Patty Templeton joined Susan Davis International (SDI) as an intern in May 2022. She is a senior at Temple University majoring in Sport and Recreation Management with a concentration in Event Leadership. Focusing on more of the event side of her studies, Patty enters 2023 as a full-time intern for SDI as she completes her final semester at Temple.
Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia in Roslyn, Pennsylvania, Patty is an avid Philadelphia sports fan. In fact, as the Phillies made their World Series run this past fall, she had the pleasure of working Game 4 through a partnership with her school at Temple. When not busy with work or school, Patty enjoys trying new coffee shops, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
In her time with SDI, Patty supported the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium last summer, a multi-day conference for military women, as well as the dedication of the National Native American Veteran’s Memorial at National Museum of the American Indian, where she assisted in guest management. As 2023 gets underway, Patty has joined SDI’s planning efforts for the American Battle Monuments Commission’s centennial year as well as the 2023 Ireland Funds Gala.
Here’s more about Patty:
What drove your interest in public relations (or events)?
Seeing public relations take flight through the rise of social media, I have been intrigued and wanted to learn more about the bells and whistles of the operations. Even more so, I have always found myself most fascinated when I have been able to tap into my creative genes, which I have found through events.
One thing that I have learned and come to appreciate about events is that there is always a reason for them – regardless of how simple. If you are planning an event solely because you have always done it or it seems the “right” thing to do, it will never be successful. You first begin with a purpose and the rest will follow behind, and that is what I appreciate: purposeful work.
Which country would you most like to visit?
Italy, without a doubt! I have actually never been out of the country (unless you count Niagara Falls when I was 6) and Italy has been a place that I have wanted to travel to for as long as I can remember.
I was supposed to study abroad in Rome – where Temple has an international satellite campus – in Spring 2021 and then Fall 2021; however, COVID had different plans and I was not able to pursue that. After my graduation in May, I hope to be able to travel to Italy, and maybe even other places in Europe in order to fulfill this dream.
Who is your favorite actor/actress? What’s your favorite film of theirs?
Mandy Moore! I don’t hear her name circulated often, but I grew up watching A Walk to Remember, which is my favorite film that stars her. My family and I most recently would watch her hit show, This Is Us, every Tuesday night for the past 6 years until it concluded with the series finale this past summer. Also, of course, she is in that iconic movie, The Princess Diaries. If you haven’t seen any of these works, I highly recommend all of them – they don’t disappoint!
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I have received is from my late grandfather. From a young age he reiterated to me as he dropped me off to school, “Pay attention and learn a lot.” He would then pick me up after school and ask me what I learned that day, no matter the magnitude of what it may have been about.
Whether it be through education, work, or even daily life, you learn something new every day and it is important to take it all in.
What is it about your work for SDI that you find most inspiring/motivating/ rewarding?
I recently have had doubts about what I see myself doing post-grad. May 2023 felt so far away and now in a few short months I will be jumpstarting my full-time career.
Through my work with SDI, I have been able to find a passion within myself for relationships – both internal and external – and for making an impact. Being able to hone positive relationships with the SDI team and clients, even while being remote, has been one of the most rewarding aspects. Additionally, sensing the gratitude and excitement of these clients has helped to drive me in my work.