Jenna M. Santoianni, Comm ’06
Los Angeles, Calif.
A Marquette student or graduate looking to break into the film and television business in Los Angeles would do well to connect with Jenna. The television executive for Sonar Entertainment is all too happy to offer support, resume tips and even her couch as a crash pad.
Mentoring fellow Golden Eagles is one way that Jenna, an executive vice president, lives the Marquette mission. She calls her choice of Marquette 鈥渙ne of the best decisions I ever made,鈥� and while her education prepared her well to excel in her chosen career, 鈥淢arquette taught me that success isn鈥檛 just about the financial outcomes; it鈥檚 about becoming a better person and contributing to the world in a meaningful way.鈥�
Jenna says it鈥檚 sometimes hard to call her job producing television shows such as The Son, Mr. Mercedes, Das Boot and Taboo 鈥渨ork鈥� because she finds it so fun and fulfilling. 鈥淚 get to tell stories for a living and work with ridiculously creative and talented artists,鈥� she says. Previously, Jenna was senior vice president, TV and film, for Whalerock Industries and also a vice president of television for BermanBraun.
In her undergraduate days, Jenna applied her strong work ethic in preparing Thursday night newscasts at Johnston Hall in the College of Communication鈥檚 Instructional Media Center. 鈥淭here may have been no one watching,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ut everyone would work like the whole world was watching.鈥�
Now, much of the world is watching Jenna鈥檚 shows, but the busy executive is still making time for involvement as a 蜜桃影像 Alumni Association Mentor and continues to be a friendly face in the 鈥渃ity of stars鈥� for her Marquette brethren.
Fun fact: Jenna would like to have dinner with comedic queen Lucille Ball.
