Our Team

Ann Searight

Ann Searight Christiano is the director of the Center for Public Interest Communications and a clinical professor of public relations. Public interest communications uses science-driven strategic communication and storytelling to advance positive social change.

Searight directs the frank gathering, which brings together hundreds of leaders from around the world who are working at the front lines of social causes, as well as scholars and funders to share the best of what they know in Gainesville every February. As the inaugural Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications (2010-2020), she developed a first-ever curriculum in public interest communications, connecting practitioners and scholars already working in the field and nurturing and sharing research that can advance this newly emerging academic discipline.

Before she came to the University of Florida, Searight was a senior communication officer for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where she directed communication efforts for programs that address the social factors like housing, education and mental health that drive health and well-being.

Searight’s writing has appeared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review and Quartz, and she was the University of Florida’s Teacher of the Year in 2014. Her work through the Center includes partnerships with the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, The Department of State, and several agencies in this domain. She has worked with several federal agencies, the Gates Foundation and nonprofits and other foundations throughout the United States. She regularly trains scientists and other leaders to convey the importance of their work more effectively.

Natalie Asorey

Asorey is a lecturer in public relations at the University of Florida, based in New York. Before joining UF she was head of social media at BODEN, a leading cross-cultural communication agency based in Miami, where she oversaw the McDonald’s USA scope of work as Hispanic agency of record. She led the account team and collaborated with McDonald’s communication, marketing and digital teams to develop communication and social media strategies to reach the Hispanic consumer market.

Asorey also led the agency’s award-winning social listening practice, Escucha, to build brand advocacy through influencer and consumer engagement and real-time content. Previously, she worked on the Delta Dental, UnitedHealthcare, Dewar’s, America’s ToothFairy and American Academy of Pediatrics accounts.

Shufai Brendan Banteh

Brendan Banteh, also known as Shufai (they/them), is the Center’s Content Marketing Consultant.  The cognomen “Shufai” comes from their enthronement as the Chief of the Ngamantse people living in the diaspora. Ngamantse is a clan of Nso Tribe located in the Northwest Region of the Cameroons. Their full royal title is Shufai Ngamantse America, and according to Nso custom and tradition, it is accompanied by the royal plural. Shufai is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive SEO strategies to drive organic traffic, improve website ranking, and increase The Center’s visibility across search engines. In addition, Shufai will also provide strategic direction for all marketing and communications including but not limited to the planning and effective implementation of all digital, social media, and event marketing efforts.

Shufai’s background is in demand generation within the B2B SaaS-based tech sector. Their career is distinguished by a series of successful tenures at leading technology firms, where they played a pivotal role in sculpting robust demand generation frameworks that significantly increased revenue growth and market penetration. Shufai is also passionate about quality user experience and is a self-styled SEO evangelist. 

After their undergraduate studies in Cameroon and a stint teaching English as a Foreign Language and English Literature at the High School level before emigrating to the US. Shufai was admitted to a master’s program at Bemidji State University. While pursuing their master’s degree in English, they also served as a graduate assistant, teaching courses in College Writing.  Shufai also holds an MBA from Hamline University, a Certificate in International Business Negotiation from the Hamline School of Law, and a recent Certificate in Marketing AI from Cornell University. 

Jack Barry

Jack J. Barry received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Connecticut, and his Masters in political science from the University of Rhode Island. In his previous position he was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Connecticut working closely with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs on their Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) international programs. His areas of research focus on the impact of Information Communication Technologies on development, poverty, and politics, and also investigating access to the internet as a new emergent human right. He has a new article addressing how COVID-19 has exposed the need for internet access to be provided as a human right published on GlobalOpenRights.

Some of his other publications include a book “Information Communication Technology and Poverty Alleviation: Promoting Good Governance in the Developing World” (Routledge 2019); a book chapter “Social Movements in the Digital Age” in Mahmood Monshippouri, ed., “Information Politics, Protests, and Human Rights in the Digital Age” (Cambridge University Press 2016); and a more popular press piece published by the Conversation “Mexico wants internet access for all. Getting everyone online could reduce poverty, too.” He has taught courses at various institutions of higher education including the University of Connecticut, University of Rhode Island, and Trinity College (Hartford, CT). During his free time he enjoys surfing, playing guitar, traveling, and is a surprisingly good basketball player.

Neha Dakshit

Neha Dakshit (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Florida, where she earned a B.S. in Telecommunications with a concentration in Digital Film and T.V. Production. Neha wants to explore both screenwriting and non-fiction storytelling in her career, and will be pursuing an M.A. in Television, Radio and Film at Syracuse University in the coming year. Neha is passionate about telling stories that can help people connect with one another, and believes that media and communications is a powerful tool in building a more just world.

Hannah Lazar

Hannah Lazar and I am a second year MA student in the Political Science – International Relations program at UF. My research interests are women’s rights issues, politics in non-traditional forms, and international and humanitarian law. I am currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Political Science department for an introductory undergraduate class on International Relations, as well as a Research Assistant at the Center for Public Interest Communications. When I’m not researching or teaching, I enjoy reading, cooking, and thrifting.

Yu-Hao Lee, Ph.D.

Dr. Yu-Hao Lee, the Center’s Research Director, studies the cognitive and emotional effects of immersive entertainment media such as video games, online streaming, and virtual reality. He also examines how to design immersive media experiences that promote better decision-making and prosocial behaviors. He is tenured as an associate professor in the Department of Media Production, Management and Technology at the University of Florida.

Kate McNamara

Kate McNamara is a marketing specialist at the Center for Public Interest Communications and a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Public Relations. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Mass Communication with a focus on Digital Strategy. Kate is passionate about using storytelling and creative strategy to advance social change.

Her professional journey includes roles as a Social Media Specialist at Joi Plant Milk, where she used AI tools like Midjourney and Runway to elevate the brand’s social presence, and a Creative Apprentice at Trade School Agency, where she developed cross-platform content for brands such as Publix, The Home Depot, and Mailchimp. At CANVAS United in New York, she assisted with a successful pitch that positioned the agency as a digital partner for Hoka and helped brand AIM Sports Group’s new eSports lounge, “Game On,” achieving significant engagement with Gen-Z audiences.

At UF, Kate was the Creative Director for Strike Magazine, leading a team of 60 creatives to produce multimedia content and grow social engagement. She also served as Communications Vice President for the Panhellenic Council, where she directed an award-winning Fall Recruitment campaign and developed the Council’s first branding guidelines to ensure cohesive communication. Additionally, Kate was a writing consultant, helping students communicate their ideas effectively.

Living in West Palm Beach, Florida, Kate enjoys live music, volunteer tutoring at The Lord’s Place, and exploring new narratives through books and visual arts. She is committed to using strategic communication to build connections and foster positive impact.

Ellen Nodine

As the Center’s director of programs and training, Ellen Nodine oversees the daily operations and provides leadership in the strategic direction of the unit. As a member of the frank strategic communications academy, she delivers in-person and online training to various constituents. She also teaches writing as an adjunct faculty member for the College of Journalism and Communications.

Ellen is the event manager for the frank gathering, which brings together hundreds of leaders from around the world in Gainesville every February who are working at the front lines of social causes, as well as scholars and funders to share the best of what they know.

She received her Master’s in Education from the University of Florida, with a specialization in Curriculum Design and Education Technology. Her master’s thesis examined the ability to establish social presence in an online community through the use of Twitter.

Matt Sheehan

Matt Sheehan is a member of the journalism faculty at the UF College of Journalism and Communications. He’s spent his career, so far, working in established and emerging media, including as inaugural director of the UF Innovation News Center (the nation’s largest student-powered public media newsroom), COO of a media startup and as an assistant news editor at The Washington Post.

Aaron J. Zeiler

Aaron Zeiler (he/him) is the director of partner strategies for the Center for Public Interest Communications. In this role, Aaron maintains existing projects with internal and external partners as well as steward and engage new relationships with potential partners.

Aaron’s background has centered on building the communication capacity of organizations and foundations working on issues ranging from public interest technology, prison abolition and public health. He has helped build social media and media relations strategy, facilitated trainings and coachings on storytelling and strategic communication, and led the communication efforts of a national non-profit. 

Angela Bradbery

Frank Karel Endowed Chair in Public Interest Communications & Professor of Public Relations

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Elizabeth Calienes

Lecturer – Department of Advertising
Director of Professional Master’s Program
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Kim Walsh-Childers, Ph.D.

Professor – Department of Journalism
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Juliana Fernandes, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor – UF Department of Advertising
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Rachel Grant, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor – UF Department of Journalism
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Jay Hmielowski, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Public Relations
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Myiah Hutchens, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Public Relations
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Norman P. Lewis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor – Department of Journalism
James M. Cox, Jr. Foundation/The Palm Beach Post Professorship in New Media
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Rita Linjuan Men, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Public Relations
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Cynthia Morton Padovano, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Advertising
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Kate Ratliff, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
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Colin Tucker Smith, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
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Frank Waddell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor – Department of Journalism
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Jasmine McNealy

Jasmine McNealy, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Media Production, Management and Technology department of the College of Journalism and Communications, and joined the Center as interim director of research 2022-23.

McNealy’s research focuses on information, communication and technology, with a view toward influencing law and policy. She holds a Ph.D. in mass communication with an emphasis in media law, and a J.D. from the University of Florida, and a bachelor of science degree in both journalism and Afro-American studies from the University of Wisconsin.

She’s now concluding a one-year appointment with the Federal Trade Commission as a technology policy advisor. In 2018-19, she served as a fellow at both Data & Society and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

Rakeem Robinson

Rakeem Robinson, PhD, was a research assistant in the Center for Public Interest Communications who contributed significantly to the center’s projects, including BROKE. A graduate of Liberty University, with a bachelor’s in business administration, Rakeem received his PhD from University of Florida posthumously in May of 2023.