Each year, the Chapter Awards recognize the best of the best PRSA Georgia members who have demonstrated leadership within the Chapter and the public relations profession. Nominations for the Rising Star (fewer than eight years of experience), Shining Star (eight to 15 years of experience), and Luminary Star (more than 15 years of experience) awards, are submitted by PRSA Georgia members, with winners selected by a panel of judges.
In addition, the Chapter presents two distinct honors: the Distinguished Public Relations Award and the George Goodwin Award. The Distinguished Public Relations Award recognizes a prominent Georgian outside the public relations practice who has made an outstanding contribution to Georgia’s regional, national or international reputation through public relations practices and principles. The George Goodwin Award recognizes a PRSA Georgia member for their significant contributions to the community through volunteer service.
Please join us in celebrating this year’s Chapter Award winners.
Distinguished PR Award
James M. “Jay” Bailey, president and CEO, H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
Jay Bailey serves as the president and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), where he leads the world’s largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black businesses.
In just four years, under Jay’s visionary leadership, RICE has supported more than 500 entrepreneurs full time, generating an impressive $184 million in annual revenues, sustaining 2,153 jobs in the community, and sparking a staggering $478 million of new economic impact in the metro Atlanta area. Jay and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.
Jay is an Atlanta native, sought-after speaker, three-time TED Talker, and die-hard Georgia Bulldog. He has been recognized with the prestigious National Point of Light Award, named one of Atlanta’s “Most Admired CEOs” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, ranked on Atlanta Magazine’s “POWER 100” list of the most dynamic leaders in the city, and honored by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential” leaders in the State.
Currently residing in East Atlanta, Jay shares his life’s journey with his wife, NBC News correspondent Blayne Alexander, and their cherished daughters, Sage and Skylar.
Luminary Star Award
Sue Smith, editor, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Sue Smith is part of the award-winning team in the Office of Marketing and Communications for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. As the publications editor for Cooperative Extension, she oversees an online library of more than 1200 free publications that provide reliable information written for the general public based on the latest scientific research. These publications cover various topics of interest to homeowners, gardeners, farmers, and families, and receive more than three million visits a year.
Before joining the communications team at CAES, Sue worked in public relations, marketing, and website management roles for more than 15 years at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Global Engagement, and Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. She joined PRSA Georgia almost a decade ago to expand her skillset and network. She received the Chapter Champion award in 2019 for her service as a photographer and has served on the board of directors for the last four years.
Sue earned a bachelor of arts in economics from Clemson University before completing her master’s degree at UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She later earned a bachelor of fine arts in photography from UGA. Sue lives in Athens with her husband, Matt, and two fluffy cats, Fincher and Enzo. She enjoys staying active, whether she’s gardening, learning dance trapeze at Canopy Studio, snow skiing, or horseback riding. She loves to travel and explore new places and often accompanies Matt when his band, Theocracy, is on tour.
Shining Star Award
Karsten Burgstahler, senior content creator, Arketi Group
For more than a decade, Karsten has honed the art of storytelling – first as a journalist, and now as one of Arketi Group’s Senior Content Creators. His research-driven approach helps clients uncover compelling narratives in their data and build their subject matter experts into thought leaders, producing award-winning content along the way.
In addition to his content marketing duties, Karsten leads Arketi’s messaging practice, working closely with both top B2B brands and disruptors to develop new or refreshed brand positioning. Through a mix of competitive, customer and market research, Karsten and the Arketi team help brands across industries – from supply chain to data management, renewable energy to fintech – stake their claim to a differentiator. Karsten has also contributed articles to PR Daily and Chief Marketer, offering strategies for effective B2B content marketing and messaging.
Karsten has been an active member of PRSA Georgia for seven years. He served as an inaugural co-chair of the DE&I committee, and has also worked with the college relations and website committees. Outside of PRSA, he served as an ambassador for OUT Georgia, the state’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Supply Chain & Logistics society.
Karsten is an alum of the University of Florida and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Rising Star Award
Addy Kundla, senior account executive, The Wilbert Group
Addy Kundla is a Senior Account Executive at The Wilbert Group, leading PR strategy for several commercial real estate clients. Prior to Wilbert, she worked for an entertainment public relations firm on integrated marketing campaigns for clients such as Warner Bros. Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, AppleTV+ and more.
Addy has been a PRSA Georgia member since 2021 and has served on the Annual Conference Committee since 2022. She also served as the Co-Chair for the 2024 conference and is the incoming Board Liaison for the 2025 conference. Addy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Auburn University, where she also met her husband Daniel. They reside in West Midtown with their dog Stuart.
Visit the general Chapter Awards page for more information on these annual awards.