Lydia Serrano

Community builder.

I’ve dedicated my career to learning from the ground up and building relationships. I’ve held a diverse number of positions spanning hospitality, wine & spirits sales, food advocacy, faith-based social justice, and communications. In my former non-profit position, I managed existing relationships and regularly built new community partnerships with other non-profits and political contacts. I also oversaw several volunteer groups and student intern programs and greatly expanded Spanish-language communications across all platforms. During my years in the wine industry I organized numerous live auctions and special tasting events to benefit important causes and bring people together.

Advocate.

Thanks to my love of storytelling and creative outlook, my career has always been marketing-focused. There is tremendous power in marketing as a method to advocate for the stories, messages, and information we want to share with the world. In my non-profit work it was essential that messaging/branding was always in line with institutional mandates while also giving voice to current concerns. The wine auctions required my oversight of catalog production, all advertising and promotional materials – print and web advertising, email and social media campaigns, website maintenance, and press releases, flyers, and New York Times advertisements. I am also committed to my volunteer work, taking on the marketing roles at 1stGenYale and Cabrini Coalition.

Intellectual.

I’m a dedicated life-long learner. I hold a bachelor’s in American Studies from Yale and a master’s in Integrated Marketing from New York University. Among my intellectual pursuits, I’ve co-founded a theology-themed book club, formed an online Italian literature “salon,” studied professional bartending, cupcake decorating, and worked on-site at a craft brewery. I’m currently completing certifications in InDesign and Photoshop.

Bon Vivant.

I was born in Puerto Rico and have inherited my love of life, food, personalities, and culture from my family and our community. While I’m a dedicated worker, I am proud to say I am as dedicated to living a rich, fulfilling, enjoyable life! I’m an avid runner, having completed 9 marathons (so far). I have traveled extensively and am fluent in Spanish and Italian (as well as English). I am known for bringing passion to all that I dedicate myself to – from my marketing work to my extensive volunteer and mentoring work to the boards I serve on and the communities I advocate for.

Credentials

Education: BA in American Studies, Yale; MS in Integrated Marketing, New York University.

Wine Certifications: Advanced Certificate awarded by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET); Certified Specialist of Wine awarded by the Society of Wine Educators (SWE).

Community Outreach: Mentor, Bigs & Littles NYC; Leadership Team, Cabrini Coalition (interfaith organization that offers practical and spiritual support to immigrants, particularly children, in East Harlem, NYC); member of The New York Junior League and Slow Food USA.

Personal Triumphs: 9 Marathons completed so far; fluent in Spanish and Italian.