July 12, 2022
Now that Aria Marketing is a fully remote healthcare IT PR agency, we have been able to hire the best-of-the-best people from around the country to better service our clients and secure great coverage. Since we aren’t sitting across from each other anymore, we must be creative when it comes to getting to know our coworkers. I had the pleasure of virtually “sitting down” with Anisa Lacey, our newest Account Coordinator, to get to know her better outside the office. Read on for more about Anisa.
Jennifer: Tell us about yourself! Where are you from? Where do you live now and what drew you there?
Anisa: Sure, I am originally from Memphis, TN, and currently live in Boston (Malden). I came to the area for college, and after graduation, decided to put down roots here.
Jennifer: Where did you go to school, and what did you major in?
Anisa: I went to Amherst College in Western Mass. In a roundabout way, I decided to major in math and that’s what I focused on academically, but along the way I certainly had great opportunities to take classes in all disciplines.
Jennifer: Interesting! How did you transition from math to PR?
Anisa: I always considered writing and communication to be one of my strong suits, so while I had an academic focus on math as my major, I also had the opportunity to professionally explore communications during a key internship at a communications consulting firm during the summer after my sophomore year. Also, I was generally open career-wise to a variety of industries and appreciated the potential to work with a variety of clients and topics of focus as is found within PR.
Jennifer: How do you spend your time outside the “office?”
Anisa: I tend to have “seasonal” focuses. Right now, I am into fitness, so I’m taking swim classes at The Y and working with a personal trainer.
Jennifer: What are your thoughts on working remotely?
Anisa: I spent half of my junior year and all of my senior year attending classes remotely, so working remotely seemed like a natural transition. I’m glad that my coworkers aren’t limited to my immediate area, and I can work with people all over the country.
Jennifer: Do you like to travel? What’s your favorite place in the world?
Anisa: I regret that I haven’t made much progress on this front, but I will plan to make my first international trip sooner rather than later. Domestically, my favorite location is Washington, D.C.
Jennifer: Other than necessities, what’s something you can’t go a day without?
Anisa: I have a major sweet tooth, so I rarely skip a daily dessert – usually a milkshake or bowl of ice cream.
Jennifer: What would you say to your younger self?
Anisa: Try not to be so self-conscious about what other people are thinking.
Jennifer: How do your friends describe you? Would that be how you describe yourself?
Anisa: My friends kindly insist that I am so responsible and put-together, but I would disagree – I am very scattered, probably because I like to live in the moment.
Jennifer: Who do you look up to and why?
Anisa: Naturally, my parents and grandmother. Outside of them – Janice Bryant Howroyd, who is the founder and CEO of one of the largest, privately held, minority woman-owned personnel companies in the U.S.
Jennifer: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
Anisa: Cleaning! Outside of regular maintenance, I’m always looking for time to conduct a deep clean of all the overlooked nooks and crannies around the house that I rarely get to prioritize.
Jennifer: What type of music are you into?
Anisa: I listen to a bit of everything, but House and dance are my favorites.
Jennifer: Do you have a bucket list?
Anisa: I have an evolving list. I was recently a passenger on a motorcycle, and this quick trip inspired me to research training courses. So, learning to ride a motorcycle is at the top of my list!
Jennifer: What’s one of your favorite memories?
Anisa: Since graduating, my core friend group and I venture to the Washington, D.C. area once every few months since it’s a halfway point between all of us living on the East Coast. During this regroup, we usually try different foods and visit the touristy spots in the area. My favorite memories have been during these trips.
If you are looking to work for a fully remote agency and have a passion for PR, consider joining the Aria team by emailing your resumé and cover letter to careers@ariamarketing.com. You’ll enjoy great perks like summer Fridays, anniversary incentives, and working with a supportive/collaborative team with a healthy work/life balance.
