From the President's Desk: Springing into Opportunity

May is a month filled with such promise. Not only is everything blooming, but it is a time of celebration – from Mother’s Day to graduations across the city, as well as the recognition of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Stay tuned to our social media channels, and we celebrate the diverse voices contributing to the communications industry.

Thinking about the communications graduates who will soon join us in the workforce, I’m reminded how we should prepare to help our hard-working, determined PRSSA chapter grads spring into opportunity. National PRSA offers incredible resources, including a "Fill the Funnel" handbook, to prompt outreach ideas and guide conversations.

A little closer to home, PRSA Chicago has revived our mentorship program, with a ton of help from Immediate Past President Kayee IP, to provide 1:1 interactions with our up-and-coming professionals. I’m looking forward to being a mentor myself, and I invite our more experienced communications colleagues to join this effort as well.

Speaking of opportunities, I am thrilled and humbled to be featured in the April issue of PRSA Strategies & Tactics. You can find the short interview with Managing Editor Amy Jacques here. I never tire of talking about my background in nonprofit communications, my current work at the Field Museum, or representing PRSA Chicago.

As we head toward the sweet promise of summertime Chi, don’t forget to look forward to the opportunities for growth, connection, and inspiration all around us. I look forward to seeing everyone at our next in-person event on Thursday, May 15, "Crisis Communications: Best Practices for an Ever-Changing World."

Yours in Service,
Bridgette

Bridgette Russell, APR
President, PRSA Chicago