Erica Starrfield of Orange was hired as Case Western Reserve University’s vice president for marketing and communications beginning on Aug. 1, President Eric W. Kaler announced in a news release.
Starrfield has more than 20 years of experience, including spending the last 19 years at Nestle USA in Solon working in brand leadership and centralized marketing roles.
“Erica brings the experience we need to elevate awareness of the remarkable work being done at Case Western Reserve,” Kaler said in the release. “She will be ready to lead a talented team in University Marketing and Communications to ensure our brand becomes better known across the U.S. and beyond.”
Starrfield has lived in Northeast Ohio for most of her life, with brief stints elsewhere to earn her bachelor’s in organizational studies at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and her MBA at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and to work for nonprofits in Washington, D.C., and Warner Bros. Television in California. In Northeast Ohio, she has served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland and National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Cleveland.
“I am energized by the opportunity to drive the reputation and reach of CWRU by creating a clear and distinct positioning that leverages the university’s educational excellence, renowned research, collaborative students, faculty and staff, and a location rich in inspiration,” Starrfield said in the release. “Creating and giving visibility to an incredible brand story can truly galvanize the UMC team and our entire community.”
Starrfield was a member of the Cleveland Jewish News’ class of 2018 Difference Makers.