New gig, new digs!

For the past two and a half years, I've been the Communications Director for the American Heart Association's Iowa operations. It's been awesome. I've gotten to write event scripts, work with local celebrities, steer our messaging and social media presence, stage manage huge fundraisers, and genuinely make a difference in how Iowans see their heart health. It has been a complete blast.

But, it's time for me to move on to the next project! The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association (because risk factors are so similar and both fall under the cardiovascular disease umbrella) and nationally, the goal is to really put more resources behind the stroke side of things. I'm going to be managing their new social media presence at the American Stroke Association. How awesome is that? (Answer: Very, dude.)

It's a chance to learn new things, be a specialist in one area of PR (I've been a generalist for my whole career so far, so I'm super psyched at the chance to dig deep into one area) and shape an emerging online presence. Can you say "Holla, balla!"? because, yes, this is going to be superfun.

The job was technically supposed to be in Dallas, but I just couldn't ditch the possibility of blizzards and so I'll be working from a home office right here in cushy DSM. Which means, I get to design a home office. Which I need to really get started on, as my current home office space (in the glorious basement! This is where I silently thank this old house for being leaky a few years ago because I fo' sho' wouldn't have been thrilled to work in the dingy dungeon that was our basement in 2010.) is currently home to a fooseball table and a litter box. Not exactly where I'm going to get my best work done.

Maybe more like this, but no chandelier because the ceilings are under 7 feet and with a more comfy chair on wheels and definitely no orchid because I kill and maim orchids just by looking at them. (Also, notice the bar is on the side of the desk facing the chair - this desk is styled backwards!) But otherwise, exactly this:


Do you work from home? Any tips for me as I setup the new space?

PS If you are in Des Moines and PR-minded, we need a new Communications Director STAT (Heart Month is just about two weeks away!). Apply away!