As we’ve learned this season, milestones don’t just appear. They come after brave actions, years, and sometimes decades of hard work and dedication. In the final episode of Season 10, Melissa interviews Michael Klein, Public Relations Manager at Ferrovial Construction, to discuss the career milestones he made possible by bravely asking for opportunities and taking action to bring them to life. About Michael: Mike Klein is a high-energy people person who began his career in television as a sports producer. Then changed career paths by becoming a public relations manager for one of the largest heavy civil construction companies in the world, Ferrovial Construction, and has found his calling in life.

A major milestone in your organization is the perfect time to take stock of what you’ve achieved and chart a path for the future. In this episode, Melissa interviews President & CEO of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance Joe Nespral and TOSA’s Director of Communications Casey Casseb, to discuss celebrating 50 years of their organization’s important work in organ donation. About Joe: Joseph Nespral, MD, CPTC is the President & CEO of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance. Joe has been with TOSA since July 1997 and was promoted to CEO in October 2016. Joe has an extensive background in Organ Procurement Organization leadership in operations, restructuring, policy analysis, business development and quality improvement. About Casey: Casey Casseb has been creating and executing creative marketing, media, and events for unique brands for over 20 years. She has experience collaborating with Fortune 500 brands and is a strong advocate for personalized, committed, and exceptional service to all clients, both internal and external. Currently, she serves as the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance’s Director of Communications.

Today, Melissa is taking a break from talking to seasoned professionals by sitting down with a future young professional: her daughter, Emilia. Listen as Melissa and Emilia discuss how communication professionals can support and inspire Generation Z and beyond as they work to achieve milestones of their own.   About Emilia: Emilia Williamson is a rising junior in high school who has “interned” in public relations and communications since she was a toddler. She is an honor roll student, award-winning theatre performer and cosplayer, aerial dance artist, and tenured Junior Intern at MVW Communications. She aspires to be an American Sign Language Interpreter, actor, and aerial performer who may advance the public relations profession in surprising ways.

There are many moments in life, tragic and joyful, that can help create the person and professional you are today. In this episode, Melissa chats with Hussein Al-Baiaty, an author marketing strategist, about the past moments that shape us and the future moments we can manifest with the right mindset.   About Hussein: Hussein Al-Baiaty is an author marketing strategist, author, and founder of Rising Authors, a platform that helps nonfiction writers grow their influence, income, and impact through powerful brand-building. As a refugee turned entrepreneur, Hussein combines storytelling, strategic marketing, and design to guide authors in turning their personal stories into thriving businesses. He also hosts The Rising Authors Experience podcast, where he interviews leaders and creators about resilience, purpose, and legacy.

With each milestone you reach, your career and reputation grow. What good can you do with that power? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Claudia Romo Edelman, a global mobilization expert, about how Claudia uses her voice and influence to help positively change the world.   About Claudia: Claudia Romo Edelman is a global mobilization expert, catalyst for social change and marketer for social causes. She is a recognized speaker, activist, thought leader, author, and upcoming entrepreneur.

Celebrating milestones as an entrepreneur can be difficult when you're trying to navigate a tough time or just busy serving your clients. In this episode, Melissa sits down with the President of Solo PR Pro, Karen Swim, to discuss how to leverage milestones as a business owner, the enduring spirit of solopreneurs, and how to take care of your well-being while leading the way in public relations.  About Karen: Karen Swim, APR, is an accredited public relations professional, speaker, podcaster, author, and champion of independent by choice workers. She is the Founder of Words For Hire, a B2B, Technology and Healthcare PR and Marketing agency and the President of Solo PR Pro, a membership organization for independents and microagencies. In 2024, she also co-founded Data+PR, a collaborative with BlueRun PR that focuses on storytelling through data. 

Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and the hosts of That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast, Karen Swim and Michelle Kane about Melissa's tips on cultivating a purposeful personal brand.

Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and Chip Griffin about Melissa's unique journey in public relations and the importance of content creation.

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 with with her second, "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture."

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Irasema Romero and Lorraine Pulido.

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Rachel Benavidez and Lilly Cortés Wyatt.

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Brenda Duran and Anais Biera Miracle.

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Jill Casey Pintor and Marisol Vindiola.

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Jeannette E. Garcia and Paola Vargas-Strassner.

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Melissa Monroe and Olga Mayoral Wilson.

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Carmen Boon and Amelia Taurel Folkes.

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."

This season, we've learned that cultural strategy is essential, but approaches can feel hollow and performative without collaboration and authentic engagement with the cultures being recognized. In this season finale, Melissa speaks with Charlene Ostbloom, the founder of Bloom Communications and Angela Gonzalez, the communications manager for Chugachmiut, a tribal consortium. They dig into bridging cultures between business and Native communities, the missteps around Cherokee Barbie, and the incorporation of Native Land Acknowledgements. About Charlene: Charlene Ostbloom, founder of Bloom Communications, is dedicated to bridging cultures between businesses and Alaska Native communities. With decades of experience and deep roots in Nulato (noo-LA-Toh), Alaska, she offers Corporate Culture Camps, training, coaching and facilitation services. Charlene is also developing Native Women RISE, an innovative program that will celebrate the unique professional journeys of Indigenous women. About Angela: Angela Gonzalez is Koyukon Athabascan originally from Huslia, Alaska, and lives in Anchorage, Alaska. She is a communications professional, writer, and bead artist living in Anchorage, Alaska. She is currently the communications manager for Chugachmiut, a tribal consortium.

Creating a cultural strategy is not enough. Effectively implementing your strategy is the first step to enacting real change. Listen as Melissa talks with Ben Finzel and LaTricia Harper Woods, APR of The Change Agencies about activating cultural strategy in today's society. About Ben: Ben Finzel is president of RENEWPR, a Washington, DC-based public relations firm. Ben and his team of seven independent PR professionals provide advice, counsel and outreach on strategy, messaging, media and partnerships to clients tackling energy, environmental and equity issues and opportunities. Ben is one of two founders of The Change Agencies, the national network of inclusive PR firms focused on changing the way business and organizations communicate across cultures. About LaTricia: LaTricia Woods is an award-winning, accredited public relations professional with more than 29 years of industry experience. She is the Founder and CEO of Mahogany Xan Communications, where she leads a talented team of professionals and serves a national client portfolio. She is also the founding principal of The Change Agencies.

Sometimes the audiences that are the easiest to reach are not the ones that you need to hear from. In today's episode, Melissa sits with Jessica Broome Ph.D., the founder of Southpaw Insights about what inclusive insights are and how they can benefit every communicator. About Jessica: Dr. Jessica Broome is a survey methodologist and insights professional. She founded Southpaw Insights in 2008 to conduct meaningful, human-centered research that helps organizations make smart decisions and connect with audiences. Southpaw does qualitative and quantitative research to help clients understand what people think, feel, and do.