2019-2020 PRSSA Kent Executive Board
Photo credit: Allison Ewing Photography
President - Sophia Iannelli
Sophia Iannelli is a junior public relations major from Cincinnati, Ohio. This is her third year as a member of PRSSA Kent and Sophia is very excited to serve as Chapter president! This is also her third year serving on the PRSSA Executive Board; she served as the editor and treasurer prior to this position. She was a member of the National Organ Donation Awareness Competition team in 2018 and was an advisor for the 2019 team. Sophia is the Marketing and Promotions manager for Kent State Student Media and was named Cleveland PRSA’s 2019 Student of the Year. Occasionally, she does freelance graphic design work for the Deerfield Township Parks and Recreation department. After attending the 2019 PRSA National Assembly in April, Sophia is excited to take what she’s learned to work with the board and general members to continue to improve the chapter. Sophia has aspirations of working in corporate or entertainment public relations in the future.
Connect with Sophia through email.
Connect with Sophia through email.
VP of Professional Relations - Jill Golden
Jill Golden is a senior public relations major with a marketing minor. She joined PRSSA her sophomore year and is excited to serve on the board for her final year at Kent State! She was a member of the National Organ Donation Awareness Competition team this past spring semester. She enjoyed the conversation about organ donation on campus. She previously worked as an event planner at Sky Zone Trampoline Park for 3 years, but now works at Eaton Corporation in Beachwood, Ohio as an intern with the Community Affairs team. With this position, she helps organize different volunteer events for Eaton employees. Jill is passionate about doing work that benefits deserving people, which is why she loves her current internship and hopes to do something similar to it in her future. Jill is looking forward to helping to mentor young PR students with this new leadership role in PRSSA.
Connect with Jill through email.
Connect with Jill through email.
VP of Membership - Alexandria Viano
Ally Viano is a junior applied communications studies major with a public relations minor from Youngstown, Ohio. This is her second year as a member of PRSSA. She has previously served on the executive board as the editor, and was also a member of the National Organ Donor Awareness Competition team. Ally has loved all the skills she has strengthened through her involvement in PRSSA, as well as all the bonds she has formed with previous and current members. Ally hopes to continue building strong connections with current PRSSA members, while inspiring new members to strive to make meaningful connections of their own. Additionally, Ally loves to travel but will always be passionate about her home in Northeast Ohio. Outside of KSU, Ally enjoys doing yoga, drinking coffee, and snuggling with her dog, Nestlee and her cat, Stella.
Connect with Ally through email.
Connect with Ally through email.
Web and Social Media Manager - Samantha Farland
Samantha Farland is a junior public relations major with a minor in marketing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is her third year as a member of PRSSA. With this being her first year on the executive board, Sam is excited to bring creative and interactive elements to the Web and Social Media Manager position. This past summer, Sam was an intern for Heritage Valley Health System and the lead social media promoter for KentWired. She is currently the PR and Social Media Assistant for the College of Business Administration. She also has a passion for environmentalism and serves as treasurer for Kent State's Environmental Society. Sam hopes to pursue work at a PR agency after graduating to expand upon her skills and experience. In the future, she hopes to one day make an impact with public relations by doing work for a purpose driven or ethically aware company.
Connect with Sam through email.
Connect with Sam through email.
Secretary - Margaret Baah
Margaret Baah is a senior public relations major with a marketing minor. She is originally from Ghana, but lives with her family in Columbus, Ohio. She joined PRSSA Kent in Fall semester of her junior year. Margaret is excited to join the executive board this year and hopes to make a contribution to the organization as well as expand upon her leadership skills.
Connect with Margaret through email.
Connect with Margaret through email.
Treasurer - Leah Marxen
Leah Marxen is a senior public relations major with a marketing minor. Leah is excited to be a part of the PRSSA e-board. Currently, Leah works for Flash Communications in the University Communications and Marketing department. Previously, Leah also worked as a marketing strategy student worker for that department. This past summer, Leah interned with the Ballroom at Park Lane Villa as an event coordinator assistant. In this position, Leah helped coordinate multiple weddings and bridal showers at the venue in Cleveland. Leah would ideally love to work in a public relations role in the entertainment or events industry.
Connect with Leah through email.
Connect with Leah through email.
Special Event Coordinator - Jada Miles
Jada Miles is junior public relations major with a marketing minor from Canton, Ohio. This is her first year serving on the board for PRSSA. Jada was the director of Public Relations for the Kent State chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and is now the Vice President. She is also a CCI student ambassador. Jada is very excited to be more involved with PRSSA and hopes to provide a great experience to students with events this year. Jada hopes to work in entertainment or nonprofit PR after graduating.
Connect with Jada through email. VP of Fundraising and Community Outreach - Kayla Polansky |
Kayla Polansky is a freshman Public Relations major and will soon be declaring a minor in Fashion Media. Kayla is from Olmsted Falls, Ohio. This is her first year joining PRSSA and she is super excited to be on the board! Serving on the board has helped her gain useful skills and become involved early on at Kent State. Kayla hopes to engage the Chapter more with the community as well as raise money for Akron Children’s Hospital at Flashathon. She also plans to serve on the YouToo Social Media Conference Planning committee this semester. Outside of PRSSA, Kayla loves to go to the gym, travel and spend time with her family and dog. She is excited about the upcoming semester and is hoping to bring fresh ideas to the Chapter.
Connect with Kayla through email.
Connect with Kayla through email.
VP of Communications - Zach Zdanowicz
Zach Zdanowicz is a sophomore public relations major with a minor in fashion media from Olmsted Falls. This is his first year being involved with PRSSA and he is excited to see what this semester brings as VP of Communications. Zach will be participating on Kent State’s team for the National Organ Donation Awareness Campaign this semester. He also works on campus as a residence assistant in Prentice and Dunbar Halls. Outside of school, he enjoys his job as the men's department lead at Old Navy. He hopes to one day continue his work in the world of retail and work in the corporate fashion sector of PR.
Connect with Zach through email.
Connect with Zach through email.
Faculty Adviser: Michele E. Ewing, APR
Michele Ewing, APR has more than 15 years experience in agency and corporate public relations. Before joining the Kent State faculty, Michele was a vice president at Marcus Thomas LLC, an advertising and public relations agency in Cleveland and Youngstown. During her 12-year tenure at Marcus Thomas, Michele played an active role in the management and growth of the public relations division with emphasis on the division's healthcare, internal and marketing public relations communications practices. Prior to Marcus Thomas, Michele worked for two Ohio hospitals.
Under her direction, PRSSA Kent has won six national PRSSA Teahan awards and numerous Kent State Student Involvement honors.
Michele teaches PR Campaigns, Public Relations Tactics and Principles of Public Relations courses. During the spring semester 2012, Michele co-taught the new Global Advertising and Public Relations course, which included a two-week study abroad experience in London.
Michele's research interests include internal communications, social media, student engagement and career preparation.
Follow Michele on Twitter @meewing, connect with her on Linkedin or email her.
Under her direction, PRSSA Kent has won six national PRSSA Teahan awards and numerous Kent State Student Involvement honors.
Michele teaches PR Campaigns, Public Relations Tactics and Principles of Public Relations courses. During the spring semester 2012, Michele co-taught the new Global Advertising and Public Relations course, which included a two-week study abroad experience in London.
Michele's research interests include internal communications, social media, student engagement and career preparation.
Follow Michele on Twitter @meewing, connect with her on Linkedin or email her.
Professional Adviser: Carrie Ann Kandes
Carrie Kandes is a public relations (PR) and marketing communications leader with more than 20 years of in-house and agency experience. Adept in relationship cultivation and team building, she is skilled across public relations sub-disciplines, has expertise in brand development and has led integrated marketing communications campaigns and teams. During her career, Carrie has worked with both consumer and business-to-business brands in the healthcare, financial, manufacturing, nonprofit, security and transportation segments.
Carrie is currently the director of marketing for the Youngstown and Lorain regions of Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio. In this field leadership role, Carrie drives strategies to enhance the reputation of and drive patient volumes for the system within Northeast Ohio. Her responsibilities include leading region-specific marketing planning and execution, focused on activities that effectively position and differentiate Mercy Health; strengthen audiences’ connection to the brand; drive reputation for quality; and increase awareness, consideration and preference.
Prior to her tenure with Mercy Health, Carrie spent a decade in agency leadership, including ownership of her own consultancy, as well as serving as the vice president and associate director of PR for Cleveland’s Marcus Thomas. She built effective programs, delivered strategic counsel, advised leaders and positioned brands for clients including Akron Children’s Hospital; Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems; Diebold, Incorporated; FirstLight® Home Care; Lifebanc; Nestlé Waters North America; Shearer’s Foods; Sherwin-Williams; Technology Management, Inc.; Volvo Group Trucks North America; Westfield Group; and WKSU. During the first half of her career, Carrie served in various public relations and marcom roles with organizations including Diebold and Summa Health System.
Carrie is a Kent State University (KSU) alumnus and has been an adjunct professor in the university’s PR sequence. She is a frequent guest lecturer and currently a professional adviser for the KSU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Carrie served as the president of the organization’s Akron-Area Chapter and a director for the Greater Cleveland Chapter. In 2012, she was recognized for her work mentoring students and young professionals with the Greater Cleveland PRSA Davis Young Award. A graduate of Leadership Akron (Class XXVI), Carrie was named one of Akron’s “30 for the Future” by the Greater Akron Chamber. She has been active in the community, most recently serving on the Leadership Akron Marketing and Brand Task Force and as a member of the Emerging Leaders Board of Akron Children’s Hospital.
Professional Adviser: Shantae Rollins
Shantae Rollins is a Content Marketing Supervisor at nVent. Shantae was an active PRSSA member at Kent, serving as VP of Professional Relations, competing in the 2009 PRSSA Bateman Competition and attending two national conferences.
Previously, she was a Public Relations Specialist at Point to Point, Inc., Communications Strategist at thunder::tech and served as the Coordinator for Outreach and Marketing for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. She led marketing and alumni outreach efforts for the School and serves as the managing editor of the JMC alumni magazine, JARGON.
Before coming back to Kent State, Shantae worked as a public relations executive for Brunner, a full-service advertising agency located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she provided strategic public relations counsel to a variety of consumer packaged goods clients. Prior to joining Brunner, she was a public relations specialist for InfoCision Management Corporation in Akron
In her spare time, she travels, reads chick-lit and completes DIY projects and spends time with her bunny, Mr. Bugs.
You can connect with Shantae on LinkedIn.
Previously, she was a Public Relations Specialist at Point to Point, Inc., Communications Strategist at thunder::tech and served as the Coordinator for Outreach and Marketing for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. She led marketing and alumni outreach efforts for the School and serves as the managing editor of the JMC alumni magazine, JARGON.
Before coming back to Kent State, Shantae worked as a public relations executive for Brunner, a full-service advertising agency located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she provided strategic public relations counsel to a variety of consumer packaged goods clients. Prior to joining Brunner, she was a public relations specialist for InfoCision Management Corporation in Akron
In her spare time, she travels, reads chick-lit and completes DIY projects and spends time with her bunny, Mr. Bugs.
You can connect with Shantae on LinkedIn.
Professional Adviser: Allison Ewing
Allison Ewing is a wedding and lifestyle photographer in Cleveland and a 200-hour registered yoga teacher. She spent the first six years of her career working at a digital marketing agency before pursuing entrepreneurship.
As a proud PR Kent Alumna, Allison has been advising PRSSA Kent for the past five years. She was an active member during her time at Kent State and served as VP of Fundraising and President.
Outside of photography and teaching yoga, Allison can be found exploring Northeast Ohio with her husband and their chocolate lab, Bogart.
Follow Allison on Instagram @allisonewingphotography and connect with her on LinkedIn.
As a proud PR Kent Alumna, Allison has been advising PRSSA Kent for the past five years. She was an active member during her time at Kent State and served as VP of Fundraising and President.
Outside of photography and teaching yoga, Allison can be found exploring Northeast Ohio with her husband and their chocolate lab, Bogart.
Follow Allison on Instagram @allisonewingphotography and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Professional Adviser: Stephanie Duffy
Stephanie Duffy is a Marketing Specialist at nVent for the nVent CADDY brand. Prior to working for the manufacturer, she worked in the agency world gaining experience in writing, media relations, strategic public relations, social media planning, event planning and project management. She has worked with clients in several practice areas and industries including building products, Northeast Ohio non-profits and entertainment. Stephanie is a 2011 Kent State University and PRKent graduate, where she served as President of the Kent State PRSSA Chapter and was part of the 2010 Bateman team. Since graduation, she has served on several boards including AAF-Akron, PRSA Akron and the Akron Zoo’s Summer Safari fundraiser. Stephanie lives in Cleveland with her husband and her pet rabbits, Penelope and Einstein. As an overly-obsessed soccer fan, she can be found at a soccer game with her husband on any given weekend.
Stephanie can be found on Twitter at @stephaniemduffy and LinkedIn.
Stephanie can be found on Twitter at @stephaniemduffy and LinkedIn.
Professional Advisor: Sheila Vandergriff
Sheila Vandergriff is a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio. She has over 20 years of nonprofit communications, development and public relations experience working with independent organizations, in higher education and in healthcare. With a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University, she began writing engineering reports for a global manufacturer. Afterwards, she worked at a nonprofit organization where she wrote grants, cultivated partnerships and developed educational programs.
Sheila joined the Hiram College development department assuming responsibility for leadership giving, student projects and cross-country events. She then transitioned to Summa Health System where she built the fundraising communications platform for the Foundation and formulated publications.
With a passion for animal welfare, Sheila returned to an independent nonprofit as the executive director. It was a chance to provide direction, to use her expertise and to be part of an exceptional group of people dedicated to helping animals in need. It also led to collaboration with civic leaders, law enforcement and other animal welfare agencies.
Today, Sheila is the Director of Development at Glenbeigh, a Cleveland Clinic affiliate specialty hospital. She is responsible for internal and external communications, website development and management, social media oversight as well as fundraising and development functions. Sheila teaches ADA Title III compliance and oversees the community benefit initiatives for the organization.
Sheila holds a master’s degree from Kent State University in Journalism, Mass Communications and Public Relations. She’s served on various boards and is a graduate of Leadership Portage County. Outside of work, Sheila travels, enjoys photography and gardening, and is an avid genealogist.
Sheila joined the Hiram College development department assuming responsibility for leadership giving, student projects and cross-country events. She then transitioned to Summa Health System where she built the fundraising communications platform for the Foundation and formulated publications.
With a passion for animal welfare, Sheila returned to an independent nonprofit as the executive director. It was a chance to provide direction, to use her expertise and to be part of an exceptional group of people dedicated to helping animals in need. It also led to collaboration with civic leaders, law enforcement and other animal welfare agencies.
Today, Sheila is the Director of Development at Glenbeigh, a Cleveland Clinic affiliate specialty hospital. She is responsible for internal and external communications, website development and management, social media oversight as well as fundraising and development functions. Sheila teaches ADA Title III compliance and oversees the community benefit initiatives for the organization.
Sheila holds a master’s degree from Kent State University in Journalism, Mass Communications and Public Relations. She’s served on various boards and is a graduate of Leadership Portage County. Outside of work, Sheila travels, enjoys photography and gardening, and is an avid genealogist.
