Meet the Team
Hi. The first thing you need to know about us (the people who work at CCTV) is that we love each other. A lot. We live to see each other thrive, to make each other laugh, and to make stuff together.
We’re creative, smart, intergenerational, and from all different backgrounds. We’re also incredibly humble. ;)
To put together the bios you see below, every team member filled out a (very thorough, little bit off-the-wall) questionnaire about every other team member.
Here is what we had to say about each other:
Jessica Smyser
Jessica Smyser
she/her/hers
Executive Director
- BA in American Studies, Smith College
- Master’s degree in Organizational Development/ Ethical Leadership, Claremont Lincoln University
- Nearly two decades of progressive nonprofit leadership
Jessica has been our Executive Director since January 2021. She came to CCTV with over 14 years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience, plus a “past life” as the Marketing Director for Rounder Records in Cambridge and the General Manager of Q-Division Records in Somerville.
Since she’s taken over leadership, she’s been so committed to honoring the spirit & uplifting the voices of Cambridge. She has made it her mission to shepherd CCTV into the 21st Century, without losing our connection to where we came from… and we think she’s doing a great job. :)
Jessica has always championed the power of learning and the arts, creating connection, healing and justice for people of all ages. We love that she shows up as her real self, is forward thinking without being disrespectful to the past, and we are ALL on board with her vision for CCTV.
She leads by listening. She laughs. She makes corny jokes in the middle of important meetings. She is truly committed to leading an inclusive, equitable organization. We’re so glad she’s in charge.
“I love hearing people's stories and fostering intergenerational exchange.“
Best quality
She is transparent, encourages our wildest ideas, and supports our mental health. (That’s 3 qualities. She gets extra.)
Most overused phrase
“Fundraising, partnerships, staff meeting, payroll, annual report, board meeting…” (hey, it ain’t easy being the boss.)
Nerd alert!
Always won the Current Events award in grade school. 🤓
7th grade alter ego
Badass rocker who always does her homework.
Knows everything about
Every random Cambridge-related issue.
Secret BFF
She was too cool to tell us.
Maritza Grooms
Maritza Grooms
she/her/hers
Associate Director of Community Relations
- Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Boston University
- Co-host of History in Lowell
Maritza is a proud Lowellian who directs our outreach, communication, and community building efforts. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she pours her expertise in speaking, dismantling oppressive systems, workshop facilitation, and social media management into everything she does.
She leads by example, making her mental health a priority and lavishing the rest of us with encouragement and support. We are obsessed with her laugh and the cozy clothes she likes to sport at work.
Maritza co-hosts I’m Bad at This with Peter, our Executive Producer of The Make Media Workshop @ CCTV. I’m Bad at This is a bi-weekly sit down where Maritza and Peter discuss life, culture, social awkwardness, and other human things at which they are, you know, not very good.
“CCTV is the best team of supportive, creative, passionate people—all working together to provide a platform to empower people to use their voices, learn something new, or create something cool. I love that I get to meet all kinds of people from different walks of life with interesting perspectives.”
Best quality
Ability to expand ideas and help them take shape.
Most overused phrase
“Awww, Suki Suki Na!”
Nerd alert!
Reads a lot. Like… a lot.
7th grade alter ego
The fun weirdo who’s friends with everyone.
Knows everything about
Lowell. And also Dune.
Secret BFF
Jessica Smyser
Seth Myer
Seth Myer
he/him/his
Associate Director of Community Production
- Digital Media at Northeastern University
Seth is a Cambridge native in charge of coordinating and managing original CCTV productions, as well as seeking out & hiring media producers and editors, supervising interns, and managing live streaming productions.
We ALL mentioned the sense of peace he brings to the workplace (but we also all mentioned his love of BLTs, so…🤷🏽)
Seth has been with CCTV for over six years, and his studio & production expertise is unmatched. His thoughtfulness, subtle humor, and attentiveness show up in every aspect of our community productions, from inception to completion.
That production quality we’re so proud of? All Seth.
“Being able to engage the community meant so much to me growing up. To give a platform to those who otherwise would not have their voices heard is also very meaningful.”
Best quality
His calmness balances the team’s energy and he can navigate overwhelming situations without losing his cool.
Is always saying
“Sick!”
Nerd alert!
Is constantly sharing videos of daughter Myla, telling you about his pandemic garden, and/or eating BLTs.
7th grade alter ego
Goofy jock who hangs with the AV nerds
Knows everything about
90s hip hop
Dislikes
Ryan Reynolds; ice cream
Ellen Daoust
Ellen Daoust
she/her/hers
Associate Director of Education
- BA in Government and Spanish, Smith College
- MS in Applied Communications, Fitchburg State University
- Graduate Certificate in Digital Video, Northeastern University
Ellen is our resident badass feminist; she plans, schedules, and manages all of our amazing educational content. She is the bridge between our instructors & facilitators and the students who take our classes & workshops—and she is especially gifted at facilitating an intergenerational exchange between our younger students and our elders.
We are all a little bit dazzled by how wonderful she is with students, her killer ideas for new classes to offer, her groundedness, and her empathy. She is fantastic at contributing to a safe space where we all feel safe to speak our minds.
The reason CCTV is known as the *best* place to learn media skills is because of the programs Ellen has created.
We also think she’d want us to mention that she has several amazing houseplants, and a little daughter named Ruth.
“I love working at CCTV because it is a vibrant and quirky community of people that are passionate about free speech, civic engagement and creative expression! Doesn’t get much better than that.”
Best quality
She’s honest and straightforward and outspoken, and also kind, empathetic, and creates a safe space for the rest of us to be vulnerable.
Constantly Saying
“The class is full.”
Nerd alert!
Of all our staff members, Ellen is the only one that nobody made fun of.
7th grade alter ego
Chill overachiever with a book & awesome boots
Knows everything about
Massachusetts politics
Celebrity Crush
Kumail Nanjiani / Manny Jacinto
Yanka Petri
Yanka Petri
she/her/hers
Youth & Administrative Manager
- BFA in Photography, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Film/Video and Events Assistant Mentor, Artists For Humanity in Boston
Yanka participated in our Youth Media Program in 2013 after relocating to Cambridge from Curitiba, Brazil, and stuck around until her high school graduation, when she was hired as a Teaching Artist in the Youth Media Program. Nine years later, after a stint at Massachusetts College of Art & Design, we welcomed her back as our Youth & Administrative Manager, and we are sooo glad she’s here.
Yanka teaches, manages, and coordinates our entire Youth Program, in addition to handling all of our front desk responsibilities, including fielding phone calls, managing equipment & studio space reservations, helping with productions, and pretty much anything else she can get her hands on.
No one loves CCTV as much as Yanka, and it shows. She is kind, helpful, sees the best in people, and truly cares about her community. We think she’s the glue that holds CCTV together.
Yanka co-hosts What’s Up Twenties?, a weekly podcast with her bestie, our Programming & Events Manager Alfonso.
“CCTV means the absolute world to me. I have grown into the adult, artist and professional person I am because of this place. I love working with our community members to deliver high quality production, events and to uplift their voices through media!”
Best quality
She asked us to say it’s her cat Mochi, but we think it’s her ability to connect with every person she talks to, and her commitment to asking “What’s the right thing to do?”
Special Talent
Can speak in emojis.
Nerd alert!
Photography, streetwear, and angel numbers. Also, her plants have names.
7th grade alter ego
“Most Friendly,” popular cool kid with big “mom” energy.
Knows everything about
Sneakers
Celebrity Crush
Bad Bunny
Josh Artman
Josh Artman
he/him/his
Station Operations Manager
- BA in Communication, Boston College
- VJ with Digital Awareness
Josh monitors the cable channels and streams, and keeps CCTV's channels running smoothly. His passion for technology keeps us up to date with what we need while also finding new, accessible ways for our members to create.
Whether he's crawling up in our ceilings running cables, sitting on the floor getting sticky stuff off the floor, or teaching cool video art classes, Josh takes immense pride in the work he does and we love that about him. We love hanging out in Josh's office that has slowly become a welcoming museum with some fun music and immaculate vibes.
We loved Josh when he interned at CCTV in 2019, and we love even more that he came back with his kind, easy-going personality, cheesy jokes, and technological know-how.
"CCTV is a place for everyone! When I first started interning at the station, I was a recent college graduate with an extremely barebones knowledge of the city of Cambridge. The CCTV staff and community still welcomed me with open arms, gave me opportunities to learn a lot, and empowered me to take ownership of my work in a supportive creative environment. What more could you ask for from a community media center?"
Best quality
He is ALWAYS available to help with anything and has a brilliant mind for fun, creative solutions.
Constantly Saying
"Let me see what I can do.
Nerd alert!
Antique, outdated, and decommissioned devices,
media formats, and other equipment plus every kind
of cable you can imagine!
7th grade alter ego
Cool nerd who doubles as a class clown
Knows everything about
Ska Music!
Celebrity Crush
Adam Sandler
Ethan Lally
Ethan Lally
he/him/his
Programming Manager
- BA in Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Lowell
What were you doing before you landed here?
Mostly covering Select Board and other gov’t meetings for Danvers Community Access TV. Going even further back, I covered Select Board and City Council meetings and did other various things at Central Vermont TV in Barre, VT. More recently, I went on two tours around the country playing music! I play a very niche style of music called American Primitive Guitar. It’s a type of instrumental acoustic guitar influenced by country blues, folk & old-time, and more experimental music genres such as minimalism and drone. I also directed a film, Queen City Blues, about Manchester, NH that got into and won an award at a film festival in Vermont. I still play music and make films, but I used to as well.
Where are you from?
Gloucester, MA
Tell us about your family: humans, pets, plants, etc.
My parents Pam and Sean still live in the house in Gloucester where I grew up, with their newly acquired dog Scout. My older sister Colleen just recently moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (by recently I mean like, literally earlier this week). I’ve also got my friends, a rag-tag group of childhood friends, fellow UML-ers, and other musicians and filmmakers.
What do your friends love best about you?
Whenever I get into something new, I really get into it. So if a friend shows me something that I also connect with, I am very much able to match their enthusiasm and sometimes even end up learning more about it than they do. This also allows me to help them out with various projects and interests that they get me involved in. I’m also deeply loyal and always down to lend an ear and talk about things and through things if needed.
What are you most excited about in your new role with CCTV?
To be involved in my community! I’ve been living in the Camberville area for about a year and a half now and I am really excited to be able to contribute to and facilitate the cultural landscape of Cambridge and Massachusetts as a whole. I believe that community is one of the most important cultural aspects in many different ways, and I’m very excited to interact with it every day.
What’s your 7th grade alter ego?
Wannabe jock. Seriously, I played football and lacrosse and almost exclusively wore athletic shorts.
Who or what are you a total nerd for?
I could put so many answers for this. Geography is one of them. I learned all 50 state capitals when I was 6 and still haven’t forgotten them. I spend most of my time on the wikipedia pages for various random countries, cities, and lakes. I also listen to so many different kinds of music. I was actually talking to Alfonso about this today. The genres in my most recent playlist are: Blues, Iranian Folk Music, Old-Time, Zydeco, Reggae, Ska, Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Drone, Gospel, Folk, Classic Rock, Indian Classical Music, Free Jazz, Black Metal, and Turkish Folk Music. And that’s just what I’ve been listening to in the past month!
What weird thing do you know everything about?
The former Ely Copper Mine in Vershire, Vermont. Or just Vermont in general. But seriously don’t get me started on that mine I could make a movie about it (and hopefully will one day).
Meet our newest team member, Ethan!
As soon as we know more about them, we’ll be back to spill the tea. For now, here’s what they have to say for themselves: