Welcome Kristina Michel, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

On this episode, Kristina shares about her Journey From H-GAC To Auckland.

Kristina Michel is a communications and public relations professional with 14 years of experience, primarily in the higher education, healthcare, and government sectors.

Kristina's areas of expertise include: copywriting, editing, speechwriting, media relations and crisis communications management, strategic communications planning, executive communications, internal communications, reporting and analytics, and marketing. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications - Print Journalism from the University of Houston and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators. Kristina is PRSA-certified in Organizational Leadership and Crisis Communications.

Previous organizations Kristina worked at include the National Pharmacy Technician Association, the University of Houston, and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Her most recent role has been as senior writer & editor at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, but in mid-February 2023, she will be moving overseas for a job opportunity in Auckland, New Zealand.

Connect with Kristina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-michel/

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Laura Pennino, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

In this episode, Laura shares about Authenticity and Integrity in the PR Profession.

Graduate of LSU Manship School of Mass Communications; over 40 years of journalism and PR experience. Worked at Edelman in a variety of senior PR consulting roles from 1989 to 1998 and at Fleishman-Hillard from 1998 to 1999 as a senior consultant to FH teams and clients before starting Pennino and Partners in September 1998. Won a Houston Better Business Bureau Award of Excellence in 2022 in the PR/Marketing category. Supporter of non profit organizations that benefit children and animals. Actively involved in fostering and adopting dogs, puppies, cats and kittens.

Connect with Laura at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penninoandpartners/
Text or giver her a call: (713)-419-1776

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Vannessa Wade, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

In this episode, Vannessa shares about Understanding Messaging and Your Role In It.

Vannessa Wade is the founder and CEO of Connect The Dots PR. Often called an “idea oven” and “branding magnet,” she has been featured in magazines such as Black Enterprise and Fast Company.

From working on legislative campaigns, to supporting UNICEF, Wade has been able to help brands position themselves in newsworthy and culturally relevant ways. Her contacts span the gamut across the media and influencer landscape.

Wade is as driven about public service as she is about public relations. She volunteers her time and expertise to various civic organizations including Kids Meals and The Sickle Cell Marc Thomas Foundation. She serves as Diversity Chair for PRSA Houston, Executive Director of ColorComm Houston and has spoken at The Texas Conference for Women and presented at NABJ. In 2015, she created a branding series aimed at helping college students learn how to brand themselves.

Wade is a graduate of the University of Houston.

Connect with Vannessa at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vannessawade
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vannessawade

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations

Welcome Bridgett Holden, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

On this episode, Bridgett shares about The Journey Through PR and Advice for Upcoming Members.

Bridgett studied Broadcast Journalism at Texas Woman's University (TWU). Her clientele ranges from Fasion, Beauty, Sports, Entertainment, Politics, and Nonprofits. She is a military child and was raised overseas in Kaiserslautern, Germany- Bridgett used to speak German and French. She absolutely loves what she does.

Connect with Bridgett:
IG: @shebridgesmediainc
Twitter: @shebridges_pr
FB: SHE Bridges PR
LinkedIn: SHE Bridges PR

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations

Welcome Tala Kseibi, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

On this episode, Tala shares about Encouraging Young Adults To Purse Careers in PR.

As a Public Relations Manager at Love Advertising, Tala is driven by a passion for effective communication and strategic brand management. With a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, focusing on Public Relations from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Tala refined her skills in media relations and successfully crafted and executed communication strategies, securing coverage in various online and broadcast local and trade publications.

Currently, Tala proudly serves as one of the 2024 PRSA Houston Board Directors and will be leading the New Young Professionals Committee. Her leadership journey includes being the President of the PRSSA at UTSA and a board member of the PRSA San Antonio, where she revitalized the chapter within a semester and raised substantial funds. Committed to inclusive initiatives, her background reflects a dedication to community engagement and diverse perspectives.

Connect with Tala at:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tala-kseibi-04727a172

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations

Welcome Hailey Bui and Melissa Kinsella, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

On this episode, Hailey & Melissa share about Marketing & Communications in Energy with CAMS.

Hailey Bui is a Marketing & Communications Specialist currently serving as a key member of the CAMS Marketing & Communications team. With over 5+ years of a robust professional background, Hailey is the driving force behind orchestrating the development and design of sophisticated corporate communications campaigns. Her primary objectives include elevating brand awareness and providing strategic support to the marketing and sales teams. In her current role at CAMS, Hailey formulates messaging strategies and leads the execution of targeted marketing campaigns aimed at educating external stakeholders about CAMS and its comprehensive range of services. Prior to joining CAMS, Hailey had extensive experience working with reputable B2C and B2B marketing agencies, where she managed diverse portfolios for clients across industries. Hailey's academic background includes a B.A. in Advertising and an M.A. in Mass Communications, with a specialized focus on social media behavior research.

Melissa Kinsella is the Director of Corporate Marketing Communications & Administration at CAMS. She leads the organization's communications team and develops strategic internal and external communication strategies to ensure brand identity and the company's objectives. Since joining CAMS in 2019, Melissa has directed highly effective marketing and branding campaigns utilizing the company's multi-faceted media channels. As a result of her creative approaches, CAMS received constant recognition and traffic to its digital assets, elevating the company's position as a first-in-class steward for infrastructure asset owners. With over 22 years of experience, she manages business operations and support, marketing, and communications, client relations, event management, and organizational development. Prior to CAMS, she held related positions at American Midstream, Egon Zehnder, and Valerus Field Solutions. Under Melissa's leadership, CAMS was recently named one of the Best & Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science and Event Management degree from Indiana University.

Connect with Hailey at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngocbuihailey/

Connect with Melissa at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahauger/

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at

Welcome Becky Best, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

In this episode, Becky shares about The Many Paths A Career in PR Can Take You.

Becky Best, APR has nearly 30 years of professional experience in communications. She began her career working at boutique PR agencies before transitioning to destination marketing and then spending 20 years in leadership positions in corporate social responsibility at financial services companies.

During this time, she served on nearly a dozen nonprofit boards in Michigan and Texas, earning several awards for her efforts and igniting a passion for nonprofit work. After Hurricane Harvey highlighted the region’s significant numbers of homeless pets, she pivoted once more to use her grant-making and community relations skills to help improve the quality of life for pets and people. Today, she is the director of the Gulf Coast Animal Welfare Alliance and has been appointed by the Houston City Council to serve on the advisory board for the city’s BARC animal shelter.

Becky earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration on public relations from Stephen F. Austin University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Davenport University in Michigan, and her Accreditation in Public Relations. She has served on the board of directors for Houston PRSA and is a current APR Committee co-chair.

Connect with Becky at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyebest
Website: https://gulfcoastanimalwelfarealliance.org

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations

Welcome Jordan Hunter Rice, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.
In this episode, Jordan shares about Strategic Comms in the Political Sector.

Jordan Hunter Rice, a policy analyst and strategic communications expert, leads teams in developing actionable strategies and guides clients through the ever-evolving political and economic environment. A former White House Press Secretary and congressional staffer, she is plugged into the policy world and 24-hour news cycle to ensure her clients are ahead of what’s to come.

While on Capitol Hill, she created and executed communications campaigns and strategies for a wide range of policy arenas and supported efforts on the House Armed Services Committee. After her stint on the Hill, Rice served as press secretary at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she delivered on communications strategies supporting over 90 science and technology streams and played an integral role in the COVID-19 international science response.

She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors of Science in Political Communications and worked in the Texas State Capitol throughout her time in Austin.

Connect with Jordan at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-hunter-rice/
Instagram: @jordan.like.mike
Facebook: Jordan Hunter Rice

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations