The beginning of 2023 brings us another new group of talented individuals joining our agency. We are thrilled to welcome them into the fold! Please join us in congratulating the newest members of the SimpsonScarborough team, and learn more about their roles below.
As our new Associate Vice President of Research & Analytics, Reya Calistes oversees the work and growth of our research and analytics team. She finds people and how they communicate fascinating and thrives on exploring data and drawing holistic audience insights to provide context to research findings. Reya prides herself on being method neutral (i.e., leveraging any method to answer the question) and considers herself to be a #foreverstudent.
Prior to joining SimpsonScarborough, Reya led and designed global studies for Fortune 500 companies and non-profits in the public health, financial, and higher education sector. In her 15+ year career, she has worked for Edelman DXI, Purdue University, Indiana University, SSRS, and NM Incite. Driven by the need to make social impact, Reya finds higher education to be the most fulfilling way to achieve that goal.
Born in Sri Lanka, raised in Pakistan, and living in the U.S. for the past 25 years, Reya is a third culture kid, wannabe global nomad, music and dance lover, and chronic TV series binger. You can talk to her about anything Agatha Christie, badminton, and soccer (i.e., real football). She currently lives in Indianapolis, IN, with her husband and their two children.
Tyler Eddinger-May joins us as our new Integrated Strategist, and will help bring brands to life by developing data-informed omni-channel integrated marketing strategies. Tyler works with clients to uncover what makes them unique, assisting them in authentically showcasing these differentiators to their campus communities.
Tyler comes to SimpsonScarborough with over five years of in-house higher education experience. During his tenure he held many positions and wore many hats within admissions and enrollment management, culminating with his time as the marketing and social media manager for the Division of Enrollment Management at Florida State University. Tyler believes the best strategy is developed when all voices and lived experiences are valued, respected, and given a seat at the table.
As a first-generation student, Tyler knows first-hand how life-altering obtaining a college degree can be—not just for oneself, but for generations to come. After an undergraduate internship on an integrated marketing team, Tyler knew he had found a career path that married his love for science and data with his creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
When he is not tackling his latest DIY project or finding any excuse to redecorate his home, you can find Tyler out with his two Boston Terriers or at home binging the latest popular show. Tyler is always ready to cross off a bucket list adventure or travel destination and thinks that trying local cuisine and experiences are the best parts of traveling.
Alex Ferri is SimpsonScarborough's newest Digital Content Producer, and will work to bring our clients’ web and digital content to life. From researching, to writing, to publishing, she ensures all content types support long-term brand and strategic goals across digital platforms. Cultivating the best student and user experience possible is her priority, and delivering the right content to the right user at the right time is her jam.
Alex has spent her career in higher education, starting in Residence Life & Student activities in Student Affairs. Most recently, she was a member of the Old Dominion University Communications department, where she worked as a digital/social media specialist, web communications specialist, and as Interim Director of Web & Digital Communications, where she led the ODU web redesign project. Her love for higher ed was sparked by her own college experiences as a student leader; she now focuses that passion on helping students navigate their institution’s digital experiences.
A New England expat, Alex now calls Norfolk, VA her home with her husband and cat. She has an unparalleled caffeine addiction which helps fuel her in and out of work. When she's not working, she enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, watching British panel television shows (Big Fat Quiz, Would I Lie?, Taskmaster), mixing up an experimental cocktail, reading fantasy/occult novels, taking hot girl walks, and baking sweet treats.
Please say hello to our newest Account Executive, Austin Arias. He works to ensure day-to-day project success by fostering meaningful relationships with both clients and agency peers. An award-winning higher education professional, Austin’s experience includes student engagement, leadership development, student transition and retention, and marketing and communications. His previous employers include The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), William Peace University, University of South Florida, Illinois State University, Furman University, and Bradley University.
Austin views his career in higher education as an opportunity to pay it forward and thank the many professionals who mentored and developed him. His time as an overinvolved student leader helped him see his impact on the collegiate experience could be much greater.
In addition to his time at SimpsonScarborough, Austin travels the country as a leadership and organizational development expert, delivering programs and coaching in both higher education and corporate spaces. He lives in Nashville, TN, where he spends his free time with his rescue dog and takes advantage of the city's constant availability of live music.