Monthly Newsletter - February 2026 | |
Laura Kruszewski, MBA, APR
Immediate Past President
We’re pleased to highlight Laura Kruszewski, immediate past president of the PRSA Southern Arizona Chapter.
Laura brings nearly 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, and event management. She is currently Senior Marketing Manager at Intentional Life Media, where she leads marketing services, branding, digital strategy and donor communications. Her background includes communications leadership roles with Family Life Radio, Whole Foods Market (Tucson) and the Tucson Association of REALTORS®.
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An accredited public relations professional (APR), Laura is passionate about ethical practice, strategic communications and supporting the next generation of PR leaders. In 2025, she was recognized as PRSA Southern Arizona’s PR Professional of the Year. As the immediate past president, Laura continues to support the chapter’s growth and long-term success across Southern Arizona.
Meet the Board
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Coffee Meetups are Brewing Connections
We loved seeing members at our first PRSA Tucson Coffee Meetup, where conversations ranged from job searches and commute times to sharing helpful leads and advice. These casual, drop-in gatherings are all about connection, community and conversation.
Our next Coffee Meetup takes place February 17 at Sonoran House (Sam Hughes) from 7:30–8:30 a.m. Stop by for a few minutes or stay the whole hour. We’re glad to have you whenever you can join us.
Sign up for the next coffee meetup
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Welcome New and Reinstated Members
Please join us in welcoming our new and reinstated PRSA Southern Arizona members! We’re excited to have these talented communicators as part of our chapter and look forward to connecting at upcoming programs and events:
Joseph Barrios (Tucson Electric Power) • Laurie Galbraith (University of Arizona) • Vic Hathaway (Town of Marana) • Lauren Lynn, Gracie Lordi, Rachael Mitchell, Annie Stevens (Tucson Jewish Community Center) • Hailee Tavoian (Town of Sahuarita) • Linda Welter, APR (Caliber Group, Inc.)
Welcome to the PRSA Southern Arizona community!
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Member Spotlight: PRSA Latina Authors at Tucson Festival of Books
PRSA Southern Arizona members and Latina authors will be featured at the Tucson Festival of Books as they celebrate the anniversary of their best-selling anthology highlighting powerful stories, lived experiences, and diverse voices in communications.
The appearance underscores the impact of local PR professionals beyond the workplace — as storytellers, authors and leaders shaping meaningful conversations in our community. We’re proud to see our members represented on such a prominent stage.
Read full article
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PRSA Tucson Coffee Meetup
Feb. 17, 2026 | 7:30 –8:30 a.m. | Sonoran House (Sam Hughes)
Join us for our next casual, in-person PRSA Tucson Coffee Meetup. These drop-in gatherings are all about connection — no agenda, no program, just great conversation with fellow communicators. This month’s light discussion theme is Writing & Storytelling, with prompts to spark idea-sharing. Stop by for a few minutes or stay the whole hour.
Sign up for the PRSA coffee meetup
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Navigating Public Opposition
Feb. 17, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Online-Zoom
Public engagement is essential — and it can be challenging. In this Lunch & Learn, Melanie Lawson, Public Outreach Director at the Pima Association of Governments, will explore how public engagement can shift into opposition and what communicators can do to build trust before conflict arises. Attendees will gain insights into fostering transparency, navigating community concerns, and turning potential backlash into productive dialogue.
$5 for Members | $15 for Non-Members | Free for Students
Register now and learn how to engage communities effectively.
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| PRSA Professional Development | |
| PRSA offers a wide range of live and on-demand webinars designed to help you stay current, sharpen your skills and earn professional development credits throughout the year. Members enjoy free or discounted access to timely topics—from AI and digital strategy to measurement and messaging. Browse PRSA’s professional development portal to register and expand your communications toolkit. | | |
The PRSA Counselors to Higher Education (CHE) Senior Summit will take place March 9–11 in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing together senior-level higher education communicators for focused conversations on leadership, strategy and emerging challenges in academic communications. The summit emphasizes peer-to-peer learning, practical insights, and meaningful networking within the higher education PR community.
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ICON 2026 will take place October 18–20 in Orlando, Florida, uniting thousands of PR and communications professionals for PRSA’s largest national conference. Attendees can expect high-impact keynotes, diverse breakout sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities designed to inspire new ideas and support long-term career growth.
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PRSA Southern Arizona maintains a comprehensive list of PR, communications and marketing job opportunities.
If you're looking for a new opportunity or would like to list a position, visit our job bank or email your job posting to info@prsatucson.org.
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Help keep our chapter connected and informed!
Share your news: Started a new role or received a professional honor? Send your name, title, organization, and a brief update so we can celebrate you in an upcoming newsletter.
Post a job opening: Hiring for a PR, communications, or marketing role—or looking for an intern? Send the position title, employer, and application link to reach qualified professionals across Southern Arizona.
Submit member news and job openings to: info@prsatucson.org
Stay connected between newsletters by following PRSA Southern Arizona on social media for the latest chapter updates, events, and professional opportunities and help spread the word by sharing our posts.
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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.
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