Leadership
PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter 2026 Board of Directors
President
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." He has a bachelor of arts degree in Speech Communication and Human Relations and a master of arts degree in Sociology from Eastern Kentucky University.
President-Elect & 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.
Immediate Past 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.
Secretary & APR Co-Chair
Amy Preske, APR
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 Chair
Mallory Olson
PR & Communications Specialist
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Mallory Olson is a creative content strategist and storyteller with more than 13 years of experience helping organizations build trust, connection and impact through strategic storytelling. She has worked across health care, higher education and technology, leading content strategies that elevate brand narratives and engage audiences. A former TV news anchor and reporter, Mallory previously served as media relations manager at TimelyCare, where she supported the company’s rapid growth and helped shape its national reputation. She also worked as a public relations officer for the University of Kentucky, earning regional and national recognition for patient-centered and research-driven storytelling.
Communications Co-Chair (Internal Comms)
Lilli Dubler
Associate Strategist, C2 Strategic Communications
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Lilli Dubler is an associate strategist at C2 Strategic Communications, the region’s leading full-service strategic communications firm. As part of C2 Strategic's Client Services Team, she serves clients in various industries, including health care, higher education, real estate, financial services, utilities and more. She is also the managing editor of Building Kentucky, an independent online publication. Lilli graduated from UK in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in integrated strategic communication. She spends all the time she can outside, usually hiking or reading a book in her hammock, and she never says no to a game night with friends.
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.
Social Media Chair
Abby Huddle
Communications Specialist, Eastern Kentucky University
Abby Huddle is originally from Grayson, Kentucky, and now lives in Richmond, where she works as a communications specialist for Eastern Kentucky University. She is a proud EKU alumna and a member of the PRSSA EKU Chapter. Abby’s experience includes supporting the Lexington Sporting Club during its inaugural season and working at Walt Disney World. She is excited to serve as social media chair, helping to showcase the chapter’s achievements and highlight the accomplishments of its members.
Website & Digital Strategy 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 & APR Co-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.