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The COVID-19 pandemic transformed public relations in countless ways, from the tools we use to the way we connect with stakeholders. That change is still happening, and professionals must adapt and stay ahead of it. Panelists from industry, education and agencies will share what they’ve learned so far, what lies ahead and how to adapt for the future.
PANELISTS:
Raul Alvarez, Vice President of PR Strategies and Accounts, Well Design Studio
Raul Alvarez, Jr., is Vice President, Public Relations & Accounts, for Well Design Studio, and Chief Communicator, Storyteller and Synergist for GTSD Group. Raul has more than 25 years of experience in Michigan's public relations industry, using a communications/storytelling model of excite, educate, engage and evaluate helps clients achieve results through public/media relations, public affairs, message development and social media engagement strategies. He earned his B.A. in Social Science (Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Political Science, Communications) and has experience working with diverse subject matters, industries and disciplines ranging from eye care to banking, higher education, dental health care, political campaign issues and at-risk youth programs.
Shannon Felgner, Communications Manager, Ottawa County
Shannon Felgner serves as the Ottawa County Communication Manager. She has a BS from Central Michigan University and an MA in Communication from Grand Valley State University.
Shannon began working for Ottawa County in 1999 at the public health department. During her time in public health, Shannon identified an unmet need in government entities and became an advocate for professional communication roles in these organizations. She eventually secured three positions in Ottawa County: two communication specialists and a communication manager.
Holly McCaw, APR, Communications Director, Otsego Public Schools
Holly is currently the president of the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA) and is a member of the National School Public Relations Association. She has earned Distinguished Communications Awards from MSPRA for video, the OPS website and Facebook pages and an alumni project and received a 2021 MSPRA Gold Medallion Award for the district’s communication plan to pass a 2020 Bond Proposal.
Prior to joining the public relations field, Holly spent 14 ½ years in broadcast journalism. She was the Executive Producer of the FOX 17 Morning Show in Grand Rapids, MI; an anchor, reporter and producer at WWMT in Kalamazoo, MI, and an anchor, reporter and producer at WGEM in Quincy, IL. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
Sean Williams, Asst. Teaching Professor, School of Media & Communication, Bowling Green State University
Sean Williams joined Bowling Green State University following professional communication positions with KeyCorp, National City Corporation, Goodyear, True Digital Communications, and with his own company, Communication AMMO. He is also a member of the Institute for Public Relations Measurement Commission and serves on the board of directors of the International PR Research Conference.
Williams is the 2022 chapter president of PRSA Northwest Ohio and served seven years on the board of the Employee Communication professional interest section. He is also a member of the Institute for Public Relations Measurement Commission, leads an international task force on standards for internal communication measurement, and serves on the board of directors of the International PR Research Conference. He speaks frequently on public relations, measurement and internal communication. At BGSU, he coordinates the online master’s in strategic communication and teaches School of Media and Communication coursework.
REGISTRATION:
Members $10
Future Members: $15
Students and Un-/Under-employed: Free
AMA Guests: $10
ASL interpretation is available on request when registering at least one week in advance.
Please register by March 22.