When Melody Serafino ’05 reflects on her career path, she sees how strongly it was shaped by her time at Fairfield.
“Part of the reason I chose to go to Fairfield was the University’s commitment to fostering students who think outside of themselves and in service of others,” she said. That perspective became a touchstone early on, especially as she weighed whether to build a career in communications or pursue work in the nonprofit world.
“I chose communications because I knew I wanted to live in New York City and I was attracted to the fast-paced industry, but I always felt like I was missing something in my work,” Serafino said. “I would find ways to supplement my day job by volunteering with local organizations, but I vowed I’d someday find a way to bring those two parts of myself together in a more cohesive way.”
Her determination to unite purpose with profession eventually led to No. 29 Communications, the agency she co-founded with Erin Allweiss. Launched more than a decade ago, No. 29 Communications was ahead of its time, focusing only on sustainability and impact. “Public relations isn’t an easy job. It can be enormously rewarding, but also incredibly challenging because it’s about cutting through the noise of the always-on media landscape and convincing people to care about your clients’ stories,” explained Serafino. “That’s why it’s doubly important that we partner with good people doing good work. No. 29 is committed to amplifying the stories of the people and organizations on the forefront of change who are thinking differently and trying to leave the world—or, at the very least, their respective industries—a little bit better than they found it.”
Serafino noted that purpose must be clearly defined. “At No. 29 we think of sustainability holistically; it’s not just how a product is made and what materials are used, but what an entire supply chain looks like and how people who are making that product are being treated and paid. It’s about transparency.”
As an undergraduate, Serafino was a communication and French double-major in the College of Arts and Sciences. She volunteered with Sunshine Kids, a non-profit foundation for children with cancer, and participated in Campus Ministry service trips to Tijuana, Mexico. Those co-curricular experiences now influence her hiring. “When I’m looking to hire, I am interested in the whole person, not just what’s written on a résumé. I want to understand who you are outside of your job,” she said, noting that “Fairfield has been a valuable source for hiring.”
No. 29 Communications fashion director Karyn Towey ’18 is a fellow Stag alumna who oversees sustainability-focused accounts and strategy for brands such as Rothy’s and VEJA; she joined the agency seven years ago, after first connecting with Serafino on LinkedIn.
“I didn’t even have a position available on the team when Karyn reached out to me,” said Serafino, “but after meeting with her I could see her potential and we ended up hiring her.”
Towey, a fellow communication major, explained how her work aligns with her passion for storytelling. “I love telling brands' stories—helping them build community and having them become well-known in the public eye,” she said. “When I began exploring this career path, I struggled with the idea of having to amplify brands or companies that were harming people or the planet. I feel extremely lucky to only represent sustainable and socially impactful brands. It allows me to do my dream job for brands that really deserve to have supportive communities and loyal customers. Shaping messaging for these companies has been very fulfilling for me and is work I'm proud of.”
