DCU Voices

2021 EDITION 37 From DCU to rubbing shoulders with Will Smith and the Clintons Keisha Sentar has a dizzying track record of high achievement in social impact initiatives, and she credits her time at DCU for applying the finishing touches to her natural can-do attitude, she tells AmyMolloy. Keisha Senter is the perfect example of what can be achieved with a positive attitude. She has the word ‘yes’ written on post-its around her Los Angeles home and looks at everything with a can-do perspective. So naturally, when she was offered a scholarship to study a MA in International Relations at DCU in 2004, she jumped at the opportunity, despite not being prepared in the slightest. “I moved to Dublin with a couple of bags and nowhere to live,” Senter recalls. “I stayed in a B&B for two nights and then this really sweet Irish lady allowed me to rent a room in her house for like three weeks until I found somewhere to stay. I really saw firsthand how welcoming Irish people can be.” From an early age, Sentar wanted to work in a career that would help her give back. “I grew up in a small town in Kentucky and I was really interested in the world of medicine and gynecology. I thought medicine would be the best way for me to help society”. She graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a Bachelor of Science degree, but realised early on in the course that her passion lay elsewhere. “I realised that dissecting things wasn’t for me,” she laughs. While on an internship in Washington DC, she fell in love with the world of politics. “I think everyone should have a voice and I work to create content that engages people from all cultures and helps to drive action”. Her mother insisted that she finish her degree before pursuing other interests and when the DCU scholarship presented itself, she grabbed it with both hands. “It was really interesting being in Ireland at a time when so much was happening with the US across the world. Ireland is a neutral country, but it really taught me how important it was to have a global mindset and opened my eyes to politics worldwide.” Her impressive career to date includes spending five years with the Rockefeller Foundation, an organisation which promotes the wellbeing of humanity. She also served as vice president of theWill and Jada Smith Family Foundation, and was the founding director of the Clinton Global Initiative University for the Clinton Foundation, which looks to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses. Most recently, she was appointed as the director of social impact for entertainment company Monkeypaw Productions, a role that will help her drive societal change and ensure the inclusion of those under-represented in the industry. “I think everyone should have a voice and I work to create content that engages people from all cultures and helps to drive action”. Monkeypaw is the company behind the films Get Out and Us, which received critical acclaim for their originality and thought-provoking content. Her boutique public-affairs agency, Solution Senter, is also focused on social impact initiatives. She has consulted for companies such as Gucci and Aritzia and is always coming up with creative ways for people to have their voices heard. As for her “just say yes” attitude, she credits her time at DCU for nurturing her willingness to put herself out there. From nights out in the NuBar to group projects, Senter said if there is going to be an opportunity to learn or make connections, she’s going to say yes. “I really loved my time there and would love the chance to go back. It helped shape who I am today”. ALUMNI PROFILE AmyMolloy (Bachelor of Civil Law, 2014 andMA Journalism, 2016), Public Affairs Correspondent with Independent News andMedia @AmyMolloyIndo Keisha Sentar (MA International Relations)