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!

Happy Heart Month, world!

Even though I've worked for the American Heart Association for a year and a half, I'm still shocked by this statistic:

Only 1 in 6 women recognize that heart disease is her biggest health threat. 

This is even scarier because a lot of our heart problems can be prevented - 80% of heart attacks in women could have been prevented. But, if you don't know you may be at risk, you might not be as apt to do the things that may save your life - moving more, eating better, and knowing your numbers (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol). The sooner you can start with healthy habits, the better off you'll be.

Fun fact: Every hour you spend exercising adds two hours to your life expectancy. 

Extra fun fact: I plan on using at least half of all those extra hours I'm racking up getting pedicures, shopping for size 6 dresses (holla!) and watching Midnight in Paris until my DVD cracks - I earned it, right? 

So! Help a sister out by spreading the word. Here's how:

In Central Iowa?

Dude, we have SO. MUCH. going on this month, it's ridic. Do you want to meet the Governor? Hob nob at the fanciest event this side of I235? Zumba with dozens of your closest pals? Get a free ticket to an Iowa Energy game? We've got you covered. Check out everything that's going on at www.heart.org/DesMoines.

Anywhere in Iowa?

Be sure to upload a photo of how you Go Red to one of our fantabulous Facebook pages. The winner will get their mug posted on a billboard! Don't be shy, now.

Central Iowa

Sioux City

Eastern Iowa

Quad Cities

And, ok. If you don't LIVE in Iowa but have always had the crazy dream of being famous in Iowa (and who hasn't?), upload your picture, too! The more the merrier.

On Twitter?

Donate your tweet this Friday (also Wear Red Day!) Just use the hashtag #TweetGoneRedFor and let the world know whose heart you Go Red for. Plus, follow us at @AHAIowa.

Just bored?

Watch this video and pass it along. It's good stuff.

Are you doing anything for Heart Month? What cause/charity gets your heart a-flutter? What would you do with your extra hours?

Talkin' shop

I don't know if you're interested in marketing and making the world a better place, but I am.

And I wrote a little bit about that over here today.

Because around here, if it's not basement talk, it's American Heart Month talk. OK, maybe some cat talk. But only during breaks.

A glorious return to the non-profit world

So, while this blog isn't really about my professional life, I've got some big news from Professional Alexson to hit you with. And so, a guest post from Professional Alexson:


Hello! I'm so proud to announce that I've recently accepted a position with the American Heart Association as the new Director of Communications in Iowa. Friday, I'll leave the agency world and step back into a non-profit role. It will be sad to leave the agency where I gained national media relations experience, learned from amazing co-workers and developed a deeper understanding of all those agency jokes in Mad Men,* but I can't wait to dive right in and start reading up on all things cardiovascular. I love seeing marketing plans through from conception to implementation to measurement and this job will give me the chance to get back to being a one-woman show when it comes to communications - at least in Iowa. I'll be working alongside 11 counterparts across the Midwest, so there will be plenty of people to bounce ideas off of. That's a great balance - room to customize plans with lots of regional and national support.


*Editor's addition: Just like doing drama club in high school had me cracking up at Waiting for Guffman. Everybody dance!


Short but sweet. Professional Alexson is all about getting right to the point. Since the new job doesn't start for a whole week, DIY Alexson will be out in full force around the old homestead. I've got a real doozie of a project for ya, too. I'm going to re-tar the driveway, which will be just fascinating, I have no doubt. Any volunteers? I pay in soft pretzels.