Dear FPRA Family,
I vividly remember standing at the President’s Luncheon at the PR & Comms Summit, taking the oath to become President of our chapter. I was excited, a little scared, determined, and in some disbelief that I had been chosen to lead such a distinguished group of professionals dedicated to their craft, their careers, and their community.
Now, one year later, it’s hard to believe this is my final message as chapter president. I’ve thought a lot about how to sum up this experience, and I keep coming back to one feeling: gratitude.
Thank you to our board, committee chairs, volunteers, and every single member who showed up, stepped in, and trusted me to lead this incredible chapter. Your support, ideas, and belief in what we could accomplish together made this year not just successful, but truly meaningful.
As I look back, I’m most proud of the impact we made as a team. We offered 18 learning opportunities in 12 months, including our signature PRU and Media Breakfast events. We launched Soaring Connections, building bridges between students and professionals. We brought Comms for a Cause to life, using our expertise to support nonprofits in need – doubling our goal of 40 hours of pro bono service to the community. We celebrated 40 years of chapter history with energy and joy, honoring our legacy while investing in our future through new scholarships and member recognition. And guided by our strategic plan, we saw growth in member satisfaction, engagement, and professional development.
This chapter has always been a place where professionals come to learn, to lead, and to belong. It has been the greatest privilege to help carry that mission forward. I leave this role deeply proud, incredibly grateful, and more excited than ever for what’s next under the leadership of Shannon Williamson, APR, our incoming president and her board and leadership team.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Warmly,
Lauren Bernaldo, APR, CPRC