Felicity Nevarez

Business leader, Event planner, Finance professional, Marketer, Project manager, Promoter, Writer/Editor

A marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience leading strategic initiatives and large-scale public events that strengthen organizational visibility and engagement. Currently supporting initiatives within the MarComm department in the university president’s office, the work includes managing events, coordinating volunteers and campus partners, and developing data-informed strategies that improve outreach and participation. Experience spans higher education, government and private-sector environments, including directing events that improved participation and strengthened community connections. Known for combining creativity with strategic planning, the work focuses on building collaborative partnerships, improving workflows and creating meaningful experiences that connect people with ideas and institutions.

I am passionate about creating events that bring people together around shared ideas and experiences. For me, an event is more than logistics or planning. It is an opportunity to build energy, spark curiosity and create moments that people remember. Whether it is a community run, a university celebration or a large public gathering, I enjoy designing experiences that help people feel connected to something bigger than themselves. Events have the power to tell stories, celebrate achievements and create a space where collaboration and inspiration can naturally happen.

At a research university like New Mexico State University, innovation happens every day, yet many of the stories behind that work remain unseen outside the labs and classrooms where they begin. One idea worth spreading is that research and creativity are not separate worlds because they thrive when they intersect. By connecting researchers, students and the public through storytelling, events and digital platforms, universities can transform knowledge into experiences that inspire communities. When research is communicated in ways people can see, feel and participate in, it becomes more than information. It becomes impact.

As I prepare to help host a TEDx event, I find myself thinking about the moments that shape how we share ideas. Throughout my career, I have worked behind the scenes organizing events, coordinating teams and building the platforms where conversations happen. Hosting a TEDx event feels like a natural extension of that work, creating a space where voices, ideas and creativity can come together in one place. My story is not just about organizing events. It is about believing that when the right people and ideas meet in the right environment, something powerful can happen. Sometimes the most meaningful role is not being the speaker on stage, but helping create the stage where ideas can truly be heard.

Something people often do not know about me is that I am also an oil painter. Painting has taught me to see the world through composition, color and perspective, and I approach marketing in much the same way. Just as a painting requires balance, storytelling and attention to detail, so does building a brand or creating a campaign that resonates with people. Art helps me think visually and creatively, which influences how I design messaging, experiences and digital engagement. In many ways, marketing and painting both begin with the same question: how do you create something that makes people stop, feel something and remember it?