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Merc Heredia-Ferran, a Venezuelan American born in Boston and one of a set of triplets, is an adjunct professor at Indiana University and the University of Illinois as well as a marketer at YouTube. For the past four years, Heredia-Ferran has taught data strategy, guiding students in audience building, using syndicated data tools, and leveraging free online resources to understand brands and audiences. Rooted in their family’s immigrant journey from Venezuela, they are passionate about equipping the next generation with practical skills to navigate today’s data-driven world.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
Being named an AdColor Future 22 was a really great experience, and I started at Google soon after in large part because of that program.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
I was the youngest adjunct professor in two Big Ten schools when I started and it was very daunting but I really wanted to step up to the plate and deliver for students.
What do you do today to impact your community?
I am newly on the Pride ERG at Google in the Bay Area, which has been fun to start planning things to do with the group. I guest lecture at Miami Ad school for people who don’t want to go the traditional degree route.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is a tough question! I graduate with my second masters next summer and I have really wanted to work deeper in sports. I would love it if in 2030 I’m working on things for the upcoming Women’s World Cup that will be hosted in the US. In what capacity no idea, but that would be the dream.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
Access to education is definitely something that I have always really wanted to solve. Not just higher education but I think we have way too many barriers to work higher paying jobs. I would say a lot of jobs you don’t really need a four-yr degree for, but they still are basic requirements asked in the job restriction and they’re missing out on a lot of great candidates because of this. I’d love to find a way to make college either more useful where the things you’re learning are actually on the job skills or make an associate’s degree or trade school more valuable to the job market.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
When a student told me that they got a job from talking about the things they had done in my class.
What advice would 10-year-old you be shocked to hear you followed?
Maybe not advice but I am a third or fourth generation professor, and I think my ten-year-old self would definitely not seen that coming seeing as how much I couldn’t focus in school.
What’s a cultural tradition that always brings you joy?
When it’s your birthday, you have to scream when you initially cut the cake. My sister and mom take it very seriously, so they let out some blood curling screams, it’s pretty fun. Our friends have also started doing it and it’s a whole thing.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“I lived” by One Republic. If there’s one theme in my life, it’s that I want to not let fear lead my life and do my best to push myself in all aspects of my life.
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Connect with Merc Heredia-Ferran on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
