Welcome the 2023 Board of Directors
CHICAGO (January 9, 2023) – The Chicago Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Chicago) announced its 2023 president, executive committee and board of directors today. The chapter elected Naomi Adams, VP of communications for the Financial Health Network and former leader of PRSA Memphis, as 2023 President. Also elected was Kayee Ip, MS senior manager, governance communications, College of American Pathologists, who will be serving as the 2023 President-Elect and agency and brand leaders from Susan G. Komen, Flowers Communications Group, Current Global, Golin and more. Immediate past-present Natasha Vuppuluri will remain on the executive committee.
”PRSA Chicago has been the resource for Chicagoland communicators for 75 years, and in 2023 we will continue to support our members, who are a reflection of the diverse talent and organizations within our community, via education and learning opportunities as well as networking and engagement,” said Adams. “The Chapter will continue to promote diversity and inclusion, celebrate and lift up groundbreaking and influential work, and be a resource for communicators as we continue to navigate unprecedented changes.”
PRSA Chicago’s key initiatives include the annual Skyline Awards, Chicago’s premier public relations and communications awards competition, celebrating creativity and innovation in public relations and showcasing business impact and results. Communications professionals in the Greater Chicagoland area are encouraged to submit their best work, completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022 for a chance to be recognized. Learn more about the program, entry details and deadlines here.
Other important initiatives include the PRSA Chicago Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Program, which awards four individual $2,500 scholarships to talented public relations, journalism, communications students of color (applications available here) and the PRSA Chicago Mentorship Program. Focusing on DE&I and mentoring young professionals are important to support the PR professionals of tomorrow.
About PRSA Chicago
PRSA Chicago and its Board of Directors aim to advance the profession of public relations, promote high professional and ethical standards and build the reputation of the profession in the Chicago area through chapter programming, events and initiatives. To learn more or to apply for a membership visit PRSAChicago.com. Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
| Executive Committee | |
| PRESIDENT Naomi Adams, MBA Vice president of communications Financial Health Network |
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| PRESIDENT-ELECT Kayee Ip, MS Senior manager, governance communications College of American Pathologists |
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| TREASURER Bridgette Russell, APR Public relations director Field Museum of Chicago |
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| IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Natasha Vuppuluri, MBA, MSA Senior vice president, head agency marketing, communications and business development MSL |
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| Board Members | |
| COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIRS |
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| Joyce Lofstrom, MS, APR Owner/principal Joyce Lofstrom & Associates |
Shannon McGovern Senior vice president Current Global |
| DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CO-CHAIRS |
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| Jorge Alcaraz, Ph.D. Global head of DEI Allison+Partners |
Michelle Flowers Welch Founder and chairman Flowers Communications Group |
| MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIRS |
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| Jessica Gallen Account executive Laughlin Constable Public Relations |
Leila Palizi Associate manager, global corporate & ESG communications Hyatt Hotels, Corp. |
| MENTORSHIP CHAIR | |
| Brianna Milanowski Associate director APCO Worldwide |
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| PARTNERSHIP/SPONSORSHIP CO-CHAIR | |
| Ric Bachrach Founder, president and CEO Celebrity Focus, Inc. |
Jamie Born Founder and principal Born Public Relations |
| PROGRAMMING CO-CHAIRS | |
| Rebecca Roussell, MS SVP, DEI Communications Current Global |
Audrey Wayne Senior account supervisor KemperLesnik |
| SENIOR LEADERS CO-CHAIRS | |
| William H. Parke Founder and chairman W. H. Parke Co. |
Ginger Porter President, Midwest Golin |
| SKYLINE AWARDS CO-CHAIRS | |
| Lauren Kelly Account supervisor Zapwater Communications, Inc. |
Caleigh Rinefierd Vice president Mekky Media Relations |
| YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK CO-CHAIRS | |
| Drue Daugherity Senior analyst, global corporate communications and issues management The Kraft Heinz Company |
Deborah Song Senior director, head of national public relations and communications Susan G. Komen |
| YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK/PRSSA CO-CHAIR | |
| Chris Bona, MBA Director, U.S. communications Lactalis Group |
