Team Spotlight: Alex Schwall, Marketing Manager

Meet North Street’s newest team member, Alex Schwall! As Marketing Manager, Alex is responsible for developing content and elevating the North Street brand. Self-described as “DC-born, Pittsburgh-based, and London-obsessed,” Alex brings a multitude of interests and a decade of experience to this role.

Read on to learn about Alex’s first 90 days at North Street.

What were you doing before North Street?

I have taken a slightly winding path to get where I am today. After graduating with an MA in Cultural and Creative Industries from Kings College London, I took a position at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, managing their special events. I was blessed to have a couple of amazing mentors and, over time, take on more of a marketing and strategy role. After a couple of years managing the Foundation for a health and human services nonprofit in Southwestern PA, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Global Business Administration from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. This was an amazing opportunity to learn from some of the best professors and peers around the globe. I particularly enjoyed my Marketing and Sustainable Business classes, which ultimately set me on the path toward North Street.

What do you bring to the company?

A sassy attitude and a wardrobe filled with printed shirts? 

But seriously, my strategy and business experience often provide me with a fresh marketing perspective, and my rich background in the nonprofit sector is a particular asset when we work with mission-oriented clients. 

What have you liked about working at NS so far?

The people. It is truly such a warm and collaborative place to work. There are so many little things about NS that make a huge difference (meetings start and end on time!). It Is by far the smoothest onboarding I’ve ever experienced; from day one, you can just tell that everyone wants you to succeed. This is also how they approach their client relationships.

Which NS core value do you most identify with and why? 

I always try to lead from a place of empathy; this has served me well in both my personal and professional life and instilled a deep sense of curiosity and desire for growth. As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, I have come to realize that curiosity is actually one of my strengths. While this can be dismissed by some as simply novelty-seeking, I find that my curiosity has actually instilled in me a love of learning and exploring new topics. When I am interested in something, I am like a sponge, seeking out as much knowledge and information as possible. 

What’s a fun fact about you?

I am obsessed with the performing arts, which is why I originally pursued a graduate degree in arts management. My first love was musicals, though my preferences lean more toward modern shows like Once, The Last Five Years, Next to Normal, Wicked, Six, etc.

Over the past decade, I have really gotten into stand-up comedy. I have a particular love of British comedy – and absorb it through every possible medium, from specials to tv series to panel shows to podcasts. On my last trip to London, I managed to sneak in multiple live shows – including some of my favorites like James Acaster, Mike Wozniak, Esther Manito, Danny Bhoy, and Brett Goldstein. My dream is to go to Edinburgh one day for the Fringe festival.

Bonus round: When you are at work, how do you motivate yourself?

I am motivated by three things: urgency, interest, and rewards. I try not to let things get to the last minute, so I will often reward myself with little things throughout the day. For example, if I finish a project then I can take my dog Watson for a walk or grab a cappuccino. I also have this hanging egg chair in my office that is excellent for any time I need to dig into some long-form reading or focus on a tricky project. I just have to ensure I don’t get *too* comfortable.