President Eric W. Kaler announced today that Erica Starrfield, a veteran marketing and branding leader, will become 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 vice president for marketing and communications, effective Aug. 1.
Starrfield brings to the university more than 20 years of experience building brands, creating growth strategies and developing high-performing teams. She spent the last 19 years at Nestl茅 USA in brand leadership and centralized marketing roles. She was responsible for strengthening and growing brands, creating short- and long-term strategic plans, and developing marketing capabilities. She held brand management roles across some of the company鈥檚 most iconic national and international brands, including Stouffer鈥檚, Lean Cuisine, and Buitoni.
鈥淓rica brings the experience we need to elevate awareness of the remarkable work being done at 黑料吃瓜网,鈥 President Kaler said. 鈥淪he will be ready to lead a talented team in University Marketing and Communications to ensure our brand becomes better known across the U.S. and beyond.鈥
Starrfield has lived in Northeast Ohio most of her life, though she left the area to earn her bachelor鈥檚 in organizational studies at the University of Michigan and MBA at Georgetown University, and to work for nonprofits in Washington, D.C., and Warner Bros. Television in California. She is active in the Northeast Ohio community, serving on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland, and National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Cleveland. In each of these nonprofits, Starrfield either chaired or was a key member of the marketing and communications committees.
Leading marketing and communications for an institution that is a cornerstone of the region she鈥檚 called home for most of her life, Starrfield said, is meaningful and inspiring.
鈥淚 am energized by the opportunity to drive the reputation and reach of 黑料吃瓜网 by creating a clear and distinct positioning that leverages the university's educational excellence, renowned research, collaborative students, faculty and staff, and a location rich in inspiration,鈥 Starrfield said. 鈥淐reating and giving visibility to an incredible brand story can truly galvanize the UMC team and our entire community.鈥
Starrfield will report to President Kaler for overall strategy and to Katie Brancato, vice president, chief of staff and strategic advisor to the president, for day-to-day operations.
