PRISM thanks outgoing CMO Julia Palumbo for her hard work, dedication, leadership, and friendship during the 2021-2022 year.
As PRISMites prepare for the upcoming year and senior PRISMites prepare themselves for their jobs ahead, all are left with the bittersweet task of saying goodbye to Chief Marketing Officer, Julia Palumbo. Palumbo has made a lasting impact on PRISM and every member, making the 2021-2022 year majorly successful and memorable.
Palumbo is leaving behind a long list of accomplishments that helped shape PRISM into the organization it has become today. Palumbo transferred to Virginia Tech her sophomore year of college, spotting PRISM through Virginia Tech as she researched various schools to apply to. After a quick glance over the website, Palumbo saw her future at Virginia Tech through the PRISM lens.
“PRISM was a large deciding factor in why I came to Virginia Tech. Then, once I came to Virginia Tech at the beginning of my sophomore year, I immediately wanted to get involved so I joined and became an analyst. Being in PRISM has absolutely helped to shape my college experience and I don’t think I would be who I am today without PRISM,” Palumbo said.
As a sophomore in PRISM, Palumbo was an analyst for OnwardNRV before moving on to be the driving force of action behind Pamplin Admissions as the account manager. Her leadership skills fostered successful campaigns, leading to Palumbo becoming the sole Chief Marketing Officer, managing PRISM with the help of Director of Business, junior Abby Stewart. Working together fostered a lifelong friendship between Stewart and Palumbo.
“Julia truly exemplified extraordinary leadership throughout her entire year as CMO. She is an unbelievable mentor and her dedication throughout the year has allowed PRISM to flourish into what it is. Having the opportunity to travel to Portland with her and the Digital Summit last fall was amazing and I’ve been lucky enough to have had her become one of my closest friends,” Stewart said.
During her time as CMO, Palumbo learned more about herself and colleagues than she could have imagined. While PRISM replicates a real-world agency, our fellow members transform from coworkers to close friends, and Palumbo notes the friendships made with every member of PRISM.
“Being CMO helped me grow into myself more. I feel like I learned how to be both a leader and a friend. Everyone in PRISM is both someone who I led and a friend, so being CMO forced me to learn how to be both a friend and a colleague,” Palumbo said. “Every single person is in PRISM for a reason, and one of my goals was to be a resource for PRISM members and push PRISMites to reach their full potential.”
Among her many goals for her time in PRISM, one that Palumbo feels she surpassed was improving the culture both inside and outside of PRISM. Despite challenges of COVID-19 that forced many events online and threatened to dampen culture, Palumbo was able to foster a positive and friendly work environment where all 60+ members were able to find their place.
“My goals definitely changed throughout the year but I am so happy with how the year went. I felt like each time my goal changed or I set a short term goal, I was able to hit it! One of my main goals was improving the culture both inside and outside of PRISM and I think I was able to achieve that,” Palumbo said.
As Palumbo strived ahead to meet each goal that she set, she was faced with challenges. With the mark of a great leader, Palumbo was able to overcome the challenges she faced and lead PRISM into one of its most successful years yet, playing a major role in signing many new clients, including National Settlement Services, Emisshield, and VT Mechanical Engineering. On top of her amazing work in PRISM, Palumbo was also able to win the Pamplin 2022 Caught in the Act of Leadership award.
There’s a long list of incredible moments for Palumbo to look back on with gratitude, but her best memories from PRISM will come from the people.
“I have so many amazing memories from this year. I would say my favorite memory is getting to know so many people. I’ll say it again and again, but my favorite part of PRISM is the people. I feel like I am both coworkers and friends with every person in PRISM and for a different reason. It’s what has made this experience so memorable. My favorite experience, though, is probably New York. I had never been to New York before and it was such an amazing trip. The group of people who went made it even more special and I’m so thankful for the experience.”
After graduation, Palumbo will be working for the Martin Agency in Richmond, VA.
Palumbo’s extraordinary leadership and years of dedication has improved PRISM in immeasurable ways. From everyone in PRISM: Thank you, Julia, for not only being a powerful leader, but for being a great friend and colleague. We cannot wait to see what you do next and wish you the best of luck as you begin the next chapter of your life.