PRSA Georgia Announces Inaugural Forty Under 40 List

National PR Professional Organization’s Second Largest Chapter Celebrates  Georgia’s Rising Communications Stars

ATLANTA (March 29, 2019) – PRSA Georgia, the second largest Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, is honored to introduce its inaugural Forty Under 40 list, honoring the state’s best and brightest young communications professionals. The Chapter will recognize its inaugural recipients during an awards ceremony to be held April 25, 2019 at Emory University’s Miller-Ward House. The Chapter will also recognize the organizations most committed to preparing up-and-comers for success in four Program categories: Student of the Year, Best Small Company for Young Professionals, Best Nonprofit Organization for Young Professionals and Best Internship Program.

Open to both PRSA Georgia members and non-members across the state, the Forty Under 40 program honors rising stars who excel in professional PR, marketing, advertising and/or social media roles while also giving back to their industry and community. The honorees and program category winners were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of former PRSA Georgia Chapter presidents.

“Our 40 winners have demonstrated remarkable skills and leadership early in their careers as well as insight, drive and commitment,” said Jasmine Hoffman, APR, PRSA Georgia President. “We are thrilled to recognize these young professionals who are driving the dynamic future of the communications industry. We also are pleased to acknowledge the four organizations that create the training, culture and experiences that nurture communications future leaders.”

PRSA Georgia’s Forty Under 40 Honorees:

  • Andrew Agan, Cookerly Public Relations
  • Gana Ahn, Golin
  • Elaine Armstrong, Goodwill of North Georgia
  • Rachel Barclay, CHEP
  • Jenn Bins, Ketchum
  • Kristie Benson, APR, High Museum of Art
  • Taylor Bryant, University of West Georgia
  • Rachel Buchman, Georgia Public Broadcasting
  • Erik Burton, HNTB
  • Alexia Hernandez Cargal, Dialogue Marketing
  • Matt Cochran, Cookerly Public Relations
  • Jamie Cwalinski, Full Tilt Consulting
  • Erica England, APR, Arketi Group
  • Chris Floore, Macon-Bibb County Government
  • Daniel Groce, Novelis
  • Dwayna Haley, Porter Novelli
  • Lindsay Haynes, APR, Moe’s Southwest Grill
  • Jewel Hazelton, TSYS
  • Jasmine Hoffman, APR, Emory Univ. School of Nursing
  • Caroline Huston, APR, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
  • Whitney Jones, InterContinental Hotels Group
  • Heather Kirksey, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Karlie Lahm, APR, Edible Arrangements
  • Chaundra Luckett, CHRIS 180
  • Maggie McDaniel, Communications 21
  • Mia McDonald, Clayton County Board of Commissioners
  • Elizabeth McMillan, APR, Fiserv
  • Alicia McNease, Georgia World Congress Center Authority
  • Dori Mendel, Call2Recycle
  • Katherine Morales, APR, Inflection Point Communications
  • Brian Murray, Southeastern Grocers
  • Elizabeth Olmstead, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
  • Caroline Paris Paczkowski, UGA School of Public and
    International Affairs
  • April Phillips, APR, American Red Cross
  • Ashley Pilgrim, MSL
  • Quiana Pinckney, APR, HD Supply
  • Lauren Powers, Emory University Dept. of Medicine
  • Alyssa Thys, Beazer Homes
  • Carisa Turner, APR, Roswell Inc.
  • Sarah Weston, APR, The Wilbert Group

Student of the Year: Lauren Hunter, University of North Georgia
Best Small Company for Young Professionals: Full Tilt Consulting
Best Nonprofit Organization for Young Professionals: Goodwill Industries
Best Internship Program: Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

Tickets to the Forty Under 40 Awards Celebration are available on the PRSA Georgia website through April 12.

About PRSA Georgia
PRSA Georgia, the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of nearly 900 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members. The Chapter hosts regular monthly meetings and seminars, and an Annual Conference for professionals and college students. PRSA Georgia additionally honors its members for their outstanding achievements and contributions and leads an annual awards program that recognizes the top projects and campaigns from organizations across the state.

The Chapter includes four Special Interest Groups (Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times. It also supports 12 PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges: Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Columbus State University (Columbus), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Oglethorpe University (Atlanta), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens), the University of North Georgia (Dahlonega) and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).

Published by PRSA Admin

The Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is the second largest chapter in the country, and serves approximately 850 members statewide.