Welcoming Alan Marks and Amanda Minami to the CatchLight Board of Directors

Marks is a visual artist and communications visionary with a passion for purpose-driven storytelling. He brings more than 30 years of experience as a senior communications executive at leading global consumer and technology companies. He was a 2016 Fellow at Stanford’s Distinguished Careers Institute, is a graduate of UNC and NYU, and currently is a UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Foundation board member.

Most recently, Marks served as chief marketing and communications officer at ServiceNow, where he helped shape the company’s brand as it redefined the future of work. Before that, he led communications as Managing Director at Emerson Collective, where he fueled impactful narratives for the influential social impact organization.

Marks’ extensive background with global brands and his commitment to purpose-driven storytelling will prove invaluable to our efforts to revitalize visual journalism as a tool for public information and social change. Asked what attracts him to CatchLight’s mission, he shared the story of an image:

“A faded black-and-white snapshot of my grandfather sitting in his favorite chair is one of the first images I remember that evoked an emotional response, that refused to let me look away, that became a cherished keepsake, an image to form a relationship with. I have no memory of my grandfather. He died of lung cancer when I was too young. But I remember that chair. My grandmother never moved it. The photo made him real to me, so much so I could see him sitting in that chair, so much so I was afraid to ever sit there myself, lest I disturb him. That simple snapshot showed me the power of photography to help us connect, to create memory, to feel love and loss and longing, to be human,” Marks told us.

“I am thrilled to join the board. I hope my marketing and media experience, as well as my own passion for photography and visual storytelling, can help support CatchLight’s growth, expand awareness and engagement, and continue to build a diverse and dynamic community.”

Minami is a dynamic philanthropist who champions innovation at the crossroads of science and the arts. With a passion for cross-cultural education, social entrepreneurship, and empowering a new generation of leaders, Minami has been a driving force behind numerous social inclusion initiatives.

As a Lotus Circle advisor to The Asia Foundation, Minami has led transformative programs advancing gender equity. Her wide-ranging support for Stanford University’s neuroscience and visual arts initiatives reflects her commitment to sparking change across diverse fields. Minami’s dedication to bridging cultures and fostering the arts aligns perfectly with CatchLight’s mission to advance visual storytelling as a dynamic, diverse, and sustainable field.

“In today’s tumultuous and polarized climate, I have discovered that CatchLight’s mission and its distinctive role as an ethical ally for individuals, foundations, and media-focused organizations resonate deeply with my values and philanthropic pursuits,” Minami explained.

“Their mission and approach not only offer essential resources but also spotlight the pressing needs of our wider civil society. The unwavering commitment of the Catchlight leadership and team to inclusivity, respect, and collaboration is palpable through their actions, effectively propelling their mission forward. Over the past few years, I’ve collaborated with CatchLight on community-focused initiatives, and I am now honored to join their board as a way to further champion this remarkable organization.”

We are honored to welcome Marks and Minami, whose combined expertise will sharpen and accelerate our efforts to shape the future of visual storytelling. Stay tuned for more updates as our shared vision materializes in this incredible moment of growth in the CatchLight story.