Maureen Higgins Account Executive at Scott Circle Communications

I'm a connector — of dots and people. A strategist, publicist, marketer, social entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and writer with 20+ years in various culture-shaping worlds — advertising, media, interactive design, photography, technology, television and fashion — before applying my corporate skills to social impact.

Caroline (Sanchez) Avakian is an Emmy-nominated TV correspondent, speaker, social entrepreneur and communications strategist working to leverage technology, global development and new media relations models to promote a more diverse and inclusive news reporting landscape. Caroline is the founder of SourceRise, a global social tech enterprise that connect reporters and bloggers to on-the ground expert sources and NGOs, in an effort to bridge the growing information gap in foreign news reporting. Caroline is also the Managing Partner at Socialbrite - a leading social media for nonprofits consultancy and digital learning hub that brings together top experts in social causes and social media. Caroline also lends her time as a faculty and board member of the ELLA Leadership Institute, an organization advancing the lives and leadership of women through innovative leadership programs. Previously, Caroline served as the Communications Director and United Nations Representative for Trickle Up and as the Director of Communications & External Relations for FilmAid International. In 2007, Caroline was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work as a television correspondent. Caroline has been featured in The New York Times, is a contributor to the Huffington Post and has appeared as a guest on television shows such as CNN’s Inside Africa, The Today Show, Good Day New York, CW11 Morning News and Univision’s Despierta America. She's a frequent speaker and panelist on topics such as the use of media and digital communications as a tool for global health, social and economic development. Her work has taken her to Asia, Central America, the Middle East and East Africa, where she has taught participatory video workshops in refugee camps - helping refugee youth find their voice and communicate their stories. Caroline has a Bachelor of Science in Communications from St. John’s University, and a Master of Arts from Antioch University. Caroline was born and raised in Queens, New York City, and currently lives in the NYC Metropolitan area with her husband and two year-old daughter, Sabina.

Currently Managing Director for the National Guestworker Alliance, a migrant workers' rights organization. Formerly with SEIU and the Working Families Party. Strategist for off- and online progressive, economic-justice-oriented organizing campaigns for 20+ years. Electoral, legislative, issue-based--but only on the left side of the aisle, please. I guarantee that I have driven to parts of Pennsylvania you didn't know existed.