PRESS RELEASE: WWPR Announces Inaugural Advisory Council

Industry Titans to Shape Five Year Strategic Vision of Leading PR Society for Women WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 6, 2013 – Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a leading resource for communications professionals in the nation’s capital, today announces the creation of an Advisory Council to provide WWPR leadership with strategic advice on the direction of the organization. “WWPR is on a strong path forward and with the support of the council will focus on creating a peer-to-peer community for DC women in the PR industry,” comments WWPR co-president Kendra Kojcsich. The council is comprised of leading industry veterans, including: Martha Boudreau President Mid-Atlantic & Latin America at Fleishman-Hillard International Communications Martha Boudreau joined Fleishman-Hillard Washington, D.C., in 1986 and has been instrumental in building Fleishman-Hillard into a major player in the Washington market. For almost a decade she served as the office’s general manager, overseeing revenue growth of nearly 60 percent. Currently as Regional President for Mid-Atlantic & Latin America, Boudreau takes on additional responsibility for Fleishman-Hillard offices in Washington, Atlanta, North Carolina, Miami and Latin America. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Frank Kauffman Senior Counselor, Edelman Frank Kauffman is a senior counselor at Edelman following more than six years as an executive vice president and general manager in the agency’s Washington office. He is a former journalist who has spent more than 24 years working for major PR agencies in the nation’s capital, specializing in media relations, training and crisis communications. Kauffman manages communications for the United States Maritime Alliance in its contract negotiations with the International Longshoremen’s Association, handled the release of the Iraq Study Group report and represented Norfolk Southern Corp. in its successful campaign to acquire the Conrail freight railroad. Before joining Edelman, he co-managed the public affairs practice at Fleishman-Hillard and worked at Hill and Knowlton.  He is a graduate of Miami University (Ohio), earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a juris doctor from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Catherine “Kiki” McLean Senior Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs and Managing Director at Porter Novelli Public Services Kiki McLean oversees Porter Novelli’s public affairs teams across a global network and manages the business and strategy of the Washington, D.C. office. She brings more than 20 years’ experience to Porter Novelli, having served as the communications director for the Democratic National Committee after serving as a member of the historic 1992 campaign with President Bill Clinton. McLean has also acted as a senior adviser to the Hillary Clinton for President campaign, an on-air surrogate for the Obama for America campaign, press secretary for Vice President Al Gore’s presidential campaign, and spokesperson for Joe Lieberman as the Democratic vice presidential nominee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Polly Sherard Manager-Special Projects, ABC7-TV and wjla.com Polly Sherard manages partnerships and promotional campaigns for Channel 7 and its online property, wjla.com. Since 1994, she has managed partnerships with the station, including “Heart of a Woman” for the Inova Health System, and “15+: Make Time to Listen, Take Time to Talk,” for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The SAMHSA campaign resulted in one national Emmy and two national Telly Awards.  She earned her bachelor’s in speech & English literature from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. “We are honored to be able to work with exemplary leaders, like Martha, Kiki, Polly and Frank, who are interested in continuing to advance the field of public relations by serving on WWPR’s Advisory Council,” says WWPR co-president Tina McCormack Beaty. 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.   ###