PRSA Oregon celebrates the best of the public relations and communications industry. The PRSA Oregon Spotlight Awards recognize campaigns and tactics exemplifying excellence and leadership in public relations, digital media, and integrated communications. The Awards of Distinction commemorate commitment, support, leadership and lifetime achievement by outstanding communication leaders.
We are proud to share the achievements of an exceptional group of public relations and communications professionals and showcase their outstanding work and contributions to our industry and community.
2024 Awards
The Spotlight Awards recognize campaigns and tactics that exemplify excellence and leadership in public relations, digital media and integrated communications. Entries scoring between 53 - 60 earn a Spotlight Award. These awards were given high marks by the judges for exceptional campaigns and tactics that exceeded goals, got noticed and measured much success. Those scoring between 45 - 52 points earn a Merit Award earning an honorable mention for all the hard work. Download the full list of the 2024 winners. (awarded March 2025).
Awards of Distinction
Rhonda Morin, APR
William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award
William W. Marsh was a prominent figure in Oregon public relations, famously known as "the dean of public relations in Oregon." In 1963, he served as president of the Columbia River Chapter of PRSA. In his honor, the PRSA Oregon Chapter presents the William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award to a member who has significantly advanced the field of public relations.
This year’s recipient is
Rhonda Morin, APR, who has dedicated over 25 years to developing innovative communication solutions. An accomplished leader, she has served as president of the PRSA Oregon Chapter and has received multiple awards, including two Bronze Anvils from PRSA and several accolades from the Oregon Chapter.
Like Marsh, Rhonda values education and empowers others, sharing her expertise with colleagues and mentees to prepare the next generation of public relations professionals. Her commitment to community and mentorship reflects the legacy of this distinguished award.
Mara Woloshin, APR, Fellow PRSA
Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award
Named after the late Ron Schmidt, former aide to Governor Tom McCall and owner of Oregon’s biggest public relations firm, the Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award honors the outstanding use of public relations to support community improvement and important causes. It is presented to a public relations practitioner who has used public relations to better the community, engage others and further the practice and innovation of our profession. This year’s honoree is
Mara Woloshin, APR, Fellow PRSA.
In addition to operating a full-service public relations agency, Mara has an extensive background consulting and training adult audiences, having taught marketing and public relations at Oregon universities since 1989. Mara served as the Oregon and Washington spokesperson for the launch of Medicare Part D in 2006, helping to implement this essential program for managing prescription drug coverage under Medicare. An enthusiastic advocate for healthcare for people living below the poverty line, Mara has helped individuals to self-identify their own strengths and learn the tactic of self-advocacy. She regularly speaks, as an adjunct faculty member at Portland Community College, on topics related to Medicare, self-advocacy and leveraging health care benefits.
As a PRSA fellow and mentor, Mara helped dozens of public relations professionals identify their personal career pathways. Since 2002, she has been a volunteer APR coach for dozens of certifications and helped place many PRSA members into successful, well-paid positions. She was PRSA Oregon President in 1999 and was admitted to the College of Fellows in 2005.
Carol Fenstermacher, APR
Olga M. Haley Mentorship Award
A longtime member of the PRSA Portland Metro Chapter, Olga M. Haley served as president in 2003 and continuously gave back to the PRSA community by serving as a mentor to members of the chapter. Haley passed away in March 2014 at the age of 69, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of mentorship, excellence and professionalism. The Olga M. Haley Membership Award is given to a PRSA Oregon Chapter member who demonstrates exceptional mentorship and supportiveness of others as they advance their careers in public relations.
This year’s recipient is
Carol Fenstermacher, APR. As an APR coach for the PRSA Oregon Chapter, Carol has consistently demonstrated her commitment to guiding and inspiring future leaders in our profession. She has been an integral part of the APR review process for several years, providing invaluable insights and support to candidates as they work toward this distinguished credential. Carol has also served on the PRSA Oregon board of directors. Her dedication to the development of others extends beyond PRSA, as she has also mentored members of OSPRA and NSPRA, helping them advance their careers and develop their skills. Throughout her lengthy and distinguished career in school public relations, Carol has been a trusted advisor and mentor to countless professionals. Her expertise in navigating crises and leading successful bond measure campaigns has made her a valuable resource at both local and national levels. She has generously shared her knowledge through professional development initiatives, empowering school communicators to achieve excellence in their work.
Josh Kulla and Alexes Jones
New Professional Award of Excellence
Presented to a “rising star” in the industry in Oregon, the New Professional Award of Excellence honors a chapter member who has entered the field of public relations within the past five years. The award is considered an indicator of people to watch for in the industry and is presented to a professional who has demonstrated his or her commitment to advancing public relations through career achievements, volunteerism, and the highest standards of professionalism. This year were blessed with two outstanding winners – Josh Kulla and Alexes Jones.
Josh Kulla, director of Literary and Creative Colorful Content at Amico Public Relations, is dedicated to mission-driven work and has an eye for the focal point in a story. He regularly contributes to the chapter and his community. He operates with great integrity and creativity. Although he’s fairly new to world of public relations, Josh has 15 years in journalism. Josh brought his skills to the world of public relations. He has demonstrated dedication and passion for the profession, making a meaningful impact in a remarkably short period of time.
“He has been an exceptional contributor to Amico and the firm's clients, including the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, for which is the official program photographer and on the media relations team, and Mortenson, for which he regularly writes authored content,” said Kelliann Amico, APR, Fellow PRSA of Amico Public Relations.
Alexes Jones, senior account executive at Quinn Thomas, started in her first agency role as a full-time account coordinator during her senior year at University of Oregon. Throughout her nearly three years at Quinn Thomas, and year and half at her former agency, Alexes has exemplified a stellar work ethic and brought a level of professionalism that is both rare and admirable at her level. In her spare time Alexes volunteers with Dress for Success and is active in her community. Her colleagues at Quinn Thomas say Alexes demonstrates patience, follow-through, transparency and accountability that create trusting relationships with clients and partners. In under five years, Alexes has advanced her skills to fully lead client workstreams from start to finish, including guiding strategy recommendations, leading earned media outreach, optimizing digital media campaigns, directing creative work, and overseeing the work of account executives and coordinators.
“Perhaps most important in an industry built on relationships, trust and ethics, Alexes exhibits a genuine care for the people and projects she works with,” said Hailey Swalley, account director for Quinn Thomas. “This combination of professionalism and empathy makes her a trusted colleague and a respected leader. It has been a privilege to witness her growth, and we have no doubt that she will continue to achieve remarkable success in her career.”