How has the AMA helped your career growth/personal growth?
I have been on the board of the AMA for about 5 years now and have been in various positions. I started as the VP of Communications, where I moved into Vice President, President, Past President, and finally to in my current position, VP of Special Events. The AMA truly was a launching pad for me.

Of course, there was the networking and the community awareness that came into play when I moved into the President Position, but there was also a personal growth that I really hadn’t anticipated. I was the spokesperson of the Chapter that the community reached out to for marketing insights, I was responsible for the budget that led the chapter for future years (positive or negative), and I unknowingly mentored other board members as I cultivated them into their future board positions. With all this, I pushed myself WAY outside of my comfort zone.

The AMA changed who I thought I was. I knew myself as the person behind the scenes in my position at work and somewhat of a wallflower in social settings. I am no longer THAT Somer and I have the AMA to thank. I wouldn’t say I am excellent at public speaker by ANY means, but I am much better than I was and that absolutely helped me in my career.

What do you like most about the monthly luncheons?
Honestly, the Reno AMA Chapter is more like a group of friends to me. What I like most about the luncheons is seeing everyone and catching up. Don’t get me wrong, I think we bring in exceptional programming, but I like feeling like I am a part of a community, rather than just living in it.

What type of marketing inspires or interests you the most?
I don’t care necessarily the format or type. I respect all forms. What inspires me is when the message touches me in a way that I hadn’t expected. Something that gets ME and cuts through the “fluff.”

What would most people not know about you?
I live to try new things. Whether it’s skydiving, traveling, aerial silks, or rock climbing, I like the journey … and from that list, I could probably say that I like heights. I try in my life to be limitless and not feel held back by something such as fear.