Member Spotlight: Elianna Novitch
Tell me a little about yourself.
I am an Iowa native who grew up in Cedar Rapids. I attended the University of Iowa where I earned my journalism and mass communication degree. I have always loved writing and telling people’s stories and knew I would be called to a career where I could leverage those skills and that passion. I moved to Des Moines two years ago and have fallen in love with the city.
What drew you to public relations in the first place?
I initially thought I wanted to go into journalism but after gaining experience through internships and working on staff at The Daily Iowan during my time at the University of Iowa, I realized that I wanted a career that would give me a better work-life balance. I knew I still wanted to go into a field where I would have the opportunity to interview and write and determined that public relations would be a great fit for my interests and skill set.
What has your career path looked like? What is your current role?
After graduating from the University of Iowa in 2020, I started working as a Communications Manager for Four Oaks, a family and children's services non-profit organization based in Cedar Rapids. I was incredibly passionate about the mission and impactful work of the organization. An opportunity to move to Des Moines and start in a new role as a PR & Content Strategy Specialist with Two Rivers Marketing presented itself to me in the spring of 2022. I was nervous about making the transition into agency life and B2B marketing but have loved the challenges and growth opportunities that have come with making this career change. I was recently promoted to PR & Content Strategy Supervisor at Two Rivers Marketing.
How did you get involved with PRSA Iowa?
I got involved with PRSA Iowa when I joined Two Rivers Marketing. A number of my fellow associates were members and highly encouraged me to get involved and take advantage of all of the great professional growth opportunities and resources PRSA Iowa provides. I had an opportunity to serve on the OctoPRfest committee last year which ended up becoming the Midwest District Conference planning committee. It was a great experience and I highly encourage those of you looking to get more involved with PRSA Iowa to consider joining the conference committee.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is to always stay curious and ask questions. This guidance has had a profound impact on how I approach life and work. Embracing curiosity means staying open to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. It's about maintaining a sense of wonder and actively seeking to expand my understanding of the world around me.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am an avid bookworm and a big fan of fantasy novels so in my free time you can often find me reading. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and getting out to explore all of the exciting things going on around the city. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, and listening to music.
