At SPS Ellen...
- Enhanced her skills as a PR writer
- Discovered the new trends driving her industry
- Learned how to build messaging from data and analytics
- Gained an understanding of the many sides of media
- Built the confidence and credibility to advance…
Your career took a dramatic turn after an “aha” moment, didn’t it?
Yes. I never planned to pursue a career in communications. Early on, I was working as an Operations Coordinator for Barnes & Noble College. One of my responsibilities was to write the Ops weekly newsletter. Our CEO popped his head in my cubicle one day and asked if I’d written the last issue. I told him I had, and he said: ‘That was fantastic! It was the best newsletter we’ve ever had.’ The acknowledgement got me rolling. I began working at communications and PR at brands and agencies—including a campaign with Joe Montana on healthcare.
What drew you to SPS?
I was curious about the frontier in communications, and I wanted to enhance my knowledge of the field. As a communications professional, I believe you need to stay on top of the trends and news in your industry. You need to be in a mode of continuous improvement—complacency is a killer. For instance, I think everyone needs to understand the power of social media and how it changes our interactions. If you dig in and understand how things work, it will empower you to tell your story in a more compelling way.
How did going to grad school help your career?
I gained a deeper understanding of the many aspects of communications. This helps me work across departments and develop strategies. Thanks to the program, I’m well-versed in market research and analytics. I also gained credibility. It means a lot when you have a graduate degree on your resume from a university like Columbia—especially when people are looking at you for a leadership position. And my degree helped me grow more confident. In 2014, I became the youngest female VP of Communications at the YMCA of Greater New York. Recently, I was named one of the 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in New York Nonprofit Media.
