Author: WWPR

Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR, president of Keenan, PR, Inc was named the 2011 Washington PR Woman of the Year by Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) at their signature award luncheon today. WWPR annually hosts the event to honor public relations professionals in the Washington, D.C. area who exemplify true integrity and leadership characteristics.

Evans-Keenan was selected from a panel of esteemed industry judges based on her exceptional influence and dedication to the field of public relations, as well as her community involvement. Christine Till, director of communications at Venable LLP, and Donna Vincent Roa, PhD, ABC, CSR-P, managing partner and chief strategist, Vincent Roa Group LLC were also celebrated as honorees at the event.

“All three of our honorees today are standouts in the public relations field,” says Kendra Kojcsich, president of WWPR. “We are thrilled to select Heathere Evans-Keenan as our 2011 Washington PR Woman of the Year. She is a distinguished leader in our practice and she contributes to the community by doing pro bono work for The Children’s Law Center and mentoring students and new professionals.”

Evans-Keenan founded Keenan, PR, Inc., an award-winning public relations and marketing communications firm in 1999. She is the past president of the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and founder of the Independent Public Relations Alliance (IPRA). Evans-Keenan has received numerous awards for her public relations work, including PRSA’s Silver Anvil, and multiple Thoth Awards. She was a Washington PR Woman of the Year honoree by WWPR in 2008.

The event also featured a keynote address by Jen Psaki, former White House deputy communications director and nearly five-year veteran of the Obama communications team. Psaki recently joined Global Strategy Group as senior vice president and managing director.

A raffle was held to benefit WWPR’s pro bono client, Thrive DC, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent and end homelessness by providing vulnerable individuals with a comprehensive range of services to help stabilize their lives.

A list of previous recipients of this distinguished award is available at www.wwpr.org.

ABOUT WWPR
Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is the first and only D.C. based professional organization advancing women in the communications industry. WWPR is committed to delivering outstanding professional development, networking, marketplace positioning, and leadership opportunities to area communicators. Visit us at wwpr.org, “Like” us on Facebook.com/WashingtonWomeninPR, and follow us on Twitter @WWPR.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 7, 2011 — Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is pleased to announce that former White House deputy communications director Jen Psaki will serve as this year’s keynote speaker for the 22nd annual Washington PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon.

Psaki recently joined Global Strategy Group as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, overseeing the Washington, D.C. office of the nationally recognized public affairs agency. Previously, she served as deputy press secretary and then deputy communications director in the White House, acting as a national spokesperson for President Obama and Administration policy. She was a member of the Obama communications team for nearly five years and was one of the first hires on his campaign in 2007 as traveling press secretary.

Since its inception in 1990, WWPR’s signature Washington PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon has honored the most talented women in public relations, communications and journalism. In addition to honoring the achievements of three nominees and naming a Washington PR Woman of the Year, partial proceeds from the event will be donated to Thrive DC, WWPR’s pro bono client.

Registration is open for the event, to take place Tuesday, November 15, from 11:30a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. To RSVP, visit here.

ABOUT WASHINGTON WOMEN IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is the first and only D.C. based professional organization advancing women in the communications industry. WWPR is committed to delivering outstanding professional development, networking, marketplace positioning, and leadership opportunities to area communicators. Visit us at wwpr.org, “Like” us on Facebook.com/WashingtonWomeninPR, and follow us on Twitter @WWPR.

Did you know Blues great Bo Diddley lived in Mount Pleasant? You can learn exactly where his home was, where the oldest house in the neighborhood is, and many other fascinating facts about this area on the WWPR Mt. Pleasant Guided Tour and Mini-Walk to support our pro bono client, Thrive DC. The walking tour will be led by professional tour guide Amy Kunz, who will share the fascinating history of the diverse neighborhood that surrounds Thrive DC.
The walking tour/mini-walk takes place on Saturday, October 29 and will start at 11:00 a.m. near the Columbia Heights Metro, at the corner of 15^th and Irving Streets, NW and finish at Thrive DC, 1525 Newton Street, NW. You will get a chance to learn more about Thrive DC and its facilities inside historic St. Stephens Church.  The cost is $30, and will benefit Thrive DC through the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless program. Thrive DC will also receive matching funds depending on the number of walkers.

WWPR Mount Pleasant Guided Tour and Mini-Walk

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011

Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 p.m.

Meeting place: Corner of 15th & Irving Street, NW (Nearest Metro: Columbia Heights, Green/Yellow Line)

Fee: $30

Register today!