A Rhode Island transplant who has made Rochester home, Kelsea Ennis has joined the Agency 29 team as Account Director. She’s an exciting addition to our table, bringing an eye for detail, a habit of reading the bigger economic picture, and a genuine love of the people she works with.
Her path here began in hospitality, where more than a decade of guest-facing work shaped the people-first approach she brings to every account. From there, she earned her BS in Experience Design from Rochester Institute of Technology and went on to serve as Marketing Director and Multimedia Designer at a Rochester product design consultancy, leading clients across manufacturing, technology, construction, and healthcare.
At the heart of her work is a simple belief: “When you give people the benefit of the doubt, they usually prove you right.” We sat down with Kelsea to talk about partnership, curiosity, and the hot sauce she keeps in her purse.
What drew you to the role of Account Director at Agency 29?
It was the size of the agency, the clients, and the people. I’ve had the invigorating and challenging experience of growing an even smaller agency so I was excited to scale my experience and to help further this company’s initiatives. I felt that A29’s work contributed to client initiatives that were exciting both to me and to consumers (go take a look at that glossy portfolio!). Most importantly, I was attracted to Maureen’s reputation around Rochester as a deeply involved and passionate leader. I’m excited to see my own growth under her guidance and am thrilled to further her vision for A29.
Before joining our team, what were you up to professionally? Any past roles, education, or experiences that especially shaped how you work today?
Prior to Agency 29, I served as Marketing Director and Multimedia Designer at a product design consultancy, leading client accounts across manufacturing, technology, construction, and healthcare. I also credit my previous experience of more than a decade in hospitality with shaping my people-first approach to account management, which has made my return to food and beverage clients feel like a natural homecoming.
I’m a Rochester transplant by way of Rhode Island and I earned my Bachelor’s in Experience Design from Rochester Institute of Technology.
What does an Account Director actually do? What’s one part of your job people might not expect?
I take the big nebulous request from a client and make it actionable (think ChatGPT turning your scariest problems into a simple how-to). Unlike our friend Chatty G, I can translate emotional subtext and use em dashes with restraint 😎.
People might expect that Account Direction focuses completely on the ‘Micro’: the lists, the project management, the people management… Those things are at the core of it, but the fun part is keeping an eye on the ‘Macro.’ Keeping up with client industries and greedily consuming media around both macro-economics and the local ecosystem is fascinating. No business is immune to its environment and I deeply enjoy the constant learning I’m engrossed in to be able to facilitate that awareness in clients and plan for their future with us.
How does your role support both clients and internal teams?
My role supports clients and internal teams by turning project details, resourcing needs, and proposal expectations into a clear roadmap that everyone can realistically execute. For clients, that means making sure the work stays aligned with their goals, timeline, and budget. For the internal team, it means giving creatives the clarity, context, and space they need to do their best work without getting buried in unnecessary noise.
How do you define a “great” client relationship? Do you have a guiding philosophy or rule of thumb when it comes to client relationships?
A great client relationship is built on mutual respect and an aligned view of shared value. The best relationships feel less transactional and more like a true partnership, where both sides understand what success looks like and are working toward it together with transparent communication. When you give people the benefit of the doubt, they usually prove you right.
My guiding philosophy is to be proactive, honest, and useful. I want clients to feel confident that I understand their goals, that I’m paying attention to the details, and that our team will bring them beautifully designed solutions that move the needle. A strong relationship creates room for trust, healthy candor, and better creative work because everyone feels like they’re on the same team.
When you’re not at the computer, where would we find you?
A Day in The Life: Off the clock, you can find me on the sideline for my stepson’s soccer games, in the dance studio practicing with my traveling salsa team, cooking or baking up a storm, or sampling the fruits of someone else’s labor with my life partner Brandon at one of our many favorite Rochester restaurants.
Latest Obsession: I’m a big fan of the NA movement that the younger generations are forcing upon our beloved beverage brands so I’m mutually engrossed in sampling NA wares and reading about and listening to podcasts around the fresh strategies businesses are using to ride that wave.
Goals: We’re on a mission to travel more and are about to embark on our first transatlantic trip to Portugal this October!
Lastly, what’s your go-to coffee order and what snack should we keep stocked in the break room for you?
I’m an Americano with cream gal, iced on most occasions but sometimes hot. I love a “fridge cig” midday, aka diet coke for the break room, please!
You should know also, that if you need some hot sauce, it’s in my purse and nothing would make me happier than to share it with you.
Armed with a people-first mindset and a dependable ‘fridge cig’ Diet Coke, Kelsea is primed to help take Agency 29’s client partnerships to the next level. Learn more about Kelsea and the rest of our team at www.agency29.com/about/team.