Each month AWC Austin will highlight one very special member making a difference in the communications industry right here in Austin, Texas. This month, we feature Emlea Chanslor, Corporate Communications Supervisor for Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Emlea has a drive to help everyday people and make a large-scale difference. If you haven’t gotten a chance to say hi to Emlea, seek her out at the next meeting or luncheon. You’ll be glad you did. Learn more about Emlea in our AWC Member Spotlight!
By Samantha Furry
June Member Spotlight: Emlea Chanslor
AWC AUSTIN: How long have you been a member of AWC Austin?
EC: I joined last year. Erin Huddleston asked me to help with the Silent Auction for Banner Brunch. Kristin Nelson and I coordinated that and it was also the first year we had an online auction as a fundraiser for the brunch. It was fun and exciting! I got to know a lot of members and meet AWC board members.
AWC AUSTIN: As a fairly new member, what prompted you to join AWC Austin?
EC: In my job, I work with media and internal customers, so I wanted a way to meet more people in my field and hear how they create plans for communication. The AWC organization was relevant and the website – it’s actually updated! I decided to join the group and it has been a great experience so far…and there are many more to come.
AWC AUSTIN: Describe your experience as a Banner Brunch Silent Auction Co-Chair.
EC: We worked with a committee to secure donations and started asking for items right after the holidays in January. Everyone in the group went through their contacts and generated lots of items coming in for the event. We also worked on the online element of the auction which is very interactive and integrated social media.
AWC AUSTIN: What did you learn about AWC from serving on the committee?
EC: It’s amazing all the things the organization does because everyone volunteers their own time. Many of these women have families, businesses, and full-time jobs. I’m in awe at how it all seamlessly comes together as if we were our own business. It’s all about volunteers and squeezing the time in during evenings, lunch breaks, and weekends. Erin and the board have a lot to do with that. They’re great at pulling people in and tapping into their talents.
AWC AUSTIN: What do you enjoy most about your job at LCRA?
EC: I like the variety! In the corporate communications group, we do all sorts of work involving media relations, writing and editing, strategic planning and advising. There is a big variety. LCRA works with a lot of very smart people like scientists and engineers who are focused on how to make sure we have enough water 90 years from now. My role is to understand the issue we’re working on, so I can help them present it in a way that is accessible to the public. I filter out the acronyms and the jargon so that everyone can understand how it affects their everyday life.
AWC AUSTIN: You’ve worked extensively in government agencies. Was this a conscious choice or are you naturally drawn to that particular area?
EC: I knew I wanted to be in public service and work on projects that are meaningful to others. I’ve worked on public transportation, and toll road projects and now I’m working with water, wastewater, and public power. In college, I did an internship at the Texas State Capitol and being involved at the policy level helped me realize what motivates me: the idea of something that is significant for everyone in their daily life. If a single mom can get to work 30 minutes faster, then that is one hour in her day she has to be with her children.
AWC AUSTIN: Have there been any particular moments in your career that you were especially proud of?
EC: Two and a half years ago, at LCRA, I was involved with a project to design a public input process for a 90-year water plan. That’s really one of the projects that, in my experience, I am most proud of. In the history of LCRA’s 75 years, they have held many public meetings and hearings to gather community input but this was one of the first water projects where we had more tools. We had a great website with lots of information and online videos for people to understand the issues, provide feedback, and ask questions.
We were really able to use some of the old and new tools together. Our focus was rural and urban, so we couldn’t ignore the old tools. In small communities, we still put inserts in local newspapers because that remains the strongest way to reach people in those areas. We still held public meetings but we called them “community conversations,” where we could sit at a table with neighbors and talk through different scenarios and competing needs.
Our strategy created an “out-of-the-box” way to interact with the community and let them understand and learn about complex issues that our experts tackle daily. It also allowed us to hear their feedback and input about their priorities and values related to water and water use in the future. Projects that get folks involved is really what inspires me.
AWC AUSTIN: As Texans, we’re hearing a lot about the current drought and as a media spokesperson for LCRA, you’re talking a lot about it. How do you stress to people the importance of the issue without scaring them?
EC: It’s a challenge to explain the very intricate planning we do and ensure to the community we have enough water and, at the same time, encourage everyone to conserve during this severe drought. We know that we need to be crisp and have a sound bite that people can understand. It’s complicated stuff. One of the great things about our communication tools is that people want to see the data we’re using and we’re able to provide much more of it through our website. We’re proud to be open and transparent.
AWC AUSTIN: You graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. They seem to have a tight-knit community. Can you tell me how this has influenced your career, or your career choices?
EC: I was able to do my internship at the Capitol through an Austin College program. We have a one-month semester in January, between the fall and spring semesters, and I was able to use that time to go to the Capitol to work in the state representative’s office. Austin College was able to set that up through their network of alumni. I definitely have maintained strong group of friends – being a small school, we are like a little family.
AWC AUSTIN: How did you begin your career?
EC: I headed to the Capitol straight out of college and was a legislative aide there for about six years. I worked on all sorts of issues from transportation to tax to criminal law. You get thrown in and you just have to learn it! It was a wonderful place to get a broad view of how a state runs and how people interact. I learned to talk to people about how to solve problems and find out what peoples’ interests and needs are.
AWC AUSTIN: What is your favorite thing about living in Austin?
EC: I really love having the river coming through the city, the hike and bike trails, the parks and Barton Springs; all of these wonderful spaces to meet up with friends and family and enjoy nature. Oh, and the breakfast tacos!
AWC AUSTIN: What is one nugget of wisdom that you feel could help members better their careers?
EC: Just take the time to learn about your organization’s business and understand the challenges of the technical staff and managers. If you understand these challenges they’re facing, they will recognize your effort and be more open to recommendations on communications.
To be successful in this niche that I’m in, you have to take an interest in people and look for opportunities to help the people you’re serving. That’s really your role: to be there and identify opportunities.
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