October 2025 Newsletter 
Calendar of Events
PRSA Cincinnati Annual Chapter Banquet and Blacksmith Awards
Date: November 20, 6-9 p.m.
Location: The Ventura
4557 Montgomery Rd., Norwood, OH 45212
What to Expect: The 2025 Blacksmith Awards will be presented and honored at the Chapter Banquet on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Join us for a night of networking and celebration as we highlight some of the top work in our field.
Tickets are on sale now through November 5!
Reads and Resources
On the Blog: AI in PR: Navigating Ethical Challenges and Opportunities
In September, Cincinnati PRSA welcomed Dr. Cayce Myers, LL.M., J.D., APR, professor and director of graduate studies in the School of Communication at Virginia Tech University, to our webinar, “AI and Communications: Game Changer or Ethical Nightmare.”
Ethical communication has always been essential in building strong relationships. The explosion of Artificial Intelligence tools to help enhance and streamline communication efforts is the most significant advancement to the public relations industry in years. While these tools bring possibilities, they also present potential ethical issues.
Check out the blog to read what every PR practitioner needs to understand about AI ethics.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Are you looking to connect with the region’s top communications professionals? Cincinnati PRSA offers dynamic sponsorship opportunities that put your organization front and center with our engaged audience at events, programs, and digital platforms. Whether you're a longtime member or new to our community, sponsoring with us is a powerful way to showcase your support for the industry while gaining meaningful visibility.
Reach out to explore the options and find the right fit for your goals:
Courtney, Sponsorship Chair - [email protected]
Kudos and Congrats
Congratulations to many PRSA Members featured this month!
Cincinnati PRSA Chapter President Elizabeth Desrosiers is a Business Courier 40 Under 40 Winner!
PRSA Cincinnati Chapter Accreditation Director, Allison Schroeder Speaking at ICON Conference
Congratulations to Allison for being invited to speak at PRSA's ICON Conference this month in Washington, D.C.! ICON brings together the top minds in public relations and communications, offering a rare opportunity to share insights with peers who shape the industry. Her session, "Unlocking Creativity Through Movement" explores the research supporting the strong connection between wellness and creativity and takes a deep dive into ways participants can leverage those insights to create a more cohesive, happier team.
PRSA Cincinnati Attends East Central District Conference
The East Central District Conference PRSA conference offered professionals and students with up close networking and cutting-edge training.
Representing Cincinnati PRSA and Miami University were:
• Christe McKittrick, Associate Clinical Professor, Strategic Communication, Miami University and Cincinnati PRSA Membership Chair
• Alexandra Sondike, Sophomore, Miami University PRSSA North Canton, Ohio
• Marcos Perez, Sophomore, Miami University PRSSA, Mabelton, Georgia
• Elizabeth Desrosiers, Director of Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati Open and Cincinnati PRSA President
Did you land a new job? Were you recognized for your outstanding work? Did your pitch land a great media placement? Please write to [email protected]
WVB
Congratulations to the 2025 Werner-VonderHaar-Bogart Award Recipient - Jill E. Dunne
The PRSA Cincinnati Chapter is excited to announce that Jill E. Dunne has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Werner-VonderHaar-Bogart (WVB) Award.
As the Chapter’s highest honor, the WVB Award recognizes a public relations professional who exemplifies excellence and impact across four pillars: service to the community, the chapter, the profession, and PRSA. The WVB Award is the highest honor that the Cincinnati PRSA Chapter can bestow upon a member.
A PRSA member since 2003, Jill E. Dunne has been a driving force within the Cincinnati Chapter for more than two decades.
Read more about Jill's career and contributions on the website.
APR
Congratulations to Sydney Murray and Bailey Wallingford for achieving APR!
Sydney Murray is a Communications Specialist at BE NKY Growth Partnership (BE NKY), the economic development company for Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties. She manages the BE NKY and NKY Port Authority social channels and websites. Sydney also writes press releases, bylined articles, and the BE NKY annual report. Her work highlighting talent development in BE NKY's target industries is published on Soapbox, and has appeared in the NKY Chamber's Business Journal. Sydney is an integral member of the BE NKY marketing team which has been recognized with numerous awards, including a 2025 International Economic Development Council bronze award for the NKY Port Authority website, a 2024 PRSA Award of Excellence for Community Relations for the BE NKY Community Competitive Initiative, three 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the IEDC, and two 2023 Marketing Pinnacle Awards from the American Marketing Association’s Cincinnati Chapter.
Bailey Wallingford is currently the Communications Director at Maple Knoll Communities; she is passionate about creating engaging and informative content for the community. She has a BA in Communication from the University of Illinois Springfield, where she also minored in Management, Marketing, and Management Information Systems. She has earned multiple awards and certifications for her work, including the LeadingAge Ohio Aging Impact Award, the Lightroom: Developing Raw and DNG Files certification, and the Silver Award for Best Photography for Website Use.
For more information on how to achieve your APR, visit CincinnatiPRSA.org/APR.
Become a PRSA Member Today!
Join PRSA in October and 10% of your membership supports Breast Cancer awareness.
This October, the Cincinnati PRSA Chapter is proud to join PRSA’s national partnership with the American Cancer Society to turn membership into meaningful impact. For every new member who joins PRSA in October, 10% of their dues will go toward life-saving breast cancer research, patient support, and advocacy.
Together, we can grow the PRSA community and support a powerful cause.
Ready to join? Contact Christe L. McKittrick at [email protected] to jump-start your skill and network development.
Job Listings
Are you trying to fill a role in your organization? Are you seeking a new position? Check out the Cincinnati PRSA Job Board! Positions are posted for three months. Check out open positions or fill out the form to post your open role today.