Tag: Member Stories

I had the pleasure of meeting Kashanna Fair at WWPR’s Membership Recruitment Happy Hour. We made small talk over cocktails and appetizers and whined a bit about the sweltering heat of DC (because that’s what one does at a Happy Hour in May in the DC area). We also talked about how much we were both looking forward to the long Memorial Day weekend. She’s quick-witted and laid back, but also uber professional and very charming.

Her Background

Kashanna completed a master’s degree in Management with a specialization in Public Relations from the University of Maryland University College in December 2017. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in International and Global Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Her Current Position

Kashanna is currently Office Coordinator for the Center for International Private Enterprise.

Her Interest in WWPR

“I decided to research PR organizations in the DC area and that’s when I came across WWPR. I also browsed the social media channels and saw the WWPR profile on LinkedIn. My first event was Speed Networking and I thought it was great!”

Her Out-Of-Office Hours

In her spare time, Kashanna enjoys traveling, yoga and community service activities. She’s an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Her Dream Job

“My dream job would be head of corporate communications for a brand or organization that would allow me to travel around the world collaborating with other organizations. International travel gives you a new perspective on the world and to be able to combine that with fulfilling work would be wonderful.

Suzanne Struglinski’s career gives her a unique perspective and skill set that is hard to replicate. The common threads through her many roles have been relationship building, writing, and storytelling. I first met Suzanne at WWPR’s Speed Mentoring event. I found her to be warm, funny and incredibly knowledgeable. (Be sure to learn the “Suzanne Scan” on Linked In). 

Her Background

Suzanne was most recently the director of membership engagement at the National Press Club (NPC). There she worked to modernize the Club’s offerings for reporters, editors, communications professionals, and news sources. She strongly believes in increasing diversity in roles across the media industry and mentoring in the early career stages. Prior to joining the NPC, she was in business development at Baker & McKenzie, a global corporate law firm where she worked on messaging, strategy and writing client-facing proposals and other collateral. She also worked as a press secretary for legislative affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council and covered Congress and politics for eight years as Washington Correspondent for the Deseret News and the Las Vegas Sun. 

Her Current Position

While Suzanne is currently looking for work, she’s maximizing her free time by taking a Digital Marketing Course, which she hopes to leverage in promoting new and creative branding for clients and organizations across platforms.

Her Interest in WWPR

Suzanne joined WWPR to help meet other women leaders in the industry, offer advice from a journalist’s point of view (hint: reporters want news) and help with membership and outreach strategies. “I love meeting new people and figuring out ways to connect with others. I also want to learn more about how fellow members optimize different social media tools for their projects. Tools and methods change rapidly and WWPR is one more way to keep up!”

Her Out-Of-Office Hours

In her spare time, Suzanne can be found chasing her 60 lb. English Bulldog Roxie (follow her on Instagram @roxiebulldog), attempting to do Yoga and trying very hard to catch up with friends in real life versus a stream of social media posts. “I have a goal to leave the country once a year and this has taken me to Dubai (on a Groupon!) China and in 2017, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Ask me about what this taught me about goal setting!  I am at sstruglinski@gmail.com or on Linked in at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannestruglinski/

Her Dream Job

“My dream job would be Lin-Manuel Miranda’s personal assistant. But seriously, I want to lead a team of talented mid-career and early career professionals as they tie all the pieces of a communication strategy together. Different areas of communications can no longer work in extreme silos – collaboration is key to a brand’s reputation and media presence. I am eager to  hear from recruiters and hiring managers about what skills they want to see and what sets candidates apart from the rest.”

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Digital marketing communications specialist Florence Sumaray, a new addition to WWPR’s membership, is a pro at coffee dates—and it’s part of her movement to connect with more people offline.

It wasn’t quite coffee, but I had the pleasure of connecting with Florence about her background, her goals and what she likes to do outside of the office. Get to know her, too:

Her Movement

Florence has started a campaign focused on connecting with people irl (in real life) and stepping away from our devices. Back in November, she shared a post on Facebook asking to connect with her community: “Would like to Meet 50 people in 30 Days #onecup #onme #whynot.”

Now, she’s on her 116th coffee date and she said the response has been overwhelming. For her, it’s all about connecting one-on-one for conversation, inspiration, and just pure listening.

Her Work

She has been working in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years in digital marketing communications. In her experience, she’s worked on developing and creating marketing plans, managing designers, and executing campaigns.

Currently, Florence supports the the American Dental Education Association (ADEA)’s events through their marketing department. What she loves best is the team she works with—their diligence, organization, and work acumen. She calls her current supervisor a visionary who is collaborative, supportive, and ensures branding and messaging is consistent throughout the organization.

Additionally, she is also a licensed real estate professional with The Nellis Group, where she helps families in the area grow their wealth portfolio. The most rewarding part of the business is making a connection with people, keeping up with the changing neighborhoods and using various technologies that help streamline the process to better serve clients.

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“If you want to grow as an individual both personally and professionally, join a group that is consistent in building each other up and provides events and forums to learn. WWPR is a great opportunity for professional development, networking and surrounding yourself with inspiring communicators in the industry.”

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Her Interest in WWPR

Florence found WWPR through Content Marketing Chair Jenn Dunn—a former colleague of hers—and she was sold after her first event! She loves that the group is engaging, creative, and filled with women who are ambitious, inspiring, and powerful.

Florence hopes to get more involved by networking with colleagues at events and keeping up on the latest PR trends. She was also recently recruited to join the content marketing committee (see her blog post on the Edelman IP & Insights event) and is interested in joining the digital team as well.

Her Out-of-Office Hours

In addition to all her coffee dates, Florence has been a volunteer with the American Diabetes Association for the past 10 years and speaks at various health fairs around the area to share her story of reversing her Type 2 Diabetes. She also works at a gym called The WorX in Alexandria coaching members on health and fitness, and does high-intensity workouts, Jazzercise and Bikram Yoga in her spare time.

Florence is an avid fan of all Washington, D.C., sports teams, but especially the Capitals—she was downtown at all the watch parties and the championship parade after their win last year. You can also find her at the latest new restaurants, taking photos and writing reviews on Yelp.

Now that you’ve gotten to know her a little bit, care to grab coffee?

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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.

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.