Fangirl Forward NYC: Fandom as Foundation

Fangirl Forward NYC is a half-day event exploring the future of fandom in entertainment, one lens at a time. The theme is Fandom as Foundation — a professional experience for the next generation of fan-first leaders in entertainment and media. Because the thing you loved was always preparing you for what comes next. We're exploring the fan-to-professional pipeline, and how fandom builds the skills, instincts, and fluency to succeed in the industry before anyone gives you a title for it. There are plenty of career events about breaking into entertainment. Very few are built around the idea that fandom itself is part of the qualification. They start with the industry. We start with the fan. You’ll leave Fangirl Forward NYC with a clearer understanding of where you belong in this industry, meaningful connections with people who actually get it, and practical insight you can apply to your own career—whether you’re looking for your first internship, your next opportunity, or the confidence to build something yourself. Please note: This is an 18+ event. Valid ID required at the door. Fangirl Forward NYC is sponsored by Popular Demand Studios. What's Happening Two panels, one idea. Your fandom was always the foundation. Panel #1 - Fandom as Fluency The fans working within industry institutions, and what they know that nobody taught them. Every path into this industry looks different. But for the people on this panel, fandom was always the through line. You'll leave with a clearer understanding of how fandom fluency translates into real industry careers, and the specific moves, mindsets, and moments that got these people from fan to professional. Speakers: Ally Ali — On-Air Host, 106.1 BLI Gracies Award-winning radio personality, 8 years on-air, and the self-proclaimed biggest Jonas Brothers fan — 74 shows and counting. She’s interviewed everyone from Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran to Niall Horan and Gracie Abrams, asking the questions fans want to know. Jennifer Moglia — Venue Social Media Marketing Coordinator, Live NationAs a venue social media marketer at Live Nation Entertainment, Jen leads social media strategy and execution for eight venues across the Northeast, New England and Great Lakes regions, including both outdoor amphitheaters and indoor theaters. From Long Island and upstate NY to PA and CT, her focus stays the same — shaping the fan experience in a positive way. Larisha Paul — Staff Writer, Rolling Stone Writing about pop music, fandom, and why it all matters at Rolling Stone. Featured music expert in CNN/HBO’s Call Me Country and a guest on the New York Times Popcast. Katie Stephens — Marketing Manager, Fast Friends A lifelong fangirl who turned passion into a career building authentic connections between artists and their audiences — across MTV, SiriusXM, Warner Music Group, Live Nation, and now, indie label Fast Friends. Moderated by J’na Jefferson - writer and multimedia storyteller whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone, USA Today, Harper’s Bazaar, and BBC Radio. Panel #2 - Fandom as Ownership They didn't wait for permission. Neither should you. What happens when a fan decides the industry isn't moving fast enough and builds something themselves? For anyone who has ever thought "why doesn't this exist?!?" and decided to make it themselves, this panel is for you. Speakers: Victoria Hamersky — Artist Manager + A&R, VH MGMT Group Started in artist management at 17. Built her career from stan Twitter to Atlantic Records and beyond. Caterina Nasr — A&R and Talent Manager, Pure Victory Creative / RECORDS Co Spent seven years inside the Atlantic/Elektra system helping break PinkPantheress, Brittany Broski, and ThxSoMch — then built her own lane. Now running Pure Victory Creative while continuing her A&R work at RECORDS Co. Stephanie Niemiec — Content Creator Started a Taylor Swift fan account at 15. Today she has 350k+ followers across social media celebrating music and fan culture, has danced onstage with Zara Larsson, and collaborated with artists to help promote new music and connect fans with the songs they love. Moderated by Izzy Ingram — an award-winning film, digital, and event producer at NowThis, and founder of live pop culture lecture series Pop Talks. Extended speaker bios available here. Networking Mixer The conversation doesn’t end when the panels do. The mixer is your time to connect with the people in the room: fans, founders, creators, and industry professionals who all showed up for the same reason you did. ** Light refreshments will be provided** Who This Is For This is for the fan who wondered if their passion could become a career. The early-career professional who built their instincts in fan communities before anyone recognized them as professional skills. The creator who turned obsession into something real. The industry insider who never stopped being a fan, even when the room told them to. And the person who never called themselves a fan, but built a whole career out of caring deeply about something. You don't have to leave the fan at the door. That's exactly the point. Fangirl Forward is proudly fan-first and women-led, but the room is open to anyone who believes fandom shapes culture, and wants to understand how it shapes careers, too. The Full Experience A career event that feels like a show. This is an intentionally fan-first event — designed from the inside, by a fan, for fans. Every detail reflects that. It's not a conference that happens to mention fandom. It's not a fan meetup that happens to talk careers. It’s intentionally, and unapologetically, both. The dress code is FanBiz Casual. Wear a tour tee under a blazer, a character pin on your bag, or merch styled your way. Bring your fandom into the room while still showing up professionally. There is no wrong way to show up as yourself here. Your nametag isn't just your name. It's a fill-in-the-blank. ___ TO ___. Swiftie to Marketer. Stan to Founder. Music Lover to A&R. Whatever your version of that sent