Fall 2021 Executive Board Applications
2021-2022 PRSSA Kent Executive Board
Photo credit: Allison Ewing Photography
President - Zach Zdanowicz
Zach Zdanowicz is a senior public relations major with minors in fashion media and marketing from Olmsted Falls, OH. Zach has been on the PRSSA Kent executive board for three years and has previously served as the VP of Communications and VP of Membership. This year, he will be serving as the Chapter President and is excited to continue to connect KSU students of all majors with PRSSA. This past summer, he worked as the Product & Retail Media Intern for Arborwear. Zach also enjoys his job as the senior lead of women's 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.
VP of Professional Relations - Kayla Polansky
Kayla Polansky is a junior Public Relations major at Kent State University. Kayla is from Olmsted Falls, Ohio. This is her third year being involved in Kent PRSSA! Serving as VicePresident of Professional Relations Kayla hopes to bring in diverse and entertaining speakers for all members of the organization. Outside of PRSSA, Kayla enjoys going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. She is super excited about the upcoming semester and is hoping to bring new ideas to the organization.
Connect with Kayla through email.
Connect with Kayla through email.
VP of Membership - Camryn Stephens
Camryn is a senior public relations major with a minor in criminology from Brecksville, Ohio. This is her second year as a member of PRSSA and her first year serving on the e-board. In her role as VP of Membership, she hopes to create an engaging and fun environment for current members. In addition to this, she hopes to plan and take part in numerous events and to give future members an opportunity to see how PRSSA can be a part of their college careers. Along with participation in PRSSA, Camryn holds the role of VP of Recruitment and Retention for the Panhellenic Council on campus, where her role is to plan sorority recruitment as well as events to raise awareness and retention for the Panhellenic community. She hopes to take what she has learned from this role and use the skills she’s learned throughout her position on PRSSA’s e-board.
Connect with Camryn through email.
Connect with Camryn through email.
VP of Communication - Troy Heatwole
Troy Heatwole, is the VP of Communications for PRSSA Kent. Troy is a Junior public relations major with a minor in marketing. Troy has been a member for two years and was the treasurer for the 2020-2021 school year. Troy is from State College, Pennsylvania. In his spare time he enjoys getting outside and exercising. Troy is excited for a normal and active year in PRSSA.
Connect with Troy through email.
Connect with Troy through email.
VP of Fundraising and Community Outreach - Madison Goerl
Madison is a sophomore public relations major with public health minor from Pittsburgh, PA. This is her second year in PRSSA and her first on the executive board. She is a Student Success Leader and hopes to participate in other campus leadership positions in the future. Madison enjoys cooking, weightlifting, and working at her local nursing home. Post graduation, Madison hopes to work in crisis communication and healthcare. Her dream job is working as healthcare PR professional promoting organ donation awareness through campaign work.
Connect with Madison through email.
Connect with Madison through email.
Special Event Coordinator - Ray Bukhari
Ray is a senior public relations major. Ray currently serves as the Special Event Coordinator on the board of the Kent State PRSSA Chapter. In this role, Ray is the student chair for the 2021 YouToo Digital Strategies Conference, assisting with conference planning and promotion Ray also has honed his communication and leadership skills through his involvement as an officer for the Kent State Saudi Students Association and Kent State student media. Most recently, Ray began an internship at a nonprofit organization and is working on media relations and social media projects to support the organization’s mission of inspiring others to make promises that better humanity. After graduation Ray hopes in corporate or government public relations.
Connect with Ray through email. Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion- Izzy Stewart |
Izzy is a senior public relations major and media advocacy minor from Elyria, Ohio. This is her second year as a member of PRSSA Kent and her first year serving on the executive board. Outside of PRSSA, Izzy spends her time advocating for different progressive movements, issues and organizations. She also leads her own initiative to register people to vote and educate them about their voting rights. Izzy hopes to help mission driven organizations through storytelling and content creation post graduation.
Connect with Izzy through email.
Connect with Izzy through email.
Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion- Joyleah Odom
Joyleah Odom is a senior public relations major from Mansfield, Ohio. This year will be her first semester serving on the PRSSA board, and she is excited to co-position the new role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She hopes that her time serving on the PRSSA board will build connections while also strengthening her pr skills. Outside of school, Joyleah enjoys volunteer work in her community, reading, and spending time with her family.
Connect with Joyleah through email.
Connect with Joyleah through email.
Web and Social Media Manager - Hannah Mayer
Hannah is a senior at Kent State University studying public relations and minoring in marketing. Hannah grew up in Medina, Ohio, just a short drive to Kent State. This year, Hannah will take on the role of social media manager for PRSSA Kent. After being alongside a team that received honorable mention for the national PR Bateman competition, she’s excited for the opportunities that will come with this upcoming academic year. Along with PR, Hannah is passionate about music, coffee, and travel. Upon graduating, she hopes to use these passions to spring towards a career in the music industry, wherever that position might take her.
Connect with Hannah through email.
Hannah is a senior at Kent State University studying public relations and minoring in marketing. Hannah grew up in Medina, Ohio, just a short drive to Kent State. This year, Hannah will take on the role of social media manager for PRSSA Kent. After being alongside a team that received honorable mention for the national PR Bateman competition, she’s excited for the opportunities that will come with this upcoming academic year. Along with PR, Hannah is passionate about music, coffee, and travel. Upon graduating, she hopes to use these passions to spring towards a career in the music industry, wherever that position might take her.
Connect with Hannah through email.
Chapter Account Executive- Ashley Blood
Ashley is a senior public relations major and marketing minor from Louisville, Ohio. This is her second year as a member of PRSSA Kent and her first year serving on the e-board. She originally joined PRSSA for the opportunity to strengthen her PR skills and meet like-minded people and professionals in the PR field, and she couldn't be more excited to continue that and become even more involved through her position as secretary. Additionally, she participated in the 2021 National Bateman Case Study competition where her team earned Honorable Mention for their campaign focused on promoted civility in public discourse. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys all things music and hanging out with friends. After graduation next spring Ashley hopes to pursue a career as a PR professional in the music and entertainment industries."
Connect with Ashley through email.
Ashley is a senior public relations major and marketing minor from Louisville, Ohio. This is her second year as a member of PRSSA Kent and her first year serving on the e-board. She originally joined PRSSA for the opportunity to strengthen her PR skills and meet like-minded people and professionals in the PR field, and she couldn't be more excited to continue that and become even more involved through her position as secretary. Additionally, she participated in the 2021 National Bateman Case Study competition where her team earned Honorable Mention for their campaign focused on promoted civility in public discourse. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys all things music and hanging out with friends. After graduation next spring Ashley hopes to pursue a career as a PR professional in the music and entertainment industries."
Connect with Ashley through email.
YouToo Student Chair- Brady Warmbein
Brady is a senior public relations major with marketing and photography minors from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is his fourth year as a member of PRSSA Kent and his first year serving on the executive board. Brady previously worked on the 2021 Bateman Competition, which aimed to address how to promote civility in American society. Brady is the upcoming Assistant Coordinator at Flash Communications, and he also serves on the Student Media Board as the undergraduate representative for the School of Media and Journalism. In his free time, Brady plays volleyball, skis and enjoys hanging out with his friends. After graduation Spring 2022, Brady plans to pursue a career in the digital sector of public relations, whether that is digital marketing, social media advertising or content creation.
Connect with Brady through email.
Brady is a senior public relations major with marketing and photography minors from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is his fourth year as a member of PRSSA Kent and his first year serving on the executive board. Brady previously worked on the 2021 Bateman Competition, which aimed to address how to promote civility in American society. Brady is the upcoming Assistant Coordinator at Flash Communications, and he also serves on the Student Media Board as the undergraduate representative for the School of Media and Journalism. In his free time, Brady plays volleyball, skis and enjoys hanging out with his friends. After graduation Spring 2022, Brady plans to pursue a career in the digital sector of public relations, whether that is digital marketing, social media advertising or content creation.
Connect with Brady 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.
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 served 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 cooks, reads psychological thrillers and completes DIY projects.
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 served 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 cooks, reads psychological thrillers and completes DIY projects.
You can connect with Shantae 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.
