From NCPRSA…

Understanding Industry Awards From Industry Experts: Learn How To Construct Award-Winning Entries in Preparation for the NCPRSA InSpire Awards!

The NCPRSA InSpire awards recognize the most outstanding public relations campaigns, programs and tactics, and the dedication and contributions of public relations and communications professionals. Whether you are part of an agency, a non-profit organization or a corporation, being recognized with an InSpire Award can help elevate your career, help improve your business and put your personal stamp on the public relations profession.

Join us Wednesday, February 15 for a panel discussion to learn pro tips from these previous award participants and winners representing a variety of industry perspectives.

Panelist Bios:

Dana Phelps Hughens
CEO, Clairemont Communications
As chief executive officer of Clairemont Communications, Dana is living her dream, backed by 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing. She leads the Clairemont team in building communications strategies that include traditional media relations, marketing communications, and social media promotions for national and international brands.

Dana’s focus on creating magical client experiences began the year she interned in guest relations at Walt Disney World and was the co-founder of a student-run public relations agency on her college campus. Prior to launching Clairemont Communications, she served as a senior vice president and global practice group co-chair of Fleishman-Hillard. In addition to her agency work, Dana has held corporate communications positions, including the role of key lieutenant to Nortel’s chief marketing officer. She was responsible for global planning and integration of all marketing functions including corporate communications, branding and advertising, employee communications, tradeshows and events.

Throughout her career, Dana has led her teams to win several industry awards including: a Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil, a PRSA Silver Anvil Award of Excellence, Inspire Best in Show awards by the North Carolina PRSA chapter and several other Inspire and Raleigh Public Relations Society Sir Walter Raleigh awards.

Eva R. Hornak, APR
Communications Manager, S.T. Wooten Corporation
Eva is the first and only communications pro at S.T. Wooten, a 65-year-old construction company. She focuses on employee communications for nearly 1,000 co-workers, writing the award-winning employee magazine and several internal newsletters. She also works with the management team on a variety of corporate and executive communications, including the website, videos and presentations. After contracting with a local PR firm in 2016, Evie now oversees the company’s social media and trade media outreach as well.

Eva started her career in 2004, spending six years with Raleigh public relations agency Epley Associates, which later became The Catevo Group. Clients she served included John Deere, BB&T, Lawn Doctor, Novozymes Biologicals, Misys, MediClick and Raytheon. She next served as communications manager for the Irrigation Association, where she managed member publications and reports, media relations and member committees.

Eva earned her accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America in 2013 and is a past president of the North Carolina chapter of PRSA. She served two years as secretary of the PRSA Southeast District board and has held various board roles for the Raleigh Public Relations Society. She is a past awards chair of both NCPRSA and RPRS.

Kim Strazisar
Kim Strazisar Communications, LLC
With more than a decade of experience, Kim is dedicated to giving her clients personal, practical, and professional public relations and communications services. She specializes in working with small business and non-profit organizations, because a limited budget, full schedule, or small staff shouldn’t keep quality communication out of reach. Her passion is teaching and speaking on communications topics. Most recently she has taught branding workshops at Meredith College and started hosting communication workshops for small businesses.

Before launching Kim Strazisar Communications, LLC in September 2014, she spent six years as Communications Director of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA); responsible for developing, coordinating, marketing and publishing all NCNLA publications and advertising, along with grant writing, and event planning and management. She also worked as an account executive at The Rossman Group (now Truscott Rossman) in Lansing, Michigan, providing public relations services for multiple clients including The Michigan Oil & Gas Association (promoting Michigan Trust Fund Sites), DTE Energy (fighting energy deregulation), and Children’s Trust Fund of Michigan (raising awareness and funds for child abuse prevention). Her work won the agency several PACE Awards from the PRSA Central Michigan Chapter, including “Best in Show” for her work for The Michigan Oil & Gas Association. She has also volunteered for previous NCPRSA Award committees.

Her communication experience all started at The Phoenix Group (now Minacs Analytics) providing market research support for automotive clients like Daimler Chrysler.

Click here to register for the event.