Her Story
About Ella
I've been working in public relations since 2022, and started my current position as a Public Relations Specialist in 2023. I lead strategic communication support for the Oneida City School District, where I'm contracted through my employer Madison Oneida BOCES. In my role, I oversee messaging across internal and external channels and direct crisis communication response efforts. I manage communication during major district-wide challenges - for example, we had a severe flooding incident last summer that required extensive coordination. I serve as the key communications liaison between district leadership, school administrators, staff, and the public, and I develop and execute multi-channel communication strategies while monitoring public sentiment and supporting leadership in preparing strategic responses. My most notable professional achievement has been the crisis communication efforts with the Oneida City School District over the last year. I attended the University at Albany where I got my Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2019, which catapulted me into starting my career working for a local news station. Working with them, I was able to get a good foundation in public relations, and from there I was able to transition into working directly in a public relations position. I was recognized by the New York School Public Relations Association with an Award of Honor in 2025 for excellence in School Public Relations and Strategic Communications, and I was recently asked to present at the New York School Public Relations Association Annual Conference on Crisis Communication about two months ago.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ella
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would just say hard work and determination. As cliche as it sounds, I have 3 kids, and I was a stay-at-home mom for the first part of having my children. I really just wanted more for myself and more for my kids, and so everything I do is for my kids - to lead a good example, but also to provide for them. That drive to create a better life for my family and show them what's possible through dedication has been the foundation of everything I've accomplished.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice would really be just keep going. Everything is going to be one of two things - a lesson or a blessing. If something is hard, it's supposed to be hard, because you're supposed to learn and grow from it, and it shouldn't make you quit. It should make you just learn from it and keep going, because you're going to find what you're supposed to be doing. This mindset has helped me push through challenges and trust that difficulties are part of the journey toward finding your true calling.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Hold your own. There's always going to be a lot of men in the room, and that's okay, but finding your seat at the table - whether you have to put your own seat at that table and fight for it or not - is so important. Don't be intimidated by all the men in the room and all the men sitting at the table. You have a voice, use it. Get your seat at the table and make sure you're heard, because your perspective and contributions matter just as much as anyone else's.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think some of the biggest challenges in my field is dealing with the public and public perception. Today, with the growth of social media, it's so easy for mistruths to grow so quickly, and a big part of my job is combating that. Anyone can say anything and say that it's truth, even if it's not, and there's no repercussions for it, even on a legal side. People can say whatever they want and do whatever they want online. Especially working with educational institutions, when a crisis happens and people are making up their own versions of the truth, you get a large percentage of the public who starts to believe those mistruths. Trying to combat that, trying to get people to trust you and trust your organization, and kind of cut through that noise is a huge challenge in today's environment.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my personal life, my faith is very important to me. I do everything with faith in mind. In my job, I would say building trust, being truthful and respectful and responsible, and really just building connections is so important. With everything I do, I try to be human about it. People in the workforce are so business-driven, which is great, but just remembering that people are still people - people have feelings. Treating other people like you want to be treated is so important in everything you do. That human element and genuine care for others guides both my professional and personal decisions.
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