Maci Patterson

Special guest

Maci Peterson is a Millennial entrepreneur and marketing expert. She has been named “Tech’s Newest Innovator” by Essence Magazine, and is a recognized subject-matter expert and advisor on entrepreneurship, innovation and diversity initiatives.

Maci is the co-founder and CEO of On Second Thought, a messaging app whose patented technology lets users take back text messages before they get to the other person’s phone. She has been recognized on Inc Magazine’s “30 Under 30 List” of 2016, and Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40 List” of 2015. In addition, Maci has been identified as a rising leader in technology by Revolt TV, and one of the “29 People You Should Know” by BET. Maci began On Second Thought after winning 1st Place in the #StartupOasis pitch competition at South by Southwest in 2014.

Maci’s experience includes years of marketing and business development in the entertainment, media and hospitality industries. As a brand manager at Marriott International, Maci led the redevelopment and relaunch of the hospitality company’s first mobile game, Xplor. She also led innovative digital marketing campaigns and consulted on many of the hotel company’s Millennial initiatives. While leading the marketing department at The Washington Post’s subsidiary, The Root, she worked with clients, including Amtrak, Marriott and AT&T, to deliver innovative marketing experiences to their readers. While at 20th Century Fox, Maci worked in product placement and contributed to various films including: 27 Dresses, Marley & Me, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Juno and The Devil Wears Prada.

Maci earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and advertising from Chapman University, with related work in journalism and film production. While a student at Spelman College, she studied cultures of the African Diaspora and marketing. She was the founder and editor-in-chief of the former Mwari Magazine, a digital publication for women of the African Diaspora ages 18-24. It was one of the first of its kind, and she grew the circulation to 130,000 readers.

Maci is a member of the Internet Marketing Association’s Women Leaders Group. She was a member of the Founder’s Council at the 1776 Incubator in Washington, D.C., and an alumna of the MindShare Class of 2015. She has been invited to speak at a variety of leadership and business conferences including: South by Southwest, The White House Initiative on HBCUs’ National HBCU Week Conference, Inc Magazine’s GrowCo, IdeaFest and Cox Communications’ Tech Summit.

Maci regularly serves as a mentor and leader for several community organizations. She is a member of Chapman University’s Chapman 50 alumni board and a founding board member of Michelle in Training. She is a former member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and an alumna of Alpha Phi Fraternity. She is a member of DC Metro Church in Alexandria Virginia, and attends Canvas Church in San Francisco. Maci is a Chicago native who lives in San Francisco.

Maci Patterson has been a guest on 1 episode.