We are pleased to share that effective Tuesday, March 1 Carolyn Smith Casertano MA, APR will assume the role of Western Regional Representative for PRSA.

Carolyn replaces Patrice Lehermeier, who did a fantastic job managing the western region for several years and departed December 31 to pursue a new career involving Hollywood production.

Carolyn is currently Professor of Practice in the Department of Communication at the University of Arizona. She is an award-winning communications professional with over two decades of professional expertise in strategic planning, message development and implementation, media relations, crisis communications, thought leadership, advocacy and brand positioning. She has worked for a variety of clients within the nonprofit, corporate and agency sector. Prior to joining the University of Arizona, she managed high-profile campaigns with the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), Coaches vs. Cancer, as well as numerous celebrities and influencers on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

Carolyn is an accredited public relations professional (APR) and a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the official Communication Studies honor society of the National Communication Association. She serves as Vice Chair for the Communications Committee for the PRSA Educators Academy and served on the Board of Directors for the Western District of PRSA. She is a past president of the Southern Arizona Chapter of PRSA and was named the 2020 Public Relations Professional of the Year. She is the faculty adviser for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) University of Arizona chapter and participates on numerous volunteer committees in Southern Arizona.

Carolyn was born and raised in Canada and now lives in Tucson, Arizona with her family, including her husband, three children, two dogs and five chickens. She enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, listening to music and spending as much time outdoors as possible.