Whether she’s giving away PR “cheat codes” in Caliber’s College of Public Relations, helping clients find their voice or exploring MLB ballparks in one of her Papa’s favorite Hawaiian shirts, Emily brings heart, dedication and a love of learning to everything she does. Read on to find out how a baseball almanac once made her a field-trip legend, why home really is where the heart is and a whole lot more.

Kate: What is your favorite nickname and how did you get it?

Emily: The nickname I’m most commonly called is “Em.” I love it and take it as an endearing name. I’ve been called this by my family and friends for years, and to have my teammates calling me Em just feels natural. It’s particularly fitting for me, as it’s not just a shortening of my first name but also my initials.

Kate: Where do you consider “home”? What is special about it?

Emily: When I say home, I typically mean one of two places:

• Sacramento, California — where I was born and raised, and where most of my family still lives. No matter how many places I live, Sacramento will always be a special place to me.
• Raeford, North Carolina (just outside of Fort Bragg) — where my husband and I currently live with our German Shepherd, Barrett. We’ve lived here for about three years and even bought our first home — something we hadn’t planned to do, which has made life here even more of an adventure!

As a military spouse, I’ve learned what the saying “home is where the heart is” truly means. It’s the loved ones and memories made that make a place feel like home. That’s what gives me comfort in knowing that wherever we end up next, I’ll gain a new meaning to my definition of home.

Kate: What’s one accomplishment from your childhood that you still brag about?

Emily: Silly accomplishment – but on a first-grade field trip to the Sacramento River Cats stadium (where the A’s will temporarily call home before heading to Las Vegas), our host asked some trivia questions: mascot name, team colors, etc.

Then he asked about the origin of the neck guard on the catcher’s gear, noting that no one had ever answered the question correctly. As an avid baseball fan and reader who had just (embarrassingly) finished the Baseball Almanac, I knew the answer. I explained in detail how Steve Yeager was injured by a broken bat, and how his trainer, Bill Buhler, created the neck guard to prevent further injuries. The host was stunned that I, no older than seven, knew the correct response.

It’s a silly brag, but it reflects my love of baseball and sports in general. Given that, it’s probably no shock that I wrote my college thesis on baseball as the quintessential symbol of America’s journey in history.

Kate: What non-work activities inspire you?

Emily: There’s nothing I love more than live entertainment like sports games and concerts. Lately, I’ve been combining 

this love with my passion for travel by visiting different cities to catch a game. I just finished a quick trip to Cincinnati, for MLB’s Opening Weekend to see the San Francisco Giants play the Reds. Thanks for roadtripping to join me, Kate! 

Back in December, it was a quick trip to NYC for the Gonzaga vs. UConn men’s basketball game, and then over to Miami to see the 49ers play the Dolphins. Before that, it was Oakland for the final Battle of the Bay at the Coliseum between the Giants and the A’s with my dad and grandpa. I am always looking for my next adventure!

These travels were inspired by my Papa. Since his passing in September 2021, I have made it a personal mission to visit each of the 30 ballparks, repping one of his favorite San Francisco Giants-themed Hawaiian shirts, and collecting both a pin and photo to mark the trip. He was one of the main influences in my life that fostered my love of sports and, to me, this is the best way to honor and celebrate him. So far, I’ve completed eight of 30 and I’m already planning the next few.

Kate: What’s your favorite movie and/or book?

Emily: The Lion King has always had a special place in my heart. I grew up watching and loving it. Now, it’s an even bigger part of my life because it’s something I share with my nephew and niece. They’re obsessed (maybe even more than I ever was), singing all the songs and acting out all the scenes.

I still cry every time Mufasa dies, however, seeing my nephew and niece take turns dramatically reenacting Scar’s “Long live the king” moment — complete with an over-the-top “cliff-throwing” off the couch — never fails to crack me up.

Kate: If you had to include one ingredient in every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Emily: A true California-native answer: avocado. I don’t know what it is about a perfect avocado that makes me so happy, but I think it would be a great accompaniment to any dish — either as an extra ingredient or a nice side dish, sliced up with a dash of your favorite salad dressing. 

Kate: What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?

Emily: I’m running out of interesting things for two truths and a lie! Something my colleagues don’t know about me is that I’ve been in a room full of incarcerated people who have confessed to murder. 

During my time with the Sacramento Kings, we hosted a “Play for Justice” event at Folsom State Prison — the prison made famous by Johnny Cash. It was a very powerful event focused on breaking the stigma of prison and exploring the path of redemption, culminating in a fun game of basketball among residents, Kings players and front office staff. I lived about 10–15 minutes away from this prison for most of my life, so to meet the residents on the other side of the walls, hear their stories and bring them entertainment was definitely an experience I’ll never forget. 

What made it even more special was getting to pair that experience with my love of storytelling — working with local and national reporters to help share the “why” behind the event.

Kate: What is your favorite part of being a professor in Caliber’s College of Public Relations (CCPR) program?

Emily: Teaching CCPR lessons is one of the things that makes Caliber so rewarding. I always come into my lessons ready to unpack the “why” behind different strategies — and definitely toss in a few PR “cheat codes” I’ve learned along the way. 

Of course, college teaches the fundamentals of PR — but the real strategy, magic and chaos? That comes from actually doing the job. As a CCPR professor, I get to give students a crash course on what the job is actually like — helping them fast-track their understanding or see things from a new angle.

From my zero-inbox obsession (yes, it’s a way of life), to breaking down the strategy behind branding (and rebranding), to championing the art of “always-on pitching,” I love passing on the good, the messy, and the media-worthy lessons I’ve learned. The best part is that I walk away from the virtual classroom with a ton of new tools and tips. 

Kate: When you think about your time at Caliber, what career accomplishment or milestone makes you feel most proud?

Emily: Landing an interview or piece of coverage for a client, especially around a story that is meaningful to them and their business, always gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride. But what makes me most proud is seeing the people I manage land interviews and earn impactful media coverage for our clients. 

Kate: What’s your favorite Caliber Perk?

Emily: The dedication this agency has to the work-life balance. Between Caliber’s unlimited PTO, which we’re encouraged to take, and Summer Fridays, it’s refreshing to be part of a company that doesn’t just say they promote work-life balance, but actually fosters an environment that puts those words into action.

Kate: What’s your favorite thing about working at Caliber?

Emily: Aside from the work-life balance, it’s the incredibly smart, talented and impressive team I work with. I know that’s a common answer from my colleagues — but there’s most definitely a reason!

Kate: Name one thing that amazes you about fintech or innovation in financial services.

Emily: I’ve heard many of my colleagues say the same thing, but what amazes me is just how ubiquitous fintech truly is — and how rapidly it progresses. I was helping tell fintech stories before I even knew what that term meant or was actively working in the industry. It really does impact our lives in so many ways across all generations.

Kate: What historical figure do you most admire?

Emily: While not “historical” in the traditional textbook sense, the person I admire most is my Papa. He was one of the biggest influences behind my love of sports, but even more than that, he showed me what resilience and positivity really look like.

He suffered a severe stroke when I was young, and many doctors didn’t expect him to survive, let alone talk or walk again. But he defied every expectation with determination to watch my sister and me grow up and hit key milestones: college graduations, career starts and weddings. 

He lived another 20 years, fully mobile, present and ALWAYS armed with a joke and a smile. He taught me perseverance in the face of adversity, the power of positivity and that everything is better when you laugh. I strive to live by those lessons daily as a way of honoring his legacy.

Kate: Looking back, are there any defining moments that helped shape you into the rockstar you are today?

Emily: My decision to attend Gonzaga University was truly a defining moment. It was my first-choice college, and it opened so many doors to help me discover my passions. It was there that I learned about the career path of public relations, interned for their Athletic Department, studied in Florence, Italy, and so much more.

Following my time at Gonzaga, I pursued a career in sports, landing a spot with the PR department at the Sacramento Kings — not only my hometown team, but also the first professional sports team I witnessed as a kid in person. I was fortunate to work for the team at a critical time in the franchise’s history. My very first full day? The Paul McCartney concert that opened Golden 1 Center (the arena that helped keep the team in town). From there it was my passion project to help tell the story of how the team staying in Sacramento bolstered the city and put California’s underrated capital city back on the map. Uniform launches, new food offerings, sustainable arena features and many, MANY technology stories later… It was a wild ride that refined my love of storytelling.

That experience introduced me to the world of technology, which eventually led me to Caliber. Now I get to help clients bring their efforts, products and perspectives into the broader narrative of the news cycle — and demonstrate their impact. It’s been so fun to fully immerse myself in fintech, insurtech and proptech. For me, it’s important to feel I’m learning something every day — and I can truly say that I am doing just that here at Caliber, which helps me feel fulfilled. 

I credit my entire career journey to date to my simple choice to attend Gonzaga University. Go Zags! 

Want to join Emily at Caliber? Check out our job postings page for open positions! 

The Staff Spotlight Q&A series highlights Caliber team members for the stellar work they do each day and the important part we all play in the company. Read more Staff Spotlight Q&A posts to learn more about our top-tier team.