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.
Katey Crean — Director of Client Experience
Katey joined the Hello Social Co. team in 2018 and has grown from an organizational junkie-turned-marketer into the Director of Client Experience. She’s passionate about building strong client relationships, creating thoughtful content that showcases each brand’s why and helping businesses build authentic connections within their communities.
With nearly a decade at Hello Social Co., Katey brings a deep understanding of social media strategy, client relationships and the behind-the-scenes systems that keep great work moving forward. She thrives on creating organized, thoughtful processes that support both a strong client experience and a collaborative team.
When she’s not connecting with clients, fine-tuning processes or conquering content, Katey can usually be found spoiling her dog, shopping local, trying a new New England eatery or sneaking back to Pennsylvania for a Spicy Rainbow Sherbet at her favorite distillery.
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 — Client and Campaign Coordinator
Rebecca joined the Hello Social Co. team in 2025 as a staff photographer and has since stepped into the role of Client and Campaign Coordinator. From contracts and welcome kits to itineraries and content tracking, she makes sure every client campaign and creator partnership runs smoothly from start to finish. The role combines two things she loves: getting organized and helping people. Her favorite part is making someone’s trip planning easier.
She hasn’t put the camera down completely, though. You may still spot her at local events and businesses, capturing the genuine, in-between moments she loves most. She’s also proud to work for a female-led company, and even prouder that her two daughters get to see that up close.
Outside of work, Rebecca’s calendar is mostly her girls’ activity schedule. She’s the unofficial chauffeur, snack-bringer, and loudest fan in the stands. If there’s a local event, fundraiser, or volunteer sign-up, she’s probably involved. Her favorite reset is a weekend away with her fun-loving husband. She’s highly motivated by food, so if there’s a food tour in a new city, she’s already signed up. She’s also always hunting for a small-town PA bookstore. Wherever she goes, Rebecca has a way of making people feel welcome and right at ease, usually within the first few minutes of meeting her.