Cleveland Together Digital | Award-Winning Storytelling

📍 The Rosehip Room at The Elliot

1415 Kenilworth Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 (Tremont)

🗓 Tuesday, September 16, 2025

⏰ 3–6 PM Open House | 6:30–8:30 PM Panel Event

Join Together Digital for our Q3 Cleveland Meetup as we explore Award-Winning Storytelling: how powerful narratives can transform campaigns, inspire loyalty, and forge authentic connections.

We’ll gather in The Rosehip Room at The Elliot, a stunning, historic, female-run venue in Tremont, following their weekly open house from 3–6 PM. During this time, guests can tour The Elliot, learn its rich history, and connect with our hosts before the evening’s program begins.

At 6:30 PM, we’ll kick off an interactive panel discussion featuring three storytelling powerhouses. Through engaging dialogue and audience Q&A, they’ll share:

- Proven strategies for crafting compelling stories

- Real-world examples from media, marketing, and publishing

- Actionable tips attendees can apply immediately in their roles

Alongside the discussion, we’ll highlight the inspiring work of The Elliot's COO Katie Mang and her husband’s "Go With The Good" initiative, as well as the story and legacy of The Elliot itself.

- Charcuterie boards and snacks

- One complimentary drink ticket (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) — cash bar available thereafter

- Networking and connection with Cleveland’s creative, digital, and storytelling community

- Inspiring conversation in one of Tremont’s most beautiful, women-owned spaces

Nancy Kelsey

Communications Manager at Nia Tero

Nancy Kelsey is a born and raised Clevelander who began her professional journey as a reporter for news organizations around the country before segueing to marketing and communications. Currently, she is a Communications Manager for Nia Tero, a nonprofit that works in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples across the globe to protect their homelands and waters. She is also a Community Columnist for Cleveland.com and was just recognized for her work by the Indigenous Journalists Association. Nancy most enjoys writing about the intersection of social justice and her multicultural background, as an Indigenous and Salvadoran woman. She serves as a board member for the Lake Erie Native American Council and Cleveland Public Theatre. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two cute small but demanding dogs.

Annie Zaleski

Author & Freelance Writer

Annie Zaleski is the New York Times best-selling author of 2024’s Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs. Her other books include Duran Duran’s Rio in the prestigious 33 1/3 book series; the illustrated biographies I Got You Babe: A Celebration of Cher; Lady Gaga: Applause, Pink, Raise Your Glass, and Harry Styles: A Sign of the Times; and the music history books This is Christmas, Song by Song and We Found Love. Her work has appeared in NPR Music, The Guardian and Record Collector, and she’s contributed liner notes to the 2016 reissue of R.E.M.’s Out of Time and albums by Game Theory, Jason Mraz and ZZ Top.

Kelly Hainer

Dayside Executive Producer at WEWS-TV

Kelly Hainer has spent 15 years at WEWS in Cleveland where is she is currently the dayside Executive Producer. She’s held various roles in the newsroom, including 5pm producer and morning show Executive Producer. In addition, Kelly helped to launch a special projects unit designed to crest new content for Good Morning Cleveland. Kelly continues to help lead her station’s coverage of special events including the RNC in Cleveland, the Cavs NBA Championship parade, MLB All-Star weekend, and the total solar eclipse.

For the past decade, Kelly has coordinated her station’s awards effort, seeing the station win multiple Emmy Awards for News and Station excellence as well as several regional and national Edward R. Murrow Awards. Kelly herself has won 14 Emmys though the Lower Great Lakes Chapter and a Regional Edward R. Murrow award for continuing coverage of the University Hospital’s IVF Clinic Failure.

Before coming to Cleveland, Kelly worked in Boston, freelancing at WCVB and producing the 5pm at WFXT. Kelly got her start at WPXI in Pittsburgh, where she developed a love of showcasing the big (and small) stories.

Kelly has a husband of 17 years, Norman, and two boys, Jakob, 12 and Eva

Host or Publisher Cleveland Together Digital