September 2023

Kaylan Rexer 2010

DEGREES:
B.A. Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution

CURRENT EMPLOYER
Ilegal Mezcal

CURRENT OCCUPATION
Chief Marketing Officer

DESCRIBE YOUR CAREER PATH
I really thought I would work in international relations or politics. I did a brief internship at the United Nations, but I wanted to experience something more creative before I dove into that world entirely. So, I took a job at an editing house doing all of the creative for Roger Waters of Pink Floyd during his re-launch of the Wall tour. It was an incredible experience. At the same time, my uncle was launching Ilegal Mezcal in the U.S., the brand combined all of the things I loved, music, art and social change, so I left the editing house and helped him launch the brand. Thirteen years later, we have grown Ilegal into the number one in the world, and I’m chief marketing officer overseeing an incredibly talented team.

MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED WHILE ATTENDING SALISBURY UNIVERSITY
My skills at the conflict analysis and dispute resolution house. They are skills I have used in every phase of my professional and personal life.

WHAT CAMPUS ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS WERE YOU INVOLVED WITH?
I worked with the mediation center and the Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution Club.

BEST COLLEGE MEMORY
My favorite experience was studying under the late Arun Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's grandson. On top of his life story and accomplishments, I was so incredibly inspired by his ability to be a critical thinker without being judgmental. A skill I'm still working to accomplish.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SALISBURY UNIVERSITY?
I met Brian Polkinghorn and Michelle Ennis from the Conflict and Dispute Resolution (CADR) House during my campus visit. Brian had created the program at Harvard and then brought it to Salisbury. I was instantly drawn to what they were doing, the programs and the speakers they brought. It ultimately inspired me to attend Salisbury and major in CADR.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE SALISBURY UNIVERSITY IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?
Crab. Spirit. Fun.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT AND WHY?
Greek islands. The food, the hospitality and the environment are all incredible. Mykonos also has great LGBTQIA+ nightlife.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
The Ilegal team is from many different countries, ethnicities and sexual orientations, So, it was important to me that we aligned our brand with groups working to affect positive social change. As a gay woman, I’m most proud of the work we have done with the LGBTQ+ community and the organizations our team is really passionate about supporting.

WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I used to be in a band and played SXSW when I was 19.

HOBBIES/OTHER INTERESTS
I play the guitar. I also own a farm with my family on Long Island, Rexer Family Farm. While I’m not the farmer, I love good food, bringing people together around a table and conversation are my favorite things.