2023 Annual Meeting Recap: Looking Forward
Posted on Nov. 28, 2023 / Subscribe 0
On November 14, PRSA Detroit held its Annual Meeting at the Great Lakes Culinary Center in Southfield, celebrating the Chapter’s accomplishments from the past year and convening communications professionals from across the Detroit Region for a night of networking.
The evening began with sentiments from the Chapter’s President, Maribeth Farkas, and the election of the 2024 PRSA Detroit Officers and Directors.
Congratulations to the following 2024 Executive Board Members and Directors:
Executive Board Members
- President-Elect: TaQuinda Johnson, Oakland University
- Treasurer: Antonice Strickland, 98Forward
- Secretary: Jeff Adkins, Henry Ford Health
- Vice President: Megan Bonelli, DTE Energy
- Immediate Past President: Maribeth Farkas, Farkas Public Relations, LLC
Directors
- Rachel LePoudre, APR, Truscott Rossman
- Catia Sabak, Detroit Regional Chamber
- Kristin Sokul, APR, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan
- Chiara Clayton, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
- Cynthia Carey, APR
- Bianca Kashat
- Georgienne Kirsten, APR, Chem-Trend
- Lisa Peers, Jack Morton Worldwide
- Janine Krasicky Sadaj, J9 Media Solutions
- Chrystal Wilson, Detroit Public Schools Community District
- Dave Whitman, APR, SmithGroup
President-Elect’s Remarks: ‘We Can Control What Goes on in Our Own Backyard’
TaQuinda Johnson, President-Elect, invited attendees to peer into the future with her as she shared the Chapter’s priorities for 2024.
“We can control what goes on in our own backyard. Together, we are going to continue to answer the call. We’re going to continue our efforts to remain in a competitive space as one of the largest chapters in PRSA national,” Johnson said.
Priorities for 2024 include developing and establishing a strategic plan for Detroit, as well as aligning with nationals by ensuring the Detroit Chapter is building, influencing, and evolving. Johnson shared that the Chapter would focus on its membership retention and attraction, even launching “Membership (Member) Connect”—a space for new members to connect with established members.
Johnson announced that the Chapter will focus on professional development in the new year by relaunching a group for new professionals (those with seven years or less of service) to establish a community for them, in addition to relaunching the Protégé Program. The Protégé Program, named after and honoring Melissa Motschall, will provide resources for seniors in the public relations field and help connect them with a mentor.
In 2024, the Detroit Chapter will continue its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—specifically belonging. Johnson shared a startling statistic that only “7 percent of public relations and communications professionals are Black.” “We are going to continue to push the envelope with our programming, have the hard conversations, create compelling campaigns, and express the importance of hiring and promoting diverse talent,” said Johnson.
“We need to stand together to increase diversity in our field…As we lead into 2024, we are going to make some changes right here in our own backyard.”
Recognition of APR Members and the Presentation of the PRSA Donald P. Durocher Memorial Scholarship
The evening continued with the recognition of the Chapter’s new APR members. Congratulations to
- Michelle Franzen Martin, M.A., APR, Corewell Health
- Suzanne Miller Allen, APR, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Tammy Stables Battaglia, APR, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Medical Center
- Ray Day, APR, Stagwell
The Donald P. Durocher Memorial Scholarship was presented to two high-achieving students: Leona Falconer of Central Michigan University and Holly Lalicata of University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Presentation of the Nancy Skidmore Award for Distinguished Chapter Service: ‘Bring Your Authentic Self’
Michelle Gilbert, Immediate Past President, was presented with the Nancy Skidmore Award for Distinguished Chapter Service—an award presented to a member who is committed to PRSA Detroit and has shown longtime dedication in aiding the Chapter in its success.
Gilbert received the award not only for her dedication to the Chapter, but for the key qualities that carried her throughout her leadership as president—specifically her relationship-building skills and her vision.
Gilbert accepted the award on “behalf of every member who makes the Chapter as strong as it is,” noting that the Chapter relies on involvement from its members.
“We need you. We need your creative insights, your energy, your passions…Bring your authentic self,” said Gilbert.
Presentation of the Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award: ‘Each of You Impacts and Continues to Shape the Landscape of the Public Relations Field’
Jeff Adkins, Secretary, was presented with the Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award—an award that recognizes a practitioner for his or her long service to the PRSA Detroit Chapter.
Adkins received the award for his selflessness and passion and for the meaningful value he adds to every initiative he takes.
Adkins accepted the award and recalled the time he asked the question, “What is PR?” noting that he’s still learning the answer to it every day.
“This community is an incredible source of skill, guidance, and occasionally, a much-needed reality check… Each of you impacts and continues to shape the landscape of the public relations field.”
Presentation of the PRSA Detroit Chapter Hall of Fame: ‘You Are in Control of Your Destiny’
Mark Winter, President and Founding Partner of Identity, was presented with the PRSA Detroit Chapter Hall of Fame, the highest recognition PRSA Detroit can bestow. The award reflects a practitioner’s significant contribution to the PR profession as well as the Southeast Michigan community.
Winter received the award not only for being a national leader in the industry but also for shaping Detroit’s PR landscape. Winter’s nomination highlighted his compassion, vision, humility, and generosity.
Along with reminiscing about his journey to the field of PR, Winter shared four pillars with the room that have led to his and Identity’s success.
Find the right seat. Leaders in the industry should focus on putting their people in the right seats to ensure employees can wake up every day loving what they do.
Relationships matter. “Grow them, nurture them, and respect them,” said Winter.
Be sure to pay it forward. “We talked a lot about the servant nature of the volunteers in PRSA here tonight…Go find opportunities to give back,” said Winter.
And finally, Winter left the room with the sentiment that everyone controls his or her destiny.
“Control everything you can control. That’s the opportunity. In this industry, there’s a lot of stuff you can’t control, but there are things you can.”
Sabrina Cynova is a digital content specialist at the Detroit Regional Chamber and a blog committee member with PRSA Detroit.
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