Welcome Kristoffer Smith to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Kristoffer Smith is a communications and public relations professional with over 15 years of experience specializing in creative direction, content creation, and production. With expertise spanning school public relations, sports, short films, corporate projects, commercials, promotional videos, news, and photography, Smith has a proven track record of managing cross-platform campaigns, leading teams, and driving brand recognition through innovative multimedia solutions. An award-winning creative with mastery in Adobe Creative Cloud, video production, and digital communication, Smith strives to bring diverse social and cultural experiences to his audiences, aiming to inform, intrigue, and inspire.

Connect with Kristoffer Smith at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristoffer-smith-59728793 
Website: https://kristoffersmith.my.canva.site/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Leslee Hackett to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Leslee is a digital marketing and public relations consultant with 12+ years of experience developing data-driven communication strategies that elevate brand visibility and audience engagement. She specializes in social media strategy, content management, integrated internal and external communications, and multimedia storytelling, with a strong focus on analytics and performance optimization. Her work bridges creativity and strategy, helping organizations translate complex messages into compelling digital narratives that deliver measurable results. Currently pursuing her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) to further strengthen ethical, strategic communications practice.

Connect with Leslee Hackett at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleeh/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Robyn Patterson to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Robyn Patterson is a senior public affairs strategist with deep experience at the intersection of politics, policy, and media. She served as a spokesperson in the Biden White House, where she led communications strategy on some of the administration’s most complex and high-profile issues—including labor and tech policy, civil rights, and crisis response. In that role, she prepared senior officials for major media interviews, developed cross-agency messaging frameworks, and worked closely with national reporters to shape coverage during fast-moving events.

Before joining the White House, Robyn served in senior communications roles at the U.S. Department of Commerce and in the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, helping to navigate legislative negotiations, economic messaging, and media engagement at the highest levels of government.

Today, Robyn is building the public affairs practice at Allison Worldwide, a leading marketing and communications agency. In this role, she advises companies, coalitions, and philanthropic organizations on how to navigate today’s evolving policy landscape, communicate with credibility in polarized environments, and respond strategically to reputational risks. She specializes in helping clients apply campaign-style communications strategies—message discipline, stakeholder engagement, and rapid response—to private sector and nonprofit challenges.

Be sure to join us for our Networking Luncheon:  Shaping Power: How Strategic Communications Influence Policy, Perception, and Public Trust

Date: February 11 

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Houston-Galveston Area Council 3555 Timmons Ln #100 Houston, TX 77027

High Stakes. High Visibility. High Impact.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Robyn Patterson, senior public affairs strategist at Allison Worldwide and former spokesperson in the Biden White House. Robyn will share an inside look at how high-level communications strategies are developed and deployed when the stakes are highest.

Join PRSA Houston for a timely and practical discussion on communications that shape outcomes when it matters most. Don’t just respond—lead.

Sign up and learn more about Robyn. Register here: https://prsahouston.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php...

Connect with Robyn Patterson at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-patterson/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Corey Martin to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Corey has spent over 25 years contributing to powerful integrated earned communications programs – connecting influencer marketing with earned media to effectively take advantage of an ever-changing media landscape. Press + media influencers as well as social + cultural influencers create a media dynamic that requires a cohesive strategy and as Managing Director of Media & Influence at Allison Worldwide, Corey focuses on bringing an evolved approach to an expanding media universe to deliver true ROI for clients. Corey has built PR and influencer strategies for Super Bowl advertising campaigns and “Big Game” guerilla marketing initiatives leveraging influencers for a variety of brands including Cetaphil, AXE, Dove Men+Care, Flipz and many others. Corey is also a professor of influencer marketing at Montclair State University and creates content with his husband and son on their Instagram and TikTok Channel @RainbowDads with over 2M+ followers across Instagram and TikTok. RainbowDads has become a go-to voice for brands looking to connect with families through authenticity and laughter love of sports. Known for deep ties to the NFL, Buffalo Bills, and broader sports community, Corey brings both professional and personal influencer expertise to his work with a variety of clients.

Be sure to join us Thursday, Jan 22 for our webinar INFLUENCE IN MOTION: WHAT’S HOT, WHAT’S NEXT, AND WHAT MATTERS IN 2026
Register here: https://prsahouston.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=255&ts=1768491338

Connect with Corey Martin at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-r-martin-b604a5/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreyreidmartin/
https://www.instagram.com/rainbowdads/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Angelique Myers Evans, MPA, APR to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Angelique Myers Evans, MPA, APR is the Chief Communications Officer at Houston TranStar, where she leads internal and external strategic communications for a multi-agency regional transportation and emergency management organization. She also serves as the President of PRSA Houston, one of the nation’s largest Public Relations Society of America chapters.

Angelique is the founder of Angie Malone Studios and brings more than 20 years of experience spanning radio and television broadcasting, public relations, and executive coaching. Holding a Master of Public Administration and Accredited in Public Relations (APR), she helps professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact—on stage, on camera, and in the boardroom.

Connect with Angelique at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiemalone/

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Jeff Frey, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

In this episode, Jeff shares about The Synergy Between Artificial Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence in Modern PR Campaigns.

Jeff Frey is the Founder and CEO of Vital Competence, a consulting firm at the forefront of blending Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) for innovative solutions. He has worked with organizations like NASA, ExxonMobil, and Baylor College of Medicine to drive impactful outcomes. Jeff advances these concepts through research and courses at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business MBA program and the University of Houston’s Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship.

Connect with Jeff at:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jdfrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreydfrey/

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Hannah Pietsch, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

In this episode, Hannah shares about Prioritizing Personal Development.

With nearly 15 years of experience spanning the communications spectrum, Hannah Pietsch is a proven communications professional with expertise in media relations and internal communications.

As the owner of Beloved Communications, LLC, she serves clients in a variety of industries, from health care and real estate to cosmetology and non-profit, by crafting and executing multifaceted internal and external communications strategies that deliver the results the client wants.

Hannah holds a Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University. She lives in Katy with her husband of 15 years and their two sons. When she isn’t playing monster trucks or cooking another meal to feed her growing boys, Hannah enjoys a good workout, plugging into personal/professional development, and writing her first book.

Connect with Hannah at:
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahfpietsch/

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Anh Nguyen, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

In this episode, Anh shares about Why Purpose-Driven Marketing Works.

Anh Nguyen is the Chief Brand Amplifier at Amplified Marketing, where she helps purpose-driven brands, social impact ventures, and nonprofits through #MarketingThatMatters. She’s also passionate about empowering women professionals and business leaders to uncover their unique stories and build personal brands that spark confidence and growth.

As a consultant and speaker, Anh loves being a catalyst for growth—helping her clients find their voice, embrace thought leadership, and build meaningful connections. Known for her down-to-earth style and knack for sparking big ideas, Anh inspires leaders and brands to discover their potential and create a ripple effect of impact in their industries.

Connect with Anh at:
LinkedIn- https://linkedin.com/in/anhtnguyen170
https://linkedin.com/company/AmplifiedMktgTX
Facebook- https://facebook.com/AmplifiedMktgTX
Instagram- https://instagram.com/AmplifiedMktgTX
Youtube- https://youtube.com/@AmplifiedMktgTX

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Carla Sapsford Newman, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

In this episode, Carla shares about Storytelling As Your Superpower.

Carla is a recovering journalist with a double masters in journalism and international affairs from Columbia. She specializes in multi-channel storytelling, crafting pitches around stories she would have run as an editor and producer earlier in her career. Stories with emotion, struggle and grit that reveal aspects of our community we don't often hear about. She started out as a field producer for CNN and ABC in New York before becoming a freelance writer, producer, newsroom manager and reporter overseas in Europe and Southeast Asia. Carla has led a multi-million dollar multimedia sports marketing campaign, and later joined a public radio startup leadership team. In between, she moved to public affairs and strategic communications.

Connect with Carla at:
LinkedIn- linkedIn.com/in/carlasapsford

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Robyn Egbert, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

On this episode, Robyn shares about Community Building In PRSA.

Robyn Egbert is a strategic communicator who thrives in connecting organizations and brands to their communities. Receiving her Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Houston, her background lies in developing and managing communication campaigns, public involvement plans, community outreach, reputation and stakeholder management, media relations, and digital marketing. She has spoken at national conferences, been a mentor to undergraduate public relations students, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Public Relations Society of America - Houston Chapter. Outside of public relations, she is also a volunteer with the Junior League of Houston and actively challenges herself to be a better professional and leader within her community. 

Connect with Robyn at:
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/balabanrobyn/
Email- [email protected]

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.