Kathleen Ferrell is a results-oriented communication, marketing, and events professional who brings 20 years of expertise in managing high-impact initiatives and fostering strong stakeholder relationships. Currently serving as the Associate Director for Communications, Media, and Special Projects at Stony Brook University, Kathleen has established herself as a versatile leader capable of navigating the complex intersection of higher education, economic development, and industry outreach.
Throughout her tenure at Stony Brook, Kathleen has demonstrated a unique ability to manage fast-paced, multi-faceted projects with exceptional attention to detail. In her current leadership role, she works with a professional team in the Office for Research and Innovation (OR&I) responsible for a vast digital and print ecosystem, including the maintenance of fourteen websites, the production of area newsletters, and the creation of content for national webinars and multiple social media platforms. Her creative reach also extends to graphic design, where she helps develop program collateral and signage.
Kathleen is perhaps most recognized for her prowess in event architecture and management. She directs major university events from inception to completion, managing every detail from specific budgets to complex "Run of Show" logistics. Her portfolio includes some of the region's most significant gatherings, such as the AEC Conferences in New York City, which draw upwards of 1,500 attendees and 250 speakers while garnering sponsorships, building a show floor, arranging rooms, AV, security, etc. Whether she is organizing a high-energy CEWIT Hackathon or coordinating sensitive VIP visits for OR&I, Kathleen’s approach is defined by a commitment to delivering informative and sound communications.