Mattie
Armstrong
PR strategist, founder of Heirloom PR, and creator of Prello. I help founders and creators earn their own media, own their story, and command any room — especially the ones that weren’t built for them.
2026
stages
hey, I’m Mattie!
I started Heirloom PR after more than a decade of doing PR the hard way — fighting for media access in rooms that weren’t built for everyone. I’ve secured placements in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox, and the New York Times for government agencies, members of Congress, and some of the biggest names in finance, wellness, and energy.
Early in my career, a supervisor called me in and told me a male colleague felt I was “taking his work” — that I needed to be softer. I hadn’t done anything but communicate clearly under deadline. In that room, I made a decision: I would not apologize.
Today I run Heirloom PR and I’m building Prello in real time. On stage, I bring the tactical playbook, the honest behind-the-scenes of building a company, and the message every go-getter needs to hear: the room is already yours.
I’ve been in rooms most
people never get into.
For over a decade — writing comms for government agencies and members of Congress, then landing coverage for some of the biggest names in finance, wellness, and energy — I learned how media access actually works. Now I’m handing that playbook to the founders and creators who’ve been shut out of it, because a good story shouldn’t need a $500-a-month tool or an agency retainer to be heard.
Media access shouldn’t cost a fortune.
The biggest databases charge $150–$500 a month. I built Prello so founders don’t have to.
PR is relational, not transactional.
Great press comes from real relationships with the right journalists — not blasting 500 of them the same email.
You deserve to own your story.
Founders and creators should control their own narrative, on their own terms — not wait around to be chosen.
Each one doubles as a
keynote and a content series.
Every talk leads with the story and lands on the empowerment message.
“Do Not Say Sorry.”
The day I was told to be “softer” — and what every go-getter woman should do when directness gets read as aggression.
Doers vs. Strategists
Why the people under deadline getting it done deserve the mic — and how to claim your authority before someone hands it to you.
Direct Isn’t Aggressive
Reframing how women communicate at work: clarity as a tool, not a threat — and refusing to manage other people’s insecurity.
From Gopher to Founder
A playbook for founders and young women in male-dominated rooms — how I went from fetching the coffee to running the whole thing.
Own Your Narrative
PR lessons from government comms to founder: how creators and women can control their own story instead of letting someone else define it.
From Gopher to Founder
“Early in my career, a supervisor called me into his office and told me a male colleague felt I was ‘taking his work’ — that I needed to be softer. I hadn’t done anything but communicate clearly under deadline.
In that room I made a decision: no matter how I responded, I would not apologize. That moment taught me the difference between being direct and being aggressive — and that the discomfort was never mine to fix.
Today I run my own PR firm and teach creators to own their story. Here’s what I learned about clarity, confidence, and walking into any room like it’s already yours.”
Ways to share the stage.
Keynote
A story-led talk that leaves a room fired up and equipped.
Panel Moderator
Sharp, warm facilitation that pulls the best out of every panelist.
Panelist
A candid, quotable voice on PR, founding, and women at work.
Podcast Guest
Story-rich conversation with tangible takeaways for listeners.
What her clients say.
Mattie was fantastic to work with! She took the time to understand Ocean Labs and built a PR strategy that felt thoughtful, tailored, and positioned us for long-term success. By the time I joined as the company’s PR consultant, she had already laid an incredibly strong foundation that made the transition seamless.
Let’s make your stage unforgettable.
Reaching out about a keynote, panel, moderating role, or podcast? You’re in exactly the right place. I love a room that’s ready to think bigger about media, clarity, and owning their story.
Reach out about
- Keynotes & main-stage talks
- Panel moderating & facilitation
- Panelist & fireside chats
- Podcast & media appearances