A Match Made in Heaven: Annamarie Bell’s Journey to Service & Success
As a young professional in the modern workforce, it is easy to forget that there is such a thing as a work-life balance. Most of the time the two tend to morph together into a beautiful catastrophic loop. But what happens when you are given a chance to intertwine the two into a harmonious relationship? Most people believe that you have to work your way up the dreaded corporate ladder to find success, but what if you had the chance to work with an organization that kept the community strong and united?
Annamarie Bell, our Development and Marketing Manager, was given that exact opportunity when first walking through the doors of Project Host. Imagine how difficult it is for a twenty-four year old to find an opportunity that would leave her fulfilled, but also rooted in everything she stands for: service, creativity, authenticity, work ethic and leadership.
She has the privilege of calling herself a Greenville native, but took the exciting chance to venture from the mountains to the coast for a few years. Her time was well spent outside of being a full-time student at College of Charleston, by hosting a radio show with a local, non-profit radio station, interning for a marketing hospitality group, serving as the Director of New Member Experience for her sorority, volunteering with Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, and waitressing in local restaurants. In May 2021, Annamarie graduated with a B.A. in Communication and Arts Management.
Serving her community has always been ingrained within her - in more ways than one. She has always believed that giving back to your community is a true superpower, because it allows you to create a positive impact on those around you, while immersing yourself into different worlds and perspectives.
““I have grown up volunteering with different organizations such as, the Ronald McDonald House, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Greenville Humane Society. I live for the idea of serving others and pride myself in my desire to be as inclusive as possible within my own community. Everyone should feel like they belong somewhere.””
As a radio show host for Ohm Radio 96.3FM, a local, non-profit radio station in Charleston, she learned the importance of sharing other people’s stories and visions. She took advantage of the platform by interviewing other non-profits and artists in the area, in order to give them a voice they may have never had before. Along with interviews, she showcased artist’s music that rarely got the opportunity to be played on the radio.
Her experience serving in the food and beverage industry opened her eyes to an entirely different world and way to interact with others. It is a fast paced, make-or-break environment that drives you out of your comfort zone, enhances quick problem-solving skills, teaches teamwork and pushes you to thrive under pressure.
After graduation, she was given an opportunity to serve as the Events and Sponsorship Manager at the Meyer Center for Special Children. She not only witnessed the power of a group united behind a cause they believe in, but the importance of engagement and motivation to make an impact.
Over the years, she has blossomed into a passionate creative, with a desire to serve and lead. Project Host encompasses who Annamarie is to her core - service driven, authentic, open-minded, and always striving to empower others. Her hope for this new position is to amplify the organization’s voice, while strengthening the fellowship and engagement within the Greenville community. “A significant impact starts with empowering those around you to believe in the communities they are a part of. When you make an impact today, you make an impact tomorrow. That is how you create lasting social change.”