Evan Nicholson, President
Evan Nicholson is an account associate, having been promoted twice in five months, focusing on corporate, digital media and technology clients. Prior to joining MPRM in August 2011, she was an assistant account executive and personal assistant at Skai Blue Media, a boutique lifestyle firm in Philadelphia. Evan is a graduate of Temple University with a B.A. in Strategic Communications and minors in Marketing and Art History. Evan actively volunteers her time with PRSA Los Angeles, Temple University and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Laura Kim, Program Co-Chair
Laura Kim works as a Social Media Community Manager at Uptown Treehouse Inc., a social media and digital marketing agency working with Fortune 500 brands. Laura began her career in marketing and public relations early on in college, during which she had the opportunity to work with top brands and media outlets such as Fusion Cosmetics, Clean Perfume and American Crew. She soon realized the transformative shift taking place towards all things new media which lead her to fine-tune her lens and learn more about the role of social media in increasing and evangelizing brand awareness. After a few years of being immersed in the space, she is now a firm believer that all forms of media, new and old, play a vital role in the ways brands think about as well as connect with their respective audiences. Laura graduated from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication.
Serena Whitecotton, Program Co-Chair
Serena is one of this year’s programming co-chairs and can’t wait to get started! She is a native Angelena and CSU Fullerton alumna, where she majored in journalism and Spanish. Before her current position at MPRM Communications, she worked for Warner Bros., Molina Healthcare, ABC and Telemundo – just to name a few. Outside of PR, Serena is a passionate Los Angeles Kings fan, a cheese and beer enthusiast, and a self-identified Hufflepuff.
Kristin Soo Hoo, Treasurer
Kristin Soo Hoo joined the Los Angeles Convention Center as the public relations assistant in November 2011. She currently manages social media accounts, writes and distributes all press releases and photographs events. Some of her favorite events she assisted include the GRAMMY MusiCares gala, Los Angeles Art Show, Los Angeles Auto Show and Electronic Entertainment Expo. In addition, Kristin wrote the draft text for LACC’s annual report, created quarterly newsletters and designed sponsor ads.
Previously, she held internships at Tyler Barnett PR and Coast Concierge Service event planning and production company. In January 2013, Kristin graduated from Chapman University on the Chancellor’s List with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising, along with a minor in business administration. She was a member of Chapman PRSSA for all four years of college and served as treasurer in 2011 and 2012.
Brittany Mehciz, Communications Co-Chair
Brittany Mehciz is thrilled to a part of the Young Professionals of PRSA-LA in her role as communications co-chair! She is a recent graduate from California State University, Long Beach, where she majored in Journalism and minored in Communication Studies. Brittany works at FOX Studios as the Social Media Associate Producer for American Idol Season 12. Prior to working at FOX, Brittany interned at Blaze Public Relations, The Walt Disney Company, Ketchum, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Special Olympics and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In her free time, Brittany enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new restaurants and drinking as much coffee as possible.
Liza Nedelman, Communications Co-Chair
Liza Nedelman is an Account Executive at MPRM Communications, working primarily in film and home entertainment PR. She previously worked in crisis communications, and before that graduated from Emerson College in Boston with a degree in Marketing Communications. Liza is excited to be a part of PRSA-LA as a communications co-chair, and is equally as excited to put her exquisite social media skills to use for the same.
Kaylee Weatherly, Collegiate Outreach
I’m Kaylee. I’m currently a full-time graduate student studying Strategic Public Relations at the University of Southern California. I’m also a California State University, Long Beach alumni and live in the Long Beach area. I have a great passion for sustainability and hope to work in environmental public relations in a nonprofit or government agency when I graduate. As Collegiate Outreach Chair for Young Professionals of PRSA-Los Angeles, I hope to bridge the networking gap between students of PRSSA and YP to build each organization’s public relations backgrounds with the guidance of PRSA’s experienced professionals. In my free time, I like to work on habitat restoration projects with the local community.
Lauren Lewow, Trevett Chair
As an account coordinator, Lauren Lewow delivers a variety of support to Cerrell Associates, Campaign & Issues Management practice area. Lauren’s areas of expertise include grassroots advocacy, media outreach, coalition building and policy research. She has a breadth of experience including developing targeted messages, advocacy efforts and a background in legislative affairs.
Prior to joining CAI, Lauren worked with the California State Assemblymember Don Wagner. While in Sacramento, she served as his staff contact for the educational policy committee, collaborating with consultants, constituents and advocates. Additionally, she helped coordinate press and social media efforts to highlight Assemblymember Wagner’s legislative priorities.
Lauren is a recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in English. As a student, she served as a course facilitator the Campus Organizing Director of the Associated Students of University of California, and a board member of the system wide University of California Students Association.
Dillon Bianchi, PRSA-YP Liason
Dillon has always been a trailblazer in the communications space. He is the Liaison of PRSA-LA’s Young Professional group, where he is leading the next generation of communication professionals in the Los Angeles area through a major paradigm shift as the industry warms to new media. Dillon plays a pivotal role in uniting traditional marketing veterans with the brightest growing talent in the community. Dillon spent the early days of his professional career working for various agencies including Hill & Knowlton, where he recognized that social networks were driving a revolutionary change in the way that communication practitioners must engage with audiences. From this, he has helped brands such as adidas, Yahoo! Sports, Microsoft and Dos Equis understand the value in executing social media campaigns to meet their business goals.
