A Monumental Experience in Our Nation’s Capital

Last week, I was very fortunate to travel to Washington, D.C., to represent our Egnyte team and accept an award from PR News as a Rising Star Under 30. Never having been to Washington, D.C., before, I had no idea what to expect. From the ride to my hotel until the time the wheels came up on my departing flight, I was thoroughly impressed with everything our Capital had to offer.Washington, D.C., is an amazing place - so rich in history with an unmatched attention to detail. From the building architecture to the landscapes, and the monuments to the museums, everything around me was so inspiring. All I could think about while I was there was Albert Einstein’s quote, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” Those words never rang so true as I really felt like it was my first day of school all over again. I was seeing new sites all around me, taking in so much history, gaining an appreciation for our country like I never had before.The trip culminated Tuesday afternoon with the PRNews PR Rising Stars 30 & Under Awards Ceremony at the National Press Club, just a few blocks from the White House. The Press Club was founded in 1908 and has been visited by every president since Theodore Roosevelt. I got a chill just thinking about the rich history in that building and what a privilege it was to be there.Following a banquet lunch, there was an awesome ceremony that recognized amazing people in the PR and Marketing industries. As honored as I was to be selected as one of the nation’s top PR professionals under 30, I was even more honored to represent our Egnyte team among some of the most successful brands in the business - Beats Electronics, Southwest, Sprint, and Clorox (just to name a few).Overall, if I could sum up the experience in one word, it would have to be ‘humblin.’ I was humbled throughout the entire trip, realizing how many great minds there are in the profession and just how much I have yet to learn and experience at this point in my life.That being said, I do know one thing – I would not be where I am today without the support of the people around me. I want to thank my family and friends for always being there for me. I would also like to recognize my mentor in my PR career Ethan Parker who has led by example from the beginning.Most of all, I want to send a big thank you to the entire Egnyte team. The group of people I work with on a daily basis is second to none, and I cannot thank Aubrey, Audrey, Jake, Pam, and Isabelle enough for all of their support and hard work, which makes doing my job incredibly easy. I want to give a special thanks to our CEO Vineet Jain for taking a chance on me and allowing me to make Egnyte my home for the last couple of years. I am proud to be a part of our amazing Egnyte family, and I look forward to continuing to help our company grow!Oh! I can’t forget about all of the journalist and bloggers who I’ve met along the way. They often go unrecognized, but I genuinely enjoy the interaction and having the opportunity to collaborate with them day in and day out. So thank you for all of your time and effort; I am truly appreciative!