College of Fellows Welcomes 19 New Members; PRSA Launches New Certificate Program

The College of Fellows has elected 19 members to its class of 2023:

• Montrie Rucker Adams, APR, Fellow PRSA, President, Chief Visibility Officer, Visibility Marketing Inc.

• Kelliann Amico, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of Everything, Amico

• Jenny Barker, APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal, Gray Owl Strategy

• Jennifer Regen Bisbee, APR, Fellow PRSA, Founder and President, Bisbee and Company, Inc.

• Carolyn Smith Casertano, APR, Fellow PRSA, Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona

• Jacque Coe, APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal, Jacque Coe Communications

• Marcia DiStaso, APR, Fellow PRSA, Associate Dean of Research, University of Florida; Gainesville, Florida

• Christie L. Goodman, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of Communications, IDRA

• David W. Honchul, APR, Fellow PRSA, Public Affairs Specialist, Internal Revenue Service

• Meredith Libbey, MBA, APR, Fellow PRSA, Communications Manager, Ford Motor Credit Company

• Joyce Lofstrom, MS, APR, Fellow PRSA, Owner/Principal, Joyce Lofstrom & Associates

• Mark Mohammadpour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Owner and Chief Well-being Officer, Chasing the Sun

• Lori M. Quiller, APR, Fellow PRSA, Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton

• Raquel Rivera Torres, APR, Fellow PRSA, Corporate Communications Director, Grupo Ferré Rangel

• Frances A. Stephenson, APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal, Step In Communication

• Ann Marie Varga, APR, Fellow PRSA, Manager, Internal Communications, AdventHealth

• Samantha Villegas, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of Strategic Communication Services, Raftelis

• David Vossbrink, APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal, Communications Counsel

• Brandon Wilson, APR, Fellow PRSA, President & CEO, Wilbron

The College of Fellows will induct the new class at a gala celebration on Oct. 14, before ICON 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. 

PRSA Foundation Announces First Class of Foster the Future Fellows

The PRSA Foundation recently revealed its first class of fellows in the Foster the Future Initiative.

The initiative aims to build a more progressive future for the PR profession by creating pathways for individuals historically excluded from leadership positions.

Four agencies are collaborating with the PRSA Foundation to offer the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while offsetting some of the financial burdens of tuition and other education expenses.

The 2023 fellowship recipients are:

• AGEAN Public Relations: Emeline Maile, Brigham Young University
• LaunchSquad: Ananya Dutta, Emerson College
• Method Communications: Mya Osborne, Elon University
• Mission North The Future Is…: Ayatullah “Lala” Badaoui, James Madison University

PRSA Welcomes New Group Members

PRSA is pleased to welcome new members from the American Association of Endodontists, Clyde Group, Experience Columbus, MITRE, Paychex, Port Everglades Broward County, Royal Canin North America and Xerox.

Group membership is a great way to demonstrate the value of professional development within your organization and create easy access to continuing education on topics of particular interest to PR and communications professionals. (Five employees is the minimum number for group membership.)

For more information, please get in touch with Lauren Collins via email: lauren.collins@prsa.org.

New Certificate Program Launches in September

“Driving Change Through Internal Communications,” a live, online program of six modules, debuts on Sept. 13 and runs through Oct.18, airing on consecutive Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. ET.

Led by David Grossman, APR, Fellow PRSA, founder of The Grossman Group, this certificate program will cover the dimensions of what makes up a world-class practitioner and function, helping build the skills and capabilities needed to be successful in the increasing pace of today’s business environment.

Please visit this link for details.