Meet the PRSSA 2017–2018 National Committee
ANDREW COOK
National President
School: Brigham Young Uni-
versity
Hidden Talent: Cornhole
MARLEY VAWTER
Vice President of Chapter Development
School: Ball State University School: DePaul University
Hidden Talent: Telling stories Hidden Talent: Fantasy
Football
Goal for the term: To
continue to help each Chapter
foster relationships, and help
transition leaders by creating
more leadership transition
resources.
Goal for the term: To help
PRSSA become a more col-
laborative, global and socially
responsible Society.
Twitter: @adcook22
EMMA FINKBEINER
Immediate Past President
Goal for the term: To
leverage the PRSA/PRSSA
relationship to not only grow
membership and increase the
transition of students to the
professional Society, but also to
gain recognition of the work
done by both organizations.
Twitter: @MarleyRVawter
Twitter: @efink101
ALLYSON BERRY
Vice President of Member Services
School: Colorado State Uni-
versity
Hidden Talent: Eating large
pizzas in one sitting
Goal for the term: To end
the next year not only with
increased membership, but an
improved membership experi-
ence and heightened member
retention through outreach and
promotion of PRSSA benefits.
BRYAR KEYES
Vice President of Events and Fundraising
DEMI WOLFE
Vice President of Career Services
School: Missouri State University School: Univers ity of Florida
Hidden Talent: Archery Hidden Talent: Knitting
Goal for the term: To get
more schools involved in Regional
Conferences in their area and
across the country, strengthening
the Society and the passion for the
field. Goal for the term: To in-
crease the number of regional
and international internships
found on our bank to create
more opportunities for students
to have hands-on public rela-
tions experience.
Twitter: @BryarKeyes Twitter: @DemiWolfe62
Twitter: @allysonkberry
JACEY LYNN YONKE
Vice President of Digital Communication
ASHLEIGH KATHRYN WHITE
Vice President of Professional Development
ANDREW YOUNG
Vice President of External Affairs
School: University of Wiscon-
sin–Eau Claire School: University of South
Florida School: Middle Tennessee
State University
Hidden Talent: Theater
performing Hidden Talent: TV and
movie trivia Hidden Talent: Knitting
Goal for the term: To make
the Society more interactive by
creating video content, taking
further advantage of Snap-
chat and Facebook Live and
developing a Member Spotlight
Award. Goal for the term: To in-
crease the role of Student-run
Firms in PRSSA and provide
all students with an experience
that will compete with intern-
ships as a part of my D.R.I.V.E.
platform. Twitter: @JaCeyLynn_Y Twitter: @Ashleigh_K_W
Goal for the term: To grow
our international reach with a
strategic plan focusing on the
wants and needs of Chapters
outside of the United States.
Twitter: @andjyou
Lessons From and For Leaders: PRSSA 2017 National Assembly
BY YARA ISMAIL
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
Each year, delegates from
over 200 PRSSA Chapters from
all over the country gather to
make influential decisions about
the future of the Society as well
as elect a new National Com-
mittee for the upcoming year.
Attendees also engage in differ-
ent leadership training sessions
and networking opportunities
with professionals and peers.
This year’s National Assembly
was held in Seattle, Washington.
I was honored to be the DePaul
University PRSSA delegate. As
the incoming president-elect,
I was excited to attend differ-
ent leadership training sessions
that helped me brainstorm and
plan for my Chapter’s upcom-
ing year. The sessions showed
me that the Society is indeed a
community that is dedicated to
advancing the profession and
the professional.
In the first leadership session,
“Ethical Leadership: Using the
Code of Ethics to Inform Your
Leadership Style,” delegates re-
newed their commitment to eth-
ical leadership by discussing dif-
ferent challenges Chapters face
and how to practice upholding
the PRSA Code of Ethics. Eth-
ical leadership promotes trust
and transparency in Chapters
and helps the Chapter move for-
ward in all different situations.
4 WWW.PRSSA.PRSA.ORG/FORUM
In the second leadership ses-
sion, “Pitching Your Passion:
Advocating for PRSSA Through
Authentic Storytelling,” mem-
bers learned how to use the
method of storytelling to help
recruit and retain members in
the Society. Hearing everyone’s
unique PRSSA story helped me
understand that PRSSA has
helped everyone advance in dif-
ferent ways. Benefits differ from
year to year but the end goal of
advancing and networking re-
mains the same.
The weekend also entailed
the election of the National
Committee. The election pro-
cess had several dedicated and
qualified candidates who spoke
about their membership with
PRSSA and their dedication to
helping better the Society. It was
inspiring to meet so many mem-
bers who are more than willing
to volunteer their time and ef-
fort to the organization. The
election process was a learning
experience and I am so honored
to have taken part in selecting
those leading next year’s initia-
tives.
The weekend concluded
with a keynote address from Ty
Rogers, director of corporate
communications at Amazon.
Rogers explained the work cul-
ture at Amazon and his career
path from lawyer to public rela-
tions professional.
“Do what you say you’re go-
ing to do when you say you’re
going to do it,” said Rogers
about standing out in the work-
place. This stuck out to me be-
cause in a career full of dead-
lines, this simple piece of advice
could be the deciding factor in
career advancement in the fu-
ture. Sticking to your word and
working at deadlines is what
differentiates people and their
work ethic.
I feel so fortunate to have had
the opportunity to renew my
commitment to PRSSA and my
Chapter and I am looking for-
ward to leading in the upcoming
year.
SPRING 2017