Claudia Garcia, VP Media Specialist
Grace Gavilanes: How did you know you wanted to pursue a career in communications?
Claudia Garcia: I come from a very hardworking, grounded, and loving family, where resilience and being yourself were always non-negotiable. As a first-generation college graduate, I really don’t take any of this for granted. I wouldn’t be here without that foundation.
I’ve always been obsessed with fashion and media. I was that girl flipping through Delia’s and Alloy catalogs, reading YM and Teen People, and fully locked into reality TV from The Real World to Laguna Beach and The Hills. That era definitely defined me. Watching LC go into PR at Teen Vogue while I was starting my own internship, it felt weirdly in sync.
My parents really pushed me to go for it. Every summer in college, I interned in the city, five days a week, unpaid, just figuring it out. I worked at magazines, fashion showrooms, and learned everything you don’t learn in school from how to communicate, stay organized, multitask, and build relationships. It was a lot, but I loved it.
My first real job out of college was as an executive assistant to Abigail Lorick, who, fun fact, designed Eleanor Waldorf's collections you’d see on Gossip Girl and on each season's runway show episodes. It was such a formative experience. I got exposure to fashion, sales, production, and worked closely with PR teams, and that’s when it clicked. I loved being that connector.
From there, I moved into PR agencies, where I met some of my closest friends and really learned how to think strategically. It was fast-paced, a little chaotic, but it gave me a backbone and taught me how to trust my instincts.
GG: What would you say is the most rewarding part of your work?
CG: Honestly, my team. The work is amazing, but the people make it. Whether it’s events, press days, or random work trips, we always end up making the best memories.
““My culture has shaped who I am in every way: my work ethic, my values, my perspective.””
GG: What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?
CG: I love mentoring, so seeing people I’ve worked with grow, get promoted, or land incredible opportunities is really fulfilling. Professionally, there’s nothing like landing great coverage for a client, it never gets old. I also love when we push brands into unexpected spaces. And honestly, I’m proud of the era of PR I came up in. I started in 2010, very much the Kelly Cutrone school of thought, and it taught me to work hard, stay sharp, and now, set boundaries. That was an era when we had BlackBerrys, schlepped samples, print was thriving, Ubers didn’t exist, and we knew every street in NYC like the back of our hands.
GG: Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you make sure to take care of yourself first?
CG: Burnout is very real. When I’m stressed, I go on walks and put on my comfort podcasts, Giggly Squad, The Toast, Mention It All, anything pop culture. I love reality TV, especially Bravo, so leaning into that world helps me totally shut off my brain. I also live on a lake, so in the summer I’ll take my paddleboard out, which is my version of therapy.
GG: Imposter syndrome is a very real thing in our community. Have you experienced it? If so, how do you reconnect with yourself?
CG: 100%. I think everyone does, especially in this industry. When it happens, I remind myself of everything I’ve already done, the wins, the moments I figured things out when I didn’t think I could. I also lean on my people, my fiancé, family and friends. And sometimes, you just have to move forward before you feel ready. Confidence catches up later.
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
CG: I’m Peruvian, and it means everything to me. It’s family, manners, it’s love, it’s how I show up in the world. My culture has shaped who I am in every way: my work ethic, my values, my perspective. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become even more proud of it. It’s such a core part of me. Not to mention we have won many “Best In the World” food awards.
