Andy Embody, Class of 2013, is a proud Carrollwood Day School “lifer,” having spent 16 transformative years at CDS. His educational journey at CDS laid the foundation for his personal and professional growth, and we are thrilled to highlight how his time here influenced his success and brought him to where he is today.
Andy looks back fondly on his years at CDS, recalling how impactful his time at the school was. “As you get older, you get a chance to look back and see how it truly shaped you,” Andy shared, attributing much of his personal and professional success to CDS’s strong emphasis on character education. Learning how to be a good citizen and human being was a cornerstone of his experience, and those lessons have stayed with him throughout his life.
Some of Andy’s best memories from CDS include close relationships with faculty, lifelong friendships, and being part of many of the school's "firsts." The small class sizes played a key role in his development, fostering an environment where he could engage with everyone.
“There was nowhere to hide,” Andy joked, highlighting the importance of these interactions in his personal growth. His favorite moments? Participating in and watching CDS sporting events, which gave him a sense of school pride and community.
Perhaps the most significant highlight of his time at CDS was meeting his wife, Darby (Uhl) Embody ‘13, whom he married in January, 2024.
From 2013-2017, Andy attended Southern Methodist University, where he studied Public Relations and Strategic Communication. After graduating in 2017, he began the path that would lead him to Medium Rare, a company that operates at the intersection of sports and entertainment, partnering with athletes, celebrities, and brands to create iconic media and entertainment properties. Medium Rare is known for producing Webby Award-winning events such as Shaq's Fun House, Daymond John’s Black Entrepreneurs Day, and Rob Gronkowski’s Gronk Beach.
In his role as an Account Director for Partnerships, Andy works closely with brand partners, managing relationships from the initial deal through to execution. Typically, Andy manages 15-20 brand partners for each festival, overseeing a 60-90 day turnover period where he builds out detailed plans to ensure every aspect of the event runs smoothly. He’s had the opportunity to work with big names like Dave Portnoy, Shaquille O’Neal, Travis Kelce, and Guy Fieri, creating unforgettable experiences for fans and clients alike.
One of Andy’s most exciting projects was his first event with Medium Rare, Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Festival. The event brought together over 5,000 pizza lovers for a day of interactive experiences and main stage performances, all in partnership with Barstool Sports founder, Dave Portnoy. Andy’s role in making this event a success is a testament to his dedication and hard work, and it set the stage for a successful and growing career.
Andy’s journey from CDS to the world of sports and entertainment is a perfect example of how foundational experiences can shape a successful career. His ability to build strong relationships, think creatively, and manage large-scale projects with precision has made him a key player in an industry filled with opportunities.
As Andy continues to thrive at Medium Rare, our community at Carrollwood Day School couldn’t be prouder to have played a part in his story. His journey serves as an inspiration to current CDS students, showing that with the right foundation, the sky's the limit.
We love sharing our CDS alumni achievements and are delighted to share Andy's updates with the alumni community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli Gauthier Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!
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