Nanci Isaacs ’79
Board Role: President
Degree: BS, Mass Communication: Radio
Lives in: Los Angeles
Career: Senior Real Estate Specialist at Compass
Emerson Point of Pride: My Emerson pride shines brightest when giving my biannual Apartment Search Workshops for Emerson LA seniors or mentoring members of the EBONI Alumni organization. There is a certain extra feeling of warmth when you can help someone find their place in the world…starting with
a place to call home after Emerson. But two shining moments in particular over the past years truly warm my heart: In 2018, receiving the Spirit of Emerson Award from President Pelton along with Stephen Farrier ’75 and Leslie Moraes Davis ’80. And then accepting the Black Excellence Award on behalf of the EBONI Organization in acknowledgment of its 50th Anniversary in 2019.
Paul J. Morra ’95
Board Role: Vice President
Degree: BS, Mass Communication
Lives in: Malibu, CA
Career: Founder, Executive Producer, and Director of Swift River Productions
Emerson Point of Pride: Besides serving as class president all four years, I am proud to have co-chaired the Alumni Board’s Professional Development Committee, which was instrumental in creating and launching the Career Advisory Network (CAN) in partnership with Emerson LA. This was something we wished we had when we were students…an opportunity to build strong personal connections within the alumni network. CAN helps students prepare for careers by providing professional insight and guidance through a series of panels and small group discussions. It helps students know they aren’t alone when they come to LA. The Emerson community is here for them.
Tim Stanley ’89
Board Role: Treasurer
Degree: BS, Mass Communication
Lives in: Minneapolis, MN
Career: Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund; Faculty at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul
Emerson Point of Pride: I’m proud of the longevity of the Kasteel Well program. My time there as a student was transformative, and I love having that connection with so many others who have gone to the Castle over the years. Now, as an alumnus and Board member, it’s humbling and inspiring to see that same sense of true community come to life in our gifts to the Student and Family Crisis Relief Fund. Our alumni are a force of compassion and of action and seeing how we all came together to support our students when COVID hit was powerful, inspiring, and deeply touching.
Marlene McCurtis ’79
Board Role: Secretary
Degree: BS, Mass Communication: Broadcast Journalism
Lives in: Los Angeles
Career: Freelance TV and Documentary Director/Producer and Creative Writing Teaching Artist
Emerson Point of Pride: It’s been such a joy to get to know our alumni volunteers! My work on the Member Engagement Committee includes supporting the alumni who lead our regional and affinity chapters. I get to support them in designing (and reaching) their hopes and goals for their groups and celebrate their successes. Like all Emersonians, they are creative, driven, and fun, and I so enjoy this part of my role.
Carla Lewis ’86
Board Role: Past President
Degree: BS, Mass Communication: Journalism
Lives in: Brooklyn, NY
Career: Head of Business Development at OceanX
Emerson Point of Pride: Seeing alumni from across the country and around the world making connections and having fun at Emerson events. I love walking into a room filled with members of our diverse family and seeing everyone find commonalities. Whether it’s on campus in LA, at a restaurant in NYC, at a brunch in Boca, or at a panel at Sundance, Emersonians are not wallflowers! We enjoy connecting, looking for ways to support one another, and having fun together.
Patricia Peyton ’84
Board Role: Representative to the Board of Trustees
Degree: BS in Speech (Organizational Behavior)
Lives in: Scottsdale, AZ, and Philadelphia, PA
Career: Leadership and Sales Consultant and Author of Physical Intelligence
Emerson Point of Pride: Today’s students are an important creative force, as Emersonians have been throughout time, and we have each other’s backs. Coming from varied backgrounds, including first-generation students, like myself, they bring their artistry and their full selves to everything they do. Emerson students are not just our future leaders—they are already leaders. They are creators and change-makers, “broadcasting” the stories that must be told. The work we do on the Alumni Board and the Board of Trustees is designed to give them the resources they need to be successful and make their mark on the world—reinforcing a culture of generosity where we support the students of today and know that they will support the students of tomorrow.
David G. Breen ’78
Board Role: Representative to the Board of Advisors
Degree: BS, Theater Education; Design/Technical Theater
Lives in: Watertown, MA
Career: Principal Designer/Founder of VDA, Inc.
Emerson Point of Pride: Right now, Emerson students need financial aid and scholarship dollars more than ever. I’m so proud that years ago, the Board established the Alumni Association Scholarship to support students. Seeing my fellow Board members and alumni friends stepping up to increase their support now, even when many of us have ourselves been negatively impacted by the pandemic, is humbling.
