We’re so excited to welcome Laura Granieri to the IndyHub team. Laura will be handling content strategy and development, web, email, social media, and media relations. And it’s only Day 1, so we’re figuring she’ll probably come up with more along the way, too. Laura comes to us from Midtown Indianapolis Inc., and she’s certainly no stranger to our work, or to Indianapolis.
1. You’re an alum from: Ball State University (Chirp chirp!)
2. And which part Indy is home to you now? Old Northside
3. So, what’s happening in your neighborhood right now?
There are some really exciting developments happening along 16th Street, including Tinker Street’s new Italian restaurant, which I will likely never leave once it opens. I’m also excited to see the completion of a 5×5 project that sits at the underpass north of 11th Street on Alabama. They painted a colorful mural and are working on an interactive lights feature.
4. To date, what’s been your favorite program or most useful tool of IndyHub?
I moved here 4 years ago, and IndyHub introduced me to a lot of great non-profit organizations and awesome events. Helping Indy newbies find their niche in our city is so important, and I was able to do that through IndyHub. I’m also a member of 1828 Class V, which has been so fun!
5. What are you passionate about?
People for Urban Progress has such a special place in my heart. They were the first group I got involved with here and I really can’t imagine not volunteering with them. I organize their monthly volunteer days (Second Saturdays!) and recently have been sitting on their marketing committee and handling some social media.
6. Alright, it’s a Tuesday night, what are you doing?
A lot of my weeknights and weekend mornings involve different project meetings or volunteering. Right now, I’m helping to plan the Indy City Futbol 2016 season, brainstorming for the Midtown Holiday Home Tour this fall, or chatting with my fellow People of Peace members about our upcoming events for the Peace Learning Center’s young professionals group. (Editors note: Uh, did you see the response to Cocktails and Coloring!) When I get an unplanned night, I love grabbing a board game and heading to the Thirsty Scholar or hitting up some bar trivia with my friends.
7. What are you reading now?
I’m in a book club, which gives me reason to read something completely different from month to month. This month we are reading The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I am also a perpetual re-reader of some favorites. Right now that’s The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs.
8. What’s a favorite family recipe or tradition?
I’m Italian so it goes without saying that House Granieri really likes to eat. Every year, my family makes my Great Grandmother’s “secret” family recipe spaghetti sauce and meatballs. It includes chopping mountains of herbs and my dad shamelessly singing and dancing to Dean Martin before we begin rolling hundreds of meatballs. It is honestly one of my favorite days of the year and something I will cherish forever.
9. What else?
I would be so remiss to not mention my obnoxious love for the Cleveland Cavaliers. I’m from Cincinnati, but my dad is from Akron and I attended a lot of Cleveland sporting events as a kid. I especially have a love of basketball and I never miss a Pacers v. Cavs game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse!
Find Laura on Twitter at @lauraklaurak (and she’s now the voice behind @indyhub, too!)
