Anna Grace Breedlove
Anna Grace Breedlove is a magazine editor for Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. In her current role, she oversees four regional publications including Mountain Brook Magazine, Homewood Life, Vestavia Hills Magazine, and Hoover’s Magazine while contributing to the company’s broader mission of delivering high-quality journalism across multiple publications throughout the Southeast. She has led her editorial team to win the Alabama Press Association’s top award, Magazine of the Year, in 2025 and 2023 and first runner-up for this award in 2024. She has worked in journalism since 2022, building a reputation for strong editorial leadership, storytelling, and collaborative production work. Previously, she managed five magazines simultaneously and recently played a key role in helping train a newly hired co-editor who assumed responsibility for Shelby Living as part of a multi-publication expansion initiative. Her coverage area spans from Jefferson County to North Shelby County, requiring extensive field reporting, interviews, photo shoots, and community event coverage that often involves traveling 50 to 70 miles per day to capture stories and visuals. Anna Grace’s passion for journalism began early in life when she was in third grade after winning second place in a poetry contest for Hoover City firefighters and police officers. Her poem, “Fire, Fire in the House,” helped spark her interest in storytelling when she saw her photo published in the newspaper due to her expressive recitation in front of municipal officials. That experience inspired her commitment to using journalism as a platform to positively impact and represent communities through print media. Anna Grace holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Samford University, where she maintained a strong academic record while participating in numerous leadership and service organizations. She is also skilled in content marketing, brand development, social media strategy, and public relations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her son and remains passionate about leadership, creativity, and helping others tell their stories. Through her work in media, she continues to advance community-focused journalism while supporting editorial excellence and publication growth across her organization.
• Public Speaking/Journalism
• Samford University - BASc in JMC - PR
• 2025 Magazine of the Year - Alabama Press Association
• 2024 First Runner-Up for Magazine of the Year - Alabama Press Association
• 2023 Magazine of the Year - Alabama Press Association
• Alabama Press Association Group
• Church of the Highlands - Grandview Campus
• Laura Crandall Brown Foundation (ovarian cancer awareness and treatment)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being self-motivated, open-minded, and deeply committed to continuous learning and personal growth. I am naturally goal-driven and take pride in pushing myself to achieve excellence in both my professional and personal life. My work is especially meaningful because I have the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives every day through my career and community involvement. I am inspired by the support and encouragement of my family and friends, and I draw balance and perspective from spending time with them, as well as from my personal interests in writing and enjoying the outdoors, which help keep me grounded, creative, and focused on maintaining a well-rounded and purposeful life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to be present in every moment, actively contribute my ideas, and recognize that my voice and perspective matter. I have learned the importance of leading by example, maintaining high standards of excellence, and showing integrity through my actions and work ethic. This advice has helped shape my professional approach by encouraging me to stay engaged, confident, and intentional in my leadership and collaboration with others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is to trust themselves and not overthink every decision, because overthinking can create unnecessary doubt and limit confidence and clarity. I would encourage them to stand tall, be proud of their voice, and never allow intimidation to silence their ideas or creativity. The media and journalism industry needs diverse perspectives, so it is important to show up authentically, speak with confidence, and know that your contributions truly matter. Staying focused on learning, building strong relationships, and maintaining professional excellence will help create long-term success and fulfillment in this field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the ability to help more individuals and organizations strengthen their brand presence through strategic marketing and content development. As digital and print media continue to evolve, there is tremendous potential to reach wider audiences, tell more impactful stories, and create meaningful connections between brands and the communities they serve. I am especially excited about using my skills in content marketing and brand marketing to help others clearly communicate their message, grow their visibility, and achieve their goals while continuing to adapt to the changing media landscape.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to continuous growth. I believe in never giving up, staying focused on pushing forward through challenges, and remaining open to new ideas, experiences, and opportunities for learning. Making a positive difference in the lives of others is at the core of my work and drives my passion for journalism and storytelling. I am especially proud to contribute to award-winning work, including helping Mountain Brook Magazine earn the Alabama Press Association’s top award for three consecutive years, which reflects my dedication to excellence, teamwork, and producing meaningful, high-quality content that serves the community.