PRSA Phoenix Chapter Announces 2023 Leadership

Posted on Jan. 25, 2023  /  Subscribe 0

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix Chapter announced its Board of Directors for the 2023 term. PRSA Phoenix is part of the largest professional communications organization in the nation. The Phoenix chapter serves public relations and communications professionals in the greater Phoenix area with professional development and networking opportunities.

Executive Committee members include:

• President: Heather Vana, APR, Senior Director of Communications at Avnet
• President-elect: Lisa Sass, Public Relations Senior Account Executive at Serendipit Consulting
• Vice President of Communications: Keyera Williams, City of Phoenix Public Information Specialist
• Secretary: Meghan Dougherty, Senior Operational Risk Manager at Freddie Mac
• Treasurer: Kimberly Hoidal, Senior Communications Specialist at CBRE

Directors at Large Include:

• Membership Chair: Rachael Clifford, Public Relations Executive at 10 to 1 Public Relations
• Professional Development Chair: Savannah Harrelson, Public Information Officer, City of Tempe
  • Professional Development Committee:
    • Constance Halonen-Wilson, Public Information Officer at the Town of Queen Creek
    • Meenah Rincon, Public Relations Manager at EdPlus at Arizona State University
    • Valliere Jones, Director of Internal Communications at Avnet
    • Nikki Hernandez, PR Manager at LTK
  • DEI Co-Chairs:
    • Cynthia Weaver, retired Public Information Officer for the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Convention Center
    • Nikki Hernandez, PR Manager at LTK
  • APR Chair: Marcia Brookey, MA, APR, Senior Marketing Manager at PwC
  • Immediate Past President and Copper Anvils Chair: Erica Fetherston, PR and Operations Manager at 10 to 1 Public Relations

Lisa Sass moved from the professional development committee to the president-elect position and Nikki Hernandez moved from the membership chair position to the DEI chair position. Rachael Clifford moved from her position as co-chair of the professional development committee and treasurer to become the membership chair, while Kimberly Hoidal transitioned from secretary to treasurer. 

Other members continuing their terms include Marcia Brookey, Constance Halonen-Wilson, Savannah Harrelson, Cynthia Weaver and Keyera Williams. Meghan Dougherty and Valliere Jones were elected to new terms as PRSA Phoenix board members. Immediate past president, Erica Fetherston, is moving in to the Copper Anvils Chair role as outlined in the chapter by-laws. We thank Erica for her incredible year of service and her continuing support of the chapter.

“We have an excellent group of both new and returning PRSA leaders on our board, and we’re all here so valley PR professionals don’t have to go it alone,” said Heather Vana, President of PRSA Phoenix. “This is an inclusive local professional development community focused on continuous learning, networking and advocacy for our profession. Our goal is to make sure our members find the support and resources they need to stay connected, relevant and fulfilled in our dynamic industry.”

Read Heather’s 2023 welcome letter to PRSA Phoenix members [LINK] for more details on the chapter’s strategic plans.

PRSA Phoenix is hosting its kickoff event on Tuesday, January 31, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., at Pedal Haus Brewery in Tempe. The event is free to attend for members and $50 for nonmembers. It is a great way for public relations professionals to learn about what the chapter has planned for the coming year. Registration is open on the PRSA Phoenix website. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss trending topics and ethical dilemmas facing PR pros and learn about the PRSA Code of Ethics and reaffirm their pledge!

PRSA Phoenix has plans to grant awards and host professional development networking events throughout the year. Members also have the opportunity to participate in a mentorship program amongst other members. For those interested in developing their careers further, PRSA Phoenix can help in achieving the accreditation in public relations certificate (APR).

More information on each of these initiatives will be available at the Jan. 31 kickoff event, or you can learn more about PRSA Phoenix at phoenixprsa.org.

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