2026 Portfolio Review

Careers involving a creative role are highly competitive. Get an edge on the hiring game by having professionals look at your portfolio and give you valuable feedback. This event is ideal for students and young professionals looking to get their portfolios interview ready.

In partnership with MSU, AAF: Lansing will be hosting a Portfolio Review at the MSU Student Services Building.

April 2nd, 2026

6:30 PM-9:30 PM

MSU Student Services Building

Room 113 - Presentation Suite

Portfolios are not limited to a certain type. If you are in a creative field, you are welcome to attend! We will have professionals with a variety of backgrounds to give multiple perspectives.

• Graphic design

• Illustration

• Marketing

• Advertising

• Public Relations

• Photography

• Videography

• Web design

• Copywriting

Students who sign up are expected to attend their designated time slot(s). 

MEET THE PROFESSIONALS

Note: As new reviewers sign up to participate they will be added to the list.

Allie Siarto

• Title: Photographer / Professor of Practice for MSU's Advertising and PR Department

• Company: Allie Siarto & Co Photography / Michigan State University

• Bio: Allie Siarto is a professor of practice for MSU's Advertising and PR Department. After working for Edelman Public Relations in Chicago, Allie started her own boutique agency focused on social media listening and research, working with global brands like Wrigley, New Balance, PF Chang's, Radio Flyer, and Mini Cooper. She later moved into commercial photography, helping brands to create product and marketing imagery.

• Areas of expertise: Photography, Public Relations, Social Media

Angelique DuPhene

• Title: Creative Director & Chief Operating Officer

• Company: InVerve Marketing

• Bio: A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Angelique was brought up in the corporate world working for many years at Meijer Corporate with every major brand in the store from Apple to Disney to Kraft. Today she runs the day to day operations at InVerve Marketing, where she also acts as the creative director, and in a pinch steps in for graphic design, photography and really any services the clients may need.

• Areas of expertise: Graphic Design, Web Design, Video, Photography, Advertising, Marketing

CaraMia Rose Bertoni

• Title: Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

• Company: Michigan State University

• Bio: CaraMia Rose Bertoni is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, multimedia artist, and printmaker based in Brighton, Michigan. She received her BFA in Graphic Design in 2016 and her MFA in Graphic Design from Eastern Michigan University in 2019, and has taught graphic design courses at multiple universities since 2020, including Michigan State University since Fall 2023. 

• Areas of expertise: Digital Collage, Printmaking, Letterpress, Painting, Drawing

Chad Bennett

• Title: Visual Design Instructor

• Company: Lansing Community College

• Bio: Chad is a humble maker who enjoys experimenting with a wide range of artistic tools, concepts, and styles simply for the joy of creating. Driven by curiosity and the challenge of figuring out how to make new things, his work has earned appreciation, awards, and occasional commissions from others. He also teaches creative practice, where students value his human-centered approach and his ability to help them discover their own creative voices.

• Areas of expertise: Graphic Design, Illustration, Logo Design, Visual Design, Web Design, Ad Design, Copywriting, Editing, User Experience Writing

John Addis

• Title: CEO & Chief Strategist

• Company: Addis Enterprises

• Bio: John is the owner of Addis Enterprises, a 16-person design and marketing firm in Lansing, Michigan, and currently serves as Governor of District 6 (Illinois–Indiana–Michigan) of the American Advertising Federation. Over the past two decades, John has personally won over 150 regional and national awards in categories as diverse as web design, video production, photography, logo design, campaign development, novel writing, and music composition, with work featured in national outlets including CBS News, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and even parodied on The Tonight Show.

• Areas of expertise:  Marketing, Web Design, Video, Photography, Copywriting, Graphic Design, Advertising

Josh Best

• Title: Senior Creative Director

• Company: M3 Group

• Bio: Originally from Canada’s advertising scene, Josh started as an Art Director and has worked on international brands like Microsoft, Disney and CAT Footwear at various agencies between Toronto and Chicago. With stints on the corporate side (Creative Lead at Meijer) and the nonprofit side (Global Marketing Director at CURE International Children’s Hospitals), he’s well-versed in creative strategy across many sectors. He now leads the creative writing, design, video and photo teams at M3 Group with 2 offices in Michigan: East Lansing and Auburn Hills.

• Areas of expertise:  Exhibition Graphics, Digital Media, Communications Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Digital Marketing, Branding and Identity, Graphic Design, Illustration, Copywriting, Photography, Typography

Victor Sawicki

• Title: Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Social Media Manager

• Company: Ciesa Design

• Bio: Current President of AAF Lansing and designer for Ciesa Deisgn in Old Town, Victor has been integrating himself into the local creative scene and community since graduating from Michigan State University in 2023. Starting his career in pro bono work, and later including freelance and internship work before landing a full-time position, Victor has a varied perspective on the modern market.

• Areas of Expertise: Illustration, Graphic Design, Social Media, Animation, Advertising

MEMBERSHIP & REGISTRATION

This event is open to AAF: Lansing and national members (Not a member? Sign up here first) and MSU, CMU, LCC and Spring Arbor students. Registration is required to participate. Registration ends March 23rd. Time slots to sign up for specific professionals will be sent out to all registrants by March 24th.

PARKING

The closest on-campus parking ramp to the building is Ramp 6 located here: https://maps.msu.edu/interactive/index.php?location=0222

Alternatively, the closest off-campus parking is in East Lansing, in the Bailey Street Garage, directly across Grand River from Campus (126 Bailey St. East Lansing, MI 48823): https://maps.app.goo.gl/GJdQT53cQqW32oUS9; Parking requires payment in this lot until 3 am. 

BUILDING ACCESS

Room 113 is located on the Main Floor of the building. This building is keycard access at all times, with the exception of the front doors located off East Circle Drive, directly across from the Broad Art Museum (pictured above). After 6, you will need to be let into the building - we will be on hand to help with this. There are several entrances, but all are locked after 6pm. Reviewers can plan to enter through the entrance on the East Side off Farm Lane - an AAF representative will be standing by to let participants into the building. Call Angelique DuPhene if you have difficulty entering the building (248-890-2650). MSU students can use their student IDs to enter the building.