Digital Connection for Gen Z: The Importance of Developing Relationships Before Stepping Foot on Campus with ZeeMee’s Vanessa Didyk

Daniella Nordin is a marketing and communications leader with over 15 years of experience specializing in higher education marketing and engagement. In her role as Director of Customer Success and Engagement at Element451, she leads a team dedicated to ensuring exceptional customer experiences. With a focus on collaboration and communication, Daniella builds bridges between customers and internal teams, ensuring alignment and driving outcomes that exceed expectations. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing marketing strategies that drive growth and increase visibility and influence. Daniella holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from The Ohio State University and a Master’s, also in Communications, from the University at Albany, SUNY. She is committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in higher education marketing and engagement. She thrives on the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and is driven by her passion for helping colleges and universities achieve their goals.

Brendan Henkel is a dynamic force in the tech and education sectors, leading as the Manager of Solutions Engineering at Element451 with a unique flair for merging technology with learning. Not only is he a seasoned expert with 13 years in higher education, but Brendan is also the undisputed Disney nerd in his circles, bringing joy and insights with a touch of magic. In his illustrious career, particularly his 10 years on the institution side, Brendan has mastered the nuances of enrollment management and financial aid, shaping futures with his strategic acumen. His philosophy is simple yet profound: create welcoming spaces and prioritize understanding others. This approach has been the bedrock of his ability to foster lasting, fruitful partnerships. Brendan's superpower lies in his dedication to building personal connections, believing them to be the key to success in any endeavor. Adding another layer to his multifaceted persona is his enthusiasm for AI, positioning him as both an enthusiast and an evangelist in this rapidly evolving field. With a master's degree in New Media Journalism, Brendan seamlessly blends his educational background with his passion for tech, Disney, and AI, offering a captivating narrative that's both informative and entertaining.

Vanessa is a serial entrepreneur with over 16 years’ experience building and leading edtech companies to support the academic journey and increase access to quality education. After college Vanessa started her first company, Scholar’s Station, a full service academic support company serving students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in person and across the US remotely for tutoring, test prep, and college advising. Scholar’s Station was acquired in 2014 and Vanessa went on to serve as Senior Director of Product for Rev.com and then as General Manager of MathElf, a globally-scaled on-demand tutoring marketplace. Vanessa ran product and operations for MathElf, building and scaling the company from the ground up. In 2018, Vanessa left MathElf and took over as CEO of ZeeMee, a social app for the college journey, supporting students from recruitment through graduation. Vanessa currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and two young boys.