Member Spotlight: Jennifer Passey

WWPR’s Melinda Tolliver had the opportunity to learn more about new WWPR member Jennifer Passey’s role at Girls on the Run of NOVA and why she joined WWPR.

Jennifer Passey, engagement manager at Girls on the Run of NOVA, is one of WWPR’s newest members and brings with her a varied background.

As an issue advocacy and communication specialist, Jennifer has nearly 20 years of experience—including almost 10 years working in South Asia. She is also a passionate advocate for local government and looks forward to getting more involved in WWPR.

Here’s a little bit more about her:

Her Background

Jennifer started her career as a legislative associate for the Entertainment Software Association representing computer and video game companies before seeking work abroad.

In 2007, she switched gears and relocated to New Delhi, India, to work for a non-governmental organization (NGO) where she advocated for spouses of expatriates and built relationships with multinational companies, other NGOs, and foreign governments. She later moved to Dhaka, Bangladesh, for a position at the American International School Dhaka as the communications and publications coordinator before moving back to the United States.

Her Current Position

Since moving back to the DMV-area in 2016, she has been the engagement manager at Girls on the Run of NOVA, a nonprofit delivering physical activity-based, positive youth development programs for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls in the area.

Jennifer loves that she gets to work for an organization that envisions a world where every girl knows she has the power to be her best and teaches value. She especially enjoys communicating with stakeholders, inviting new supporters to take part in the program, and developing creatives that speak to current and new audiences.

Her Involvement in WWPR

Her commitment to lifelong learning and WWPR’s reputation is what led her to becoming a member. She loves that WWPR includes smart, professional women of all ages to learn, share, and collaborate together. She looks forward to finding ways to use her skills to strengthen WWPR, including assisting with membership and highlighting emerging leaders.

Her Out of Office Hours

Jennifer lives in the City of Fairfax with her husband and four sons, where she is now serving her second term as a councilmember. She considers it an honor to serve her community and teach her sons about the importance of local government.

When she’s not in the office or at council meetings, Jennifer enjoys golf, grabbing coffee with company, and playing tourist in the city.

Article written by Melinda Tolliver,
WWPR Member,
Manager, Digital Media, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

4 Reasons Why I’m Excited about WWPR in 2019

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Being a member of WWPR is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done professionally and personally since I moved to D.C. (over four years ago!) and I’m even more excited than ever this year.

Here’s why:

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Rise and Shine Events. This year, I’m saying “no” to the snooze button and “yes” to prioritizing myself. The Rise and Shine events launched last year will hopefully help me check off two of my resolutions: 1. Focus on myself and general health and 2. Work on being an early riser. Both are much needed and a little motivation never hurt.  

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Getting More Involved with Committees (and Networking). I’ve been a long-time contributor for the content committee  but haven’t made a concentrated effort to get to know the other members of the board, outside my committee lead. This year I’m planning on taking a more leading role on the committee as second-in-command and, hopefully, getting a seat at the table, too.

You can also get involved with one of WWPR’s committees— we would love to have you! Take a look at all our offerings, there might be another committee more aligned with your interests.

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Even More Professional Development. Obviously the variety of professional development opportunities are a big reason why I’m member. Personally, I’m in digital so I love that WWPR has embraced and facilitated development opportunities for people like me who get their hands dirty in social, email, and web. I’m looking forward to seeing what our Professional Development Co-Chairs have coming down the pipe this year.  

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Opportunities to Write! I love writing and I’m always looking for ways to get my name out there (hi, Google). One of those ways is through the WWPR blog and the connections I’ve made within the organization.

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Article written by Melinda Tolliver,
WWPR Member,
Manager, Digital Media, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Think you have something to contribute? We’re always looking for other contributors to share their experience, goals, or highlight the amazing women in our organization. Are you a WWPR member interested in contributing content to wwpr.org? Email content@wwpr.org.

As we start the new year, sticking to my resolutions, landing that promotion, and prioritizing self-care are on the top of my agenda. What’s on yours?

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Member Spotlight: Erika Dyer

Meet our newest WWPR member: Erika Dyer! Erika has a substantial background in state and local politics homegrown in nearby Virginia and has recently put her public affairs skills to work at a PR firm.

Her Experience
Erika serves as an account associate for Ketchum, Inc., in the public affairs. She loves that Ketchum has allowed her the opportunity to further develop the skills she learned on the campaign trail and recently celebrate her one-month anniversary! In her new role, she also appreciates being surrounded by so many smart and talented women after working in a male-dominated field for most of her career.

Before joining the PR firm, we spent eight years in politics, working on numerous Republican campaigns throughout Virginia and as the communications director and legislative aide to Springfield District Supervisor Patrick H. Herrity in Fairfax County.

Her Reason for Joining WWPR
Erika first learned about WWPR a year ago through the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, but she was initially hesitant to join since it was based in D.C. Then she attended the Women of the Year Awards Luncheon on an invite from her PR firm and signed up on the spot.

WWPR seemed like a natural fit for the next step in Erika’s career and a great way to embrace the PR world. She is excited to soak up as much knowledge and advice as she can and expand her network! She’s even hoping to put her event planning skills to good use by joining the Awards Luncheon committee where it all started, or with another event committee.

Her Out of Office Hours
In addition to WWPR, Erika is a huge advocate of giving back to the community. She is the marketing chair of the Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic Community Leadership Council, serves with the Junior League of Northern Virginia, and holds a variety of leadership positions in Virginia political organizations.

When she’s not at the office or giving back, she loves experiencing what DC has to offer. Despite growing up in Northern Virginia, she’s rarely ventured into the city so she’s been steadily exploring the hidden treasures and touring off-the-beaten path locations. At home, she’s a huge fan of Agatha Christie’s mysteries and cuddling with her two rescue cats, Ronnie and Poppy.

President’s Note: January 2019

WWPR 2019 President, Senior Governmental and Political Outreach Manager, American Society of Anesthesiologists

A Year Full of Celebrations

Without a doubt, 2019 is going to be a year to celebrate.  Already, we recognized a tremendous new Board of Directors that embraces diversity, successes and passion for the organization.  If you haven’t yet, take a look at the Board that was inducted last week here.  Leslie Crutchfield keynoted our Annual Meeting and Induction, and inspired us all to create positive social change.

I have the tremendous honor this year of also celebrating the 30th anniversary of the PR Woman of the Year Awards and the 10th anniversary of the Emerging Leader Awards.  With the support of the new 2019 Board of Directors (remember, from above), I know that we are going to make these events especially momentous and memorable.

I’m hoping that in the spirit of New Years Resolutions, you may be interested in being part of this milestone year.  If so, I encourage you to join WWPR, where we continue to have 6 membership categories so you can choose what fits you best.  

Need more WWPR?  Join us at one of our upcoming events. Sneak peak: we expect a Meet the Board happy hour soon, so you can get some face time with the new Board members (again: above).  

Still have some free time on your calendar? This is the perfect time to join a Committee that speaks to your interests. Do you have a passion for blogs? A drive for data? A thing for people?  Trust me, there’s a WWPR Committee for you. Not sure what’s best for you and your experience? Feel free to email me directly at amanda.cate@wwpr.org and I’ll put you in touch with the right people!

I’m looking forward to you joining me for a momentous and exciting year full of celebration. Stay tuned for more!

Sitar Alum Spotlight: A Conversation with Christina Lucas

Sherie Winston, WWPR Pro Bono Committee Member

The learning experiences that many young performers and artists gain at Sitar Arts Center have been such a strong influencer that several Sitar graduates have formed the Sitar Alumni Actors Theater Company. The new alumni theater troupe will present its first production, A Raisin in the Sun in February as part of Sitar’s celebration of Black History Month.

“It’s a classic play and perfect for Black History Month,” says Christina Lucas, who will play Lena Younger (Mama) in the production.

Christina was introduced to Sitar after graduating high school from the District’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts. A classical vocal performance major, Christina who is now 22, explains that she wanted to gain more experience performing on stage in a musical theater setting. Through DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program, Christina was partnered with Sitar for an internship that included working on a production of The Wiz. Christina played several on-stage roles, including an Emerald City citizen and Aunt Em.

“It was crazy and I loved it,” she says.  

Since that summer five years ago, Christina has returned each year to Sitar: as a student, as a volunteer, and as a teacher. She’s coached a singing group of 5-to-8-year-old students, painted backdrops, and designed props for Sitar theater productions. Christina also took advantage of the wide array of classes offered at Sitar. The pride in her voice comes through when she recalls a pottery class she took. “I still have the pieces, the cups and plates, to this day that I made,” she shares.

The openness of the Sitar community has had the biggest impact. At Sitar, Christina says, she feels “very comfortable expressing myself. And, I don’t feel that in a lot of places.” Her experiences there have shaped her personal and musical growth. Instead of thinking that a song must be sung in a specific way, the Sitar teachers have helped her convey emotion and provided the freedom to grow beyond the boundaries she learned through her roots in classical music. Christina says she learned not only to focus on posture or hitting a specific note, but that other types of musical performance, including Broadway and jazz, allowed for more expression. “My individual creativity as a singer wasn’t fully developed until I worked at Sitar,” she says.

When she was cast in her first role in a musical at Sitar, Christina explains, “I learned you can do a scene twenty different ways. You can be creative. You can walk different ways. You can walk like you have a limp, you can sing a song in different ways.”

“I’m now open to try new things. I was scared at first,” she admits. The teachers, especially Ms. Lorraine, Sitar’s senior director of programs and a nationally-recognized arts educator, inspire everyone to make a scene come alive. “Once I’ve put a costume on, I now move from someone who just says her lines to really understanding the character, and how they think and how they walk.”

Christina is especially looking forward to performing in A Raisin in the Sun. Relating to Lena Younger, a woman from another era and from a different generation, makes the role complex for her. Lena is the mama and in the 1950s, when the play takes place, it traditionally is the matriarch who serves as the foundation and holds the family together. But Christina says she believes that in this story, it is the daughter-in-law Ruth Younger who takes on that role. Mama doesn’t understand her son’s unhappiness and doesn’t know how to fix it, says Christina. “As a younger person, I can’t always relate to Mama’s feelings.” Christina adds that some of these issues – especially about characters understanding each other – haven’t changed over the years, and that she sees similar generational issues in her own family.  

To prepare to play Mama, Christina says she has drawn on “different experiences from my relationship with my own grandmother and my mother. The role has also made me think about what it is like to be a mother to an adult, and not just a mother to a young child.”

Sitar also influenced Christina’s career path. A former student at Temple University, Christina switched her field of studies from vocal performance to musical education, with a concentration in voice. One day, after returning to school and completing her studies, she hopes to open her own arts center. For now, Christina is working and focused on gaining knowledge to build an organization from the ground up.

Her enthusiasm for Sitar is contagious. Attend one of Sitar’s performances and “you can feel the sense of community and positivity.” She adds: “You enter and you feel so welcomed, you feel just great.”

The Sitar Alumni Actors Theater Company will present A Raisin in the Sun on February 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. Performances will take place in Sitar’s deLaski Theater, 1700 Kalorama Rd., NW.  Proceeds from ticket sales will help all families have access to arts education opportunities.

General admission tickets for the February 8 and 9 performances are available https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-raisin-in-the-sun-play-tickets-54370260914.

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