Bonus: Thought Leadership for Agency Growth with Chip Griffin & Melissa Vela-Williamson
Release Date: 05/13/2025
Bonus: Thought Leadership for Agency Growth with Chip Griffin & Melissa Vela-Williamson
Smart Talk Series
Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and Chip Griffin about Melissa's unique journey in public relations and the importance of content creation.
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Bonus: Most Experts Stay Quiet—She Refused with Hussein Al-Baiaty & Melissa Vela-Williamson
Smart Talk Series
Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and author champion and publishing strategist Hussein Al-Baiaty on the Rising Authors podcast where they discuss how challenging it was for Melissa to "be" the author for her first book, "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know." And then, what it was like to inspire other Latina leaders to go down that path with her second, "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture." Thanks to Hussein for having Melissa on her show to talk about her journey!
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Meet the Authors of "Latinas in PR": Irasema Romero and Lorraine Pulido
Smart Talk Series
In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Irasema Romero and Lorraine Pulido. About Irasema: Irasema Romero is a seasoned internal communication advisor and leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience supporting leaders through transformative organizational changes. She currently leads internal communications at Gong, an AI-powered revenue intelligence platform, and has a leadership coaching practice, Ollin Growth, focused on supporting early-career leaders. Throughout her career, Irasema has worked with C-suite executives during key...
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Meet the Authors of "Latinas in PR": Rachel Benavidez and Lilly Cortés Wyatt
Smart Talk Series
In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Rachel Benavidez and Lilly Cortés Wyatt. About Rachel: Rachel Benavidez is a former journalist turned public relations and marketing professional who brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as Vice President of Communications and Strategy for VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio. The local PRSA Chapter named her PR Professional of the Year in 2023 and in 2024 elected her President, to lead in 2025. She's a Rio Grande Valley native who has lived in San Antonio since 2008, with roles as...
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Meet the Authors of "Latinas in PR": Brenda Duran and Anais Biera Miracle
Smart Talk Series
In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Brenda Duran and Anais Biera Miracle. About Brenda: Brenda Duran is a seasoned media and communications specialist with over a decade of impactful service in Los Angeles County. Currently the Director of External Affairs for the LA County Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department, she has excelled in expanding social media presence, launching successful multimedia campaigns, and crafting strategic messaging for key public programs. With a journalism degree from USC's Annenberg School, Brenda's career...
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Meet the Authors of "Latinas in PR": Jill Casey Pintor and Marisol Vindiola
Smart Talk Series
In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Jill Casey Pintor and Marisol Vindiola. About Jill: Jill is a PR and communications professional with experience spanning more than two decades across several industries including television, nonprofits, entertainment and finance. She currently works as a financial content writer at StreetCred PR. Jill holds a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Arizona and has served three terms as ethics chair on the PRSA Southern AZ Chapter Board of Directors. Jill is an Arizona native, raised...
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Meet the Authors of "Latinas in PR": Jeannette E. Garcia and Paola Vargas-Strassner
Smart Talk Series
In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Jeannette E. Garcia and Paola Vargas-Strassner. About Jeannette: Jeannette is the Director of Communications at a San Antonio systems-change nonprofit organization, UP Partnership. In the past, Jeannette was a reporter with the San Antonio Business Journal. She has more than a decade of communications, public relations, and marketing experience, having led these types of efforts for places like the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the City of San Antonio’s Economic Development Department....
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Meet the Authors of "Latinas in PR": Melissa Monroe and Olga Mayoral Wilson
Smart Talk Series
In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Melissa Monroe and Olga Mayoral Wilson. About Melissa: Melissa Monroe, MA, APR has worked as a journalist for over 15 years and transitioned into PR in 2008. She works in the Marketing & Strategic Communications team at Northwest Vista College and stays busy in her community and with her family. Connect with Melissa on About Olga: Olga Mayoral Wilson, APR, Fellow PRSA sees herself as a service leader providing service where it may be mostly needed. She was born in Puerto Rico, a beautiful...
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Meet the Authors of "Latinas in PR": Carmen Boon and Amelia Taurel Folkes
Smart Talk Series
In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Carmen Boon and Amelia Taurel Folkes. About Carmen: Carmen Boon, M.A. serves as the Vice President for Public Affairs at Food Bank For New York City, amassing decades of experience in crafting strategic communication strategies and spearheading social impact and advocacy initiatives. As a first-generation immigrant from Venezuela and a Fulbright scholar, Carmen has contributed to various New York City government agencies, tackling outreach challenges and managing crisis communications that provide...
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The Story Behind "Latinas in PR"
Smart Talk Series
Season premiere! For the first episode of season nine, Melissa reads the introduction from her new anthology, "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture." Topics covered: - What inspired Melissa to go on this new book journey - The introduction of "Latinas in Public Relations” Resources mentioned: - - -
info_outlineEnjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and Chip Griffin about Melissa's unique journey in public relations and the importance of content creation.