Smart Talk Series

Season finale! Join Melissa as she wraps up Season 2 by sharing her top three principles for being a socially responsible professional.
Topics covered:
- How to fix root issues by moving upstream
- The importance of doing more good than harm
- What being an ally means
Actions to take:
- Know and do better
- Serve people where they
- Make your impact a positive one
- Recognize your biases and privileges
Resources mentioned:
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries
- Spider-Man (2002)
- The Hippocratic Oath
- The Latina Leadership Institute
- "How to Be a Good Friend"
- MVW Communications
- PR Pro Gear

The pandemic left a lasting impact on countless industries. As hybrid work models solidify and job listings start to multiply, the HR industry is settling into its new mode of operations. This week, Melissa is joined by Christina Stokes, the Senior Vice President, Director of Talent Acquisition at RUBENSTEIN.
About Christina:
Christina Stokes is the Senior Vice President, Director of Talent Acquisition at RUBENSTEIN, a New York City based strategic communications and reputation management firm with a roster of 400 clients representing leaders and groundbreakers across industries. Christina is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, as well as the PRSA New York chapter, and she is a contributor to the monthly PRSA Strategies & Tactics newspaper with her column, Hire and Seek. She also is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. She has extensive expertise developing and implementing high-level talent acquisition strategies, coupled with employer branding and visibility initiatives. She is passionate about refining and enhancing employee engagement, company culture, and diversity and inclusion efforts. She currently serves as co-chair of RUBENSTEIN’s inaugural DEIA Council. Prior to her role in leadership with RUBENSTEIN, Christina was the Director of Talent Acquisition for MWWPR. Earlier, she worked within recruitment/staffing firms (Phifer & Company, Stephen-Bradford Search, TTS Personnel), and she even spent time in market research (SIS International). She lives in Queens, NY with her partner, her daughter, and their two black cats.
Follow Christina on Twitter: @NewYorkRoses
Follow Christina on Instagram: @nycroses
Connect with Christina on LinkedIn
Email Christina: [email protected]
Topics covered:
- The pandemic's impact on HR
- The current state of the PR job market
- Outlining upcoming trends
- Identifying challenges in talent acquisition
- Employee retention challenges
Actions to take:
- Take time to refresh your connections
- Maintain authenticity in virtual spaces
- Be intentional
- Shift with the times
Resources mentioned:
- RUBENSTEIN
- PRSA
- HBOMax's Locked Down
- The HR Magazine Summer 2021 Issue
- MVW Communications
- PR Pro Gear

2020 was the year of virtual events. 2021 is a bit more complicated. How does what we know now about tech and safety standards inform event planning in a world that's going back in-person? This week, Melissa talks with Janet Holliday, the President and CEO of The CE Group, about event planning in a pandemic world.
About Janet:
Janet Holliday embodies a rare combination of strategic vision, tremendous leadership skills, and the “can-do” attitude that it takes to plan, position, promote and produce some of the most successful large-scale marketing events in the country and around the world. Janet’s name has become synonymous with excellence when it comes to executing the highest level of strategic marketing events as part of comprehensive marketing programs for companies and organizations of all sizes. Her entrepreneurial spirit has launched the CE Group, Inc. into many areas of experience-based marketing, including its six core services: Event and Production Management, National Sports and Events Marketing, Destination Management, Venue Management, and Integrated Communication.
Visit the CE Group’s website
Follow the CE Group on Instagram: @thecegroup
Follow the CE Group on Facebook
Follow the CE Group on Twitter: @thecegroup
Connect with the CE Group on Linked In
Connect with Janet on Linked In
Email Janet: [email protected]
Topics covered:
- The evolution of event planning
- The future of virtual events
- Navigating a time of recovery and discovery
- How to decrease anxiety and increase joy
- Protecting clients from liability concerns
Actions to take:
- Have a strong contingency plan
- Create clear guidelines
- Add some meaning to your routine
- Talk about the worst case scenarios
- Lead with responsibility
Resources mentioned:
- PRSA
- To-Go For Good
- United Way
- MVW Communications
- PR Pro Gear

Digital strategy can influence minds and drive behaviors towards making a change. So, what happens when marketers use those tools to bring awareness to social issues? This week, Melissa is joined by Cedric F. Brown to dive deeper into diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Follow Cedric on Twitter: @abrothanamedCed
Connect with Cedric on LinkedIn: /in/cedricfbrown
Visit Cedric’s website
Topics covered:
- What it means to be "more than a publicist"
- How PR professionals practice social responsibility
- How DEI is being approached in the industry today
- Raising boys into good men
- Leveraging digital strategies to educate and inform
- When and how to get involved in social issues
Actions to take:
- Be your authentic self
- Build bridges and relationships
- Ask others to contribute to the conversation
- Take ownership of your story
- Seek to understand before asking to be understood
Resources mentioned:
- PRSA
- Dr. Michael Reichert
- Ben and Jerry's
- MVW Communications
- PR Pro Gear

It takes a village to support a great cause and make a difference. From matching donations to getting over 200,000 people vaccinated, WellMed is an expert in utilizing their community to make a positive impact. This week, we hear from Brittany Pratt, the Vice President of Social Responsibility at WellMed Medical Management, on mobilizing and investing in your community.
About Brittany:
Brittany Pratt, a San Antonio native, earned her Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Master's degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She landed an internship as an undergrad at the Children's Shelter of San Antonio where her career in the non-profit industry began. She moved on to work for Girls Inc of San Antonio and then to her alma mater, UTSA, to fundraise for research and scholarships. In 2016 Brittany made the jump to the corporate world and is now in the social responsibility space at WellMed Medical Management.
Follow WellMed on Instagram and Twitter: @wellmedgives
Follow WellMed on Facebook
Visit WellMed’s website
Email WellMed at [email protected]
Topics covered:
- How WellMed defines social responsibility
- Jumping into action when your community is in need
- Getting started in social responsibility
- Current initiatives that are making a positive impact
- Lessons learned
Actions to take:
- Meet people where they are
- Cut barriers to access
- Focus on what matters now
- Have philosophical conversations
- Set realistic goals
- Access your personal network to do something good
Resources mentioned:
- UTSA
- The Children's Shelter of San Antonio
- Girls Inc. of San Antonio
- Meals on Wheels
- The Texas Ramp Project
- WellMed Charitable Foundation
- United Way
- MVW Communications
- PR Pro Gear