Members on the Move: Annette Raveneau fills us in on her new job in D.C.

For this edition of Members on the Move, we check in with NAHJ Nevada co-founder Annette Raveneau. After working at Univision, Annette transitioned into PR and headed up the Know Your Care initiative at Las Vegas PR firm Ramirez Group. If you haven't seen her this fall, it's because she suddenly left for D.C.! She fills us in on the big career move.

NAHJ Nevada: If you've left VEGAS, there must be a good reason! What are you up to in Washington, D.C.? 

Annette Raveneau: I am the National Latino Press Secretary and Regional Communications Director (AZ, TX, GA) for Enroll America. Enroll America is a 501c3 that educates Americans about the new health insurance options available to them through the new Health Insurance Marketplace,  as a provision of the Affordable Care Act. Our Get Covered America campaign (#GetCovered) is geared towards just that and we partner with other organizations like FamiliesUSA, Doctors for America, Young Invincibles among others to reach as many people as possible.

NN: How was the big, dramatic, cross-country move?

AR: It went as smooth as a three-day hurry up and pack, donate, sell, leave can be ... I did not get to say goodbye properly to sooo many special people, so it was nice to see some of our NAHJ Nevada members at the Excellence in Journalism conference.

NN: What's a typical day like for you living in the nation's capital? 

AR: I live inside DC, so not Maryland or Virginia. I take the bus to work. The last time I depended on public transport was my first semester of college in Miami, but I think I can get used to it. The bus stop is literally a three minute walk from my door step. I use an app that tells me when the bus will get here, so I can calculate the time to walk my dog put him back and head out! ;-) 

NN: Mass transit ... tell us about that. 

AR: On the bus you encounter pretty interesting characters and all kinds of people. I only need to use one bus that also drops me across the street from my downtown office building.

NN: How is the actual job going? You must be crazy busy since the big health care rollout. 

AR: I work long hours -- about 10-12 hour days -- but I believe in our mission and my co-workers do as well. I feel respected and welcomed. There are not that many Latinos in headquarters and I'm the only Latina in the communications department in DC. So they really listen to what I have to bring to the conversation. I was tasked to lead our media call for Hispanic Heritage Month about the new Health Insurance Marketplace and I mentioned the importance of doing half of the call in Spanish. We did it and it was a great success. I know I will make a big difference here!

NN: How's your dog taking the move? 

AR: My doggie got his first and official contracted dog-walker, so apparently this is not just for the rich and famous! The lady comes, texts me when she gets home, walks my dog for 20 mins. Practices commands (in Spanish porque mi niño no entiende inglés), gives him a good rub, a treat and off she goes, I already got a report card,  he got an A++!!! I'm a proud Mama! Plus less stress that I have to rush home.

NN: Any downfalls about D.C.? 

AR: Besides the crazy expensive grocery bills, I have not had time to like it or dislike it. I would come to DC every year when I was a child growing up in Panama, so being here brings back memories of those fun trips.  I have family here, so I don't feel as alone as I did in Vegas... there is something about the blood connection that makes you feel safe! I think I'm going to fall in love with DC! All the cultural differences ... Will miss the good Mexican food, I heard the Mexican restaurants are not the best here.

NN: Do you miss us?! 

AR: From Vegas I'll miss my friends, NAHJ Nevada,  FirstMed Health and Wellness Center, the winters, Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, cute Boulder City, my drives to L.A. and all the great concerts and comedy shows plus all the friends that travel to Vegas for business or pleasure.

NN: We'll let you get back to work spreading the word about health care. But one last question -- if we're covering Obamacare and need some help, how do we reach you? 

AR: If you know members of the media that want to cover what we do tell them to write to Press@enrollamerica.org to be put on our media list. And follow me on Twitter at @AnnetteRaveneau.

NN: Thanks, Annette!