Ayesha khan
Account Manager
Great leaders inspire confidence throughout their team, and Account Manager Ayesha Khan from Overland Park, Kansas, brings just that. Her dedication to building genuine connections and her vibrant, collaborative spirit keep Team Mania energized, organized and on track to tackle any obstacles.
Ayesha’s professional journey took root as she stepped into executive positions with PRSSA, first serving as vice president of public relations before becoming president in 2025. Under her leadership, the organization has experienced exceptional growth — not only receiving Star Chapter recognition but also seeing member participation in the organization’s client work program double. Ayesha has since expanded her portfolio by working as a public relations intern for Six One Agency. There, she drafted pitches that secured media coverage in top-tier outlets and tracked industry news. This past summer, Ayesha took her talents global as a strategic communications intern for Kemiex in Barcelona, Spain, developing a playbook to fill gaps in the company’s public relations and communication strategy. She also created an executive summary decision guide to strengthen communication with senior stakeholders, which was later adopted for company-wide use.
At Mizzou, Ayesha is just as active. She masterfully balances her studies as an honors student alongside her commitment to MOJO Ad, PRSSA, the Mizzou Alumni Association’s Griffith Leadership Society and Alpha Phi Sorority. In the past, Ayesha has served as a panhellenic counselor for the University of Missouri Panhellenic Association, a public relations specialist in Matchbook Marketing and a member of Mizzou Golden Girls. Giving is also central to Ayesha’s life, as she spends time volunteering with Second Chance Columbia.
Ayesha believes her life experience has cultivated the creativity and care she carries into her work today. Born in India, Ayesha can speak Russian and has travelled to 15 different countries, carrying a deep, lifelong love for meeting new people, building connections, exploring new places and expanding her understanding of the world wherever she goes.
Now, Ayesha comes to Team Mania with open-mindedness, empathy and curiosity that stem from her exposure to different cultures, perspectives and ways of life. Her energy and uplifting nature spark creativity and synergy throughout the team.
Alyssa Royston
Strategist
Strategist Alyssa Royston has a sixth sense for spotting what’s beneath the surface. Coming from her hometown of Dallas, with top-notch perception and attention to detail, she explores the why behind everything to generate bold, creative ideas. Alyssa’s superpower is her keen ear, and she is constantly listening to and learning from the world around her. Thanks to her tactful insights, Team Mania is empowered to deliver its highest-quality work.
Alyssa has already made her mark professionally, diving into internships across multiple industries. At Relevance Marketing Agency, she works hard to support account managers by coordinating projects and assisting with daily needs across several clients. Working as a creative marketing intern at DFW Angels, she designed social media content that boosted awareness of the nonprofit’s mission. Most recently, she had a summer full of learning as a social media management intern at THE•TEAM, where she managed day-to-day social media needs for two client accounts and created client-facing newsletters highlighting FIFA World Cup performance and engagement trends. With all that stellar experience under her belt, Alyssa understands the importance of strategic, insightful communication.
Outside of MOJO Ad, Alyssa is involved in AAF, currently serving as vice president for the organization. Previously, Alyssa has also held the role of press secretary for Missouri Students Association and helped students find their place at Mizzou through her work as an involvement ambassador. As vice president of membership, Alyssa had the opportunity to hire and train the newest class of Involvement Ambassadors — streamlining the hiring process and significantly increasing applications.
Ready for a really fun fact? When Alyssa was 11 years old, she helped break the world record for “most sandwiches made simultaneously.” Look it up; it’s still held by Tango Tab and friends today!
Ella Bradford
Strategist
Meet Ella Bradford, our ambitious, pragmatic and resilient Quantitative Strategist and Gallatin, Missouri, native. With a talent for turning numbers into meaningful insights, Ella brings a data-driven perspective and thoughtful approach to Team Mania. Her strategic mindset is backed by a strong work ethic and a determination to find the story behind the statistics.
Ella has put her communication and strategy skills to work across a variety of industries. As a strategic communication intern with Mizzou Athletics, she gained experience in the fast-paced world of collegiate sports while maintaining social media accounts across Mizzou’s athletic programs. Her experience also extends across the pond, where she served as a strategy intern with Word on the Curb in London, England, gaining an international perspective on audience trends, and conducting quantitative and qualitative research for nearly a dozen clients. She has also worked as a communications assistant for the Missouri Public Utility Alliance and as creative lead for Matchbook Marketing’s Independence Family Eyecare account, blending analytical thinking with creative problem-solving.
On campus, Ella is a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women and AAF. She has embraced opportunities to learn beyond Columbia through the Missouri School of Journalism’s London Internship program, as well as French Language and Culture programs in Paris, France, and the French Riviera.
Growing up on her family’s cattle farm, she has learned the importance of hard work and to “take the bull by the horns” from an early age. She even carries a permanent reminder of home: a tattoo of her family’s cattle brand, representing where she comes from and the lessons that continue to guide her.
Parker carley
Public Relations Account Manager
Parker Carley, our PR Account Manager from Chicago, doesn’t miss much. Insightful and driven, she works hard connecting dots to reveal the big picture.
Parker’s unique skills are exactly what allow her to shine at the intersection of communication, creativity and consumer behavior. She brings a global perspective to the team thanks to her work as a marketing and communications intern for DTI Foundation in Barcelona, Spain. There, she not only embraced culture and community but also supported the organization’s mission to increase organ donation and transplantation throughout the world. Prior to her time abroad, Parker spent a summer working closely with an Illinois State Senator, providing outreach to 20,000 residents.
On campus, Parker is highly involved in student organizations, serving as the director of administration for AAF before transitioning to her current role as president. She has also been a long-time member of Her Campus, even stepping into the role of secretary. Through these leadership roles, Parker has developed skills in communication, collaboration, event coordination and strategic thinking while working to create engaging experiences and meaningful connections. Outside of school and campus involvement, you can usually find her exploring Columbia’s hiking trails, reading a good book or catching up on the latest binge-worthy TV series.
Growing up on the volleyball court, Parker has become the ultimate team player, facing every challenge with positive energy. While she doesn’t play much anymore, she finds herself channeling the same competitive spirit into her work. Because of this, Parker is happiest when she has a goal to push toward, and she is constantly striving not only to do her best but also to encourage others to stay at the top of their game.
Sofie allen
Digital Strategist
Meet Sofie Allen, Team Mania’s Digital Strategist and a Des Moines, Iowa, native with a passion for creative communication and a talent for bringing people together. Collaborative in nature, Sofie approaches digital strategy with an understanding that the best ideas are built with people, not just for them. She brings a fresh perspective to every project and knows how to turn a concept into content that connects.
Sofie’s experience spans agency work, public relations and student leadership. As a public relations intern at MCPR this summer, she put her skills to the test in a professional agency environment, gaining knowledge across client-focused initiatives. She also previously interned with JMG Public Relations, where she structured targeted media pitches and analyzed media coverage trends to develop data-driven reports and performance summaries. On campus, she serves as the vice president of Public Relations for PRSSA, helping shape the organization’s internal communication efforts while connecting students with opportunities in the industry.
Her leadership extends beyond the strategic communication world. Sofie previously served as Collegiate Chapter President of Gamma Phi Beta, where she learned to lead a large group, collaborate across teams and keep people moving toward a shared goal. She also volunteers with the Publicity Club of Chicago, staying connected to the broader communications community and continuing to expand her industry perspective.
When she’s not strategizing for clients, Sofie is likely strategizing her next outfit. Fashion is her favorite pastime, and she can often be found styling friends or building outfit ideas in Canva. In fact, she jokes that she should probably own stock in Canva by now. Whether she’s curating a look or a digital strategy, Sofie brings a positive and light-hearted spirit to everything she does.
Blair durham
Media Planner
A native of Sikeston, Missouri, Blair Durham carries infectious enthusiasm into her work as our Media Planner. Naturally curious and always ready to learn, Blair brings strategy to life across channels, building purposeful connections along the way. With a passion for data and insights, she’s always ready to dig a little deeper to find meaning in the numbers.
Through her work as a marketing intern at Coalter Insurance Group, Blair has supported company-wide initiatives, including a rebranding project for an acquired location. She’s no stranger to an analytics deep dive, using performance data to strengthen the company’s presence across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Her ability to pair curiosity with strategic insight makes her a natural problem solver and a valuable asset to the team.
At Mizzou, Blair is pursuing an accelerated master’s degree in Strategic Communication while completing her undergraduate degree. She has held multiple roles within Matchbook Marketing, including account manager, social media strategist, Instazine public relations strategist and experiential team lead. She also gained hands-on experience through a pro bono project with PRSSA, helping build social media and NIL strategy for Mizzou athlete, James Vaughn. Outside of Matchbook, Blair stays busy as a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and AAF.
Though she has many, Blair’s greatest strength may be the way she shows up for the people around her. As a six-year volunteer with Toys for Tots and Habitat for Humanity, and a longtime volunteer cheer coach in her hometown, she brings the same spirit of service to everything she does. After 14 years of cheerleading, including time on the Mizzou Cheer team, she knows that the best teams are built on encouragement, trust and showing up when it matters. Whether she’s celebrating a win, supporting a teammate or helping a client discover what makes them shine, Team Mania sure is glad to have Blair in its corner!
Riley palshaw
Copywriter
Meet Riley Palshaw, Team Mania’s Copywriter and a Carmel, California, native who is always ready to take on the next challenge. Reliable and organized, Riley brings a zeal for storytelling and a knack for turning information into stories people actually want to read. Her drive pushes her to go beyond what is expected and bring purpose to every word, whether that’s for a client, crafting social content or developing a feature.
Riley’s experience has taken her from the California coast to international agency work and back to Mizzou. She spent her summer in the automotive world as a public relations intern for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, contributing to media relations and communications efforts surrounding the event, facilitating media credentialing and crafting press materials. She also serves as a public relations coordinator for MU Strategic Communication and a communication intern for the Mizzou Honors College, creating stories and digital content that highlight the people and accomplishments within these departments.
Her experience abroad with The Almond Connection in Barcelona, Spain, expanded her storytelling toolkit, where she worked on brand strategy, consumer insights and competitive analyses for international clients including Royal Caribbean Cruises, The Lodge Park Hotel and Intermarché.
Beyond her work experience, Riley has served as vice president of communications for Delta Gamma and works with Matchbook Marketing as an external social media strategist and copywriter. She stays involved on campus through PRSSA, AAF, Her Campus and Mizzou Club Field Hockey, her favorite way to unwind.
Riley likes to say she grew up in a newsroom, quite literally. Her dad advises her hometown high school newspaper, where she spent countless childhood hours listening to conversations about story pitches, interviews and layout. Long before she knew she wanted to pursue strategic communication, she was already learning the craft one newsroom conversation at a time.
natalie kientzy
Copywriter
Natalie Kientzy, a Copywriter from Silex, Missouri, has a passion for storytelling and a love of wordplay with strategy at its core. Always eager to learn, she comes to Team Mania with an imaginative perspective, positive attitude and genuine excitement for helping ideas take shape.
Natalie’s professional experience has been shaped by her time as a marketing and communication intern at Mizzou’s College of Health Sciences. There she writes impact stories and email newsletters, learning to tailor messaging for different audiences while thinking strategically about the purpose behind each piece of content. During her summer internship at MFA Oil Company, Natalie produced written material for a variety of channels, managed paid social media campaigns and monitored the company’s online reputation. She has also tried her hand in content creation, generating fresh, energetic posts that helped double reach for HoundDog, a SaaS company.
On campus, Natalie stays busy as a copywriter with Matchbook Marketing, where she has learned the importance of experimenting with language and tone to match a brand’s personality. She is also involved in PRSSA, which has allowed her to collaborate with Mizzou athletes and other organizations while putting creative communication strategies into practice. Her time as a copy chief at The Maneater not only sharpened her eye, but also gave her a strong understanding of AP Style and the English language.
Ever since she can remember, Natalie has loved to write — even serving as the sole writer and editor of the Kientzy Chronicle, a newspaper she distributed to her family while in elementary school. Today, she still considers writing her happy place, filling notebooks with short stories inspired by the people, places and moments around her.
jackson martucci
Video Producer
Meet Jackson Martucci, our Video Producer and Algonquin, Illinois, native who brings a creative eye and consistent, proactive approach to video storytelling. A natural both behind and in front of the camera, Jackson has a gift for preserving authentic moments while never shying away from being part of them. While his role may put him behind the lens, his bold, outgoing personality puts him at ease in the spotlight too.
While Jackson is comfortable tackling any type of video project, he thrives in the energy of large-scale events. As a creative video intern for Mizzou Athletics, Jackson expresses his creative freedom through media day shoots, video board content and series recap videos to tell the story of each program.
Representing one of Mizzou’s most honored traditions, Jackson served on the public relations committee for Mizzou Homecoming last year too, working on photo and video content for their social media platforms. Whether he’s capturing the Homecoming Blood Drive or the philanthropic Mizzou Fight Night, he has developed a knack for recording roaring crowds, electric moments and the pumping enthusiasm that makes an event memorable. He knows how to make moments unforgettable, bringing the same energy and audience-first mindset to branded video and social promotion. He grabs attention, builds excitement and delivers moments people want to be part of.
When Jackson isn’t behind the camera, he has his sights on a much bigger stage. One day, he hopes to give his own Ted Talk, sharing his belief that the best opportunities come from stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing the unfamiliar and saying yes to new experiences. Until then, he’s practicing what he preaches, one new challenge at a time.
molly levine
Art Director
Meet Molly Levine, our Art Director and a St. Louis native with a love for dreaming up what’s next. As the creative force behind Team Mania, Molly is the mind behind the branding, logos and visual concepts that bring a campaign to life. With a designer’s eye, strategic mindset and adaptability to any project, she knows that great design isn’t simply about making something look good; it’s about getting people to look and remember what you made.
Molly has built her creative portfolio across agency, media and editorial spaces. As a creative director for Matchbook Marketing, she leads the visual direction of client work to create cohesive, compelling campaigns. Her experience as a marketing intern for St. Louis Magazine this summer gave her insight into developing marketing materials for an established publication, while her time as MOVE Magazine director for The Maneater allowed her to shape the visual identity of a student-led newspaper and target content for a younger, college-student audience.
As a Missouri School of Journalism Ambassador, Molly serves as a mentor for incoming and prospective students, giving them a firsthand look at life within the J-School and the opportunities it can open both during their four years at Mizzou and beyond. Her dedication to the industry is also apparent through her involvement with Women in Media, where she previously served on the outreach & education committee, helping create opportunities to connect students with resources to explore careers in media.
Since one creative outlet is never enough, Molly can also play four different instruments. She began with the piano in elementary school and then the flute in middle school, before adding the piccolo and guitar to her repertoire in high school.