About the Authors
Meet the 5 authors of Life Before Noon. Feel free to email or connect with us anytime.
Carla Blumenthal
Since a young age, Carla has loved reading, writing and speaking. She recently became interested in how people form relationships and how the Internet is changing—well– the world. Perhaps this is what fuels her love (obsession) for people watching, big cities, and coffee shops (all both individually and separate).
In February 2008 during her senior year at James Madison University, she co-founded Life Before Noon, where she writes about Generation Y, personal development and social media. She has had the opportunity to speak to college audiences, including MIT, about the importance of blogging in personal and professional development.
Her work experiences include internships at PepsiCo and Nautica in Internal Communications and Public Relations in New York. During my undergraduate career, she served as the senior speech consultant for JMU’s Communication Resource Center, Member Development Chair for Delta Delta Delta, and VP of Public Relations for a presidential student government campaign. During the summer of 2006, she studied abroad in Antwerp, Belgium where she took marketing classes and traveled throughout Europe.
She is a 2008 graduate of James Madison University where she majored in Communication Studies and currently lives in Boston where she is a Master’s student in Emerson College’s Global Marketing Communication program. She hopes to build a career that combines her passions, talents and love for social media, traveling, and connecting people.
Carla may be contacted at carla@carlablumenthal.com. Follow Carla on Twitter @carlastephanie.
Rachel Canfield
Rachel Canfield graduated in 2008 from James Madison University (JMU) with a degree in public relations and print journalism. During her years at JMU, Rachel worked as an Editorial Assistant and Student Researcher for the Journal of Mine Action; the Managing Editor of The Bluestone, JMU’s yearbook; and a Student Speech Consultant at the Communication Resource Center.
Following her graduation, Rachel moved to Washington, D.C., to work in business development with a leading global strategic communication consultancy.
Rachel can be contacted at rachellbn1@gmail.com.
Marilyn Coates
Marilyn Coates is currently employed as an event planner for the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. She graduated from James Madison University in 2008 with a B.S. degree in communication studies with a double minor in sports communication and sport and recreation management.
At JMU, Marilyn worked as part of the student staff at JMU Events and Conferences as a building and event manager. She also spent two summers, 2005 and 2006, as a sports writer for the Danville Register and Bee in Danville, Va., and one summer, 2007, as an administrative coordinator and marketing intern for JMU Events and Conferences. In 2006, she also completed a practicum for JMU Sports Media as the women’s soccer and basketball beat writer. Additonally, Marilyn participated in the IABC, PRSSA, Student Duke Club, CHOICES and Relay for Life.
Marilyn can be contacted at marilynlbn@gmail.com.
Aida Fazlic
Aida Fazlic graduated from James Madison University (JMU) in 2008 with a degree in Communication Studies and minors in French and Technical Communication. While at JMU, Aida was a member and Chair for the University Program Board, serving on the Public Relations Committee and Contemporary Issues Committee. She was also a member of Alpha Sigma Tau and worked at the Communication Resource Center as a Student Speech Consultant.
Aida is orginially from Bosnia and Herzegovina and has an extensive international background. She speaks English, French and Bosnian. In the summer of 2007, she interned for an international organization in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she organized and planned a workshop on television in the new media era. Currently, she is interning in the press and public information unit of another international organization located in Sarajevo.
Aida can be contacted at aidalbn3@gmail.com.
Haley Rice
Haley Rice is a senior communication studies major with a concentration in public relations at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Va. She is also receiving a minor in sociology. She is involved in such activities as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) and Lambda Pi Eta Communication Studies Honor Society. She is also a student member of the National Communication Association (NCA). For the past three years, Haley has been an active member of the University Program Board’s Public Relations, Marketing and Arts and Entertainment committees. Through this experience, she has gotten to work closely with the local media and learned innovative marketing and promotional strategies.
Currently, Haley is a public relations intern at the March of Dimes in Harrisonburg. She has extensive experience writing and designing for non-profit organizations. She has also has been a public relations volunteer for Sunflower Cottage, Valley Program for Aging Services and Caregivers Community Network.
Haley can be contacted at haley.e.rice@gmail.com.
