For Marissa Consiglio ’22, MS MAS ’23 the path from Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business to a career in brand management has been defined by a balance of creativity, analytics, and ambition.
Now an Associate Brand Manager for NIVEA MEN at Beiersdorf, Consiglio credits Fairfield’s Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Strategy (MSMAS) program with shaping the skills and confidence she uses every day.
After earning her undergraduate degree in marketing in 2022, Consiglio accelerated her academic journey by completing her master’s degree in just one year. As part of Fairfield Dolan's 4+1 program, it is combined with hands-on learning and exposure to experienced faculty, helping her quickly transition from student to professional.
“I was interested in understanding why and how businesses make decisions based on consumer behavior,” Consiglio said. “I also wanted to find a balance between creativity and data in marketing. This program aligns perfectly with what I do today.”
Building a Career in Brand Management
In her current role, Consiglio oversees and protects the identity of the NIVEA MEN brand, ensuring consistency across campaigns, messaging, and consumer touchpoints. Since joining Beiersdorf, Consiglio has rapidly advanced, earning a promotion to Associate Brand Manager in under two years.
As a Brand Manager, she shares that every day is different. “I analyze marketing trends, track performance through IRI data, and review campaign assets and social media strategy to make sure everything aligns with the brand,” she said.
Consiglio notes that her role requires constant collaboration across departments including sales strategy, finance, supply chain, consumer insights, and external agency partners highlighting the importance of communication and cross-functional teamwork in modern marketing.
A Program Rooted in Real-World Experience
Consiglio attributes much of her success to the MSMAS program’s emphasis on experiential learning. Through case studies and applied projects, she developed both analytical and strategic thinking skills. The capstone project, embedded in the graduate program gives students like Consiglio a chance to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting. Consiglio worked alongside Dolan Alumni and Orangetheory Fitness locations to analyze data and develop strategies that drove meaningful impact as part of her capstone.
“I use what I learned [in the MS MAS program] every day,” “Working with real data and real business scenarios prepared me for the challenges of my role,” Consiglio said.
