Team Spotlight: Meet Emma

Emma Pegler is a California-based (soon-to-be DC-based) communications consultant and 2023 graduate of Texas Christian University. After connecting with Kirkpatrick Group founder Katie Regan on a networking call, Emma began working for the company in September 2023. She supports internal and external communication projects with research, writing and design. With her dedication and adaptability, we are lucky to have Emma on the Kirkpatrick Group team. Let’s learn more about her work and her plans for the future.

• What led you to study communications?

I have always liked to write and be creative. When I was younger, I wanted to be an author but eventually decided against that. I entered college with an undecided major and took a variety of different classes. I considered marketing, but I didn’t like the focus on finance and accounting. Strategic communication sounded more interesting to me and had the writing and creative design elements I enjoyed.

• What are your professional goals?

I am still figuring out what path I want to go down. I would like to advance my career and end up in an executive role, ideally for a large global company. I am interested in sustainability as well as law and policy, so I am looking at ways to integrate STEM with communications. However, I also think it would be interesting to go into sports PR for organizations like the NFL or Formula 1. A career in communications creates so much flexibility to get involved with a lot of different fields.

• What has surprised you about working in PR?

I have learned a lot in the months I’ve been working with Kirkpatrick Group. At school, we learned technical tasks like how to write a news release, focusing on the end product and not the whole process. There is so much planning involved in PR, from making editorial calendars to crafting pitches, and I was surprised to learn about what really goes into PR projects from start to finish.

• What is your favorite type of project to work on?

I like a combination of research, writing and design. It’s satisfying to distill information into a few strategic points and present it in a format that sounds good and looks good. 

• Do you have a motto or favorite quote?

“You have to go after what you want.” I use this quote in my everyday life to manifest what I want and put out the energy I want to receive. I try to keep a positive mindset and not think of the worst-case scenario. I also try to put myself outside my comfort zone because often those uncomfortable situations give you the most rewards. 

• What are some of your hobbies outside work? 

Being in California, I like to go the beach and let my dog run on the sand. I play pickleball with my family. I love to curl up on the couch with a good book and read. I also like to work out, and I’m currently working toward my personal training certification. 

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

I love tropical vacations. Last summer I was in Fiji and the locals were so friendly and welcoming. They have the nicest people I have ever met, and everyone always greets you by saying “bula,” which means life and good health. 

• What is something most people don’t know about you?

I did synchronized swimming for a few years when I was younger, complete with the nose clip, gelatin in the hair, bedazzled hair piece, and waterproof makeup. I never wore a flower cap though. I also have my scuba diving certification.