Kelly Hunter wears many hats: home chef, PR pro, event manager extraordinaire, mom…you name it, she does it! With more than four decades in the PR industry, Kelly has so much wisdom, experiences, and insights to share. Read more below!

What does a day in your life look like?
I am not a morning person by nature, but I have tricked myself into thinking I am with a morning routine that has me quickly doing about ten different online puzzles to wake my brain before checking in on local and national news. I almost always take a client or work call during my commute to start my day productively. Part of what I love about PR is that every day is different. On any given day, I could be working with a client on a strategic initiative, pitching media across the country or facilitating some pretty amazing events. There are rarely two days the same. What is the same, however, is my evening routine. We cook at home normally 5-6 nights per week, and cooking dinner is how I officially transition from work to play. I love to create fun menus every night.

Tell us more about your passion for cooking.
I used to be the pickiest eater in the world. As a child there were so few foods I would eat. But after college, I joined a supper club with five other women, and we began cooking for each other. I found out I really enjoyed the process and that I loved sharing good food with others. During that time, I started entering recipes in cooking contests. The first time I had any success, I was the Southwest regional finalist for a contest hosted by Redwood Creek wines.  They flew me and my husband, John, out to the Inn at Little Washington where the four finalists cooked for a special event and for judge Sara Moulton. From then on I was hooked.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter PR?
First and foremost, keep an open mind. While we represent our clients and their stories to the public, it does not mean every topic or theme is personally inspiring. Find inspiration from the passion and the commitment of the people you represent, and you’ll keep that passion in your work. Representing people who love what they do makes this job amazingly fulfilling.

What’s your most memorable moment from working in PR?
When I started in this industry, I was most excited about the “big wins,” like the first time we had a client on the plaza at The TODAY Show or my first People Magazine cover. But now I know that, sometimes, the most memorable moments are the smaller ones. For example, one time I was working with a young reporter at a local affiliate and found up she’d grown up in the same town I did. The more we dug down, it turned out she grew up in the house I lived in throughout my childhood. Those fun connections remind me how small our great big world can be.

What’s your favorite quote/life advice/mantra that you live by and why?
Learn something new every day. Whether I’m cooking a new dish, traveling to a new city or onboarding a new client, there is always new information and a new perspective. And every time we stretch ourselves in that way, we make ourselves more receptive and aware to learn new and interesting things about those around us.

What’s your favorite local event to attend every year?
Because events are a large part of my client base, I get the chance to experience some of the best. My favorite local client event is Addison Oktoberfest. I’ve been going since before they were a client, and it provides this fun escape like an afternoon in Bavaria. I love some non-client events, too, like Scarborough Faire, which always feels like a fun escape.