REGISTER NOW! 2025 PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter Awards Ceremony, Nov. 13, Carson's at Andover
PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter
Professional Development • Networking • Accreditation • PRSSA • Awards • Mentoring
We want to connect with you!
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For more than 40 years we’ve been the leading public relations organization serving Lexington and Central/Eastern Kentucky. Our vibrant community of communications professionals covers a wide range of industries and levels of experience.
From senior practitioners to young talent launching careers in PR, we’re the go-to resource for learning, networking and professional development.
You're invited to the 2025 PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter Awards Ceremony
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6-8 p.m. ET
Carson's at Andover, 3450 Todds Road, Suite 100, Lexington
Join us for an evening celebrating the accomplishments of some of Lexington’s most influential communications professionals. The Lexington area boasts some amazingly talented professionals, and it is our honor to recognize several of the best of them each year. Help us raise a glass and give a nod as we honor their work and their impact on our community with our annual awards dinner.
Dinner includes entree, salad, beverage and dessert. There will be a cash bar.
$35 Chapter Member | $45 Non-Chapter Member | $25 PRSSA Member
Networking in November: Join us at Ramsey's Diner-Masterson Station
​You’ve gotta eat, so why not make it a power lunch? We’d love to have you join us at Ramsey's Diner-Masterson Station for our November networking event. Join fellow communications professionals over a hearty lunch to swap ideas, share stories, and connect and recharge.
Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
Ramsey's Diner - Masterson Station | 112 Lucille Drive, Lexington
No cost to attend. Lunch at your own expense.
Chapter President-Elect Whitt publishes 3rd book on public relations
Marc C. Whitt
Congrats to Marc C. Whitt, our chapter's president-elect, on the release of his third book. “TAKEAWAYS: Ideas, Strategies and Encouragement for the Nonprofit Public Relations Professional” was published Aug. 31 by Cherrymoon Media and is available on Amazon. Marc was honored with the PRSA East Central District Platinum Award, recognizing his distinguished service and leadership in the profession at the national, regional and local levels.
"In TAKEAWAYS, Whitt explores the vital role nonprofit organizations play in communities and around the world — and why effective, strategic public relations is central to their success. — Excerpt from news release by Cherrymoon Media
Thoroughbred Chapter News
Members, PRSSA students enjoy networking at J. Render's
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Discussions on crisis communications, the power of internships and community relations were on the menu at our Networking Happy Hour at J. Render's in Lexington Oct. 8. Thanks to students from PRSSA Eastern Kentucky University for joining us. A fun and productive way to spend a gorgeous fall evening in the Bluegrass!
Join PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter Board of Directors
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We’re looking for members who would like to serve on the Thoroughbred Chapter Board of Directors. Serving on the board is a great way to grow your leadership skills, connect with fellow professionals and make a lasting impact on our PR community. If you’d like to get involved, please email info@kyprsa.org.
Kids' Coat Drive to benefit children in Central/Eastern Kentucky
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We kicked off our Kids' Coat Drive in September to support A Coat to Keep the Cold Away," a youth coat drive sponsored by the Believing in Forever charity founded by our 2024 Communicator of the Year Honoree Devine Carama. You'll have the opportunity at our upcoming events to donate new coats for children in Central/Eastern Kentucky. You can also make a monetary donation here.
Sold-out media panel offers lively discussion of Kentucky's media landscape
Our media panel brought together 25 PR pros and community members Sept. 23 for a powerful conversation on today’s media landscape. Topics ranged from standing out as a PR professional and relationship building to federal funding challenges, network ownership consolidation and doing more with less.
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Thanks to Dean Jennifer Greer of the UK College of Communication and Information as well as UK/JMI Sports for hosting us at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.
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​We especially appreciate the panelists: Shannon Brock, editor, Kentucky Living; Renee Shaw, director of Public Affairs & Kentucky Edition host, KET; Jennifer Smith, news director, WLEX-TV; and Alex Valentine, managing editor, Lexington Herald-Leader.
Thoroughbred Chapter shines at East Central District Conference
The Thoroughbred Chapter was well represented at the PRSA East Central District Conference Sept. 12-13 in Ohio with 20% of the total participants. We’re proud to share that our chapter received the PRominent Award for the third consecutive year. We enjoyed sessions featuring PRSA CEO Matthew Marcial, PRSA National Board Chair Ray Day, APR, and other thought leaders on AI, media relations and cultural trends.
Special thanks to our student members, professional members and board leaders who attended — and congratulations to Chapter President Katie Neal for presenting on battling perfectionism, imposter syndrome and burnout.
Mark your calendar for the next ECD Conference in Detroit on Sept. 2–3, 2026!
Welcome to New Members
We extend a warm welcome to the following new and reinstated chapter members:
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Ryan Clark, Director of Communications, University of Kentucky
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Lauren Monahan, Outreach, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Waste Management
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Jan Wallace II, Student, Western Governors University
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Dylan Walter, Graduate Student, Ball State University
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Shannon White, Director of Communications and Engagement, American Board of Family Medicine
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Ellen Williams, External Affairs Manager, Kentucky American Water
