Susan carolonza chanin, MCM

CSR • corporate communications • Project Management • business Development • Photo Editing • production

A strategic corporate communicator with a particular expertise in the power of imagery to lead content development. I am skilled in identifying market trends to drive decisions, measuring the impact of assets, and establishing best practices in social media storytelling for both companies and nonprofits. As an experienced photography assignment producer, I am also driven to help team members thrive in a fair, inclusive, and positive work environment.

EXPERIENCE

MICRO – a precision manufacturer for medical devices, tubing and robotics | Somerset, NJ | 2024-present

Manager, Communications and Marketing

Collaborate with the Directors of Marketing, Sales, and HR to create compelling content and manage external and internal communications. 

• Create digital communication strategy and execute with agency partner.

• Lead corporate website refresh.

• Collaborate with leadership and colleagues to create fresh content. 

• Develop storytelling ideas for articles, the annual report, and social media.

• Collaborated with President and leadership team on launch of 80th Anniversary Campaign on digital and social media as well as signage and in-person events. 

• Define KPIs and report data on ROI.

• Manage direct reports and team deliverables.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals | Titusville, NJ | 2021 – 2023

Johnson & Johnson Corporate Social Responsibility Fellow

• Leverage J&J global mission to change the trajectory of health and create health equity through internal communication and employee engagement.

• Collaborated with the Community Impact Team at Janssen Pharmaceuticals to implement CSR programs of giving, volunteering and engagement under the J&J Credo.

• Created communications for programming including articles, announcements, tool kits, presentations and employee correspondence.

Rutgers University, School of Information and Communication, New Brunswick, NJ | Jan – June 2023 

Graduate Assistant, Career Services

• Expanded Career Services through communications and event planning, including mentorship and career development.

• Lead outreach program to Paramount, Johnson & Johnson, and Peppercom PR.

• Provided production expertise for COMMchella event with 400+ students and 100+ seeking career services. 

• Created digital and social media communications, newsletters, planned and hosted in-person networking events.

MOTHER IMAGE LLC | Jersey City, NJ | 2007 – present

Founder & Partner | Director of Business Development

• With photographer partner Rana Faure, created a boutique photo agency specializing in women’s lifestyle imagery for social impact, corporate storytelling, employee events, and social media.

• Recruited a network of photographers, videographers and clients aligned with the brand aesthetic, including Getty Images, Gallery Stock, Shutterstock, Adobe, Microsoft, and Green Room Public Relations.

• Managed all aspects of financial operations and sales. Negotiated all contracts. Managed assignment budgets up to $150K.

• Oversaw creative direction, production and editing of collections.

AVANTI PRESS | New York, NY | 2003 – 2020

Creative Consultant | Content Development

• Consulted as a creative contributor for a global publisher of greeting cards and photo products.

• Collaborated with in-house art directors on concepts for illustrations and photography to expand Avanti’s existing product lines with insights on current trends on social media.

• Handled art buying, contract renewals, image licensing and negotiated agreements.

GETTY IMAGES | New York, NY | 1998 – 2003

Director of Photography | Director of Creative Development | 2001 – 2003

• Directed a team of photographers, editors, art directors, and creative staff in producing top-selling content and award-winning imagery.

• Oversaw all aspects of content development by providing creative direction to the team, assigning photographers, and managing budgets.

• Initiated a new Director of Creative Development role to bridge business and creative development by promoting Getty’s artists

• Integrated new collections and creative staff at Getty acquisitions and hired talent.

Director of Photography | 1998 – 2001

• Spearheaded Getty’s first creative office after the acquisition of Liaison to create a workflow, built a team to create a high-value catalog of marketable content.

• Managed commissions budget and office KPIs, reporting to HQ in London and Seattle.

• Sourced and recruited top photographers and new talent to build a robust pipeline.

• Pitched key advertising clients in the New York City, Washington D.C. and Toronto markets.

LIAISON AGENCY | New York, NY | 1992 – 1998

Vice President, Director of Photography

• Hired as Director of Photographer Relations and promoted to Photography Director and Vice President roles before the acquisition by Getty Images.

• Recruited new talent and maintained relationships with over 1000 photographers and the agency network to create new collections and content for commercial, corporate, and editorial divisions.

• Supported the leadership team on communications including special collections with ICP, Arnold Newman, and Ernst Hass.

• Trained junior editors and mentored young photographers.

AVANTI PRESS and THE IMAGE BANK

Photo Editor and Researcher

 AWARDS

Rutgers University, Outstanding Graduate Student Award, 2022

Interview with Chanin on rutgers.edu

Johnson & Johnson Corporate Responsibility Fellowship 2021-2023 | Janssen Pharmaceuticals | New Brunswick, NJ

GETTY IMAGES CREATIVE GRANT RECIPIENT | New York, NY / Washington, DC

Executive Producer | Project Developer | 2014 – 2015

• Award on behalf of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence nonprofit.

• Maximized the $20,000 creative grant into development and production of an integrated awareness campaign.

• Assembled and led a creative team to create videos, print, and stills for a multimedia campaign called the Survivor Series.

• Results: 41% increase in people served by RAINN’s helplines and a record increase in YouTube views.
  

INSTRUCTION & TEACHING

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY | New Brunswick, NJ

Teaching Assistant | Instructional Assistant for Communication Research | Fall 2020

AMICABLE STUDIOS | Jersey City, NJ

Founder & Teacher | 2020 – 2021

KAPLAN COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL | hoboken, NJ

Arts Education & Curriculum Developer | 2005 – 2020

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

Palm Springs Portfolio Reviewer (2012 – Present) | DMLA (2006 – Present) | Pro Arts, Jersey City (2005 – Present) | Art Directors Club of New York (2001 – 2003) | Presidents Council, International Center of Photography (2003) | Judge, NJ Art Director’s Club Award (2002) | Panel Monitor, Photo District News 30 under 30 (2001)

Recruited for multiple speaking engagements with FIT, New York University, The School of Visual Arts, Fotofusion, Photo Plus Expo New York, ASMP Boston, Getty Images

EDUCATION

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY | New Brunswick, NJ

Masters of Communication and Media | GPA 4.0 | Graduated 2023

CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY | Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Academic Honors | Augusta Fisher Porter Award | Studied painting and photography in Florence, Italy through Syracuse University

THE SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS | New York, NY

Coursework in Drafting & Architectural History

Susan would like to thank Florence Buchanan for the creative direction and implementation of this website.