The Bright Side: Introducing our First Keylight PR Fellow

Mentorship with a Mission: Introducing Our PR Fellows Program

A new year always invites us to look ahead, and at Keylight, this season is already filled with momentum as we kick off new client projects and partnerships that energize and challenge us.

Each new beginning is a reminder of why we do this work: to help tell meaningful stories, build trust, and create communications that truly matter. This year also marks an important milestone for us with the launch of our first-ever Keylight Communications PR Fellows Program. We are thrilled to welcome Marissa Mannella to the team as our first fellow!

Over the course of my career, I have had several professional mentors, and I am so grateful to each of them for seeing potential in me and taking the time to support my personal and professional growth. This hands-on development experience is rooted in learning, mentorship, and real-world exposure for early- to mid-career professionals interested in learning more about the field of public relations.

As we look ahead, we’re also reflecting on the value of time—how we spend it and who we spend it with. We believe in building work that makes room for other meaningful pursuits: time with family, a book club discussion, a walk with a friend, or simply space to breathe.

Our hope for this year is to continue creating work that aligns with our values, supports full lives, and leaves room for what matters most.

Welcome Marissa Mannella — Keylight's First PR Fellow

As Keylight’s PR Fellow, Marissa supports content development, media research, and client communications with a strong eye for detail and storytelling.

She brings a relationship-focused background from the food and gardening sectors, where she created and executed farm-to-table fundraising dinners supporting food alleviation charities, built partnerships with local makers, launched a weekly farmer’s market to foster community connection, and coordinated volunteer programs at a nonprofit farm centered on access, sustainability, and social impact.

Outside of work, Marissa enjoys trail running and gathering around the table with her cookbook club.

In The News: Recent Client Media Highlights

ABC 11 WTVD: Healing Transitions marked its 25th anniversary with a symbolic five-mile walk in Raleigh, honoring the recovery journeys of countless individuals and sparking local news coverage. (This is a proprietary news clip, so we cannot share the link.)

WRAL Feature: This Christmas Day, community volunteers and Healing Transitions alumni served holiday meals and essentials in Raleigh, bringing nourishment, connection, and support to neighbors in need.

2025 at Keylight

As we move quickly into 2026, we wanted to pause for a moment to reflect on Keylight Communications’ 2025, a year defined by meaningful client impact, steady growth, and deep, behind-the-scenes work.

What's Lighting Us Up

We’re big believers that bright ideas start with inspiration. Here’s what’s lighting us up lately:

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (read it cover-to-cover in one snowy day!) – Laura

A warm, cozy drink with a friend at Canvas Coffee (The Orange Cardigan Cappuccino is my go-to lately!) – Laura

Season 2 of the Pitt, a medical drama television series set in Pittsburg. – Virginia

Working my way through watching Oscar-nominated movies before the awards show! – Virginia

For audiobook fans, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower is excellent and now available on Hoopla! – Marissa

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