Welcoming Michelle Franzen Martin to the Board of Directors
Posted on Mar. 11, 2026 / Subscribe 0
As PRSA Detroit continues to grow and evolve, strong leadership remains at the heart of our success. This year, we are excited to welcome Michelle Franzen Martin, APR, Brand Manager for Government Programs at Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, to the PRSA Detroit Board of Directors. With a career spanning journalism, agency work and integrated communications leadership, Michelle brings deep expertise, strategic insight and a strong commitment to advancing the public relations profession.
To get to know Michelle better, we asked her to reflect on her career journey, leadership experiences and what excites her most about serving PRSA Detroit.
What inspired you to pursue a career in public relations?
"I worked at two daily newspapers and an advertising agency before I finally – eight years into my career – took a position at Franco, a public relations firm. That role taught me the foundations of PR, and I’ve brought those skills to every brand that I have worked with since. I spent the majority of the last 20 years leading integrated communications and marketing programs – and PR has been an important part of that. I continue to be inspired by what PR can accomplish, especially when it is part of an integrated communications and marketing strategy."
How have you navigated different professional environments, and what transferable skills have you gained along the way?
"What I love most about my career is that I am always learning. Every role I’ve held – whether at an agency or in-house – has taught me not only how to be a stronger communications or marketing professional, but also exposed me to industries that I never would have experienced. I have worked with K-12 teachers, water and sewer workers, health care leaders and many others. Each role required learning a new business, but the skills that are needed to do that are ones that I gained from prior experiences, such as onboarding a new agency client or developing a campaign for a new brand."
Which roles or experiences have shaped your professional growth?
"One of the best experiences of my career was at Mort Crim Communications (MCCI, now the Crimson Agency in Detroit) when I was the account director for a 2020 Census campaign to reach historically undercounted populations across Michigan. It was a fully integrated, hyper-targeted statewide communications campaign that included 23 different media, two microsites, media relations and other tactics. We delivered our messages through trusted messengers, tackling misconceptions and misinformation that were based on fear, privacy concerns, government mistrust and apathy, among other things.
When we finished the campaign, we had many wins, including that Michigan was the first in the nation to reach its census self-response rate. We also won an IABC Gold Quill and PRSA Silver Anvil Award of Excellence – meaningful for any organization, but especially meaningful at a small agency like MCCI. Most importantly, though, I had the support of one of the best teams I have ever worked with. I had a great client, Joan Gustafson of Michigan Nonprofit Association, who had absolute confidence in our agency’s work. Likewise, I had a great boss, Rich Donley, APR, who empowered me to lead while keeping me accountable. I also had an opportunity to work with many talented PR, creative and production team members at MCCI who took the work forward, even as we had to navigate a pandemic. It was a once-in-a-career opportunity, and I am grateful for everything I learned from it.
I just started a new role at Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana as brand manager for government programs, and I look forward to bringing my career experiences – especially my work on the Census – to my new role."
What motivated you to pursue your APR, and why is it meaningful to you?
"I’ve always held great respect for the APR credential, but I didn’t pursue it until three years ago, after I accepted a new role at Corewell Health to lead the system PR team. I did it for two reasons: to demonstrate that I had the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in that role, and to challenge myself both personally and professionally. I completed my APR in three months – in part, I believe, because I was fortunate to have worked throughout my career with some outstanding PR leaders, including several APRs, who had always inspired and coached me to truly think like an APR.
The APR is meaningful to me because it took me in a direction I wouldn’t have envisioned three years ago. Not long after finishing my APR, I began teaching/hosting the national APR online course, and now I’m the Accreditation chair for our Chapter. I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing the APR to seriously consider it."
Which aspects of public relations do you find most engaging or fulfilling?
"Many people, even some within the profession, think PR is limited to media relations. But there is so much more, and that’s what I really enjoy. PR includes counsel, issues management and more, but it really comes down to building relationships. I enjoy bringing all of that together by developing communication and marketing plans that are grounded in research and have tangible outcomes."
When did you first become involved with PRSA Detroit, and what inspired you to join the Board of Directors?
"Shortly after I joined PRSA Detroit about 3 ½ years ago, I got a LinkedIn message from then-President Maribeth Farkas, who asked if I was interested in serving on a committee. I said yes, and I began as co-chair of the internship committee. I got more involved over the next few years, and last year I became the chair of the APR committee. I have enjoyed my experiences with PRSA Detroit and the relationships I have built through the Chapter. So when TaQuinda Cylar (immediate past president) reached out to ask if I was interested in joining the Board, I was thrilled to take on a new leadership role."
What is your role on the PRSA Detroit Board of Directors? What do you hope to contribute during your term?
"In addition to serving on the PRSA Detroit Board of Directors, I chair our Chapter’s Accreditation (APR) committee and co-chair the internship committee. We’ve had some great success with our internship program – many of our interns have found jobs right after graduation and now volunteer with our Chapter. I will continue to support my co-chair, Bianca Boji, in making sure that momentum continues.
During my time on the Board, I also hope to gain greater visibility for Accreditation. I’m a strong advocate of the APR, and I want to help people understand how it can support their professional growth, with the goal to see more members pursue Accreditation."
What excites you most about this next chapter with PRSA Detroit?
"Our Chapter’s greatest strength is our membership base, especially those who volunteer their time to advance our profession and move our Chapter forward. I am proud to serve with them on the Board of Directors and Chapter committees and am inspired by their energy, commitment and professionalism."
Michelle’s experience, dedication to Accreditation and commitment to mentorship will be instrumental in strengthening PRSA Detroit and supporting members at every stage of their careers.
Ashley Ortiz is a senior at Wayne State University, studying public relations and communication studies, where she serves as a peer mentor for PR courses and is the president of WSU’s PRSSA. Ashley is currently interning with PRSA Detroit and Yelp Detroit.
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