PRNEWS Honors PRSA Chair; PRSA Introduces New Search Tool

PRNEWS Honors PRSA Chair as Industry Innovator 

PRNEWS has named Michelle Olson, APR, PRSA’s 2021 chair, to its 2021 class of Top Women in PR. Honored in the Industry Innovator category for her work with PRSA, this is the second time Olson has been named to the distinguished list of female communicators in as many years.

With the launch of PRSA’s Voices4Everyone platform this spring, Olson has been instrumental in equipping PR practitioners with the tools necessary to identify and combat misinformation and disinformation, break down barriers for diverse students and practitioners to enter the industry, and help communicators foster more effective civil discourse.

Beyond her work with PRSA, Olson, managing director for Lambert in Phoenix, has served clients across the United States and internationally, and has significant experience in corporate communications and issues management.

PRSA Introduces New Search Tool to Help Members Generate Leads 

PRSA has launched a new online search tool to help users identify and shortlist PR and communications agencies, professionals, and service providers with the expertise that matches their needs.

Powered by CommunicationsMatch, a leading search and services technology platform, the directory allows users to find practitioners based on industry and communications capabilities, size, location, designations, diversity, client experience and more.

In addition, they have the option to use the integrated Agency Select hiring tools to request information or issue RFPs.

New Section Name Signals Expanded Focus

PRSA’s Financial Communications Section has changed its name to the Banking and Finance Section to more clearly represent its focus.

“With this change, we are now planning on offering more programming that directly relates to the banking and finance industry so we can be a Section that communicators who work in this area can rely on for beneficial learning and networking opportunities,” said Chair Rich Pulvino, APR, manager, corporate communications and social media marketing & customer experience for the ESL Federal Credit Union in Rochester, N.Y.

College of Fellows Welcomes 13 New Members

The College of Fellows has elected 13 new members for its class of 2021: 

• Jill Allread, APR, Fellow PRSA, CEO, Public Communications Inc.; Chicago

• Andrew Corner, APR, Fellow PRSA, professor of practice and associate chair, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.

• Ellen Crane, APR, Fellow PRSA, president, Ellen Crane APR, LLC; Pompano Beach, Fla.

• Stephen Dupont, APR, Fellow PRSA, vice president, Public Relations and Branded Content, Pocket Hercules; Minneapolis

• Alison L. Gaulden, APR, Fellow PRSA, lecturer, Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada; Reno, Nevada

• Lisa F. Lochridge, APR, Fellow PRSA, retired, formerly Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Apopka, Fla.

• Robert G. (Bob) McCullough, APR, Fellow PRSA, communications director, Morgan’s Wonderland; San Antonio, Texas

• William D. Moak, APR, Fellow PRSA, chair and assistant professor of communication, Belhaven University, Madison, Miss.

• Renea P. Morris, M.Ed., APR, Fellow PRSA, vice chancellor for marketing and communications, University of Denver; Highlands Ranch, Colorado

• Lt. Col. Christian Patterson, APR+M, Fellow PRSA, director of communications, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center; Clinton, Miss.

• Samuel James Morrey Sims, APR, Fellow PRSA, owner, Sims Group; Yukon, Okla.

• David H. Thompson, APR, Fellow PRSA, sole practitioner, Dave Thompson; Portland, Ore.

• Michelle Von Tersch, APR, Fellow PRSA, senior vice president, communication and legislative affairs, Community Medical Centers; Fresno, Calif.

PRSA will induct the College of Fellows Class of 2021 this October.