Confidence, courage and career lessons from New York

The NMGZ community represented at the 2025 AEF Honors Night in New York City.

I’m flying back home from my favorite city today, so forgive me if I sound a bit sappy.

New York is truly the place to be. The crowded streets, bright lights and inspiring energy are incomparable anywhere else. It’s where I want to be after graduation.

Sure, the city can seem intimidating at first. Navigation can get overwhelming and the masses of people you pass by may be overstimulating. To me, it’s all worth it because I always leave New York with a bit more confidence than I had when I arrived.

This time around, I left with confidence, motivation and unforgettable messages from the Association of National Advertisers Educational Foundation (AEF) 2025 Honorees.

Andrea Brimmer, chief of marketing and public relations at Ally Financial and recipient of the AEF Inspire Award, delivered words that I will never forget: “The purpose of life is to find your gift. The meaning of life is to give it away.”

I was lucky enough to run into this incredible woman in the restroom during the ceremony intermission, and my assumptions of her being a complete boss were correct. Her ankle was visibly swollen from a fall she had taken — torn ligaments and all — yet she still strutted in heels the entire night. Leaders like Brimmer continue to champion the industry through their dedication to take the work they have accomplished and pay it forward to aspiring professionals.

My view of the stage at the AEF Honors Night ceremony.

In her company were Bill Koenigsberg, founder and CEO of Horizon Media; Carla Hassan, chief marketing officer at JPMorgan Chase; Sofia Hernandez, global head of business marketing at TikTok; and Mark Penn, chairman and CEO of Stagwell.

I was more than thrilled by the female representation among the AEF honorees and felt privileged to hear their success stories and messages to the next generation of professionals. Hassan, who accepted the Marketer Award on behalf of JPMorgan Chase, also shared a piece of wisdom that stuck with me: “Good is the enemy of great, and bravery and courage are the hallmarks of great.”

As a bonus, Elle Duncan of ESPN and Gio Benitez of ABC News hosted the night and brought the kind of humor that is always appreciated on evenings of recognition.

I wouldn’t have been able to share this experience if it weren’t for being a part of the National Millennial and Gen Z Community (NMGZ). Not only did I meet esteemed professionals at the AEF gala, but I also connected with other motivated and inspired students from campuses across the country. Getting to be a part of NMGZ is a story for another day — more to come on that later.

Me, alongside two of my friends from the NMGZ community, at the AEF Honors Night reception.

Of course, aside from the AEF gala, I made the most of my time in New York. I saw Death Becomes Her on Broadway, picked up decently priced Chinese street food in Chinatown and shopped around on Fifth Avenue.

I’m always a bit sad when my trip comes to an end, but this time I’m leaving with more than a bit of confidence. I’m leaving with wisdom from leaders who are reshaping the industry, encouragement from peers who are chasing the same dreams and a sharper vision of the career — and the city — I want to build for myself.