Breakfast with Edel Howlin
Today we’re having breakfast with Edel Howlin, SBC member and CEO of Untapped Communications!
We don't meet for breakfast anymore, but if we did, what would you want on the table?
Edel: “I love a good brunch, and because I’m European, there would absolutely have to be scones, really good butter and jam, and a proper French pastry, preferably an almond croissant. I want a table that feels a little bit indulgent and very shareable. Right now, my favorite spot in Philly is The Love. That said, I’m always open to new recommendations.”
Can you share a little about what you do and what drives your work?
Edel: “I help mission-driven organizations tell their stories so more people can see, understand, and support them. A lot of my work is behind the scenes – helping clients find their voice, shaping their narrative, and getting that story in front of the right audiences through media and partnerships. What really drives me is knowing that many of the people and organizations I work with don’t usually get handed the megaphone. They’re doing incredible work with limited resources, and if I can help them get a little more visibility, funding, or validation, that feels like time well spent. I love the moment when a client sees themselves reflected in a story and thinks, “Yes, that’s us. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
What’s one thing about your background or journey that might surprise people?
Edel: “People are often surprised to learn that I started out in a very different world. I have a degree in statistics and spent a few years working in clinical trials before packing it all in to work in radio, journalism, and now PR. On paper, it looks like a sharp left turn, but for me it’s all connected. I’ve always been interested in patterns, whether that’s in data, in stories, or in how people behave. The clinical trials world taught me rigor, ethics, and how much details matter. Radio and journalism taught me how to listen, how to find the narrative, and how to make people care. PR is where all of that comes together, taking something complex and turning it into a story that actually lands with real people.”
Who in Philly inspires you right now, and why?
Edel: “Right now I’m really inspired by Chef Nok, who runs Kalaya. She’s doing something very different with Southern Thai food in Philly, it’s fiercely rooted in her story and her culture, but also endlessly creative and expressive. Every plate feels intentional, personal, and a little bit fearless. What moves me most is how bravely she’s pushing Philly’s food scene to new levels while staying grounded in who she is and where she comes from. The recent nod from Michelin feels like outside validation of what people here have known for a long time: that what she’s building at Kalaya is special, and it’s shifting how people see both Thai food and Philadelphia as a dining city.”
If you could invite anyone (living or dead) to an SBC event, who would it be and why?
Edel: “I’m going to cheat and pick two. For the “famous person” answer, I’d invite Barack Obama. I’d love to hear, in a real and honest way, how he persevered when things were at their hardest, how he made decisions under pressure, and how he kept his values intact when the stakes were incredibly high. I think that kind of perspective would resonate with a lot of people in SBC who are trying to build or change things in their own corners of the world.
I’d also invite my parents (who are, thankfully, very much alive). I’d love for them to be in a room with the kind of people and ideas that make Philly so special, to see the work, creativity, and care that’s happening here up close. It would mean a lot for them to experience the community I get to be part of and to understand a bit more about the people who inspire me.”
What’s one book, podcast, show, or other piece of content you’re enjoying right now?
Edel: “Lately, I’ve been really inspired by the work of local entomologist and University of Delaware Professor, Doug Tallamy, especially his research on native plant species and their impact on the ecosystem. His work completely changed how I see yards, parks, and even tiny patches of soil, not as decoration, but as life support systems for insects, birds, and everything up the chain. I was so moved by his ideas that I ended up becoming a Master Gardener, and now I write a monthly gardening column for Glenside Local. I use that space to share with my community how they can make a huge difference for the environment by being a completely mediocre gardener like me – planting a few native species, resisting the urge to over-tidy, and letting nature do what it does best. It feels like a small but meaningful way to connect what I’m learning to the place I live.”
Whether it’s uplifting underserved voices, shaping thoughtful narratives, or championing creativity in Philly, Edel brings authenticity and intention to everything she does. We are proud to have you as a member of SBC, Edel. Thank you for having breakfast with us!