Six years ago our team welcomed Kelli Brignac to Obsidian, and we haven’t looked back since. Kelli is Obsidian’s only telecommuting employee, but you’d never know she was away because of her stellar work ethic and communication skills. Kelli is a model executive, and we’re proud to have her on our team! We asked Kelli a few questions so you can get to know her further.

Wow! Six years at Obsidian – share one of your favorite memories.

It’s a tie between two. One, right after I got married in 2013, I called Courtney to resign because my husband and I were moving to Louisiana for his new job. She said there was no reason for me to resign if I was interested in working remotely. It was a huge relief for my family and for me – I got to keep a job I love, regardless of geography! The second memory is when I called Courtney to tell her I was expecting my daughter in 2015. I think she was more excited than I was. What an awesome feeling to have that kind of support in the workplace!

What has been the biggest change in PR since you started at Obsidian?

The media landscape is so different, even just in the last six years. Traditional outlets aren’t so traditional, relying more on submitted content, going digital, changing circulation. Paid placement is more common, and non-traditional outlets like blogs and podcasts are just as legitimate and widely read.

If you could give one piece of advice to a future PR professional, what advice would you give? 

Get internships – plural. I sat next to a PR student on a plane last week, and when we discussed my work, I realized the only thing I learned in school that I still consistently use day to day is writing/AP style. Some things were foundational and necessary, of course, but when I was in school, we didn’t learn about HTML email platforms. We didn’t even learn about social media, although it would have all been outdated by now. Some of that stuff didn’t exist, and I’m only eight years out of college. Real-world experience is truly the best way to build on your education as you prepare for a career in PR.

Are you a night owl or an early bird?

I am definitely not a morning person, but these days I’m less of a night owl than I used to be. That’s probably because I never know when I might be woken up by a toddler looking for Minnie Mouse or just wanting Mama or Dada to come sleep in her room!

What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?

It’s a toss-up between my honeymoon to Jamaica and a ski trip to Austria with my mom and my sister.

You’re the mother of an (almost) two year old – what’s your earliest childhood memory?

When I was 2, I broke my collarbone falling out of my bed and hitting a playpen my papaw made for my dolls. I have a hazy memory of falling out and being on the floor in the dark of my room. That’s why I bought a rail for the double bed in my daughter’s room (which she likes more than her crib). She might not fall out…but she could!