Belmont alumna Mikaela Clark ('17) is a living testament to the University's ethos of fostering versatile, successful and fulfilled professionals. As the senior creative project manager at Daily Harvest and the owner of Hansel Clothing, Clark’s career is a prime example of how Belmont's unique blend of creative and practical education sets its graduates up for exciting and rewarding careers.
Majoring in both commercial voice and public relations, Clark stayed busy during her time at Belmont. With a background in the performing arts, she knew from the jump that she wanted to pursue music, but her parents encouraged her to find a second major to complement her artistic goals. “I write music because I like to tell stories,” Clark says, “I'm a performer because I like storytelling, and PR felt like a practical, pragmatic career based around storytelling.”
During her initial visit to Belmont, Clark met Jim Poole, the assistant director of Admissions. Recognizing her promise, he recommended Clark for an interview for the prestigious William Randolph Hearst endowment. Her subsequent success in securing this endowment played a pivotal role in making her attendance at Belmont a reality. "Jim was a bright light,” Clark said. “His advocacy and support helped me realize it was possible for me to attend this school.”
Belmont gave Clark the space to explore her love for music while equipping her with the skills to communicate and tell stories effectively through her PR degree and various extracurriculars. Along with her double major, Clark’s tenure at Belmont was highlighted by involvement in diverse activities, from Towering Traditions and the Orientation Council to Bell Tones, Jazzmin and Chorale.
Post-graduation, Clark's career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. After moving to New York in 2018, she began working in the nonprofit space before transitioning into a role at Man Repeller, a personal style blog known for its founder Leandra Medine Cohen.
"I've realized that embracing change during college helped me develop a tenacity that has been pivotal in my professional life," Clark said when asked how she was able to land the job. “I knew I wanted to change my career, and when I had the opportunity to speak with the founder, I told her what I brought to the table. It was all about hard work and divine timing.”
From Man Repeller, Clark moved on to roles at esteemed brands like Glossier and then to her current position at Daily Harvest. “My job is to sit between the marketing and the creative teams and act as the main point person who helps both parties speak the same language,” Clark explained. “It’s the best of both worlds — a perfect intersection of what I studied at Belmont.”
Reflecting on her career progression and the fulfilling nature of her work at Daily Harvest, Clark emphasized the importance of finding her purpose. "It's about recognizing your own strengths and what fulfills you, not comparing yourself to others," she stated. "Daily Harvest’s approach to sustainability and wellness isn’t just professionally rewarding; it allows me to make a meaningful impact in the world."
Simultaneously, Clark owns and operates Hansel Clothing, an upcycled art and apparel brand. After a lung infection forced her to take time off from vocal performance, Clark sought out new ways to stay creative. Drawing inspiration from her mother, who taught her how to make her own clothes, Clark was pulled towards fashion.
"Fashion has become my chosen vessel for art,” Clark said about Hansel Clothing’s inception. “But I always want to leave things better than how I found them — that's just how my mom taught me. That’s why everything I make is upcycled or vintage secondhand.”
Since it was founded in 2018, Hansel Clothing has partnered with Urban Renewal, an Urban Outfitters initiative to repurpose and reinvent sustainably sourced vintage pieces. In 2022, Hansel Clothing worked with singer Kacey Musgraves to design a custom jacket, and Clark taught a workshop on sustainable and upcycled fashion at the Brooklyn Museum last November.
“My calling is to bring joy to people through art,” Clark said. “And now I’m able to do that full-time. You have to find what keeps you feeling fulfilled and go for it. Belmont helped me realize that.”
Photos by Darius Fitzgerald