Julia Grayson Hamra
TITLE : PR Director
COMPANY : Easter Seals Arkansas
I’m the PR Director at Easter Seals Arkansas. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to serving children and adults with disabilities. Easter Seals’ mission is to provide opportunities for independence through physical, speech and occupational therapy; education; assisted living; and job training and placement. It’s my job to share our success stories with the hope of educating the public about possibilities for people with disabilities.
Why I Love This Career Goal
I’m a storyteller, and I love happy endings. I enjoy representing an organization that has so many motivational stories.
I love exploring the PR side of my journalism degree, but one day, I would love to find myself back in a newsroom. I crave being constantly “in the know.”
Best business advice you ever received and who gave it: A favorite college professor, Larry Foley, told me if you love what you do, you’ll never feel like you’re going to work a day in your life. Who consistently inspires you? Inspirational moments lie around every corner. Just the other day, I came upon a tearful mother and father in the hallway. I discovered they were tears of joy as they saw their eight-year-old son walking independently for the first time. What business men and women do you admire the most? Our CEO, Sharon Moone-Jochums, is focused, detail-oriented, and believes anything can be accomplished with a strong team in place.
Favorite Quote: “Never say never because you just might…”
Best Day: Happened during the opening of the Clinton Library. I was working for a local TV station and had a dry seat right in the middle of the history-making action.
Worst Day: I was five months pregnant and “hormonally scatterbrained.” Our CEO emailed me an important speech to print and deliver to the podium. Apparently, only a portion of the email was viewable on my screen. She turned to me from the podium with a terrified look on her face. It occurred to me at that moment, I should have scrolled down. Luckily, she was able to wing it.
How will you know when you are successful? When someone comes to me for advice. I offer it all the time, but when someone actually asks for my opinion, AND I have the knowledge they’re seeking, I’ll feel successful.
Favorite Workplace Expression: “Let’s get them out for a tour.