Monthly Newsletter - November 2025

2025 IMPACT Awards

11 organizations received a total of 21 awards

The 2025 PRSA Southern Arizona Impact Awards ceremony took place on October 16th at Catalyst Creative Collective in Tucson.

This year’s top honors went to Jan Gordley,  who was granted the Career Impact Award. She is the founder and former president of the Tucson marketing, advertising and community relations agency Gordley Group, which she ran successfully for 34 years, and for which she now serves as Senior Advisor. 

Gordley Group’s Community Relations Planner Adamari Juarez was named PR Rookie of the Year. The 2025 PR Professional of the Year award winner is Laura Kruszewski, MBA, APR, Senior Marketing Manager for Intentional Life Media, and who has served for the past two years as Chapter President of PRSA Southern Arizona.

Gordley Group (pictured above) was awarded this year’s Best in Show Award, for having the highest scoring submission for its “Know Where to Throw” campaign and web tool for Tucson Environmental Services, a consumer guide for disposing of trash, recycling items, and compost. Gordley Group also received five category awards, the largest number won by one company or organization this year.

Thanks to IMPACT Awards Co-Chairs Carrie Gurenlian and Joe Barrios for putting together this year’s awards, and to all who volunteered and attended!

Click here for photos and full list of winners

Advance your AI skills - register today!

Prompts and Circumstance: Partnering With AI

as a Communicator

Tuesday, November 18 | 12 pm -1 pm | Zoom

Learn how communicators can collaborate with generative AI tools to enhance writing, editing and idea generation. This session, led by Andy Ober with University Communications at the University of Arizona, will cover best practices, ethical use and real examples from university stories.

Mark your calendars!

Mingle Bells Holiday Mixer

with AAF Tucson

Wednesday, December 17 | 5 pm to 7 pm

The Depot Bar

3501 East Ft. Lowell Place, Tucson, AZ 85716

Details & registration coming soon!

Thank you for voting!

Congratulations to the new

PRSA Southern Arizona 2026 board members

These board members will begin their terms on Jan. 1, 2026:

President: Amy Barber (Chapter officer) 

Immediate Past President: Laura Kruszewski, MBA, APR

Secretary: Patrick McNamara (Chapter officer) 

Treasurer: Mitch Zak, MPA (Chapter officer) 

Programs Co-chairs: 

Jade Norden

Joe Barrios 

IMPACT Awards Co-chairs: 

Hailee Tavoian

Erika Mitnik

Membership Chair: Courtney Pulitzer 

Communications Chair: Mariana Calvos-Llanos

Social Media Chair: Adamari Juarez 

Western District Liaison/PRSA Leadership Assembly Delegate: Jessa B. Turner (Third year of 3-year term) 

APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) Chair: Melissa Martinez, APR, MA, CPC

Ethics Chair: Jenny Fiore-Magana

Introducing FutureCon - A Brand New Virtual Summit from PRSA

November 5-7, 2025

Designed for executive, C-suite and management level communicators, this future-forward event will bring together industry leaders and innovators to share the latest trends, data and insights shaping communications and public relations.

• Dive into the key forces transforming how organizations communicate, build trust, and lead with purpose.
• Get forward-looking updates on the leading trends of today and tomorrow, including AI and disinformation.
• Explore the biggest challenges and opportunities communicators face, and how to adapt and thrive.
• Access the insights, tools, and connections you need to chart a strategic course for the year ahead.

Get more info here and register here

Register now for the 2026 PRSA Western District Conference!

February 2-4, 2026 at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, California

Public relations professionals from across the Western United States will gather for a transformative experience at the 2026 PRSA Western District Conference. This annual conference brings together strategic communicators, agency leaders, corporate and nonprofit executives, and emerging talent to exchange ideas, sharpen their skills, and build meaningful connections.

Themed, “Charting the Course: Waves of Change, Currents of Opportunity,” this year’s conference promises insightful programming, expert-led sessions, and ample opportunities to grow your network and career all within a setting that fosters both relaxation and inspiration. Whether you're leading an agency, a department, or just beginning your PR journey, you'll find tools and takeaways to rise above the tide. 

Get details and book your room at the beautiful Balboa Bay Resort & Club in Newport Beach, California before space sells out!

PRSA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Put your PRSA membership to work. Remember: PRSA webinars are always complimentary for PRSA members! 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM / COURSE / WORKSHOP: NOV. 5 - DEC. 17, 2025 

Strategic Communications for Associations and Nonprofits

Effective communications are essential for advancing mission, maintaining trust, and demonstrating value to members, donors, policymakers and the public.

WEBINAR / ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: NOV. 11, 2025, 12-1 PM MST

Connecting With Communities Through PR

A dynamic roundtable discussion focusing on how public relations professionals and educators can strengthen connections with communities through storytelling, outreach and advocacy.

Thanks and welcome to these new chapter members!

Kim Holley 

Marketing Dir.

Tucson Association of Realtors

Jade Rood Norden

Marketing Specialist

Rochester Institute of Technology

Send us your professional news and job openings!

Have you changed positions, or received a recent honor? Send us your news, new title, and place of employment so it can be shared with your chapter members!

And when you are looking to fill a communications position or hire an intern, send us the position title, employer and the link to the job description or application, so that we can share it with qualified PR pros in Southern Arizona!

All member news and job openings can be sent to info@prsatucson.org

Connect With Us!

Be sure to like, follow and connect with PRSA Southern Arizona on social media, where you'll find the most up-to-date information on our Chapter, district and PRSA National. Make sure to stay in the loop by giving PRSA Southern Arizona a thumbs up, a follow, and a connection on social media! Dive into the latest updates and help us spread the word about our exciting programs, events, and news by sharing our posts far and wide! Let's build a vibrant community together!

Sponsors

The Southern Arizona Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is the region's leading professional organization serving the communications community. We are advocates for industry excellence and ethical conduct, providing our members with learning opportunities and resources to enhance professional connections and support them through their careers. Visit prsatucson.org to learn more about our upcoming monthly programs, occasional networking mixers, annual events and more. By becoming a member, you will join the ranks of 21,000 other public relations professionals across the country to expand your professional network and to build your knowledge and skills to further advance your career.