President Message

Welcome to 2021!

We are coming off a year like no other. Despite the challenges, I am incredibly proud of what PRSA Colorado accomplished the previous year and appreciate everything Geoff Renstrom did to lead the chapter through unprecedented circumstances. He inspired our volunteers and Board of Directors to rise up and do everything we could to meet our members' needs in new ways.

This year, I am excited to have the opportunity to continue this path of progress and enthusiastic about the ideas and ways in which we can serve you - our valued members. Serving as the voice for our organizations, communicators continue to play a unique and critical role as the businesses we serve, and we as professionals, meet new challenges, grow, and rebuild in 2021.

And that is where PRSA Colorado comes in. We are uniquely situated to support our members during this journey. Our Chapter is powered by a large number of volunteers and an incredible Board of Directors who are dedicated to supporting PR and communications professionals. Together, we work tirelessly to enhance our Chapter and its many offerings. 

Although we're currently unable to be together physically, our Chapter has plans for a year that connects us all and helps us grow. When it’s safe to be together again, we’ll plan for that. Here are a few things I'm excited for in 2021:

• Programs and professional development. We will be offering a larger number of programs to ensure members are getting maximum value for their membership.
• Diversity and inclusion implementation and student outreach program. The board and committees are committed to bringing the D&I plan to life throughout every aspect of the Chapter. Additionally, we are excited to launch a new D&I student outreach program that promotes the PR and communications profession to students from underrepresented groups.
• PRSSA student outreach. The board and Student outreach committee are transitioning Shadow Day to a virtual format in 2021. This is a great opportunity for professionals to provide guidance and support to PR and communications students and our partner PRSSA Chapters.
• Community outreach. In 2020, the Community Outreach committee successfully shifted PR Paid Forward to a virtual format. We look forward to supporting local nonprofit organizations again this year with this highly-successful program.
• Gold Pick Awards and Chapter Summit. We don’t know what the Awards event or Summit will look like this year, but with the hope of doing something in-person, we have postponed the Awards event to the fall to coincide with our Chapter Summit. I can assure you that whatever we do, we will be innovative and appropriate for the times. (Please note that the 2021 Call for Entries for both Special Awards and Gold Pick Awards has been delayed. More information will come soon.)

If you’re interested in volunteering or discussing your own leadership path in the Chapter, I want to hear from you! I’m a long-time PRSA Colorado member who has served in a leadership capacity for more than six years across a variety of committees and with varying board roles. I would love to share that experience with you and learn about your professional goals and interests. Don’t hesitate to reach out, the offer is real.

Thanks for your support. I look forward to connecting with you all throughout the year. Here’s to a great 2021, for both the Chapter and to you personally.

Warm Regards,

Michelle Ellis
President, PRSA Colorado 

Chief Communicator + Connector, Ellis Communications Marketing
(720) 432-8130
[email protected]