Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Tellez.
Hi Briana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, although I did not necessarily know that was what I was building a career around when I started.
I began my career in communications, working in environmental planning, sustainability, public infrastructure, and community outreach. I loved the creative side of communications, but I also loved the people side of it. I realized pretty quickly that the best communications can take something complicated and make people care about it.
That eventually led me to Forever Balboa Park, where I worked in marketing and communications. Being surrounded by Balboa Park every day really changed the way I thought about the role that cultural spaces play in a city. I got to tell stories about the Botanical Building, gardens, volunteers, events, preservation, and all of the people who make the Park what it is. I also found myself becoming much more interested in the people behind San Diego’s museums and cultural organizations.
That curiosity led me to San Diego Emerging Museum Professionals, where I joined the board and became involved in creating events, professional development opportunities, and community partnerships. I’ve since also joined the board of the San Diego Museum Council as the EMP representative.
A lot of what I do now comes back to the same thing I loved about communications when I started. I like connecting people to stories, places, and experiences that make them feel like they belong. I love finding the interesting story behind an organization or a person and figuring out how to share it in a way that makes someone else want to be part of it.
My career definitely has not been a straight line, but I think that has been one of the best parts of it. I’ve moved through environmental work, public outreach, parks, museums, events, and community building, and each experience has given me another piece of the puzzle. At this point, I think of myself as a communicator, storyteller, and connector, and I’m really excited to keep figuring out what that looks like in San Diego.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. I think one of the biggest challenges has been learning how to navigate environments where priorities can change quickly and where you are not always perfectly aligned with the people you work with. That is especially true in public sector and nonprofit work, where there can be so many competing needs, stakeholders, and perspectives. You can have a plan on Monday and find yourself adapting it completely by Friday.
I’ve also learned that sometimes the work itself is not the hardest part. It’s learning how to communicate through uncertainty, work with different personalities and leadership styles, and stay grounded in your own values when the priorities around you are constantly shifting.
And, of course, working in arts and culture right now comes with its own challenges. Cultural organizations are navigating a difficult economic environment while still trying to make their work accessible, meaningful, and sustainable. There are a lot of passionate people doing important work with limited resources, and that can be both incredibly rewarding and incredibly challenging.
I’ve had moments in my career where I’ve questioned whether I was on the right path, but those experiences have ultimately made me more adaptable and much clearer about the kind of work environment and community I want to contribute to. I’ve learned that you can’t always control the circumstances around you, but you can control how you show up, how you communicate, and what you choose to keep building.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m happiest when I get to make people excited about something. That can mean a big project, a cultural event, a museum, a sports team, or even a really great story that deserves more attention.
Some of the projects I’m most proud of have been the ones where I’ve had room to be creative and really connect with the community. Working on the San Diego Wave was a lot of fun because there was already so much energy around the team, and I loved finding ways to capture that excitement ahead of the Balboa Park season kit. I’ve also loved getting to tell the story of the Botanical Building and Gardens revitalization at Balboa Park and share the people, history, and little details behind a place that so many San Diegans love.
A lot of my favorite work now comes through EMP and the San Diego Museum Council. I love creating experiences that bring people together and helping people discover organizations, events, and cultural spaces they may not have known about before.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m genuinely curious and I tend to see stories everywhere. I’ll be at an event thinking about the experience itself, but I’m also noticing the person with the interesting story, the funny little detail, or the thing that would make someone else want to be there. I really enjoy connecting those dots.
What I’m most proud of is when something I’ve worked on makes someone feel more connected to San Diego. That’s always the goal.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open to meeting people who are doing interesting things in San Diego and finding ways to collaborate. I especially love working with people in the arts, culture, community, nonprofit, and creative spaces, but honestly, I’m always interested in a good idea regardless of where it comes from.
If you have an event, project, organization, or idea that you think could bring people together or introduce them to something new, I’d love to hear about it. I’m also always happy to make connections between people when I think there’s a good fit.
And honestly, supporting the work of San Diego’s cultural community is one of the best ways to support me. Go to a museum, see a show, visit a gallery, attend a local event, share someone’s work, or bring a friend along. There are so many incredible people and organizations doing meaningful work here, and they need people to show up for them.
I’m a big believer that community is built by people saying, “Hey, I know someone you should meet.” So if that sounds like you, come find me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bybrianatell
