I recently celebrated my 10-year anniversary at Coyne PR and can honestly say that time flies when you’re having fun! Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside incredibly creative and smart colleagues, work with amazing brands that challenge and inspire me, execute campaigns that my college self would be envious of and be part of an agency that truly lives by its mission to be the best place to work.
Because what makes Coyne special isn’t just the work we do, it’s the people we get to do it with. It’s a place where curiosity is encouraged, big ideas are celebrated, even those that “will get you fired” (IYKYK) and teammates genuinely want to see one another succeed.
I rang in this milestone alongside several colleagues who have also chosen Coyne PR as their home for the past decade. To celebrate, I asked each of them to share one lesson they’ve learned during their tenure. While every perspective is unique, a few common themes emerged, ones that reflect not only what it takes to succeed in PR but also what makes Coyne so special.
- Put People at the Center
Our Chief People Officer, Clara Heffernan, says that the best decisions are about more than following industry best practices. They’re about supporting people.“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the past 10 years is to evaluate decisions through the lens of our mission to be the best place to work.”
That mindset has changed the way she approaches change, solves problems and grows as a leader, always considering how decisions will strengthen both the agency and its people.
- Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone
Kristen Sullivan, Assistant Vice President, encourages finding growth by not being afraid to say “yes” to new opportunities, even if they’re unfamiliar.“One thing I’ve learned over the past 10 years is the value of stepping outside your comfort zone. Having the opportunity to work across traditional PR, influencer marketing and social media has made me a more well-rounded communicator and a stronger strategic partner for clients.”
- Trust Your Instincts
After 10 years, Chief Financial Officer Cathy Clarkin has learned that instinct isn’t guesswork. It’s the product of experience. Whether evaluating a relationship, contract or business decision, she’s learned to trust that initial feeling while using data and analysis to validate and strengthen the recommendation. Great decisions come from balancing intuition with evidence.“I’ve learned that instinct isn’t guesswork. It’s the quiet result of ten years of doing this work.”
- Stay Curious: The Best Ideas Start with a Question
For Tori Schettino, Senior Account Supervisor, curiosity has become one of the most valuable skills in PR.“Asking one more question, digging a little deeper or challenging the obvious often uncovers the insight that transforms a good idea into a great one.”
No matter how much the industry evolves, curiosity will always lead to stronger stories, smarter strategies and better results.
- Every Challenge Has a Solution
Rebecca Porcello, Assistant Vice President, has learned that setbacks are rarely the end of the story.“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that most challenges have a solution, or at least a workaround.”
Unexpected challenges are inevitable in PR, but staying calm, planning ahead and thinking creatively can turn unexpected obstacles into opportunities that leave a lasting impression on clients.
“Some of the best solutions I’ve been a part of are those that no one initially expected.”
- Learn From Everyone
Nicole McGivern, Vice President and Creative Director, notes that one lesson she’s carried over the past decade is that every person has something to teach you.“The best ideas do not come from one person or one level of experience. They come from teams where knowledge is shared, different perspectives are welcomed and everyone understands that growth is something we create together.”
The strongest teams embrace both experience and fresh perspectives, creating an environment where everyone can learn from one another.
- Invest in Relationships
Whether collaborating with colleagues, clients, vendors or spokespeople, Kristin Capone, Vice President, notes that the strongest relationships consistently lead to the strongest results.“Over the past decade, I’ve learned that success is rarely an individual achievement.”
Surrounding yourself with talented people is one of the smartest career investments you can make.
- Collaboration Creates Better Ideas
Senior Vice President Jackie Peskin has learned that the strongest ideas are built together.“Great PR is truly a team sport. While strong ideas are important, the best ones rarely come from one person. They’re built through collaboration, trust and a willingness to build on each other’s thinking.”
Coyne’s collaborative culture across teams has shown her that when people trust one another, share ideas freely and aren’t afraid to ask for input, everyone, including the client, benefits.
“That culture not only leads to stronger ideas and better client outcomes but also makes this a genuinely rewarding place to grow your career.”
- Your Team Shapes Your Career
For Stacey Cooney, Vice President, the relationships built inside the agency have been just as valuable as those built outside of it.“Great PR isn’t built by one person. It’s built by the team behind the work.”
The teammates who brainstorm together, challenge ideas and jump in when it matters most have shaped not only award-winning campaigns but also the kind of leader she’s become.
“I’ve been lucky to work alongside people who stay curious, collaborate freely and never hesitate to go ‘all hands on deck.’ Those relationships have shaped not only award-winning campaigns but also the kind of leader and teammate I’ve become.”
- The Best Careers Are Built Together
Looking across all of these lessons, one message stands out: the best careers aren’t built alone. They’re built through curiosity, resilience, trust, collaboration and having fun with the people around you. That’s what has made the past 10 years at Coyne so rewarding for so many of us.
Cheers to the next 10 years!
Updated as of August 2026
