Clients and colleagues often tell Shelley Heinrichs she’s a bit like their therapist. The comparison isn’t out of left field. “There’s a lot of psychology in this work,” Shelley says. As Account Executive, she collaborates with clients and project teams and liaises between the two. That juggling act requires top-notch people skills. “Everyone has their own personality and history and needs. I love trying to understand those needs, and I’m passionate about helping people find solutions,” she says.

Before shifting to marketing, Shelley taught English literature and English as a second language at the high school level. The two fields, she says, require similar skills — a solid understanding of what makes people tick, superb organization skills, and attention to detail. Once Shelley discovered healthcare marketing, she never looked back. “The subject matter fascinates me, and I find it inspiring to create content that I know will positively affect people,” she says.

Shelley has a degree in applied linguistics and studied English literature secondary education at California State University, Fresno. After spending her whole life near the coast, she and her family relocated to central North Carolina, where she swapped the beach for the forest and discovered her love of hiking. Shelley also enjoys spending time with her kids and chihuahua, getting lost in a good book, and trying to keep her garden roses alive.