How did you hear about SalientMG and why did you decide to join the firm?
I first heard about SalientMG when Mack messaged me on LinkedIn. She thought I would be a good fit, and once I did some research, I agreed. It was a company I wanted to be a part of because it followed through with its claims about supporting better representation in tech by regularly posting about people of color in and out of the industry.
Describe your role and what you’re most looking forward to in your position.
I’m the manager of executive media relations and since it’s a new position I’m eager to help shape it into a high-impact role. I’m also excited about working in the tech field and working with more clients of color. It’s always been a dream of mine and I honestly thought it was going to remain as a pipe dream. Another thing I’m looking forward to is Salient’s focus on quality over quantity, and the work-life balance that brings. On Sunday nights I’m actually excited to go to work because I know with that healthier mindset I’ll be able to do better work for my teammates and our clients.
Given your role, what is your personal philosophy about the purpose and power of communications in growing or moving a brand forward?
My personal philosophy is that your brand cannot grow if no one knows about it. Which is why I always loved PR and how it helps create a brand around a company’s core. And that’s another reason why I chose to come to SalientMG. I feel these are the right people to support a brand in growing or moving forward because the team supports and promotes the individual executives as well as the companies they’re leading.
What is the best piece of advice someone gave you and how has it impacted your personal and/or professional direction?
There have been many times I’ve called my mother, stressed out about work or unsure about my next steps. She would say, take care of yourself first, then keep on keeping on. And that’s what I’ve done. But I’ve gotten some additional insight into finding balance. I used to think pushing myself toward burnout was a good thing. Now I prioritize my health because even if I know I can accomplish an overwhelming number of tasks, I also know they’re not going to be done to the best of my ability. I realize it’s important to rely on your team if it feels like there’s too much on your plate. You don’t have to be working every minute of the day. Again, it’s quality over quantity.
You’ve worked in media relations for small and large organizations. Tell us about how both types of companies have helped you grow as a professional.
I’ve worked for small companies that I’ve loved, but they’re not able to hire as much support because they don’t have enough funding. I’ve also worked on the opposite end, with corporations that have so much funding they hire a million people and you kind of get lost in the crowd and can’t advance your career as much as you want. I’m a bit biased because I do love smaller companies. I feel they’re a better way to get your foot in the door, there’s better communication overall, and you really get the tap into that creative element a lot more. On the other hand, working with larger companies–like my work with Amazon—will really test your skills. You need experiences with both to show you what you’re capable of doing.
SalientMG specializes in helping growth-stage technology companies. Real tech talk here–how would you describe your everyday technological prowess?
I was born in 2000, so I grew up with technology—it’s like a second skin to me. I always try to keep up with the trends, but there are some things I have to work at staying current on. Like with social media; I’m not personally interested in it. But it’s an important tool in the work we do, so I still make sure I know how to use it to its best effect.
What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you (yet)?
I know how to relocate a knee. This was for my mother, who had dislocated her knee, but she’s a nurse so she just popped it back in. Unfortunately for both of us, sometime in the night her knee popped back out and she didn’t want to go to the hospital. Instead, she called me in to “learn something new.” She told me where to put my fingers and how to apply equal pressure. It was one of the most disgusting things you could ever imagine feeling, and I had to do it again a couple more times!