MIDLAND, MI -- A Midland native with a knack for engaging people on social media has been named a top influencer under the age of 30.
Thea Neal, a 2006 graduate of Midland H.H. Dow High School who currently works as the social media lead for Hallmark, was named to Forbes' "30 under 30" list for marketing and advertising professionals. The annual list, now in its seventh year, highlights 600 young professionals who are disrupting their industries with youthful visions.
In her role at Hallmark, Neal, 29, runs social media for the company's 2,000 Gold Crown stores. In her first year with the greeting card company, she generated more than 50 million impressions and three million user engagements, according to her Forbes profile. Her online show, "Party 101," has garnered more than 200,000 views and driven more than $25,000 in sales for Hallmark stores.
"This recognition means a ton to me, especially because of where I grew up," Neal said in an email to MLive. "My grandpa worked as a farmer until he was 91 years old and that determined work ethic made me who I am today.
"It's incredible to be recognized by the Forbes staff and celebrity judges. I hope someday I can use this platform to encourage girls to work hard in whatever industry they choose, no matter where they come from.
"Joining the most exclusive club in the world for young entrepreneurs and game-changers is an absolute life-maker. I hope I can make Midland proud!"
Neal joins 14 other women in the marketing-advertising category. Other top influencers included Amir Kabbara, 29, who leads marketing automation at Amazon, Alandha Scott, 28, who leads YouTube Originals Product Marketing at YouTube, and Nina Yiamsamatha, 29, a product marketing manager for Instagram.
Neal, a former intern at The Bay City Times, earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and later obtained a master's degree in liberal studies from Duke University. She previously worked for the USDA Forest Service, Ignite Social Media and FleishmanHillard.
She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her fiancee Ronny Nause. The couple is getting married in February.