Each summer, PHM welcomes a talented group of interns who bring fresh perspectives, curiosity and enthusiasm to our teams. From learning the ins and outs of health media to building connections across the Publicis Groupe network, this year’s interns have embraced every opportunity to grow. We sat down with three of our 2026 interns to hear more about what made their summer at PHM memorable, as well as some lightning round questions to get to know them better.
Ashley Mandujano, Partner Direct Intern
Ashley was drawn to PHM because of our unique positioning. “[Our work at] PHM combines three unique areas: healthcare, data, and media. Media is an ever-changing industry, and I love seeing how PHM leverages consumer insights and emerging trends to create meaningful connections with audiences,” she says.
“What stood out to me most is that PHM isn’t just focused on marketing, but using data and innovation to help healthcare brands reach the people who need them most. That’s a unique mission and one that I was excited to be a part of.”
One of the biggest surprises of her summer? The cross-agency collaboration. “You’re constantly working with people from different agencies within the Publicis network,” she says. “It has given me the opportunity to learn from a wide range of talented professionals and gain exposure to different areas of the business.”
She’s felt that same sense of connection within her own team at PHM’s Chicago office. “The collaborative environment makes it easy to build relationships and feel connected to the work,” she says.
If there’s one lesson she’s taking with her, it’s the power of precision. “The most valuable thing I’ve learned is how important attention to detail is, no matter how small or large the task is,” she notes. “Healthcare marketing has a lot of components, and even the smallest details can make a significant impact.“
For Ashley, pursuing an opportunity in health presented an interesting challenge. “The health landscape is incredibly complex, which has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. At the same time, the work feels especially meaningful because it has the potential to help connect patients with important information. That combination of challenge and impact is what draws me to the industry.“
⚡️ Lightning Round ⚡️
PHM in a word: Connect
Most-used emoji: 🧘🏻♀️
Michael Mannion, Media Tech Intern
Michael came to PHM looking for a place where creativity and healthcare could intersect. “I was excited to learn from talented people while working on brands that make a meaningful difference,” he says.
What surprised him most was just how far that collaboration reaches. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from people in New York, Philadelphia and Latin America,” he says. “It’s been really interesting to hear different perspectives and see how people from around the world come together to create great work.“
Working out of the Leo Burnett building downtown has been a highlight of his summer. “The views of the Chicago River are amazing, and there’s always something going on around the office,” he says. “Being able to sit with my team, ask questions and learn from them in person has made this a great summer experience!”
Above all, his internship has taught him the value of showing up and putting himself out there. “Everyone I’ve met this summer has been incredibly supportive, willing to share their experiences and eager to help,” he says, reflecting on how that openness gave him the confidence to connect with people across teams and offices.
As for why health, Michael points to the real-world impact of the work. “I chose health because it’s an industry where the work feels meaningful. It’s rewarding to know that what we do helps connect people with healthcare information that can make a difference in their lives.”
⚡️ Lightning Round ⚡️
PHM in a word: Inspiring
Favorite spot in the city: Oak Street Beach
Dream travel destination: Bora Bora
Veronica Hunt, Client Operations Intern
For Veronica, a PHM internship has been years in the making. “I’ve wanted to work at Publicis since I was in 5th grade, so I’m incredibly grateful to have started my career journey with PHM,” she says. “It’s been exciting to gain hands-on experience at a company I’ve admired for so long.”
During her time at PHM, Veronica was exposed to how we’re implementing AI in our workflows, mentioning, “I’ve been surprised by the skills I have developed using AI as a tool in the workplace and seeing how AI can support day-to-day work.”
Her time on the Operations team has also given her a wide view of how all of the pieces fit together at the agency. “Being on the Operations team has given me insight into each team and helped me understand how strong organization and teamwork drive success,” she says.
That perspective has stretched across offices as well as teams. “It’s been rewarding to collaborate with colleagues not only in Chicago, but also across offices in Philadelphia and New York, giving me exposure to a variety of perspectives and ways of working.”
Choosing health was an easy decision for Veronica, due to her experience volunteering in the health space. On the intersection of these two interests, she says, “I was drawn to the chance to combine meaningful work that supports healthcare with my interest in building a career in advertising.”
⚡️ Lightning Round ⚡️
Favorite spot in the city: Wrigleyville
Dream travel destination: Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
Most-used emoji: ✨
Looking Back on Summer 2026
From building professional networks and collaborating across offices to deepening their understanding of healthcare marketing, our interns have certainly made an impact this summer. Their curiosity, enthusiasm and willingness to learn have left a positive mark on our teams, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
Thank you to our interns for spending your summer with us!
Connect with Ashley, Michael and Veronica on LinkedIn.
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