Nest Conversations with Mariana Leone!

1. How long have you been working with Bird Hill PR and what inspired you to be a part of the team?

I have been with Bird Hill since August of 2022, basically immediately after I graduated from college. I always knew I wanted to work in the nonprofit world. During college, I was a member of a student sexual educators group and an arts administration board, and an intern for a PA political campaign and a Chicago-based legal nonprofit. I had some marketing and communications skills from those experiences, but I didn’t know if I truly belonged in that pocket. I am also an actor, so I was looking for something a little more flexible so I could run to auditions, rehearsals, and shoots when needed. 

I first met Ricki on a cold networking call (shout out to The Baldwin School alumni), and it turned out she was looking for an assistant. Like a lot of college grads, I really did not know what I was looking for (I had been casting a ridiculously wide net with my apps up to that point), and landing as Ricki’s assistant was a really lucky break for me. As Ricki’s assistant, I learned about different roles, expertises, and issue areas from working with the Bird Hill team and our clients. Thus far, I have been an assistant, copywriter, social media manager, publicist, ghostwriter, project manager, CRM manager, etc, etc, etc. Now, I am Bird Hill’s managing director; In broad terms, I oversee and build the infrastructure around what we do.

2. What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from our clients so far since you started?

It may be a bit of trope to say that nonprofit staff members are extremely dedicated, but it really is true (and it’s infectious). As I wrote, I was always looking to work in the mission-driven world, and I think I’m pretty plugged-in, but our clients are on a different level. They are putting in overtime, going above and beyond, and making unimaginable things happen. Their teams are often overstretched, underfunded, and rushed. I feel so grateful to support their work and help to make it possible (because there really are only so many hours in the day). 

I think the lesson here is: there is something you can do when the given circumstances are very dark, and it’s worth doing even though it’s hard. Considering the state of the world these days (another trope, I know), it’s special to see people moving heaven and earth every day. It reminds me how much is possible when people care. 

3. What makes Bird Hill PR’s approach to nonprofit communications and advocacy campaigns unique?

We are always looking for creative ways to share a story. Sometimes that means working with celebrity publicists to get a mention for our client organization in a piece about a notable supporter, sometimes that means getting our client organizations’ into niche newsletters or local magazines, sometimes that means top-tier global press. We are constantly adapting to support our clients’ work responsibly and thoughtfully. 

4. Are there some other issues on top of our client’s work that you would wish to be amplified more than they are or aren’t?

So many things. My second-biggest lesson is how many of the coolest things our clients do have to happen behind closed doors, often because of security and stakeholder sensitivity. This can be kind of challenging for a PR agency, but it’s worth it. 

One thing I want to lift up right now is our client RAINN’s work on the historic Take It Down Act. This federal law requires social platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery. It just turned 1-year old, and now it must be enforced everywhere! My generation has wanted and needed this issue to be legislated for a long time. Passing a federal law like this, especially in a Republican-controlled Congress, is no joke. The Take It Down Act will benefit millions and millions of people. If someone has created or shared intimate issues of you without your consent, you can report it here. 

5. What has been your most memorable experience working on a campaign at Bird Hill PR so far?

In 2023, we helped to staff an International Medical Corps and National Geographic photography exhibit at the UN. We have worked some very cool events in more-involved capacities over the years, but this one was an especially surreal moment for me. I had only been with Bird Hill for about a year, and I truly couldn’t believe I was going to work for the day at the UN.