Danielle is a serious force to be reckoned with in the public relations world, gaining extensive agency experience before joining Aker Ink as a Senior Account Executive…then PR Account Director…then Director of PR. 

But their career is just one of the many facets of Danielle’s life, passions and personality that make them so darn awesome. They’re a DIY house flipper, a standout spouse, proud cat parent, award-winning ex-reporter and die-hard video gamer philosopher.  

Here are five things you didn’t know about Danielle. 

1. DIY Dream House

Since 2022, Danielle has been on a mission to bring their 1953 home back to its former glory, one thrifty find at a time. Think less HGTV glam, more vintage treasure hunting with a side of elbow grease. The house boasts several charming original features, including a cast iron bathtub and kitchen sink which have seen more history than most of us. They’re carefully peeling back the questionable ‘90s renovations (cough, beige everywhere) to restore its mid-century magic.

The crown jewel? A mint-green tiled bathroom straight out of a ’50s magazine. After three years of late-night DIY marathons — minus the electrical and plumbing, because safety first — they’re finally down to the fun part: painting and putting on the finishing touches. 

2. A Love Story in Sedona

Danielle Grobmeier finally became Danielle Fanning in January 2025, saying “I do” during an intimate Sedona ceremony surrounded by just 12 of their nearest and dearest. The menu at the picturesque L’Auberge featured melt-in-your-mouth short rib and salmon, but the highlight for Danielle wasn’t the food — it was the moment they first saw their husband Zach on the big day, which doubled as their seventh anniversary.

Although Danielle had prepped for a chilly ceremony, Sedona had other plans and it turned out to be surprisingly toasty. But for some extra warmth and liquid courage just in case, they shared a pre-aisle hot toddy with their dad, as well as a heart-to-heart just as comforting as the drinks. Cheers! 

3. A Furry, Chaotic Cat Crew

If you ever visit the Fanning home, expect a kitty welcoming committee. Danielle and Zach live with three cats who spice up life with no shortage of personality and some interesting sibling dynamics. 

First up, Kaiser, A.K.A. Little Trash Boy — the 15-year-old retired outdoor cat with a notorious love for Taco Bell and In-N-Out. Then there’s Halloumi, the pandemic rescue calico who’s socially anxious yet fiercely loyal (and believes Kaiser is her mom). And finally, Soup, the tabby who literally adopted them — showing up outside uninvited until they caved and made her part of the family. 

Kaiser and Soup get along quite well, but Halloumi, in typical middle-child fashion, isn’t too thrilled about no longer being the baby of the household. 

4. From Beats & Bylines to Pitches & Press

Once upon a time, Danielle was deep in the world of journalism, dreaming of being a CNN camera operator and covering high-stakes crime stories. They earned their degree at ASU’s Cronkite School, then took on award-winning documentary work and reported for The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News — covering everything from capital murder trials to rockstar assassinations. 

The pivot to PR came after writing an impactful story about a woman in her 60s who was battling stage 4 cancer while earning her bachelor’s degree as a bucket-list goal. The woman had a one-of-a-kind story and unique living situation, which Danielle became familiar with on a personal level. 

After the article was published, the woman received a grant to cover her schooling costs. This experience sparked a realization: Danielle wanted a career where they could reach out to a reporter, position a story, pitch that story and positively impact someone’s life as a result — and that’s exactly what they got. 

5. Video Games ARE Art, Thank You Very Much

Danielle isn’t just a casual gamer, but a full-blown video game nerd and proud of it. To them, video games are just as rich in storytelling and artistic depth as literature, offering immersive and interactive narratives that rival books. You can often find them diving deep into gaming lore, watching hours-long video essays on translation nuances and analyzing the philosophy behind game design with Zach. 

Danielle’s all-time favorite? Stardew Valley, an indie classic. And for the record: Their parents were totally wrong about video games being a childhood phase. Turns out, they’re a lifelong passion.