Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy Names 2025 Executive Committee

NEW YORK (Feb. 18, 2025) – The Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy (CAPRSA) announces its 2025 Executive Committee, comprised of distinguished leaders dedicated to advancing the public relations industry. In addition, the group also welcomes two new members to its Executive Committee, further strengthening the organization’s expertise and vision. This year’s appointments reflect CAPRSA’s continued commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and leadership among public relations agency owners and senior executives. The 2025 officers for Counselors Academy are:

• Chair: Natalie Ghidotti, APR, founder and CEO of Ghidotti Communications in Little Rock, Ark.
• Chair-Elect: LaTricia Woods, APR, president of Mahogany Xan Communications in Chandler, Ariz.
• Secretary/Treasurer: Ben Finzel, president of RENEWPR in Washington, D.C.
• Immediate Past Chair: John Walker, managing partner at Chirp in Atlanta, Ga.

“Counselors Academy provides a unique and invaluable space for public relations agency owners and leaders to connect, share insights and grow their businesses,” Ghidotti said. “It’s an honor to collaborate with such a talented and dedicated team as we work to build on CAPRSA’s rich legacy. Together, we will champion innovative ideas, foster meaningful professional relationships, and empower our members to navigate the ever-evolving public relations landscape with confidence and creativity. I’m excited to support our members in turning challenges into opportunities and driving the industry forward.” CAPRSA Executive Committee's new members include Emily Hartzog, president of Chartwell Agency in Rockford, Ill., and Ann Smith, president and founder of A.wordsmith in Portland, Ore. Serving as Members-at-Large on the 2025 Executive Committee for Counselors Academy are:

• Dan Farkas, founder of Dan Farkas Interactive in Powell, Ohio
• Emily Hartzog, president of Chartwell Agency in Rockford, Ill.
• Ann Smith, president and founder of A.wordsmith in Portland, Ore.
• Sarah Erkmann Ward, APR, president and CEO of Blueprint Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska
• Hinda Mitchell, founder and president of Inspire PR Group in Columbus, Ohio
• Sharon Wright, owner of Loud and Clear Marketing LLC in Leesburg, Va.
• Kelly Brockman, partner at McNeely Brockman Public Relations in Nashville, Tenn.
• Kristelle Siarza, APR, owner and CEO of Siarza in Albuquerque, N.M.
• Missy Hurley, APR, CEO of B2 Communications in Saint Petersburg, Fla.
• Nicole Morgan, APR, CEO of Resolute PR in Tulsa, Okla.
• Tammy Belton-Davis, founder and president of Athena Communications LLC in Milwaukee, Wis.

CAPRSA offers a variety of programming and resources for its members, including webinars, a private Facebook group and an annual three-day conference of learning for agency owners and leaders. This year’s conference will be held March 31 - April 2 at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, S.C. To learn more and register for the conference, visit prsa.org/home/get-involved/professional-interest-sections/counselors-academy/prsa-counselors-academy-2025-section-conference. PRSA Counselors Academy was founded in 1960 and is dedicated to helping public relations agency owners and leaders succeed through access to collaborative peer relationships, meaningful professional development and education programs. Counselors Academy focuses on the business of agency PR. Its entrepreneurial members are owners or senior managers of leading independent firms in the U.S. and Canada. Counselors Academy’s programs foster networking, mentoring and learning, and the Executive Committee consists of 15 agency owners and leaders from across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit prsa.org/home/get-involved/professional-interest-sections/counselors-academy, or follow on X at @caprsa or Instagram at @counselorsacademy.

About the Public Relations Society of America

PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community. The organization’s mission is to make communications professionals smarter, better prepared and more connected through all stages of their career. PRSA achieves this by offering its members thought leadership and innovative lifelong learning opportunities to help them develop new skills, enhance their credibility and connect with a strong network of professionals. The organization sets the standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct for the public relations industry. PRSA collectively represents more than 30,000 members consisting of communications professionals spanning every industry sector nationwide and college and university students who encompass the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Learn more at prsa.org.