Meet New Member Kelly Scargill

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New Member Spotlight

Name, Title, Organization: Kelly Scargill, Executive Director of Public Relations and Communications, SolutionHealth

Originally from: Pennsylvania

Currently live in: Peterborough, NH

Work History/Background: I began my career in Los Angeles in advertising at BBDO West in client management. I then shifted into public relations when I moved to San Francisco. After working for a couple of PR firms in the Bay Area with focus in high tech PR, I decided to move back east and get my master’s degree at George Washington University.

After graduating with my master’s, I worked in house for nonprofits in DC as the media relations and communications lead. After my son was born, my family moved closer to family in New Hampshire. I then worked in house for a public college for 10 years, and followed this with my role at SolutionHealth, which currently is the umbrella organization for Elliot Health System and Southern NH Health, in Manchester and Nashua, NH, respectively.

Why I Joined PRSA: I am excited to be part of a larger community of professionals, particularly after working in house. To learn from, and share ideas with, other like-minded people keep our work interesting, rewarding, and effective.

Most Challenging PR Situation I Have Faced: When COVID-19 hit, I was working for a public college. The vast majority of students were traditional in age—meaning teens and early 20s—and they lived on campus. Ensuring the health and safety of every student, staff member, and families of the students were of utmost importance. A clear, concise, adaptable, strategic communication plan and effective delivery was essential to meeting the needs of everyone. It was a great lesson in how to pivot and adapt, and how to best reach various audiences with tools and messaging that had not been considered before.

Bucket List Trip: Bora Bora.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, running, swimming, writing, and spending time with my husband and my two kids, who are teens.

Contact Information: krshall@gmail.com