Meet A New Member

Kelly Untiet

Originally from: Grew up in Franklin, NH. Currently live in Alexandria, NH

Current PR Role: Director of Public Relations, Reaching Higher NH

Work History

Throughout my career, which has spanned government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations, I have remained committed to the idea that innovation, communication, and collaboration are the keys to success. Prior to RHNH, I Served as Director of Development at CATCH Neighborhood Housing, as Community Engagement Manager with the Unite Us in NH coordinated care network, and as the Administrator of the Office of Social and Emotional Wellness within the NH Department of Education assisting in the statewide expansion of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavioral Health and Wellness (MTSS-B), Trauma Responsive School initiatives, and prevention efforts focused on bullying, substance use, and suicide.

I joined PRSA because…

I joined PRSA because I love to learn and grow. As an embedded PR or communications professional, it is easy to remain up-to-date and connected with the latest advancements within our organizations and the sectors they represent. My participation in PRSA is meant to couple that “content-based” exposure with support for and connections to my chosen craft.

Yankee Chapter Involvement

I don’t believe I am “officially” a member of any committees yet, but I am open to it!

Most challenging PR situation I have ever faced

When I served at the NH Department of Education, I was responsible for our strategy in response to the all too frequent school shootings that take place here and around the country. Each incident was terrifying for educators, families, and students alike. Through those experiences, I learned the importance of executing a strategy based not just on what “we” want to say but one that is inclusive of what our audience wants/needs to hear. I learned the importance of listening as a key public relations strategy. And I learned that often, especially in the governmental and non-profit space, humility and relatability are a superpower.

Hobbies/Interests

I love to cook and garden! I will be starting both my vegetable and flower seeds in a few months!

Bucket List/Dream Trip

My dream trip is to hop in an RV with my husband, my two kids, and our dog and travel across the country, stopping at as many national parks as possible.

Stock image - pins and threads in a speech bubble design

American Management Association Courses

Amazing news from PRSA! They’ve created a unique partnership with American Management Association International (AMA) to offer AMA member pricing for their courses.

A little about AMA: “With over 95+ years of professional development experience, AMA delivers an extensive range of learning solutions that provide essential knowledge and skills for success in management, leadership, communication, and finance. All AMA courses offer continuing education units (CEUs) and related credits from professional associations worldwide to bolster your career.”

For more information about this incredible opportunity, click here and log into your PRSA account.

YPRSA member Laura Simoes

Yankee Chapter Member Laura Simoes Named Executive Director of Loeb School

Yankee Chapter member Laura Simoes was appointed the Executive Director of the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications. Laura has worked in journalism, public affairs, marketing, and strategic communications.

Nackey S. Loeb was the longtime president and publisher of the Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. She founded the nonpartisan, nonprofit school in Manchester in 1999 with the goal of promoting and defending the First Amendment and fostering interest and excellence in journalism and other forms of communication. She died in 2000.

Yankee Chapter Member Scott Tranchemontagne Named One of State’s Most Influential Business Leader

Scott Tranchemontagne, President & Partner of Montagne Communications, was named one of the state’s most influential business leaders in the Media/Marketing category by New Hampshire Business Review. Scott founded Montagne Communications in 2007.

The New Hampshire 200 is a product of a year-long research initiative by the editors of NH Business Review Review. The executives named are selected according to extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews and months of research, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide. The New Hampshire 200 was produced by NH Business Review in partnership with the Business & Industry Association.

YPRSA member headshot Lisa Rousseau

Member Profile – Lisa Rousseau

Welcome to one of our newest members Lisa Rousseau! Lisa is a Community Relations Specialist for Northeast Delta Dental going on fourteen years. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in Communications with a focus in Professional Writing, and a Minor in Social Media Marketing from SNHU this past spring. Lisa manages all of the details surrounding the company’s corporate giving requests designed to generate awareness of the company’s brand, products, and services in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Lisa works closely with the President & CEO, community leaders, sales and account managers, and employees, in addition to developing relationships with non-profit organizations, Chambers of Commerce, community programs, and social services to share the message about the Delta Dental brand.

In her spare time, she works on writing projects for her sister’s business and works part-time as the Marketing Director for Great Brook EMS and Great Brook Academy in Pembroke, New Hampshire on various branding/marketing pursuits. She worked closely with the President to file for nonprofit status, and are currently awaiting nonprofit approval for Great Brook Academy. She is very excited to be a part of the Yankee Chapter PRSA.

PRSA — Advancing the Profession and the Professional

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s largest community of public relations and communications professionals. We provide training, set standards of excellence and uphold principles of ethics for the global public relations profession. As a leading voice in the PR industry, we also advocate for greater understanding and adoption of public relations services.

PRSA’s 21,000 members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting in the public relations field. In addition, more than 10,000 college students are members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

If you want to make contacts, be recognized for your work, enhance your professional skills, stay on top of emerging trends and otherwise accelerate your PR career, PRSA is the organization for you.

Call for Speakers: Boston PRSA Social Media Summit

The 5th annual PRSA Boston Social Media Summit will take place May 12, 2017 at Bentley University. We are looking for speakers who:

  • Inspire others with their expertise and knowledge on cutting edge social and digital media trends
  • Have an interesting case study to share
  • Are willing to share their expertise with others

If this is you – or if you have a recommendation – please reach out to Erin Callanan.

Jane Law, APR

Congratulations to Jane Law, APR National Delegate-at-Large

Yankee Chapter’s own Jane Law was elected to the position of 2017 national Delegate-at-Large at the PRSA Leadership Assembly on October 22. Delegates-at-large serve a one-year term and represent PRSA members who are not affiliated with a chapter. The delegate-at-large positions require that the candidate hold an APR or serve or have served as a board member of a Chapter, District or Section. To be considered for the position, candidates should be outstanding in their ethical conduct, their participation in and commitment to PRSA and their professional achievements and recognition. Characteristics of each candidate also include leadership experience with PRSA and/or other professional associations; in-depth knowledge of PRSA, including an understanding of PRSA’s governance structure and broad knowledge of the public relations profession.

In her application, Jane noted “I strongly believe that PRSA members who have no chapter or section affiliation should have as much of a voice in the strategic direction and operations of the association as those who do have a more direct, closer affiliation with PRSA (through a chapter, district or section). As a Delegate-at-Large, I could help provide that voice for those unaffiliated members.”

Congratulations, Jane!

Bradley Scholarship Awarded to Kathryn Schmeltzer

Kathryn Schmelzer, a senior at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and a resident of Concord, N.H., has been awarded the fifth-annual James H. Bradley Memorial Scholarship by the Yankee Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

“The James H. Bradley Memorial Scholarship was established to honor James (Jim) Bradley, a founding member of the Yankee Chapter who passed away in 2010,” said Yankee Chapter President Erin Hathaway. “The Chapter is proud to recognize Jim’s contributions to the profession of public relations by helping future professionals achieve their goals.”

At SNHU, Schmelzer is pursuing a major in communication and a minor in public relations. Prior to attending SNHU, Schmelzer was a graduate of NHTI, where she was the 2013 commencement speaker and received an award for outstanding professionalism. At SNHU, Schmelzer was one of a team of students to volunteer for environmental nonprofit Blue Ocean Society, creating the organization’s first social media marketing plan. Schmelzer is working as the social media and marketing intern at United Way of Greater Nashua this summer. Schmelzer was recently inducted into Alpha Chi, a national honor society recognizing the top 10 percent of her institution’s students, and she is a member of the SNHU Women’s Advocacy Group. Schmelzer has been recognized by university faculty for her strong work ethic and focus on academics. She is the daughter of Raymond Schmelzer Sr. and Barbara Schmelzer of Concord.