A Little Back Story
I always wanted a big life, and I was obsessed with magazines. Below is my professional back story— but what you need to know is that all along I thought I was pursuing my big publishing goals.
In reality I now know that I was pursuing these goals so I could understand what the pursuit was like.
My mission in life—- my calling is to help those who are in pursuit of their goals (whether they lie in publishing or elsewhere).
Whether it’s the time to share this or not, I have to say that my confidence to fling myself out to every opportunity from the start was due to my family’s loving support: my mom, my brother, my Aunt Pam and Uncle Charlie, my Aunt Sherrie, my grandparents, my mom’s bff/my babysitter growing up Kim Donahue, and more.
I was in love with New York City and writing and the idea of ‘magazine editors’. When I got the opportunity to intern for Sports Illustrated (on the marketing side), some young, incredible women (Mainly Sheereen Miller-Russell, current EVP, Client Partnerships and Inclusive Solutions , Warner Bros Discovery) offered me priceless advice about the industry, and it changed my life. I fell in love with the business side of publishing, and being a cheerleader for the brands I adored. Note: MUCH more to come on the genius and heart of Sheereen Miller-Russell. If you want to see a real life hero in action, follow her on Linkedin!
I couldn’t wait to turn around and offer the same insights and secrets to other young women seeking big dreams and lives. There is SO much that is not taught in school. There is also so much that young people have no way of knowing unless someone older takes the time to tell them.
Ok, I’m getting away from myself, I have been mentoring college students and young professionals since I was in my first job in 2007! Through my time working at the company formerly known as Time Inc. (<3) in marketing and sales, then at Her Campus Media in sales, I learned how to deliver a compelling story. My sales work was a blast— I sold and oversaw execution of dream programs for clients such as Allergan, Diet Coke, Home Depot, and countless others. As a result of this experience, I can identify the value of an offering, and connect on a personal level with anyone who has goals!
Oh yeah, and in these roles I also learned a TON about what not to do, how to identify who was sincere about hard work, who was just there to pass work off to others, and who truly cared about their employees. More on that later too.
By the time I was in my second role ever at work, I was committed to being a warm presence for interns, young people, and new employees (in addition to my marketing and sales duties of course lol). Listening to people’s unique stories and filling them in on their unique potential became my favorite part of every job I ever had. At any time I was mentoring over 10 people.
Once I tackled my publishing goals at Time Inc., I wanted to be a part of a company that helped young women specifically on a bigger scale. Her Campus Media was exactly what I hoped it would be—- so much so that I knew I had to make uplifting young women my full time job. Currently I’ve helped over 80 people get jobs, build their personal brands, and pursue their bright futures.
