Lessons Learned: A Panel Series featuring industry leaders sharing hacks, habits, and hustle in the creative economy. Presented by Aitina Fareed-Cooke, The Creative Arts Strategist, Founder of Get Fokus'd Productions and Buffalo’s Poet Laureate in collaboration with Villa Maria College.
February 25th - Event Details
Dates: February 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Villa Maria College - 240 Pine Ridge Rd, Buffalo, NY 14225
Topic: Planning, Process & Project Management in the Digital Storytelling Industry
February 25th Panelists
Phil Davis - Writer
Jordan Lema - Video Production
Patrick Cray - Photography
Sarah Galasso - Animation
Brandon Schlia - Audio Production
About Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College advances accessible, student-centered education that blends professional preparation with liberal arts, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical leadership.
The Lessons Learned series supports this mission by pairing real-world learning with innovative digital storytelling and narrative design across media. It highlights public-facing learning, multidisciplinary education, community impact, and strong partnerships with industry leaders.
The College hosts “Lessons Learned: A New Digital Storytelling and Literary Arts Series,” in collaboration with Aitina Fareed-Cooke, Get Fokus’d Productions, and Buffalo’s creative community, underscoring hands-on learning, collaboration, and the empowerment of diverse creators.
About Aitina Fareed-Cooke
Aitina Fareed-Cooke, Founder of Get Fokus’d Productions, is a Creative Arts Strategist, educator, speaker, and consultant who inspires transformation through storytelling, performance, and collaboration. An award winning international recording artist (A.I. The Anomaly) and Buffalo’s Poet Laureate, Fareed-Cooke weaves her lived experience into workshops, keynotes, and creative engagements that challenge stereotypes and build resilience. Fareed-Cooke partners with mission-driven organizations to co-create human-first experiences that spark dialogue, amplify authentic voices, and reshape communities through the power of art through turning stories into strategy and impact.
