National Professional Adviser
Katie Thomas, APR
A career involving words was always in the cards for Katie Thomas, APR.
At age 3, she picked up a marker and wrote a story on her parent’s freshly painted walls.
Now, she uses the power of words in her job as senior manager of population health marketing at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she provides strategic counsel on community wellness and behavioral health initiatives. She also oversees content development and strategy for The Kids Mental Health Foundation, created by Nationwide Children’s. In addition, Katie is a lecturer at The Ohio State University in the School of Communication.
Katie’s history with PRSA began in college. Since then, she has served as the chair of the National PRSA Young Professional Mentor Program and guided or volunteered with multiple committees and the board for Central Ohio PRSA. She served as president of Central Ohio PRSA in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within 10 days of the statewide shutdown, she had worked with the Board to pivot programming to a virtual format. Other noteworthy achievements during her tenure are revising the bylaws to include a permanent Diversity & Inclusion Officer on the Board and hosting a two-track virtual conference. For her commitment to PRSA, she received the Central Ohio PRSA Walt Seifert Award for Outstanding Service.
Katie is dedicated to student and professional development and giving back to her community. She mentors young professionals and high school and college students and speaks at high schools and colleges while also volunteering for various organizations. She has been recognized for her professional and community commitment by getting inducted into the 2020 PRSSA Hall of Fame, receiving the prestigious Central Ohio PRSA Tom Poling Practitioner of the Year and being named to Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40.
Katie received her bachelor’s from Otterbein University and her master’s from The Ohio State University. She also has her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). In her free time, she loves traveling, watching musicals and teaching Spinning classes.
Contact
- National President
- Immediate Past President
- Vice President of Belonging, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Vice President of Brand Engagement
- Vice President of Career Services
- Vice President of Chapter Development
- Vice President of Digital Communications
- Vice President of Events and Fundraising
- Vice President of Member Services
- Vice President of Professional Development
- National Faculty Adviser
- National Professional Adviser
- PRSA Senior Vice President of Programming
- PRSA Board Liaison, Patricia Alvarenga Smith, APR