Minnesota PRSA

Jump to a committee:
» Accreditation Committee
» Business Community Outreach Committee
» Career Center Committee
» Classics Committee
» Internal and External Communications Committee
» Membership Committee
» Professional Development and Networking Committee
» Student Relations Committee
Interested in joining a committee?
» Learn more about joining a committee
» Join a committee

Accreditation Committee

This committee promotes APR as a mark of distinction for members and recruitment/HR professionals, motivates non-APR chapter members to prepare for the APR exam, coaches and mentors APR candidates, and assists chapter members in preparing for the accreditation (APR) exam and the readiness review.

Volunteer opportunities!
  The Accreditation Committee is actively seeking 2-3 volunteers to help prepare candidates for APR Readiness Review and study sessions. Please e-mail Anne Hendricks at ahendri2@fairview.org if you’d like more information.
  The Accreditation Committee is also actively seeking accredited members to help coach and mentor candidates through the exam and readiness review process. Please contact the board liaison to volunteer today!

» back to top

 

Director

Kelli Harms, APR, Winnebago Industries, Inc.
641-585-6731

Accreditation Promotions/Marketing Chair

Betsy Anderson, Ph.D., APR, University of St. Thomas
651-962-5258

Accreditation Study Sessions and Readiness Review Chair

Patty Hoffman, APR, Padilla Speer Beardsley
612-455-1700

Business Community Outreach Committee

The Business Community Outreach Committee assists the chapter’s committees and board in promoting the role of public relations and PRSA in the business community. The committee works to increase participation in and understanding of Minnesota PRSA’s programs and services among public relations professionals.

» back to top

 

Director

Melanie Boulay Becker, APR, Boulay Becker Communications
612-381-9554

Chair

Heather Schwartz, APR, Weber Shandwick
952-346-6508

Career Center Committee

The Career Center team assists professionals in finding new or different career opportunities. The team works to create a list of professional job listings valuable to the public relations professional. Career Center also works with employers who wish to list jobs to the MNPRSA.com site. Additionally, the team looks for internship and volunteer opportunities to include through the Career Center. The Career Center committee also works closely with other Minnesota PRSA committees to communicate and host events surrounding career opportunities.

To volunteer for the Career Center Committee, please contact the board liaison.

» back to top

 

Director

Kelli Harms, APR, Winnebago Industries, Inc.
641-585-6731

Co-Chairs

Susan Beatty, Bremer Financial Services
651-312-3547

Sarah Chapin-Cothran, The Sage Group, Inc.
612-321-9897

Classics and Awards Committee

The Classics Committee recognizes Minnesota communications professionals for excellence in public relations through the annual PRSA Classics awards. The committee promotes interaction and learning among PRSA membership through judging opportunities, award entry preparation events, and the annual Classics awards banquet.

Contact the board liaison to become part of this phenomenal team!

» back to top

 

Director

Anna Lewicki Long, APR, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
651-757-1536

Co-Chair

Angie Gassett, Weber Shandwick
952-346-6210

Internal and External Communications Committee

The Communications Committee assures Minnesota PRSA members up-to-date information on all chapter initiatives, news and events. The committee is responsible for the content and distribution of the chapter’s three main communication vehicles and media relations related to chapter programming:

  • PRSA Link bi-monthly e-mail
  • PRSA Quarterly newsletter
  • www.mnprsa.com chapter Web site

Click here to see past issues of PRSA Quarterly.

» back to top

 

Director

Tracy Carlson, APR, Padilla Speer Beardsley
612-455-1717

Co-Chairs

Lisa Grimm, The Sales Board/Action Selling
612-695-8443

Kasey Skala, Interactive Revolution
952-373-1240

Leads

Media Relations Lead

Laudan Sakizadeh, Padilla Speers Beardsley
612-455-1700

Social Media Lead

Christian Betancourt
612-964-8477

Website Lead

Shandra Wendorff, Best Buy
612-291-6583

Editors

Link Editor

Alyssa Atkins, Weber Shandwick
952-346-6327

PRSA Quarterly Co-Editors

Chelsea DeSousa, Carmichael Lynch Spong
612-375-8502

Melissa Neill, Risdall McKinney
651-286-6736

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee serves as the primary point of contact for members and prospective members. The committee works to broaden the membership of Minnesota PRSA by reaching out to public relations professionals and recent public relations graduates who are currently not members of PRSA. The core focus areas include:

  • Current member retention programs
  • Special programs for new members to help them understand chapter opportunities
  • Mentor program to connect experienced PRSA members with new professionals.
  • Special recognition programs for our 20+ year veteran members

» back to top

 

Director

Arik C. Hanson, APR, ACH Communications
612-875-2979

Co-Chairs

Laura Kaslow, Luther Seminary
651-641-3451

Sarah Stakston, APR, Weber Shandwick
952-346-6303

Professional Development and Networking Committee

The Professional Development and Networking Committee develops rock-solid programming, skill development, and networking opportunities. This committee is dedicated to programming that helps professionals stay ahead of the latest trends, hear experts in related fields and prepares professionals for the future of our profession. The committee is responsible for the planning and successful execution of the following events:

  • Core Training (monthly luncheon meetings)
  • Roundtables (breakfast roundtables for the mid- to senior-level practitioner)
  • Meet & Mingle Networking Events (after-5:00pm socializing in an informal setting)
  • Professional Practices Conference (the signature, all-day PD event of the year)
  • Ethics Summit (a half-day programming event focused on ethics in our profession)

» back to top

 

 

Director

Anna Lewicki Long, APR, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
651-757-1536

Core Training/Friday Roundtables/Meet & Mingle Wednesdays Co-Chairs

Jason Sprenger, APR, Xiotech Corporation
952-983-3110

Erica Dao, Mall of America
952-883-8805

Alphabet Bash Chair

Heather Schwartz, APR, Weber Shandwick
952-346-6508

2010 Professional Practices Conference Co-Chairs

Joey Lomicky, Padilla Speer Beardsley
612-455-1734

Jolina Pettice, Top Rank Marketing

Student Relations Committee

The Student Relations Committee supports 11 Minnesota-affiliated Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters. The committee helps students learn more about the profession and PRSA, as well as prepare for a career in public relations, by providing opportunities for students to interact with professionals and network with potential employers and gain experience in the field.

Minnesota-affiliated Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters:

  • Minnesota (7): St. Cloud State University, Minnesota State University - Moorhead, Minnesota State University - Mankato, Winona State University, Metro State University, University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas
  • North Dakota (2): North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota
  • South Dakota (1): Augustana College
  • Wisconsin (1): University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

» back to top

 

 

Director

Leah Otto, MBC, APR, Leah Otto PR
612-860-0060

Co-Chairs

Stephanie Woodstrom, Padilla Speer Beardsley
612-455-1722

Chris Reese, Ameriprise Financial
612-678-5410