Vested Interests: Haley Meisinger

Here at Vested, we often say our team is our greatest asset. Our people are smart, passionate, involved, kind, funny, and interesting, and we want to share them with you! In our series Vested Interests, we’re spotlighting Vesties around the world, sharing what they’re reading, who they’re listening to, where they’re eating, and everything in between.

Today, we’re hearing from Haley Meisinger, Vested Director and Head of the Digital Team based in Des Moines, Iowa.

What book are you reading? Or any recent favorites?

I usually have one physical/Kindle book and one audiobook in rotation at the same time. I’m currently listening to The Hedge Knight by George R. R. Martin since I just started watching The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO. I am currently reading The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley – love a good mystery! 

What about newsletters, industry/work related or otherwise?

I recently subscribed to Sidebar’s newsletter. So far I am liking it. It’s a quick little hit of some creativity in your inbox daily. 

What podcasts are you listening to?

Good Hang with Amy Poehler has become my go-to feel-good pod. I also enjoy The Ringer’s ‘House of R’ so Mal and Jo can help deep dive on all things in the Game of Thrones universe for me. 

What industry trend are you paying closest attention to right now?

Definitely AEO. Search has changed so much over the past year! It’s been a fun challenge for us because we know that services across the ‘PESO’ model contribute to how LLMs find information. We’re always fine-tuning our work to make sure it’s as ‘findable’ as possible for AI engines and build strategies that make our clients’ marketing efforts even more integrated. 

Favorite outdoor activity, workout, or hobby?

I love trying a new recipe. I’m about 5 years late to the sourdough trend, but I just started making my own sourdough and successfully have kept my starter alive so, fingers crossed. I love plants and anything crafty that allows me to flex my creative muscles. 

What’s your work superpower?

I would say connection. I think I am great at helping to connect the pieces for our clients, helping to plug in the right people at various stages of a project and, in general, I love building relationships. 

Any restaurants (or cafes, coffee shops, etc.) that you’ve been to and loved? Local favorites?

Des Moines, IA has a sneaky good food scene! My favorite right now is Aposto, which is an Italian restaurant in a Victorian-style house that rotates their menu seasonally.

How did you find your way to Vested?

In 2021, Vested acquired Red Lab, a website design/development and digital marketing agency. I have been a part of the Red Lab team since 2017. Red Lab and Vested have had a long-standing working relationship that far predates the acquisition, so we’ve been in the Vested orbit for a long time, and now we are officially part of the family. 

What’s your go-to coffee order?

Herbal tea 🙂 And my favorite is when a coffee shop can make it into a tea latte.

Do you have any hobbies or new skills you’re learning?

I’m trying to learn Italian! I’m on a solid 3 month Duolingo streak so far. 

What’s your most-used emoji or Slack reaction?

🫶 or 🙌  (but mostly the latter because that one is a default Slack reaction and I don’t know how to customize your own reaction options).