Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Ingram Kaleh.
Hi Stacey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m proud to be a fourth-generation Austinite. I grew up in South Austin with a friendly, supportive and creative community that has no doubt contributed to who and where I am today. After earning my bachelor’s degree in Communications from The University of Texas at Austin, I moved to New York City to pursue an internship at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and decided to stay when I was accepted into the graduate program in Museum Studies at New York University. Moving away from Austin was a formative experience for me. While I loved my time at The Met and NYU and found my stride in the pace of a big city, I also learned that I had been taking my community in Austin for granted. I was able to see Austin from the outside, and I missed my family, the welcoming and weird spirit of my hometown and its natural beauty. I decided to move back home and to dedicate my career to making my hometown the best it can be. I’ve always been passionate about working for causes I believe in and that I believe are helping people and creating an inviting culture and strong sense of community. And, I’ve been fortunate to do just that. I started my career working in art museums and have since worked in higher education, cause marketing, the nonprofit sector, and now also as a writer helping to share inspiring and important local stories. It’s exciting to be part of a growing city, to give back to the community that raised me, and also to be able to speak up, as a native Austinite, to help preserve our historic spaces and authentic identity as we continue to grow and change.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My 12-year career hasn’t always been smooth or obvious. I’ve made some tough decisions that seemed like big risks at the time, which I have been able to do thanks to the support of my family and community. But I’ve always followed my heart and have always worked for causes I truly believe are helping our community. I know my core values – family, curiosity, and gratitude – and I make decisions based on them.
After earning a master’s degree in Museum Studies and working hard to build a career in art museums, it was difficult to leave the museum field. I made a choice to stay in my hometown and help the city and community I love rather than pursue opportunities in larger cities with more museums. What I’ve learned, looking back, is that all of my experiences are connected. They’ve all helped me get from one point to the next, and they have a common thread: all of my jobs have involved me working to invite people in to learn and to support a good cause through accessible storytelling. Communications and community partnerships have always been the heart of what I do. I’ve also realized that I can still be involved with the nonprofits I care about, like art museums and public media, through volunteering, board service, and philanthropy and not just through my day job.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a freelance writer and higher education professional. My husband and I have our own brand storytelling business, Kaleh Media, LLC.
I’m most proud of using my talents and passions to give back to my community and support causes I believe in. Some of the causes that are important to me include art, museums, education, and historic preservation.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I would not be where I am today without the incredible support of my husband and my parents. My husband, Brian, and I have been together since college and he is my true partner in tackling life’s greatest adventures and challenges. Along with our two daughters, he inspires me to be the best version of myself and to continue to dream big. We also co-founded our business, Kaleh Media, LLC. We take on projects that we are passionate about while also both working full-time jobs. I’m our writer and strategist, and he is the creative, the visionary behind our videos and graphics.
My mom and dad have inspired me through their constant generosity. My mom has always been an active volunteer, advocate, and the rock for her friends and family. I couldn’t pursue the multiple careers I have right now without her loving support in helping with childcare for my daughters. My dad is a gifted writer and strategist and spent his entire career in the nonprofit sector working to advance cancer research and, as a result, save lives. It is because of him I knew I wanted to go into communications and to work for nonprofit causes, too.
Contact Info:
- Email: kalehmedia@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.kalehmedia.com/
- Instagram: @aestheticvoyage
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aestheticvoyage
- Other: https://curious-optimist.medium.com/
Image Credits
Courtesy Stacey and Brian Kaleh.
