Priyanka Bohra on Taking a Career Break and Entering the PR Profession

After a career pause during the COVID era to raise her three children and navigate their move to the United States from India, Priyanka Bohra is entering a new chapter in her life.

With a background spanning education, telecom, IT and banking, Bohra’s career has been defined by her expertise in customer service, quality management, strategic communication, and stakeholder engagement at Aegis, Dell, Bank of America, and WNS Services. Now, as a new member of PRSA, Bohra is eager to build new connections and leverage her extensive experience to contribute meaningfully to the PR community.

Here, she discusses becoming a PRSA member, moving from India to Washington state, and taking a career break to be a full-time mom to her three kids.

Did you have a dream job as a child?

Yes, I was a very empathetic child and realized early on the power of connection and communication. Growing up in the diverse land of India, I was fascinated by different languages, cultures and the art of public speaking. This passion led me to pursue a Bachelor’s in English, where I explored literature from around the world and was honored by my university for securing the highest scores. 

By then, I had developed a strong conviction to become a people manager — someone who uses communication skills to connect with and empower people from diverse backgrounds.

You’ve had an interesting and varied career — talk about how you got your start in PR, and how you came to work for WNS Services, Bank of America and Dell.

I began my career as an educator, teaching English as a second language. Around the same time, India’s outsourcing industry was booming, and I found it incredibly intriguing — not just because it exposed me to foreign policies like FDCPA but also because it allowed me to interact with diverse cultures and languages.

Understanding how global systems operated and designing processes to align with customer perceptions of satisfaction became a driving force in my career. Listening to the voice of the customer (VOC) and delivering ethical customer experiences turned into a passion, one that helped me climb the ladder into managerial and leadership roles at Dell, Bank of America and WNS Services. However, I never viewed PR as a separate function or skill set — PR is the foundation of every role and every business you manage. 

At its core, PR is about communication, trust and problem-solving, all of which have been central to my journey.

Your LinkedIn profile mentions your career break during COVID and shift to full-time parenthood — as well as relocating from India to the U.S. How have you met these challenges head on, and learned to be creative and adapt to “unpredictable environments while staying resourceful?"

As a mom to three wonderful kids — my 11-year-old daughter and 6-year-old twins — I had already taken a career break to focus on our move from India to the U.S. and to ensure that my children had a strong foundation in a new country. Just then, COVID brought the world to a standstill, delaying our move and shifting our priorities to pure survival mode. Keeping my little ones safe was my focus, but amid the challenges, I also found clarity on what truly mattered and started planning for the future. 

I made it a point to keep learning and growing in new ways. From starting my fitness journey and baking from scratch to experimenting with social media marketing through a food blogging Instagram account, I explored how digital engagement and organic reach worked. Volunteering at PTSA events helped me make new friends with our new community.

Recently, my passion for art has reignited, and I’ve started volunteering for an India-based women-owned small business to help promote Indian artists and spread awareness about their work in the U.S. This experience has strengthened my passion for storytelling and cultural connection. 

Additionally, I will be volunteering for the PRSA Puget Sound Chapter on the Communications Committee, further aligning with my commitment to communication and community building.

Ultimately, this period of reflection and learning showed me that adaptability and creativity go hand in hand — whether in personal life, business or PR. Change is constant, but staying resourceful and embracing new opportunities is what truly drives growth.

Can you talk about what lessons you’ve learned from your children throughout this time that you’ve been home with them? What has parenting taught you that is applicable to your PR and employee comms work experience?

My kids are the toughest clients! They demand transparency, consistency, patience and, most of all, authentic reactions. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from them, it’s that communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you say it, when you say it and whether you truly listen. Just like crafting an internal message that resonates or developing a campaign that connects with an audience, impactful communication is key.

Kids are also the best negotiators you’ll ever meet! The same principles that work in PR and internal communications — understanding motivations, finding common ground and making people feel heard — apply to parenting as well. And yes, one golden rule remains the same in both worlds: Take a deep breath and stay calm under pressure. 

At the end of the day, both parenting and PR are about connection, trust and empathy. Whether managing a brand, an internal team or three very opinionated little humans, the goal is the same — building relationships based on understanding, respect and effective communication. After all, we’re all just humans seeking connection and trust!

How did you come to find PRSA and why did you decide to join the organization? Also, what’s your perspective of PRSA and the state of the industry as a new member, in a new country, looking for new opportunities?

While leading multiple sites and large teams, I realized that my responsibilities closely mirrored PR leadership — strategic communication, project planning, crisis management, stakeholder relations and people management, to name a few. 

I did my Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Black Belt from Indian Statistical Institute and QAI and now looked to formally recognize and refine the PR skills and that’s when I discovered PRSA. 

I was drawn to PRSA’s strong community of professionals, its wealth of resources for skill-building and the opportunity to engage with thought leaders across industries. From my very first email to Jillian Henze (director of  communications, PRSA Puget Sound) to my connecting with John Elsasser from PRSA, I have felt incredibly welcomed and supported. When you’re starting fresh in a new country, those small gestures make a big difference.

The PR community is evolving rapidly and I look forward to contributing, learning and collaborating with this incredible community while finding meaningful opportunities to grow within this dynamic field.

What do you think recent grads or new pros need to know for success in the real world?

Success in PR isn’t just about having great communication skills — it’s about being a strategic thinker, problem solver and lifelong learner. Stay curious, adaptable and consistent in your efforts, and never stop honing your craft!