Meet the American Advertising Federation's Most Promising Students of 2026

The American Advertising Federation is proud to announce tha 25 students from 18 universities have been selected as part of the 2026 Most Promising Students program.

The Most Promising Students Program began in 1997 and serves as part of the AAF’s mission to ensure that the advertising industry is led by a wide variety of informed perspectives, cultural influences and diverse backgrounds.

The Most Promising Students Program is open to undergraduate, senior standing, AAF members. The application process contains an application, essays, recommendation letters, as well as multiple interview rounds.

Upon selection, students are paired with a mentor, as well as invited to participate in a week-long experience designed to connect them with leaders across advertising, media, and marketing. The program begins with industry immersions, where students visit top agencies, brands, and media companies to gain first hand exposure to their inner workings of the industry through workshops, tours, and conversations with professionals. This program takes place annually, with the week-long experience taking place February 24-27th in New York City.

“To be selected for the AAF’s Most Promising Students program is a tremendous honor.
The driving force behind this program is to ensure diverse voices and perspectives
become part of the advertising industry. Until the creative process and team for every
agency, company and brand reflects the intended target audience, our work isn’t done.
This year’s class of 25 students from across the country will move us one step closer to
the goal,” said AAF executive vice president Dawn Reeves.

The Most Promising Class of 2026

• Lorena Bacallao, University of Florida
  
• Lee Beauchamp, University of Northern Iowa
  
• Yabsera Benyam, University of Southern California
  
• A'jah Canty, North Carolina A&T State University
  
• Emmanuel Gittins, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
  
• Vrinda Gupta, University of Miami
  
• Le Ha, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  
• Azucena Hernandez, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  
• Fernanda Herreria, The University of Texas at Austin
  
• Lainey Hogg, University of Missouri
  
• Isaac Lewis, University of Missouri
• Kaiya Lynch, University of Missouri
  
• Isabella Martinez, The University of Texas at Austin
  
• Gabriella Muñoz, St. John's University
  
• Phuc (Alva) Nguyen, Michigan State University
  
• Zoe Nguyen, Texas Christian University
  
• Gia Nguyen, The University of Texas at Austin
  
• Odinakachukwu Ogbuefi, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  
• Danielle Sanois, Penn State University
  
• Giovanna Siega Novello, University of South Florida
  
• Claire-Michelle Sweet, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  
• Elliot Tran, University of Arizona
  
• Alex Wain, Ohio University
  
• Kara Yoo, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  
• Valerie Zapata, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign