Where do you work and what is your title?

I am the digital engagement lead (aka: community manager) for LEGO Education. 

What is your Twitter handle?

@aefountain 

Briefly summarize your background. What kind of industry/clients do you work with?

I started my early career working on health tech and then into more broad technology and have done some consumer work. My running joke is that I’ve dabbled in pretty much everything at this point. My background is anchored in PR and communications and I’ve specialized in digital and social media. I’m known for being the lone social media expert among media relations pros. I worked with a few agencies (MSLGROUP, LPP/FleishmanHillard, March Communications) and have recently moved in house working with LEGO Education. I earned a few communications degrees including a BA from Bridgewater State and an MA from Eastern Illinois University. 

Describe what you do for PR Club.

I have had the honor of leading the Club for the past two years. I support each committee (programs, content, awards) by offering guidance or helping find the right resources so we can develop great things for our members. Prior to my role as President, I managed social media and a lot of our creative assets. 

Name your top three favorite things about PR.

1. Every day is wildly different. The work is pretty consistent but every day I don’t exactly know what to expect. Will it be a quiet, focused day? Or will it be a little bit chaotic? I never know and I like needing to stay alert and on my toes. My background is crisis comms and when there is something to deal with, I become extra zen and just do the work and help others see the big picture so they can keep the crisis in context. 
2. There’s always something new to learn. I started in media relations – pitching reporting, securing interviews for clients, writing releases – and then transitioned into a social media role. My passion (and grad school work) has always been on social media and the more digital parts of communication. Working in PR and comms allows you to follow your interests and expand your skills. Plus, working across industries I have a little bit of knowledge about a lot of varied things: semiconductors, cinema technology, lawn care! 
3. The opportunity to work with really smart people. I’ve met and worked with so many smart humans during my career. It’s not just my colleagues from each job. It’s all the clients and other experts I get to talk to regularly. Being surrounded by others who know a lot about something really specific is inspiring. I walk away with a fraction of what they know and really appreciate that they were willing to help me learn and grow. 

Do you have a childhood moment when everyone knew you’d be a communications specialist?

I don’t think I had any idea I would end up in communications! As a kid, I didn’t really talk about career goals – I don’t think I understood what the options were. In high school, I thought I’d go into journalism and by college I pivoted to a more broad idea of communications. Even now, I’m not sure I know what I want to be when I grow up. I keep finding things that interest me and then learning as much as I can to start doing that instead. That’s how I’ve moved from media to social to digital marketing so far. 

What is your top getaway destination?

I love a good beach destination. There is nothing more relaxing than reading and napping near the ocean. A few of my favorite trips are: Cayman Islands, Mexico, St. Maarten. 

If you could take a client to any restaurant in Boston where would you go?

Snacks are better than meals. Any place that serves tapas or small bites is going to be my pick. Committee for Greek mezze, Barcelona for Spanish tapas, or Yvonne’s for amazing bites.  

Go to Dunks order?

An iced hazelnut with almond milk. But I much prefer finding cute local places. My favorite one near me is Church St. Brewing and they have the BEST cold brew on tap.