Meeting Recap – PRSSA Kickoff: Get to know the Executive Board
By Zoe Flamen
On Tuesday, September 2, PRSSA welcomed new and returning members to Studio 100 for an introductory meeting to kick off the year. Members of the executive board and committee heads introduced themselves while laying the foundation for this year’s events.
Before we began, Dr. Sun shared a guest presentation about participation in The Bateman Case Study Competition, PRSSA’s Premier National Case Study competition for public relations students.
President Sydney Brass started the meeting with a refresher about PRSSA’s purpose. It’s a nationally recognized pre-professional organization focused on preparing students for careers in the public relations and related communications fields. She emphasized that it isn’t strictly for PR majors and that UGA’s chapter is the biggest in the world.
Benefits of becoming a PRSSA member include attending meetings to build a network with peers and professionals, gaining access to an internship opportunity newsletter, enhancing your resume by joining a committee, utilizing the professional development member resource hub, attending agency tours, and more. Membership is currently $55 for the year.
Members learned about the importance of professionalism. PRSSA is a low-commitment pre-professional organization. It is valuable to be punctual, listen actively, take notes, dress the part, engage and ask questions, and be respectful.
PRSSA’s 2025-2026 Executive Board.
Zoe Flamen, editorial director, is a senior public relations major with a certificate in music business, and she kicked off the introductions by sharing how she discovered her summer internship. She researched companies and roles she was interested in, found one that stuck out to her, followed them on LinkedIn, and emailed with the team before applying.
Abby Crowe, creative director, is a junior public relations major with a minor in political science and a certificate in personal and organizational leadership. Her advice to her freshman year self is not to be afraid to show up to events alone.
Jen Natunen, brand outreach director, is a junior public relations major and Double Dawg, minoring in business with a certificate in Crisis, Risk, and Disaster Communication. Her biggest takeaway from her travels this summer is that communication varies a lot by culture, so it is valuable to study abroad to strengthen your global understanding.
Sam Tritto, social media director, is a junior public relations major with a minor in religion and a certificate in music business. His favorite social media trend that brands are using is when they reference pop culture creatively.
Mary Emma Coates, internal communications director, is a junior public relations major and Double Dawg with a minor in communication studies. She networks with peers and professors by making friends in her classes and emphasizes that relationships don’t need to be transactional.
Ally Sellers, BEDI director, is a junior public relations major with a minor in political science and certificate in public affairs communications. She is looking forward to increasing membership diversity and ensuring that PRSSA is a space where people can show up alone and be included, seen, and heard.
Ana Tropea, member relations and finance director, is a senior public relations major with a minor in business. Her favorite PRSSA memory is making movie references with PRSSA’s previous president and making connections with members.
Riley Mason, vice president, is a senior advertising major with a minor in ecology. Her interview tips are to take advantage of Reddit and research the company’s value and mission.
Sydney Brass, president, is a senior public relations major with a minor in Spanish. She wants to pursue a career in PR because she met Taylor Swift and her publicist as a teenager and was eager to explore what goes on behind the scenes.
Applications to join a committee are open now until September 16. This opportunity allows members to get hands-on experience in the communications field.
Committee Heads:
Creative Committee Head: Nhi Nguyen-Le
Social Media Committee Heads: Brooke Wagner and Denise Palacios
Editorial Committee Head: Allyson Thompson
Brand Outreach Committee Head: Riley Martin
Member Relations Committee Head: Sarah Beth Warnken
Event Planning Committee Head: Caroline Sumichrast
Belonging, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Committee Head: Luke Williams
Fall Calendar Preview:
9/16 – From Bulldawg to Hotdog: How PR Can Be Anywhere
9/30 – Stepping Stones panel
10/7 – PRSSA x AdClub: Andy Pearson, Chief Creative Director of Liquid Death
10/14 – ADPR Connection prep meeting
10/28 – Membership social
11/4 – Entertainment and PR meeting
11/18 – Airline Marketing meeting
12/2 – Winter social
