Meet Heather Gilbert: Public Relations Account Executive

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Gilbert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Being a kid at heart and always trying to make life playful, I’d have to say, one of my favorite quotes is from Alice in Wonderland. As the Mad Hatter said, “Have I gone mad?” Alice confirmed with, “I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” This quote didn’t resonate with me until I hit my twenties though. When your young you can get wrapped up in society norms, social media and more leaving you stuck in a state of judgment about anyone and everything, but nobody is perfect. Once I graduated college I really took a look around my life and the friendships, role models, family members and individuals I admired and noticed they all were a bit bonkers, in their own unique way. Everyone in my life that I hold close to my heart has a story, a scar, a flaw and a defining message that makes him or her human, special and unique. We’ve all gone through something and have come out stronger. Their a bit bonkers at times but if they were perfect we probably wouldn’t get along. Their personalities are what makes me infatuated with knowing everyone’s story around me. I agree with Alice that some people may be bonkers, but their typically the best ones!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Business. After college I landed my first Public Relations internship in Addison, TX and began my career path in the PR and Media Relations field. In the first six months, I was challenged both mentally and physically. During that time, I was finding myself and who I wanted to be post-college, questioning my relationship and dealing with family issues, while still living at home. I was put through the ringer all while trying to make a name for myself professionally. When everything felt hard and exhausting, I found a light at the end of the tunnel, that began with me getting dumped. Yep, it’s funny how God works in mysterious ways. I realized I was trying to find my worth in someone else therefore I knew I needed a full life change. I ended up quitting my internship and landed a job as an Account Coordinator at another PR firm in Addison, where I still am, just with a fancier title, moved into my own place with my childhood best friend and began working on my professional career full time. I’ve made huge strides personally and professionally in my career thus far, met life long friends, been confronted with professional obstacles I’ve overcome, and it’s all made me stronger. I recently received a promotion and am constantly pushing myself to the next one to prove to myself that I am worthy. My words of advice to anyone wanting to grow in their career is to realize that no job is perfect and nobody is going to push you more than you will push yourself. You’re your own hero. People say you’re defensive? No, you’re resilient! People may say you’re stubborn? No, you know what you want! People may say you’re loud? No, you’re passionate. Speak up, know your worth and know that this world is yours for the taking.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I’m all about a good girls weekend and letting loose! We all need a little break here and there. If someone was visiting Dallas for a long weekend this summer then here’s the plan! First, we will get a room at The Statler Hotel for the weekend. We will begin our Friday night shenanigans with getting ready in the hotel with champagne, before heading to Deep Ellum for dinner. Dinner will be at Vidorra Mexican Restaurant where we will sip giant margs on the patio eating a flaming bowl of queso, yes the bowl is flaming. Then we will head out to a few bars, have too many drinks and embarrass ourselves on the dance floor. Saturday will consist of tanning at the rooftop pool at the Statler, poolside drinks, too much tanning oil and yummy chips and dips. Once we are burned and fried we will throw on our lounge clothes and order room service. Let the stories flow and random games begin! Once we’ve laughed ourselves to sleep we will end the girls weekend with some much needed shopping and one of my favorite spots, the Dallas Farmer’s Market. There’s so much food for brunch and a lot of unique shops where you can find some fun finds that nobody else will have. A weekend filled with laughs, drinks and too much food all while getting a tan… now that’s a successful girls trip!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my family, who might I add is very bonkers! I feel like it’s typical for a shoutout to be about your family and friends who have been there along the way and it seem very insincere but this is truly sincere. I will be 100% honest and admit that I’m really hard to love. I love to receive words of affirmation but I’m extremely hard on myself and I actually get uncomfortable when someone is telling me I’m doing something great. I tend to question if I really did enough. This is just one of my many flaws but my family sees through it. They push me to be better, stronger and persevere through everything life throws my way, and let me tell you life has hit me with some plot twists! So to my family, thanks for loving me through my stubbornness, the tears, the late night calls and providing me with all the tools to make it through this crazy, fabulous life. You’re my rock. And when in doubt, a call to momma never hurts!