Fangirl Forward NYC: Fandom as Foundation

Join us for Fangirl Forward NYC, a vibrant half-day event where we explore the future of fandom in entertainment! 🌟

🎉 Theme: Fandom as Foundation
Discover how your passion can be a professional asset in the entertainment and media industry. We believe that what you love shapes your path before anyone gives you a title. We're exploring the fan-to-professional pipeline, and how fandom builds the skills, instincts, and fluency to succeed in the industry before anyone gives you a title for it.

What to Expect:
🔹 Two Exciting Panels

• Panel #1: Fandom as Fluency
  The fans working within industry institutions, and what they know that nobody taught them. Meet journalists, marketers, and community builders who have built their careers around their passions. Learn how fandom fluency can transform into real industry success! You'll leave with a clearer understanding of how fandom fluency translates into real industry careers, and the specific moves, mindsets, and moments that got these people from fan to professional. 🎤

  Speakers:

  • Ally Ali — On-Air Host, 106.1 BLI (Gracies Award-winning radio personality, 8 years on-air, self-proclaimed biggest Jonas Brothers fan — 74 shows and counting. She's interviewed everyone from Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran to Niall Horan and Gracie Abrams, asking the questions fans want to know.)
  • Jennifer Moglia — Venue Social Media Marketing Coordinator, Live Nation (As a venue social media marketer at Live Nation Entertainment, Jen leads social media strategy and execution for eight venues across the Northeast, New England and Great Lakes regions, including both outdoor amphitheaters and indoor theaters. From Long Island and upstate NY to PA and CT, her focus stays the same — shaping the fan experience in a positive way.)
  • Larisha Paul — Staff Writer, Rolling Stone (Writing about pop music, fandom, and why it all matters at Rolling Stone. Featured music expert in CNN/HBO's Call Me Country and guest on the New York Times Popcast)
  • Katie Stephens — Marketing Manager, Fast Friends (A lifelong fangirl who turned passion into a career building authentic connections between artists and their audiences — across MTV, SiriusXM, Warner Music Group, Live Nation, and now, indie label Fast Friends.)
  • Moderated by J'na Jefferson (writer and multimedia storyteller, Rolling Stone, USA Today, Harper's Bazaar, BBC Radio)

• Panel #2: Fandom as Ownership
  They didn't wait for permission. Neither should you. Hear from founders, creators, consultants, publishers, and managers who took charge of their dreams by building their platforms and businesses without waiting for an institution to validate the idea first. Perfect for anyone who has thought, "Why doesn't this exist?!?" 🔧

  Speakers:

  • Lindsey Dadourian — Editor in Chief, Pleaser Magazine (Founded 2020, full editorial operation with features on Wallows, Waterparks, Brittany Broski, and festival coverage nationwide)
  • Victoria Hamersky — Artist Manager + A&R, VH MGMT Group (Started in artist management at 17, built career from stan Twitter to Atlantic Records and beyond)
  • Caterina Nasr — A&R and Talent Manager, Pure Victory Creative / RECORDS Co (Spent seven years at Atlantic/Elektra helping break PinkPantheress, Brittany Broski, ThxSoMch; now running Pure Victory Creative while continuing her A&R work at RECORDS Co.)
  • Stephanie Niemiec — Content Creator (Started Taylor Swift fan account at 15, now 350k+ followers, danced onstage with Zara Larsson, collaborated with artists)
  • Moderated by Izzy Ingram (award-winning film, digital, and event producer at NowThis, founder of Pop Talks)

🔹 Networking Mixer
Continue the conversation with fellow fans, founders, creators, and industry professionals. This space is all about meaningful connections! Light refreshments will be provided. Trade friendship bracelets...and business cards. 🍹

Who Should Attend?
Whether you're a fan wondering about a career path, an early-career professional, or someone who's turned their obsession into reality, this event is for you! This is for the fan who wondered if their passion could become a career. The early-career professional who built their instincts in fan communities before anyone recognized them as professional skills. The creator who turned obsession into something real. The industry insider who never stopped being a fan. You don't have to leave the fan at the door. That's exactly the point.

Fangirl Forward is proudly fan-first and women-led, welcoming everyone who believes in the power of fandom! 💪🎨

The Experience:
Expect a career event that feels like a show! It's designed by a fan, for fans—every detail reflects that. This is an intentionally fan-first event — designed from the inside, by a fan, for fans. It's not a conference that happens to mention fandom. It's not a fan meetup that happens to talk careers. It's intentionally, and unapologetically, both. Dress in FanBiz Casual, showcasing your fandom while remaining professional (wear a tour tee under a blazer, a character pin on your bag, or merch styled your way). Don't forget your personalized nametag: ___ TO ___ (e.g., Swiftie to Marketer, Stan to Founder, Music Lover to A&R). ✨

Community Partners:
We are proudly partnering with Girls Behind The Rock Show (a non-profit empowering women and marginalized genders in the music industry), Gen Admission (a volunteer-run non-profit educating aspiring music professionals), irl. fans for friends (creating real-life spaces where fans can take online connections offline), The Fangirl Pipeline (a community and educational resource for aspiring music professionals), and The Tracy Morgan Show (a nationally syndicated radio show celebrating culture and elevating women in music and entertainment).

About Fangirl Forward:
Fangirl Forward is a fan-first media brand that explores modern fandom, celebrating the communities and culture that shape our industry. Created by Kat Monroe, journalist, founder, and lifelong fan. A Fan Fave Media production. 🌐

Speaker Announcements: Coming July 29, 2026. A curated lineup of journalists, marketers, founders, creators, and industry professionals who came from fandom and built something real from it.

👉 RSVP Now — Limited spots available, so don't miss out! Valid ID required at the door for 18+ entry!