Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Southwest Florida Chapter celebrates Chapter Award winners and looks to the future

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) presented its 2024 Chapter Awards at a special event honoring excellence in public relations, marketing and communications. Held at the Embassy Suites in Estero on Monday, Oct. 21, the chapter installed incoming leaders, presented its vision for the upcoming year and recognized members who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the chapter.

The event began with a traditional passing of the gavel, led by Teri Hansen, APR, founder and chief creative officer of Priority Marketing and one of the chapter’s charter members. Past presidents recounted achievements over more than three decades, followed by installation of the 2024-2025 Board of Directors.

Highlighting the chapter’s values of Community, Integrity, Learning and Service Leadership, incoming President Lauren Bernaldo APR, CPRC introduced the chapter’s theme for the year: “Engage, Enrich, Explore,” inviting communications professionals to deepen connections, expand expertise and discover new opportunities.

Guiding the chapter forward, the evening then turned to honoring standout members whose dedication exemplifies these principles.

Rising Star Award – Yliana Vilella, MS, APR, communications specialist at Pushing the Envelope, for her commitment to the chapter. Since joining FPRA in 2021, Vilella has exemplified leadership by taking on roles like Hospitality Chair and VP of Membership, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all members.

Chapter Member of the Year – Emily Golden, APR, assistant director of public relations at Priority Marketing, was honored for her exceptional leadership in organizing high-impact chapter events. From coordinating a successful Media Breakfast to volunteering as newsletter chair, Golden’s contributions have left a lasting mark on the chapter’s success.

Unsung Hero Award – Randy Mitchelson, APR, vice president, sales marketing & public relations at M&M Multimedia was celebrated for his behind-the-scenes dedication and selfless service to the chapter. Mitchelson’s steady support and commitment include roles such as Past-President, VP of Communications and Treasurer, making him an indispensable resource and mentor for chapter members.

PR Professional of the Year – Mike Jackson, MBA, APR, was recognized for his ethical leadership and significant influence on FPRA Southwest Florida’s initiatives. Known for his strategic approach and transparent communication style, Jackson continues to raise the chapter’s professional standards, earning deep respect from colleagues and peers.

Friends of Janet Philanthropy Award – Named after Janet Wilson, a longtime chapter member who tragically passed away in 2019, Teri Hansen, APR, founder and chief creative officer at Priority Marketing, was honored for her longstanding dedication to philanthropy within FPRA and the greater Southwest Florida community. As a leader with over 40 years in the profession, Hansen has guided her team to support over 200 nonprofits and inspired countless professionals to give back.

In addition to presenting the above awards, the chapter also celebrated its members’ recent wins at FPRA’s state Golden Image Awards event in August, which resulted in chapter members receiving five Golden Image Awards, two Judges’ Awards and three Awards of Distinction from the statewide organization. Additionally, Priority Marketing received FPRA’s inaugural Silver Pinnacle Award for ‘Medium Agency of the Year.’

For more information about the Chapter, including upcoming events and how to become a member, please visit https://www.fpraswfl.org/.