This month, I am enthusiastically taking the reins of PRSA Boston! I am fired up and want to do great things in 2023. A special thanks to Doug Haslam our 2022 president, and Kristen Foley, who served as our past president. In 2023, Doug will occupy the past president position, and Kristin will serve as the membership vice president on the new board. You two have done yeoman’s work in light of what we have faced with the pandemic these last couple of years. You are appreciated! I intend to tap into your collective wisdom during my term. I am pleased to be working with the rest of the talented 2023 board as well.

The last two years have been tough. There has been uncertainty, and at times, it has been scary. The Chapter survived COVID and is now positioned to thrive thanks to solid leadership and strategic thinking. I believe we managed the changes well. With that being said, I am ready to safely return to life before the pandemic. However, if there is another serious COVID outbreak, we will pivot our programs to a virtual format.

In November, I attended PRSA’s national conference, ICON 2022, and connected with PR friends with whom I went to college, other PR pros I have known for years, as well as many new people. Being with these fine folks reminded me of how critical PRSSA and PRSA were and have been to my friend circle, my professional growth and my overall career. Attending the conference was inspiring, and I couldn’t wait to come back and share what I intended to accomplish for PRSA Boston and our members.

This year, we will move the needle for our members and their careers now and in the future including:

• Returning to at least six in-person professional development programs, two of which will be exclusive to members. Please note the change in the name from just programs to professional development programs. That change is slight, but it is intentional. PRSA’s mission is to help our members be smarter, better prepared and more connected at all stages of their careers. I take that as a challenge!
• Building the Chapter’s future leadership bench by focusing on the Boston-area students in PRSSA. We will offer free entry to these PR scholars at every professional development program. The Boston board will also pay deliberate attention to this vital cohort.

• Creating a past president’s council. The Chapter’s past presidents include several PRSA College of Fellows honorees, Diane Davis Beacon Award winners and near-countless APRs. Boston truly is a city of champions. It would be foolhardy not to recognize the PR brilliance in our own backyard!

Finally, I want to leave you with a favorite quote from General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State. “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.”

As communications leaders, I believe that’s what we all do best. I appreciate your confidence in leading PRSA Boston in 2023. I can’t wait to get started!

Warmly,

Kelly