About Us

Group of PR professionalsThe Detroit Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) was established in 1947 and is now the premier organization for Southeast Michigan public relations professionals. As one of the largest PRSA chapters, we serve as a gateway to public relations professionals by providing educational and career opportunities for more than 250 local members – from students to seasoned professionals – who represent business and industry, agencies, solo practitioners, associations, non-profit organizations and government entities. PRSA Detroit is a 501(c)(6) organization.

Our long-standing commitment to the education of professionals and students is the reason why we offer invaluable programming that includes conferences, professional development sessions, a consistently strong accreditation (APR) preparation program and extensive New Professionals’ development, along with a number of other supportive activities.

Did you know that PRSA-Detroit:

  • Offers the Melissa Motschall Protégé mentoring program, job shadowing, internship opportunities and an awards program for rising stars.
  • Awards two $3,000 scholarships to Michigan students each year; more than $60,000 has been awarded to date.
  • Offers member groups such as New Professionals and Senior Council that meet professionals’ specific needs.
  • Recognizes members’ outstanding contributions to the field and service to the chapter through our annual Hall of Fame, Robert Hefty Distinguished Service, and other awards.
  • Attracts more than 2,000 members and guests annually to our many activities.

 

Presidents of PRSA Detroit

2025-26 Megan Bonelli
2024-25 TaQuinda Johnson
2023-24 Maribeth Farkas
2022-23 Michelle Gilbert
2021-22 Sharon Tatom Garcia, APR
2020-21 Kim Eberhardt
2019-20 Megan Soule, APR
2018-19 Tom O’Connell
2017-18 Tim Wieland, APR
2016-17 Don Tanner
2015-16 Debra Ortisi, APR
2014-15 Dan Artman, APR
2013-14 John Austerberry, APR
2012-13 Jennifer Flowers, APR
2011-12 Susan Ferraro, APR
2010-11 Rich Donley, APR
2009-10 Kim Skeltis, APR
2008-09 Scott Simons, APR
2007-08 Glen Foldessy, APR
2006-07 Roy Richardson, APR
2005-06 Jennifer Day, APR
2004-05 Lisa Vallee-Smith, APR
2003-04 Mary Henige, APR
2002-03 Barbara Bartos, APR
2001-02 Wayne Mielke, APR
2000-01 Pamela Young, APR
1999-00 Peter Shinbach, APR
1998-99 M. Renee Ahee, APR
1997-98 Colleen Robar, APR
1996-97 Rudolph Difazio, APR
1995-96 Sharon McMurray, APR
1994-95 J. Richard Johnson, APR
1993 Gabriel Werba, APR Fellow PRSA
1992 Robert F. Falls, APR
1990-91 Barbara F. Robins, APR
1989-90 Gene McKinney, APR
1988-89 Donald P. Durocher, APR
1987-88 Catherine B. Ahles, APR
1986-87 Karen M. Stewart, APR
1985-86 John H. Bock, APR
1984-85 Saul J. Waldman, APR
1983-84 J. B. Dixson, APR
1982-83 William G. Quigley, APR
1981-82 John P. Casey, APR
1980-81 Dale Z. Jablonski, APR
1979-80 Richard W. Judy, APR
1978-79 James L. Tolley, APR
1977-78 Gerald Lundy, APR
1976-77 Albert Kaufman, APR
1975-76 Hazel A. Trumble, APR
1974-75 James E. Glynn
1973-74 Anthony M. Franco, APR
1972-73 Leontine R. Keane Cadieux, APR
1971-72 Dan P. Lutzeier, APR
1970-71 Charles J. Snell, APR
1969-70 John O. Montgomery, APR
1968-69 Robert W. Hefty, APR
1967-68 Donald F. Connell, APR
1966-67 Frank W. Wylie, APR
1965-66 Arthur L. Gloster, APR
1964-65 Gerald E. Warren
1963-64 Kenneth S. Drake
1962-63 Raymond E. Hayes
1961-62 Paul L. Penfield
1960-61 John D. Williams
1959-60 Frank S. Hedge
1958-59 John L. Rose
1957-58 Kenneth Youel
1956-57 James T. Maunders
1955-56 William B. Hall
1954-55 Reuben Ryding
1953-54 James W. Lee, II
1952-53 Howard E. Hallas
1951-52 William A. Durbin
1950-51 Thoburn Wiant
1949-50 William G. Haworth
1948-49 William H. McGaughey
1947-48 W. Calvin Patterson
1945-47 Dr. Alfred McLung Lee

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