Good Work With Good People Makes For a Good Life

Starr Million Baker has a knack for finding better ways to do things and motivating others to do the same. She’s created communications programs with a wide breadth of strategic aims for clients big and small in the B2B technology and energy industries. Starr studied journalism at the University of Texas at Austin and has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America. Her devotion to her craft and her company has secured her a place on PR News’ Top Women in PR list and added a lot of hardware to INK’s shelves, including multiple Inc. 5000 and Best Places to Work recognition.

Kari Hernandez brings entrepreneurial thinking to her clients and teams, uncovering opportunities in unexpected places and quickly moving ideas to action. Building on twenty years of experience in marketing communications for B2B technology companies, Kari is constantly innovating new and more strategic ways to serve INK’s clients. Her commitment to growth and innovation landed her on PR News’ 2019 Top Women in PR list and helped INK earn its place on the Inc. 5000 and as a Best Place to Work in Austin and Denver.

Blair Poloskey solves problems. From storytelling to digital spend and back to general account management, she finds solutions for her clients and executes on them quickly and efficiently. Over the past 15+ years, Blair has developed a love for and deep understanding of B2B technology communications. In 2006, Blair took the reins of INK’s digital and social program. She has spoken at CES, SXSW, and several other digital focused conferences highlighting best practices and opportunities for B2B brands on social.

Caitlin New is on a mission to inspire creative solutions for clients that want to move beyond the routine and welcome bold, new paths in their marketing and communications programs. Through her skill for building strong client relationships and passion for understanding her clients’ businesses, Caitlin leads teams to create communications programs that are built on trust and have real impact. Caitlin has deep experience in technology communications and has promoted innovation in the payments, retail, cybersecurity, insurance, and real estate industries. Caitlin’s ability to motivate self and teams led to her earning an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America, as well as her team securing a PR Daily Digital PR and Social Media Award.

Candice Eng delivers results and connections that matter – especially around New York-based media and business relationships. Building on a decade of experience in enterprise tech, consumer, and energy markets, she leads INK’s New York office and media relations services ensuring best practices and relationships are leveraged across the company and for all clients. Candice has executed media events with 400+ media and analysts in attendance and managed events with major partners such as Anheuser Busch, T-Mobile, Bloomberg, ESPN, and more. Her media, communications, and management talents have landed her recognition as Top Tech PR Pro by PRSourceCode’s and Agency Account Manager of the Year by PR News.

Emily Grossman believes strategic design tells a story and connects with people. She combines conceptual thinking with an artistic approach to develop visual solutions for clients. A hunger for travel took Emily from Croatia to Cambodia, and these experiences inspire her work every day. Emily cut her teeth in Chicago, working in design, advertising, and shopper activation with clients like Pantene, Herbal Essences, Tide, Olay, Sara Lee, Kleenex and International Truck. She is originally from Minnesota, the home of Paul Bunyan, 10,000+ lakes and Hotdish, and studied design at the University of Kansas.

Helen Murphy delights in crafting marketing campaigns that positively impact the entire marketing funnel. Her experience includes the development and strategic leadership of communications programs and campaigns for B2B companies in industries ranging fromcyber security and managed cloud hosting to clean energy. She also has a passion for product marketing and can help you connect the dots when it comes to turning those leads into SQLs! Helen graduated from Rice University.

Kim Mackley specializes in strategic content planning and marketing research, leveraging over 20 years of experience in communications and project management. Kim leads INK’s incredible team of writers who aren’t at all competitive and never give her a hard time. She applies a unique point of view and sense of humor to every problem, asking questions no one else asks to find a balanced pragmatic, creative solution. Kim specializes in audience discovery and messaging as well as research to uncover insights worth sharing. She is a proud Buckeye with a BA in journalism from The Ohio State University and an MA in liberal arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

Traci Koller Mazurek is passionate about building data-driven social and digital programs that connect businesses with the people they care about most. With experience leading B2B and B2C accounts and digital strategy across industries including agriculture, consumer goods, and real estate at INK, she previously led social strategy for clients at Spredfast and R/GA. Traci is a native Dallasite who graduated from Baylor University, began her career in public relations with Edelman and FleishmanHillard in New York City, and now lives in Austin with her husband and daughter.

Abbey Korthals plays a vital role in preserving INK’s unique culture by overseeing and supporting operations and an ever-growing team. With superior organizational efficiency and problem-solving skills, Abbey ensures INK’s internal operations are streamlined. Her ability to keep the trains moving allows INK to continue delivering exceptional services to clients and serving as a nurturing and encouraging place to work. Abbey graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Public Relations and began her career at Porter Novelli where, in addition to managing clients, she managed their professional development program.

Abby O’Connor ensures INK’s marketing communications programs are informed and enhanced by research. She applies thoughtful curiosity and an analytical approach to every aspect of her work, whether crafting brand positioning, writing impactful content, or drawing industry and audience insights from data. Her expertise in developing meaningful and actionable personas earned her team a Platinum MarCom Award for its Whole Foods Market 365 audience research. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Abby has a drive to never stop learning and has since become professionally certified in Brandwatch analytics and the ThinkWrong problem-solving methodology.

Allison Ralston develops a connection between data, strategy, and current trends to generate media interest for her clients. Before becoming a full-time INKer, Allison’s background was intertwined with digital marketing, content writing and project management roles that emphasized crafting unique messages through effective communication. A native Californian turned Texan, Allison earned her Bachelor of Science in public relations and Master of Arts in mass communication from Texas State University.

Allyson Hodapp is a dedicated public relations professional who is passionate about helping her clients share their story and expertise within their respective industries. She has experience working in a variety of B2B and B2C industries, including technology, healthcare, education, hospitality, nonprofit and entertainment. Her strategic approach to media relations has landed her clients in top-tier outlets such as The Associated Press, New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, WIRED and VentureBeat. Allyson is a Chicago native and graduated from Loyola University of New Orleans with a degree in mass communication

Brittany Miller stays on top of industry trends and channels her curiosity to better shape client stories for media. Before her postgraduation career at INK, she gained experience through internships within the nonprofit, health care and journalism spaces. Brittany is a native Texan and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in public relations and a minor in business.

Caroline Patterson brings a strategic, creative, and resourceful approach to helping clients tell their stories. With experience on B2B accounts from cloud to cybersecurity to enterprise software, she has landed her clients in top outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, TechCrunch, and WIRED. Prior to INK, Caroline worked at Matter on tech and consumer clients such as Alert Logic, CVS, and Progress. Caroline is a Colorado native and graduated from the University of Kansas where she studied communications and was a four-year varsity swimmer and team captain for her senior season.

Erin Eckert keeps an ear on the ground to maximize client opportunities and ensure that no stone goes unturned. Her agency background working with nonprofits in Austin, TX has fueled her passion for integrating community focused angles into larger campaigns. A graduate from Trinity University in San Antonio, Erin majored in Communications with an interdisciplinary minor in New Media which combines computer science, art, and communications.

Hallie is a savvy PR professional who works strategically to raise her clients’ profiles through creative and impactful storytelling that moves the needle. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2016, Hallie relocated to Sydney, Australia where she kickstarted her career. From launching world-first products for the likes of Uber and Twitter to amplifying cutting-edge work of technological innovators such as eStore Logistics and Swoop Aero, Hallie is passionate about telling the stories of disruptive brands shaping the future of how we live and work.

Hillary Crusan harnesses her empathetic nature to craft content that promotes lasting relationships between her clients and their target audiences. With communication experience in a range of industries from public radio to cybersecurity and finance, Hillary thrives on the opportunity to build expertise in new disciplines and the up-and-coming technologies behind them. A native of the Midwest, Hillary earned her degree in mass communications and public relations from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Joey Held believes that approaching marketing and communications from a storytelling perspective is key for any successful business, from brand messaging to executive insights. Joey specializes in crafting unique stories and is particularly fond of breaking down complex topics into more easily digestible ideas. He’s led the strategy and production of newsletter and podcast programs for multiple clients, incorporating learnings from his own Good People, Cool Things podcast and Fun Fact Friyay newsletter. A graduate of the University of Miami’s broadcast journalism and sport administration programs, Joey has shared his expertise speaking at events for the Public Relations Society of Austin and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Catch him around Austin sampling all kinds of food or supporting local music — he might even be onstage with his band, Burning Years!

Julie Cordell is an inherent problem solver. She approaches every digital strategy as a challenge to maximize results and connect businesses with the right people. Her experience includes leading organic and paid digital strategies across technology, nonprofit, and healthcare accounts. She enjoys “geeking out” over digital metrics and is passionate about making data-driven strategic decisions. Her passion for her craft secured her a seat on the paid digital marketing panel at Social Media Day PHL. Julie graduated from Florida State University and now lives in beautiful Orlando, FL.

Staying true to her journalistic roots, Katie Pratt strives to make the significant interesting and relevant in all the content she writes. A recent honors graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in journalism and advertising and a minor in business, Katie has found her sweet spot in strategic storytelling. Her experience in nonprofit communications, media relations and news writing is the foundation of her passion for aligning human-centric narratives with clients’ business objectives to make an impact. Katie is a proud Kansas Citian (from the Kansas side) and is always happy share her love for the city and its teams.

Kersa Haughey is a fervent organizer. She combines top-notch management skillsets with a grounded sense of curiosity to deliver marketing insights, communications strategy, and media relations that work. Her experience spans wireless technology, cloud services, consumer brands, and energy for clients large and small. Kersa graduated from Trinity University with a BBA in marketing and a new home state. She loves her Seattle roots and Texas life.

Lindsay Laulis combines her expertise in the latest social trends with her passion for data-driven strategy to turn fans into customers and customers into advocates. Her experience includes organic & paid digital strategy for technology, telecommunications, nonprofit, and tourism. She maximizes campaign results by letting analytics lead the way and looks at social media as the key to reputation management, impact, and influence. She holds a BS in Strategic Communication with Double Honors Emphasis in both Advertising and Public Relations from Northern Arizona University.

Liz Benavides creatively brings analytical thinking and a unique consumer prospective for demystifying complex technology to help her clients execute strategic communications programs. Prior to INK, Liz worked at Hill+Knowlton Strategies in its Austin office, where she worked across a wide range of industries including retail, energy, healthcare, consumer product goods, automotive and veterinary care. Liz grew up in Austin and graduated from University of Texas at Austin where she double majored in public relations, and international relations and global studies.

Madeline Forwerck takes a holistic approach to media relations, drawing parallels between brand narratives, industry trends, and cultural moments to craft compelling stories and help clients reach new audiences. With a background in local news, digital marketing, and content creation, she has driven results for clients across industries including fintech, cloud computing, publishing, sustainability, and nonprofit, with placements in Forbes, Rolling Stone, TechCrunch, and more. Based in the North Carolina mountains, she holds a B.A. in technical writing with a minor in marketing from Western Carolina University.

Manuel Llosas is a natural problem solver with a passion for building web experiences that are both useful and beautiful, and gained experience in web development and digital marketing working for agencies and with a variety of freelance clients. As a lifelong learner, he enjoys keeping up with the latest trends in web development and is always trying to find a better way to address challenges.

Nash Levitt leverages his enthusiasm and creativity to support his clients and colleagues. With communication experience in real estate, lifestyle and nonprofit industries, Nash has cultivated brands from their beginnings and differentiated existing titans like Tide, Subaru and SpeedPro through public relations, brand strategy and social media. As a board member of Ad Club CO NEXT and stand-up comedian, Nash knows how to connect with audiences to deliver value from unique perspectives to eye-roll-inducing dad jokes. Born and raised in Arizona, Nash beat the heat to graduate with honors from the University of Colorado Boulder, earning an advertising major and business minor.

Olivia Thomas has a love for project management and team organization. She brings critical thinking to her resourcing team and helps balance workloads for various clients. Before starting at INK, Olivia gained experience in account management through two local San Antonio agencies. A graduate of Trinity University, she studied Communication and Sport Management. Olivia believes that every team can benefit from a good Excel sheet and communication is the key to success. In addition to resourcing, Olivia loves to bike and hike in the Colorado mountains.

Paige Buescher brings creativity, thoughtfulness, and inquisitiveness to her work every day. Her need for knowledge drives her to absorb complex concepts and broad perspectives to create unique and impactful content for INK’s clients. Previously, she worked in politics with large corporations and national trade associations to craft their messages and communications to achieve their legislative initiatives. Paige grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated with honors from Oklahoma State University where she double-majored in strategic communications and psychology.

Payton Ricci is a graphic designer with a passion for telling stories through thoughtful, user-centric design. Before starting her post-graduation career at INK, Payton gained experience through internships and contract work with companies like Gensler, Google, and Urban Outfitters. She believes that design should not only look good, but also effectively communicate a message. In addition to design, Payton practices crochet, printmaking, and analog photography, and uses each unique process to inform her design thinking.

Armed with a passion for collaboration and a slight obsession with AP style, Reagan Costa brings creativity and enthusiasm to her client’s communications programs. The word “conventional” doesn’t exist in her vocabulary as she finds nothing more satisfying than identifying new and unique opportunities to tell her client’s stories and reach new audiences. She’s results-driven in every sense, securing coverage in Insider, Fast Company, Forbes and more. A Tennessean turned Texan, Reagan graduated from the University of Tennessee (known as “the other UT” by her Longhorn colleagues) with a major in public relations and a minor in business.

Doubling as a design nerd and social media junkie, Ryan Riggins has a passion for all things print and pixel. He uses his love for design to help our clients bring their messages to life visually. Ryan spreads this love to his other passion, soccer, by offering his talents to the MLS Austin supporter’s group, Austin Anthem. Ryan is INK’s resident videographer and photographer, creating work in these mediums for clients like CORT Furniture and 365 by Whole Foods Market. Born and raised on the West Coast, Ryan attended Azusa Pacific University. He headed to Austin with a desire to be in a creative city filled with unique people and a job to spend his days practicing the craft he loves.

Sami Sauerman creates and executes strategic communications programs that help her clients reach the right audience, at the right time, with the right message. Sami works with B2B companies in the financial services, SaaS, and manufacturing industries. Prior to joining INK, Sami worked at Ogilvy in its Los Angeles and Denver offices, where she worked across a wide range of industries, including tourism, healthcare, corporate social responsibility and sustainability, automotive, and plastics. She is a Midwest native and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.

Valerie Martinez strikes the perfect balance of creativity and analytical thinking in her work at INK where she helps teams run efficient programs and deliver results that meet client objectives. With experience in project management and investor relations, Valerie manages resource allocation, project timelines and budgeting, and supports INK teams and clients with research and project leadership. A graduate from The University of Texas Moody College of Communications, Valerie is the ultimate skeptic of a business-as-usual approach and always tries to find a better way to address any challenge she faces.