To help our audience learn who is behind the content on this blog, we’ve been releasing a series of Q&A’s from our team. In this month’s edition, you will learn all about one of our Sr. Communications Strategists and in-house energy and technology PR expert, Molly Borchers.
Molly leads the energy and technology practice at (W)right On Communications. She has nearly a decade of communications experience cultivated on both coasts and in the Midwest. In addition to securing coverage for clients in a range of high-profile media outlets – from the Wall Street Journal to Mashable to Wired – Molly has been featured in PR Daily and Forbes and is a Huffington Post blogger.
She began her career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and later became a communications director at the U.S. Department of Energy. Prior to joining (W)right On, she worked for an O’Dwyer Top 25 communications agency and as a freelance writer and publicist. In 2014, she was named as one of San Diego’s top 25 emerging leaders in their 20’s by San Diego Business Journal.
Molly earned a B.A. in Communication at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. In her free time she serves on the marketing committee of Girls on the Run San Diego. Molly is also a certified yoga instructor. When she’s not working, volunteering, or taking/teaching yoga, you can find her riding her bike along the boardwalk, running, wine tasting or indulging in her (not so) guilty pleasure – pizza. Stay connected with her on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
What would you be doing if you weren’t at your current job?
I would be a rock star (my biggest pipe dream) or a world-famous yoga instructor. Namaste.
What’s one word you would use to describe yourself?
Silly.
Fill in the blank. “If you really knew me, you’d know ____”
That pizza is my favorite food. I even started a hashtag called #teampizza!
What super power would you like to have?
Can I pick two? I’d love to be able to fly and also become invisible. That way I could be an undetectable fly on the wall in some of the world’s most interesting conversations.
What would a “perfect” day look like to you?
My perfect day would be in Paris. I would wake up naturally without the help of an alarm clock. After a British-style tea service and healthy breakfast, I’d take a yoga class and meditate. Then, I’d ogle fresh vegetables and fruit at the farmer’s market with friends and my boyfriend. Lunch would be at a sidewalk cafe where I could people (and dog) watch. In the afternoon, I’d stroll some more, maybe sampling macaroons and perusing book shops along the way. In the evening, I’d make a candle-lit dinner and see some live music. I’d finish the night with an old French movie, chocolate and a glass (or three) of red wine. A girl can dream, right?
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in the past year?
Set core values for yourself. Some of mine are:
- Always be improving
- Don’t play small
- Operate from a place of authenticity. Be who you want to be
- Do well by doing good
- Be straightforward. No one likes bulls**t
- Trust your instincts
- Do things that scare you
- Experiences are better than things
Best vacation you’ve had?
Last year, my boyfriend and I went to London and Paris. We stayed in a teeny apartment and lived like locals while soaking up history, culture, cocktails and delicious food. It was wildly indulgent.
This year, we’ve booked a trip to Tokyo and Seoul to experience a different part of the world and ingest our weight in Ramen and Kimchi.
What’s your most embarrassing moment at work?
I was once in the middle of a presentation and totally lost my ability to think or speak. It was almost like my brain shut off completely and I couldn’t recover. It was mortifying but I learned two things:
- Preparation is everything
- Team work is really powerful. My colleagues saved that presentation for me
In situations like these, I also realized that it’s important to acknowledge that we’re human, learn from the situation and move on.
Favorite quote?
I’ll be honest. I’m not a big quote person. But I like Eleanor Roosevelt’s line, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would be cast as you?
Scarlett Johansson, Amy Poehler or Jennifer Lawrence.
What’s your drink of choice?
Wine! I like my reds big, bold and from the new world. I like to taste the terroir in my whites, so they have to be old world.
If you were stuck on an island and could only choose 5 CDs, what would they be?
- Eric Clapton, MTV Unplugged</li
- Fleetwood Mac, Rumors
- Metric, Synthetica
- Beyonce, Beyonce
- Heartless Bastards, Arrow
Fill in the blank. “People would be surprised if they knew____”
That I was a classically trained singer for 10 years and I am secretly an introvert.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Lateness. I think it’s important to value other peoples’ time by being punctual. If I tell you I am going to be 5 minutes late to a meeting, it means I’ll probably be 5 minutes early.
What TV show/movie is your guilty pleasure?
The Real Housewives franchise. Atlanta and New Jersey are my favorite seasons. I also watch Vanderpump Rules. Don’t tell anyone.
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
My gigantic water bottle. I try to drink a gallon of water a day.
Favorite line from a movie?
Every line from Mean Girls. “Stop trying to make Fetch happen!”
Do you have an office nickname? What is it?
The Borch.
What’s the best/worst gift you have ever received?
I don’t think I can comment on the worst gift question! I don’t want to offend anyone. 🙂 It’s also tough to pick a favorite gift, but last year when Chance Shay got me a Chipotle gift card during Secret Santa, I was psyched.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am newly certified to teach yoga, so that’s a big part of my life. Since living in Southern California, I’ve adopted an active lifestyle: working out, going to the beach, hiking. I also love food and wine – so I enjoy both regularly.
Check out a couple blog posts written by Molly below:
Best Practices for Tech Startup PR
Measuring the ROI of Public Relations: Five Experts Weigh In
Corie Fiebiger
Grant Wright
Shae Geary
Roman Lukjanenko
Phelan Riessen
Katrina Early
Hamish Marshall