Member Spotlight: Meghan Nietzel
Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m originally from Muscatine, Iowa and have lived in Des Moines for about a year and a half with my husband. I work at Flynn Wright as a PR/Content Manager and handle a myriad of client responsibilities including technical writing, media relations, strategic planning, content management, customer storytelling, and whatever else might come my way! I love the fast-paced energy of Flynn Wright – every day presents new challenges to tackle.
What drew you to public relations in the first place?
Luckily, I was introduced to public relations in early college. I wanted to combine my interest in technical communications with something more personable. My freshman-year roommate actually recommended I explore PR after she took an intro PR course. As I worked various internships throughout college, some closer to PR than others, I was always drawn to the PR work I was exposed to.
What has your career path looked like? What is your current role?
Currently, I work as a PR/Content Manager at Flynn Wright, a full-service marketing agency in Des Moines. Flynn Wright is an incredible place to work all around, but it’s especially exciting to be a part of the PR department as we continue to grow our team and client roster. I’m grateful every day for the talented communications professionals I work alongside across the agency as we serve clients spanning a multitude of industries.
My background is in nonprofit and government communication – I worked as a Grant Writer in Muscatine, Iowa before coming to Flynn Wright. In this role, I wrote grants for organizations across Muscatine County and secured nearly $6 million in funding in just over a year. This nitty-gritty style of persuasive writing provided great experience and was it extremely rewarding to bring funding to the community I grew up in.
How did you get involved with PRSA Iowa?
I became involved in PRSA Iowa with the helpful nudging of my coworkers Laura McCaw and Baillee Furst, both actively involved members. They both encouraged me to join committees, attend events and take advantage of the great professional development opportunities offered by PRSA. I recently joined the PRSA board as the PR Chair and am enjoying getting even more involved with the chapter. As a new resident of Des Moines, it’s been a great way to expand my local network.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
"Worrying is like paying on a debt that might never come due." This is a Mark Twain quote, but echoes the advice both my parents gave me to stay calm and remember things are rarely as bad as they may seem in the moment.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love spending time outside gardening, hiking or camping. I’m almost always planning my next camping trip. I’m an avid reader and I love to cook.
