The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations

Join Emerging Leaders Committee members Tamarra Thal and Zane Landin as they launch Season 2 of the Talking Points podcast with special guest Sabrina N. Browne, senior vice president of personal banking at Citi. In this episode, Sabrina discusses how authenticity can be a powerful driver of confidence, from building trust with colleagues to navigating challenging conversations. She shares her personal experiences of staying true to herself, which has enabled her to forge meaningful connections and excel in her career. Whether you are finding your voice in a new role, adapting to a team with different dynamics or facing personal uncertainties, Sabrina's insights highlight the transformative power of embracing authenticity. Listen now: linktr.ee/ThePlankCenter! #PlankCenter?#PlankCenterPR?#EmergingLeadersCommittee

Last week, The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations proudly hosted its 14th annual Milestones in Mentoring Gala, where we recognized six outstanding mentors who have made significant contributions across various sectors of the public relations profession. ? We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our honorees: ? ?? Ron Culp, professional-in-residence, DePaul University College of Communication—recipient of the Bruce K. Berger Educator Award for his exceptional contributions to PR education. ?? Chuck Wallington, Ph.D., executive vice president and chief marketing & communications officer, Cone Health—recipient of the Betsy Plank Award for his exemplary service and leadership. ?? Teneshia J. Warner, founder & CEO, EGAMI Group—recipient of the Agency Award for her innovative and impactful work in the agency sector. ?? Tony Waller, vice president, constituent relations and racial equity, Walmart—recipient of the John “Jack” Koten Corporate Award for his outstanding achievements in corporate communications. ?? Leah Seay Anise, consumer communications lead, OpenAI—recipient of the Emerging Leader Award, for her remarkable potential and early career accomplishments. ?? Jon Harris, executive vice president, chief communications and networking officer, Conagra Brands—recipient of the Legacy Award for his enduring influence and legacy in the public relations profession. ? These mentors exemplify the highest standards of our profession, and their contributions inspire us all to strive for excellence. We are deeply grateful for their efforts in shaping the future of public relations. ?? #PlankCenter #PlankCenterPR #MilestonesInMentoringGala #Mentorship

Congratulations to the inaugural 2025 EMERGE: The Plank Center & The Grossman Group Leadership Academy Class and The Plank Center's 2024 Student Travel Scholarship Recipients!??? ? Last week, we had the honor and privilege of hosting these exceptional emerging leaders in Chicago for The Plank Center Summit and Milestones in Mentoring Gala. At the Summit, students heard from senior leaders, emerging leaders and other students on how the public relations profession is navigating AI and new technologies in relation to culture. Later that evening at the Gala, they got to hear and network with our 2024 honorees, who exemplify the true meaning of being a mentor. It was a momentous occasion as they met face-to-face for the first time, forging connections that will shape the future of our profession. ? At The Plank Center, propelling emerging leaders is the foundation of our mission, and this is just one of the many ways we support their growth. Thank you to their dedicated faculty nominators for recognizing and nurturing their potential. ? Get to know their faces, connect with them and join us in celebrating their achievements. The future of our profession is indeed bright with these leaders at the helm!??? #PlankCenterPR #PlankCenter #EmergingLeaders?#EMERGE #Students Bianca Anglin | Joshua Brown | Earl Lawrence Bumagat | Leilani Casteele | Chania C. | Timothy Davis | Lindsay DeVore | Emeri Drewry | Tina Duoibes | Taylor Haywood | Lanie Hibbs | Kevin Huang | Teo Ignacio Landoni | Trinity Lowe | Amber Marthinsen | Julia de Pietro Pedroso | Jasmine P. | Elizabeth W. Russell-Jones | Zaria Slaughter | Megan vanVollenhoven | Luis Verduzco | Rebecca W. | Aoife Hopkins | Safi Mahmood | Cal Zweigle

Be yourself in your career (vs putting your career first over yourself), advocate for those you manage (and in turn, that will elevate you!), lean into your strengths and stretch those skills gaps... and so many more soundbites from last night's The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations Emerging Leaders Rally at The Bliss Group. A pleasure to moderate with D'Anthony Jackson, M.S., Darcy Dehais and Brandi Boatner and huge thanks to Bliss and the events team (Michelle Traynor, you rock!), Carolyn Lok and all who attended for making the first Emerging Leaders Committee event a success.

Join us on November 7 at 11:30 a.m., either online or in person, for The Plank Summit. This event will explore the intersection of public relations, AI, and emerging technologies within the context of culture. This year’s Summit will delve into how AI is enhancing our work, the biases inherent in AI and technology, and what strategies are proving effective. Senior professionals, students, and emerging leaders will share key insights, trends, and global perspectives on the perception of AI, PR, and culture. ???? #PlankCenter #PlankCenterPR #ThePlankSummit

We had a little surprise for our panelists at our first Emerging Leaders Rally a couple of weeks ago! Watch them give advice to their younger selves. ? D'Anthony Jackson, M.S., Brandi Boatner, Darcy Dehais #PlankCenterPR #PlankCenter #PublicRelations #PR #EmergingLeaders?

We are one month away from the 2024 Milestones in Mentoring Gala! What better way to kick off the countdown than recognizing our Betsy Plank Award recipient, Chuck Wallington, Ph.D.? Chuck is the executive vice president and chief marketing & communications officer for Cone Health, a regional health care system based in Greensboro, NC. In his role, Chuck reports to the CEO and is one of 10 members of Cone Health's senior-most leadership team that establishes and drives the business strategy for Cone in a competitive marketplace. His unwavering dedication to leadership and mentorship has profoundly impacted countless individuals and the organization. Join us in Chicago on Nov. 7 to celebrate Chuck and our other nominees for their dedication to leadership and mentorship of the next generation of leaders in our great profession! ?? #PlankCenterPR #PlankCenter #MilestonesinMentoringGala

The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations is pleased to announce two opportunities for students this fall! ?? The Student Travel Scholarship provides the chance to attend the Summit and Milestones in Mentoring Gala in Chicago on November 7. Additionally, scholarship recipients may join the inaugural cohort of EMERGE: The Plank Center & The Grossman Group Leadership Academy. This year-long initiative includes a virtual leadership curriculum and opportunities to engage with Plank board members and industry professionals. Eligible applicants must be, ?A junior, senior or graduate student specializing in PR or a related field ?Enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university in fall 2024, and preparing for a career in public relations These opportunities are designed to support the next generation of leaders, and we encourage eligible students to apply and take a significant step toward their professional development. Apply now ?? bit.ly/4efTxur! #PlankCenterPR #PlankCenter #PublicRelations #Summit

CALLING ALL NEW YORK COMMS FRIENDS ??? Are you early in your career with less than 10 years of experience? This event is for you! Join us for the inaugural Emerging Leaders Rally, hosted by The Plank Center’s Emerging Leaders Committee (ELC) and The Bliss Group. The ELC has long envisioned this event to help young professionals forge meaningful connections with peers in the communications industry, and I'm thrilled it's finally happening! Don’t miss out—RSVP using the link below! (There might even be a special giveaway for one lucky attendee ??)

??Book launch day! Copies of our latest book, Business Acumen for Strategic Communicators: The Workbook (Emerald Publishing) with Ron Culp, started shipping today. Grateful to all who made it possible. ??This workbook is inspired by the ancient Chinese proverb: “if you give a person a fish, you feed them for a day. If you teach a person to fish, you feed them for a lifetime.” ??For ordering information, table of contents, a sample chapter, and initial reviews, see: https://lnkd.in/g5XBPFe4 cc DePaul University College of Communication DePaul University The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations Institute for Public Relations Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) PRSA Chicago Page Society IABC IABC Chicago Chapter Museum of Public Relations Diversity Action Alliance