Welcome to another edition of the LeadingResponse Meet the Team series!
Today, we’re excited to introduce Lori Polemenakos, Director of Consumer Content. Lori brings her creativity, strategic insight, and passion for storytelling to every project, helping shape content that connects with audiences and drives results.
Let’s learn more about the expertise and energy she brings to the LeadingResponse team.
Tell us more about yourself.
I’m a writer, editor, and SEO content strategist who lives in Dallas with my husband. In my free time, I enjoy kickboxing, traveling, board games, and spending quality time with nieces, nephews, and godson. As a trained, award-winning journalist, I can answer questions about complex processes or dig up obscure data that people desperately need but cannot find on their own.
Who is your hero?
My godson, Gibson. He was born very prematurely near the 26-week mark and spent six months in the NICU, fighting to survive. His mother, who had him in her mid-40s, was always a good friend of mine. But now, she’s more like a member of my family. She only discovered she was pregnant after scheduling a hysterectomy following a cancer diagnosis. The doctors told us there was a chance that the tumor would shrink over time if she decided to keep the baby, and that’s exactly what happened. Gibson survived having all but 3cm of his colon surgically removed due to a near-fatal case of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) shortly after he was born. My “miracle baby” godson turns 12 this year, and I couldn’t love him more or be prouder of all that he’s accomplished so far.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
I love that my job means that I’m constantly able to help other people while educating myself at the same time. Every day I come to work and get to learn even more about state and federal laws, government policy, complex medical issues, and how businesses can provide reasonable accommodation for ADA compliance purposes, etc. And I love that I’ve gotten to use the knowledge I’ve gained during my career to help my own friends and family, like when I helped my parents sign up for Medicare. Or when another friend with a terminal illness needed advice about applying for disability benefits and Medicaid coverage. Not to mention the hundreds (if not thousands) of people I’ve been able to help over the course of my entire career that I’ve never even met in real life. Being a lifelong writer and storyteller with a servant’s heart has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s something I’ll never take for granted.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
At 19, I was awarded a fellowship at the Poynter Institute for being one of the 18 most promising young journalists in America. Since I was basically homeless and broke when I started college, this really validated my choice to pursue writing as a career. That same year, I won an Associated Press award for Best Short Newspaper Feature. Hilariously, they chose my coverage of a custody battle between two former roommates over an 18-foot python over all the serious investigative reporting I did that year.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind:
What is your biggest fear? Dying before I manage to retire or become a burden on the people I love.
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it? “Lori with the story.”
Who is your favorite author? M.R. Carey is my current favorite, but I’m also partial to Herman Melville and Stephen King. (Humble brag photo of me and Mr. King >>)
If you could do anything for a day, what would you choose? Spend a day in Paris with my old college roommate, enjoying a Spice Girls reunion concert, but only if Geri, Victoria, Mel B, Melanie C, and Emma all agreed to perform.
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without? Connecting with at least one friend.
In five years, my goal is to help a friend publish his memoirs to share with the world.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
We’re grateful for Lori’s creativity, leadership, and dedication to delivering content that truly makes an impact. Thank you, Lori, for everything you bring to the LeadingResponse team. We’re lucky to have you!
