1. What do you do at Merritt Group?

I’m a Director in our San Francisco office, where I wear two equally awesome hats — I help clients across multiple practice groups develop and execute high-impact communication strategies that increase their visibility in key markets, and I help make sure our incredibly smart, talented West Coast team is growing and thriving. Whether organizing professional development training, planning our InBalance program and other team-building activities (we’ve gone kayaking, paddleboarding and wine tasting, been to the batting cages, tried yoga and meditation, had in-office massages, and volunteered at several amazing local organizations — just to name a few!), or recruiting the best talent the Bay Area has to offer, it’s the best of both worlds!

2. What’s your favorite piece of technology?

All. of. the. apps. I’m not a huge Facebook person, but I’m pretty much glued to my phone anyway because I use an app for EVERYTHING — grocery shopping (Instacart), dry cleaning (Washio), ordering takeout (Postmates), shopping (Amazon Prime Now), sending packages (Shyp)…even stocking up on wine for parties (here’s looking at you, Saucey). I’m also a converted Snapchat enthusiast after the SF team convinced me I needed it to document a DMX concert I attended late one magical Tuesday evening. I resisted, but in the end, they were right.

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

Probably an app to track DMX’s whereabouts at all times.

4. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Bay area?

What’s not to love?? Gorgeous weather, fantastic food, awesome museums, and pretty much any scenery you’d ever want (beaches, mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, even rainforests!) is just a hop, skip, and a jump (or at most, a quick car ride) away.

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

I lived in Washington, D.C. for almost 10 years, so I’m still a political nerd at heart. All the recent election coverage made me dust off my copy of What It Takes, a fascinating look inside the 1988 presidential primaries (think George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, Gary Hart, Bob Dole — even Joe Biden!) and what makes a person want to run for the White House — as well as the sacrifices they have to make along the way. It’s funny, surprising, informative, insightful, and best of all, not cable news.

6. What’s your favorite Merritt Group memory?

There are too many to count! The time we tried to get a fish for the office (it took two attempts). Ben Merritt in his Santa suit. Competitive team karaoke. The time we all shared our childhood nicknames as part of an icebreaker exercise and realized they were still SO ACCURATE. Having the whole MG family together for offsites and holiday parties. Celebrating wins (and sharing losses) as a team. And definitely, definitely bumper boats.

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

A team that’s as excited as I am that we get to do what we do. Also wine.