Meet a Member: Katie Freseman

One of the many outstanding presenters at the NFPW conference last fall in South Carolina was Katie Freseman. She is a social media expert and shared digital marketing tips with others during the conference. She is also a past graphic designer for the NFPW Agenda publication. This talented woman continues to excel in all she does. She just added “super Mom” to her talents, with the birth of her darling daughter earlier this year. Meet another unique and unbelievable NFPW member, Katie Freseman.

Katie Freseman

Name: Katie Freseman

City and State: Greer, SC

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Media Women of South Carolina

Years a member of NFPW: 10 years

Tell us a little about you.

I graduated from North Carolina State University in 2005 and have over 10 years of experience in the communication field. Although I love all aspects of the communication field, I have a passion for digital marketing.

As the first public relations director of The Charles Lea Center (2006 – 2008), I was able to build a department for a large agency from the ground up, including a social media presence. One of my greatest accomplishments at the Center was the implementation of a second brand geared toward businesses for the Center’s adult workforce. The Workability brand and related collateral was developed to present businesses with a viable option for their outsourcing and hiring needs.

As the first communications director at the Spartanburg Humane Society, SHS, (2008 – 2013), one of my many achievements was implementing a digital media presence. I implemented a social media strategy and began utilizing Facebook, Twitter and e-marketing to reach the shelter’s target audiences:  supporters, donors, volunteers, clients, adopters and even humane education participants. While I was there, the digital marketing presence grew to include thousands of followers with monthly engagement reaching over 100,000 impressions and monthly digital marketing fundraising efforts raising hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

As a member of the University Communications staff at the University of South Carolina Upstate, I work with a team of individuals to manage the University’s web and social media presence. I manage a 75 member team of website content contributors and dozens of social media accounts on a wide variety of channels across the campus.

Outside of work I volunteer my time creating the digital newsletter for Lowcountry Lab Rescue and also recently completed a social media campaign for the Spartanburg Area Conservancy that doubled their Facebook likes while also raising their post reach and overall engagement to their highest levels since the page’s inception. I enjoy spending time with my newborn daughter, husband and two labs.

Any career advice you would give?

I think having good boundaries is especially important for success both professionally and personally. I find myself to be much more effective and successful when I have taken time for myself. Taking time out for lunch or a short afternoon walk around our campus helps me to refocus and reengage myself.

Katie Freseman with newborn daughter Stella Elise.

Which talent would you most like to have?

As a new mom, I find myself sleep deprived more often than not. If there was a way that I could survive on less sleep and still run at 100%, I would sign up for that in a heartbeat!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I have been fortunate enough to visit many places that I would love to live if money were no object. At the top of my list is Hawaii. Colorado is a close second. I love spending time outside hiking and running.

What book are you reading?

Working full time and being a full time parent does not leave a lot of time for reading. However, on my current list of books to read is the latest Janet Evonovich book in the Stephanie Plum series as well as Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Although I have lived in the south my entire life, I thoroughly enjoy skiing. My husband and I make it a point to go skiing every year. We prefer to ski the Rocky Mountains but enjoy a trip to the Appalachian Mountains, too.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

MWSC has provided me with the opportunity to meet many talented women (and a couple of men, too) in my field.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

Because I spend so much of my time on social media for work, I tend to be a bit of a lurker on social media. www.facebook.com/katiefreseman www.twitter.com/kfreseman

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Meet a Member: Tiffany Ervin

I met Tiffany Ervin last fall when she showed up as our tour guide for a walking tour as part of our NFPW Conference in South Carolina. Did I mention she was wearing four-inch high heels all day for the walking tour? She was a great tour guide and it was a great experience. She showed off the first selfie-stick I had ever seen, so we posed for several photos during the day. Tiffany is always sharing her singing and speaking talents with others. I enjoy following her on social media — in part so I can see the great places she shares her talents and I look forward to seeing her weekly #TuesdayShoesday update. She is another unique and unbelievable NFPW member I am honored to call a friend.

Tiffany Ervin

Name:   Tiffany Ervin

City and State:  Flat Rock, NC

Affiliate and any leadership positions:

Media Women of South Carolina

Years a member of NFPW: 3

Tell us a little about you.  

I was a broadcasting major at the University of South Carolina (GO GAMECOCKS!!) who worked in public relations, fundraising and special event planning for more than 20 years before FINALLY working for a television station. I am a freelancer who has worked as a sideline reporter, television/radio personality, and a professional commercial spokesperson in the last four years. My experiences as both a preacher’s kid and a “has-been beauty queen” (as well as my current lifestyle as a freelancer) have given me lots of material for my current career ambition – to become a sought-after keynote speaker.

Any career advice you would give?

Tiffany Ervin, center front, taking a group selfie on a pre-conference walking tour in South Carolina.

Two things…

First – “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘possible.'” – I have learned it’s never too late to live out your goals and dreams if you have the right resources. Resources aren’t just talent and experience – they also include a willingness to never stop learning and growing, as well as a strong support system of friends, colleagues and mentors.

Second – “Done is better than perfect.”  Apparently delegating isn’t one of my strong points. So learning to let others help me has been a challenge, but it certainly makes life easier!

Which talent would you most like to have?

Dancing!  As a singer, instrumentalist & public speaker, I’m never afraid to be in front of a crowd.  I would never imagine myself “Dancing With The Stars,” but I would like to just have fun on a public dance floor without being an embarrassment to my friends!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Right where I am!! I love to travel, but I am always so happy to come home Upstate SC & Western NC – the mountains, the people, the weather, the activities & my family & friends…what more could I ask for!?

What book are you reading?

Don’t Bet Against Me by Deanna Favre

What would people be surprised to learn about you? 

Tiffany Ervin rocking one of her 100+ pairs of shoes.

Probably no one would be surprised to learn I own more than 100 pairs of shoes. But even though I’m a self-proclaimed fashionista & I love wearing a different outfit every day, I’m also very “thrifty” when it comes to shopping! I have “shopping rules” with specific spending limits on my clothing purchases! The thrill of the hunt at consignment & thrift stores is just as exciting as wearing a “new” outfit.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I only came to learn of NFPW and the South Carolina Media Women a few years ago. Even as the “new kid” in the group, I was immediately made to feel welcome and included. I have been inspired, challenged, educated and gently pushed to pursue my dreams and have made some amazing friends along the way. I look forward to many more years of involvement in this organization!

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc. 

Facebook.com/tiffanyervinofficial

Twitter & Instagram: @TiffanyErvin

http://www.tiffanyervin.com

Also on YouTube, Meerkat, Periscope, Pinterest & WordPress

Communications professional Carolyn Farr Shanesy says networking helps expand career

Carolyn Farr Shanesy was the co-chair of this year’s NFPW conference in South Carolina. Her presentations focused on social media. She was also the go-to person for the presentations and equipment used during the conference. She is a talented communications professional and an awesome member of Media Women of South Carolina and NFPW.  I hope you will enjoy getting to know more about unbelievable member Carolyn Farr Shanesy.

Name: Carolyn Farr Shanesy

Carolyn Farr Shanesy and her son Steven.

City and State: Greenville, SC

Affiliate and any leadership positions: South Carolina affiliate, most recently served as co-chair of 2014 NFPW Conference

Years a member of NFPW: I think it has been 15.

Tell us a little about you.

I am thrilled to be working at my Alma Mater, the University of South Carolina Upstate, as a public relations specialist. I have worked in Upstate, South Carolina, media for nearly two decades. During my career, I have served as a freelancer, newspaper reporter and editor, an assignment editor for a local television station, and as an editor and writer for an online news service.

My mother always said I was born to be a journalist. She said if new neighbors moved into the neighborhood, I knew what color the couch was, how many children they had and where they had lived before the move, even before they had gotten in the house good.

I miss traditional journalism when a good story is breaking! But I consider myself very fortunate to be able to tell the stories of students, faculty, staff and alumni at my University.

I married my best friend Todd Shanesy during a private ceremony along the shores of Palm Coast, Fla., on Dec. 31, 2013. Todd, a sports reporter at the Herald-Journal Spartanburg, is the actual talent in this family and gives you more than just the scores by telling a great story about every game. We have three sons, Steven, Tyler and Brandon, and a grandson, Andrew.

Steven, 8, keeps us on our toes and is a great storyteller, too. He’s already keeping his own journals, so I’m excited to see if he will become a writer later in life.

Since the zip lining adventure in September with NFPW, I have wanted to go back again and had the opportunity to do so a few weeks ago with a group of international students. We went to The Gorge in Asheville, N.C. Great fun!

Any career advice you would give?

After two layoffs at two different media companies, you learn to overcome and adapt and even to recreate myself along the way!

Don’t let your toolbox get out of date! In the last seven years, I’ve learned to tell stories in a quicker, shorter and better way. Social media and video and a 24/7 news cycle have made me change the way I think about a news story.

Carolyn Farr Shanesy in a wedding photo with new husband Todd as son Steven gives his approval.

Which talent would you most like to have?

To freeze time, even for just a few seconds. To live in those happy moments, even chaotic moments, that help us to grow and change as a person.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I love South Carolina! But, I would like to have a getaway home at the beach and in the mountains.

What book are you reading?

I just finished, “Gone Girl,” by Gillian Flynn! I haven’t seen the movie, yet, but hope to once school is out for winter break. Next on my list is Jodi Picoult’s, “Leaving Time.”

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I can quote lines from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Steel Magnolias,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles.”

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I have met some incredible women through NFPW! It was through those connections that I landed on my feet and found my current job at USC Upstate. When I heard that Patch.com would begin layoffs, I immediately reached out to the members of my South Carolina affiliate. Within minutes, I had words of encouragement, a few job posts that I should inquire about and even an offer to freelance. That’s a great support system when your world is upside down!

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

On Twitter — @cfarrwrites;

on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.f.smith.7,

LinkedIn: Carolyn Farr Shanesy

Atchley follows untraditional road to Hollywild

Kim Atchley with Siriana “Siri” Nyeff, an extremely rare Syrian brown bear cub. The cub was three months old when this photo was taken.

Kim Atchley’s career has been anything but normal. She started as a middle school science teacher, switched to freelance writing, co-authored a book and now shares her love for animals as marketing director of Hollywild Animal Park. She is another unique and unbelievable NFPW member

Name:  Kim Atchley

City and State:  Pauline, South Carolina

Affiliate and any leadership positions:  Media Women of South Carolina (MWSC) Affiliate President, High School Communications Contest Director

Years a member of NFPW:  14 (I think)

In a paragraph, tell me a little about you.  

Personally, I’m 45, a wife and mom of 3 with my kids 23, 16, and 11.  Life is NEVER dull on the home front.

Professionally I consider myself as having a non-traditional career path.  I taught middle school science and ‘came home’ after our second child was born, picking up my passion for writing and starting to freelance.  I became a stringer, covering the arts for our local paper.  The journey into caregiving for my parents led me to write many articles on the topic and co-author When Your Aging Parent Needs Care.  After my parents passed, I slowly picked up more freelance work again.  I also became a speaker and blogger for senior and caregiver advocacy issues.  I’d never in my wildest imaginings saw myself as a speaker, but it has become a very natural progression of following where God led me.  Still freelancing, I picked up a contract with Hollywild Animal Park that has led to a position with them as Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Any career advice you would give?

Never be afraid to try something new and learn a new skill.  I love what MWSC member Charlotte Babb once told me – that with technology you’re never more than four months behind (because it changes that fast) so don’t feel bad about where you are.  Technology can be daunting, but if it looks interesting, just jump in!

Which talent would you most like to have? 

Paint or draw I guess.  I see many things in my head that I just can’t share.    So I’ve just settled for drawing stick figure type illustrations for examples or more often just talking with my hands!! HaHa

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?  In April I learned that the home of my heart is where my family is, but the home of my soul is on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland.  So I’d have to say Ireland, but only if I could bring my family!

What book are you reading?  I’m re-reading the Outlander series on audiobook as I drive to work.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I learned to kayak on the ocean when I was just about to turn 40.  Nugget learned:  to start kayaking, do so in much calmer water!  Reward for stepping out:  After drifting away from the group and willing myself not to panic, a big sea turtle came up right beside me offering great encouragement – #memorablemoment!

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

MWSC and NFPW have provided an incredible professional network for me, one that I feel is truly unique in today’s networking culture.  Both organizations transcend the “who can do what for whom” networking model.  Through NFPW I’ve definitely found a group of professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of others in any way they can. That really resonates with the way I’ve approached every aspect of my own professional and personal life.  Both organizations have created an environment where I can find support (professionally and personally) in an instant which is an incredible gift.   Whether helping me learn new technologies in a seminar, sharing personal/professional challenges over lunch, brainstorming ways to make a stronger impact on a special project, or even being a last minute on-call tech support when I’m pulling my hair out, I have a network of true professional friends that stretches across the country.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, etc.

Blog:  http://www.whentheagingneedcare.com

Website: http://www.kimatchley.com

Facebook: Kim Atchley

Linked In: Kim Atchley

Work: Hollywild Animal Park http://www.hollywild.org

Twitter: HollywildParkSC   Facebook: Hollywild Animal Park