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What spurred your interest in public relations?

When I was younger, I always loved writing. I really wanted to work at a newspaper or a magazine. While I was at Iowa State (University), I had an emphasis in print and (public relations) to kind of combine the two, but I really enjoyed the print side of it. I was very involved in the Iowa State Daily, and I did an internship at The Des Moines Register. I also did an internship at Pioneer Communications (Inc.) for The Iowan magazine and Iowa Gardening. So I was able to get a taste for magazine work and newspaper work, which are very, very different.

You began your career in state government and became an events coordinator for Gov. Chet Culver. How did that opportunity come about?

In my final semester at Iowa State I was an intern at the secretary of state’s office, doing some communications, PR and some policy research, and I absolutely loved it. It was my first real exposure to that type of environment in state government, and I found it absolutely engaging, fascinating. There was no turning back at that point. (Working as an events coordinator) was a very high-energy job, but it was something that I have true passion for, and I very much enjoyed the civic involvement in that.

What will your primary responsibilities be in this position?

My responsibilities obviously fall on the communications and marketing side of the Greater Des Moines Partnership as a whole, and also working with the economic development staff as far as new business opportunities that are coming, working on marketing materials we use on national trips, trade tours, things of that nature. I work closely with everyone on the staff, depending on what initiatives we’re trying to pitch.

What do you like most about the job so far?

I absolutely love how every day is different, and how it is very much a community position. Working with media, business leaders, international groups – it’s a complete exposure to so many different facets of the metro as well as the nation. And the people who work here are so passionate about what they do. I very much enjoy working for Martha (Willits, the Partnership’s president and CEO); she’s very inspiring as a female leader for me.

Will you work a lot with newer technology such as social media?

That’s one of my main initiatives in this organization, to really push forward and promote our social media. There are already pieces in place that are very successful, but there will be more streamlining it and making a bigger presence out there. The two big focuses will be Facebook and Twitter at this point. When I worked at Integer (Group), I worked on the Generation Iowa Commission initiative for (the Iowa Department of Economic Development); that was a very successful social media campaign, and I think we can have something like that here as well.

You already serve on several state and nonprofit boards. Your thoughts on becoming involved?

To be honest, it began when I was younger, learning from my family as they were very involved in volunteer organizations. It’s something that truly drives me and that I’m most passionate about. Serving on the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service is an absolute honor, because I believe in the power of volunteering, especially for my generation. Another big piece of my interest is with arts and culture in the community, so serving on Art Noir through the (Des Moines) Art Center and Metro Arts Alliance allows me to have those pieces of my life even though I don’t do those full time. It really feeds me as a person and really empowers me.

What sort of hobbies or activities are you into?

I’m an avid reader; I love to read. I love our community here, but I also love to travel. I absolutely adore Chicago; that’s my favorite city. One of the most beautiful places I’ve been is Sedona (Ariz.). And a year from now, I’m going to be traveling to India and France. A friend of mine from college is from India, and she’ll be getting married there; and the man she’s marrying is from France. I’m really looking forward to that; it will be my first trip abroad. I’m very excited about that.