Digital strategist
    david.anavim@umassmed.edu

    As a digital strategist, David Anavim is responsible for creating and implementing multichannel digital marketing strategies for the Office of Communications. These strategies focus on the utilization of web, social and email marketing combined with the use of marketing automation tools, to better target and engage UMass Chan’s ever-growing community. Prior to joining the OC team in early 2022, David worked for IT at UMass Chan, where  he worked on digital marketing strategies for labs, departments, institutes and schools.  

  • Lisa Barry

    Lisa Barry

    Executive assistant
    lisa.barry@umassmed.edu

    For more than a decade Lisa Barry has provided high-level administrative support for a wide range of projects within the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of Communications at UMass Chan Medical School. Immediately prior to joining UMass Chan, Lisa managed the office of a former president of a major security technology company. She has a degree in machine and tool design and began her career as a draftsman at Digital.

  • Joanna Carmona

    Joanna Carmona

    Web communications content manager
    joanna.carmona@umassmed.edu

    Joanna Carmona has more than a decade of experience in higher education as a writer for language-learning textbooks, an editor for a health and wellness magazine, and as a classroom Spanish teacher. In her role as web communications manager, Joanna manages the website standardization initiative, a collaboration between the Office of Communications and academic departments to strategically improve, update and standardize UMass Chan websites. She also manages internal web projects for the Office of Communications. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish language and literature from the University of New Hampshire.

  • Ellie Castano

    Ellie Castano

    Director of editorial services
    508-856-2669
    ellie.castano@umassmed.edu

    Ellie Castano brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as director of editorial services. In this role, Ellie works to ensure that all content produced by the Office of Communications is aligned with institutional style, standards and goals. She maintains the UMass Chan editorial style guide and oversees the web standardization project team. She is also managing editor of @umasschan magazine. Prior to her current role in the Office of Communications, she contributed stories to the news website and various publications at UMass Chan as well as coordinated production of numerous print pieces. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she also began her career in higher ed communications.  

  • Margarita Clarke

    Margarita Clarke

    Admissions data specialist
    margarita.clarke5@umassmed.edu

    Margarita Clarke supports UMass Chan's three graduate schools in their use of the newly implemented admissions CRM system, Slate. Margarita has a decade of admissions experience, specializing in admissions operations, recruitment, communications, reporting, and CRM implementation and support. Originally from Arizona, she moved to the East Coast to attend UMass Dartmouth, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology the day after marrying her college sweetheart. Outside of work, her days are spent with two children and two cats, learning to cook traditional Mexican food from her childhood, and working on the family’s new-to-them fixer upper. 

  • James R. Fessenden

    James R. Fessenden

    Senior science writer
    james.fessenden@umassmed.edu

    Jim Fessenden writes about the exciting and groundbreaking basic and translational research taking place at UMass Chan Medical School. Some of Jim's areas of interest include molecular and cellular physiology, genetics, RNA biology, gene therapy, rare disease research, stem cell biology, and systems biology. He collaborates between external science media and UMass Chan faculty and staff to promote UMass Chan science. Prior to joining UMass Chan in 2008, he worked in journalism and public relations.

  • Bryan Goodchild

    Bryan Goodchild

    Video production manager
    508-856-3790 
    bryan.goodchild@umassmed.edu

    Bryan Goodchild oversees all aspects of video production at UMass Chan Medical School. Bryan has been with the Office of Communications for more than a decade, managing all the preproduction, planning and logistics for photography, podcasting and shooting; and producing and editing of video, audio and motion graphics. Prior to joining UMass Chan, Bryan worked for several years in broadcast television in Vermont after graduating from St. Michael’s College and in Boston for WFXT and WBZ.

  • Sandra L. Gray

    Sandra L. Gray

    Communications writer
    sandra.gray@umassmed.edu

    Writing and editing stories about all things UMass Chan Medical School for 25 years, Sandra Gray is experienced in publishing, advertising, marketing communications, corporate communications and content production. Sandra is a native New Yorker who has called Massachusetts home since 1975, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts from Tufts University. Leisure activities include reading, listening to music, and enjoying local natural and cultural resources.  

  • Kendra Hacker

    Kendra Hacker

    Lead admissions marketing specialist
    kendra.hacker@umassmed.edu

    Kendra Hacker manages all enrollment marketing for the three graduate schools at UMass Chan: the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. Kendra has more than nine years’ experience as a higher education enrollment marketing professional. Previously, she worked in graduate admission offices where she focused primarily on marketing communications and recruitment of graduate students. She graduated from Marywood University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and earned her Master of Arts in publishing and writing from Emerson College. 

  • Janjay Innis

    Janjay Innis

    Communications content specialist, diversity and inclusion
    janjay.innis@umassmed.edu

    Janjay K. Innis works with stakeholders across the Medical School to systematically create, improve, maintain and review diversity, inclusion and health equity content. As the lead diversity storyteller at UMass Chan, Janjay curates diversity content and messaging for UpNext, the Diversity and Inclusion Office’s weekly newsletter, and UMass Chan News to report on the progress UMass Chan is making toward diversity, equity and inclusion. She has more than 10 years of experience working with nonprofits and faith communities to shift their organizational culture and community engagement strategies from charitable social service to justice-based social change through education on racial and economic disparities and systemic change through civic and legislative engagement. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the UMass Amherst, with a specialization in American studies, and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in conflict transformation from Boston University School of Theology.

  • Dan Lambert

    Dan Lambert

    Senior graphic designer
    dan.lambert@umassmed.edu

    Dan Lambert leads the UMass Chan visual branding strategy and produces a wide range of graphic design pieces in support of the school’s strategic goals. Dan’s design work includes templates and graphics distributed through the Brand Toolkit, presentation material for the Office of the Chancellor, social media graphics, an assortment of admissions and events collateral, and the @umasschan magazine. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education/sculpture and a professional certificate in graphic design from MassArt. Prior to joining UMass Chan, Dan was senior graphic designer for the MIT Alumni Association.  

  • Colleen Locke

    Colleen Locke

    Social media manager
    colleen.locke@umassmed.edu

    Using data to direct strategy, Colleen Locke writes and produces content for the institutional social media accounts. Colleen also manages the office’s weekly newsletter and writes stories for the UMass Chan News website and @umasschan magazine. She is available to advise colleagues across UMass Chan on social media best practices and guidelines. She came to UMass Chan from UMass Boston, where she served as digital communications editor in its Office of Communications. Prior to that, she was a three-time Emmy-winning television and web producer. Colleen does community theatre for fun and is a Buffalo Bills, Syracuse Orange and NASCAR fan.

  • Kaylee Pugliese

    Kaylee Pugliese

    Video production specialist
    kaylee.pugliese@umassmed.edu

    Kaylee Pugliese joined the UMass Chan Office of Communications in 2021. Kaylee  produces written and multimedia content from photos and videos to social media posts. She has a journalism background, having worked as a TV and newspaper reporter. She graduated from Roger Williams University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a double minor in music and business. She recently obtained her master's in journalism at New York University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going to brunch and singing in her band, Small Talk.  

  • Susan E.W. Spencer

    Susan E.W. Spencer

    Senior writer and editor
    susan.spencer1@umassmed.edu

    Susan Spencer brings decades of print journalism and public health experience to shape major medical science stories for UMass Chan's online news and magazine publications. While a reporter for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Susan covered health, investigative stories and local news. Before she fell in love with journalism, she worked in health policy and nonprofit organizations. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, where she majored in psychology, and a Master of Science in health policy and management from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. A longtime avid distance runner, she returned to running marathons after becoming an empty nester. 

  • Sarah Willey

    Sarah Willey

    Media relations manager
    508-856-1253
    sarah.willey@umassmed.edu

    Sarah Willey identifies stories to help promote the incredible work of UMass Chan’s faculty, staff and students. Prior to working in public relations, Sarah spent the first half of her career in broadcast journalism as a producer and writer in fast-paced newsrooms around Boston. Both fields require her to be forward thinking, nimble and organized. As a media relations manager at UMass Chan, she works to build strong mutual relationships with reporters who cover health, medicine and science and inform them about news at UMass Chan. When she is not working, she spends her time with her family, including husband Aron, teenager daughters, Samantha and Molly, and their 10-pound Shih Tzu/Chihuahua, Snickers. If she could retire anywhere, it would be Croatia. She loves to listen to podcasts and music, works out every day and couldn’t live without peanut butter or coffee.