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
Peter Levine
Peter Levine
he/him/his
Executive Producer of The Make Media Workshop
- Bachelors of Music Performance (Cello), Boston University
- Founder of the Weird Local Film Festival
CCTV’s coolest and most well produced videos are usually produced by or supervised by Peter, who’s been making videos since he was a kid. Peter creates & edits video content for CCTV, provides 1-1 mentorship for our members, and plans & teaches media workshops and events.
He also manages our intern program and works closely with Seth to help CCTV community members with their projects.
Peter is the fuel to everyone’s creativity & productivity at CCTV. He’s got his own style completely realized, but he’s also a master at giving a client exactly what they want & need. He’s not afraid to bring up difficult discussions, and he’s got a gift for figuring out what to do in difficult creative situations.
Peter co-hosts I’m Bad at This with Maritza, our Associate Director of Community Relations. 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 aligns perfectly with one of my main goals, which is to use media to foster community. I love making stuff, helping people make stuff, and helping people find other people who can help them make stuff. And that is essentially my entire job—so, pretty cool!”
Best quality
We had a lot to choose from, but the general consensus is that he is a truly great teacher.
Constantly saying
“You should make something!”
Nerd alert!
He’s not a fan of the Marvel Comic Universe, and we all agree that that’s weird.
7th grade alter ego
Overachiever who is also the angsty class clown
Knows everything about
Cameras, production equipment, comedy + the Weird Local Film Festival (which he founded)
Secret BFF
He says he can’t tell us without destroying the fabric of the relationship.
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
Alfonso Mateo
Alfonso Mateo
he/him/his
Programming & Events Manager
- BFA in Visual and Media Arts Production, concentration in screenwriting, Emerson College
Alfonso schedules CCTV’s programming across all three of our live television networks, as well as coordinating our live shows and handling program submissions. He uses his innate creativity and sense of style to design killer live sets, curate the best programming playlists, manage our art gallery, and more.
We’re obsessed with the way he gives each day of programming its own narrative arc, the low-key, chill energy he brings, and his amazing kicks. We are unanimous in our opinion that Alfonso’s creativity is his superpower, and we love how he takes his time to observe and process.
Alfonso co-hosts What’s Up Twenties?, a weekly podcast with his bestie, our Youth & Administrative Manager Yanka.
“My favorite part of working at CCTV is the creative freedom I have. I love programming curation, the supportive work environment, and being in the middle of everything in Central Square.”
Best quality
How intentional & thoughtful he is in using our programming schedule to uplift marginalized voices.
Most overused phrase
“It’s giving…” (as in, “It’s giving big Harry Styles vibes)
Nerd alert!
Marvel movies. (Also… Harry Styles)
7th grade alter ego
Quiet writer who hangs out with the art weirdos, but all the cool kids have a secret crush on him.
Knows everything about
Harry Styles
Celebrity Crush
Hm. Harry Styles?
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