Get to know the latest addition to the Merritt Group team! Julie Feldsott is an experienced Account Executive for the Security and Business Technology Groups.

What do you do at Merritt Group?

I’m an Account Executive for the Security Group and a main lead for clients looking to enhance their PR in the tech and cybersecurity sectors. I work to develop relationships between the media and our clients and find unique opportunities to increase their thought leadership in media.

What’s your greatest moment — whether in work, school or marketing/PR — so far?

Earlier in my career, I helped launch a successful new product in the professional training and development industry. The project was attention-heavy; a huge amount of time went into research, design and customer meetings, and in-depth projects to get the product off the ground. There’s never a better feeling than watching your work develop momentum and then thriving out in the real world.

Who do you love to follow on Twitter or Instagram and why?

Even though Instagram is mainly for sharing pictures, I am a sucker for reading on Instagram like @girlsnightin, which produces a weekly email newsletter, @girlboss for daily empowerment from a community of successful women, and @girlsatlibary for quotes and interviews with creative women.

What’s your favorite piece of technology?

Currently, my favorite piece of technology is the red Nespresso machine in our office. I use coffee as a time to recharge, or take a break, and catch up with my teammates. It’s also one of my bragging points outside the office. Does your office have a Nespresso machine and a milk frother? Mine does!

What’s the one gadget you think needs to be invented?

I love to travel so I’d say Airport AI for TSA pre-check. I’m thinking an AI robot could check our luggage, store it, and scan us too, so we wouldn’t need to go through the whole TSA security check.

What’s your favorite thing about living in the Washington, D.C., area?

Accessibility to new experiences. Every week, I check event calendars and see what’s going on. A few weeks ago I purchased tickets to “Image China: Xuanzang’s Pilgrimage,” performed by the China National Traditional Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen because it included an 80-piece traditional Chinese orchestra, made up of traditional Chinese instruments I’d never heard of.

What do you love to do when you are not working?

I enjoy the outdoors, even if it means walking around the city. This year, walking to work at our Tysons Corner office became a reality for me and it’s been a game-changer.

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

Wisdom by Andrew Zuckerman, which is written similarly to Humans of New York. The book is a collection of interviews from 50 of the most influential people from the US and around the world.

What are your podcast recommendations?

Recode Decode is Kara Swisher’s weekly business and Silicon Valley podcast with interviews on a big range of subjects. I especially enjoyed listening to her recent interview with Kathy Griffin, and her explanation of why the FBI got involved after her notorious post involving President Trump. It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders is a weekly NPR podcast, and my current favorite, because they do such a great job summarizing current events, information and inviting subject matter experts onto their show.

What’s your favorite Merritt Group memory?

My first week at Merritt Group was right before the holidays and during Merritt Group’s “Merry Week of Giving.” We volunteered at a D.C. food kitchen, wrapped gifts, made kid snack packs and enjoyed other unique ways of giving back to the local D.C. community.

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

Besides our office Nespresso coffee machine? My phone. I definitely could not live without it.

What’s the most interesting item on your desk?

I am a sucker for those foam stress balls and I always keep one on my desk. But a few months ago, I went to Japan and now I keep a small blue omamori (amulet) from a monastery for good health on my desk. I’d like to think one of them is working.

Get to know more of our staff in our ongoing Q&A blog series or visit Who We Are. Want to join our amazing team? Check out our open positions.