2018-2019 PRSSA Kent Executive Board
President: Natalie Meek
Natalie is a senior public relations major with a marketing minor. This is her third year serving on the executive board of PRSSA Kent and she is excited to lead the chapter in its new and exciting ventures! Natalie was named PRSA Cleveland’s 2018 student of the year and is an active member of PRSSA’s National Chapter. She has worked as a marketing intern for Consolidus LLC in Akron, and Kent State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Natalie currently serves as the Digital Design Manager for Magistrate Natalie Haput’s Stark County campaign and is a Global Communications Intern for the financial technology company Diebold Nixdorf. Natalie is passionate about Northeast Ohio and hopes to stay in the area in a corporate media relations position after graduation. This year, Natalie is excited to work with younger PR students and share her enthusiasm for PRSSA Kent.
Connect with Natalie through email
Connect with Natalie through email
VP of Professional Relations: Abigail Winternitz
Abigail is a senior public relations major with a minor in public health. In her time at Kent State, Abigail has worked as a social media and journalism intern at Soapbox Cincinnati in the summer of 2016, worked as a public relations and marketing intern at Mercy Health in Cincinnati in the summer of 2017, and this past year worked as the Assistant Student Coordinator for the university’s faculty newsletter in the Kent State University Communications and Marketing Office. Currently, she is the Student Marketing Assistant at the Kent State College of Public Health. Abigail has also been involved in multiple student organizations at Kent State. She was the Spring 2017 nursing and public health beat reporter for the Kent Stater, the president of the School of Journalism’s Student Voice Team and has been involved with shows for both TV2 and Black Squirrel Radio. Currently, Abigail is the Marketing Director for Fusion, Kent State's LGBTQ magazine. Abigail is passionate for health communications and has had the opportunity to work on two public health-based PR campaigns. Abigail and a team of skilled PR students placed second in the nation in the 2018 PRSSA Bateman Competition, where they worked with the client With Purpose to create a campaign that focused on narrowing the preclinical gap in childhood cancer research. She also had the opportunity to work with the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention in Trumbull County, Ohio to reduce the stigma behind the use of naloxone (Narcan) to revive opioid misusers. When she graduates, Abigail wishes to continue to use her voice to advocate on behalf of those with debilitating health issues and health care inequities. Abigail is excited to see how our PRSSA chapter grows and evolves over the upcoming year and is determined to continue making PRSSA Kent a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive place for all Kent State students.
Connect with Abigail through email
Connect with Abigail through email
VP of Public Relations: Lauren Garcynzski
Lauren is a senior public relations major with a political science minor. Lauren has been a member of PRSSA since spring semester of her freshman year, and is thrilled to return to the e-board after serving as PRSSA Kent's secretary last year. She currently works at Flash Communications as a student worker where she researches and writes stories for the university and its publications. Lauren has interned in Washington, D.C. for the past two summers, most recently she served as a communications intern this summer at the NGO Women for Women International. Lauren is extremely passionate about film and politics and hopes to work in political communications or in the government after graduation. She is very excited to be part of PRSSA Kent for another year and is most looking forward to attending her second National Conference in Texas this October.
Connect with Lauren through email
Connect with Lauren through email
VP of Membership: Sarah Heber
Sarah is a senior Public Relations major who is excited for her last year at Kent State. She has previously worked as an intern for Flash Communications, an on-campus PR agency. Currently, she is interning at FedEx Custom Critical and has loved every second of the corporate lifestyle. With graduation right around the corner, Heber hopes to continue her education in graduate school and after grad school, she would love to settle into a communications director role for a larger corporation. Additionally, Heber has a passion for traveling the world. This past summer, she spent a month studying abroad in China and plans to keep seeing the rest of the world and would love to have a job that allows her to go global. Heber is excited to serve as VP of membership for a second year and hopes to further develop the PR Pals mentorship program. She believes that mentorships are a great way to build strong connections and make life-long friends.
Connect with Sarah through email
Connect with Sarah through email
VP of Fundraising and Community Outreach Co-Chair: Jenna Langan
Jenna is a senior public relations major with a marketing minor. When she’s not with PRSSA, she is either writing for Black Squirrel Radio or tutoring elementary schoolers after class through the America Reads, America Counts program. Jenna is very excited to help with this years silent auction and to attend her first national conference. In the future, Jenna is interested in taking her skills and talents into the music industry, but she is very open to other options and loves the diversity in the public relations industry.
Connect with Jenna through email
Connect with Jenna through email
VP of Fundraising and Community Outreach Co-Chair: Sam Ross
Samantha is a senior public relations major with a minor in sports administration. Sam has
been involved with PRSSA for four years now. Every year she looks forward to getting to know
everyone on the executive board and the new members. She recently had the opportunity to
intern at the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. While at this internship she worked the DI and DIII NCAA wrestling championships. This year, she is interning at Cleveland State University in the athletic department. After college, Sam plans on working in the sports field. In her free time, Sam likes go hiking and enjoys hanging out with her friends.
Connect with Samantha through email
been involved with PRSSA for four years now. Every year she looks forward to getting to know
everyone on the executive board and the new members. She recently had the opportunity to
intern at the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. While at this internship she worked the DI and DIII NCAA wrestling championships. This year, she is interning at Cleveland State University in the athletic department. After college, Sam plans on working in the sports field. In her free time, Sam likes go hiking and enjoys hanging out with her friends.
Connect with Samantha through email
Intercampus Liaison: Vanessa Gresley
Vanessa is a 3rd year public relations major with a minor in fashion media. She will be graduating in December of 2019. Vanessa studied fashion merchandising her first year at Kent State University. She has interned for Agentry PR, a fashion PR firm in New York City, and was a member of the National Organ Donation Awareness Competition team. Vanessa enjoys volunteering with Relay for Life and other disease related causes. She spends a lot of time outside and loves four wheeling and camping with friends. Vanessa is most excited for the experience of holding a position on the board for PRSSA. She has been a member for two years and is ready to take on a different role in the organization. She looks forward to the bonds she will form with the members and a great year to come.
Connect with Vanessa through email
Connect with Vanessa through email
Web and Social Media Manager: Hannah Wagner
Hannah is a senior public relations major minoring in marketing. She has been a part of PRSSA Kent since walking onto campus freshman year, holding a total of three officer positions. Currently, she is a community engagement intern at the Goodyear Headquarters in Akron, Ohio, and has held previous internships at Flash Communications, Allied Integrated Marketing and a local nonprofit, Rose-Mary. Hannah is excited to manage PRSSA Kent’s social media and website this year, gaining experience in content planning and creative digital media. In her free time, Hannah fosters cats from Paws and Prayers rescue in Akron, currently totaling 11 cats (so far). Hannah hopes to work in a corporate or non-profit setting after graduation, specifically in a position that betters the community and lives of those around her, such as community outreach, engagement or grants.
Connect with Hannah through email
Connect with Hannah through email
Secretary: Madison Brattoli
Madison is a senior public relations major with a minor in marketing. She is involved in various organizations such as Undergraduate Student Government, Alpha Phi Omega, Black Squirrel Radio, TV2 and serves as a Student Service Leader. Madison is excited to attend National Conference this year and build strong relationships within PRSSA. Madison wishes to follow her passion for music and entertainment after she graduates; her dream is to work at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Connect with Madison through email
Connect with Madison through email
Treasurer: Sophia Iannelli
Sophia Iannelli is a sophomore public relations major from Cincinnati, Ohio. This is her second year as a member of PRSSA Kent and Sophia is very excited to serve as Treasurer! This is also her second year serving on the PRSSA Board; she served as the editor for the bi-weekly newsletter, prior to her current position. One of the things Sophia is most looking forward to is the trip to PRSSA National Conference in Austin, Texas. She is extremely excited to work with the Board to make the 2018-2019 year one of PRSSA Kent’s best! Sophia has aspirations of working in corporate or entertainment public relations in the future. Outside of Kent State, Sophia’s two cats, Salem and Sullivan, are her pride and joy.
Connect with Sophia through email
Connect with Sophia through email
Editor: Alexandria Viano
Alexandria Viano is a sophomore public relations major, from Youngstown, Ohio. During her first year as a member of PRSSA, she knew she wanted to become as involved as possible after attending her first meeting! Alexandria is looking forward to being a part of the 2019 National Organ Donation Awareness Competition team to gain campaign building experience. She hopes to continue to build connections and friendships with the members, while sharing her passion for public relations! In her free time, Alexandria loves doing yoga and spending time with her dog, Nestlee.
Connect with Alexandria through email
Connect with Alexandria through email
Special Event Coordinator: Katie Pavlick
Katie is a senior public relations major with a marketing minor. Katie spent the past semester in Orlando where she took part in the Disney College Program. This summer, her passion for entertainment continued when she interned for Allied Integrated Marketing, where she promoted movies in the Cleveland area. This semester, Katie is most excited for the PRSSA Kent 50th Anniversary event and can’t wait to create more amazing friendships. After she graduates, she would like to pursue public relations in the film industry and travel.
Connect with Katie through email |
Photo credit: Allison Ewing
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 Communications Specialist at thunder::tech. 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. 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. 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.
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.
