We’re spotlighting our Edelman Culture Champions, individuals recognized by their peers for exceptional dedication, positivity, and contributions to fostering a supportive workplace environment. These champions play a pivotal role in cultivating a culture where every voice is heard and valued. This edition of Inside Edelman features profiles of these outstanding colleagues from our U.S. offices, showcasing their efforts to uphold Edelman’s values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
Tell us about your Edelman journey.
I’ve been working at Edelman for just over a year and a half, as Office Manager for the Austin office. Although our office isn’t large in terms of headcount, we have an engaging and active group whom I am grateful to co-lead. Shortly after starting in this role, I joined our administrative team as an Executive Assistant, partnering with our executives to help with their expenses, travel and calendars.
I love that this dual role allows me to leverage my background in events, operations, logistics and hospitality. I help ensure our colleagues can be their most efficient selves by creating an environment where they can thrive, as well as supporting our senior leaders. Additionally, I play an active role in our local Citizenship group. Edelman continues to be a place that puts its people first, and I’m thankful for the ongoing opportunities to grow and contribute.
You were nominated for Culture Champion by your colleagues – how do you foster a collaborative and respectful culture within your team?
I believe my background in hospitality gives me a unique perspective that I bring to the Edelman Austin office. An office, in many ways, isn’t so different from a restaurant - you want people to have a great experience from the moment they walk in. That begins with making sure our colleagues feel genuinely welcomed, whether it’s their first day or just a quick visit to the kitchen for a snack.
Fostering culture in Austin starts with respect and kindness. I came into this role with a genuine curiosity to get to know my colleagues - their preferences, dietary restrictions, and home lives – and I strive to stay engaged with them daily. Through our employee welfare fund, I’m able to plan thoughtful and meaningful events that people truly want to attend. Even though many of us don’t work on the same projects, we consistently show up, engage, learn about one another, and we’re always laughing together.
How does your personal background play a role in your professional life?
As I mentioned, I come from a hospitality background - it's in my blood. My parents owned and operated a restaurant and bar when I was growing up, with my mother managing the kitchen and my father running the front of house. I witnessed firsthand the dedication, resilience, and teamwork it takes to run a small business. That experience instilled a strong work ethic in me. I've worked for small companies where I had to wear many hats and roll up my sleeves, which prepared me well for the fast-paced environment at Edelman. While the company is much larger, that same drive hasn't diminished - I’m still the first person to raise my hand when something needs to get done.
When you think about the future of Edelman, what does it look like for you?
The future at Edelman looks incredibly bright. I’m excited about deepening my involvement in shaping the overall workplace experience. We’re often among the first people new hires meet in person, and I see our role as vital in helping them feel supported throughout their journey.
I’m also eager to collaborate more with colleagues across different offices and expand my internal network. There’s so much value in sharing insights, learning from others, and building connections that transcend geographic boundaries.
As a Wisconsin native living in Texas, how do you stay connected to your roots? What significance does that connection hold for you?
My husband and I have called Austin home for nearly 9 years, and it truly feels like home – it’s where our community continues to flourish. Moving here with little connections and no job, I attended my alumni board meeting, where I got a chance to meet and connect with other UW-Madison grads who live in Austin. Since that meeting, I’ve been involved ever since. For the past five years, I have served as President of our local alumni chapter, overseeing our scholarship fund, which supports Central Texas students attending UW-Madison. I love staying connected to the University, cheering on the Badgers, and being a resource for local alumni, incoming students, and their families. Last year, 24 students from our area attended UW-Madison - 5 of whom were scholarship recipients. My college education was instrumental in shaping who I am today and where I met my husband. My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the scholarships I received, so it means a great deal to give back in a meaningful way.
Anna Elsmo-Siebert is an Office Manager based in Austin.
