The Department of Public Relations Advisory Council is a group of industry professionals that provides regular advice and counsel to faculty, staff and students of the Department of Public Relations at UF’s College of Journalism and Communications. It advises Department educators, administrators and future public relations professionals about the direction of, changes in and needs of the public relations discipline. This includes, but is not limited to, input about curriculum, careers, professional development, funding and research opportunities to advance individual and Department goals.

Greg Mondshein – Chair

Cofounder & Managing Partner – SourceCode Communication
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Greg Mondshein is an accomplished communications professional with more than 13 years of experience advising technology brands. He’s the co-founder and managing partner of SourceCode Communications, recently named New Agency of the Year, fastest growing and seventh most creative agency in the world by PRovoke. The agency is also the 2020 PRWeek Boutique Agency of the Year and a Best Places to Work honoree. Personally, Greg was named a 2020 PRWeek 40 under 40 honoree, co-chair of the PR Council’s first ever Next Board, a 2020 Scholar with The Marketing Academy and named a 2019 Top 25 PR Innovator in North America by PRovoke. Mondshein is a former Ironman triathlete, summited Mount Kilimanjaro and is raising his two daughters, Penelope & Amelia, with his wife just outside of NYC.

Kathy Barbour, APR

Kathy Barbour, APR, Fellow PRSA, is Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Fla., and a past national chair of PRSA. Her leadership is instrumental as Brooks leads the future of rehabilitation and extends its national footprint. Barbour has led teams for nationally renowned organizations including Mayo Clinic, Acosta, Florida Blue and Baptist Health South Florida. She received her accreditation in PR in 2005 and was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows in 2020. She holds a MBA from the University of North Florida; and a BS degree in PR from the University of Florida

Rachel Barclay

Senior Manager, Integrated Marketing – CHEP North America
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Since her time as a UF PR Gator, Rachel has worked in a variety of industries spanning the PR and marketing disciplines including time in agency, corporate and non-profit settings. She currently serves as senior manager, integrated marketing for CHEP North America where she oversees a team who manages external communications and customer touchpoints.

A proud Gator alumna, Rachel lives in Atlanta and also serves on the Atlanta Gator Club board.

Bridget Braxton

Consultant – Financial services
Former SVP, Head of Regional Communications – Wells Fargo

Bridget Braxton is a 20-year veteran of public relations with extensive experience working in corporations and public relations agencies. Currently, she’s taken on her biggest venture yet — running her own public relations consultancy, Manifest Communications.

Prior to this position, Bridget represented Wells Fargo, where she led regional communications across the company’s national footprint for more than nine years. In the previous six years with the company, Bridget led communications for HR, technology, and corporate.

Before joining Wells Fargo, she led Ketchum’s technology practice in San Francisco where she represented IBM and Kodak. In the previous decade, Bridget gained valuable experience in the technology public relations space by representing Dell Computer, Nortel Networks, and Shandwick International.

Bridget earned her Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts at the same institution. Although she is a Longhorn by educational training, she is thrilled to be joining the University of Florida family and becoming an honorary Gator

Jano Cabrera

Chief Communications Officer – General Mills
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Jano Cabrera is the Chief Communications Officer for General Mills where he oversees the entirety of communications for the company.

Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations for the McDonald’s Corporation where he focused on strengthening the company’s brand reputation, driving consumer engagement and overseeing global media relations. Previously, Jano served as Worldwide Vice President for Burson-Marsteller.

Prior to Burson-Marsteller, Jano founded Carthage Group Communications, a strategic communications, government affairs and issue advocacy firm. The firm advised the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Grameen Bank and America Votes, the nation’s then largest political action organization.

Chris Chiames

CCO – Carnival Cruise Line
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Chris Chiames is chief communications officer for Carnival Cruise Line. He previously held executive positions at American Airlines, US Airways, Orbitz Worldwide and Sabre, and led the travel and tourism public affairs practice at Burson-Marsteller. Chris holds a B.A. in journalism from California State University, Fresno, an M.A. in journalism from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has been honored by the Public Relations Society of America and the California State University, Fresno School of Mass Communications, among others and is a member of the Arthur Page Society for senior communications executives.

Jeannie Clary

Public Relations Consultant – J. Clary Public Relations, LLC
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Jeannie Clary is an independent public relations consultant, providing strategic communications expertise to a broad scope of private and public companies across industries. She works with PR and marketing agencies as an integrated team member, providing clients with branding expertise and strategic direction, in addition to implementing award-winning communication campaigns. Jeannie has garnered top-tier results for clients through media relations, social media, community relations, integrated branding campaigns, public affairs and crisis communications. Prior to starting her consultancy, Jeannie served on account teams at Weber Shandwick, Just Drive Media, and Fortune 1000 companies and boutique agencies in Atlanta and Tampa. A proud alumna of UF’s Department of Public Relations, Jeannie has also served as an adjunct lecturer in the department since Fall 2021.

Travis Claytor, APR

President/Owner – TC Strategic Communications
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Travis has developed and executed national and international integrated strategic communications plans around some of the world’s top media events, including the NFL Super Bowl and Republican National Convention and developed communications campaigns for organizations like Feld Entertainment and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Travis has also led crisis and reputation management for brands like SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. In 2019 Travis launched TC Strategic Communications, which combines a passion for strategic solutions with integrated communications to engage audiences. Travis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida, and his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) through the Public Relations Society of America.

Reynaldo J. Delgado

Senior Media Relations Manager, Cultura West – Chemistry Cultura

Reynaldo J. Delgado is a seasoned public relations executive passionate about making connections. With a keen eye for detail, he is a master at helping clients develop purpose-driven, impactful and meaningful communications campaigns which are measurable and aligned with business goals and objectives. With more than 13 years experience working for an array of clients – from startups to global brands – Reynaldo has led the development and execution of award winning, strategic communications marketing programs for clients throughout the U.S., Latin America and Europe, building a relationship-driven network of contacts across media, influencers, KOLs and peers.

Craig Dezern

SVP, Global Head Communications – Hilton
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Craig Dezern is Senior Vice President & Global Head Communications at Hilton, leading the global team responsible for protecting and elevating Hilton’s reputation, driving consumer and brand communications, inspiring and engaging Team Members, and connecting owners and other stakeholders with Hilton’s purpose and business goals.

Before joining Hilton, Dezern spent more than 20 years as a communications leader at the Walt Disney Company. Prior to that, Dezern was an award-winning journalist for The Orlando Sentinel, earning national accolades for feature writing, environmental reporting and public service.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Dezern earned a BA from Western Kentucky University, and an MSL from Yale Law School.

Brian Ellis

Former Executive Vice President – Padilla

Brian served as the strategic leader of Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group and led the agency’s crisis management and executive training consultancy. As a former journalist, Brian has offered a unique perspective on how the media operates during a crisis to such clients as Winnebago, Mastercard, CommonSpirit Health, and The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Brian has been a guest speaker at numerous national conferences including PRSA International Conference, AAPA Communications Conference, and the International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference. Prior to joining Padilla, Brian was an Emmy Award-winning television news reporter, anchor and producer. Brian comes from a family of Florida Gators spanning three generations. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in broadcast journalism.

Tina Elmowitz

Executive Vice President, Partner – rbb Communications

As a 29-year veteran at rbb Communications, Tina has been instrumental in developing and executing award-winning campaigns for a wide variety of clients, including Hampton by Hilton, Bank of America, Disney on Ice, Cinch Home Services, M&M’S Chocolate Candies and the Miami Marlins. She creates strategic, measurable programs that leverage integrated marketing, partnerships and community relations elements to generate press and produce bottom-line business results.

Tina also drives rbb’s talent management to ensure best practices carry through to staff development and overall satisfaction. She believes that happy employees create happy clients. rbb Communications consistently ranks among the nation’s top communications firms and is often honored by top business organizations as a “Best Place to Work.”

Ann Fahey-Widman, APR

President and CEO – Monarch Communications
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Ann Fahey-Widman, APR, is president and CEO of Monarch Communications, LLC, a communications consulting and media/messaging coaching firm. A nationally award-winning communications practitioner, Ann has more than 30 years of experience developing and leading strategic corporate communications and reputation management programs for FORTUNE 500 companies, as well as for associations and non-profit organizations. She spent the last 15+ years managing corporate communications efforts for major health care/pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer/Hospira, Medline and Abbott. She has also led communications efforts for consumer packaged goods brands including for the iconic Kellogg Company.

Lorne Fisher

CEO and Managing Partner – Fish Consulting
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Lorne Fisher is CEO and Managing Partner of Fish Consulting, a national public relations agency based in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. Founded in 2004, Fish handles communications strategies for a variety of nationally recognized brands including Dunkin’, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, UFC Gym and more. The agency’s core services range from national consumer and business media relations, franchisee recruitment and internal communications to crisis communications and social influencer marketing. Lorne has worked in communications for nearly 30 years and graduated from the University of Florida. Prior to launching the agency, Lorne worked for Ketchum, a global PR firm based in NY, and in-house with Visa and Absolut Vodka.

Rosanna Fiske

Former Global Chief Communications Officer – Royal Caribbean Group

Widely known for her cross-cultural understanding and expertise, Rosanna M. Fiske, APR, Fellow PRSA, served as Global Chief Communications Officer at Royal Caribbean Group, leading all communications strategy. A nationally recognized executive with more than 25 years of experience developing comprehensive marketing communications, brand positioning, advertising, and public relations strategies, Fiske has a proven track record driving successful, multi-channel campaigns working with some of the world’s leading brands such as Charles Schwab, American Airlines, GE, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Absolut Vodka, Visa USA and MTV Networks. She was the first Latina CEO of the Public Relations Society of America and was named one of the Top 100 Influential Hispanics in America by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Susie Gilden

CEO – misMedia Communications
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Susie Gilden is an accomplished communicator known for her strategic know-how in integrated public relations campaigns across diverse industries, including healthcare, non-profit, food and beverage, higher education, and entertainment. As the founder of misMEDIA, she excels in devising innovative communication strategies, with a recent emphasis on healthcare during the Pandemic. Previously, as a vice president at rbb Communications, Susie spearheaded dynamic PR initiatives for clients like Starbucks Coffee Company, Ringling Bros., American Airlines Arena, and the Miami Marlins.

A proud alumna of the University of Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2001, Susie’s unwavering loyalty is evident through her ongoing service and support for the institution.

Beyond her professional achievements, Susie embraces the craziness of family life, enjoying time with her two daughters (well, most of the time) and gets away from them by exploring the local restaurant scene with her husband. Her passion for effective communication and dedication to excellence continue to shape her journey in the ever-evolving field of public relations and social media, with a strong commitment to mentoring future leaders and making a positive impact.”

Sherry Goldberg

President, North America – GCI Group/GCI Health
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Sherry Goldberg has spent 20+ years working in healthcare communications, partnering with many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer health and wellness companies to deliver award-winning work. She is currently the President at GCI Group, one of the world’s largest health communications group of agencies, where she leads its U.S. team and has been a leading force in the organization’s tremendous growth over the past decade. Sherry is admired as a people-first leader. She is fiercely dedicated to retaining and hiring the best people in the industry, and the agency has consistently been noted as a best agency to work.

David Grossman

Founder & CEO – The Grossman Group
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David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, CSP, helps leaders drive productivity and get the results they want through authentic and courageous leadership communication. He’s a sought-after speaker and advisor to Fortune 500 leaders, and member of the Forbes Communication Council. A four-time author, David is CEO of The Grossman Group, an award-winning Chicago-based strategic leadership development and internal communication consultancy. His leadercommunicator™ blog has been ranked the number one blog on communication by Feedspot eight years in a row. David teaches The Authentic Leader course at Columbia University in New York City.

Robyn Hankerson-Printemps

Community Relations Manager – Publix Supermarkets Inc, Miami Division
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Robyn Hankerson-Printemps is a strategic communications professional with 15 years of experience in public relations and marketing. She is currently a Community Relations Manager for Publix Super Markets, covering the east coast of Florida from Monroe to Brevard County.

Robyn, a UF graduate, has extensive experience in community and university relations. Prior to her role at Publix, she was the Public Information Officer for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the Director of Communications and Media Relations at Johnson and Wales University, where she created communications strategies to enhance and ensure consistency of the university’s brand and image through traditional public relations efforts, social media engagement and marketing initiatives. She has also held positions at the Urban League of Broward County, Bitner Goodman and United Way of Broward County.

Erin B. Hart

Chief Innovation Officer – Spitfire
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With goals of racial, social and environmental justice, Erin trains and teaches, builds campaigns and manages day-to-day communications on subjects as varied as super pollutants and violence prevention in her role at Spitfire. She’s worked to grow and diversify the healthcare workforce, prevent youth from using tobacco, help smokers quit, increase access to higher education and secure policymaker support that conserves habitat, ensures clean drinking water and supports a safe climate. When UFCJC began its work developing the public interest communications field, she was thrilled to return to her alma mater to help think through courses, launch frank and learn from researchers around the world. A first-generation college student, Erin credits her parents for prioritizing education and making it possible for her, and she recognizes her journalism degree as the foundation for her communication skills and commitment to public interest. Erin received UFCJC’s Alumna of Distinction Award, and she teaches strategic communication, public interest communications and campaign planning in several university programs – but says, “Go Gators!” no matter where she is.

Bill Imada

Chairman and Chief Connectivity Officer – IW Group, Inc.
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Bill Imada thoroughly enjoys finding ways to connect others to what’s really important in life. The best way to describe his personal brand is “always.” Bill is always curious about people and what motivates them. He is always learning. He is always discovering new ways to approach a challenge. And, he’s always looking for others to share and be purposeful in life.

Bill co-founded IW Group three decades ago and focus on the growing multicultural and cross-generational markets. His areas of expertise include marketing, advertising, public relations, cross-cultural communications, crisis management, training and development, and community relations. He believes strongly in civic engagement and civil discourse and have co-founded four different national organizations. He is also a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and problem solver who strives to be intentional in making our world a better place for all.

Rachel Katz

Co-Founder & CXO – The Perlant
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Rachel Katz is an experienced marketing executive with 16+ years of experience in marketing, brand development and entrepreneurship. Rachel graduated from UF with a BS in PR and has held both agency and in-house roles with some of the strongest hospitality brands in the industry.

Rachel moved to Atlanta from NYC in 2019, consulting with hospitality brands before founding Starbright Wine, an online wine retail and personalized subscription that was acquired in 2023, and co-founding branding and advisory collective, The Brand Set. Today, Rachel is the Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer for The Perlant, a private social club rooted in wine, opening in Atlanta in 2024.

Rachel lives in Atlanta with her husband, Jon and daughter, Sloane.

Larry Krutchik

Executive Vice President, Hill&Knowlton
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Larry Krutchik is an award-winning communications expert with 30+ years of experience, including six years as an attorney.

Based in Los Angeles, Larry serves as Executive Vice President at Hill&Knowlton, a global public relations agency, where he is a member of the US management team, California market leader, and Leadership Communications practice leader. In those roles, Larry counsels clients, mentors colleagues, and provides media and presentation coaching for c-suite executives and brand spokespersons.

A “Double Gator,” Larry holds a BSBA degree, with Honors, and Juris Doctor, with Honors, from UF. He teaches PUR4243: Media Training as well as Listening + Leadership.

Rena Langley

SVP, Communications and Public Affairs, Walt Disney World

Rena Langley is the senior vice president of Communications and Public Affairs for Walt Disney World Resort. This encompasses several departments including communications, public relations, government relations and corporate citizenship. In addition, Rena leads internal communications for more than 80,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members.

Rena has been with Disney for 25 years and has also led public affairs for Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and started her career as a newspaper reporter before pursuing a career in the public relations and public affairs arena.

Debbie Mason

President – Strategists, Inc.
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Debbie Mason is passionate about guiding organizations and communities to achieve greater effectiveness through an array of leadership and communications services. An experienced nonprofit executive and consultant, she often serves as a fractional CEO to nonprofit and association clients. Her 40+ years of experience spans management of public relations, brand, marketing, sales, development, advocacy and planning in the sectors of agency, national/international corporate, automotive and healthcare experience prior her transition to the nonprofit and consulting sectors. Debbie has been the strategist for multiple successful referendums generating billions of dollars benefitting children, parks and recreation and preserving historic sites in Florida

Jason Medina

Public Information Officer – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
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Jason Medina works at the Tampa Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, where he supports the Justice Department’s efforts to combat violent gun crime and deter firearms trafficking in Florida.

He earned a masters from George Washington University (Strategic Public Relations ’18) and undergrad from the University of Florida (PR ’97).

Since making his home in Tampa in 2007, he has been active in the community, playing leadership roles in the Univ of South Florida’s Zimmerman School of Communication Advisory Board, Alafia River State Park’s Community Council and the Florida Public Relations Association.

Ashley Moore

Founder and CEO, AM Public Relations
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Ashley Moore, CEO and Founder of AM Public Relations, specializes in the healthcare, technology and education industries. After years in-house at Florida’s largest healthcare system and with technology agencies, Ashley recognized the need for increased specialization with a higher level of client service. She is the creator of PR Breakthough Bootcamp, where she helps small businesses launch targeted media relations campaigns. She resides in Orlando, FL and is a graduate of the University of Florida. 

Charles Nicolas

Cofounder and Managing Partner – LEVEE COMMUNICATIONS
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Charles Nicolas is co-founder and managing partner of Levee Communications, an agency supporting established and emerging companies in all aspects of communications.

Approaching 30 years of communications experience domestically and internationally, Charles spent most of his career working for PepsiCo, Tenet Healthcare and Burger King Corporation. He has a proven track record of success within these companies as well as consulting in industries as wide-ranging as technology, chemicals, coatings, and retail.

Recognized as a trusted counselor to C-suite leaders on communication strategies and regarded by colleagues as a creative problem solver with a strategic, results driven and high integrity approach to work, he’s grateful for the lasting friendships and lessons learned throughout his career. Charles’ biggest source of pride are his wife of 20-plus years and two children, who all live in Frisco, Texas.

Maggie O’Neill

EVP and Chief Client Officer, Peppercomm
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As EVP and Chief Client Officer at Peppercomm, Maggie provides agency-wide communications and brand experience support to the client roster.  She specializes in crafting compelling brand stories and activations that reach target audiences at critical points in their path to engagement. She has worked with brands including BMW/MINI, Whirlpool, Sharp, Darden, Pirelli and Dole.

Maggie is also the founder of Peppercomm’s experiential division and has brought brands including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Saint Gobain and GE to life through events and sponsorships. Prior to joining the agency, she worked in entertainment communications, supporting movie festivals/premieres, indie filmmakers and personal celebrities.

Stu Opperman

President – Impact Players
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Stu Opperman, APR is an accredited public relations professional and president of Impact Players, a public relations and communications-focused firm he founded in 2008. Specializing in media relations, crisis communications, and content production, he is a generalist, having generated results for clients and strategic contacts in a wide variety of industries. Opperman is a past president of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Greater Fort Lauderdale Chapter and a recent recipient of its “Communicator of the Year” award. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale/Cypress Creek and a volunteer for Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida.

Deb Prieto-Green

Founder and Principal Strategist, Fire For Effect Strategies, LLC

Deb Prieto-Green is the founder of Fire For Effect Strategies, delivering marketing and communication advisory services from strategies to tactics for business. Previously, she was Senior Director of Communications for L3Harris Technologies, responsible for strategic marketing, media relations and communication efforts for space and airborne defense markets. Before joining L3Harris, Deb was the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Corporate Communications for the Federal Aviation Administration, and was responsible for the FAA’s brand and corporate voice, employee engagement and executive communications and led change management for strategic objectives. Previously, she served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Deb earned a Master of Arts in National Security from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University, and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Miami.

Oscar Suris

President, Edelman New York

Oscar Suris is President of Edelman New York, the largest market operation at the global integrated communications company. Prior to joining Edelman, Oscar was Executive Managing Director, Crisis and C-Suite Strategies, at Zeno Group. His Corporate Communications experience includes 20 years of providing strategic counsel to Fortune 100 companies, including serving as Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications at Wells Fargo & Company, and senior leadership roles at Ford Motor Company and AutoNation, Inc.

Oscar also is a veteran of the newspaper industry, having served five years as a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and reporting business news in staff roles for The Miami News and The Orlando Sentinel. He also served as the executive assistant to the Publisher of The Miami Herald Publishing Co.

A Cuban native, Oscar is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He has been named six times to PRWeek’s “Power List” of the top 50 professionals in public relations.

Jorian Weiner

Associate VP, Americas Communications – Hyatt Hotels Corporation
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Jorian leads strategic communications for Hyatt’s Americas region, implementing creative and compelling PR and storytelling strategies and managing crisis communications, across internal and external stakeholder audiences. Jorian has also served as Hyatt’s global director of brand and field communications and issues management. Prior to Hyatt, Jorian led on-property marketing and communications for luxury hotel brands like The Ritz-Carlton, The Setai and Thompson Hotels. Jorian’s travel PR career started in NYC on the agency side at Weber Shandwick and The Brandman Agency, where she worked with leading travel brands like Royal Caribbean International, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Visit New Orleans.