MAREN DeMARGEL

Account Manager

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Maren DeMargel! A world traveler, avid concert enthusiast and killer account manager, you can always count on Maren to be organized while on the go.

Maren’s well-equipped to lead Team Varsity to victory with her vast experiences in marketing, content creation, community service and leadership. As an account service intern and freelance account manager for Hot In The Kitchen, an agency in her hometown of St. Louis, Maren combined research, strategy and client communications to produce over 400 deliverables for a national transportation client. She’s also been a team player at Matchbook Marketing for clients like Hot Box Cookies, Children’s Grove and Independence Family Eyecare, creating content that not only dazzles, but has improved audience engagement.

Dedicating plentiful time to her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, and volunteering in the greater Columbia community, Maren’s heart is almost as awe-inspiring as her curl routine. She’s been an active participant in Mizzou Homecoming, leading her pairing through the blood and canned food drives, as well as participating in Pi Phi’s philanthropy Champions Are Readers, in which she reads to local elementary schoolers.

Maren’s experiences as Director of PR and Marketing for her sorority have also been a game changer for her proficiency in leading a team, creating actionable results through analytics and generating memorable, creative content across platforms.

With a passion for travel and infectious positivity, Maren studied abroad in Florence, Italy, this past summer, where she attended classes, explored Europe, and was an advertising intern at Artviva, a luxury tourism agency. Somehow between creating website content and brochures for Artviva, Maren traveled to nine countries and 24 cities. Thank goodness Team Varsity is her home base for the near future!

BRADYN JOHNSON

PR Account Manager

Whether she’s in the car, at the gym or playing music with friends, Bradyn Johnson’s calling card is 90s R&B. She’s an old soul with bold ideas, always shaking up our meetings as Varsity’s Public Relations Account Manager. Just like her favorite genre of music, Bradyn is always pushing the bounds of creativity in PR strategy, while staying rooted in what’s right for the client. 

Originally from Cincinnati, Bradyn brings an understanding of pop culture trends and YAYA culture. In team meetings, you can frequently find her providing updates on the latest TikTok drama and what’s current on social media. While this is certainly important, her knowledge runs much deeper than just online trends. As a Marketing Team Member at Public Relations Student Society of America, Bradyn helps Mizzou athletes build their image through NIL social media guides and campaigns. In Columbia, she uses this role to help small businesses grow their brand and increase visibility. 

Her experience also extends into the healthcare industry. Bradyn has interned for Gallagher Insurance, where she identified consumer trends and turned those insights into cross platform campaigns across social media. She’s also interned for Cancer Support Community – Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. Here, she identified earned media opportunities and built relationships with influencers and the local community. Through this experience, Bradyn proves that effective PR can be as meaningful to people as it is to profit. 

On campus, Bradyn is involved as President of Mizzou’s National Association of Black Journalists chapter. In this role, she is working to maximize NABJ’s reach on campus and help students start their careers through events and professional development trips. She is a driven, resilient worker that brings humor and levity to Team Varsity. When things get busy, we can always count on her to lock in with some Jodeci and SWV music to get the job done. To quote 90s icon Montell Jordan, this is how we do it (at Team Varsity).

SARAH WOODS

STRATEGIST

Move over, Siskel and Ebert. Team Varsity has a resident film critic and her name is Sarah Woods. As one of Varsity’s strategists, Sarah always brings a perspective of what’s new and culturally relevant to our goal of reaching YAYAs. 

As a strategist, Sarah acts as the voice of the consumer by leading qualitative and quantitative research. Coming from her hometown of Downers Grove, Illinois, Sarah has developed her skills in strategy and marketing both on campus and professionally. Here at Mizzou, she serves as communications coordinator for KCOU 88.1FM, our on campus radio station. She’s also a zine coordinator for KCOU, where she showcases her creative side by writing, designing, and editing for the publication.

Sarah has interned for 2by4LLC, a marketing and strategy firm. Here, she contributed to social media campaigns for several clients and generated new, creative angles for existing client marketing. Her work extended beyond strategy and research, as she worked on design, copy and implementation across her client portfolios. 

Outside of marketing and communications, Sarah has a serious creative streak. She runs her own Substack and writes about movies and pop culture. You can listen to her on the air as a DJ on KCOU. You can even read her work as a staff member for the Maneater, Mizzou’s student-run newspaper. Through these experiences, Sarah represents MOJO’s mission of specializing in all things young and creative. Having come from several student-run media organizations, she knows what it takes to work together in a student-led team and reach younger demographics.

EMILY GERHART

STRATEGIST

Emily Gerhart, longtime volleyball and soccer player, is no stranger to being a team player. She is currently serving in her role as strategist at Team Varsity, where she supports research to inform our client. A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Emily is a pillar of our team and always uses her teamwork skills to support Team Varsity’s mission of excellence.

Being a strategist is all about understanding communities and audiences. One way Emily has gained experience in this is through her role as director of outreach at Letters of Love Mizzou. Here, Emily has helped organize meetings to write 500 letters a week for children battling serious illnesses. Not only has this helped Emily meet new people across campus, but her work has also contributed to a positive community on campus that has a real impact.

Emily’s athletics experience doesn’t end at playing volleyball and soccer. She’s interned for Mizzou Athletics, helping to write press releases and content. Those highlight reels you love from Mizzou? That was probably Emily. 

She’s also interned for Trozzolo Communications Group and led efforts ?????to revitalize Darigold’s brand and marketing (hey, that sounds like what we’re doing!). On campus, she is vice president of Recruitment and Logistics, Public Relations Student Society of America, helping to run one of Mizzou’s student-led ad agencies and connect students with alumni and industry leaders. Her agency experience doesn’t just end there; she’s also a Public Relations Strategist for Matchbook Marketing Agency and works to tailor local businesses’ marketing through research and analytics.

Outside of strategic communication work, Emily is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She loves playing soccer and volleyball recreationally and is a leader on and off the field. Much like Team Varsity, Emily always goes for the gold.

ERIN CARLSON

MEDIA PLANNER

When it comes to media planners, Erin Carlson is at the top of the pyramid. With skillful precision and an upbeat attitude, Erin’s able to tackle any project in style.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Erin has always had a knack for collaborating in a team, starting with dance competitions. The flexibility and discipline instilled from dance have proven to be fruitful for Erin in college, where she’s not only continued her love of performing, but has been heavily involved with her sorority and Matchbook Marketing. 

In her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, Erin took on the role of Vice President of Marketing, where she coordinated chapter merchandise, social media content and event planning. Her leadership and artistic abilities have also extended to her roles as director for Production Dance, a selective Greek Life dance group, and as a Panhellenic Counselor this past fall, where she guided sixty new members to find their homes in the PHA community! 

Erin’s not just a threat on the stage, though, she’s keen behind a keyboard. As a content marketing intern at the First National Bank of Omaha, Erin’s experienced in social content campaigns and brand storytelling. She’s also skilled at taking and editing photos and videos, like she did as a social media and marketing intern for the Omaha Supreme Basketball Academy.

Think she can’t get any more flexible? Wait until you hear about how Erin was a social strategist for Independence Family Eyecare with Matchbook Marketing, monitoring trends and KPIs to tailor content best suited for her client’s audience. 

The talent Erin brings to Team Varsity is unbeatable. If she was able to grow up doing dance competitions against her neighbor eight doors down, Jojo Siwa, no challenge (or bow) can be too large.

CAROLINE WOOD

DIGITAL STRATEGIST

There’s 50 Nifty United States and Caroline Wood has been to all of them. Throughout her childhood, Caroline spent countless hours in her family minivan visiting every corner of the U.S. As Team Varsity’s resident digital strategist (and travel expert), Caroline always brings a sense of direction and expertise to her research. 

Originally from Roeland Park, Kansas, Caroline brings a wealth of on campus experience in publicity and event planning. She is currently managing director of Matchbook Marketing, a student-led marketing agency at Mizzou. She oversees agency visits and monthly meetings, as well as serving as the head liaison between Matchbook and seven local client teams. MOJO Ad is known for having many moving parts, and we can always count on Caroline to keep us organized.

Just as she’s traveled across America, Caroline is involved across Mizzou’s campus. At her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, Caroline was the event director and planned 13 events through 2025 with over 350 participants at each. At Team Varsity, we prioritize responsibility and smart spending for our client. Caroline is no different, as she managed over $120,000 in funds for social and risk management programming for her sorority. She even served on the Risk Prevention Team, ensuring member safety. 

Over the summer, Caroline interned for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. For this role, she designed social media graphics and managed online campaigns to promote events. In her local community, she volunteers at the Food Bank for Central and North Missouri. On campus, she was a Media Committee Member for Mizzou’s Greek Week Steering Committee. Greek Week hosts one of the nation’s largest blood drives, and Caroline developed online content and promotions to continue grow its footprint.

PAYTON STROBEL

ART DIRECTOR

Aca-scuse me, Payton Strobel, art director extraordinaire, is coming through! A confident creative and experienced leader, Payton brings serious talent and the entire memorized Pitch Perfect script to Team Varsity.

As Creative Director for Visual Communications Club and a TA for Journalism 4204, Payton isn’t afraid to step into the spotlight, especially in the J-School. When not in class or leading a meeting, she can often be found at The Grind, fueled by caffeine and whatever project she’s currently tackling in Adobe Creative Suite.

Payton’s quite involved in the Mizzou community in general, having served as an MU Student Affairs Graphic Design Intern, where she edited, managed and completed over a dozen design packages for various organizations across campus. This experience collaborating with full-time designers and videographers helped Payton harmonize a challenging workload with classes, friends, and her other responsibilities.

Payton’s in tune with a wide range of software and current trends, as proven in her role as Graphic Design Intern for ITA Group in her hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. She worked on several national brands like Google, GM Financial and Home Depot, creating branded materials and ensuring brands connect with audiences both on site and online. Payton also lends her diligent eye to Fierce Creative Agency, where she designs social media content like carousels and web banners, gathers analytics and manages SEO for several clients across the United States.

Before joining Team Varsity, Payton found her groove at McCann Prague, where she collaborated with a team of Mizzou and Czech students to develop a full campaign blending strategic insights and visual storytelling. Whether she’s designing vivid logos, brainstorming photoshoots or collaborating in meetings, Payton brings harmony wherever she goes.

LYLAH CALHOUN

VIDEO PRODUCER

Lights, camera, Lylah! A seasoned MOJO veteran, Lylah Calhoun brings her lively spirit, creative expertise and initiative for leadership to ensure Team Varsity stays in the limelight.

Lylah served as a video producer for the Spring 2026 State of the YAYA report, earning three media placements and increasing public campaign awareness with her bold artistic and strategic direction. Now, she’s reprising the role with fresh eyes and sage wisdom, eager to connect on an even deeper level with the YAYA audience.

A native to O’Fallon, Illinois, Lylah values aesthetics and creativity in all she does. As an intern at a fashion PR agency in NYC this past summer, Lylah added a new layer of skill to her videography and editing abilities, seamlessly blending storytelling with style.

Her goodness goes beyond looks, though! Lylah’s active in serving her community, having served as part of the Outreach Committee for Mizzou’s Homecoming Steering Committee, where she helped bridge over 50 campus organizations and local businesses to participate in the benevolence and celebration of Mizzou Homecoming. She’s also been an active participant in her sorority, Delta Delta Delta’s philanthropy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Additionally, Lylah starred as the videographer for Mizzou’s inaugural Association of Textile and Apparel Management Runway Showcase, which was created by and for students! With her footage of the showcase, designer interviews and event setup, Lylah captured everyone’s good side. 

Next to hit the big screen: Team Varsity’s highlight reel.

THOMAS BRUNS

COPYWRITER

From University of Oxford, to Washington D.C., to Jefferson City, Missouri, Thomas Bruns loves politics and history– and has the travel receipts to prove it. As one of Team Varsity’s resident copywriters, Thomas understands the power of writing.

Most recently, Thomas interned for the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) in Washington, D.C. as a communications intern. Here, he assumed management of ACORE’s daily newsletter and oversaw content strategy and editing. For this internship, he visited sites across D.C. and even New York and got a taste of the East Coast life. Quite a change of pace from his hometown of St. Louis!

More locally, he interned for Senator Brian Williams in the Missouri Senate. This is where Thomas became passionate about political communications and writing. Over the course of his internship, he wrote speeches, speaking notes, interview prep and managed constituent outreach for Senator Williams. 

On campus, Thomas is president of Mizzou College Democrats. In this role, he manages social media publicity, speaker outreach and club programming. He is involved with the Kinder Institute as a fellow, and an undergraduate researcher, where most of his copywriting is about dead people from 250 years ago. Outside of communications, Thomas co-founded Informed Citizens Society, a new club to spread awareness about misinformation and civic engagement. He’s studied abroad in Oxford, England, and loves traveling, movies and pop culture. He has learned through his work in the political sector that writing can be relaxing, but it can also be high stakes. He tries to bring humor, levity, and level-headedness to his team as they work hard to reinvent their client and reach the YAYA market.

NATALIE SPICER

COPYWRITER

Deemed one of “the happiest girls on Earth,” Natalie Spicer pursues magic in all aspects of her life. Whether she’s learning a new arrangement with her a cappella group, creating colorful graphics for one of her many orgs or checking another Disney park off of her bucket list, you can always find Natalie with a smile and an all-ears attitude.

Hailing from the royal kingdom of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Natalie’s been interested from an early age in music, theater, art and writing. While writing copy is her primary form of expression, she’s enchanted with all things creative, crowning artistry as the motivation behind all her work.

As Executive Director of Events for Mizzou’s chapter of Her Campus Media, Natalie carries out bonding, community service and professional development events to empower and connect her fellow majesties. She combines her attention to detail and passion for organizing events to extend Her Campus’ mission of giving college women a way to find their voices and celebrate their unique, layered identities. 

Natalie also has experience as the Executive Director of Social Strategy for the American Advertising Federation and as a copywriter for the Instazine and Branding taskforces of Matchbook Marketing. Her knowledge in the realms of AP style, content creation, SEO and witty wordplay are sure to make Team Varsity sparkle.

This past summer, Natalie traveled across the pond to Brussels, Belgium, where she created social media content on influential EU legislations, performed internal research analytics and developed client branding at Rud Pedersen Brussels. Her unforgettable time far, far away from Missouri not only brought her a more worldly understanding of strategic communications, but fueled her heart’s desire to explore the world and live in the moment.

Natalie’s overjoyed to serve as a copywriter and part of leading Team Varsity to their happily ever after.