We are excited to introduce all of you to our newest team member, Taylor Hallabuk. Taylor joined the team in June as an Account Executive.
In this role, they will support a variety of Teak’s nonprofit and purpose-driven clients by developing and executing communication strategies that will help organizations achieve their goals and have meaningful and lasting impact in the communities they serve.
Taylor most recently worked at Issues Management Group, and before that, interned at Olympus Corporation of the Americas – a Fortune 500 medical device company. Taylor graduated from Juniata College in May 2020 with their B.A. in Strategic Communication – a personalized degree that Taylor crafted based on their passion for storytelling, rhetoric, and speech writing.
Check out the conversation below with Taylor to learn more about them.
What drew you to this position at Teak?
I’ve always had a desire to combine my academic and professional pursuits with the environmental and social causes that I care about. I was impressed by Teak’s B Corp certification and the astounding work the company does for its clients. I instantly felt inspired to become a member of the team and am eager to make a positive impact on communities around the world.
What causes are you passionate about?
As someone who identifies as non-binary, I am extremely passionate about causes that relate to the LGBTQ+ community. Since June is national Pride month, I love to use this time to spark conversations with contacts within my network about inclusion practices at their companies and within their social groups. I am a firm believer that authenticity always has a place in the workforce, and that celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, rather than tolerance, is an important distinction. I also like to use this month to educate myself and give gratitude to the transgender women of color who were catalysts for change in the 1960’s gay rights movement that led to many of the freedoms we hold today.
I also am deeply passionate about the climate crisis, sustainable living, and equal access to healthy food for all Americans. I’ve been vegan for six years following a summer job at a meat packing facility where I began educating myself about the positive impact plant-based diets have on both our climate and our personal health.
What are your hobbies?
I am always looking to express my creative side. I love to film and edit videos whenever possible, whether it’s taking my drone out and getting beautiful scenic shots, or a silly vlog of my friends and I just talking and making each other laugh. I also love to go out dancing with my friends and two siblings – the talent and coordination may not be there, but the energy always is!
What is one thing we should know about you?
I am a strong believer in the positive and restorative power that humor plays in our lives. I spent much of my undergraduate career exploring the ways in which we can utilize humor to make a difference in our personal lives and to those around us. Robin Williams put it best when he said, “comedy is acting out optimism.” I believe we can all benefit from the emotional and physical benefits of laughing and always encourage everyone to find and enjoy the humor in life.
