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Member Spotlight: Kelsey Nelson

Written by Kimberly McGuire

Kelsey Nicole Nelson is a broadcast media personality and the founder, executive producer, and host of the “Listen in with KNN” sports talk podcast and radio show. She also is the Social Media and Digital Marketing chair for the Entertainment and Sports section for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). And she most recently served as the Vice President and Membership Chair of the Washington Association of Black Journalists. Today, she is on the Regional Advisory Council for the Tickets for Kids nonprofit and the Period Reality Advisory Board, and sits on the board of the Capital Emmys—where she serves as the Communications Committee Co-Chair—and the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame.

Your work draws people into amazing stories, but we would love to flip the script—how has your personal journey shaped your professional path?

I was born and bred in the Washington, D.C., area, which is special because sports are everywhere. I grew up going to games with my dad—seeing Georgetown basketball legends, watching the University of Maryland win championships, and going to the Baltimore Ravens’ training camp. Both my dad and mom worked so hard, which is where I get my work ethic from, but they always made time to take me to games and practices. This area has a unique culture, especially in sports, and I’ve been lucky to build a career in sports journalism here, where I can share athletes’ stories with audiences. Sports also have a special meaning to me because I spent many summers with my grandparents in Jackson, Mississippi, and the South is all about religion and football. When I wasn’t in church, I was playing football with other kids and having fun. Faith, family, and football paved the way for me, and now I’m so grateful that I can pave the way for others.

As you built your personal brand, what values or priorities mattered most to you? Were there any guiding principles that helped you stay true to yourself?

You have to have non-negotiables in life, and for me, those are trust and respect, which are what I built my brand on. Whether it’s people sharing their story with me, employers relying on me, or students learning from me, I want everyone I engage with to trust me. And I want to be respected for the work I do, but I’ve had to earn it, especially as a Black woman working in sports communications and the entertainment industry. I’ve earned the trust and respect of many because of my work ethic. I work hard on all that I do—I give 150%—and people know that. So, when they see the KNN brand, they know they will get a quality product. That’s important to me, especially as my brand has become increasingly more global, and I never know who is watching. And with everything I’m involved in, I always remember to stay true to myself—not get caught up in the hype and headlines—and to be humble, grateful, and thankful.

When you set your intentions for your brand, how did that shape the kinds of opportunities or roles you went after? Did it open doors you had not expected?

The cool thing about trust and respect is that you get what you give, and because a lot of my business is referral-based, it means that my values and other things I hold near and dear to my heart are seen and felt by others. I focus on being a good person with a strong work ethic and on making the people I meet or work with feel welcome. I’m always smiling and want to make other people smile, which is one reason I ended up loving nonprofit work. I was a Boys & Girls Club kid, which is how I went to my first professional sports game, so being able to give back now is a beautiful thing. I’m also on the Advisory Council for Tickets for Kids, which gives free sporting and concert tickets to children and families. I’m so glad I get to help and mentor younger generations, and I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had, such as in radio and podcasting, which unexpectedly led me to find joy in teaching and public speaking. Being able to use my platform for a purpose fueled by my passions is amazing, and I try to do so every day. I’ve seen life come full circle.

As you use your platform for a purpose, how do you approach using communications as a tool for positive change, both for yourself and the causes you care about?

My biggest thing is giving back. So, I’m most proud of the internship and fellowship programs that I have through my companies. I have a lot of people come to me, unsure about this job market and how to use their skills, and I focus on helping them get real-world experience and build their portfolios. I also truly enjoy getting to know them and just talking about life—I think that’s important. For example, while covering Super Bowl LX, one of the greatest joys I had was the conversations with one of my interns, Anfisa Pitchkhadze, who is a senior at San Jose State University and was out there working as a student journalist and thriving. To me, it doesn’t mean anything if you get to the mountaintop alone, which is why I like to lift people up as they climb. Especially in the communications industry, which has been greatly impacted, to be able to provide support to young people in their careers—that’s my “why” and the kind of legacy with a lasting impact that I want to have.

You are a source of inspiration for so many women in public relations. Are there any women—past or present—who have inspired you along your journey?

It’s honestly all the women around me. In Washington, D.C., women make up more than half of the workforce, and over half of the top executives are women. This is more than any other municipality in our country and something we should take pride in. It’s amazing how many rock-star women I met through organizations like the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, DC Chamber of Commerce, Women in Sports and Entertainment (WISE) D.C., and Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), as well as local leaders I’ve gotten to know and living in a city like D.C. where we have been led by a highly successful woman in Mayor Muriel Bowser. How can I not be inspired? There are so many women doing great things—doing them effortlessly and graciously. But the most inspirational superwoman, for me, is my mom. She always worked so hard but was always there for our family. I’m so grateful for her, for how supportive she is of me and my career, and for how she’s adapted to multiple roles while my father works to get back to full health.

Reflecting on your career and your role as a lecturer at George Washington University, what is the most meaningful advice you share with students or women starting out in their careers?

Be your biggest promoter. You are your own self-marketer. We live in a world where nothing is guaranteed, so knowing how to market and brand yourself is very important. And you can’t wait for someone else to do it for you. Start now. Don’t wait and stand in the shadows. Instead, be a go-getter, be curious, and embrace that entrepreneurial mentality. If you have that mindset, it won’t steer you wrong. But also remember to have fun while you do. We live in such a serious world that you need to find things to laugh at throughout the day. Every day, find something that brings you joy or makes you smile. For me, it’s my students who make me smile—I love being in the classroom and talking with them about things like entrepreneurial journalism and how we see journalism evolving.

On the topic of advice (and just for fun), what are your top five favorite things that you would recommend to our WWPR community?

First is the 2027 NFL Draft coming to Washington, D.C., which is putting our city in the spotlight for a good reason. Second are concerts because I love live music. There are so many great artists coming to the area, like Cardi B, so it is definitely something people should take advantage of. And because I am a foodie, my third-favorite thing is our local restaurant scene. I always appreciate a good social hour and helping the local economy, and a great restaurant I just tried is GAIA Supper Club (and love it!). On the topic of food, fourth would be getting popcorn at the movie theater—I love going to see scary movies, especially those based on a Stephen King book. I’ve always lived close to a movie theater, and because I don’t drive, I enjoy the walk to and from there. That leads to my fifth favorite thing—getting out to walk, as it’s the one time in my day that’s purely for me and my thoughts, where I give myself grace and space.

WWPR New Pro Bono Client Search 2026-2027

Are you a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and/or families in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area? Do you have ambitious communication goals but lack the resources to achieve them? 

Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is excited to announce our search for a new pro bono client for a two-year partnership, commencing in January 2026.

The application deadline of August 29th, 2025, has now passed. Thank you to all who applied, and we look forward to updating you on the selection later this fall.

About the Pro Bono Partnership 

This is a unique opportunity to elevate your organization’s mission and amplify your impact. Our team of experienced communications professionals offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

  • Strategic communications planning 
  • Media relations and training
  • Brand development and messaging
  • Executive communications
  • Digital communications and website support
  • Social media strategy and engagement
  • Event planning and promotion
  • And more!

We’re seeking a partner who is ready to collaborate closely with us to achieve their key communications objectives, enhance their visibility, and ultimately strengthen their ability to serve the community. As part of the engagement, WWPR will conduct a communications audit to evaluate existing key messages, marketing materials, social media sites, and other relevant platforms, and provide recommendations for key objectives and priorities.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, organizations must:

  • Be based or headquartered in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
  • Focus on serving women and/or families.
  • Hold a 501(c)(3) status.
  • Have been operating for at least 24 months.
  • Designate a dedicated point person to work directly with the WWPR team.

The deadline of Friday, August 29th, 2025 has now passed. Thank you to all who submitted. Stay tuned for an update later this fall.

Questions about the application process? Check out our FAQ and guidelines.

Ethical AI and Writing: Can the Two Co-Exist? 

By LeAnne DeFrancesco, vice president at Vanguard Communications

If you make a living from writing, your hackles have likely been up for a while about artificial intelligence (AI)–not the customer service chatbots on a website “Can I help you find what you’re looking for?” or even the expanding search capabilities. I’m talking about generative AI that puts together words and phrases that make sense, are creative and do the legwork of writing in an instant.

Wait – Was that my career that just flew out the window?

Writers, be comforted. Your career is intact, but there’s no reason you can’t make AI your bestie. In fact, we know that writers and authors are using AI as a creative and organizing tool, not a replacement for the beautiful subtleties and nuances of language and persuasion that only humans can provide.

And that’s really where the intersection of ethical AI and writing lies: Can we find a way to use AI to help us do our jobs better without passing it off as the work product of a trained, experienced author? 

Think of it this way: The internet has made research vastly more accessible. It has provided a shortcut TO the research; it isn’t writing it. And that’s how we can be ethical AI users, by using the tool, not the talent.

The Guardrails 

A few weeks back I was putting together a piece of marketing content that I had written in one form or another at least 100 times. It’s so familiar to me, yet I couldn’t find the words to start. Maybe at this point in my career I have too many reference points. 

So, I sat looking at the screen for about 10 minutes and then decided to plug my carefully engineered prompt into ChatGPT. Et voila! The results reminded me of what I wanted to say, not HOW I wanted to say it, necessarily, but it gave me the bones. 

That’s Guardrail #1: Never let an AI-generated piece of content speak for you.

When you do that, you give it creative control. Let it gather and summarize, and then you should take the wheel to make it a great piece of content that reflects your expertise, insights and understanding of the assignment.

Guardrail #2: Make sure you can stand behind your work product.

AI can be famously wrong. In a process called “hallucinating”, AI tools can actually make things up when they don’t know the answers. So even if you get something out of ChatGPT that sounds great and on point, fact check it. Writers can find a lot of inspiration in AI tools but should never depend on their outputs. Credibility can be lost in an instant.

Guardrail #3: Be transparent.

I think the communications world and all the clients we support are quite aware that AI is in the mix and is likely used every day in some way, shape or form. That doesn’t mean they are excited about it. In fact, some of our clients are extremely wary about what it can mean for their organizations. At Vanguard, we are intentional about how we use AI. When it has been a companion to us in a work product, we say so. (e.g., “We used AI to help us brainstorm these campaign names.”)

For brainstorming purposes, AI is just a few steps away from plugging ideas into Google, so it feels like a natural and “safe” step for us. But we still always reveal it, and our clients appreciate it.

Our Value Continues

Organizations want to see words that reflect our experiences and knowledge, and that expertise goes deeper than what the internet can uncover. AI wasn’t there for the conversation I had with a colleague that made me pivot on a campaign direction. And it wasn’t part of the meeting I had with my client last week where they gave me feedback on an op-ed draft. Those are my experiences, which will lead to better drafts. 

And that’s how I can sleep at night. AI is not omnipotent, but using it ethically is a muscle we are all going to have to strengthen. Right now, while large language models are still relatively new, it’s a good time to set up a healthy relationship with AI. 

Here are some tips that helped me get comfortable with AI as a writing partner: 

  1. Start small, giving whatever platform you like a few exploratory tasks—even personal ones that carry no professional risk. (I had ChatGPT develop an invitation to a summer solstice party I was throwing last summer, just to see where it landed and where it missed.) 
  2. Watch webinars and videos on what AI can really do. I use it sparingly in client work but as noted earlier, it has some real potential to save time on marketing tasks, which feels like a better role for it.
  3. Be curious. To trust AI and use it well, you are going to have to lean into it. Research the pitfalls and know where you need to draw the line. 

AI was not used in the development of this blog post.

LeAnne DeFrancesco is a vice president at Vanguard Communications in Washington, D.C., where she leads the firm’s Design and Editorial practice. She joined WWPR’s Pro Bono Committee in 2018, where she has helped several D.C.-based organizations enhance their PR and communications activities.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Honoring Our Roots and Advocating for Equity

By Gabriela Linares, lead marketing specialist at Washington Gas 

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I find myself reflecting deeply on my journey as a Latina woman—one shaped by my upbringing, professional challenges, and personal triumphs. From my international childhood to my career in leadership roles, this journey highlights the resilience of Hispanic women while emphasizing the continued fight for equity, transparency, and opportunity in the workplace.

A Global Upbringing: Shaped by Culture and Identity

My story begins in Washington, D.C., where I was born to Venezuelan diplomats. Growing up across cities like Savannah, Georgia; Vienna, Austria; and Madrid, Spain, my childhood was a melting pot of diverse experiences. Summers spent in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua further enriched my cultural perspective. This global upbringing shaped my worldview, helping me appreciate the richness of different cultures and making me fluent in Spanish, German, and French. It also taught me to cherish my heritage, and that pride remains at the core of who I am today.

Living in Vienna, Austria at the age of eight, surrounded by students from over 80 countries at an international school, I learned the true meaning of diversity and inclusion. We were equals, learning from one another’s differences and celebrating them. It was here that the seeds of global unity and respect for all cultures were planted in my heart. Attending the British secondary (high) school at King’s College in Madrid, Spain, among international students, further cemented the importance of global interconnectedness, acceptance, and respect.These formative experiences set the foundation for the rest of my life and career, where I’ve worked to embody those same values.

Throughout my career, I’ve remained deeply connected to my Venezuelan roots. From the language and traditions to the music and food that tie me to my family and culture, these elements have been guiding lights as I’ve navigated the complexities of the professional world. Venezuelan heritage, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month, reminds me of the strength, vibrancy, and joy that we carry with us wherever we go.

Venezuelan Influence and the Fight for Justice

Growing up with Venezuelan parents, I was also deeply impacted by the political struggles in my home country. The legacy of Simón Bolívar and the ongoing quest for democracy in Latin America shaped my passion for justice, equality, and social responsibility. These struggles are part of a broader context for many in the Hispanic community who strive to create better lives despite political and economic instability. I believe that supporting democracy and human rights is key to addressing migration challenges and providing economic opportunities across borders.

As I reflect on this, I see how my background fuels my dedication to fostering equity in the workplace. We need to create environments that promote fairness, diversity, and inclusion for all, including Hispanic professionals.

Breaking Ground Professionally

Entering the professional world, I quickly realized that my international background offered unique advantages. One of my career-defining moments came when I led the launch of the first Internet Service Provider in the Dominican Republic, a groundbreaking achievement that connected the country to the digital age. This experience, along with my ability to navigate multicultural spaces, led to many successes, including my role as Vice President of Marketing, where I achieved 300% annual growth and earned Deloitte’s Fast 50 awards for five consecutive years.

Yet, despite these accomplishments, my journey has been fraught with challenges. Like many Latina women, I’ve faced discrimination in the workplace. There have been instances where I was passed over for promotions or paid less than my peers despite my qualifications and contributions. These experiences reflect a larger issue that many Hispanic women face—unequal pay and limited opportunities for advancement.

Facing Discrimination: A Personal Story

One particular experience stands out in my mind. After giving a presentation at a company town hall, a cleaning lady I had befriended approached me with a heartfelt message. She told me that when she saw my name called to speak, she prayed I would do well, saying she wanted me to show that Latinas are capable of so much more than society often assumes. That conversation stuck with me. It highlighted the stereotypes that Hispanic women, even in professional settings, still fight to overcome.

It’s moments like these that remind me of the urgency of fighting for pay equity and equal opportunities for Hispanic women in the workforce. We must continue breaking down barriers and challenging the status quo.

The Road Ahead: Pay Equity and Accountability

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we must not only honor our heritage but also commit to making lasting change. Hispanic women still earn less than their peers, and many continue to face barriers in career progression. Pay transparency and accountability are crucial steps toward closing the wage gap. It’s not just about fairness in salary; it’s about respect, dignity, and the value of our contributions.

Together, we can advocate for pay equity, push for systemic changes, and create spaces where Hispanic women can thrive. I’m proud of my journey, but there is still much work to do to ensure the road ahead is smoother for the next generation of Latina professionals. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s uplift one another and continue to push for progress. Our community is resilient, and together, we can achieve the equity we deserve.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate our culture, contributions, and the road ahead. I am proud of my journey and the challenges I’ve overcome, but I remain committed to ensuring that the path is smoother for those who come after me. Pay equity is not just a goal; it is a necessity.  

Ethical AI: Policy Development Tips for PR Professionals 

by Allison Gross, associate director, Vanguard Communications

As ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools emerge into our workplace, many in our firms are equal parts giddy and guarded about what it means for our short-term tasks and our long-term jobs. And the truth is, the evolution is happening so quickly that getting your head around what it is and what it does can only be relied upon for a few moments. (I mean, AI is advancing at such a rapid pace that I worry this blog post might feel outdated by the time you finish it!) 

Through our research and focus on capitalizing on all that AI has to offer us, we believe the challenges we need to address with policies are clear – ethics, privacy, misinformation, and transparency.

Not surprisingly, AI usage hit a new peak in 2024. According to a McKinsey survey, 65% of respondents report their organizations regularly use generative AI – nearly double the rate from just 10 months ago. However, along with the fast growth in connection with AI, many users have already experienced some negative impacts, with 44% of those respondents indicating they have faced at least one problem related to AI use. 

Implementing an ethical AI policy is a critical step to harness the benefits of generative AI while mitigating its risks, and that has been our focus for the past six months. 

We have developed a robust AI policy, including an AI FAQs document that provides guidance and best practices for use on all client-related activities, as well as an AI tool vetting checklist, understanding that not all AI tools are created equally.) Creating these resources was a challenging process given the constantly changing landscape of AI. However, it was necessary to provide our staff with the parameters that can enable them to use AI ethically in this moment and ensure that their usage aligns with our values. 

Here is how we tackled the AI opportunity. 

Assemble an AI team

Creating an ethical AI policy should not be a solo mission. We established an AI task force composed of a diverse team and perspectives. The task force meets regularly to assess a variety of issues related to the consistently changing AI environment, including updating guidelines to better address the unique challenges (and opportunities) presented by AI. We walk through new tools together. We share stories of where AI has gone all wrong (e.g., those emails that you just KNOW were written by a chatbot). And we brainstorm on how to use specific tools so that we aren’t just chasing the bright shiny thing but actually processing how it will help our efficiency without crossing ethical lines. 

By bringing together a variety of perspectives, we strive to ensure that our policy is comprehensive and considerate of different viewpoints.

Align your AI policy with your core values

At Vanguard, we pride ourselves on a people-first approach, which means that we use only human voice artists and real people in images and video to the extent possible. 

Your organization should determine the ethical principles and values that guide AI development and deployment, such as inclusiveness, human well-being, transparency and accountability. These principles will lay the groundwork for a comprehensive and ethical AI policy. We think of AI as an assistant, never an author. AI should enhance, not replace, human intelligence and decision-making. Your AI policy should also include human oversight to avoid overreliance on automated decisions.

Prioritize inclusivity

Our AI task force created an AI tool vetting checklist that includes three key questions that our staff should consider before using any AI tool:

1) Is the AI tool transparent on how it formulates responses and what dataset/sources it uses? 

2) Does the AI tool formulate responses based on hard data? 

3) Does the AI tool include features to accommodate users with different types of disabilities (e.g., visual, auditory, cognitive)? 

These questions help ensure that whatever AI tool we are considering supports our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DEI) efforts because we can identify how the tool is generating its response. It is essential for our staff to understand that AI can replicate the same types of biases exhibited by people. 

Train and educate

A standalone policy is not enough. Pair the policy with sessions to educate staff about the ethics surrounding the use of AI. We hold regular learning sessions to help staff stay updated on best practices and new developments in AI. These trainings cover various topics, including AI implications for DEI, using AI ethically in writing, and the basics of our policies. 

We also recommend creating a collaborative space (we use a Teams channel) where staff share news, research, upcoming webinars, and their personal experiences, both good and bad, with colleagues.

Promote transparency

Your policy should emphasize transparency in using AI, just as you are transparent about how you bill clients or staff your project teams. Our policy emphasizes the requirement of being open and honest with our stakeholders in how we use AI. If used in the appropriate manner, AI is simply another professional tool that can help us generate ideas and provide direction, but it can take time for organizations to come on board. Be patient with them.

Embrace the iterative process

AI is continuously evolving, and your first policy cannot possibly be comprehensive of all of your organization’s considerations in using AI. Think about including into your policy a process to regularly review and update it as the environment changes and new AI tools are introduced. 

Our work with AI is just beginning, and as PR pros we probably can’t be experts right away, but we can build a framework of understanding for ourselves and for our clients. As we continue to explore new AI tools and technologies, our commitment to ethical practices remains steadfast. In fact, we almost never reference “AI” on its own; in our conversations, it’s always “ethical AI.”

By regularly updating our policies and providing ongoing education for our team, we aim to ensure that our use of AI aligns with our values and serves our mission.

Allison Gross is an associate director at Vanguard Communications in Washington, D.C. and a member of WWPR. She has extensive experience in health communications and marketing activities for government and nonprofit clients. At Vanguard, she is part of the AI task force and oversees the production of communications campaigns and materials for a Medicaid managed care organization in D.C. Before joining Vanguard, Allison led the overall marketing and communications strategy for the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC). Prior to PCC, she developed and executed communications campaigns to promote the 340B Drug Discount Program at the American Pharmacist Association.

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