Guiding Client Success and Career Growth: Angela Morris’ Leadership Lessons
“One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that no one cares more about your career more than you do. You will meet people who help you develop and grow, but ultimately, you are the one it matters to most.”
Angela Morris is an experienced strategist specializing in crafting compelling narratives for brands and organizations. With a decade of experience in content marketing, she has led strategy and relationship management for major healthcare, financial services, and tech clients. Using her roots in journalism to inform her strategic recommendations, Angela develops core messaging in the most relevant formats to not only reach the right audiences but also ensure the messaging resonates through consistent content experiences. Her career spans esteemed news publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, as well as leading media agencies like Foundry 360 and Group SJR.
Today, she shares insights on her career journey, leadership evolution, and advice for the next generation of women in communications.
Kickstarting a New Chapter with a Push from NYWICI
Angela’s professional journey began in the news, where she spent a decade honing her skills in editing, digital publishing, layout, and design. She decided to attend business school to expand her career options and develop a strong foundation in finance.
This period of transition led her to NYWICI, where she attended her first event and immediately connected with inspiring women. Sitting in small groups, she struck up a conversation with the woman next to her, Georgia Galanoudis, who would later serve as NYWICI’s board president and inspire Angela’s career transition.
“People say it all the time, but networking really did play a key role in my career growth,” says Angela. She focused on meeting people who worked in different parts of the industry – including human resources managers, business development professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs.
She also focused on networking with her peers. Building relationships with others in the same stage of their careers can validate your own experiences and create a support system where you can help each other along the way.
Through these types of connections, Angela found the support and insights she needed to pivot into content marketing and strategy. However, despite excelling in her role, she soon faced a new challenge: overperforming without receiving the promotions she deserved.
“While I loved that the people and the leadership I worked with knew the value that I brought to the table, I also realized that at some point, you want to see that value reflected in your title or compensation.”
This realization pushed her to explore client services, a move that initially felt daunting because it required specializing in one area rather than embracing the jack-of-all-trades approach she was accustomed to. Yet, the opportunity aligned with her interests and the work culture she valued, making it the right step forward.
Client Services: Managing Relationships with Emotional Intelligence
Having worked with both single and multiple clients across various industries, Angela has developed a keen understanding of relationship management. Client services require emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to negotiate and advance relationships.
Angela views client relationships as dynamic and evolving partnerships. She explains that having clients has ebbs and flows just like any relationship. You must have the ability to grow and change with the client, and do your best to be a partner who thinks ahead.
“A lot of people think the key is to just make the client happy; if you do that, you are going to be constantly in response mode. Really your role is to help get ahead of issues they may run into by bringing your expertise to the table.”
Client management also extends beyond external relationships; it requires seamless collaboration with internal teams, and finding the right balance can take time. Angela, for instance, needed about eight months to achieve it. She points out that internal teams and clients often tackle challenges with binary solutions that align with their own interests. As a relationship manager, her role was to navigate these perspectives and identify solutions that created value for all stakeholders involved.
What happens when a client disagrees with your approach? Angela recommends a strategy that balances responsiveness with informed decision-making.
“It’s ultimately up to the client to make a decision, but we can help by making sure it’s an informed decision that includes our recommendation on the best path forward. That way, the client still charts the course, but you’re helping to provide the inputs.”
This is an excellent strategy that can also be used to manage up. Managing up refers to the practice of anticipating the needs of your manager as well as understanding their priorities and proactively addressing them.
How to Build a Leader
These days, Angela works in a more strategic role running the content studio at a media relations firm. She’s able to bring all of her news, client services, and content marketing experiences together to do the work, but, most importantly, she leads her team as the division grows and expands.
Angela’s journey into leadership started about five years ago. One lesson she learned quickly was the difference between being hands-on with work and overseeing the bigger picture:
“I am terrible at delegating. I think a lot of women in leadership are. A lot of us are so used to being central to making things work that when we get to a management role, we continue to stay in the center. But as a manager, you can’t be the answer to every problem that comes up, you’re going to burn out. When you’re in a leadership role, your job is not to hold things together anymore; it’s to make sure your team is steering together in the right direction at the same time.
Angela fosters a positive working environment by tapping into the unique strengths of her team. She prioritizes listening to the insights of her direct reports, recognizing that they often see things she doesn’t, and vice versa. While employees are immersed in the day-to-day and bring an intuitive understanding of what’s working on the ground, managers focus on the broader strategic direction. By bringing those perspectives together, Angela and her team are able to develop solutions and make progress that reflects the contributions of the whole team, not just leadership.
Continuous Growth in an Ever-Changing Industry
In a dynamic field like communications and marketing, staying ahead is crucial. Angela regularly attends NYWICI events and workshops to stay on top of her game and evolve her strategic thinking and industry perspective.
Having once joined NYWICI for career guidance, she now finds fulfillment in giving back:
“What’s super important about NYWICI is that you get to see women navigate this industry successfully. It is, still to this day, really important to see examples of that happening in the real world. A lot of how I learned to carry myself in the workplace was by seeing how women at NYWICI do it. I’m happy to pay that forward because it’s paid off so many dividends for me.”
Seeing powerful women up close makes success feel more tangible; it’s no longer just a distant dream but an achievable reality. With the right support, you can reach your goals even faster.
Opportunities for Engagement – Craft Your Own Path
Angela joined NYWICI about 10 years ago, and since then, much has evolved—the industry she works in, her transition into leadership, and many other facets of her career. However, one constant has remained: NYWICI’s annual hosting of the Matrix Awards.
When Angela attended her first Matrix Awards, she was immediately energized. Dressed up and ready for the event, she felt a surge of excitement the moment she stepped into the ballroom. Imagine a space filled with people who look like you and share your same passion and drive. It’s a space where you can safely be enthusiastic about your future. Angela recalls:
“I was early in my career at the time, and I remember thinking this is giving me life! It was rejuvenating for me because I knew I was early in my career, but here were women who were where I wanted to be, and they are still going! There’s this energy of, we know we have work to do, we know there are fights ahead of us, but we all have the drive and the support between each other to keep going – that’s what my very first Matrix Awards felt like and that’s why I still attend to this day.”
Sounds exciting? Well, this could be your reality very soon.
The 2025 Matrix Awards will take place on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan. This year’s theme, “Leading Luminaries,” celebrates and highlights the stories of honorees who lead by example, never lose sight of their goals, and illuminate a path forward for future generations.
For more information on registration, donations, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit NYWICI.org.
Conclusion: Angela’s Legacy of Empowerment and Leadership
Angela’s story is one of perseverance, growth, and the power of community. From her first NYWICI event to her leadership today, she has embodied the values of support, mentorship, and continuous learning. Her advice to the next generation? Lean on your network, find your support system, and never underestimate your own potential.
