BREAKOUT SPEAKERS

#SUNCON24

Breakout Sessions A – Thursday, July 25, 2:45-3:30pm

Lori Besig, Senior Manager, Communications – Walt Disney World 
Lori Besig is a Senior Manager of Communications with the Walt Disney World Public Affairs team. Her Disney journey began at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and with more than 27 years of progressive leadership with the company, Besig has held roles in Operations, Human Resources, Training and Development, Internal Communications and Public Affairs. She has supported major projects like the opening of Disney Skyliner; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; eight Disney Resort Hotels; and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Today she leads the team responsible for reputational storytelling and communications strategy support for all four Theme Parks, Entertainment, and more.  

Mallory Ledet, Public Relations Manager – Walt Disney World
Mallory Ledet is a Public Relations Manager with the Walt Disney World Public Relations team. Over the 13 years of her career at The Most Magical Place on Earth, Ledet has provided communications support for major projects such as the transformation of EPCOT with milestones including the launch of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Luminous the Symphony of Us; the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration; the debut of the holiday event Disney Jollywood Nights; and the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Her experience spans internal employee communications, issues management and crisis communications, and media relations. Ledet graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota in 2011.

Tristen Gell, Senior Manager, Communications – Walt Disney World
Tristen Gell is a Senior Manager of Communications on the Walt Disney World Public Affairs team. Her journey with the company began on the Disney College Program where she was a Kilimanjaro Safaris Guide at Animal Kingdom. After graduating from The University of Alabama with a degree in Public Relations and Communications Studies, she came back to Disney as a Professional Intern with Public Affairs. Now, she leads a team of professionals that provides communications strategy support for lines of business across Walt Disney World Resort including Corporate Social Responsibility, Government Relations, Transportation and more.

Anna Alexopoulos Farrar, Vice President, Corporate Communications – Space Florida
Anna Alexopoulos Farrar is a seasoned communications and policy professional who brings senior oversight, energy and focus to every project. Farrar leads communications and policy strategy focused on elevating the organization’s profile by driving strategic initiatives to engage stakeholders and prospective aerospace entities. Her role is pivotal in positioning Space Florida as a visionary leader in the aerospace sector. Farrar has more than 15 years of communications experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to this role, Farrar served as the global communications lead at a publicly traded company. Prior to this role, she served in senior-level positions at the Florida Department of Financial Services, working with two Florida chief financial officers, served as a vice president of accounts for a full-service public relations firm, and handled media relations for a nonprofit. She has extensive experience in developing and executing full-scale branded communications campaigns, message development, brand architecture creation, and crisis communications. 

Farrar received a B.A. in Political Science and Social Sciences from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and a M.S. in Communications from Purdue University. She is frequently asked to speak on communications best practices, including presenting at her alma mater, FAU, and at Boston University.

Alyssa Howard, Vice President – Golin
Alyssa Howard is a Vice President at Golin located in Tallahassee with more than 10 years of public relations experience working primarily with public health and government clients. Alyssa specializes in account and client management, news media engagement, media training, social marketing and behavior change, and the creation of effective and groundbreaking social and digital media campaigns. She serves as the senior account lead for clients such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Tips From Former Smokers® campaign, CDC’s Office on Smoking & Health, CDC’s Project Firstline initiative, CDC’s Empower Vape Free Youth campaign and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Alyssa has also managed various projects for the Florida Department of Health, and now holds a strategic advisor role for the Tobacco Free Florida statewide cessation campaign, of which she has worked on since 2013. She has also previously worked on projects for the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Florida Lottery. Alyssa graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Marketing.

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Breakout Sessions B – Friday, July 26, 9-9:50am

Cheryn Stone, Engage Host – Central Florida Public Media
Cheryn Stone joined Central Florida Public Media’s (CFPM) news team in November 2023 as the host of the public media news organization’s newest show, Engage. Drawn to the position, she believed in its mission and saw the opportunity to amplify underheard voices in the Central Florida community. An award-winning journalist, Stone joined CFPM after working as an anchor and reporter at Spectrum News 13 for six years. She began her news career in Charlottesville, Virginia, while attending the University of Virginia. Her initial roles were behind the scenes as a photojournalist and producer before she transitioned to on-camera positions as a reporter and anchor.

She then spent several years in the Carolinas, anchoring a morning show and covering political stories from the State House in Columbia, South Carolina. Stone was later hired by Time Warner Cable News as the first weeknight anchor of the company’s joint newscast with Greensboro’s ABC affiliate, WXLV. After returning to her hometown of Richmond as a freelance reporter, she joined Spectrum 13 in Orlando and is happy to call the Sunshine State home.

Marcia Gomez, President – Blank Canvas Communications, University of Miami Faculty
Marcia Gomez is a veteran communications professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in delivering impactful solutions across the arts, higher education, and non-profits as president of Blank Canvas Communications, LLC. As a full-time lecturer at the University of Miami’s School of Communication, she enriches future PR practitioners with her deep industry knowledge. Gomez has been a vibrant part of the Miami PRSA chapter for nearly two decades, serving as its president in 2015. 

Expanding her influence, Gomez also leads Boost PR Labs, offering workshops for PR professionals on AP Style, news releases, pitching tips and using AI in PR. Through Boost PR Labs, she ensures PR professionals stay at the forefront of industry trends and technological advancements. Gomez holds two master’s degrees: Integrated Communications Advertising and Public Relations (Now Global PR program) and e-Commerce from Florida International University and Barry University, respectively.

Daniel Torchia, APR, Managing Director – Torchia Communications
Daniel Torchia is a passionate and experienced Communications consultant — in his own words he is a “PR architect and designer who seeks to build or enhance entire Communications functions.” And he’s had ample time to practice, getting his first start at 13 helping his father at the Canadian International Tennis Open in Montreal. Since then, he’s worked on files related to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, gangs and violence in Acapulco, parties gone wrong on spring break, PR coaching at the Vatican and, here’s the kicker, $0.99 specials on French fries. He’s practiced the PR profession in English, French and Spanish throughout North America and the world – including Cuba and China – with a fortuitous and auspicious level of success. 

With maturity, he now gives all credit to his Guardian Angel, Jerry. Torchia is a firm believer that Public Relations plays a critical role in the quest for a just and peaceful society – but that we’ve got a massive amount of work left to do to get out of the hole we’re in.

Dan Ward, APR, CPRC – Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management
Throughout his career, Dan Ward, APR, CPRC has led countless message development and media training workshops for executives and their teams. He led the creation of Curley & Pynn’s trademarked approach, Message Matrix®, which has been used to train spokespersons at Universal Orlando Resort, Electronic Arts, Mall at Millenia, Florida Power & Light Company and more.

Ward is a trusted counselor, with expertise directing public relations programs to tackle complex challenges for economic development, electric and natural gas utilities, and tourism clients. His commentary has been featured by Medium, Everything PR News and Forbes. Notably, he led communications in partnership with Visit South Walton to drive tourism recovery following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, helping generate a 42% increase in bed-tax collections over the previous year. Ward also led efforts for Florida Public Utilities to renew a multimillion-dollar franchise agreement in 2010.

Ward is a past president of the PRSA Orlando Chapter. He is a proud graduate of the University of Central Florida and serves as an advisor to the Nicholson School of Communication and Media, which inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2011. He is also on the board for Jonathan’s Landing. 

Alice Fairfax, Author and Story Coach
Alice Fairfax loves great stories — that’s why she devoted her career to helping clients and companies tell a great story. An award-winning actor and writer, Fairfax was an improvisational entertainer at Walt Disney World for over 20 years, including being “friends” with one iconic character (hint: she owns a magic wand and turns pumpkins into vehicles). A Traditions assistant and Disney Institute Project Manager she trained thousands of new Cast Members and corporate leaders. A Disney Events scriptwriter, she created one-of-a-kind experiences at Walt Disney World. On the opening team for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts she created over 50 campaigns for touring Broadway shows. The Story Coach for the Victory Cup Initiative, she yearly trains nonprofit leaders in a story competition for grants totaling over $40,000. As the Sr. VP of Ideation Experience Design for MQDC Thailand, she’s creating new theme destinations and immersive experiences in Southeast Asia. She has appeared on top-rated podcasts like “Work for Humans” with Dart Lindsley. She was featured in Orlando Magazine’s Women Who Move the City issue.

Bo Breuklander, Principal Consultant – Breuklander Communications
Breuklander Communications was started to help organizations grow and protect themselves by strengthening relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Bo Breuklander’s experience comes from helping businesses grow and navigate change through the spectrum of strategic communications, content strategy, and internal communications.

Throughout the years, he’s worked and collaborated with start-ups and small businesses, membership associations like AACSB International, educational institutions like the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida, Fortune 150 technology, manufacturing, and supply chain companies like Jabil, and fintechs like EVO Payments, Inc. (part of Global Payments Inc. now), along with banks like Seacoast Bank, and many others.

Breuklander is also an adjunct instructor for the University of Tampa’s Department of Communications. He primarily teaches Principles of Public Relations, but he has also led Media Writing, Principles of Advertising, and Media and Ethics courses. Breuklander has a master’s degree in strategic communications management from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Oklahoma State University. He earned a Change Management Professional Certification from Prosci and was awarded the 2021 President’s Award for Diversity & Inclusion from PRSA’s Tampa Bay chapter.

Jamie Floer, APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA, Communications Manager – Toho Water Authority
Jamie Floer, a public relations expert with more than 25 years of experience working with utilities, currently leads the Communications Team for Toho Water Authority in Kissimmee, Florida. Professional highlights include building award-winning public relations departments from scratch, leading memorable storytelling/branding efforts and creating dynamic crisis and communications protocols. A former utility industry journalist with a degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, she earned Accreditation in Public Relations as well as a Counselor of Public Relations Certification certifications and was inducted in the PRSA College of Fellows. She has served as president of the Orlando Regional Chapter of PRSA, Orlando chapter president of the Florida Public Relations Association and has volunteered as a trained spokesperson for the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society. She mentors APR candidates and other professionals and is serving as a Co-Chair of the GoodFellows Committee. 

Jennifer Trefelner, APR, CPRC, Director of Communications and Development – Diocese of Palm Beach
Jennifer Melville Trefelner, APR, CPRC, is the Director of Communications and Development for the Diocese of Palm Beach. Trefelner has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations and is a Certified Public Relations Counselor through the Florida Public Relations Association, in addition to being a member of the Counselors Network.  Trefelner also obtained her Crisis Communication Certification through the Public Relations Society of America and has a HarvardX edX Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principals Certificate through the online learning initiative of Harvard University.  

Trefelner has earned numerous awards for her accomplishments, and is very active within the community through numerous volunteer projects, currently serving on the board of directors for the Palm Beach Chapter and the Sunshine District of the Public Relations Society of America, and the national PRSA marketing committee, plus is on the board of directors for the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association.

 She has also completed more than 30 professional speaking engagements in the US, and has produced more than 20 professional articles, webinars and podcasts in her career. 

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Breakout Sessions C – Friday, July 26, 10-10:50am

Patti Brownsord, Partner – Grounded with Data
Patti Brownsord co-owns Grounded With Data, a market research and data analytics firm. Besides playing with the data, her day-to-day existence is creating a lot of emails, marketing materials, blog posts, white papers, and research articles. Since learning about ChatGPT from that Ryan Reynold’s YouTube video, where it created a Mint ad based on his “voice and tone,” she embraced Chatty (that’s her pet name for it) and immersed herself in all things AI. She excels at delivering insightful information in a clear and understandable manner. With a practical and analytical approach, she has a knack for simplifying complex processes into visually appealing models that people can easily convey to others. Brownsord holds an MBA & BA from the University of Central Florida, making her a versatile business analyst and creative marketing strategist.

Heather Morgan, APR, VP of Communications and Business Development – MHP Salud
Heather Morgan, APR is a national award-winning communications executive specializing in reputation management, brand development and collaborative storytelling. She is serving her second three-year term on PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards. Together, Morgan and her associate, Andrea McNally, have earned multiple national and regional awards for crisis and reputation management, brand development, social media, fundraising, and advocacy.

Andrea McNally, Director of Public Relations and Communications – MHP Salud
Andrea McNally is a seasoned storyteller and media relations pro who led the charge to increase MHP Salud’s media coverage by more than 100% through implementing ethical, trauma-informed storytelling. Together, McNally and her associate, Heather Morgan, APR, have earned multiple national and regional awards for crisis and reputation management, brand development, social media, fundraising, and advocacy.

Wendy Kurtz, MBA, APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA, President – Elizabeth Charles & Associates
Wendy Kurtz, APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA is President of Elizabeth Charles & Associates, LLC, a business development firm that helps executives, business owners and thought leaders become published authors and paid speakers while building a business around their core expertise.  Billed as “the Empress of PR” by Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul publishing empire, her client list has included Hansen, the late Art Linkletter, CEOs and entrepreneurs, military and law enforcement personnel, elected officials and political candidates, as well as civic and nonprofit organizations.  

Immediate Past Chair of the Orlando Regional and Apopka Area Chambers of Commerce and previous executive committee member of the Orlando Economic Partnership, Kurtz is a past PRSA Sunshine District chair and founder of the PRSA Independent Practitioners Alliance (“IPA”) annual VirtuCon (now in its 8th year).  She is programs chair for IPA and host of the IPA Business Building webinar series, the section’s highly rated, monthly program designed specifically for independent professionals and featuring a variety of topics and speakers focused on “the business of the business” to help independent professionals work ON the business not just IN it.  

Kurtz was honored with IPA’s inaugural “Indie” Award in 2017.  She holds her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Business Administration.

Wendy J. Roundtree, APR, Founder, Lead Strategist – Jarel Communications
Wendy J. Roundtree, APR, is the Founder and Lead Strategist of Jarel Communications, a social impact firm that uses strategic storytelling to drive positive change. With clients across the public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, the firm’s expertise includes K-12 education, food insecurity, health equity, and homelessness. Prior to Jarel Communications, Roundtree worked for Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), the eighth-largest school district in the nation. At OCPS, she specialized in executive speechwriting, employee communications, integrated marketing, and media relations. She has also held public relations and marketing roles with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Costa Communications, a full-service agency in Winter Park, Fla. 

Roundtree serves as the Vice Chair of the Board for the Joe R. Lee Boys and Girls Club in Eatonville, Fla., and also serves as a board member with the Adult Literacy League of Central Florida. She is a past president of the Orlando Regional Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. 

Roundtree earned an MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and a B.A. in Mass Communications from Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU). Her accolades include being named to Orlando Magazine’s 2021 Women of the Year list, receiving a Women’s Achievement Award from the Women’s Executive Council of Orlando, being recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by Bethune-Cookman University and the Orlando Business Journal, and being honored as the 2023 Trailblazer Professional of the Year by the Sunshine District of the Public Relations Society of America. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Kevin Bakewell, APR, Principal – Bakewell Public Relations LLC
Kevin Bakewell, APR is a lifelong public relations practitioner with more than 40 years of experience including more than 25 years at the executive level. He is an exceptional writer, editor, and communication strategist with specific expertise in community relations, generating valuable earned media coverage for clients and developing engaging and compelling messaging to help them tell their stories. 

Bakewell became an independent practitioner in 2019 following a successful 45-year career with AAA where he was responsible for all public affairs operations in 11 states and two US Territories. As senior vice president and chief public affairs officer, he oversaw public relations and corporate communications, media relations, corporate social responsibility, legislative advocacy and lobbying, and community relations. He led a staff of 60, managed a $10 million annual budget, and founded and chaired AAA’s 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to improving traffic safety. 

A past national Chair of the Independent Practitioners Alliance (IPA) Section of PRSA, Bakewell is also a past president of the PRSA Tampa Bay Chapter and a recipient of its Life Achievement Award (2019) and PRestige Award (2021) in the category of crisis communication. With a particular passion for nonprofits, Bakewell is currently serving his fifth term as board chair for Preserve Vision Florida, the state’s premier nonprofit dedicated to preserving sight through vision screenings, correction, medical treatment, and advocacy. He also serves on the executive committee for the nonprofit Suncoast Safety Council.

Stu Opperman, APR, Founder & President – Impact Players
Stu Opperman, APR is an accredited public relations practitioner and president of Impact Players, a public relations and communications-focused firm he founded in 2008.

Specializing in media relations, crisis communications, and content production, he is a generalist, having generated results for clients and strategic contacts in a wide variety of industries, including current engagements in healthcare (Memorial Healthcare System), nonprofit/philanthropy (Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation), and corporate financial services (TAP Financial Partners).   

A member of the University of Florida’s Public Relations Advisory Council and a recent president of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Greater Fort Lauderdale chapter, Opperman has been a significant media and public relations presence in South Florida for more than 35 years.

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Breakout Sessions D – Friday, July 26, 11-11:50am

J.W. Arnold, APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal – PRDC Public Relations
J.W. Arnold, APR, Fellow PRSA, is principal of PRDC Public Relations, with offices in Washington, D.C. and South Florida. He is an advocate for the consulting profession and past chair of the PRSA Independent Practitioners Alliance. During the pandemic, he founded IndieChats, the twice-weekly Zoom forum and community for consultants that continues today and has had more than 300 participants. He was recipient of PRSA’s Patrick Jackson Award in 2022 and is immediate past chair of the College of Fellows.

Kena Lewis, APR, Fellow PRSA, Assistant VP of Public Affairs and Media Relations – Orlando Health
Kena Lewis, APR, Fellow PRSA, is currently the Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs and Media Relations for Orlando Health, an $9.6 billion not-for-profit health care organization and a network of hospitals, physician practices, diagnostic centers and other care centers serving the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. She is recipient of the PRSA Health Academy’s 2017 Excellence in Public Relations Award, and was elected to the PRSA College of Fellows in 2022.

Mickey Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA, Professional in Residence – University of Florida
Mickey G. Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA, served more than 36 years as a senior level public relations professional, including managing a global agency, Ogilvy & Mather, Atlanta. He began his ‘career encore’ as Professional in Residence at his alma mater, the University of Florida (UF) in 2018, and is also the faculty advisor for UF’s PRSSA Alpha Chapter, the College’s largest student organization with more than 200 members. Nall was PRSA’s Chair and CEO in 2013 and the 2022 Gold Anvil honoree.

Megan Paquin, APR, CPRC, Founder & CEO – Paquin Public Relations
Megan Paquin has been trusted to lead communications initiatives for some of the world’s most respected brands and institutions. With a broad range of diverse, high-profile communications experience, she is routinely called on to lead in critical legal and business matters – from litigation at the United States Supreme Court to complex business litigation and criminal matters. Paquin also brings an unrivaled depth of integrated marketing and organizational development expertise to her strategic communications practice, offering clients a leading edge in building successful businesses.

Paquin is Accredited in Public Relations and a Certified Public Relations Counselor. In 2022, she was recognized by Chambers and Partners for excellence in crisis and risk communication as well as litigation support. 

Paquin is an adjunct instructor at the University of Central Florida’s Nicholson School of Communication, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational communication. She also holds a master’s degree in behavioral economics from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is currently a doctoral student in its business psychology program.

Demorris Lee, PR Strategist – Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners
Demorris Lee is an award-winning journalist and communications strategist. As a reporter he covered sports and government and was embedded with a U.S. Army unit in Iraq.  He currently works in Hillsborough County communications as a Public Relations Strategist.

Cristina Calvet, MBA, APR, Founder & CEO – Wonderland
Cristina M. Calvet is the founder and CEO of Wonderland. An Orlando native, Calvet is a two-time graduate of the University of Central Florida, holding a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a Master of Business Administration. She recently attained her Accreditation in Public Relations.

Community is important to Calvet, and she serves on several local boards of directors, including Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Orange County Research & Development Authority and the UCF Alumni Association, amongst other activities. She is an avid marketer, networker, volunteer, community advocate and traveler. 

Julie Kostic, Founder & Creative Director – JK Creative
Julie Kostic is an award-winning creative with nearly two decades of experience in design and strategy. She is the Founder of JK Creative, a design agency that develops elevated branding and visuals for companies such as Under Armour, Greystar Real Estate, The National Parks Conservation Association, and The Cleaning Authority. Kostic has been featured in outlets such as Canvas Rebel, i4 Business Magazine, Radio Business X, and on Season 4 of reality docs-series The Blox. 

Kostic lives in Orlando with her husband and two cats. Together they co-founded theorlandodinks.com, a blog and social media brand that covers things to see, do, and eat, in Orlando (and beyond!) from the perspective of two childfree millennials. The pair have worked with brands such as Disney, Seaworld, Hilton, Bose, Moet, and many more.

Laura Kern, APR, Sr. Director of Web and Digital Strategy – Rollins College
Laura Kern, APR, is a digital marketing professional who’s worked in multiple industries, from startup tech clients in Orange County, Florida, to high-end resorts in Orange County, California. This includes the infamous Skunkworks, a top-secret Lockheed Martin aeronautics facility in California.

When Kern started her career, “social media” included Facebook and LinkedIn. She has loved delving into the intricacies of each new platform along the way. She currently oversees web and digital strategy at Rollins College. Her role has evolved from managing social media to managing a team of four who oversee the college’s website, social media, and digital advertising. Her team’s success with TikTok, both organically and paid, has caught the attention of TikTok’s U.S. brand partnerships team, earning Kern an invitation to their first #TikTokEdu summit at their New York City headquarters in 2023.

Over the course of her career, Kern has served multiple terms on the boards for PRSA Orlando and FPRA Orlando. She earned her APR in 2013 and is currently pursuing her master’s in strategic communication from Rollins College. 

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