Member Spotlight

MEET PRSA AUSTIN CHAPTER MEMBER: Sophie Harbert

What do you currently do for a living? I work at State Farm Insurance, managing legislative grassroots efforts in ten states.

What did you want to be growing up? A writer.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the communications industry? I got into communications and PR by accident, just as I got into insurance by accident. My undergraduate degree is in English and I didn’t want to teach school at the time. I took a job as a claims adjuster until I could figure out what I “really” wanted to do. Fifteen years later, I had worked my way up through several levels of claims management at State Farm. I loved what I was doing and wasn’t looking to change career paths. However, when the Regional Public Affairs Manager left to pursue another opportunity, my boss at the time asked me if I would consider taking the position. I felt I had skills that aligned well with the job and decided to go for it.  

Where are you from? Where have you lived? I am a military brat and moved around a lot when I was very young. I consider San Antonio my home because that’s where I spent the majority of my childhood. As an adult, I have lived in Texas, California, Illinois and New Jersey. As a child, I lived in Korea, Connecticut, New Jersey and Japan before my family put down roots in San Antonio. 

What college(s) did you attend? University of Southern California, University of Texas at San Antonio (B.A., English, 1983) and Gonzaga University (M.A., Communications, 2010)

What was your first job in PR/communications? Northeastern Regional Public Affairs Manager at State Farm Insurance.

What is your best piece of advice to your fellow PR practitioners? Never stop learning. 

What is your most memorable experience as a communications professional? I was Public Affairs Manager for State Farm’s Northeastern Region, which included New Jersey and the five boroughs of New York City, when 9/11 happened. State Farm set up a mobile claims center about five blocks from ground zero to help impacted customers living or working near the World Trade Center. I did an on-camera interview with MSNBC at the mobile site to share what State Farm was doing. A claims manager contacted me the next day to let me know a customer showed up at the mobile claims site after seeing my interview. The customer had been staying with relatives, couldn’t get through to his agent, and wasn’t sure what to do. It was extremely satisfying to know someone was able to get help as a result of my work.  

What do you do in your free time? Lately, I’ve spent a lot of my free time studying for APR accreditation. I enjoy reading, running, travel and photography  I also serve as a youth mentor and participate in community volunteer activities through my church.  

What is one of your favorite quotes?  “Be not simply good; be good for something.” - Henry David Thoreau