New Audiences New Communications
- 612-729-5900
- info@NewPublica.com
Menu
NewPublica was founded in 2014 by Alberto Monserrate and Melisa Lopez Franzen as a way for government agencies, companies, organizations, and nonprofits to reach multicultural audiences. Since its inception, NewPublica has become the preferred firm for multicultural communications consulting in Minnesota. The work that is done encompasses and utilizes diversity, engagement, and creativity. NewPublica has developed long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships with members of BIPOC communities that have allowed the company to be both recognizable and trustworthy.
We are a proudly diverse team with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, skills, and talents. We’re excited for the opportunity to work with you!
Expertise: Alberto is a leading authority on multicultural communications and marketing in Minnesota. As the CEO and co-founder of Latino Communications Network (LCN), now NewPublica, he produced the weekly Spanish newspaper La Prensa de Minnesota and the weekly Spanish publication Vida y Sabor. LCN also operated 24-hour Spanish radio stations 1400 and 1470 AM La Invasora between 2005 and 2013. Alberto is a seasoned expert on marketing to the Latino community and is a regular commentator in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Minnesota Public Radio, and other Minnesota business media. Alberto was elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 2010, serving as chair from 2012 to 2014. He is the former board chair of Hiawatha Academies, served on the founding boards of KIPP Minnesota and Twin Cities Academy, and served on the board of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association and the advisory editorial board of Minnesota Business Magazine.
Professional Work: Radisson Hotels International, Ameriprise Financial, Wells Fargo Advisors, Latino Communications Network, Minnesota Senate
Expertise: Carmen is a versatile leader and relationship builder with cross-functional, multicultural, and international experience in various industries, including technology, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, government, and hospitality. She has corporate experience in engineering, marketing, operations management, and sales. Carmen has also worked in non-profit team leadership roles focusing on the advancement of communities of color. At NewPublica, her passion for making meaningful connections throughout the community not only shines through in her work but enhances the opportunities for current and future generations.
Professional Work: Xerox Corporation, Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting
Expertise: Edwin is a political strategist with nearly a decade of electoral campaign experience at local, state, and national levels. As a queer DACA recipient and Latino immigrant, his unique background fuels his innovative thinking and community-focused solutions. Known for building authentic relationships and alliances, Edwin has driven historic victories, serving as a key member of the leadership teams behind successful campaigns for prominent Minnesota figures like Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Senator Tina Smith, and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Edwin brings public, nonprofit, and private sector experiences with an organizer mindset. Edwin remains deeply engaged in his community. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University and is a board member for COPAL MN. As Vice President of Public Affairs at NewPublica, Edwin brings his passion, winning record, and relationships to deliver unassailable results.
Professional Work: Walz-Flanagan for Minnesota, Tina Smith for Minnesota, Amy for America, Minnesota Department of Health, MN Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Expertise: Marc has over twenty years of experience in sales, business development, and marketing in the United States, Latin America, and Canada. He has launched product lines in new markets, built and led cross-functional teams, and pioneered businesses and organizations toward transformative and sustainable growth domestically and internationally. Marc is also passionate about private-public alignments that improve education, health, and the tangible quality of life for children and families of color. He is currently a board member in LatinoLEAD. At NewPublica, Marc works with community engagement projects regarding infrastructure, health, education, and others in Minnesota.
Professional Work: Kraft Foods, MOM Brands
Expertise: Jorge has more than 20 years of experience in the creative process of visual design, including website development, graphic design, branding, photography, and video production. He has worked with a wide range of agencies and organizations, from small businesses to leading non-profits. He has been involved with social projects, the creation of visual campaigns, the development of annual reports, rebrandings, and website creation and redesign. At NewPublica, he creates designs for newspapers, magazines, and social media, as well as builds functional, user-friendly websites. Jorge understands each client’s unique needs and has a passion for projects that generate social impact. Jorge is a wealth of knowledge about design, and his expertise in reaching diverse communities serves NewPublica’s mission to connect to new voices and new audiences.
Professional Work: Latino Communications Network, Jorge Amerigo LLC
Expertise: Kat is a compassionate political engager who loves to connect with people and create solutions. She has a background in electoral organizing and community engagement. She has worked on three successful campaigns that helped win elections for Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, US Senator Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. In addition, she has experience working with international high school students with academic success. As a first-generation Hmong American, Kat is goal-oriented, has a drive for advocacy and authentic representation. She hopes to use her experience to bring light to stories that have historically been marginalized and continue to build bridges across communities. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Professional Work: Walz-Flanagan for Minnesota, Tina Smith for Minnesota, Amerigo Education, Keith Ellison for Minnesota Attorney General
Expertise: Marian has over a decade of experience in event planning and managing events producing galas, conferences, festivals, and fashion shows both locally and internationally. She has managed large-scale events, including Taco Tour on Lake Street, Minneapolis Cinco de Mayo, and the Lake Street Festival, attracting thousands of participants. At NewPublica, Marian utilizes her experience in marketing to exceed client expectations of high-impact events execution and community engagement. She also manages the publication, distribution, and interpersonal communication within NewPrensa Media.
Professional Work: Utku LLC, Latino Communications Network, Gente de Minnesota
Expertise: Kathryn is an experienced communications professional with several years in journalism as a reporter, anchor, and producer. She has worked at major news stations WCCO, CBS Denver, KVRR and in prime cities such as Los Angeles, Denver, Fargo, and Minneapolis. As a detail-oriented storyteller, Kathryn is keen to learn more about people from all walks of life and lived experiences ranging from sports to public health. As the Communications and Digital Manager, Kathryn brings her expertise, passion, and enthusiasm to effectively achieve goals. On her free time, she enjoys exercising, reading, and cooking.
Professional Work:
WCCO, CBS Denver, KVVR, ESPN
Expertise: Nick is a firestarter, initiating and leading strategic communication projects from a culturally responsive lens. With a background in critical qualitative methodologies and health communication, he’s excited to connect ideas and communities in ways that uplift and inspire. He has a process-oriented brain, is a big believer in growth mindset and is a big softie for stories and narratives that serve greater missions of inclusion, representation, and systemic justice. Nick aims to provide engaging, research-based approaches, strategies and deliverables to clients as they navigate their unique challenges. When not on the clock, you can find him on a beach somewhere dodging the Minnesota winter or playing in queer recreational sports leagues. He lives in Minneapolis with his partner.
Client Experience: Walmart, Ecolab, University of Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Mitsubishi Power Americas, National Opinion Research Council at University of Chicago, Magellan Health, Riverside Research, Callan, Central Arkansas Water
Expertise: Austin is an experienced communications and engagement professional, who has engaged with inclusive communities and audiences throughout his career and endeavors.
After growing up in Minneapolis, he graduated from Viterbo University in Wisconsin, where he was also the closer on the baseball team- a pursuit which extended into a brief career in independent minor league baseball.
Professional Work: Professionally, Austin has worked on various political campaigns, most recently with the DFL House Caucus as an all-source campaign consultant for state representative candidates, and has experience with engagement, communications, fundraising, policy, and media relations. Additionally, he serves part-time as an Army Officer, is a graduate of Federal Army Officer Candidate School, and currently leads a platoon of truck drivers within the Transportation Corps.”
Expertise: Hamza is a results-oriented accounting professional with broad experience in a deadline‑driven environment. He has a proven track record in consistently and effectively delivering accounting services that enhance the company’s purpose and profitability. At NewPublica, Hamza demonstrates his experience in reconciliations, AP/AR, reporting, P&L analysis, and the management of general accounting functions.
Professional Work: Kaah Express, Jones Lang La Salle
Expertise: Sandra determines the best course of action and seeks the best solutions for our client’s advertising needs by utilizing her solutions-oriented mindset and interpersonal communication skills. At NewPublica, she executes the purchases of advertisement spaces by understanding clients’ marketing goals and target audiences. She works hard to maintain relationships with a variety of publications to ensure our clients are able to receive the media space they need. Sandra is also in charge of keeping our Latino Communications Network, both online and printed publications, relevant, engaging, and fun.
Professional Work: Latino Communications Network, Pamela Coleman Office of Eurology, Justo Gonzalez Office of Eurology.
Expertise: Isabella is a Journalism major at the Hubbard School of Journalism at the University of Minnesota, with experience in research, volunteering, education, and communications. She has worked with different schools and organizations in Argentina, the Twin Cities, and Denver to promote language efficiency skills in Spanish and English. Always advocating for communities of color and the local community, she has pursued the gift of leadership to create close relationships with members of the community. Isabella continues to advocate for communities of color at NewPublica, as a contributor to the NewPrensa newsletter. In her role, Isabella utilizes her research and communication experience to approach each project with a creative mind and is always eager to learn more.
Professional Work: Wells Fargo, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, Best Prep
Expertise: Mateo is a passionate and dedicated learner with experience in digital design, social strategy, and communications. At NewPublica, Mateo actively contributes to and collaborates on projects spanning multiple sectors and has the remarkable ability to adapt to ever-changing needs to deliver work exceeding expectations. Through his academic pursuits at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his personal ventures, he has cultivated a wide range of skills across various mediums, including graphic design, video production, copywriting, and marketing strategies.
Professional Work: Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board, Recreation & Wellbeing – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ebelin is a visual arts professional with experience in social media management and sociology. Ebelin brings her passion for creativity and community to each project and utilizes her past experience in grassroots organizing whenever she can. At NewPublica, Ebelin works alongside various organizations to ensure that their marketing goals are understood and that their audience is reached effectively.
Professional Work: American Friends Service Committee
Expertise: Luis is a business and community leader with over fifteen years of experience in marketing and strategy in multiple global companies. He has worked in the U.S. and Latin America, creating strategic marketing plans and leading cross-functional teams for successful market introductions. Luis has experience in multiple industries, including manufacturing, food, food service, education, and financial services. He has a passion for talent development and building new team skills and capabilities. Luis has built strong relationships with multiple communities and has collaborated with numerous colleges and universities, schools, and non-profit organizations to create professional opportunities for people from various diverse communities. Luis leads the largest team at NewPublica, ensuring that collaboration, communication, and creativity are at the forefront of each project.
Professional Work: Cummins Engine, Ecolab, General Mills, Land O’Lakes, GE
Expertise: Orion loves people and languages. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and German and knows words and phrases in multiple other languages. His unique ability to retain and understand languages is unmatched. At NewPublica, Orion helps review and edit articles for Latino Communications Network publications. He is focused, engaged, and loves working and collaborating with others!
Professional Work: Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), Kaposia.
2909 Bryant Ave S, Suite 301
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-729-5900
Expertise: Marcia is a communications professional with experience in teaching, community engagement, and web development. Marcia is a quick learner and is able to adapt to various tasks within her roles. At NewPublica, Marcia meets with community members to inform, listen to, and learn from. She also manages NewPublica’s internal digital media content to ensure that the most relevant information is at the forefront of what we do. Marcia uses the organizational skills learned from teaching every day in both communications work and public engagement.
Professional Work: Bethune Community School, Partnership Academy
Expertise: Helene is a storyteller with a passion for finding the best way to communicate a message. Whether through copywriting, digital media, or public engagement, Helene ensures that all voices are recognized, heard, and understood. Helene applies her collaboration and organizational skills to all of her projects. Helene uses her communication and language experience along with her knack for organization to exceed expectations for both internal and external projects.
2909 Bryant Ave S, Suite 301
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-729-5900
