Partner

With more than 15 years of experience working with major national brands in the outdoor, fashion, travel and consumer products categories, Emily approaches her work with passion and energy.  Her creative and strategic approach works to bring brands to life through a consistent voice that drives consumers to action through public relations, social communications and community building (ambassadors, athletes and social influencers).

Throughout the years, Emily has fostered strong relationships with media and social influencers that help leverage a brand’s message and voice through online communities. She has secured top tier media placement in national newspapers, consumer print magazines, consumer online media, influential blogs and vertical industry media as well as top tier placement in national morning shows and news stations.

If not strategizing on what’s next for a brand, Emily can be found on the trail, getting lost through the miles or exploring with her husband, their 3 adventurous kids and 2 dogs.

Partner

For more than 30 years, Els has honed her specialization in public relations and social media, cutting her teeth in-house, transitioning to agency work and ultimately partnering in creating her own agency in 2004.

Els’ creative approach to product publicity has resulted in a remarkable quantity and quality of hits for her clients in print, online as well as on television and podcasts. Her editorial contacts are vast after years of cultivating relationships and being known to be incredibly responsive and reliable.

In addition to traditional public relations, Els has extensive social media skills and has become an expert at working with influencers across many platforms, both paid and earned, as well as managing clients’ social media accounts including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and others.  She taps into her creative design side to create content and capture the ‘voice’ of each brand.

When not chasing placements, Els can be found in the kitchen trying new recipes from her vast collection of cookbooks, decorating, gardening, traveling, reading and looking for the next best restaurant.  She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two Goldendoodles and frequently welcomes home her children who have recently left the nest.  She loves a challenge and finds that a good sense of humor goes a long way personally and professionally.

Associate Partner

Kris Hathaway has over 20 years of public relations and social communications experience. Prior to working with HFS, Kris was owner of KHPR, her own PR/media relations firm. Over the years, she has worked with a variety of clients across many channels including outdoor,  winter sports, and cycling.  Her personal connections to the brands, as well as her relationships with the media have resulted in placements in national magazines and newspapers, TV and blogs. Critical to a brand building, Kris brings a comprehensive knowledge and experience working with clients to strategize and enrich a brand’s community via content creation, ambassador relations and social media. Based in the mountain town of Stowe, Vermont, Kris dreams of skiing powder-filled trails around the world as well as mountain biking, trail running and adventures closer to home.