ALUMNA PROFILE
Stevenson University: "Holding the
Door Open for You"
Standing at the podium in the Owings Mills gymnasium,
looking out upon a sea of eager Mustangs, Bryna Colley
(visual communication design ’06) addressed the Class
of 2021. “I know exactly what it’s like to sit where you’re
sitting,” Colley said. And she does.
Colley was selected as the 2017 keynote speaker
at Convocation, a traditional ceremony held each
August to welcome freshman and new students to the
Stevenson family. Her comments included three pieces
of advice that were a culmination of tips and tricks
learned throughout her student experience and beyond.
First, “You’re doing this for you!” she saidd. “See when
Bryna Colley ’06
someone sets the bar for you, you’re only going to jump
as high as that bar. But when someone challenges you Over time, Colley and Biello launched a second enterprise with
to jump as high as possible, the sky’s the limit.” Colley a web-development partner company, Foxtrot Media, to form
urged new members of the Stevenson community to their most recent brand Foundry 19, located in Owings Mills
challenge themselves by getting involved, setting goals, across from Foundry Row. All the while, Colley has continued
and going beyond what is expected. to give back to her alma mater, serving as a guest speaker to
While a student at Stevenson, she was at the top
of her class and stood out as a highly creative and
students and as a member of the School of Design Advisory
Board, annually reviewing student portfolios.
involved student. After graduation, Colley went to work Her closing advice was simple. “Meet people, meet people,
for a highly regarded design and marketing agency in meet people.” Colley admitted that she was naïve during her
Baltimore, BCG (B. Creative Group), where she landed time as a student, expecting that working hard in class meant
several national accounts and was h ighly sought-after she’d land a job after graduation. She stressed, “It’s not only
by clients for her creative competence and attention to about what you know, it's about who you know.”
detail.
2Fold hires numerous graduates as interns and employees;
Several years later, Colley, along with her creative today, the Foundry19 team of nine employees consists of four
partner, BCG employee and SU alumna Rebecca Smith Stevenson graduates. Colley's Stevenson connections helped her
Biello ‘06, ventured out on their own to form 2Fold reach the success she's achieved today and as a result she looks
Collective. Taking this leap wasn’t something they did to provide opportunities to fellow Mustangs.
lightly. Her second piece of advice? “Don’t be afraid to She ended her speech with the million dollar question—and
step outside of your comfort zone. At the end of the day, answer. “Will Stevenson get you there? I can’t promise you that.
I know that my proudest moments have stemmed from What I can promise it that Stevenson University is holding the
the things that I’ve felt the most uncomfortable doing.” door open for you.”
STEVENSON.EDU/GIVING
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