SPS Stories
Alumni Spotlight
Sylvia Zhou
Class of 2014
Executive MS in Marketing and Strategic Communications
From NYU SPS Student to Global Tech Influencer
Fast Facts
- Earned an MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication in 2014
- Spent several years at DiGennaro Communications, managing strategic communications for agencies and media companies like DDB, Epsilon, and ARF
- Currently global industry relations & intelligence lead at Facebook
<p><span class="p-body">This spring, the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business.html" title="Division of Programs in Business (DPB)">Division of Programs in Business (DPB)</a> had the pleasure of hosting an inspiring session of our Industry Connection Series (ICS). During the event, we welcomed back one of our own, Sylvia Zhou. We first met her while she was studying for the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-public-relations-and-corporate-communication.html" title="MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communications">MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communications</a> as an international student, and she's now a global leader at Meta.</span></p>
A Night of Global Insights
<p><span class="p-body">Now in its third year, the Industry Connection Series has garnered a growing audience for innovative topics such as "Visual Leadership," "The Performance Management Revolution," and "Design Thinking & Understanding Your Customer." Each session provides DPB students, faculty, alumni, and staff with leading-edge insights into current business trends and industry developments.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">This year, Michael Diamond, our academic director of Integrated Marketing & Communications, sat down with Zhou at our flagship building at 7 East 12th Street. Together, they chatted about Zhou's SPS experience, her professional path, and her insights on achieving career success. It was a moment of pride for us to see over 100 students, faculty, and alumni gather to hear from Zhou.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Zhou's reflections on her time with us, her journey to her current role as the global industry relations & intelligence lead at Facebook, and her advice to current students not only inspired everyone in the room but also reaffirmed our commitment to guiding our students toward thriving in the real world. This gathering was a vivid reminder of why we do what we do here at NYU SPS: to prepare our students not just to meet the future but to shape it.</span></p>
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Innovating at the Intersection of Technology and Communication
<p><span class="p-body">In her current role, Zhou is responsible for driving Facebook's industry relations and strategic partnerships globally. Prior to this position, she built and led Facebook's industry marketing program in Asia Pacific and for the global marketing science team. She also drove Facebook's thought leadership presence at tent poles, including CES, MWC, and, most recently, the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. </span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Before joining Facebook, Zhou spent several years at DiGennaro Communications, where she managed strategic communications for advertising agencies and media companies like DDB, Epsilon, and ARF. She earned her MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at NYU SPS and a BA in Journalism from Renmin University of China.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">We know that Zhou's career will only continue to flourish, and we can't wait to see how she continues to impact her industry. Take your place at the center of everything by pursuing an<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-public-relations-and-corporate-communication.html" title="MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at NYU SPS"> MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at NYU SPS</a>.</span></p>
