Rachel Hill Ponko combines her dual passions for storytelling and strategic marketing to help your organization produce and land media stories that not only exceed your marketing goals but also make your stakeholders proud. Her experience as a marketing strategist, media relations specialist and television news producer ensures she brings a unique perspective to each new project and challenge.

Rachel comes to FireStarter after using her expertise to grow earned media, launch blogs and fine-tune messaging at Indiana University School of Nursing, Indiana Donor Network and the Indiana Historical Society. Prior to working in media relations and marketing, she spent a decade managing newsrooms and newscasts at WISH-TV in Indianapolis, WNDU in South Bend, Indiana, and KOMU in Columbia, Missouri. She is a two-time winner of the regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, which recognize local and national news stories that uphold the Code of Ethics, demonstrate technical expertise, and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community.

Rachel finds daily inspiration in serving FireStarter’s mission-oriented clients. “It is a privilege not only to know these remarkable individuals and organizations making a difference in the world but also to aid in their efforts to reach wider audiences.”