Team Spotlight: Jamie Altman

Jamie Altman is an accomplished public relations and communications consultant. Her areas of expertise include corporate communications and consumer and trade media relations, and she has held roles at a global PR agency and Fortune 500 companies throughout the Pittsburgh area. She met Kirkpatrick Group founder Katie Regan in 2010 during an internship. They remained connected in the coming years, and Jamie joined Kirkpatrick Group in 2018. With her exceptional planning and management skills, Jamie keeps us all on track while always making time to celebrate our team wins (and does it all without any caffeine!). 

• What led you to a career in communications? 

I have always loved to write. I am also very organized and enjoy project management, so I wanted to find a career that linked my interests in writing, business and working with people. A guidance counselor in high school showed me a book of careers and I landed on communications, although I wasn’t completely clear on what that meant at the time. It came together for me during my first internship when I was working in corporate communications at FedEx Ground. I was intrigued by the way communications touches and supports so many different pieces of a business and connects you with people all across an organization. 

• What do you think makes Kirkpatrick Group stand out in our field?

Our clients have direct access to people who have been working in the industry for a long time and are passionate about what they do. Kirkpatrick Group removes some of the bureaucracy and structure of traditional agencies that can slow things down and create barriers to success. We are not afraid to roll up our sleeves and get the work done to make things happen.

• What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Never underestimate the power of networking. Early in my career, Katie taught me how to network, how to leverage a network, and how to share your network with others. Every job I’ve had and every client I work with now has come about through the power of networking.

• How do you stay productive working remotely? 

When I first started working remotely, I had to find a balance between creating structure and leveraging the flexibility that comes with working remotely. It’s important to have a dedicated space that is free of distractions and helps you feel inspired. With the way I work and the way I parent, my schedule looks different week to week. Sometimes I work early in the morning or late at night, but I work to find a balance of carving out time where I can dive in and focus and turning it off to focus on the other pieces of my life.

• What’s your favorite type of project?

I love the account management side of the things I do. There is something special about setting up a new client and building the initial tools they need to get up and running. For me, managing a project is like completing a puzzle and ensuring all of the pieces fit together just right. It is rewarding to see how proper planning and organization tools can help projects run smoothly and gain results that meet our clients’ goals. I also enjoy projects that allow me to think creatively. 

• What is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled?

My husband and I went to Hawaii on our honeymoon. I love the serenity and the sense of peace there. We also go to Newport, Rhode Island every year with my whole family. I have a lot of great memories of my kids going to the beach and growing up there.

• What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?

Both of my siblings are getting married this year, and I have been involved in their big planning moments like going wedding dress shopping with my sister. 

• What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Of course, my daughters. They are the greatest gift of my life.  

I also always like to have something planned. Looking forward to the next fun thing keeps me motivated. And I couldn’t live without chocolate.