Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Amy Turner, APR (she/her)

President 

Amy Turner, APR is a senior communications specialist for Seattle Children’s, focused on employee engagement and internal communications. She has nearly two decades of strategic communications experience having worked in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Amy has been a PRSA volunteer since her PRSSA days at Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication (Go Cougs!). Outside of work, she loves spending time with her partner and two kids and loves to read, hike and grow her own veggies.

Amy Blondin, APR (she/her)

President Elect

Amy has served as chief communications officer for the Washington State Health Care Authority since 2014. A proud public servant, she has worked in government for nearly two decades, including at the Department of Early Learning and the state Senate. She began her career as a reporter for her hometown newspaper in Spokane, then covered education policy in Washington, D.C. Amy earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Western Washington University. A book nerd at heart, she is a freelance book reviewer and serves as chair of the Timberland Lacey Library Board. She lives with her family in Olympia.

Alicia Lawver, APR

Past President

Alicia Lawver, MBA, APR, is the Strategic Planning & Policy Manager for Tacoma Public Schools, where she manages partnerships, initiatives, and special projects for the Planning & Construction, Facilities, and Nutrition Services departments. Previously, Alicia worked as a communicator for clean water issues and as a newspaper editor and reporter. Alicia has an MBA from Western Governors University and a BA in Communication from Pacific Lutheran University. She is also a board member with City Club of Tacoma, Greater Tacoma Metro Parks Foundation, and Washington Association of Maintenance & Operations Administrators. Outside of work, Alicia enjoys finding adventure near and far.

Cassidy Davis (she/her)

Secretary

Cassidy Davis has a decade of communications experience, including corporate and agency work. She is currently Director of Communications and Administration for Conrac Solutions and a graduate from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in Journalism and Public Communications. She has been involved with PRSA for the past ten years including roles in programming, communications, scholarship efforts and is looking forward to a new role as membership committee liaison. Leveraging past involvement with the Alaska Chapter, she has enjoyed giving back to the local communications community for the past six years with the Puget Sound Chapter. Outside work, she enjoys the Pacific Northwest via hiking, camping and canoeing.

Aubrey Newton

Treasurer

Aubrey Newton is the Director of NW LECET, and the Interim Director for NROC. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Central Washington University and completed her Master’s of Arts degree in Public Relations from Full Sail University in 2015. In her undergrad, Aubrey served on the Bateman team as a Junior, ran for a PRSSA National Board position in 2011, and served as CWU PRSSA Chapter President in 2011-2012. Member of PRSA Puget Sound since 2015, Aubrey currently serves as the treasurer, student outreach committee chair and volunteers on the programs committee and wherever she can.

DIRECTORS

Octavia Bostick (she/her)

Octavia Bostick is an entertainment journalist and publicist with 15 years of experience helping celebrities, brands, corporations, and non-profits amplify the authentic stories within their various industries. Her professional affiliations include the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Women in PR, National Public Relations Society Association (PRSA), and the Seattle Puget Sound chapter of PRSA where she serves as a board member and is the liaison for Diversity and Inclusion. In 2018, the PR veteran underwent a brand makeover as she transitioned into her new consulting agency, Bostick and Associates LLC.

Haley Flanagan

Haley Flanagan is the Corporate Communications Manager for Icertis, a global B2B SaaS company. She previously worked at WE Communications, helping to launch Windows 10 and managing relationships with OEM partners worldwide. Additionally, Haley worked with leading healthcare, food and water companies in Philadelphia at Vault Communications. Haley graduated from The University of Alabama, with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Haley was an officer for the university’s PRSSA chapter and the integrated communications student-run firm, Capstone Agency. In her free time, Haley loves to play and watch soccer, and hike with her Miniature American Shepherd.

Kelly Guenther 

Seasoned communications expert Kelly Guenther is in charge of executive and partner communications at Accenture. An Emmy-Award-winning director, cinematographer, and PR expert, Kelly is also Creative Director of Guenther Group and leads organizations in telling compelling visual stories and communicating in times of crisis. He’s been responsible for high-impact global projects for companies like Microsoft, Starbucks and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance – and also serves as a crisis communications advisor and spokesperson.

Toby Nelson, APR

Toby Nelson has worked with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Hunter PR and Hasbro. He began his career in PR with the Harlem Globetrotters, handling on-site media relations during tours of the "Clown Princes of Basketball." He has also worked as a radio reporter. As an undergraduate, Toby studied at the University of Washington. He received his master’s degree in international relations from the University of Cambridge. He is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and is a past chair of PRSA Puget Sound's Totem Awards committee.

Jennifer Olegario  

As communication strategies manager for the Washington State Bar Association, Jennifer Olegario serves the people of Washington state and the Bar’s 40,000 lawyer members. She is the deputy to the chief communications officer and oversees a variety of communications functions, in addition to serving on the Bar’s management team responsible for strategic planning and operational priorities. Previously, Jennifer was vice president, media and public relations for TD Ameritrade, and public relations counsel for the American Stock Exchange. She began her career working for PR agencies FleishmanHillard and Makovsky in her hometown of New York City. Jennifer is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Public Affairs with a double-major in public relations and international relations.  

ASSEMBLY DELEGATES

Nathan Hambley, APR 

Nathan Hambley, APR, is a Senior Vice President at Edelman where he serves on the Corporate and Public Affairs and Edible teams. Previously, Nathan’s worked on both the agency and client side, most recently serving as PNW regional communications manager at Uber. He has represented clients including T-Mobile, Rainier Beer and Canlis Restaurant, and started his career as a staffer and campaign aide for U.S. Senator Patty Murray. Nathan holds a BA in Chemistry from the University of Washington and a Master’s in International Affairs from The George Washington University. He is a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow, class of 2010.  

Michele Horaney, APR (she/her)