About Us
Nice to meet you. We’re the team behind Hello Social Co.
Hello Social Co. grew out of a love for good stories, interesting communities and the way social media can help people discover both.
Since 2017, we’ve worked with destinations, downtowns, nonprofits, small businesses and community organizations to tell stories that help people visit, shop, explore, participate and feel a little more connected to a place.
Social media is our specialty. Curiosity might be a close second.
We like finding the story beneath the obvious story. We like asking good questions. We like figuring out why one piece of content makes people stop scrolling while another doesn’t. And we really like working alongside the people who know and care about their communities as much as we do.
There’s always a bigger story.
Our roots are in social media, but our perspective has always stretched beyond the feed.
We think about the campaign and the caption. The creator partnership and what happens after the Reel goes live. The paid ad and where it sends someone next. The analytics and the actual humans on the other side of them.
Today, our work brings together social media consulting, creator and influencer marketing, paid media and campaigns to help organizations tell better stories and make thoughtful marketing decisions.
Our Mission: Connect Through Community
We believe in the power of place and the people who make places worth caring about.
That idea has guided Hello Social Co. from the beginning. Our #ConnectThroughCommunity Approach is rooted in telling stories that feel true to the communities they represent, creating opportunities for local voices to be heard and using marketing as a tool for meaningful connection and economic impact.
Because a destination is more than a list of things to do. A downtown is more than its storefronts. And a community’s best stories usually come from the people who know it best.
Follow Us
Through our agency’s hashtag, #ConnectThroughCommunity, we encourage residents and visitors of a place alike to share their experiences through social media. Check out the hashtag, be inspired by the creators, and join the conversation yourself!
Ellen Matis — Founder and Integrated Marketing Strategist
Ellen founded Hello Social Co. in 2017, combining skills in social media marketing with a deep love of community. More than anything, Ellen wants to see small towns and places like the ones she’s called home thrive economically — and knows Hello Social Co. can play a role in that.
Ellen studied Journalism and Public Relations with a focus in digital media at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and obtained a master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University.
Outside of Hello Social Co., Ellen serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Schlow Library. In 2025, she published her first children's book, Ellie Mae Explores: Hometown. When she’s not working or volunteering, she can be found at the local library or curling up with a good read at a coffee shop. She's made a pact to herself to travel to as many independent bookstores as possible, and is basing her future travel plans on reaching that goal. She's a mama to two sweet girls and a rescue pup.
Katey Crean — Marketing Director
Katey joined the Hello Social Co. team in 2018. She’s an organizational junkie-turned-marketer passionate about creating content for her clients that showcases their why, while creating authentic connections in their communities.
Katey earned her degree in Management & Marketing at the South Hills School of Business in Technology. In 2020 she received a [CP]² Bracket Award for Organic Social Media Management for her work on Centre County United Way’s social media presence.
When she’s not connecting with clients or conquering content, Katey can usually be found on FaceTime with her family dog, sharing the views of New England, or sneaking back to Pennsylvania for a Spicy Rainbow Sherbet at her favorite distillery.
Devin Kos — Marketing and Communications Specialist
Devin joined the Hello Social Co. team in March of 2023 as the Client Relationship Manager and quickly transitioned into her role as the Marketing and Communications Specialist. Using her past experience in customer service, marketing, and working with small business owners, she strives to create valuable connections with Hello Social Co. clients.
Devin studied Business Administration and Spanish at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. In 2023, she completed her master’s degree in Marketing at Southern New Hampshire University. Devin has worked with and continues to volunteer her time to support her hometown’s Main Street program, Downtown Bellefonte Inc. Her insight into the dynamics of small towns and business communities sparks her enthusiasm for economic development and placemaking.
In her free time, Devin enjoys traveling; she loves exploring new places, whether that be small towns, big cities, the mountains, or the beach. She grew up playing soccer and continues to follow the game by watching her favorite teams, Penn State and Arsenal.
Sara Dixon — Social Media Manager
Sara joined Hello Social Co. as a content creator in 2025. With a background in public relations, marketing, and advertising, she specializes in creating engaging content that helps small businesses stand out.
She is passionate about helping brands build a strong presence and connect meaningfully with their communities. Her goal is to empower small businesses through storytelling that drives both visibility and growth.
When she’s not behind the camera capturing photos and videos, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their labradoodle. She loves being outdoors, exploring new places, and making lasting memories with her family.
Rebecca Desmarais — Staff Content Creator
Rebecca joined the Hello Social Co. team in 2025 as a self-taught photographer with a love for capturing the genuine, in-between moments that often go unnoticed.
Years of working with clients have taught Rebecca that the best shots start with a good conversation. She has a natural ability to put people at ease, and taking the time to chat at the start of each shoot helps her understand the "why" behind a brand — so the final images don't just look good, they actually tell the right story.
When she's not photographing clients or creating content, Rebecca can usually be found laughing with her two amazing girls and fun-loving husband, exploring bookstores in small towns across PA, scouting new date night spots, or roasting s'mores in the backyard. Fair warning: she runs on sarcasm and strong opinions about whether the book was better than the movie.