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Juliana Martins

Class of 2019

Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies

Juliana recently made Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 North America list for media as the founder of Eleven11 Media Relations, a media relations company launched in 2020 in New York City to support brands that could not afford to sign with large agencies after the COVID pandemic. Her company has brought in six figures of revenue in 2022 alone, working on past projects with names such as Shaquille O'Neal and Grammy-nominated singer Kesha.

Please tell us more about the inspiration behind your company’s founding and how your work is meaningful to you.

Starting Eleven11 Media Relations was not a dream I’ve had for ages, but instead, presented itself out of identifying a gap in the public relations (PR) market of brands that valued quality PR support, yet could not afford a mid-sized or large agency. I started working on a referral basis with clients I knew or connected with through mutual friends and the company began to grow from word of mouth. My work is meaningful to me as we are very selective with clients, companies, and brands we connect with. We are a boutique agency, so we offer quality and attentive service to our clients, and do not over-saturate our roster to ensure we can continue the elevated level of service that our clients deserve. Being able to support someone’s dream and be a part of their journey and growing success is such a special feeling.

What would you say is the secret to your success, and so early in your career? What advice would you give to those who seek to be entrepreneurs?

I believe the secret to being successful is forming genuine and thoughtful relationships and to be mindful of maintaining and cultivating relationships. It is easy to meet somebody, as we meet people every day; what you do after that initial meeting is what matters. Every business in the world is based on the foundation of relationships, so they should always be a top priority. My advice is to go the extra mile to send that text, call that person, and write that handwritten note. Stay in touch with people, be genuine and kind because you want to, and if it turns into a business opportunity or career lead one day, incredible. If not, you have a great relationship regardless.

Why did you choose to major in Communication and Media Studies and how has your degree prepared you for your career?

Our entire world and existence are based on relationships and communication, and so, knowing how to effectively communicate will help you positively navigate almost every situation (or at least give you a leg up), in real life, including personal relationships and in every career. My degree helped nurture and refine my communication skills and helped emphasize the importance of these skills through mindfully thinking about them over the course of my education. I also had the best internship of my life in my junior year at a PR agency called EvolveMKD, one that provided hands-on experience and learning from some of the smartest women in the field. I highly recommend internships, as I had no idea what PR really was or if I’d like it until this internship completely opened my eyes and kickstarted my career. They are also great for job security, as I got hired by this company upon finishing my degree.

My degree helped nurture and refine my communication skills and helped emphasize the importance of these skills through mindfully thinking about them over the course of my education.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

Pace has acclaimed communications and business programs, and I felt that I would have many real-world learning experiences there, as it’s also located in downtown Manhattan and the city was our campus. Many of the professors at Pace also still had ongoing careers and connections in the city outside of teaching. In addition, I was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas and was very lucky to move to a city and attend a university that is very accepting of different cultures and communities. Both attending a progressive university and later finding a workplace that is inclusive of diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential for facilitating positive career growth.

How had faculty been instrumental in your journey?

Although many of my courses, such as one taken in world religions, provided me with well-rounded knowledge, others were especially thought-provoking even outside of the classroom. For example, Professor Harvey Markovitz in the marketing department of the Lubin School of Business was one of my favorites. I’d go home after class to my dad’s house and always regurgitate everything learned in that class to him, as I was super excited about how to apply my learnings in the real world. His class helped me make immediate changes to advance my career, such as teaching me how to create an effective elevator pitch, how to have a competitive LinkedIn profile and bio for job searches, and so forth.

College is a significant time in a person’s life. In what ways has your time as a student influenced you to become the person you are today?

Being a Pace student had brought me the best friends I could ask for. Growing up, I felt a disconnect to some people in my hometown due to the nontraditional family I was brought up in (having gay fathers) and it not being the most understood and accepted family dynamic at that time. When I came to Pace, I ended up meeting the best people in my life from sitting in the library between classes. I have shared many laughs and life experiences with these friends, and we have gone through so much together. We are all still in a group chat today that we still communicate in on a weekly if not daily basis. I go on trips with our core girl group multiple times a year and we will forever be friends due to Pace. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the incredible love and support we have poured into each other over the years.

What advice would you give to our students, as they navigate their college life?

You are probably tired of me saying this, but prioritize relationships and friendships. Go to your classes and learn, but also don’t rush home or to your dorm. Build those relationships, because once college ends, those are people that will stick with you for life and bring continued happiness if you invest genuine time and effort into each other.

In 2018, a disgruntled hotel guest triggered a profound realization for Seidenberg grad and serial entrepreneur, Mochii De Castro.

As an LGBTQ+ immigrant from the Philippines, Mochii thought she'd made it–she had achieved her dream of working at a prestigious hotel where she could make the most of her MBA in International Business. But one day, a phone call from an irate guest changed everything.

What was the guest so disgruntled about? "Grapes," Mochii reveals. "Back in 2018, I used to be in a different field. I worked in hospitality management at a 5 star hotel in Beverly Hills catering to the top 1%. One day I received a call from an irate guest. He was so angry, he was like 'how many times am I gonna tell you never put red grapes in my room?! WE ONLY EAT GREEN GRAPES!' This was a wake up call. I immediately realized that I didn't want to do this for the rest of my life."

On a quest for a career change, Mochii realized that getting into tech would afford her the opportunities to grow in more fruitful ways. She discovered ikigai–the Japanese concept of finding purpose—and led Mochii to Pace University.

"In my quest to find my true calling, I discovered the Japanese concept of ikigai, which focuses on finding the intersection of one's passion, skills, societal needs, and earning potential. After careful introspection, I found my life's purpose in data science, with a particular emphasis on automating tedious tasks using artificial intelligence. I was determined to make a more significant impact on the world than merely solving grape-related problems."

Mochii joined the Seidenberg School's M.S. in Data Science program in 2020. Despite lacking coding skills and the necessary calculus foundation, Mochii worked tirelessly to excel in her coursework. She was rewarded for her hard work with her second master's degree–this time in data science.

Now, as a Pace alum, Mochii's mission to live into her ikigai has led her to build a fascinating startup. Asterabrand is an AI tool that auto brands a company and projects the vision of the founder into tangible branding assets. To use the tool, founders and marketing directors answer a variety of probing questions about the company's mission, vision, and values to receive a comprehensive analysis of the brand with suggestions for creating–as the company states–a "harmonious, impactful, and authentic brand identity that truly resonates with who you are and what you stand for."

Harnessing the creative and analytical power of AI, Mochii built a platform that supplies mission and vision statements, branding assets such as brand colors, fonts, images and even web and social media copy.

Mochii wove in astrological imagery and rhetoric to bring Asterabrand even more to life, referring to brand personalities as constellations containing clusters with different archetypal characteristics to them, giving Asterabrand its own unique brand constellation too–based on Mochii's vision for her future.

"My journey of self-discovery and resilience has taught me that it is not a magical map that leads us to our purpose, but rather our daily choices and determination. I am grateful to Pace University for helping me get closer to my dreams," she says.

"All I’m saying is that you are the greatest project you will ever work on, so don’t be afraid to be different. Be afraid of being like everybody else."

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On Thursday, December 8, 2023, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s Land Use Law Center hosted the 22nd annual Alfred B. DelBello Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference. This year’s conference theme was Balancing Economic Realities with Environmental and Social Concerns. Additionally, as part of a pre-conference ceremony, the Center honored three individuals at their Founder’s Award Reception.

The Founder’s Award Reception held the evening before the annual conference provides a platform to recognize a current Haub Law student, a Haub Law alumni, and an individual or municipality. This year, current Haub Law student Gabriella Mickel was selected as the recipient of the second annual Professor John R. Nolon Student Achievement Award for her dedication and commitment to excellence in fulfilling the mission of the Land Use Law Center. “I am honored to have received the John R. Nolon Student Achievement Award. The Land Use Law Center blends innovative teaching, mentorship, and research to produce action-oriented solutions,” said Gabriella. “Currently, over 35 students are working with the Center, hosting workshops, writing blogs and articles, assisting local governments, and contributing to state-level programs. It’s the kind of place that offers students like me the opportunity to succeed, and I am extremely grateful.”

In addition to the student award, two other awards are given out annually. Michael J. Goonan ‘11, a shareholder with Greenberg Traurig, LLP and a Haub Law alumnus, was the recipient of the Distinguished Young Attorney Award, as a result of his continued commitment to land use and real estate law. Finally, Michael D. Zarin, co-founder of his firm, Zarin & Steinmetz, LLP and an adjunct professor of law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, was honored with the Founder’s Award in recognition of his ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with numerous communities and his career of work geared towards positive change. These three significant awards were presented by Jessica Bacher, Executive Director, Land Use Law Center, Tiffany Zezula, Deputy Director, Land Use Law Center, and John R. Nolon, Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus and Co-Counsel, Land Use Law Center.

Each year, the Annual Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference brings together hundreds of attorneys, business professionals, academics, and local leaders to learn about national, regional, and local innovations and best practices. These thought leaders and policy makers convene to confront the challenges that are faced in land use. This year’s conference theme, Balancing Economic Realities with Environmental and Social Concerns, featured sessions on comprehensive and environmental plans and tools, affordable green housing, takings law and case updates, ethics in law and planning, resiliency and energy and so much more.

The morning portion of this year’s conference featured sessions on ethics, and a morning keynote session, Planning the New York Metropolitan Region, delivered by Tom Wright, President & CEO, Regional Plan Association. In the afternoon, breakout sessions were held on Green and Resilient Affordable Housing along with a session focused on surveying the evolution of the takings law, its impact, and where the future seems to be taking us in this area. Experts, academics, and practitioners in these areas participated in these sessions, adding insight, posing questions, and engaging the audience throughout.

This year, the Groundbreaker’s Award Recipient was Barbara Kendall, a Coastal Resources Specialist in the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Unit in the Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure at the New York State Department of State. The award was presented by Tiffany Zezula. During her career, Barbara Kendall worked with communities to provide the tools and resources to balance environmental and economic goals, with a large focus on consensus building as part of that process. In 1996, in her capacity as Director of the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council, she participated in the first version of the Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program, called the Community Leadership Alliance program. Barbara also worked at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Throughout her career, Barbara has remained committed to coming up with practical solutions to real life problems while engaging stakeholders positively. During the presentation of the award, Tiffany noted that, “Barbara is a champion of the environment and has used her strength as a leader and facilitator to guide watershed groups and municipalities into effective champions of environmental protection, including the creation of the Wappinger Watershed Intermunicipal Council, which remains active since 1999 and involves 14 municipalities.”

During the conference, Christian Dorsey, Chair, Arlington County Board, delivered an informative keynote address on How Arlington, Virginia became the first jurisdiction in the National Capital Area to eliminate single-family only residential zoning. Christian detailed the timeline that, in March 2023, the Arlington County Board unanimously voted to expand housing options in residential areas previously zoned exclusively for single-family homes. He noted that over the past two decades housing costs in Arlington County have risen significantly, quickly outpacing the buying power of the average household. He explained in detail how the decision to allow up to six units on lots zoned for low density residential followed years of significant public engagement and debate from Arlington residents, focused on concerns about the environment, infrastructure, and more. The discussion focused on the overall engagement process and the overall complexities, which ultimately resulted in the Board’s historic decision.

The conference continued with additional sessions and breakout sessions, with a focus on sustainability, environmental planning, new technologies, and energy, as related to land use law. The last session, a Law Update Session, titled “Lessons from Luminaries of Land Law: Latest and Greatest Decisions,” featured well-established Land Use Law scholars and practitioners. Historic cases and decisions were discussed along with predictions on where the law is headed in the future.

Each year, the Conference is made possible by the generosity of a significant number of sponsors who believe in the mission of the Land Use Law Center and the importance of this annual conference. This year, top sponsors included DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, LLP, Collins Capital Partners LLC, Zarin & Steinmetz LLP, The Oram Foundation, Inc., and Hocherman, Tortorella, and Wekstein, LLP, and the Housing Action Council. You can learn more about the specific conference agenda and sponsors in the detailed 2023 Conference agenda program.

This year, the annual conference wrapped up with a Land Use Law Center 30^th Anniversary Celebration Reception. Established in 1993 by Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus John R. Nolon, this year marks 30 years since the Land Use Law Center was established. Since its inception, the LULC has remained dedicated to fostering the development of sustainable communities through the promotion of innovative land use strategies and collaborative decision-making techniques, as well as leadership training, research, education, and technical assistance. Through its many programs, the Center offers municipalities, land use leaders, citizens, advocates, planners, attorneys, real estate industry leaders, and other land use professionals assistance that enables them to achieve their development and conservation goals. Its activities provide opportunities for students of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University to gain in-depth, practical experience that allows them to become practice-ready attorneys serving private, public, and non-governmental clients. The Land Use Law Center is the preeminent center of its kind offering extensive research and consulting services; conferences, seminars, and clinics; law school courses; practitioner and citizen-leader training programs; continuing legal education programs; multimedia resources; and frequent publications on sustainable land use and community development.