Coming Full Circle at The Garage: Reconnecting with Northwestern in San Francisco

When I first stepped into Northwestern’s San Francisco campus in the fall of 2017, I was a Medill grad student—new to the city and figuring things out. I didn’t expect Medill would mark the beginning of a marketing career that would take me through Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Southern California. I definitely didn’t think I’d be back years later—this time as an alum, living in SF again.

Since moving back and working remotely, I’ve wanted to reconnect with Northwestern and feel part of a community again. In March, I went to a panel at the Garage and ran into JP, who had been the office manager when I was a student. That small moment brought back a lot of memories and instantly made the space feel familiar again.

The panel was incredibly inspiring, so I came back the following month for a mentorship event. I was paired with Yvena, and when I mentioned wanting to feel more connected and grow my marketing consulting business locally—especially after moving here mid-pandemic—she introduced me to Keyaira.

Over coffee, Keyaira and I chatted about ways to get more involved, and I mentioned my interest in giving back. That’s how our Lunch & Learn came to life. We hosted a session focusedon personal branding and social media strategy. It turned out to be one of the most fulfilling afternoons I’ve had in a while. I loved the energy in the room and the shared curiosity. It also feltmeaningful to be sharing knowledge in the same kind of classroom where I once sat on the receiving end. After the session, I connected with Euhbin, our entrepreneur-in-residence, and we began discussing ways to collaborate.

I’m really grateful to have found this creative and supportive corner of the NU community. It’s a rare feeling—to walk into a space and feel both welcome and inspired.

Here’s to more coworking Fridays, full-circle moments, and unexpected sparks. 💜Always happy to connect—here’s my Linkedin!