Member Spotlight: Jessica Lown

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
   I think being in nature is as close to heaven as we can get here on earth. “Let’s go for a hike!” is my favorite phrase. My husband and I love to cook - all the flavors from all over the world. My children are the beneficiaries of that love and I am proud to say they great eaters. They are also great snugglers. Being Maggie’s and Owen’s mom is the greatest joy of my life. I’ll always have a fondness for 90s alt rock but these days Americana is the soundtrack of my life.
   
   I am a life-long Iowan: In addition to Des Moines I find home and family ties in Grinnell, Perry, and Jefferson. I graduated from Drake University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Comm.

2. What drew you to public relations in the first place?
   I would boil it down to two things: First, I have a strong belief that the words we use matter and are a direct reflection of who we are as people and organizations. Second, I am most fulfilled when advocating for something I believe in. In public relations I get to focus on both. 

4. What has your career path looked like? What is your current role?
   Today I have the great privilege of working for Polk County Conservation where I get to educate on and advocate for conservation efforts that improve our wildlife habitats, and air and water quality. I also get to promote outdoor recreation – simply drawing people closer to nature. Prior to that I worked stints a local branding agency and the state’s largest law enforcement agency; both experiences through which I learned so much. My first professional gig was as a multi-media journalist and I still love to watch and participate in news making as a PR pro.
   
   
5. How did you get involved with PRSA Iowa?
   After making the move to PR, I was looking for a network through which I could learn more about best practices. Everything I did at work was through the lens of a journalist and felt very reactive. It was time to switch that up. I was aware of PRSA, so joined and it’s been very beneficial to my career growth.
   
   
6. What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
   Read the room. As communicators we are often very good at communicating to the masses, but not so great at listening and communicating to a person. A wonderful mentor of mine helped me see this very early in my career. I was able to practice that skill and it has served me in very politically charged situations. Later in my career a co-worker told me I was the most simultaneously direct and diplomatic person he ever worked with. It’s the best compliment I ever received.