Tag: Member Stories

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Tesia Williams, Director of Communications at the Department of
Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG)

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Tesia received a BA in mass communications from Hampton University in Virginia. As an undergraduate student, she didn’t immediately know her path or major, but ultimately settled on communications because she enjoyed writing and storytelling. While interning at a non-profit and large PR firm and her positive experiences, she realized public relations was the career field for her.  After graduating, Tesia worked in communications for the Department of the Army and started writing news articles for the post newspaper and planning community relations events. Later, she went on to work at the Pentagon and was in the building on 9/11. The very next day, she was back at work responding to media inquiries from outlets around the world. Textbooks didn’t prepare her for how to deal with that level of crisis and response and there wasn’t a lot of time to think or feel. She just kept moving because the mission was so much bigger than them. 

Tesia’s desire to do something greater than herself led to multiple positions throughout the Army– telling the story of warfighters and recounting the contributions of the nation’s top engineers at the US Army Corps of Engineers. She has since transitioned from working with warfighters to health care fraud fighters in her current role as Director of Communications at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). She loves what she does because her work touches the lives of nearly every American. Working with smart, outgoing professionals (lawyers, law enforcement officers, auditors, evaluators and executives) brings her joy. These people are dedicated to the mission of the organization, specifically protecting the health and welfare of HHS program beneficiaries. It’s hard not to get behind that mission and the best part is, she gets to do it as a team every day. Identifying new and innovative ways to explain their work and why it matters to the public can be challenging. Reports are often complex and highly technical, but impactful. Creating an interesting product when you have simplified complex information, without changing the meaning can be tough.

Joining WWPR

Tesia joined WWPR to expand her network and be of assistance to women who are just starting out in public relations. She has had a number of mentors, advisors, and cheerleaders throughout her career and believes that now is the time to pay it forward to help others in PR.

Keeping up on PR trends

Tesia reads articles published by PRSA and HBR. However, she obtains most information by reading books on human and social behavior, such as Freakonomics and The Tipping Point. She believes that when you understand the why behind one’s actions or the reason some ideas spread and others flop, you can better shape and target your message/communications products. Also, just visiting online platforms to see what’s trending (e.g. videos, graphics, etc.), helps and she steals ideas shamelessly.

In the government sector, Tesia sees more risk-taking. With so many things vying for their attention, it’s tough to join or be a part of the conversation when products are five or ten years behind the curve. Therefore, she sees a more modern approach to graphics, web design and storytelling and of course they’re not going overboard; her office is still good stewards of the taxpayer’s money. 

Serving the Community

Tesia is on the board of Shepherds Table, which provides meals, clothes and other basic services to the homeless and people in need. This organization is vital to the community and relies on the time, talent and financial support of so many donors and volunteers. She is fortunate to be in a position to assist clients and ensure programs like these endure.

Outside of the office

Tesia is a mother of three girls and a dog, who also happens to be a girl, so her husband is often the odd man out. They love to unwind after a hectic work and school week and have a movie night, dance-offs, and binge watching Nailed It. Sundae Sunday’s has become a tradition in their household and they look forward to making a mess of toppings on their favorite ice cream.

 Words to live by

Tesia was told early on her career to be flexible and have a thick skin. She has never forgotten that bit of advice and it has served her well. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Public Relations guru Stephanie is excited to be a WWPR member and
Co-Chair of the Professional Development group 

Background in Public Relations

Stephanie currently works at The Reis Group, a boutique public relations agency that focuses solely on health, healthcare, and social issues. She’s been with the firm for seven years since graduating from college with her degree in communications (after doing a million internships!) The most challenging part of her job is making tough decisions—whether it’s a recommendation to a client or a response to a reporter—and avoiding typos while doing everything as quickly and efficiently as possible! The most exciting part of her day is always different—it could be writing a blog about a patient’s personal health story, pitching reporters on a breaking news story, brainstorming creative ideas for a campaign launch, or securing a keynote presentation for a client’s CEO.

Becoming a WWPR Member

Stephanie joined WWPR several years ago to connect with and learn from other PR professionals. She believes WWPR is a really strong organization and the leadership has always come across as very thoughtful, well-organized, and resourceful.  She joined the professional development committee to get more involved, help out, and meet new people. She believes the saying is true, “you get out of it what you put into it”. The more involved she has become in the organization, the more valuable it has been.

Keeping up on PR trends

To keep up on the latest PR trends, Stephanie joined Michael Smart’s “Inner Circle” group, a training and coaching program for PR professionals, that focuses heavily on media relations. Listening in on his monthly webinars and reading his weekly emails helps her keep up with trends. He is always exploring new strategies or new ways to approach tried and true tactics. In addition, she attends PR events and award ceremonies, like the Platinum PR Awards Gala in NYC last month, which helps spark ideas for future campaigns.

Trends in Public Relations

Stephanie sees two trends in public relations: data and owned content.  She believes data is increasingly important for news coverage, and it’s expanding beyond customized surveys and published research. Organizations can analyze their internal data to create news nuggets. Secondly, she sees that as publications cut their news staff in half, and earned media coverage is harder to place, it’s important to pay attention to owned content and think creatively about how to break through the noise to engage your target audiences.

Favorite Things to Do

Stephanie loves FOOD and exercise. She chronicles her foodie adventures on Instagram (@DC_licious), and recently ran her first 10-mile race, the Army 10-miler. She also love ClassPass (great variety in workouts!), checking out fun events or new restaurants in the city, and traveling as much as possible (this year was her “year of the bachelorettes”).

New Role with WWPR

Stephanie is excited to dive into her new role as the Co-Chair of Professional Development with WWPR! Their committee is brainstorming events for next year, so feel free to share any ideas or suggestions! Stephanie.Wight@WWPR.org.

Kate Perrin, CEO of PRofessional Solutions, LLC, Past President of WWPR is responsible for chairing the first ever Women of the Year (WOY) awards committee.

How she got started in PR

WWPR has been an integral part of Kate’s professional life. She first majored in print journalism at AU and wrote for an environmental group before completing a Masters in PR. Kate joined WWPR in 1987 when it was a new, fledgling women’s professional group and immediately she found it stimulating, inspiring and fun. It has continued to benefit her at every stage of her career.

How Woman of the Year (WOY) Award Was Started

One of the most valuable career opportunities Kate had was chairing the first PR Woman of the Year luncheon in 1990. WWPR President Adrienne Bush called and said the Board wanted to celebrate 10 years since WWPR’s founding meeting by creating an annual award to recognize women of achievement in the profession and asked her to chair it. Kate had the good fortune to assemble committee members who were creative, hard-working and terrific. They developed the bones of the program that continues to this day: nominations from which three finalists are picked; a fund-raising raffle to support their pro bono client; an elegant luncheon with a keynote speaker; and announcing the winner at the luncheon.

She has been thrilled to see subsequent committees build upon that foundation and make WWPR’s PR Woman of the Year award luncheon a stellar event and a prestigious award. It is her absolute favorite business event and she has never missed one!

Challenges and Trends in PR

Twenty-five years ago, Kate started PRofessional Solutions, LLC, which is still the only public relations temporary staffing agency in the DC area. She loves knowing client assignments and what is happening in the industry all the time. It’s clear that social media and technology keep changing how PR is practiced, news gathered and disseminated, information is accessed and communications functions are staffed. As the lines between marketing, public relations and advertising are blurred, the biggest challenge is finding the best PR temps to match clients’ needs. She stays current through WWPR and PRSA, business networking groups programs and events and reading business news.

Outside the Office

Kate is an active member of the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, the Women’s Advisory Board of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, and the American University Library Council.

Why join WWPR?

“I encourage others to join WWPR all the time. You’ll make connections, learn, develop new skills, expand your network and have the chance to share own abilities. WWPR is a bargain, and the value of membership is immeasurable.”

Favorite things to do in the DMV area?

DC is rich with activities and Kate has been taking yoga for 20 years, has season tickets to the ballet, loves theater, is a museum junkie, and enjoys lots of dining out with friends.

Lauren Games, communications manager at DC International School, is a new addition to WWPR’s membership. She enjoys the challenge of her job that every day is different while balancing it all.

How she got started in PR
Lauren pursued a BA in International Studies and Spanish at West Virginia University (WVU) and a Master’s of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh (PITT). Shortly after school, she relocated to the Washington D.C. area and began working at DC International School, a public charter school as a communications manager.

Challenges at work
Lauren says her favorite and most challenging part of her job is that every day is different. As the only staff member dedicated to communications and marketing, she oversees everything from branding to recruitment to their digital presence. It can be hard to balance it all, but Lauren loves that she is always learning and growing.

“As the only staff member within her organization that handles PR, I felt the need to find a professional network that can help support, mentor and teach me more about the field. Don’t be afraid to jump right in!”

Outside the Office
Lauren finds that she does her best work when she sets boundaries and relaxes outside of the office. She loves to spend time decompressing by hiking with her dog, working out, reading, or trying new restaurants. Lauren is involved in the local alumni groups for PITT, WVU, and her sorority, Phi Mu. It’s been beneficial personally and professionally for her to connect with others in the DC area who have shared backgrounds and experiences. She regularly attends networking and professional development events for PR professionals in charter schools on how to utilize communications trends and best practices to her specific role and organization.