Rachel Ryan, Investor Relations, Tortoise Capital Advisors

I was inspired to join IABC after working with Amy Stewart, Nicole Trembley and Justin Goldsborough at a post-graduate internship in the summer of 2010.  After being involved with PRSSA as a student at the University of Kansas, I was excited to learn about another professional society in the KC area. When starting my full-time job later that year at an investment management firm, I decided it was beneficial to become a member of the KC /IABC chapter in order to form relationships and network with other communicators in the metro, especially those within the financial sector.

I find attending various professional development events to be valuable in order to discover the trends of various communication sectors and gain new ideas I can take back to my coworkers and propose as potential communication efforts.  It is also encouraging to have a network of professionals to correspond with and maintain relationships/friendships around the area.  I just renewed my membership and am looking forward to becoming even more involved.