Please join us in a belated welcome to Laura Birdsall, a new mStoner team member and the agency’s first account manager.
Laura unites account and project management to create a positive and collaborative client engagement experience. She is involved in every aspect: From ensuring a smooth onboarding process to creating and executing client integrated strategies, Laura advocates for the needs of our clients at every turn.
Laura’s background is rooted in higher education. She spent four years in admissions at the University of Vermont before moving to a senior program manager role at Technolutions. Laura managed partner colleges and universities throughout their implementation of Slate, Technolutions’ popular CRM for admissions and advancement, and assisted clients with translating their business processes into efficient Slate processes.
Laura shared her answers to mStoner’s version of the Proust questionnaire.
Favorite book: Tough question — I love to read, so here are a few. “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” by Haruki Murakami tops the list, closely followed by some classics: the works of J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Herman Hesse. Right now I’m really into Kristin Hannah, and she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I was hooked after reading “The Nightingale.”
Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy” — I’m still a devoted fan after all these years. “Parks and Rec” is a close second, though. Knope 2020!
Favorite place you’ve visited: Glacier Park in Montana. I camped and hiked there while I was on a cross-country road trip in 2016. It’s high on my list of places that I’d like to visit again!
Funniest tweet/article/social post you ever read: And Then God Created Millennial Earth from McSweeney’s comes to mind immediately.
Greatest achievement to date: Being part of thriving communities here in Vermont and beyond. I mulled over some amazing jobs, conference presentations, awards, and certifications when answering this question. At the end of the day, though, I’m most proud that my life is full of meaningful friendships, fulfilling work, and strong ties to the communities that I’m grateful to be a part of.
Your superhero: My mom. As I grow older, I realize more and more how strong, funny, and just plain cool she is. She’s still trying new things and is full of surprises. I guess it’s the natural order of things to not realize how awesome your mom is when you’re really young, but she’s the real deal.
Your nemesis: Pollen! Despite my love for the earth, I seem to be allergic to just about every type of tree, grass, or weed. Oh, and horses! Who has a horse allergy?!
Your motto: Less doing, more being. It’s my note to self to put the to-do list down at the end of the day and just relax.
Your greatest life lesson: A mentor once told me, in regard to business decisions, “If you make decisions based on your values, you’ll never make a wrong choice.” I have found that advice to be applicable everywhere in life.
Welcome, Laura!