Leadership
PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter 2025 Board of Directors
President
Katie Neal, ACC
Founder, Katie Neal Coaching & Consulting
Katie Neal, ACC, is a certified leadership coach and award-winning communications consultant. She helps high achievers lead with intention and advance their careers, with a specialty in coaching women and PR professionals. Katie brings a 20-year track record of delivering high-impact results and developing purpose-driven strategic communications teams in higher education, corporate and healthcare sectors. A former broadcast journalist, she also worked at PR agencies in Sacramento, Calif., San Francisco, Singapore, and Winston-Salem, N.C. Katie earned her B.A. in communication from Wake Forest University and her certificate in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance at American University.
President-Elect & Programming Co-Chair
Marc C. Whitt
Director of Media and Strategic Relations, Office of Public Relations and
Strategic Communications, University of Kentucky
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​Marc C. Whitt is director of media and strategic relations in the University of Kentucky Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications and a part-time instructor in the UK College of Communication and Information’s Department of Integrated Strategic Communication. Marc is the author of "PR Lessons Learned Along the Way," "When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional" and "TAKEAWAYS: Ideas, Strategies and Encourage-ment for the Nonprofit Public Relations Professional."
Immediate Past President
Kim Brown
Strategic Marketing and Communications Executive
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Kim Brown is a strategic marketing and communications executive with over 20 years’ leadership experience in higher education, public- and private-sector organizations, municipal government and nonprofits. Most recently, she served as associate vice president for marketing and communications at Berea College, leading a 12-member team responsible for digital and editorial storytelling, managing the website, media relations, social media, photography, videography and graphic design. She collaborated with the planned philanthropy department to develop a multichannel regional and national marketing campaign that generated $850,000 in charitable gift annuities to support the college’s mission. She was previously director of communications and marketing at the National Minority Supplier Development Council in New York City.
Secretary & APR Co-Chair
Amy Preske
Founder, Booze PR
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With more than 25 years of public relations experience in the distilled spirits industry, Amy Preske served for many years as the dedicated communications executive for Sazerac Company’s Buffalo Trace Distillery. In 2023 Amy started her own public relations firm, Booze PR. Here Amy blends her two passions, bourbon and tourism — to help distilleries and tourism entities build and grow their business. Amy earned her accreditation (APR) from PRSA and is a member of the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter, currently serving as the APR chair and secretary. Amy holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in public relations.
Treasurer & APR Co-Chair
Brant Welch, APR
Customer Experience Manager, Farmers National Bank/WealthSouth
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Brant Welch, APR, leads marketing, communications and community engagement for Farmers National Bank of Danville and WealthSouth, the bank's wealth management and commercial banking division. He has 20-plus years of public relations experience in the financial services industry. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in journalism and from Strayer University with an MBA. In addition to serving with the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter, Brant has served on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass and Camp Horsin' Around, an organization that enriches the lives of health-compromised children and their families.
Programming Co-Chair
Tina V. Bryson
Director of Communications, Christian Appalachian Project
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Tina V. Bryson is the director of communications for Christian Appalachian Project, the leading human services organization exclusively serving Appalachia. With 20+ years of experience across nonprofit, higher education and state government, she is passionate about building high-performing teams that connect deeply with each other and the communities they serve. She thrives on storytelling that inspires action and strengthens relationships with participants, donors, volunteers and staff. She leads with heart and strategy — leveraging public relations, campaign management and media relations to amplify our mission. She believes in the power of purpose-driven communication to create lasting impact and ensure their message resonates across every channel.
Communications Co-Chair (Internal Comms)
Michele Hill
Director of Communications and Marketing, Kentucky League of Cities
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​Michele Hill is the director of communications and marketing at the Kentucky League of Cities, where she has worked since 2017. She spent over 25 years in journalism, including leadership roles at WKYT-TV in Lexington. A Clarion Award, Associated Press, Kentucky Association of Government Communicators, and Profiles in Progress honoree, Michele has also served as a governor for the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and received multiple Emmy nominations. She holds a summa cum laude degree from Northern Kentucky University in both communications and electronic media & broadcasting.
Communications Co-Chair (External Comms)
Dan Koett
Founder & Principal, Affinity Media & Public Relations
Dan Koett is a seasoned marketing and communications executive with more than 25 years of experience and founder of Affinity Media & Public Relations. His firm specializes in strategic storytelling, media relations and brand visibility across nonprofit, education, sports, hospitality and entertainment sectors. Dan leads media efforts for the PGA TOUR ISCO Championship and advises USL Lexington Sporting Club. He also serves as publicist for The Lee and Hayley Show, Chef Ouita Michel and others. A University of Pittsburgh graduate, Dan lives in Lexington with his wife, Dr. Cassondra Koett, and their Golden Retriever, Toby.
Membership Chair
Risa Richardson, APR
Communications Manager, NiSource/Columbia Gas of Kentucky
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Risa Richardson, APR, the Communications Manager at Columbia Gas of Kentucky, a natural gas distribution company owned by NiSource, Inc. She is a certified public relations practitioner and has more than 20 years of experience as a journalist and writer. She is a graduate of Elizabethtown Community & Technical College and Western Kentucky University and is currently pursuing an MBA in Global Communications at Murray State University. Risa previously served on the board of the Public Relations Society of America East Central District. She and her two children, Michaela and Benjamin, reside in Lexington. She enjoys walking, writing and cruises.
Social Media Chair
Haley Broughton
Social Media Coordinator, Berea College
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Haley Broughton serves as the social media coordinator at Berea College, where she leads the college's social media presence and creates content that resonates with their audience. She holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Eastern Kentucky University. Before working in higher education, she supported local businesses in Madison County to grow their online presence.
Technology Chair
Leigh Anne Hiatt
Communications Specialist, Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities
Leigh Anne Hiatt serves as communications specialist for the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. She has extensive experience heading communications programs in state government, a private college, a statewide association, and health care. She previously held positions at the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, Georgetown College, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, UnitedHealthcare, and two Kentucky hospitals. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown College and a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University Bloomington.
Member-at-Large, Awards Chair
Holly Wiemers, MA, APR
Communications Director, University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs
Holly Wiemers, MA, APR, is a PR and IMC professional with 30+ years’ experience in the equine, higher education, technology, agency and government industries. Currently communications director for University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Programs, she previously held communications roles at University of Colorado, Boulder; International Arabian Horse Association; and a New Mexico marketing agency. She also worked for the City of Roswell and as a daily newspaper reporter, both in New Mexico. She is a past Thoroughbred Chapter president and board member since 2014. She holds a master’s, integrated marketing communications, CU-Boulder, and two bachelor’s, communication studies and biology, New Mexico State University.
Member-at-Large, PRSSA Liaison
Brittney Kinison
Director of Marketing and Communications, Frontier Nursing University
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Brittney Kinison is the director of marketing and communications at Frontier Nursing University where she has worked for more than 15 years developing and managing the overall marketing, branding and advertising strategy. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA and also holds certification as a Project Management Professional. Brittney’s professional experience includes managing marketing and advertising programs, events, PR and communications, and creative services projects. Prior job roles include working with Kentucky companies like Cre8tive Group, Lexmark, Alltech and Valvoline International.