Ilana Alperstein

Partner and Co-Founder

Ilana combines considerable experience in marketing and public relations, beginning her career in the strategic marketing department at BMG Entertainment, before moving to Morgans Hotel Group and later the public relations firm Baltz & Company, where she served as Vice President.  For the past decade, she has worked with some of the most influential names in the food and lifestyle space, successfully positioning and promoting brands from launch to expansion.

Eva Karagiorgas

Partner and Co-Founder

Eva started her career in advertising working with clients such as Nike, Clairol and Delta Air Lines at  Ogilvy, Grey and Wieden + Kennedy before transitioning to food media, launching the food category at The Gilt Groupe and graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She led brand strategy and development as Director of Marketing at Food Republic and later joined Bon Appétit as Director of Integrated Marketing, where she oversaw programs for a variety of brands and events.

Vanessa Santos

Partner and Executive Vice President

A veteran communications strategist with experience across hospitality, travel, sustainability, and consumer brands, Vanessa began her career at the U.S. Green Building Council, leading communications for LEED, the world’s most widely used green building certification. She has since guided influential names in food and hospitality—including Daniel Boulud, Curtis Stone, and Union Square Hospitality Group—through moments of launch, growth, and expansion.

Nicole Scharf

Vice President

With nearly 15 years of experience, Nicole began her career at MWWPR where she worked on clients such as Tyson Foods, Nikon, Atkins and New Jersey's Stronger than Storm campaign. A lifelong New Yorker, Nicole currently resides in the Flatiron District.

Cassandra Chamoun

Vice President

Cassandra is a high-impact communications strategist dedicated to the hospitality, travel, and lifestyle sectors. A trusted senior executive at Mona Creative, she leads PR and social media efforts for a portfolio of global icons, including Atlantis Paradise Island, Mill, Momofuku, and Tom Colicchio. Before her tenure at Mona Creative, Cassandra honed her digital expertise at Tasting Table, leading campaigns for Patrón and Lincoln Motor Company. With an MA in Food Studies from NYU, she bridges the gap between cultural trends and commercial success, serving as a trusted advisor to some of the most influential names in the culinary world.

Emily Koh

Vice President

With over a decade of international experience in hospitality, lifestyle, and brand communications, Emily has held senior roles at Huge, Bullfrog + Baum, and Tokyo-based COSMO PR. She has led campaigns for clients including Pantone, Nike, the Singapore Tourism Board, Mandarin Oriental, Alain Ducasse, Kikkoman, and Novartis across global markets.

Lindsay Shedlin

Vice President

Lindsay began her career in lifestyle PR, with a focus on wellness, beauty, and experiential marketing. Named one of Observer’s PR Rising Stars in 2024, she has been part of the Mona Creative team for nearly six years. Outside of work, she is a co-founder of SNACC, a nonprofit bringing chef-led cooking classes and grocery support to students across New York City.

Ally Romano

Senior Director

Ally began her career in entertainment at ICM Partners before joining Shondaland, where she shaped PR, marketing, talent relations, and events for Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. After relocating to New York, she expanded into hospitality and lifestyle, leading launch work for Misipasta, before joining Mona Creative.

Liz Pierson

Senior Director

Liz brings over 16 years of experience in food and hospitality communications, shaped by early-career stints in banquet service, pastry, and restaurant management. She has led integrated strategies for Eric Ripert and Le Bernardin, Mashama Bailey, Ruth Rogers, Enrique Olvera, COTE Korean Steakhouse, Jeni’s Ice Creams, and Netflix. Born and raised in Queens, she now calls New Jersey home.

Lexie Sparrow

Senior Director

Lexie began her career in nonprofit marketing before moving into branding and PR. Since joining Mona Creative in 2021, she has grown into a senior role leading strategy and storytelling for hospitality, food, and lifestyle clients, including Chef Rick Martinez, Chef Tom Colicchio, and Samin Nosrat. She is based in Brooklyn.

Halle Lipov

Director

Halle has spent her entire career in communications and marketing, finding her niche in hospitality at Sprouthouse Agency, where she worked with acclaimed chefs, award-winning restaurants, and travel destinations nationwide. She brought that expertise to Mona Creative, where she continues to develop strategies across food, hospitality, and lifestyle.

Katy Carmichael

Associate Director

Katy spent 8+ years in music publicity, starting her career at Clarion Call Media before working at Atlantic Records, where she worked on campaigns for Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, Kelly Clarkson, and The Marías. She is a graduate of Belmont University and is based in Brooklyn.

Chloe Cardio

Associate Director

Prior to joining Mona Creative, Chloe Cardio spent 6+ years in music, entertainment and fashion, where she worked on public relations campaigns and brand partnerships for renowned international recording artists like Dua Lipa and Noel Gallagher of Oasis, managed prominent fashion stylists for cultural figures like F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and supermodel Joan Smalls, and managed campaigns with global brands like YSL Beauté, Versace and Evian.

Georgia Vickerson

Associate Director

With a keen interest in all things lifestyle, Georgia has extensive experience in the hospitality, beverage, and travel industries. She has worked across national and global brands, including Starwood’s The Luxury Collection, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Italicus, Japanese Shochu Makers Association, Dewar's, LOUIS XIII, and more. Before joining Mona Creative, Georgia oversaw communications at three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, and earned a WSET II Wine certification.