Crafting Careers & Communications with Compassion: A Conversation with Michelle Reardon
About the Episode
In this inspiring episode of Queen Me!, we sit down with Michelle Reardon, Head of Communications at National Veterinary Associates (NVA). Michelle shares her dynamic career journey—spanning government, corporate, and nonprofit communications—and offers invaluable insights on leadership, mentorship, and navigating the evolving veterinary care industry. From serving as press secretary for a governor to leading communications at major companies like Campbell Soup, Michelle’s story highlights the power of storytelling, adaptability, and intentional career design.
Key Takeways
Communicating with Purpose: At NVA, Michelle leads internal and external communications, ensuring every message reflects the company’s culture and values while driving innovation and brand protection.
A Career Across Sectors: From serving as press secretary for a governor to communications roles, Michelle’s career highlights how strong communication skills can thrive across industries.
Audience First Storytelling: Michelle stresses the importance of understanding your audience—an essential skill she developed in government—that remains crucial for effective messaging today.
Team-Building in a New Era: Leading teams post-COVID requires creating space for personal sharing, fostering trust, and understanding generational differences. Michelle emphasizes honesty and adaptability in leadership.
The Lost Art of the Phone Call: In an age of endless emails, Michelle champions direct communication—encouraging phone calls and face-to-face conversations to build clarity and connection.
Owning Your Ambition: Young professionals shouldn’t wait to be noticed. Michelle encourages proactive communication about career goals, aligning personal aspirations with team and organizational objectives.
The Mentorship Effect: Mentorship played a transformative role in Michelle’s career, helping her step outside her comfort zone, expand her skills, and embrace leadership opportunities.
Women in Male-Dominated Spaces: Michelle’s advice to young women in challenging fields—work hard, stay passionate, and use a communications mindset to intentionally map out your career.
Balancing It All: From family and career to community engagement, Michelle believes intentional daily routines—like workouts and moments of reflection—help her show up fully across all areas of life.
Passion Meets Purpose in Veterinary Care: With women making up 84% of the veterinary industry, Michelle celebrates their compassion, leadership, and commitment to advancing care for animals and their families.
