March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Lauren Douglas, Marketing Specialist for Ohio who works remotely for New Story Management.
What is your favorite thing about working here?
My favorite thing about working at New Story are the amazing people I get the opportunity to work with! Not only have I learned so much in this role, but everyone’s passion for supporting and empowering our students is contagious.
What keeps you coming to work each day?
When you love what you do and the purpose behind it, it’s easy to come to work each day! Of course not every day is easy, but after starting my career in a role with little sense of purpose or impact it’s refreshing to work for a mission-driven organization like New Story.
How do you make an impact on students’ lives?
One way I make an impact on students’ lives is by helping students find their way to New Story. Whether it be through building our online presence or supporting in-person events, my goal is to spread the word about who New Story is and the many ways we can help students reach their highest potential.
Which one of our BetterTogether values resonates with you most personally and why? (Integrity, Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Supportive)
The BetterTogether value I resonate with the most is collaborative. I would be lost without the insights and knowledge of our local leaders! It’s true what they say, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?
No two days look the same, but a typical day includes a combination of content creation, website maintenance, and event support. I work remotely, so I usually have a handful of calls each day to check in with the marketing team, state leaders, and various agencies we partner with.
Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?
I graduated from The Ohio State University with a BSBA in Marketing during COVID lockdown, and started my career as the world began to reopen. I got my start in finance, but soon realized I missed the creativity of marketing and craved a role with purpose. That’s when I found New Story and the rest is history!
What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?
I loved working with our local news station on their annual special held during Autism Awareness month every year. In April 2023 New Story Schools sponsored the event, so I was able to help coordinate a professional video shoot of our Columbus campus and attend a taping of Daytime Columbus with Dr. Jill Blanchard (SVP, Ohio), who was interviewed on the show. It was a proud moment for me to receive excited messages from friends and family who saw New Story recognized for the first time on TV!
What is something about you that not many people know?
I used to have a pet tortoise! Her name was Burger King because she resembled a Whopper 😊
