Meet The Women of the AMA SF Board

The AMA SF board brings together talented marketers from across the Bay Area, and we’re proud that many dedicated women give their time and attention to ensure our events, webinars, and marketing go off without a hitch. This Women’s History Month, we’re thrilled to highlight the women who make it happen on AMA SF’s 2023-2024 board. Meet them below and connect with them on LinkedIn.

Khushi Arora, VP of Early Career; Co-founder, Externship Academy

Connect with Khushi on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

Volunteering on the AMA-SF Board allows me to adopt a unique perspective that pushes past my everyday 9-to-5 community. Instead, it allows me to work with those looking for career development opportunities early in their lives. Leading the Externship Academy offers real-life marketing experience to students of all levels and early grads, while also first-hand assisting small businesses with their marketing efforts. It’s a win-win! 

I have been able to grow the organization by leading programs involving young professionals to ultimately expand the SF marketing community’s knowledge, experiences, and skill sets. This experience strengthens my perspective and approach in all aspects of my career.  

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

My hope for women in marketing this year is to push past the imposter syndrome we all experience! I consistently see women successfully leading the marketing space, yet still not having the confidence to showcase their abilities due to biases and social pressures. I wish to see the implementation of this candid conversation within the female marketing community, empowering and mentoring each other to push past these adversities.

Arianna Azevedo, Creative Director and Visual Designer

Connect with Arianna on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

Volunteering for AMA SF has been incredibly helpful for my job search. I’ve featured projects from AMA in my design portfolio and often mention AMA SF during interviews. It’s given me valuable experience that compliments my career goals. I’ve also had the opportunity to explore new roles. This year, I helped plan our Career Accelerator event and served as the day-of coordinator. AMA has really pushed me to try new things!

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

My hope is that we continue to support each other in this challenging job market. I’ve seen many posts on LinkedIn about layoffs and the frustrations of job hunting. However, I’m inspired by all the responses offering to make introductions, provide referrals, and give career guidance. Looking for a new job can be exhausting, and having a supportive network is crucial. 

Sukriti Khosla, Vice President of Events and Communication

Connect with Sukriti on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

Volunteering on the board has significantly impacted my career. By actively contributing to the organization’s growth through participation in events, sharing insights, and staying updated on industry trends, I have been able to give back to the marketing community and enhance my professional skills. This involvement serves as a valuable platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and playing a direct role in shaping the dynamic marketing landscape. The overall experience has not only contributed to my personal growth, but has also empowered me to exert a positive influence on the broader marketing industry.

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

In the approaching year, there is a collective desire to see aspirations for opportunities, recognition, and empowerment within the industry. The aim is to further advance gender equality, propel women into leadership positions, and implement initiatives fostering diversity and inclusivity. The vision is to witness women thriving, overcoming barriers, and making substantial contributions to the ongoing development of the marketing profession.

Janet Lautenberger, Vice President of Membership

Connect with Janet on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

Involvement in non-profit organizations is always a life-enhancer. Volunteering on the AMA SF board just happens to enhance my career as well. The networking is incredible and I have learned so much about the media industry. Honesty, I wish I had joined the AMA SF years ago!

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

Sometimes, it feels like women have come so far, and then I’m reminded we have so far to go.  I’m so inspired by the young women I see coming up in marketing. I hope to see more of them at the top of media and marketing companies in the coming years than we do now.

Leslie Lawton, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

I believe in building relationships as key to developing new clients and being an influencer in my specific niche of sustainability and social impact. Attending AMA board meetings has been so illuminating, and I’ve come to know so many great people, professionally and socially. 

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

I want women to have more and more influence over the stories that matter: climate change and DEI.

Elizabeth Mitelman, VP of Early Career, Founder and Lead of AMA SF Externship Academy

Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

 

The AMASF Community has provided invaluable mentorship and leadership opportunities to help me grow as a marketer. In return, I’ve been fortunate to extend marketing opportunities to others, all while cherishing the friendships and support that make AMASF more than just a professional network—it’s a true community.

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

My hope for women in marketing in the coming year is to see increased representation in leadership roles and equal opportunities for advancement. I hope that Women in Marketing continue to find opportunities to lead, make a difference, and change the corporate landscape, showcasing their talents and driving innovation in the industry.

Stella Morrison, Content Marketing Editor

Connect with Stella on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

I moved to California from the east coast and had to build new professional networks in a whole new place. Volunteering for AMA SF gave me a key way to meet others in the marketing community here and begin forming meaningful and fruitful connections. I also love that I get to be hands-on with AMA SF’s content creation in a way that I’m not in my day to day.

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

I want women to continue being real about our experiences. We are stronger together, and there’s power in the way we can support each other, uplift one another, and help create professional opportunities that advance all of us.

Irene Sanchez, Vice President of Programming

Connect with Irene on LinkedIn

What value does volunteering on the AMA SF board bring to your career?

Volunteering on the AMA SF board has been an incredible experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was searching for an opportunity to connect with other marketers and strengthen marketing muscles that I don’t get to exercise in my day to day. I found my way to the AMA SF through a friend and former colleague and can honestly say that I have been able to do that and so much more. 

What is your hope for women in marketing in the coming year?

I want women to find more joy in our personal and professional lives. I also want us to thrive in environments that value our talents, perspectives, and creativity.

Be a part of AMA SF

As an AMA SF member, you join a group of passionate and knowledgeable marketers who work with the most famous brands and companies in the Bay Area. From Sausalito to San Jose, marketers come to AMA SF to learn, network, and grow. Join us for a future event or webinar, become a member, and learn how to get involved like the women on our board!

About The Author

Stella is an award-winning former journalist with more than 15 years of editorial experience. Her specialties are in content creation for SEO, brand voice development, content marketing strategy, and editorial calendar creation and management. She is a newcomer to California by way of New Jersey and New York. As the Content Marketing Editor for AMA-SF, Stella works with the organization’s board to develop, create, and deploy editorial content. This content supports the organization’s mission to connect Bay Area marketers and encourage thought leadership from AMA-SF board members that elevates the chapter’s profile regionally and nationally. Stella is the owner of award-winning content marketing firm The Stellastra Effect and of cannabis digital marketing agency CannaContent. Prior to opening her agencies, Stella worked in the licensing industry, overseeing product lines, enforcing brand voice standards for international brands, and developing private-label brands in consumer electronics, home lighting, and kitchen products. When not at her desk, you’ll find Stella singing to her houseplants, searching for great sushi spots, and thrifting for vintage treasures and great bargains.