Title:GEMA Alumni Spotlight – Melissa Dooley Kaspers (C’06), President & COO of Adim

Melissa Dooley Kaspers (C’06) is the President & COO of Adim. In her role, she leads product, engineering, brand and operations functions.

What was your first “big break”? Or, what is the most significant experience you have had that has made your success possible?

Meeting one of the speakers at my graduate school graduation. He became one of my mentors and greatest sponsors, and I’ve worked with him ever since.

What is the most challenging part of your job? What is the most rewarding part?

Building something new – a product or a company – is always a roller coaster and comes with its own excitement and fears, challenges and victories. Despite that uncertainty, seeing something come to life and in the hands of users is incredibly satisfying.

What is something current you are working on that you are excited about?

Right now, we are building a collaboration platform for creative storytelling. It takes the model of a traditional writer’s room and uses blockchain technology to transform creators into vested participants in the shared creative enterprise. Our goal is to rethink some of the standards of how value is distributed in the media ecosystem today and return more value back to creators.

How is the ever-changing media landscape affecting your industry?

In the past decade, the influence of media institutions has expanded significantly, raising concerns about control, value and transparency. Numerous aspects of web3 that we’re investigating aim to uncover how emerging technologies can pave a novel media paradigm, granting creators and contributors in this ecosystem greater digital ownership and rewards.

Are there any ways that you feel Georgetown especially prepared you for your career?

More than anything, Georgetown taught me how to learn and to seek diverse perspectives and experiences.

What is your best advice to those who are starting out in your field?

Be curious. Whether listening to podcasts, meeting new peopl, or exploring new technologies.

Best Business Advice Received: Understand your audience.

Trait You Most Admire in People: Resilience, optimism and curiosity.

Favorite App, Website, Podcast or Social Platform (other than related to your own company):

Spotify. An oldie but a goodie. Powers me through podcasts, focus time and long runs.

Favorite Georgetown Professor:

Professor Li

Favorite Georgetown Restaurant or Bar:

Tombs. A staple for generations.

Favorite Georgetown Memory:

Meeting my two best friends on the first week of freshman year. Over twenty years later, and we still talk almost every day.