PRSA-LA

PRSA-LA at Dodgers Night: Hit a Home Run for PRSA-LA Scholarship Program
2023-08-17 19:10 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Join PRSA-LA at Dodgers Night: Hit a Home Run for PRSA-LA Scholarship Program!
Thursday, August 17th at 7:10 pm PT
RSVP HERE: https://bit.ly/43lrGD1

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:

PRSA-LA is thrilled to announce our highly anticipated Dodgers Night on Thursday, August 17th, at 7:10 pm PT! This exciting event aims to raise funds for the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program, supporting outstanding college students pursuing Public Relations or Communications degrees.

After a four-year hiatus, the PRSA-LA Dodgers Night is back and better than ever. We have secured 40 tickets for this exclusive event, so grab yours before they’re gone!

By participating in this event, you get to enjoy an exhilarating Dodgers game and contribute to the future of PR by supporting deserving students through the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program. These scholarships help recognize and assist exceptional undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing a career in Public Relations or Communications.

Student scholarship winners will be announced in the summer and awarded their scholarships for the fall semester. They will also receive one year of FREE access to all PRSA-LA webinars and events, providing valuable networking opportunities and the chance to learn from seasoned PR professionals.

Ticket Pricing:

PRSA-LA Members: $35 each
Non-Members: $50 each

For more information about the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program and its impact, please visit the Scholarship home page here.

Join PRSA-LA at Dodgers Night and help us hit a home run for the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program! Your support makes a difference. We’ll follow up with the attendees on where we’ll meet at the game for some fun networking.

We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP HERE: https://bit.ly/43lrGD1

At Breakfast With (ABW) Health Journalists
2023-08-24 08:00 - 09:00 | CA
AT BREAKFAST WITH (ABW) HEALTH JOURNALISTS
Via Zoom
8 am, Thursday, August 24
$15 for PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA, and BPRS-LA members | $30 for non-members | $5 PRSSA students
Sponsored by:

REGISTER HERE

Speakers:
Kathleen Doheny

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based independent journalist, specializing in health, behavior, fitness, and lifestyle stories. She reports for WebMD, Medscape, MD Edge, Psycom.net, Practical Pain Management, Senior Planet/affiliated with AARP, NextAvenue.org and other sites. She is a mom, mother-in-law and proud and happy Mimi who likes to hike, jog and shop. Current fitness motivation: keeping up with 2 energetic grandchildren.

Denise Dador

Denise Dador is the Eyewitness News Health Specialist whose “Circle of Health” reports can be seen on ABC7 Eyewitness News at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Since joining ABC7 in 1998, Denise’s mission has been to help Southern Californians improve their lives with timely medical information and advice. Through her reports, L.A’s top medical experts become accessible and relatable. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, her stories played a pivotal role in helping Angelenos navigate their changing world. Besides volunteering to help groups that fund medical research and patient care, Denise also represents KABC in her work with various Asian Pacific Islander and Filipino- American community organizations.
Denise grew up in San Francisco. She attended Long Island University in Brooklyn and graduated from Mills College with a degree in communication. At WXYZ-TV in Detroit, she anchored the weekend news and hosted a weekly talk show. At KMPH in Fresno, she was the main anchor of their 10pm news.
Denise has received numerous journalism and community service awards including national recognition for her work with Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches. She received Emmy awards for News Feature Reporting and Outstanding Children’s Programming.
Outside of work, Denise is a wife and mother of a teen-aged son and daughter who both have big dreams. While she would like to say she is an avid runner or skier, streaming historical documentaries and period dramas has become her latest obsession.

Robert Garrova

Robert covers mental health at a time when L.A. — and the nation — is failing people who live with a serious mental illness. The L.A. County jail system is the de-facto mental health institution for our region, and people who want help with their mental health often can’t get it, even if they can afford it. He’ll work to help Angelenos understand how we got here and what reforms aim to change things. He’ll do this through the stories of people struggling with their own mental health and those trying to get care for a loved one.
His reporting has taken him to the edge of wildfires in California, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, steps away from a robot that’s now exploring Mars, and into the homes of countless Angelenos.
Robert has had many jobs in radio. He used to help produce and direct the flagship show for Marketplace, a daily business and economic news show. He also spent a couple of years in the Northeast working as a reporter. He found his love of audio journalism while interning on LAist’s (formerly KPCC’s) Off-Ramp in 2013.
He was born and raised in SoCal. He is most proud when his journalism can help raise the voices of people struggling in this beautiful region stricken by inequality.
REGISTER HERE

Green PR
2023-09-14 08:00 - 13:00 | RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, 90401, United States
Green PR
Thursday, September 14

8am – 1pm PDT

Hosted by

REGISTER HERE

Who should attend: This session is designed for any and all communications professionals – from public relations, investor relations, and marketing — at all levels, including executives.
A half-day seminar of speakers and panels describing the latest thinking, strategies, and issues facing companies and organizations in communicating their sustainability efforts, compliance with a growing number of regulations, responding to consumer demands for more sustainability products or operations, how to answer accusations of “greenwashing” or respond to allegations of “woke capitalism” and more.
Our opening session is with David Fenton, founder of Fenton Communications, one of PR Week’s 100 most influential PR people, and considered a pioneer in social-cause public relations. Attendees will get a copy of his recent book – “The Activist’s Media Handbook.” Our luncheon speaker is Magali (Maggie) Delmas, Professor of Management at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA Anderson School of Management, a foremost expert on corporate sustainability reporting. Maggie and her colleagues have recently released a “Transparency Index” into corporate sustainability.
Other speakers during our morning panels include Eliza Ruggiero, SVP of Abernathy H-Advisors; Erik Olvera, Chief Campaigns Officer at Fenton Communications; Erin Curtis, Vice President at Fiona Hutton & Associates and former Deputy Secretary, Communications & External Affairs at CalEPA; and Aurora Winslade, Edison International’s Director of Sustainability.

Pricing:
Early bird rate (Sales end on Sep 6, 2023): PRSALA members $200. Nonmembers $275
Regular rate: PRSALA members $275. Nonmembers $345. PRSSA Students $25
Lunch session only: PRSALA members $50. Nonmembers $65. PRSSA Students $15.
REGISTER HERE

Speakers are:
David Fenton, named “one of the 100 most influential P.R. people” by PR Week and “the Robin Hood of public relations” by The National Journal, founded Fenton in 1982 to create communications campaigns for the environment, public health and human rights. For more than five decades he has pioneered the use of PR, social media and advertising techniques for social change. Fenton started his career as a photojournalist in the late 1960s – his book Shots: An American Photographer’s Journal was published in 2005. He was formerly director of public relations at Rolling Stone magazine and co-producer of the No-Nukes concerts in 1979 at Madison Square Garden with Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and other artists. He has also helped create JStreet, Climate Nexus, the Death Penalty Information Center, and Families for a Future. He sold Fenton a few years ago to work on climate change full time. (https://davidfentonactivist.com/)
Magali Delmas is a Professor of Management at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and the Anderson School of Management. She is the director of the UCLA Center for Corporate Environmental Performance and the Center for Impact@Anderson. She was the President of the Alliance for Research in Corporate Sustainability (ARCS) from 2014 to 2017, an organization that serves as a vehicle for advancing rigorous academic research on corporate sustainability issues. Her research interests are primarily in the areas of Business strategy and Corporate Sustainability. Magali Delmas has written more than 90 articles, book chapters and case studies on business and the natural environment. She is the recipient of the Academy of Management/Organization and the Natural Environment Distinguished Scholar Award. She works on developing effective information strategies to promote conservation behavior and the development of green markets. Here is a short video of her recent work on green consumers, and a link to her recent book: The Green Bundle: Pairing the Market with the Planet published at Stanford Press. (https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/person/magali-delmas/)
Eliza Ruggiero provides ongoing strategic communications and investor relations counsel to clients during special situations, including mergers and acquisitions, business transformations, shareholder activism defense and proxy contests. Eliza brings an analytical approach to her work, helping clients across a range of industries assess and develop stakeholder communications programs that effectively build and protect value.
In addition to her special situations work, Eliza is passionate about advising clients on the implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) communications and disclosure programs. Eliza brings extensive experience advising clients on the development of ESG reports, assessing ESG ratings and rankings, helping clients enhance ESG disclosure, implementing reporting frameworks and supporting constructive engagement with shareholders on ESG issues and proposals. (https://abernathy.h-advisors.global/portrait/eliza-ruggiero/)
Erik Olvera is an accomplished communications strategist with more than 20 years of experience working with several of the nation’s leading environmental, LGBTQ, racial justice and voting rights organizations. He currently serves as Fenton’s Chief of Issue Advocacy, providing organizations focused on advocacy, politics and social justice with communications strategy and support to achieve their goals through campaigns that increase awareness, shape public discourse and build loyalty with new audiences. Prior to joining Fenton, he served as the Chief Communications Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), where he oversaw all aspects of the racial justice organization’s legal and public policy communications. While there, he provided strategic guidance as the organization looked toward its future and led several projects to deepen the legacy organization’s work with the communities that it serves. Before SPLC, he was the head of communications for environmentalist Tom Steyer’s GOTV and political organizations, where he helped develop the Need to Impeach movement. He previously served as the Senior Director of Communications for Earthjustice, where he was responsible for shaping discourse for the organization’s legal and public policy work. The Regis University alumnus also spent several years leading communications for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), where he worked on a wide range of LGBTQ legislation and legal cases. Some of his work at NCLR includes designing the Born Perfect public education campaign to end conversion therapy on minors nationwide and developing the communications plan that helped lead to the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court marriage equality victory. (https://fenton.com/expert/erik-olvera/)
Erin Curtis, Vice President, Fiona Hutton & Associates
Issue Areas: Water and Natural Resources, Climate, Air Quality, Renewable Energy, Environmental Regulations, Public Lands, Higher Education, Federal, State & Local Government
Expertise: Strategic Media Engagement, Reputation Management, Message Development, Crisis Communications, Policy Development & Advocacy, Stakeholder Engagement, Issue Campaigns, Event Planning
Recognition: Associated Press – local journalism awards; National Council for Marketing & Public Relations District Communicator of the Year
Affiliations: California Public Information Officials; PRSA California Capital Chapter; Phi Delta Kappa; California Community Colleges Public Relations Association (former); Association of California Community College Administrators (former); National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (former); National Institute for Leadership Development (Leaders 2004)
(https://fionahuttonassoc.com/team/)
Aurora Winslade serves as Edison International’s director of Sustainability where she is responsible for the company’s sustainability strategy, goals and programs, publication of the annual sustainability report, sustainability disclosures, and serving as a key sustainability spokesperson for one of the nation’s largest all electric utilities that is helping lead the transformation of the electric industry towards a clean energy future. She previously was the director of the Office of Sustainability at Stanford University, where she led the effort to advance operational sustainability across the university, realize the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and zero waste by 2030, and launched the Living Lab Fellowship Program for Sustainability in collaboration with Doerr School of Sustainability. Prior to Stanford, Aurora was the director of Sustainability at Swarthmore College, where she built and led the Office of Sustainability and launched new programs such as “To Zero by Thirty-Five: Swarthmore’s Carbon-Free Future Plan to Eliminate Swarthmore’s Carbon Emissions by 2035”; the college’s zero waste program; the award-winning Carbon Charge program; and the President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship program. Previously, she has built, led, and redesigned sustainability and energy programs for the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Energy, and the University of California Santa Cruz. She also co-founded and teaches in an international certificate program in “Social Entrepreneurship and Leading Change” with the Bard College Sustainable MBA program, where she has been an instructor in the #1-Ranked Green MBA program in the U.S. (according to Princeton Review) since 2017. Aurora holds an MBA from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts, Agriculture, Ecology & Political Economy from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Dr. Howard Botts is CoreLogic’s Chief Scientist and Executive leader of the Science and Analytics team. Dr. Botts leads climate change and natural hazard science, data science, and geo-spatial professionals who generate and maintain solutions for the insurance, real estate, capital markets, mortgage, banking, and energy industries. With more than 30 years of experience in geo-spatial modeling, Dr. Botts is a recognized expert in developing natural hazard risk solutions and his work has been published extensively. He frequently presents to business and professional organizations on a variety of topics, climate change impacts on the real estate ecosystem, natural hazard risk, and weather forensics. Dr. Botts earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree in geography from California State University at Northridge and received a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

REGISTER HERE

Quality Time with PR Minds
2023-10-07 08:30 - 12:00 | Allison, 3105 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90016, United States
Saturday, October 7
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(light breakfast will be served)
Location:
Allison
3105 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

REGISTER HERE
Quality Time with PR Minds is Back In Person!
Quality Time with PR Minds is a one-day community service opportunity for PR professionals, presented in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management.
Now celebrating its 19th anniversary, this annual event brings together professional volunteers and local nonprofits for one-on-one counseling.
Quality Time with PR Minds is a great opportunity to give back to the organizations that make Los Angeles a great place to live and work and is a unique way to collaborate and share knowledge with other PRSA-LA members. Gain insight as you team up with other PR professionals and nonprofits for productive brainstorming sessions.
All PR, communications, and marketing professionals with at least two years of experience are welcome to volunteer. No experience working with nonprofits? No problem! You’ll be teamed up with other professionals to help come up with great ideas.
Use your creative thinking, and problem-solving skills to help local nonprofits with their communication challenges!
Event is free but you will need to RSVP.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Allison

DoGoodery

Cause Communications

Mission Driven PR

PRSA-LA 59th PRism Awards
2023-10-26 18:00 - 21:00 | Los Angeles River Center & Gardens, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, 570 West Avenue 26, #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90065, United States
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023
6:00 – 9:00 PM
AT THE
Los Angeles River Center & Gardens
570 W Ave 26, Los Angeles, CA 90065
PRSA-LA’s 59th Annual PRism Awards—the Los Angeles region’s premier awards program recognizing excellence in public relations strategic campaigns, tactical programs, and professional merit will be held in person on October 26, 2023, at the Los Angeles River Center & Gardens. Join this prestigious event with your peers and colleagues!
REGISTER NOW
DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP FORM HERE.

We are proud to announce the 38 finalists of this year’s PRSA-LA PRism Awards, our Communications Team of the Year, Mattel, Inc., Barbie and Dolls Division, and our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Leo Pearlstein.
Let’s honor these honorees and the best in strategic public relations and tactical execution by PR professionals throughout greater Los Angeles! With the theme of Rise Together, the ceremony will celebrate the progress and diversity in the Los Angeles PR industry, and confer more than 75 strategic campaign and tactics awards across a variety of categories, in addition to special awards for Best in Show and the President’s Award.

REGISTER NOW

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAPTER SPONSORS!

CHAPTER PLATINUM SPONSOR

CHAPTER GOLD SPONSOR

CHAPTER SILVER SPONSOR

PRSA-LA's Young Professionals Office Hour
2023-11-08 16:00 - 17:00 | CA
PRSA-LA YP Office Hour
Wednesday, November 8
4 pm. – 5 p.m.
ZOOM Meeting ID: bit.ly/YPOFFICEHOUR

Join us for PRSA-LA’s Young Professionals Office Hour, an opportunity for young professionals or any individual who is starting a career in public relations to ask questions about the industry, meet others, or learn about resources. The Office Hour is much like seeing a professor at a specific time available to students, and now it’s available for young professionals.
If you have team members or friends who could benefit from dropping by during the Office Hour, pass along the information.
ZOOM Meeting ID: bit.ly/YPOFFICEHOUR
This is a free virtual event perfect for anyone starting their career in the PR field.

PRSA-LA Holiday Cheers & Cocktails
2023-12-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Weber Shandwick Los Angeles, 1840 Century Park East (Rooftop), Los Angeles, CA 90067, 90067, United States
HOLIDAY CHEERS & COCKTAILS

JINGLE, JINGLE — IT’S TIME TO MIX & MINGLE!
Date: December 14
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Venue: Weber Shandwick Los Angeles
1840 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (Rooftop)

Presented by PRSA-LA and Weber Shandwick Los Angeles.

REGISTER HERE

Join us as we toast to the PR industry!
Meet the new 2024 PRSA-LA Board of Directors
Bring an unwrapped toy and enter a raffle to win wine baskets, gift cards, beauty products, and more! The toys are being donated to foster youth in Los Angeles through Five Acres.

*Hosted beer, wine, and light appetizers.
Tickets for PRSA-LA Members $20; Non-Members $35; includes entry in the Holiday Raffle.
*First 50 people get a FREE parking voucher
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA Board Retreat
2024-01-13 | CA

PRSA-LA 2024 The State of PR
2024-02-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Indie Desk, 333 S. Grand Ave. Suite 3310, Los Angeles, CA, 90071, United States
PRSA-LA 2024 The State of PR
“Embracing A New Frontier: AI’s Impact on PR”
Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.
Indie Desk
333 S Grand Ave Suite 3310, Los Angeles, CA 90071
In the Wells Fargo North Tower

This event is currently sold out!
Parking Information:
Must enter the Parking Structure at 330 South Hope Street (street level). Parking Validation is available for $10 after 5:01 pm
There are also plenty of streets and parking lots surrounding the venue.
Cash lots are available on 2nd/Grand and 1st/Olive that are within walking distance. Meters in front of the Wells Fargo building on Grand Ave. and at the rear on Hope Street side are free after 6 pm.
Check-In Information:
Check-in will be in the lobby. The venue is in the Wells Fargo North Tower building.
Event Details:
Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence at conferences, over the kitchen table, and at work. Come and hear how PR leaders are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence tools and dealing with the ethical dilemmas AI presents to the PR industry.

Our panel of PR luminaries includes:
Moderator: Fred Cook, Director of the Annenberg Center of Public Relations, University of Southern California
Panelists:
Emily Scherberth, Managing Director, APCO Worldwide West; North America Tech Practice Lead
Melanie Gazazian, TriplePoint PR
Dainius Krasauskas, Public Relations & Advertising Graduate Student, University of Southern California, USC Annenberg
Patrick Buchanan, Vice President of Brand Marketing, Lulus

Agenda:
Thursday, February 15, 2024
6 p.m. Networking Reception
7 p.m. Program
Let’s navigate the AI PR landscape together!
Speakers’ Bios:
Fred Cook
Chair Emeritus, Golin
Director, USC Center for Public Relations

Fred Cook has worked at Golin for over 35 years and credits the company’s culture for his long tenure with the firm.
During his time with the agency, Cook has had the privilege to work with a variety of high-profile CEOs, including Herb Kelleher, Jeff Bezos, and Steve Jobs. He has also managed a wide scope of crises for his clients, including airline crashes, product recalls, and sexual harassment. He is also partially responsible for unleashing several cultural phenomena, like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pokémon, and the seedless watermelon.
Fred is proud of the firm’s accomplishments, but he is even more excited about the future. The world is experiencing profound changes in demographics, globalization, multiculturalism, and technology which are impacting the way people communicate with each other. To stay ahead of these changes, Golin adopted a proprietary business model called g4, to deliver deeper insights, bigger ideas, and broader engagement to their clients. Since then, Golin has been named ‘Agency of the Year’ more than a dozen times.
In 2014, Cook published “Improvise – Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO,” which shares the wisdom he gained as a cabin boy on a Norwegian tanker, a doorman at a 5-star hotel, and a chauffeur for drunks. In 2015, after speaking on college campuses around the world, Fred accepted an additional position with the University of Southern California as the Director of the USC Center for Public Relations at the Annenberg School whose mission is to shape the future of public relations and those who will lead it – through research, education and thought leadership.
Fred is frequently invited to speak at major industry conferences, most recently the AMEC Summit, ICCO Global Summit, and PRCA Americas Conference. Recognized throughout the industry for his leadership, Fred has received numerous awards for his contributions to public relations including the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Holmes Report, PR Week, and PRSA. In 2021, Fred was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.
Fred and his wife Cheryl have two children and live in Los Angeles.

Emily Scherberth
Managing Director,
APCO Worldwide West, North America Tech Practice Lead

Emily Scherberth is the managing director of APCO Worldwide’s West region and serves as North America Tech practice lead. She is based in Southern California. Ms. Scherberth is a seasoned corporate communications executive with more than two decades of experience as a storyteller, qualitative researcher, and business strategist. She has guided several Fortune 500 companies as well as early-stage tech and healthcare startups over the course of her career, serving as a trusted counselor to venture capital firms, serial entrepreneurs, and other C-suite executives.
Prior to joining APCO, Ms. Scherberth was the founder and CEO of Symphony PR & Marketing, Inc., a consultancy that worked with disruptive technology, digital health, and healthcare delivery companies. At Symphony, she advised CEOs, created thought leadership platforms, and developed go-to-market strategies for more than two dozen startups including Justin.tv (Twitch), ZipRecruiter, Media Temple, and Crossover Health, and led corporate communications for iconic companies like Mayo Clinic. She also served as an interim head of communications and marketing for several companies in transition and helped executive teams transform their organizations into high-performing cultures. Prior to Symphony, Ms. Scherberth led the consumer technology practice at Allison+Partners, Los Angeles, expanding its portfolio of business to include YouTube and raising the company’s visibility during the rise of Silicon Beach. Earlier in her career, she led award-winning teams at agencies like Fleishman-Hillard and MSLGroup on high-profile consumer brands such as Yahoo!, Nestlé, Nike, and General Motors.
Ms. Scherberth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge. She is also an experienced speaker and moderator and has served as an adjunct professor of communications for more than 14 years at various universities across Southern California including Loyola Marymount University, California State University, Fullerton, and California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Melanie Gazazian
TriplePoint PR
PRSA-LA Young Professionals Lead
Melanie Gazazian has been in the PR industry for the last four years with a focus on technology, startup culture, virtual reality, and video games. After her first internship, she knew this would be the career for her.
Melanie graduated from USC with a Master’s in Public Relations and Advertising after graduating with a B.A. in Sociology and English from the University of La Verne. She is currently an Account Executive at TriplePoint PR supporting accounts like Blizzard Entertainment, Paradox Interactive, and more.
At TriplePoint, she worked in-house at Blizzard Entertainment as an in-house consultant, continues to lead several high-profile accounts, and holds the record for the fastest promotion from Associate, to Account Coordinator and finally to Account Executive today.
Aside from work, she is an adult supporter of the youth Leadership Team with the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls after serving on the team for 2 years as a girl herself. During her time from 2015-2017, the team created the Leadership Program that is still used today and facilitated the first Disneyland Takeover.

Dainius Krasauskas
Public Relations & Advertising Graduate Student
University of Southern California, USC Annenberg

Dainius Krasauskas is an overly curious, long-haired European creative who loves to innovate. Before joining USC to pursue a Masters in PR and advertising, he brought the Bavarian Prime Minister to a former employer to play with robots, art-directed a rap video with over 20 million views for a soccer superstar, and composed music for one of Europe’s largest modern art museums. He also loves early seasons of “The Simpsons,” generative AI and bossa nova.

Patrick Buchanan
Vice President of Brand Marketing, Lulus
Patrick Buchanan serves as Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing at Lulus. He joins the organization during an a critical period of growth, leading the charge in establishing the brand’s identity, shaping market perception and translating creative concepts into impactful campaigns to ensure the brand remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving fashion landscape. As a member of Lulus’ leadership team, Patrick plays a pivotal role in guiding the brand’s trajectory and propelling it to new heights of success.
As an award-winning marketing executive with more than 15 years of experience, Patrick is no stranger to leading culture defining, barrier-breaking campaigns. Prior to Lulus, Patrick served as VP of Marketing at Good American, the first-fully inclusive women’s fashion brand, where he spearheaded brand marketing initiatives that challenged the status quo and worked to ensure the Good American brand was at the forefront of the inclusivity movement. Before Good American, Patrick served as senior director of brand marketing at Universal Music Group, collaborating with some of the world’s top musicians, including Lil Wayne, Nas, Justin Bieber and more, to forge closer connections between fans and their favorite artists through fashion. He also previously held key marketing roles at K-Swiss and fashion footwear leader, Creative Recreation, where he drove brand-defining global initiatives.
An innovator at heart, Patrick has forged his own path in the fashion industry, with campaigns that challenge societal norms and the status quo. As a disruptor, super-connector, and conversation driver, his work has garnered global attention with some of the biggest talent in music and entertainment. Leading with brand-forward initiatives and strategic partnerships, he continues to out-pace his track record, building relevance and bolstering bottom lines.

AT BREAKFAST WITH... A Visit to Telemundo 52 & NBC4 Newsroom
2024-02-22 11:45 - 14:00 | Telemundo 52 NBC4, 100 Universal City Plaza Building 2120, Universal City, CA 91608, CA, 91608, United States
PRSA-LA NBC4 & TELEMUNDO 52 NEWSROOM VISIT
This event is currently sold out.
You are invited to a PRSA-LA newsroom visit to Telemundo 52 and NBC4.
This will be a unique opportunity for 20 participants to take part in an intimate conversation with news leaders from both stations, as well as a studio tour.
Thursday, February 22
11:45am – 2:00pm – Lunch will be served.
100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg. 2120, Universal City, CA 91608

Meet Todd Mokhtari, President and General Manager of Telemundo 52 and NBC4.
Hear from Telemundo 52 & NBC4 News Leaders including producers and assignment desk.
Enjoy a tour of the news studios.
Host and Moderator: Lizette Carbajal, Vice President of Community Relations & Communications, Telemundo 52 and NBC4

Attendance is limited and tickets to our first on-site newsroom visit since before the pandemic will sell out fast. Reserve your spot now.
Cost: $60 for members, $75 for non-members. 5 max/agency.
REGISTER HERE

Thank you to our sponsor!

PRSSA WESTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
2024-03-02 08:00 - 18:00 | CA
REGISTER NOW!

PRSSA WESTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Sat., Mar. 2 • 8am – 6pm
California State University, Northridge, Grand Salon
18111 Nordhoff St, Los Angeles, CA 91330

Join CSUN PRSSA and PRSA-LA at the Western District Conference on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Connect with PR professionals, collaborate with other campuses and get some merch! Stay up to date with the conference by following us on Instagram @CSUNPRSSA and @PRSALA. We are excited to meet you!
Featuring Keynote Speaker Matt Prince.
RSVP by Feb. 23 to secure your seat!
COST:
PACKAGE ONE: $35
Includes entrance fees, breakfast and lunch, mixer with industry professionals
PACKAGE TWO: $65
Includes entrance fees, breakfast and lunch, mixer with industry professionals, tote bag, t-shirt, and more.
REGISTER HERE

ABW After Dark: Challenges and Opportunities in L.A.’s Rapidly Changing Media Landscape
2024-04-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Beverly Hills City Hall Municipal Gallery, 455 N. Rexford Drive, Room 220, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210, United States
Join PRSA-LA for an in-person ABW After Dark: Challenges and Opportunities in L.A.’s Rapidly Changing Media Landscape on Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 pm at the Beverly Hills City Hall Municipal Gallery at 455 N. Rexford Drive, Room 220, Beverly Hills.

Generously sponsored by Herbalife, Notified, and VPE Communications, this event brings you a discussion with top local journalists who will share their insider perspectives on the evolving face of traditional journalism, key trends including media consolidation and AI technology, and the impact of digital media consumption. Learn the strategies to adapt and seize the opportunities.

REGISTER HERE

Meet our Panelists:

Hector Becerra

Managing Editor,
LA Times

Cora Jackson-Fossett

Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Sentinel and LA Watts Times

Lori Streifler

President,
City News Service

Armando Barragan
Manager of Broadcast and Digital News Coverage,
ABC7 (KABC-TV) Los Angeles

Moderator:

Susan Hirasuna

Anchor, Fox 11 News

REGISTER HERE

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

PRSA-LA IPA Virtual Programming Session - Becoming a Trusted Advisor
2024-05-09 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
IPA Virtual Programming Session: Becoming A Trusted Advisor
Thursday | May 9 | Noon – 1 pm
Via Zoom
REGISTER HERE
Earning the trust of senior executives (and those who may be skeptical of PR) and persuading them to follow our counsel is essential to our success as communication professionals. But, how do we develop these skills for our clients and for the teams we lead? Whether it’s creating a corporate narrative, lining up talking points for a critical interview, drafting a pivotal keynote, preparing for an upcoming earnings call, or inspiring and motivating your internal teams, communicating effectively and persuasively remains essential. And, it’s equally essential for a communications leader to command the trust and respect of their internal executives and actually get them to follow.
Join PRSA-LA’s Independent Practitioners Alliance group for a virtual programming session where you will hear frameworks and techniques, along with real-world examples—including not just best practices but common mistakes to avoid – on how to become a trusted advisor to your clients and internal teams.
Tickets: Member $15; Non-Member $25
Panelist:
Josh Reynolds
Josh Reynolds is a marketing consultant and executive coach who has advised high-growth companies globally for more than 15 years. In January 2017, he founded his own firm, Rob Roy Consulting, based on the belief that authentic purpose and personal conviction are the foundations of all persuasive communication. Josh coaches high-profile CEOs and senior executives on perfecting the corporate narrative and advises marketing and communications teams on becoming trusted advisors. He also frequently teaches on the topic of persuasive storytelling at the prestigious Stockholm School of Economics. Prior to Rob Roy, Josh has been a Gartner analyst, a WPP agency CEO, and a data science startup CMO.
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rob-roy-consulting/
Jennifer Berson
Jen Berson is a former civil litigator turned Founder of Jeneration PR and Jeneration Academy. As an award-winning PR agency owner and mentor, Jen champions the agency model for ambitious women seeking a satisfying, high-powered career that doesn’t require the sacrifice of personal & family time to make a powerful impact. She has helped thousands of international boutique digital agency owners quickly scale their businesses to six figures and beyond, and has been recognized by Inc. Magazine, Forbes, Apple, Entrepreneur and PR Week for her expertise in media relations and building a profitable agency.
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenerationpr/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jenerationpr/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/JenerationBuzz
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA AAPI Heritage Month Networking Mixer
2024-05-16 18:00 - 20:00 | CA
Come celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with both PRSA-LA and AAJA-LA on Thursday, May 16th at 6:00 pm PDT at Bombay Palace, located at 8690 Wilshire Blvd.
Attendees will have the opportunity to make new connections and to hear others share their AAPI background and story and the important issues facing the AAPI community.
The first drink is on us – see you there!

Bombay Palace
8690 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
View on map

May 16, 2024, 6:00pm PT

REGISTER HERE.

PRSA-LA Lunch & Learn – How to Enter and Win a PRism Award
2024-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
PRSA-LA Lunch & Learn
Road to PRism: How to Enter and Win a PRism Award
Tuesday June 25, 2024 • 12 noon – 1:00pm PT
via Zoom
REGISTER HERE

The 2024 PRism Award submissions cycle has been announced: Early Bird Deadline is July 7 and the final deadline to submit entries is July 25. To help everyone get started, and be ready to submit, plan on attending this very important and informative session. You must enter to win!
Past winners and judges who review awards submissions reveal all in this session. Learn how to identify your best work to enter, how to write copy for the entry form, select exhibit material (coverage tracking, social media comments, attendance, etc.), that will engage the judging panel to push your entry up to the top via a points-awarded system.=
It’s easy to attend! This is a remote Lunch & Learn session. Enjoy lunch at your desk while watching the speakers. Our panel of experts will also take questions.
Speakers:
Melissa England, The Wonderful Company (past winner, multi-year member of the judging committee)
Speaker from Blue Shield (TBD)
Speaker from Runyon Salzman (TBD)
Moderator: Sallie Olmsted, APR – Global Communications Lead, i.am Money (past winner, 10+ years judging entries)
This session is free to PRSA-LA members and members of the greater Los Angeles public relations community.
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA 60th PRism Awards Early Bird Entry Deadline
2024-07-07 00:00 - 23:59 | CA
60th PRism Awards
Early Bird Entry Submission Deadline
SUBMIT HERE

PRSA-LA 60th PRism Awards Final Entry Deadline
2024-07-25 00:00 - 23:59 | CA
60th PRism Awards
Final Entry Submission Deadline
SUBMIT HERE

Trust Me, I Work in Hollywood
2024-07-25 16:30 - 18:30 | Edelman, 1500 N El Centro Ave,, Los Angeles, 90028, United States
Join Edelman and PRSA Los Angeles for a special event featuring insights and discussion on the newly released 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Media & Entertainment.
Trust Me, I Work in Hollywood
Thursday, July 25 • 4:30pm – 6:30 pm PT
Edelman Los Angeles
1500 N. El Centro Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028
REGISTER HERE
Media and entertainment companies face a complex and rapidly changing landscape as consumer habits shift. New data from the Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a volatile trust environment and a significant trust gap along party lines in the entertainment industry.
This discussion will explore the impact of innovation on media and entertainment. We’ll be joined by an expert panel to examine where consumers seek content and how trust shapes their behaviors. Key topics will include values alignment, the role of trust in building dedicated fan bases, and other critical considerations for M&E companies.
Agenda:
4:30 pm: Doors Open
5:00 pm: Keynote Presentation and Panel Discussion
6:00 – 6:30 pm: Networking Reception
Meet Our Speakers:
Jonathan Jordan (Keynote Presenter), General Manager, Edelman California
Phylicia Fant (Panelist), Head of Music Industry & Culture Collaborations, Amazon Music
Ken Hertz (Panelist), Senior Partner, Hertz Lichtenstein Young & Polk LLP
Justin Riley (Panelist), Vice President of Operations & Business Development, Hillman Grad Productions
Dr. Stacy L. S. (Panelist), Founder and Director, USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
Rachel Stevens (Moderator), Senior Vice President, Earned Media, Edelman
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA Sunrise Honors 2024
2024-08-02 09:00 - 11:00 | CA
6th ANNUAL SUNRISE HONORS 2024
Friday, August 2nd, 2024
8:00 AM and ending at 10:30 AM
Art Share L.A. in the Arts District 801 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013
PRSA-LA is celebrating excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion with our 6th Annual Sunrise Honors on August 2, 2024. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated significant leadership and influence to advance diversity and inclusivity within their organization or industry. The event is a fireside chat with a moderator where the honorees share their journey and answer questions from the audience.
Attendee registration is now open. Get your tickets and come support our trailblazer nominees.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

2024 HONOREES:
GLENN OSAKISenior Advisor to the President, International Communications and MarketingUniversity of Southern California
View bio here.
GWENDOLYN YOUNGPresident & CEO of Young Communications Group
View bio here.
JOSÉ VILLAPresident/Chief Strategy OfficerSensis
View bio here.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SUNRISE HONORS SPONSORS:

We invite you to become a valued supporter as we recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of deserving individuals. By lending your support, you will play a pivotal role in acknowledging the dedication, expertise, and impact of these outstanding professionals.
If you are interested in sponsorship, please click below for sponsorship kit, or contact executive.director@prsala.org or call the office: (626) 313-4343.
CLICK HERE TO BE A SUPPORTER.

Dodgers Night Out
2024-08-21 19:10 - 21:00 | Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
PRSA-LA is excited to announce our highly anticipated Dodgers Night on Wednesday, August 21st, at 7:10 pm PT! This event will raise funds for the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program, supporting outstanding college students pursuing degrees in Public Relations or Communications.

We have secured 75 tickets for this exclusive event, so grab yours before they’re gone! The Dodgers will be hosting the Seattle Mariners.

Dodgers Night Out

Wednesday, August 21st, 7:10 pm PT

Dodger Stadium
1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

REGISTER HERE

By participating in this event, you can enjoy an exhilarating Dodgers game while contributing to the future of PR by supporting deserving students through the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program. These scholarships help recognize and assist exceptional undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing careers in Public Relations or Communications.

Student scholarship winners will be announced in the summer and awarded their scholarships for the fall semester. They will also receive one year of FREE access to all PRSA-LA webinars and events, providing valuable networking opportunities and the chance to learn from seasoned PR professionals.

For more information about the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program and its impact, please visit the Scholarship homepage here.

Join PRSA-LA at Dodgers Night and help us hit a home run for the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program! Your support makes a difference. We’ll follow up with the attendees on where we’ll meet at the game for some fun networking.

Dodgers Night Out Ticket Pricing

Students: $30 each
PRSA-LA Members: $40 each
Non-PRSA-LA Members: $50 each

We look forward to seeing you there!

REGISTER HERE

ABW with Food Journalists
2024-09-26 08:30 - 09:30 | CA
At Breakfast With … Food Journalists
Thursday, September 26 • 8:30 am – 9:30 am PT
via Zoom
REGISTER HERE

Join us via Zoom on Thursday, September 26 from 8:30 am – 9:30 am PT for a very special edition of PRSA-LA’s At Breakfast With … featuring top food journalists. Discover the key trends, narratives and PR best practices shaping various forms of food media. You’ll also learn what these high-value contacts are looking for and how to secure maximum coverage.

Register today to gain a competitive advantage for your culinary client
Virtual Cost: $15 for members, $30 non-members, $5 students

Meet our Panelists:

Neil Saavedra, Host, The Fork Report, KFI AM 640
Los Angeles native, Neil Saavedra, is host and producer of The Fork Report, KFI-AM640’s favorite program for foodies featuring chef interviews, recipes, cooking tips and tricks, must eat recommendations and more! Along with the above-mentioned titles, he is also the Assistant Program Director at KFI.

Babette Pepaj, Founder, BakeSpace.com, TECHmunch and BakeBot AI Recipe Assistant
Babette Pepaj launched BakeSpace.com in 2006 as the Web’s first food-themed social network. The platform has introduced many innovations for home cooks and marketers – from branded recipes and DIY digital cookbooks to BakeBot (the first AI kitchen assistant infused with the wisdom and warmth of real home cooks). From 2010 – 2020, Babette produced the TECHmunch Food Blogger Conference held in cities across North America. She also created CupcakeCamp LA, BakeCamp and other major fundraising events.

Amaya Pinto-Hernandez – Acceso Total Executive Producer, Acceso Total Telemundo
Multi-Emmy award-winning producer Amaya Pinto-Fernandez has over 20 years of experience in the television industry. She is currently the executive producer of Telemundo network’s variety show “Acceso Total.” She previously worked at KWHY Channel 22 before joining Telemundo in 2005 as a producer and editor. Her expertise and contributions have been instrumental in the success of “Acceso Total,” leading it to receive six Emmy awards from the Television Academy. Pinto-Fernandez received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Leon in Spain.

Sarah Mosqueda, Food, Art and Culture writer, Times OC
Sarah Mosqueda covers Orange County food, art, and culture for TimesOC, a publication of the Los Angeles Times. She most recently worked as a staff writer in Food for the Los Angeles Times. She also has several years of experience in the restaurant industry, including as general manager of Michelin-rated Irenia Restaurant. Mosqueda earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Cal State Fullerton.

Meet Our Moderator

Stephen Chavez, Founder LatinoFoodie and ChavezPR
Stephen Chavez is an acclaimed public relations strategist specializing in the food and beverage industry. As President & CEO of ChavezPR, he has offered strategic communication expertise to renowned brands such as Nestlé, Northgate González Market, Alegria Wines, and others. Co-founding LatinoFoodie, a popular Mexican recipe blog, Stephen is a sought-after speaker at prestigious food and social media conferences like TECHMUNCH and Hispanicize, where he shares valuable insights into Latino culinary trends. His leadership extends to roles as President of the Public Relations Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter, member of the Board of Directors for the PRSA National Foundation, Chairman of the Board for the Latino Equality Alliance, and past National and Local President of the Hispanic Public Relations Association. Stephen graduated from the University of La Verne.

REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA Quality Time with PR Minds
2024-09-27 14:00 - 18:00 | Edelman, 1500 N El Centro Ave,, Los Angeles, 90028, United States
PRSA-LA Quality Time with PR Minds
Friday, September 27th
2:00-6:00 p.m.
at EDELMAN LOS ANGELES
1500 N EL CENTRO AVE.

Quality Time with PR Minds 2024 will be held Friday, September 27th from 2-6 p.m. at Edelman Los Angeles. Celebrating its 20th year, the chapter’s annual community service event provides our members the opportunity to share professional skills as a free service to LA-area nonprofits.
All PR pros and LA-based 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to this FREE two-hour session to collaborate with volunteer seasoned PR professionals to learn how to enhance their communications strategies and boost their organization’s outreach. During the event, nonprofits will:

Collaborate with communications professionals and their nonprofit representatives.
Engage in productive brainstorm sessions dedicated to the organization’s specific needs.
Receive expert advice to enhance their organization’s communications strategies.

These productive brainstorm sessions help to address organizations’ specific needs and advance their communications efforts. Expert advice from seasoned pros like you can make all the difference!
Are you interested in volunteering as one of our PR practitioner advisors or do you know of a nonprofit interested in participating? Please fill out the form HERE.

Thank you to our event sponsor!
Thank you to our event host!

The State of PR Technology 2024 by Prowly
2024-10-09 09:00 - 10:00 | CA
The State of PR Technology 2024
Presented by

￼
Wednesday, October 9th at 9 AM PDT
via Zoom
PRSA-LA Members: FREE; Non-PRSA-LA Members: $25 each

REGISTER HERE

Join us for an engaging online conversation on October 9th at 9 AM PDT as Prowly and PRSA-LA present “The State of PR Technology 2024” webinar. This event will provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of PR technology and its future implications. Here’s what you can expect from “The State of PR Technology 2024” webinar:
•Discover how PR pros are using data-driven strategies to drive success
•Learn how industry leaders are proving ROI and measuring their impact
•Get actionable tips for maximizing tight budgets while still delivering powerful outcomes
💡 Meet our esteemed speakers:

🌟 Tonya McKenzie – Founder and CEO of Sand&Shores. Tonya is a highly regarded leadership and communications consultant specializing in helping businesses and entrepreneurs tell their stories, elevate their message, and build a strong reputation in the media and their communities.

🌟 Tamara Sykes – Head of Client Content Strategy at Stacker and Brand Communications Consultant. Tamara Sykes is a Caribbean-born PR pro who shapes brand narratives through impactful content and communications strategies. She utilizes her 10+ years of experience as the Head of Client Content Strategy at Stacker and a Personal Brand Consultant for multi-hyphenate women of color via her brand, Baydian Girl. Apart from developing brand communication strategies, Tamara is active in the fashion industry, engages in art projects, and enjoys spending time with her family.

🌟 Aleksandra Kubicka – PR Evangelist at Prowly. Aleksandra is passionate about sharing knowledge and experience with others. She has been in the public relations and B2B communication industry for 14 years, in various organizations, including local boutique PR agencies, multinational startup teams, and corporate communication departments of global brands.

🌟 Tony Ferguson (host) – Principal of Society House and PRSA-LA Board Member, Tony has led successful PR initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, music giants, TV/film projects, non-profits, and corporate ventures. His ability to build lasting relationships highlights his strong networking skills and client-focused approach.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, October 9th
Time: 9 AM PDT
Location: Zoom (Details will be sent before the webinar)

🎟️ Ticket Pricing:

– PRSA-LA Members: FREE
– Non-PRSA-LA Members: $25 each

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the state of PR technology and its future implications. Register today to secure your spot for “The State of PR Technology 2024” webinar, and join us on October 9th at 9 AM PDT for an enriching online discussion!

REGISTER HERE

ACCESS THE REPORT HERE

Exclusive Networking Opportunity with Prowly and PRSA LA
2024-10-17 17:00 - 21:00 | CA
Prowly and PRSA LA Meet up
⏰ Date: Thursday, October 17th | Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM PT
Ethos Society, 3435 Wilshire Blvd Fl 14, Los Angeles
Free Registration, Limited Spots!
REGISTER HERE

Are you a PR professional based in LA? Don’t miss out on this exclusive networking event co-hosted by Prowly and PRSA-LA. This is your chance to meet fellow PR pros, exchange ideas, and hear from industry expert Jennifer Berson, Founder of Jeneration PR and Prowly Ambassador. Jennifer will share practical tips for building strong media relationships that get results. There will also be other surprises during the evening.
What You Can Expect:
· Networking with top PR professionals in Los Angeles
· Keynote presentation from Jennifer Berson on “5 Strategies to Build Stronger and Deeper Media Connections”
· Speed networking sessions to foster new connections
· Drinks, appetizers, and plenty of time to socialize
Meet Our Keynote Speaker:

Jennifer Berson
Founder & President of Jeneration PR, Prowly Ambassador
Jennifer is a former civil litigator turned award-winning PR agency owner. Recognized by Inc. Magazine, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and PR Week, she helps PR pros build successful businesses without sacrificing personal time. Jennifer has empowered thousands of boutique agency owners to scale their businesses, making a powerful impact in the industry.

Register now to join us on October 17th at 5:00 PM PT. Don’t wait – spaces are filling up fast!
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA 60th Annual PRism Awards
2024-10-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Audrey Irmas Pavilion, Los Angeles, 3643 Wilshire Blvd,, Los AngeleS, 90010, United States
PRSA-LA 2024 PRism Awards Thursday, October 24 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion, Los Angeles
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA’s 60th Annual PRism Awards—the Los Angeles region’s premier awards program recognizing excellence in public relations strategic campaigns, tactical programs, and professional merit will be held on October 24, 2024, 6 – 9 PM at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion, Los Angeles. We are thrilled to announce this year’s guest host will be Sarah Pilla, an Emmy-award winning reporter and anchor at Spectrum News 1 SoCal focusing on climate, weather, and lifestyle.

Sarah is a graduate of California State University, Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In 2021, she won an Emmy for Best Environment News Story on her compelling story “Oceana Trash” about plastic pollution impact on marine animals. Sarah can be found weekdays, live on Spectrum News 1’s flagship morning show, Your Morning, covering extreme weather as it happens, climate stories, and Friday lifestyle segments showcasing things to do in SoCal.

In addition to her current role, Sarah is a regular fill-in news anchor and weather anchor. In 2023, Sarah was the only TV reporter in the nation to join the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on an exclusive Colorado River trip. She travels frequently throughout the year covering various climate stories, including to Lake Tahoe to cover the February 2023 California Department of Water Resources snow survey, and to the TomKat Ranch, run by former presidential candidate Tom Steyer, to cover their work on regenerative agriculture.

In 2022, she hosted two specials: “The Trickle-Down Effect,” an Earth Day special focused on water and drought, and “Saving Our Oceans, A Deep Dive,” a Spectrum News network-wide special for National Oceans Month. Additionally, Sarah was named LA TV Week’s “40 Under 40” in their inaugural class of 2022 and served as the Emcee of the 2022 and 2023 NetZero Conference in Los Angeles.

Sarah is a member of the Television Academy and the SoCal Chapter of WICT Network, both professional groups of women in media, entertainment, and technology. Outside of work, she is an avid reader, loves the beach, traveling, practicing yoga, and exercising at the gym.

STAY TUNED AS WE’LL ANNOUNCE THE 60TH PRISM FINALISTS SOON!

Attendee registration is open now. RSVP TODAY!
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA 2024 Holiday Party
2024-12-03 18:00 - 20:00 | CA
PRSA-LA Holiday Party
Date: December 3
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Venue: Weber Shandwick Los Angeles, 1840 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (Rooftop)
Presented by PRSA-LA and Weber Shandwick Los Angeles.

Join us as we toast to the PR industry! Bring an unwrapped toy to be entered into a raffle to win exciting prizes. The toys are being donated to Project Angel Food.
Cost: $20 members, $35 non-members, $12 students

REGISTER HERE

ABW with Public Affairs and Community Issues Journalists - EVENT IS POSTPONED
2024-12-12 08:30 - 09:30 | CA
EVENT IS POSTPONED
At Breakfast With … Public Affairs and Community Issues Journalists
This event has been postponed. Stay tuned for the new date!
via Zoom

Join us via Zoom for PRSA-LA’s At Breakfast With … featuring journalists and producers covering public affairs and community issues. Join a robust discussion on how to pitch story angles ranging from education, immigration, climate change, water quality, police and fire services, the unhoused, access to healthcare and more! The panel will be moderated by Rick Garcia, Sr. Strategic Advisor, Media at Lee Andrews Group, previous News Anchor at KCBS-TV and KCOP-TV, and Emmy award-winning Sports Anchor at KTTV.

Virtual Cost: $15 for members, $30 non-members, $5 students

Meet Our Moderator

Rick Garcia, Sr. Strategic Advisor, Media at Lee Andrews Group
Rick is a previous News Anchor at KCBS-TV and KCOP-TV, and Emmy award-winning Sports Anchor at KTTV.

Informational Session: APR Study Course
2025-02-03 17:00 - 18:00 | CA
Resolve to focus on your professional development in 2025. PRSA-LA members are eligible to pursue the APR–accreditation in Public Relations.
It’s an opportunity to build your skills, grow your network and get more involved in chapter activities. You’ll also go in depth with strategic communications and RPIE (research, planning, implementation and evaluation), setting you up to create successful PRism and national PR award entries.
Sign Up for the Virtual APR Info. Session (in partnership with OCPRSA)
Learn more about APR and the APR Study Session (a ten-week virtual course hosted by OCPRSA to help you earn your APR).
Reach out to PRSA-LA APR Chair Justin Glover with all your APR questions.

The State of PR: Turning Crisis into Connection
2025-02-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Art Share LA, 801 E 4th Pl,, Los Angeles, CA 90013, CA, United States
REGISTER HERE
Los Angeles has long faced the challenges of wildfires, mudslides, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, making crisis preparedness a vital skill for PR professionals. From monitoring the wildfires and climate changes to responding to immediate needs and addressing how to rebuild, public relations professionals today have been working with companies and organizations occupied by the effects of the devastating wildfires. Join the Public Relations Society of America – Los Angeles Chapter for our first event of the year, State of PR: Turning Crisis into Connection on Wednesday, February 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Art Share LA, 801 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013. The engaging program is an essential opportunity for PR professionals to connect, network, and gain valuable insights into preparing clients for the unexpected. Featuring speakers from different sectors, we’ll explore strategies to craft effective crisis communication plans and deliver messages that resonate with diverse communities.
Speakers:

Kerjon Lee, Chief of Strategic Communications, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
Leigh Lehman, Director of Communications, GoFundMe
Lakshman Rathnam, Founder & CEO, Worldly
Jason Levin, Senior Vice President & Western Region Lead, U.S. Crisis & Risk, Edelman

Learning Objectives

Understand best practices for crisis communication during natural disasters.
Learn to coordinate messaging with stakeholders, including government and utility partners.
Explore methods to effectively communicate with diverse audiences to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.
Develop proactive strategies to help clients build resilience in the face of potential crises.
Network with industry leaders and peers to exchange ideas and foster collaboration.

Tickets: $20 – $60
REGISTER HERE
Meet Our Speakers:
Kerjon Lee, Chief of Strategic Communications, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
Kerjon Lee leads strategic communications for LA County Public Works, supporting a $4.4 billion budget and over 4,200 employees across initiatives like climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. With 25 years of experience, he has managed communications for high-profile projects, including Measure W and legal negotiations with the Supreme Court and Water Quality Control Board. A Webster University alumnus, Kerjon is a founding member of the African Artists Association and serves on the Los Angeles County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative steering committee.
Lakshman Rathnam, Founder & CEO, Worldly
Lakshman Rathnam is an innovator and product leader with expertise in human-machine interfaces, acoustics, and audio. He founded Wordly to leverage AI-powered real-time translation to improve accessibility and inclusivity at live meetings, webinars, and events. He previously held leadership roles at Earlens Corporation, Amazon, Apple and HP, driving the development of innovative products. The author of more than 25 patents, Lakshman was named a Trendsetter by Meetings Today magazine for his industry impact.
Jason Levin, Senior Vice President & Western Region Lead, U.S. Crisis & Risk, Edelman
Jason Levin specializes in communications, media, crisis, and issues management, offering strategic counsel to corporate, nonprofit, and government clients. At Edelman, he advises on preparedness, issues management, and live crisis response across industries like healthcare, higher education, and Fortune 500 companies. A native Angeleno and civic volunteer, Jason serves on the board of Jewish World Watch and holds degrees from The George Washington University, with prior leadership roles at Cerrell Associates and in local, state, and federal government.
Leigh Lehman, Director of Communications, GoFundMe
Leigh Lehman currently serves as Communications Director at GoFundMe, the world’s top platform destination to give and receive help, focusing on brand storytelling through the unique voices of their everyday changemakers. Through fundraiser amplification, crisis support and community programming, her efforts are shaping the brand’s narrative in the world.
A previous PRWeek 40 Under 40 recipient, Leigh has delivered results for a wide array of clients and campaigns as a media relations specialist. Her broad brand work has spanned from helping families drink more water for better health with First Lady Michelle Obama, nonprofit Partnership for a Healthier America and Brita to inspiring a national conversation around a breast pumping cultural revolution with the launch of Willow Pump to empowering Americans to love food more, waste it less and help save our environment with GLAD.
Leigh earned her Master’s in Strategic Public Relations from University of Southern California Annenberg and Bachelor’s from University of San Francisco in English Literature. Her more than 15 years of expertise in media strategy development and relations, corporate communications and program advancement has garnered top-tier coverage in outlets like TODAY, PEOPLE, TIME, the Wall Street Journal, and more, contributing to business growth for both Fortune 500 companies and startups. A third-generation Angeleno, when she’s not engaging with reporters, you can find her enjoying the city’s diverse culinary scene, rooting on the Lakers, and trying her hand at the latest home-reno project.

REGISTER HERE

PRSA Western District Conference
2025-02-24 18:00 - 2025-02-26 13:30 | Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal Hollywood Dr,, Universal City, CA, 91608, United States
Get ready to bask in the limelight like a true Hollywood star at the upcoming Western District Conference hosted by PRSA-LA! Join us from February 24-26, 2025, at the iconic Sheraton Universal Hotel, adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood and in close proximity to the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and more!
This conference is your chance to step into the world of PR, as we provide you with the tools, knowledge, and connections to help you become a true PR superstar.
Get ready for an unforgettable conference experience, where you’ll have a chance to make new connections and rekindle old ones.
REGISTER HERE

Be a Sponsor and Support the 2025 Western District Conference!
The PRSA Western District Conference is a dynamic opportunity to position your company to the thousands of successful communication professionals working in Western District to whom we promote the conference. These influencers are highly connected; respected for their ability to spot trends and manage change; and hold extensive media, consumer and stakeholder relationships. More than half of conference‐goers are senior‐or mid‐level professionals and their employer base is well‐rounded, including private companies, agencies, consulting firms, government, non‐profit and universities.
DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP PACKET HERE

For more information, visit PRSA Western District website.
