Anthony Galanda is a born and bred New Yorker, with work experience as diverse as the city itself! Raised in the borough of Queens, Anthony has a diverse professional background in the fields of hospitality, retail, and real estate. His decision to switch careers led him to enroll in LaGuardia Community College (CUNY) as a Communications/Public Relations Major.
Anthony excelled academically at LaGuardia. He continuously earned and maintained a spot on the Dean’s List with a 4.0 GPA. He was inaugurated into both Phi Theta Kappa (ΦΘΚ) and the National Communication Association’s Sigma Chi Eta Honor Society. Anthony availed himself of the many extracurricular activities offered at LaGuardia, serving as the Social Media Coordinator of the Health and Nutrition Club. He showcased his stellar communication skills during his persuasive speech about healthy living, placing second in LaGuardia’s Annual Public Speaking Contest. Upon graduation, he earned his Associate of Arts degree with High Honors. His academic efforts awarded him the CUNY Pathway’s Monetary Scholarship to pursue his baccalaureate degree.
Anthony Galanda chose to continue his education at CCNY, The City College of NY. He enrolled as a Communications Major, with a specialization in Advertising and Public Relations. During his junior year, Anthony interned at VMLY&R Miami as a junior account executive and gained valuable insight in the world of advertising and client relations. During his senior year, Anthony was inducted into CCNY’s Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society (ΦΒΚ) and the National Society for Leadership and Success. Anthony was a finalist in the 2020 Zahn Innovation Center’s Startup Competition. He pitched a prototype and marketing strategy for his hospitality app, StaffToGO.
Anthony consistently maintained Dean’s List throughout his academic journey at CCNY and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with High Honors from CCNY. As a recent college grad, Anthony Galanda is excited to pursue a career in his field. With his previous experience in client relations and account management, he is ready to begin his future career in corporate communications and advertising!
What do you love most about the industry you are in?
What I love the most about the industry I am in is that it allows us to begin tailoring advertising campaigns to fit a client’s needs and help them better reach a larger audience. Advertising helps bring a company’s mission to life through both words and art. Working for companies I am already passionate about is a bonus and sparks my creative thought process.
What does a typical day consist of for you?
I would say that a typical day could consist of many things. I often enjoy playing tennis, living a healthy lifestyle, following stock trends, keeping up with the advertising/public relations industry, staying organized, riding my electric scooters, renting exotic cars, and trying new foods/restaurants.
What keeps you motivated?
I get motivated by traveling to places I have never been. The world has a lot to offer and I love exploring new places. Warm weather and sunshine keep me going and in the best mood possible. Also, improving as a tennis player and becoming the best I can be is the ultimate motivation.
How do you motivate others?
I encourage them to live in the present moment and not let their past define them. Life is short and I motivate others to live their best lives by maintaining a positive attitude.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from those who are handicapped in any capacity that continue to carry out their lives without their limitations stopping them. Many of us often forget how many blessings we have in our life, and it all starts with our mental/physical health.
Who has been a role model to you and why?
My grandmother has been a role model to me with her hard work ethic, financial intelligence, and her strength of raising four children and two grandchildren.
How do you maintain a solid work life balance?
Time management is key to maintaining a solid work life balance. Equally prioritizing important deadlines at work, rest and relaxation, and physical/mental health is everything.
What traits do you possess that makes a successful leader?
I’m charismatic, hardworking and organized. I encourage public speaking and am not shy to voice my opinion. I enjoy helping others succeed and feel good about themselves.
What suggestions do you have for someone starting in your industry?
I highly suggest being well versed in all social media platforms. The advertising industry is shifting to digital; it is important to be technologically sound.
What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome?
Enrolling back in college as an adult. It’s not how you start, but how you finish and now I have my bachelor’s degree.
What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?
“You need a little bit of insanity to do great things.” This applies to real life situations where you must step outside of your comfort zone sometimes to get amazing things done.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
Maintaining straight A’s in college while working multiple jobs.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to others?
I would tell people if that they can dream it, you can do it. Don’t let anyone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of yours.
Outside of work, what defines you as a person?
My positive attitude and drive to succeed. What also defines me is my ability of making people laugh and being a pleasure to be around.
What trends in your industry excite you?
I am excited by the shift to digital advertising (social media) as opposed to traditional advertising methods (billboards etc). There are so many different ways to reach an audience through the digital sector.
Explain the proudest day of your professional life.
My proudest moment was achieving my bachelor’s degree and creating/pitching a prototype of my hospitality app idea ‘StaffToGO,’ in the 2020 Zahn Innovation Center Startup Competition.