Meet the Team



President

Tessa Vande Creek

Tessa Vande Creek was born and raised on the Jersey Shore, where she developed an early love for visual storytelling and the outdoors. She attended the University of Rochester, where she double-majored in Film Production and Business. After college, she worked in New York City in gig roles and at a children’s production company, building hands-on experience in content creation and media logistics.

Tessa later joined Paramount, first working in digital production on brands like MTV, Comedy Central, and VH1 before becoming part of the global launch team for Paramount+. There, she led content operations for the platform, overseeing complex content delivery workflows and collaborating across production, design, and product teams to ensure seamless execution. She later interned on Paramount’s Global Streaming Strategy team, where she focused on strategic growth and analyzing the competitive streaming landscape.

This fall, Tessa will join Fox Entertainment as a Strategy & Operations Intern. Her professional focus lies in operational strategy, cross-functional leadership, and driving efficiency within creative industries. With a passion for solving complex problems and aligning teams toward shared goals, she aims to continue building a career at the intersection of entertainment, strategy, and operations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessavandecreek/

Email: vandecre@usc.edu

Fun Fact: I collect and restore vintage cameras.

Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs)

Spencer Steinfeld

Chief of Staff

Spencer Steinfeld was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where he developed an early love for entertainment and storytelling. He attended the University of Florida, where he studied Business with a concentration in Marketing while also pursuing Pre-Med studies.

Spencer began his career at Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD, where he focused on understanding Gen Z’s travel and entertainment expectations, later helping shape global marketing campaigns for the company’s brands. He then moved to Paramount Pictures before joining The Walt Disney Company, where he worked across multiple departments at Lucasfilm on Star Wars projects—gaining hands-on experience in cross-functional collaboration, franchise management, and brand marketing.

He later expanded his expertise at AdFairy, a startup marketing agency, serving as both Operations Consultant and Brand Marketing Manager. There, he partnered with major consumer brands to develop and execute innovative campaigns.

Spencer currently interns at NBCUniversal in Theatrical Marketing, contributing to campaign strategy and creative execution for upcoming film releases. His professional focus lies in brand marketing, franchise strategy, and the intersection of entertainment and audience engagement. With a passion for connecting creative storytelling to consumer experiences, he aims to continue building a career shaping the future of entertainment marketing.

Email: Spencer.Steinfeld.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-steinfeld/

Undergrad: University of Florida

Fun Fact:

Christiaan Tahyar

EVP, External Affairs

Christiaan was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up moving across the East Coast and abroad—an experience that shaped his global outlook on media. He earned his B.A. in Film Production with a minor in Business Studies from Emerson College, blending creative storytelling with business fundamentals.

He began his career in media as a development assistant before working across film and television in roles emphasizing cinematography. Drawn to both the creative and operational sides of production, he founded Moose Mob Media, a boutique post-production company. There, he partnered with clients like iHeart Media and SiriusXM to deliver high-impact projects across podcasts and digital platforms. He also steered the company through the challenges of the pandemic, keeping it profitable and resilient while pushing creative work forward.

Looking to scale these skills beyond production, Christiaan pursued his MBA at USC Marshall, where he serves in leadership roles with the Business of Entertainment Association and the Marshall Finance Association. Most recently, he brought his creative-meets-analytical perspective to Mattel as a Global FP&A Intern, contributing to strategy and financial planning initiatives.

Christiaan sees his future at the intersection of narrative, finance, and strategy, and is passionate about helping media and IP-driven companies grow and adapt in a time of constant disruption and reinvention.

Email: Christiaan.Tahyar.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiaan-tahyar/

Undergrad: Emerson College

Fun Fact: My first rodeo was literal — they tossed me into the ring with a bull on set. Definitely not a usual day at the office.

Caroline Beegan

EVP, Internal Relations

Caroline hails from Dayton, Ohio and is a lover of all things film, television, and theater. After studying film, theater production, writing for television, and Latin American Studies at Sarah Lawrence College, Caroline began her professional journey as the private events manager at Dayton Live - her hometown's non-profit theater arts organization. She also spent a year at Andersen Tax - Chicago office - as an office manager before deciding to return to her passion of the entertainment industry at USC Marshall.

Caroline is a project manager at heart and loves tackling operations processes and project execution. Her goal is to find a role in the entertainment industry that allows her to face new challenges and find creative ways to help artists make and promote their art successfully and sustainably. She is especially fond of animation, and would love to one day contribute to the success of an Aardman production.

Caroline spent her summer at Fifth Season through the BEA x MIGA Consultancy Initiative, and she will be interning at NBCUniversal throughout the year with the In-Theater Marketing and Distribution team. She loves to work with other students, and if you see her in the courtyard, please come say hi! In her free time, she likes watching reality TV, going to theme parks, hiking, and playing Fortnite with her family back in Ohio.

Email: beegan@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-beegan/

Undergrad: Sarah Lawrence College

Fun Fact: I am a seasoned bartender and specialize in batch cocktails for specialty events.

Tracy Nguyen

EVP, Operations

Tracy Nguyen graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Global Economics and has held roles at Wells Fargo Advisors, Salesforce, and TH — managing $175M+ in investment portfolios, leading global go-to-market launches, and driving enterprise-wide operational improvements. Fascinated by the intersection of data, business strategy, and storytelling, Tracy is eager to apply her skills to help entertainment companies make high-impact strategic decisions that drive growth and innovation.

She is particularly passionate about using analytical insights and cross-functional collaboration to shape the future of the industry.

Outside of work, you can find her traveling, trying new foods, swimming, or catching the latest movie or TV release.

Email: Tracyn@usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymnguyen/

Undergrad: UC Santa Cruz

Fun Fact: I celebrate my birthday in a new country every year.

Finance & Fundraising

Angela Park

VP of Finance & Fundraising

Angela Park is a full-time MBA candidate with a focus on the Business of Entertainment. Originally from Boston, Angela completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and began her career in physical production working as a Set Production Assistant on projects including Challengers, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Planning a long career within the entertainment industry, Angela came to Marshall to balance her creative understanding of storytelling with the skills needed to analyze content from a strategic & financial lens. She hopes to apply this at a studio, contributing to both the artistic and data-driven decision-making behind what is greenlit, produced, and distributed for audiences to see.

At Marshall, she has taken up leadership positions in BEA and the Graduate Asian Business Society and is especially passionate about AAPI representation in media. Outside of the classroom, you can find Angela walking long distances, lifting heavy things, and reading or writing under the sun.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-sue-park/

Email: apark419@marshall.usc.edu

Undergrad: University of Massachusetts Amherst

Fun Fact: I’ve written two feature-length screenplays – one awarded Second Place in the 2023 Asian American International Screenplay Competition and the other Quarterfinalist in the 2021 Screencraft Action & Adventure Screenplay Competition.

Recruiting

Madeline Merwin

VP of Recruiting

Madeline came into the MBA with a background in classical music, working as a composer and music supervisor after graduating from Vanderbilt (bachelor's) and University of Michigan (master's) with degrees in music composition and theory.

After her master's, she taught as a professor of music theory at Henry Ford College in Detroit, and was hired to compose her first ballet. She decided to pursue an MBA at USC Marshall instead of completing a doctoral degree in music because she wanted to shift into working on the corporate side of film studios in music strategy and supervision, and decided LA was the perfect place to put roots down!

She completed her MBA internship at Warner Bros. Discovery this past summer, where she worked in the Licensing team on toys (mainly Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and DC Comics LEGO). She is currently serving as the VP of Recruitment on the BEA board, and plans to stay in LA after graduating with a full-time return offer at Warner Bros.

Email: Madeline.Merwin.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinemerwin/

Undergrad: Vanderbilt University

Fun Fact:

Case Competitions

Imani Cutler

VP of Case Competitions

Imani Cutler is an MBA candidate at USC Marshall pursuing a career in consulting and entertainment strategy/marketing. Originally from Houston, TX, she earned her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University before starting her career at Amazon and Procter & Gamble. There, she had fun working with robots and automation before moving into customer supply chain leadership. Most recently, she interned with EY in their customer consulting practice, sharpening her skills in strategy and client engagement.

Her spark for entertainment began during undergrad, working at the United Supermarkets Arena on concerts, halftime shows, and VIP events. That early exposure to creating live experiences fueled her passion for storytelling and left her motivated by the belief that business and creativity are most powerful when they leave lasting impressions and make the spaces they touch better than before.

On campus, Imani is a Consortium and Forté Fellow and holds multiple leadership roles.  Outside the classroom, you can find Imani traveling, discovering new restaurants, losing herself in her latest novel, or dancing wherever the music finds her.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/imani-cutler

Email: icutler@usc.edu

Undergrad: Texas Tech University

Fun Fact: I have bungee jumped off of Victoria Falls

Jon May

VP of Case Competitions

Jon May is an Atlanta native and the youngest of six. His journey in media and marketing began with his undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University, a historically black college and university (HBCU), and continued with a master's in Media Management from The New School. He also served his country as an Emergency Manager in the United States Air Force.

Jon’s passion for storytelling led him into the world of marketing. At Google, he helped businesses connect with creators and their audiences. He then moved on to Wieden + Kennedy, where he championed bold, creative risks in advertising. Most recently, he joined PepsiCo as a Marketing intern over the summer where he focused on digital and influencer strategy for the company's Away From Home division.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncmay/

Email: mayjon@marshall.usc.edu

Undergrad: Florida A&M (FAMU)

Fun Fact: Played Viola for 5 years

Alumni Engagement

Colin Edward Lawrence

VP of Alumni Engagement

Colin Edward Lawrence is an American Film Director, Writer and Producer, recently featured in Produced By magazine. After graduating with honors from the Steven Spielberg School of Film at Cal State Long Beach with a degree in Narrative Production, Colin started his career in development at Scott Free Productions, Heyday Films, and 20th Century Fox. Colin went on to Produce at New Wave Entertainment for four years.

Since going independent in 2016, he’s Written, Directed, or Produced, a number of films, with the latest arriving on Vertical platforms in January of 2025. Colin recently had his second feature film (as work-for-hire writer, director, and producer) play Lifetime, Netflix UK, TF1, and UK5 under the title IS MY DAUGHTER REALLY DEAD (GASLIT, and FATAL DECEIT). Beyond assignment work, Colin prides himself on infusing his stories with big worlds, unique characters, and grounded, truthful emotion. Colin likens himself to a millennial James Mangold - focusing on multiple genres: from studio work and Thrillers, to Comedy, Horror, and Action Adventure.

When he's not working, Colin spends his time taking classes at USC Marshall in the part time MBA program, cooking for his family, hitting the beach, or hiking the hills of Los Angeles with his dog Obi-Wan.

Email: colinlaw@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/colinelawrence

Undergrad: California State University Long Beach

Fun Fact: I once locked my keys and phone in my car while in Russell Crowe's driveway

Mackenzie Carlson

VP of Alumni Engagement

Mackenzie Carlson is an MBA candidate at USC Marshall with a background in entertainment, media, and technology. She began her career supporting showrunners and talent managers before moving into development and post-production at Netflix and Roku, where she helped launch a production company under Netflix's banner and oversaw delivery of 40+ original projects annually.

At Marshall, Mackenzie serves on the leadership teams of the BEA, EVMA, MCSC, and is a currently a VC Associate at New Media Ventures, a VC fund backing startups at the intersection of technology, media, and civic engagement.

She is passionate about venture capital, community building, and exploring how innovation and storytelling can shape the future of entertainment.

Email: mackenzie.carlson.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzie-m-carlson/

Undergrad: Brown University

Fun Fact: I am a classically trained pianist

External Relations

Zara Elstein

VP of External Relations

Originally from London, Zara studied Economics at LSE before diving into the world of finance. Post Undergrad, she worked as an Investment Banking Associate at Rothschild & Co, focusing on M&A and financing deals.

Wanting to pivot into the entertainment industry, Zara moved to LA to pursue an MBA at USC Marshall. Over the summer, she interned with the Content Strategy Team at Pluto TV, Paramount, where she combined her love for content with her finance and analytical background.

Zara’s excited to return to Pluto TV this Fall and continue exploring opportunities at the intersection of business and entertainment.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-e

Email: Zara.Elstein.2026@marshall.usc.edu

Undergrad: London School Of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Fun Fact: Growing up, I loved making short films - including directing a stop-motion Lego spy comedy.

Career Development

Ben Mohler

VP of Career Development

Ben Mohler is a second-year MBA at USC Marshall pursuing entertainment strategy, building on six years working on set in the camera department on a variety of TV shows and films from Bullet Train to Snowfall.

He’s excited to bring that on-set experience into the business side of entertainment and explore where the industry is headed next.

Outside of school, you’ll usually find him rock climbing, hiking, or off on his next adventure.

Email: bmohler@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-mohler/

Undergrad: Southern Methodist University

Fun Fact: I've hiked from Mexico to Canada

Sports

Alec Hoffman

VP of Sports

Alec Hoffman is the VP of Sports of the Business of Entertainment Association. He currently focuses his studies on strategy, production operations, and project management.

Prior to business school, Alec worked as an Associate Producer at PXP Studios, where he led post-production tagging and delivery for over 500 projects for clients including Lexus, Chateau Ste. Michelle, and Ritz Carlton. He streamlined creative operations and collaborated cross-functionally with editorial, visual effects, and brand stakeholders to meet tight turnarounds and high-volume distribution demands.

In the summer of 2025, Alec assumed the role of project intern through USC Athletics via the Marshall Consultancy Initiative. Alec and his team helped developed AI-assisted scheduling models to generate optimized non-conference schedules for Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, and Men’s and Women’s Basketball. He partnered with Athletic Directors on initiatives to optimize cost centers within the department, bridging the gap between USC’s Athletic Department and the Marshall School of Business to introduce new resourcing and operational strategies.

Alec currently serves as a Post Production and Technology MBA Intern at FOX Entertainment, supporting operational workflows for scripted and unscripted series. His work focuses on content delivery, asset management, and driving innovation across post-production infrastructure.

On campus, Alec also serves as the President of the Jewish Association of Marshall Students (JAMS) and is in the Marshall Leadership Fellows Program.

Email: alec.hoffman.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alec-hoffman/

Undergrad: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fun Fact: I've used the same calculator since high school!

Music and Podcasts & New Media

Sam Howard

VP of Music

Sam Howard graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a BA in Business Economics. Throughout school Sam interned in the sports world; writing and photography for the UCLA Club Sports Website, Marketing for Steel Sports, and working in PR at EAG Sports Management.

After graduation he attended Duke’s Fuqua School of Business receiving his Master's in Management Studies. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and was the Salutatorian of the 2020 class. After school Sam passed all 4 sections of the CPA exam but forwent a career in accounting to pursue Podcast Marketing. In under two years as a Podcast marketer, Sam went from an entry level coordinator to leading a $25 million annual podcast program. In that time he worked with podcasts' biggest names, writing copy, negotiating deals, and conducting predictive analytics.

He recently spent Summer 2025 as a Brand Strategy and Marketing Intern at King’s Hawaiian. Moving forward Sam is incredibly excited to pursue a career in Entertainment Marketing.

Outside of school Sam is a surfer, soccer player, DND fanatic, Video Gamer, and Beach Volleyball Player.

Email: Samuel.Howard.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-howard-la/

Undergrad: University of California Los Angeles

Fun Fact:

Lena Oliver

VP of Podcasts & New Media

Lena was born and raised in Southern California, where she developed an early appreciation for communication and technology. She attended Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where she double-majored in Public Relations and Information Management and Technology.

After graduation, she began her career as a Media Planner at Deutsch, gaining hands-on experience in strategic media planning and campaign execution. She was then recruited by Veritone, an AI company based in Irvine, to join their Data Analytics team supporting podcast advertising initiatives, where she leveraged data-driven insights to optimize advertising performance in the evolving podcast landscape.

Currently, Lena serves as an Investment Intern at Muse Capital, where she leverages her media and tech expertise to identify and support emerging consumer technology companies. Her work focuses on uncovering promising opportunities in how technology is reshaping the ways we connect, engage, and experience daily life.

With a passion for identifying emerging opportunities and driving strategic decision-making, she continues to build her career at the intersection of media, technology, and finance.

Email: Lena.Oliver.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenaoliver/

Undergrad: Syracuse University

Fun Fact:

Marketing & Public Relations

Prateek Saini

VP of Marketing & Public Relations

Prateek Saini is an MBA student at USC Marshall with a background at the intersection of business and creativity. He started his career in strategy consulting at a boutique firm later acquired by Bain & Co., before transitioning to Bollywood as Manager to Mr. Aamir Khan.

Through his production company, 20 Something Productions, Prateek produced music video for India's largest music labels and currently work at Promise AI, an a16z, North Road backed AI film studio pioneering new production models.

He is passionate about how emerging technologies are reshaping storytelling and content creation, bridging his consulting background with hands-on entertainment experience.

Email: prateek.saini.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateeksainiusc/

Undergrad: St. Xavier's College, Mumbai

Fun Fact: Paparazzi once mistook me for Aamir Khan's son at a movie screening and published my photos in entertainment news- definitely my most unexpected 15 minutes of fame

Program Partnerships

Casey Weider

VP of Program Partnerships

Casey Weider is a 2nd year in the MBA.PM program and is thrilled to serve as a VP of Program Partnerships for BEA this year. He is currently a program manager at the livestreaming social media platform BIGO, launching initiatives designed to improve user engagement and monetization. Prior to this role, he had worked in the digital advertising industry for over 5 years across functions including sales, account management, and campaign strategy. He was thrilled to leave advertising industry and start his career in the entertainment industry.

Growing up in New Jersey, Casey is an East Coast at heart but has not left California (and never will) since he moved to the Bay Area in 2016 to attend Saint Mary’s College of California. He graduated from Saint Mary’s as Valedictorian for the Class of 2020 with a double major in marketing and digital media.

While he currently works in the content creation space, Casey’s true passion in life is the film industry. In addition to his day job, Casey also works as an independent film producer and consultant, using his expertise to help filmmakers realize their projects. Casey also is an avid consumer of movies, as he sees over 100 movies/year in theaters.

Casey is also an insanely passionate fan of Saint Mary's basketball and the New York Mets. When Casey is not occupied by school, work, movies, or sports, he is mostly likely hiking with fiancé in Westlake Village.

He would like to wish all BEA members a fantastic year, and hopes to see them all at the movies!

Email: cdweider@usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-weider-digital-specialist/

Undergrad: Saint Mary's College of California

Fun Fact: I am related to a 14th Century Polish queen

Zander Massey

VP of Program Partnerships

Zander is an entertainment industry veteran with roles at Twentieth Century Fox and CAA before he pivoted into entertainment technology with his own venture in fractionalizing film investments utilizing blockchain technology.

He has worked with entertainment tech startups, refining his skills in growth strategy, go-to-market execution, and product-market fit.

Today he's a candidate at USC Marshall School of Business, class of 2026 and working in a distribution strategy internship at NBCUniversal.

Email: ajmassey@usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zander-massey

Undergrad: Bucknell University

Fun Fact: Can be found beatboxing on occasion

Community & Culture

Jonathan Hermano

VP of Community & Culture

Jonathan is an MBA candidate at USC Marshall, Class of 2026. A double Trojan from Beaverton, Oregon, he earned his B.S. in Business Administration from USC in 2018. As an undergrad, he gained experience across the entertainment industry, from talent management at ROAR to supporting the USC football team and contributing to an advertising practicum with Universal Pictures.

Most recently, he worked in facilities consulting, blending data analysis and storytelling to help higher education clients with space management, strategic capital planning, and operational efficiency.

As co-VP of Community & Culture for BEA, Jonathan aims to foster connection, inclusivity, and a strong sense of belonging within the Marshall community.

Email: jonathanray.hermano.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hermano/

Undergrad: University of Southern California

Fun Fact: I drove 20 hours with my sisters to see Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour

Erik Wang

VP of Community & Culture

Originally from Taiwan, Erik came to USC Marshall looking to pivot into the strategy side of the entertainment industry. Before Marshall, he launched his own board game, worked as an auditor at KPMG, and led product strategy at a national lottery company.

This summer, Erik interned at Fox Entertainment on the Digital Strategy team, focusing on franchise development, creator partnerships, and audience expansion. He’s passionate about bringing creative ideas to life in today’s fast-evolving media landscape and is excited to explore where his skills can make the most impact.

In the meantime, he enjoys traveling and watching movies with his A-list!

Email: erikhwan@usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhawang

Undergrad: National Taiwan University

Fun Fact: I'm in love with Taco Bell's breakfast burrito!

Conferences

Yuri Kim

VP of Conferences

Yuri Kim is a writer and content professional.

He lived in Seoul, Korea before pursuing his MBA in the United States, holding both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Literature. Yuri has published fiction and worked as a project manager at a CG/VFX company, where he contributed to several Netflix and Disney+ Korea original series. This experience led him to seek opportunities in the global entertainment industry.

Since the summer, he has been interning at the U.S. office of NAVER WEBTOON and plans to join the company full-time after graduation. He is especially passionate about helping Korean entertainment content reach a wider international audience at a time of growing global interest.

Email: yuri.kim.2026@marshall.usc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuri--kim/

Undergrad: Yonsei University

Fun Fact: I am a novelist