NYMC > News and Events > Public Relations Team

Public Relations Team

Jennifer Riekert HeadshotJennifer Riekert, M.B.A.‌
Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
(914) 594-4552‌

Jennifer Riekert, M.B.A., leads all strategic planning and marketing and communications initiatives for New York Medical College (NYMC), including the development, evaluation and communication of NYMC’s five-year strategic plan, as well as branding, public relations, integrated marketing plans, internal and external print and electronic publications and communications including NYMC websites, social media sites and media relations.

A strategic leader who has been instrumental in advancing several key initiatives, Ms. Riekert’s notable accomplishments include spearheading NYMC’s first cohesive brand, identity auditing and re-creating the College’s entire portfolio of marketing materials, transforming NYMC’s web presence, as well as playing a pivotal role in helping to open the mid-Hudson Valley’s only fully-equipped biotechnology incubator on a health sciences college campus, BioInc@NYMC, and launching New York State’s first new dental school in 50 years.

With 20 years of experience in higher education, Ms. Riekert is uniquely attuned to the communication, marketing and planning needs of colleges and universities and brings strategic vision and best practices to the College. Prior to joining NYMC in 2014, she began her career at Pace Law School where she served as director of marketing and communications, and as interim assistant vice president of university relations for Pace University.

Beyond her role at NYMC, Ms. Riekert is passionate about her role as mentor to the next generation of business leaders. She is an accomplished speaker, often called upon to guest lecture in the higher education and business communities.

Ms. Riekert earned both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Phi Beta Kappa) as well as her Master of Business Administration from the State University of New York at Albany. She was the 2020 recipient of Trailblazer Award by YWCA Yonkers, and was named Top Women in Business by Westchester Magazine. Ms. Riekert is a board member of the Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) New York Association, the first and oldest PBK Association.

Lenore Carpinelli 
Director of Strategic Communications
School of Medicine
(914) 594-4776

Lenore Carpinelli coordinates a wide range of activities that support communications priorities for the School of Medicine (SOM). She brings decades of experience in higher education communications to her role. Ms. Carpinelli joined NYMC in 2020, in the office of the SOM dean, where she supported in a variety of communications initiatives, including the development of SOM general and research newsletters. Previously, she spent 30 years at The College of New Rochelle, holding positions in the public relations office of increasing responsibility, including as director of college relations for 13 years. She has been recognized for her work with awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Association for Women in Communications. Ms. Carpinelli holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in sociology from The College of New Rochelle.

LoriAnn Perrault
Director of Print and Digital Publications 
(914) 594-4548

LoriAnn Perrault serves as the director of print and digital publications. Prior to that, Lori was the public information editor at NYMC for more than 20 years. Suggestions for story ideas are always welcome for InTouch, the online newsletter of the New York Medical College community. Stories can be about research, curriculum or programs of study, unique or interesting personal achievements, growing trends or patient care with an academic angle. Please email Lori your comments and inquiries.

Madlena R. Pesheva, M.P.H. '21
Director of Creative Communications and Production
(914) 594-4536

Madlena Pesheva, M.P.H. '21, serves as the director of creative communications and production. She brings a decade of experience in communications, branding, project management and graphic design to her role. Prior to joining NYMC in 2015, Ms. Pesheva served as marketing and membership associate for the YWCA White Plains and Central Westchester. Ms. Pesheva earned her bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire with a dual major in international affairs and recreation management and policy and a minor in psychology, as well as a Master of Public Health in health policy and management and an advanced certificate in global health from NYMC School of Health Sciences and Practice.

Julio A. Rodriguez-Rentas, M.A.
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
(914) 594-4535

Julio A. Rodriguez-Rentas, M.A., manages the strategic messaging and integrated marketing initiatives for NYMC and its schools, overseeing assigned staff as well as assists in internal and external communications activities including, but not limited to, graphic design, advertising, website, social media, video, digital strategy and content development. As a marketing communications professional and educator, Mr. Rodriguez-Rentas brings a 360◦ perspective to his role. He also serves as professor and department co-chair at the State University of New York (SUNY)–Westchester, and has taught at the graduate- and undergraduate-level at area institutions including Iona University, Pace University and Western Connecticut State University. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Rodriguez has worked on staff and/or as a consultant to a variety of institutions such as nonprofit community organizations; an NGO bank corporation; an advertising agency; a regional dance company; a law school, and a private national university. Mr. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Pace University–NYC, as well as a Master's degree in Media Communications from Pace University–Westchester.

Kiara R. Thomas, M.A.
Communications Writer and Content Creator
(914) 594-4989

Kiara Thomas, M.A., is responsible for creating and editing content for print and electronic communications, events, social media, the website, media relations and advertisements. Prior to joining NYMC in 2023, Ms. Thomas was a journalist for local New York City newspapers and health and wellness magazines and won national and local awards for her work. She also served as an editorial manager for a political campaign and created social media content for businesses and a city agency.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in Africana studies at Stony Brook University and a master’s degree in journalism with a specialization in health and science reporting at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.