Integrated Marketing Communications Convocation
December 09, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Program
Land Acknowledgement
Cianna Hope Reeves
Introduction of Dean
Domenica Herrera Abreu
Welcome
Dean Charles Whitaker (BSJ80, MSJ81)
Vijay Viswanathan
IMC Full-Time Student Speaker
Ria Parab
IMC Professional Student Speaker
Layth Salah Yehyawi
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Maya Santoso Utomo
Keynote Speaker
Jose Costa (IMC04)
IMC Professional Teacher of the Year Presenter
Tifair Gillespie Hamed
IMC Full-Time Teacher of the Year Presenter
Jiaxin (Jessie) Lin
Presentation of Degrees
Closing Remarks
Maria Alvarado
Medill Administration
Charles Whitaker (BSJ80, MSJ81)
Medill Dean
Vijay Viswanathan
Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications and Associate Dean of IMC
Tim Franklin
John M. Mutz Chair in Local News and Senior Associate Dean
Beth Bennett (MSJ97)
Professor and Associate Dean of Journalism
Stephanie Edgerly
Professor and Associate Dean of Research
Dorina Aguilar Rasmussen
Associate Dean of Administration and Student Affairs
Jacqueline Babb
Senior Lecturer and Director of IMC Full-Time Program
Danielle Robinson Bell
Assistant Professor and Director of IMC Professional Program
Speaker Biography
Jose R. Costa has a strong track record of global performance and growth in multi-unit retail operations across multiple industries. He currently serves as CEO of Whistle Express, an express car wash operator with over 130 locations across the southeastern US.
Costa is a change agent who focuses on organizational performance by identifying new growth opportunities, developing integrated strategies, hiring and training exceptional talent, and delivering flawless execution. He is skilled in mergers and acquisitions and integrating complex businesses in both company and franchise operations.
Before his current role, he was the Global Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President of Bojangles Restaurants, which operates over 800 restaurants in 18 states. Costa was responsible for driving the architecture and implementation of the company’s growth plan.
Prior to Bojangles, he served as CEO of For Eyes, which is part of GrandVision, a global leader in optical retail. Earlier in his career, he was Group President of Driven Brands, a leader in the automotive aftermarket space, where he led MAACO®, CARSTAR® and Drive N Style®. During his tenure, he improved the company’s procedures and training practices, raised consistency among franchises, revamped operations and enhanced the look and feel of its advertising.
Additionally, Costa has over 25 years of experience both on the client and agency side, working for companies like Young & Rubicam, Bank of America, PepsiCo and YUM Brands. He also has extensive experience in restructuring and growing portfolio companies for private equity firms like 3G Capital, Harvest Partners, Roark Capital, HAL Investments, The Jordan Company, Durational Capital Management, A&M Capital Opportunities and Oaktree Capital Management in North America and Europe.
Costa was named a “2023 Most Admired CEO” by the Charlotte Business Journal. The award recognizes established local leaders who have a strong vision for their companies, have shown commitment to culture in the workplace and made significant contributions to the Charlotte community. In May 2018, Costa was inducted into Medill Hall of Achievement, the highest honor of the School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. He is currently a member of the school’s Board of Advisers and a board member of Lightbridge Academy.
Costa has a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Speaker Biography
Jose R. Costa has a strong track record of global performance and growth in multi-unit retail operations across multiple industries. He currently serves as CEO of Whistle Express, an express car wash operator with over 130 locations across the southeastern US.
Costa is a change agent who focuses on organizational performance by identifying new growth opportunities, developing integrated strategies, hiring and training exceptional talent, and delivering flawless execution. He is skilled in mergers and acquisitions and integrating complex businesses in both company and franchise operations.
Before his current role, he was the Global Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President of Bojangles Restaurants, which operates over 800 restaurants in 18 states. Costa was responsible for driving the architecture and implementation of the company’s growth plan.
Prior to Bojangles, he served as CEO of For Eyes, which is part of GrandVision, a global leader in optical retail. Earlier in his career, he was Group President of Driven Brands, a leader in the automotive aftermarket space, where he led MAACO®, CARSTAR® and Drive N Style®. During his tenure, he improved the company’s procedures and training practices, raised consistency among franchises, revamped operations and enhanced the look and feel of its advertising.
Additionally, Costa has over 25 years of experience both on the client and agency side, working for companies like Young & Rubicam, Bank of America, PepsiCo and YUM Brands. He also has extensive experience in restructuring and growing portfolio companies for private equity firms like 3G Capital, Harvest Partners, Roark Capital, HAL Investments, The Jordan Company, Durational Capital Management, A&M Capital Opportunities and Oaktree Capital Management in North America and Europe.
Costa was named a “2023 Most Admired CEO” by the Charlotte Business Journal. The award recognizes established local leaders who have a strong vision for their companies, have shown commitment to culture in the workplace and made significant contributions to the Charlotte community. In May 2018, Costa was inducted into Medill Hall of Achievement, the highest honor of the School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications. He is currently a member of the school’s Board of Advisers and a board member of Lightbridge Academy.
Costa has a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
IMC Full-Time Student Speaker
Ria Parab (IMC23), is the 2023 Medill IMC Full-Time graduate student speaker. Originally from California, she considers the Midwest her home away from home. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with a bachelor’s dual degree in Finance and Information Systems. During her time here at Northwestern, she specialized in the Brand, Media, and Data sequences, and spent time serving on the Executive Board of Medill’s Cause Marketing Initiative.
IMC Full-Time Student Speaker
Ria Parab (IMC23), is the 2023 Medill IMC Full-Time graduate student speaker. Originally from California, she considers the Midwest her home away from home. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with a bachelor’s dual degree in Finance and Information Systems. During her time here at Northwestern, she specialized in the Brand, Media, and Data sequences, and spent time serving on the Executive Board of Medill’s Cause Marketing Initiative.
IMC Professional Student Speaker
Layth Yehyawi (IMC23), is the 2023 Medill IMC Professional student speaker. Yehyawi was an IMC Professional Graduate Student Ambassador and is a Manager of Marketing Analytics, Performance & Insights and the Strategic Analyst to the CMO at a Gallagher, a global Chicago-based insurance brokerage.
IMC Professional Student Speaker
Layth Yehyawi (IMC23), is the 2023 Medill IMC Professional student speaker. Yehyawi was an IMC Professional Graduate Student Ambassador and is a Manager of Marketing Analytics, Performance & Insights and the Strategic Analyst to the CMO at a Gallagher, a global Chicago-based insurance brokerage.
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Social Media: #MyMedillStory
Northwestern Alma Mater
Hail to Alma Mater!
We will sing thy praise forever;
All thy sons and daughters
Pledge thee victory and honor.
Alma Mater, praise be thine,
May thy name forever shine!
Hail to Purple! Hail to White!
Hail to thee, Northwestern!