PRSA Philadelphia 2017 Board of Directors Ballot

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Thank you for your nominations for the 2017 PRSA Philadelphia Board of Directors. Based on your nominations, we have compiled the below ballot. Please read the candidates running for each elected position and mark your vote accordingly. Voting will close on December 2 at 5 p.m. Thank you for voting!

Question Title

* 1. President

Kimberly Nissen
Public Relations Manager
Siemens Healthineers

Kim Nissen is a Public Relations Manager at Siemens Healthineers where she plans, develops, implements and coordinates global media relations activities for the company's Laboratory Diagnostics and Point of Care Diagnostics product portfolios. Kim is seeking re-election for president and has held several PRSA Philly board positions, including president-elect, treasurer and secretary, in addition to serving on various chapter committees. She received the 2014 President’s Award for volunteerism, leadership and contributions to the chapter. Kim graduated from Rowan University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and a minor in journalism.

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* 2. Vice President

Rosie Braude
Assistant Director, Office of Media & Public Relations
Rowan University

A graduate of Rowan University’s public relations bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, Rosie Braude has worked at Rowan for seven years. As the Office of Media & Public Relations assistant director, she organizes, plans and runs key University events including Rowan’s Commencement Week ceremonies; manages various projects, such as updating the University’s profiles and fact sheets, distributing mass emails through Constant Contact and iModules and collaborating on Rowan’s traditional and digital marketing efforts; maintains the University’s LinkedIn accounts and news Twitter handle; and serves as the adviser to Rowan’s yearbook.

While a student, Rosie was heavily involved in Rowan’s PRSSA chapter. She currently is serving her second term as vice president of PRSA Philadelphia after two years on the chapter’s programming committee (serving as chair in 2014) where she planned professional development and networking events.

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* 3. Secretary

Stephanie Byrwa
Public Relations Manager
Shriners Hospitals for Children-Philadelphia

Stephanie Byrwa is skilled in non-profit healthcare communications. She joined Shriners Hospitals for Children-Philadelphia as an intern 10 years ago, grew her career with various opportunities and, today, is the public relations manager of the hospital. In her role, she manages hospital internal and external communications as well as event planning, fundraising and community-outreach projects. She completed her Bachelors of Arts in public relations from Rowan University, located in southern New Jersey.

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* 4. Treasurer

John Mullen
Manager, Communications Services
McCormick Taylor

John Mullen is manager of communications services at McCormick Taylor. At McCormick Taylor, John's work involves the planning and delivery of multifaceted communications and public relations programs for communities and public-sector clients across the U.S. John is a graduate of Iowa State University and the Wharton School of Business. John served as treasurer for PRSA Philadelphia for 2016.

Directors-At-Large

The Directors-at-Large serve as the Chapter advisers. There shall be four directors-at-large. Two shall be elected each year for a term of two years. Their terms shall be so arranged that the terms of two shall expire each year. It is preferred that at least two directors-at-large are accredited (APR). Directors-at-large will assume the Leadership Assembly delegates responsibilities, serving as the Chapter's representatives at meetings of the PRSA Leadership Assembly, and as a liaison between PRSA National and the Philadelphia Chapter. The incoming directors-at-large will join the following directors-at-large continuing their term:

Kate Shields
President
Vault Communications

Kate Shields joined PRSA Philly as a director-at-large in 2015. Kate is President of Vault Communications, one of the largest marketing communications firms in the Greater Philadelphia region. While at Vault, Kate has developed and led national and regional marketing and public relations campaigns for clients across a variety of sectors, but most notably in consumer package goods, nonprofit and retail.

Kate currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that provides respite excursions to cancer patients and their loved ones. She also serves as an adjunct professor of communication at La Salle University, where she teaches graduate-level public relations courses in Philadelphia and Prague, Czech Republic.

Lisa Packer
Principal
Root Strategies

Lisa Packer is founder and principal of Root Strategies, a strategic communications company based in suburban Philadelphia. The company was established in 2001.

Lisa is a former television news reporter with experience in a broad spectrum of industries, including nuclear power, pharmaceutical, chemical, institutional healthcare, academia, international commerce, and publishing. While a generalist, her experience in crisis planning and management, and issues management is unique.

She has lectured at universities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey & New York, co-chaired a bio-terrorism task force post 9/11, and has served on the board of the Public Relations Society of America in various positions, including chair of ethics and diversity.

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* 5. Select two (2) individuals for director-at-large:

Michael Gross, APR
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Anne Klein Communications Group

Mike Gross is senior vice president and chief operating officer at Anne Klein Communications Group, where he manages and oversees client service. Mike supports the team by providing strategic planning, issues/crisis counseling and media relations. He has developed relationships with contacts at many well-respected regional and national media outlets. Mike has returned to AKCG, where he previously served five years as an account manager and vice president.

Prior to returning to the firm, Mike was senior vice president of a suburban Philadelphia public relations firm where he led robust integrated communications programs for a variety of clients. Mike was responsible for maintaining client relationships and for developing new strategies for each of the firm’s clients. He served clients in the energy, pharmacy, hospitality, publishing and banking industries.

Mike has been instrumental in winning awards from the Philadelphia and New Jersey chapters of the Public Relations Society of America, and from the PRNews in the national NonProfit PR Awards competition. He led his team to win a Bronze Anvil, an esteemed national award from the Public Relations Society of America and serves as a judge for the organization’s Silver Anvil program. In 2015, Mike was selected by NJ BIZ as one the top “40 Under 40” business leaders in New Jersey.

Mike is a past president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and is secretary of the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association. He is also the director of public affairs for the Civil Air Patrol’s New Jersey Wing, where he volunteers his time and expertise. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rowan University.

Jawanza A. Keita, APR
Director of Corporate Communications
AmeriHealth Caritas

Strategist, athlete, and former journalist Jawanza A. Keita is a fearless wearer of statement colors and accent hats who believes in strategically aligning PR efforts with sound communications and business principles.

Jawanza is an Accredited Public Relations (APR) professional with expertise in strategic communications, integrated marketing, multicultural community relations and crisis management. He currently is the director of corporate communications and media relations for AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in health care solutions for those in need.

During his 12-year career at State Farm Insurance Cos., he led a team that won the National Roadway Safety Award from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration, and he also received a Volunteer Service Award from the White House.

A veteran of PRSA since 2000, he has won chapter awards for excellence from the Central Illinois Chapter, been a multi-year Silver Anvil judge for PRSA National, an APR mentor, and a volunteer speaker. He also has been an advocate of the profession in university classrooms, in boardrooms, and as a presenter at business conferences.

He holds an MS in communications management from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Relations at Syracuse University. The former Division 1 sprinter now finds himself back in his hometown, eager to contribute to both a city that shaped his life and an organization that has enriched his career.

Meredith Z. Avakian-Hardaway
Director of Communications and Marketing
Philadelphia Bar Association

Meredith Z. Avakian-Hardaway, director of communications and marketing at the Philadelphia Bar Association, has an extensive history with Philadelphia’s PR associations. She’s been connected to the PRSA Philadelphia Chapter for more than a decade, since her time serving as president of Temple University’s PRSSA chapter. Since then, she has been a member and led the organization the speaker introductions for the PRSA International Conference, when it was hosted in Philadelphia; founded and planned the State of the Industry half-day conference with PRSA Philly, PPRA and PBPRS; and has received a number of prominent awards and accolades for her work as well as her commitment to Philadelphia’s public relations community.

In addition to serving as a member of all three of these organizations, Meredith also is the immediate past president of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association and has held leadership positions in the organization for more than a decade, bringing a wealth of institutional knowledge and contacts. In addition to all of her contributions to the parent organizations, she remains connected and committed to serving as an ad hoc advisor for several of the local PRSSA chapters.

Michael Walsh
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden

Mike Walsh is the director of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. In this capacity, he is an advisor to diocesan leadership, schools and parishes and serves as the primary spokesperson for the diocese, which is comprised of the six southern counties of New Jersey accounting for 65 parishes, 37 schools and 475,000 Catholics. Mike has spent most of his 20-year career as a journalist and public relations professional, including stints with two national law firms headquartered in Philadelphia, as well as a South Jersey-based social service nonprofit.

A full-service marketing professional, Mike specializes in media relations, crisis communications and photography. Mike is a supporter of three professional tenets, 1) every project is an opportunity to elevate the professionalism and skills of the people involved; 2) no job is too small or too large that it can't be done well; 3) a well-conceived and executed strategy will always garner better results than a shotgun style approach.

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* 6. President-Elect - Vacant

Nominate yourself or another eligible candidate here

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* 7. I certify that I am a PRSA Philadelphia Chapter member and a member in good standing.

Signature *

Date