Jacob Strautmann, associate director, is a long-time Boston University employee where he initially served as the managing director of Boston Playwrights’ Theatre and department manager of Economics. He also taught creative writing for twenty years to BU undergraduates in the genres of poetry, fiction, and playwriting. Within DevCom he develops print-based media and keeps a hand in operations. His collections of poetry The Land of the Dead Is Open for Business (2020) and New Vrindaban (forthcoming 2024) are available from Four Way Books.

Jason Marder is DevCom’s integrated media producer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and spent his early career working as a camera assistant on several films, commercials, and television shows shot in and around New York City. After earning a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University, Jason spent over ten years in the field shooting and editing news stories at several Massachusetts affiliates and some networks. He’s covered stories throughout the US in addition to assignments in Liberia and Uganda. A devoted father of twin boys, Jason spends his off-hours thinking about and coaching Little League while trying to avoid the unflattering spotlight of social media. It is not easy.

Joëlle Tahta (she/her) is DevCom’s digital graphic designer. She received her bachelor’s degree in design from the University of California, Davis. Joëlle joined DevCom soon after graduating, where she was simultaneously working for UC Davis’ College of Letters and Science and their student-run newspaper The California Aggie. Joëlle is responsible for the creation and execution of multimedia and digital projects. She is also the team’s resident Zillennial and loves to be a brand guardian. Originally from Montana, Joëlle is an avid hiker and enjoys quality time outdoors. Yee-haw!

Julia Serazio is DevCom’s executive director and guides the creation of development communications ranging from strategies and brands to print, digital, and video products that inform and engage donors and alumni. She also helps dream up and execute high-level events. Julia holds degrees from Cornell and Columbia and came to BU from Yale, where she worked in development communications during the record-breaking “Yale Tomorrow” campaign. Before that, she spent a decade as a journalist, holding editorial roles at The Houston Press, New York Magazine, and Condé Nast Portfolio. Julia is a Boston native and will say yes to any activity involving cooking, running, or watching/griping about the Patriots.

Louise Kennedy is DevCom’s associate director, editorial & new media content. Louise came to DevCom after a long career as a Boston arts journalist. Most recently, she was senior producer for arts engagement at The ARTery, WBUR’s multimedia home for arts and culture. She also launched WBUR’s multimedia platform Edify for education coverage and founded the station’s department of community engagement. Before that, Louise was an editor and writer at The Boston Globe, most recently as chief theater critic. An Ohio native, she also worked at various newspapers and magazines, some of which still exist.

Maureen Murray joined the team as director of DevCom in May 2022 after living as an expat in Singapore for 13 years. She left her global communications role at INSEAD, a top international business school, during the pandemic to be closer to family. Early in her career, she worked at the Whitehead Institute at MIT. In both positions, Maureen zeroed in on branding and content strategies that fueled successful capital campaigns—and developed life-long friends along the way. She credits her management style to INSEAD, her fascination with innovation to MIT, and her love of the written word to Williams College, Bennington College, and her mother.

Melissa Manning is DevCom’s senior graphic designer. Melissa graduated from Framingham State University with a bachelor’s degree in art studio. Before joining BU, she worked as a graphic designer at an outdoor education nonprofit (Hale Education), a logistics software company (Blume Global), and for the Boston Public Schools’ district. Melissa’s DevCom responsibilities include conceptualizing and designing visually compelling communication pieces, in print and digital formats. She also helps brand events and other alumni programs. Outside of work, you can find her exploring new trails—or collecting yet another houseplant to add to her at-home and in-office jungles.

Scott Ellison, assistant director for digital content and design, brings a distinctive global and cultural perspective to his role. With a BFA from Northeastern University, Scott has lived in several locations worldwide, including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Austin, San Jose, Toulouse, and Boston. Before joining DevCom in 2018, he worked in Boston’s publishing industry for 14 years. Scott is passionate about traveling, art, cultural experiences, and technology. He is responsible for designing print and multimedia/digital projects, overseeing Devcom’s websites, and keeping abreast of the latest innovations in new digital channels.

Steve Thaw is DevCom’s project manager. He returned to BU to join the team in July 2023 after eight years at Amazon as a program manager, technical content writer, and data analyst for Alexa products and fulfillment center hardware engineers. He brings a passion for using technology to improve and automate business processes and optimize team collaboration. Steve graduated from BU’s College of Communication in 2009 with a degree in Film and Television Screenwriting. Outside of a brief detour to Hollywood, he’s lived in Boston ever since arriving at BU as a freshman. On weekends from October through April, near or far, you’ll find him wherever the BU men’s hockey team is playing.

Suzan Glaum is DevCom’s creative director. She is passionate about the design industry and has extensive experience in print, web, and multimedia. Her work has been widely recognized and exhibited at galleries throughout Europe and the United States, and she’s won several awards. Her DevCom responsibilities include oversight of the department’s design and new media efforts and the design of print and multimedia fundraising materials used throughout the University. She works closely with the DevCom director and supervises the department’s design and new media team to produce high-quality products that are consistent with BU brand standards.