Name: Karen Leibowitz
Position/Institution: Art Director, Stony Brook University Office of Marketing and Communication
Number of years in your position: 20 years
Alma Mater(s): CW Post, Long Island University
Hometown: Plainview, NY
Twitter (personal): @specialKleibo

1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
I was hired at Stony Brook University 20 years ago and licensing was not a part of my initial job. Over the years, I was asked to become more and more involved in art approvals. In my current position, I am responsible for maintaining the visual brand for the University, so it really made sense for me to take on licensing. I knew NOTHING about licensing though and that's where ICLA came in. I applied for the Mentorship Program and was accepted ... that was my intro to ICLA.

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
As I said, I really did not know anything about licensing before becoming involved with ICLA. The Mentorship Program gave me a way to reach out regularly to my mentors, Robin Cooper at Indiana University and Jeff Church from Levelwear. They taught me a lot, answered all of my questions, and allowed me to think about the University brand in a way that I hadn't before.

3. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
My career is not 100% in collegiate licensing. Licensing is actually just a small part. However, I feel like it's a perfect fit for me. As the Art Director in Marketing and Communication, maintaining all aspects of the visual brand, including licensing, is important and rewarding. 

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
I think the biggest challenge in a university environment is getting through approval processes. Am I right?!

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
I think the most important skill I have learned is how to lead a team. I'm lucky that my staff make it easy, but it's a skill I have developed over most of my career.

6. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
Professionally, people ask me to review design to make sure our University branding is followed, or they ask me for help finding a good photographer. Personally, people always ask me how to cook something or where to eat.

7. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
I can't really pinpoint one person. I've had so many great people in my life, professionally. I am truly inspired by my co-workers, specifically my staff at Stony Brook. I learn from them all the time and I hope they are learning from me too.

8. Who's your role model? Why?
Maybe it's corny, but my parents have been my greatest role models. My dad taught me about integrity and honesty. He is super-regimented and organized, so I got that from him too. My mom is creative (in different ways than I am). She also taught me the importance of treating people equally, not necessarily the same though, providing what each person needs most in the moment. My parents also gave me a love of all things FOOD! My mom taught me how to cook passionately and my dad taught me how to eat passionately!

9. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing?
I think relationships are everything… not just in licensing, but in any work you do and in your personal life. Build good, strong relationships and people will be willing to work with you to reach your goals. When approaching someone with an issue or concern, put yourself in their shoes and think about how they will receive the information you are sharing. Be diplomatic, yet firm.

10. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
I don't think I have enough experience in licensing to know where it is headed in the future. I still have so much to learn. But it will be exciting to see where things go, especially in light of our "new normal."

11. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
If I'm in a fantasy world, a spa for regular massages and facials. 

12. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
Over the past year, I have ranged from 0% in the office to 60% in the office, depending on the local COVID numbers. Most recently, I was working from home from mid-December through the end of February. Now I'm back to three days in the office a week.

13. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?
Cooking! Food is really my passion!

14. What's your favorite quote?
"It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." – David Steindl-Rast

15. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
Food styling and food photography.

16. What is your favorite family tradition?
We didn't get to do it this year, but for my entire life, my family has an annual Chanukah party. When we were kids, we would invite a friend or two and put on shows for the adults. Now, and even then, it was really focused on the food. Do you see a theme here? LOL. Homemade potato latkes are a must. And making them with my mom and sister is a tradition too.

17. What are you really good at that might surprise people?
Throw me a cheese doodle ball and I'll catch it in my mouth!

18. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Speaking in a pre- or post-pandemic world, spend more time with family and friends, travel and see more live music.

19. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Indecisiveness! 

20. What is your favorite binge-worthy show right now?
I LOVE Schitt's Creek! I was late to the game, so started to binge-watch. But I stopped in the middle of the last season because I don't want it to end!!! So now I am savoring the remaining episodes. Ewww… David! For books, I just finished Heavy by Kiese Laymon. I just love the way he writes.