Home | News/Blog | Member Stories

Tag: Member Stories

Board Member Spotlight: Karen Naumann, APR, PMP

WWPR Board Member Karen Naumann, APR, PMP, is a multifaceted, seasoned practitioner with more than 25 years of communication experience. She is an educator, executive, and author with a focus on national security. She excels as an educator, executive, and author, focusing on national security. Currently serving as a graduate professor at West Virginia University’s Defense Information School cohort, Karen trains information warriors in crisis communications. Her background includes roles as a Senior Strategic Communication Planner in South Korea and Senior Instructor at the U.S. Department of Defense’s Information School. Karen finds pride in serving as a communicator for two different countries and in mentoring teams and students. As a WWPR Board Member, she brings her passion for communications and management to an organization dedicated to empowering women in the field. Outside of work, Karen is actively involved in the National Press Club and enjoys virtual reality workouts, hiking, and cooking New Orleans dishes.

Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.  

I have the honor and privilege of training the communicators for our country’s fleet in the field as a graduate professor for West Virginia University’s Defense Information School cohort. I develop and instruct these information warriors to proactively and continually practice crisis communications. 

My role builds upon other national security-focused roles that I have recently held. Namely, in 2022, I worked in South Korea as a Senior Strategic Communication Planner and Team Lead in support of the four-star-led UN Combined Forces Command at U.S. Forces Korea, where I developed communication strategy recommendations for command-wide and Republic of Korea allies.

Before this, I was a Senior Instructor at the U.S. Department of Defense’s Information School for several years, where she had the privilege of training hundreds of public affairs officers for the United States fleet and field in topics ranging from Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking to Strategic Foresight and Issues Management and Disinformation. 

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?  

Professionally, I’m proud of the trust that has been placed in me to serve as a communications strategist for two different countries (the United States of America and Israel). 

Also, I’ve been fortunate to manage talented teams and teach motivated students over the years. Hearing from former team members and students who feel I contributed to their growth and accomplishments is incredibly fulfilling. Their ongoing gratitude and updates on their achievements bring me a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.

What do you love about being a WWPR Board Member? 

I am passionate about communications — evident by holding two degrees in the subject, and earning an accreditation in the field, as well as being a published author and recognized subject matter expert in it. 

Additionally, I love team and program leadership. So, I have earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and the SCRUM Master designation, which I use in managing teams.

In an Operations function for WWPR, I have the opportunity to use my communications and management background toward an amazing organization dedicated to area women working in our shared field. 

Is there any book you would recommend? 

So many books, so little time. The book I am reading now, which is perfect for communicators, especially in an election year, is How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney. 

It is an investigation of why some people never change their minds and others do. Uncovering what made a prominent conspiracy theorist YouTuber finally see that 9/11 was not a hoax or why some people left Westboro Church was fascinating. Probing how do voter opinions shift from neutral to resolute? It delves into the latest research of psychologists and neuroscientists, the book explores the limits of reasoning, the power of groupthink, and the effects of deep canvassing.

What do you do outside of work?

I am active in the National Press Club sitting on both the Headliners Committee and the Communicators Committee. 

Otherwise, I enjoy working out in virtual reality, hiking area trails, and cooking dishes from my hometown of New Orleans. 

Board Member Spotlight: Jordun Lawrence, Manager, Social Impact Communications and Strategic Partnerships

Board Member Spotlight: Jordun Lawrence, Manager, Social Impact Communications and Strategic Partnerships 

Jordun Lawrence, Manager of Social Impact Communications and Strategic Partnerships at PayPal, is not only one of WWPR’s newest board members but also the 2023 WWPR  Emerging Leader Award winner in the corporate category. At Paypal, Jordun spearheads communications efforts that humanize the PayPal brand and highlight PayPal’s mission to improve financial health and expand economic opportunity. She previously served as Communications and Strategic Engagement Director for the Public Religion Research Institute. She has also served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Senior Manager of Communications for the National Urban League Washington Bureau, Deputy Press Secretary for Hillary for America, and on Capitol Hill. 

Jordun Lawrence

Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.

I’ve spent over a decade working across government, political campaigns, non-profit organizations, and now, in the corporate world. I serve as Impact Communications and Strategic Partnerships Manager at PayPal. I was drawn to the role because of the opportunity to expand my skill set and serve as a strategic collaborator across teams. I chose to work at PayPal because I wanted to work in a place that has a strong mission and is values-driven. Throughout my career, I’ve chosen opportunities that allowed me to give back and serve marginalized communities, and working at PayPal has allowed me to do that on a global scale.

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?

The most exciting project of my career was spearheading the MADE x PayPal fashion event in the summer of 2022. MADE x PayPal was a 2-day fashion festival in New York City with runway shows, musical performances, a marketplace of diverse small businesses, and more. The event was focused on promoting the talents of designers and businesses from underrepresented communities. PayPal had never done an event like this before. We partnered with IMG Fashion, a monumental collaborator in the fashion industry, to bring together the worlds of fashion, fintech, and small business empowerment. It was an incredibly rewarding event and a career-defining moment for me.

As an Emerging Leader Award Winner and member of WWPR, what have you gained from your experience?

I have gained an incredible network of dynamic and incredibly entrepreneurial women. I’m thrilled and honored to be a member of this community and to now get to contribute as a member of the board.

What PR trends have you seen happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had on professionals in the industry?

The biggest trend I’ve seen is leaning more into AI as a tool to help PR professionals do their jobs more efficiently. I think this trend is going to continue to deepen in our profession, and there will be a ton of opportunities to lean in, become better communicators, and reach even more audiences because of it.

Is there any particular book, podcast, or influencer you would recommend? How has it impacted your life?

NPR’s Hidden Brain has been an invaluable resource for me. The podcast uses science and brilliant storytelling to explain human behavior. Hidden Brain has had such a major impact on me, my understanding of myself and others, and how I relate to the world around me.

Board Member Spotlight: Agatha Aramayo – Executive Director, Foundation for Total Recovery & Independent Consultant

WWPR Board Member, Agatha Aramayo is a dedicated marketing and communications professional with a diverse range of experiences spanning 14 years. From her background in the film industry to her expertise in consulting federal government agencies, Agatha brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her current position as the executive director of the Foundation for Total Recovery. Utilizing her PR and marketing background, Agatha is passionate about driving the organization’s mission of finding a cure for chronic illnesses caused by brain inflammation. We sat down with Agatha to learn about her professional journey, her perspectives on the PR industry’s latest trends, and her inspiring book recommendations.

Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.  

I’ve worked in marketing and communications for 14 years. I’ve also worked in the film industry (I have my B.A. in film and video studies), which always goes hand-in-hand with my work as a communicator. Naturally as a Washingtonian, most of my career entails consulting federal government agencies in the agency world, but I’ve also worked in conferences marketing for a nonprofit membership organization, consulted for large companies, c-suite executives, and have been working independently as a PR and marketing consultant for small businesses and restaurants for many years. 

I’m also currently the executive director of the Foundation for Total Recovery, a nonprofit whose mission is to help find a cure for the 20+million Americans that suffer from chronic illnesses that stem from brain inflammation. The Foundation performs research and hosts conferences to better educate healthcare providers and patients alike so that those that suffer can get better diagnosis, treatment and hopefully achieve full recovery. It is a seemingly left turn from my 14-year resume, but I actually get to utilize my experience in PR and marketing and all the skills  that come with that to this position to take us to the next level. I love boot-strap work where I can be entrepreneurial the most. 

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?  

In my last position as an account director for a PR firm, I led an executive visibility strategy for a Fortune 500 client that did very well—always a good feeling! We determined what categories of awards we wanted to focus on and which employees and executives to amplify. As you can imagine, there are tons of awards and speaking opportunities out there for any given topic, so I implemented an evaluation process to hone in on the opportunities that offered the best chances for winning and best benefits. We won 19 awards in one year, ranging from sustainability and technology to individual spotlights. Having a tangible “win” definitely helps measure success but most importantly, seeing the client happy and able to celebrate their accomplishments was a great feeling. 

As a board member for WWPR, what have you gained from your experience? 

I love being the content co-chair for WWPR! I’ve learned it truly takes a team to make great things happen. Being able to tap into the talents of different communicators, leaders, writers, and speakers across different industries is invaluable; I feel fortunate to have access to all of these brilliant people in our network and on our board. WWPR creates a community that expands beyond our own organizations and colleagues at work. Just like many others in our community, I tend to take lots of things on and can get overwhelmed (why are we like this?), but it’s great having others to collaborate with and make things fun. 

What PR trends have you seen happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had on professionals in the industry?  

The biggest trend I would say is artificial intelligence (AI). There is an AI tool in nearly every digital app we use for work these days, and Chat GPT and others have been huge disruptors to many industries. Of course there is a lot of fear in regards to what that means for job security, but from what I’ve gathered, it can be very helpful when used effectively, especially for our industry. That being said, I’m personally “old school,” so I don’t really use it much. Instead, you will most likely find me with a pack of highlighters and notebooks until they’re gone, but I also realize time is money! 

I tend to take way too long on ideating the perfect opening to communications plans or related work, but using AI to help create a starting point I can edit profusely has saved me hours of time spent staring at the same sentences. 

However, AI emits an egregious amount of greenhouse gasses, so I hope advancements in reducing its carbon footprint can be just as rapidly made as AI itself. Apparently, training just one AI model can emit more than 626,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is nearly five times the lifetime emissions of an American car, according to MIT. 

I surmise that using AI sparingly is best, at least for me personally, but hopefully more balance can be achieved as overall technology develops. At least the alarming data makes a good case for us to not lose our jobs to AI. 

Is there any particular book, podcast or influencer you would recommend? How has it impacted your life?  

I recently read, “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life” by Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, a book I finished feeling very kindred to. In a world where we celebrate success and seek optimal formulas for it, his book celebrates his failures more than anything, which contradicts the norm. I have perfectionist tendencies (meaning I’m further from perfect than most; it’s a misnomer), and as I got older I realized it just isn’t the way. You need to fail and fail often to win. Even if you feel that you “fail” more than others, it’s rewarding because it teaches you more than winning does. I’ve learned to celebrate my fails along with my wins; it thickens your skin and makes for a great story. 

Member Spotlight: Jalisa Washington Price Managing Director, Subject Matter + Kivvit


Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position. 

Jalisa Washington Price Managing Director, Subject Matter + Kivvit

My work experience began in political campaigns and advocacy work. The highlight of my professional journey has been using earned and paid communication to tell stories that resonate with people from all walks of life. These experiences have led me to my current position where I get a chance to work with several clients from corporations, advocacy organizations and agencies helping them tell their story in creative ways while targeting specific audiences.

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently?

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with an organization on a project to recruit social workers. Social workers are so important, and they make such an impact in the lives of so many families and communities. This recruitment campaign helped tell the story of the great work social workers are doing across the country and how a career in social work can be fulfilling.

As an Emerging Leader Award Winner and member of WWPR, what have you gained from your experience? 

Being a 2023 WWPR Emerging leader award winner has allowed me to meet some amazing women in the communication industry. I’ve expanded my network and have learned from the work these women are doing in their companies and organizations. It has truly been an inspiration and a boost to my professional development. As a member, I appreciate the opportunity to connect with so many great women.

What PR trends have you seen happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had on professionals in the industry? 

I see an increase in the use of AI in the PR industry. AI is still new, but I am seeing it being the topic of many discussions with companies and organizations as they think through their public relations and marketing strategies. Public relations professionals have an opportunity to be on the forefront of AI development as companies are looking to professionals to help them navigate this new tool.

How do you stay current or top of the news in PR?

I stay on top of the latest PR news by listening to various podcasts, social media posts and the help of organizations like WWPR.

Member Spotlight: Kelsey Nelson, Director of Communications at the National Foster Youth Institute  (NFYI)

Kelsey Nelson is currently the  Director of Communications at the National Foster Youth Institute  (NFYI) and WWPR 2023 Emerging Leader Award Winner in the Non-Profit category

Kelsey Nelson, Director of Communications. National Foster Youth Institute  (NFYI)

Tell me about your background and what drew you to your new position.  

I have worked in a variety of industries, including nonprofits, education, sports, and politics. My background draws from an array of strategic marketing, digital media, communications, and public relations disciplines. I also have a strong background in broadcast media, having worked as an on-air journalist and media lecturer at George Washington University. Essentially, I’m a storyteller, helping to bring purpose and cause to the right audience. Prior to my current role, I worked as the Senior Manager of External Relations for Learning Heroes, where I led a partnerships team and co-led a communications team.

 In April of this year, I began my current role as the Director of Communications for the National Foster Youth Institute, a national youth development nonprofit with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. I was drawn to this position because I am a huge proponent of using your platform for a purpose. I wanted to be part of the organizational change occurring within the organization to help them achieve an even greater positive impact for current and former foster youth and their families, helping to positively transform the child welfare system.

I also loved the challenge of starting as a one-person communications department with the opportunity to expand, cultivate, and build upon the organization’s current framework.

Previously, I have spoken to foster youth through the DC Child and Family Services Agency as well as worked as a mentor to foster children in DCPS and DC area public charter schools, but I wanted the opportunity to work with foster youth on a larger scale to be able to have more of a direct and positive influence on their growth, journey, and development not just here in the DMV but nationally.

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?  

Most recently, a project I was very excited to work on with NFYI was our 2023 Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day program. From June 11–15, the 2023 Congressional Leadership Academy (CLA) class participated in the annual Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day Experience on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. This week-long event, which hosted current and former foster youth from across the country, provided 22 CLA delegates representing 20 states with the chance to directly impact policy and connect with members of Congress. Thirty members of Congress participated in this year’s Shadow Day programming. The week-long event included a congressional town hall, a gala, a congressional awards luncheon honoring members of the 118th Congress, a kickoff and opening session featuring Miss District of Columbia 2023 Cassie Baloue, and a congressional awards luncheon. Throughout the week, CLA participants also participated in a wide variety of workshops.

I’m also very excited to work on our #LostDaysJJ campaign, which will this year highlight the disproportionate number of Black and brown foster youth and their families who get torn apart due to being locked up due to minor drug offenses in the juvenile justice system. This will be the second year our organization runs the #LostDays campaign, and it will be my first time getting to be part of it.

We are also gearing up for the 3rd annual NFYI Virtual 5K, taking place October 6–8. The #NFYI5K is meant to bring awareness to issues and challenges that continue to plague the child welfare system. We have a goal to get individuals from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to participate with a goal of raising $20,000. For this upcoming race weekend, I also just launched a newly created race ambassador program to highlight the stories of current and former foster youth to help uplift and amplify #FosterYouthVoices.

As an Emerging Leader Award Winner and member of WWPR, what have you gained from your experience? 

First off, let me say I am still so thankful to be named a 2023 Emerging Leader Award winner by WWPR. This accolade was so special to me and one I hold near and dear to my heart. It was an amazing opportunity to be amongst and recognized by some of the best in the industry, as well as to hear an inspiring keynote by Devi Thomas. From this experience, I have had the opportunity to become an official WWPR member, which has given me a great opportunity to further connect with my peers in the communications and public relations space. Attending in-person events and having a chance to support New Endeavors by Women has also been great.

What PR trends do you see happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had or will have on professionals in the industry?  

The PR field is always changing, always providing a challenge and new skills to learn, which is why I love working in it. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the field by storm, while always leaving desired questions. How we use AI in a safe and effective way to help digital storytellers has been something I have been learning about to help run effective communications campaigns. Another trend to follow is social responsibility, especially as we continue to dive into a highly contested political election cycle. Some issues will require organizations to have a clear stance to not accept prejudice and bigotry, and publicly declaring that an intolerance of fairness will not be accepted. This trend will increase the need for public statements and op-eds. As trends change, I am excited to be able to lead a conversation with Meltwater on various topics in the industry on September 27th. 

Is there any particular book, podcast or influencer you would recommend? How has it impacted your life?  

The next book to read on my book list is “Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love” book by Michelle Miller. I received a copy of the book this year during Essence Fest at the National Urban League’s Women in Harmony Awards. I believe so many of us are influenced by our families and how society views the construct of race. But before I read this book, what has truly captivated me was Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open win. I love quotes!

 “Speaking things into existence is real. I’ve been trying to speak more positively of myself and actually telling myself that I’m a great player.” — Coco Gauff

“The more experience you get being pushed to these limits, the further I guess those limits can go.” — Coco Gauff

Coco’s story of perseverance, following her dream led her to this moment of being a Grand Slam champion, who won her first major at the US Open.

For me, it’s always remembering the journey and knowing that by staying steadfast, working hard, and being consistent, you can achieve anything! Quotes from inspiring figures like Coco Gauff, who has achieved so much at the mere age of 19 as a pro athlete, provide motivation for me daily. She also knows what it is to play from behind and has the mental fortitude, toughness, and emotional maturity to push through any obstacle or battle, which is so important when working in this field. You can always bounce back from a bad day or bad time! Don’t rush your moment.

Join the Mailing List

Stay connected with WWPR by signing up for our mailing list! You’ll receive the latest updates on professional development events, exclusive networking opportunities, leadership initiatives, and more!