Hey y'all!
I'm Stephanie Kizziar, but my friends (like you) can call me Steph. I'm a writer, communicator, connector, planner, podcaster and people person. I love nothing more than authentic conversations with interesting people and working on things that make a difference in my community of Lafayette, Louisiana.
Why La Rivière?
It's fancy and French, bien sûr.
"La rivière" translates to "the river" in French. I've always been drawn to water (beach lover here) and I love the idea that a river can make some serious change in a landscape. Tenacious and ever-flowing, rivers get things done- kinda like me!
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A rivière is also a name for a necklace of precious stones, such as diamonds. Making you sparkle is my specialty.
It's also a twist on my maiden name and a tribute to my small business owner grandparents who operated "La Rivière Jewelers" from 1951-1982.
My Story.
I graduated from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) in 2008 with a degree in Mass Communication: Public Relations. I have spent my professional career focusing on leadership, communication, education, community relations and digital media. All that I have prepared for and practiced over the last 15 years has led me to develop a unique blend of experience with a deep passion for communication, social media and community connections. My career path has given me all the tools necessary to excel at writing in a way that authentically showcases brands and individuals.
I'm currently a Marketing Specialist with Vitalant Blood Donation, specifically focusing on their fundraising arm and other special projects. Prior to that, I was the Communications Manager for Vitalant's south division, serving as the main media liaison across Louisiana Mississippi, and Tennessee.
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My previous position as an Account Manager with Rally Marketing included managing over thirty clients and relaying their needs to a team of content writers, graphic designers and SEO specialists. I focused on crafting effective strategies for clients while ensuring they were receiving the best possible mix of digital marketing services to achieve their specific goals. Simultaneously, I was the Events Manager for the flourishing, digitally-based parenting website, Lafayette Mom, where I planned, promoted and executed large events for parents and sponsors. I also led a team of 30+ amazing women in our community who created daily content for the website.
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In addition, I have 8 total years in the world of education but my duties went far beyond the classroom. I have worked closely with students, parents, stakeholders, alumni, development teams, board members and in the nonprofit sector through the marketing and planning of various events and fundraisers.
Girl About Town.
I care a lot about my community, and it's really important to me to give back where and when I can. I'm part of some amazing organizations and have been honored with some pretty special awards.