Public relations professionals across Southeast Michigan gathered at Wayne State University on Nov. 20 as PRSA Detroit confirmed its 2026 Board of Directors and honored members whose work has shaped communications standards in the region. The meeting remains one of the largest annual convenings of communicators in metro Detroit, drawing representatives from corporate, nonprofit, education, government, and agency sectors.
PRSA Detroit is the local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, a national organization formed in 1947 to strengthen ethics, accreditation, and professional development across the communications field. Detroit’s chapter, established 78 years ago, is one of the earliest in the country and has long functioned as a professional hub for practitioners navigating some of the region’s most complex public-facing issues.
The chapter elected Antonice Strickland, MPS, vice president of public relations and business development at 98Forward, as its 2026 president.
Strickland has built her career inside Detroit’s PR ecosystem, working at the intersection of public policy, community engagement, and media strategy. Her portfolio includes campaigns tied to city government, statewide initiatives, philanthropy, and frontline community organizations. At 98Forward, she has helped lead crisis communications, narrative strategy, and coalition-based messaging for Detroit-area partners navigating intense public scrutiny and high-impact regional issues.
Strickland told members that the year ahead will prioritize collaboration and accessible entry points for both young and seasoned practitioners.
“2026 will be a defining year for PRSA Detroit — one rooted in connection, collaboration and community,” said Strickland. “In Detroit, we carry a unique energy, creativity and resilience that sets us apart.”
The Executive Board also adds Chrystal Wilson, APR, assistant superintendent of communications for the Detroit Public Schools Community District, as secretary. Wilson has led DPSCD’s district-wide communications during a period of major policy shifts, enrollment changes, and facility planning, making her one of the most visible public-sector communicators in the city.
The remaining 2026 officers include:
- Jeff Adkins, Henry Ford Health, president-elect
- Rachel LePoudre, APR, REP PR, treasurer
- Megan Bonelli, Bosch, immediate past president
Newly appointed board members, serving three-year terms, are Jeff Sell of the Detroit Zoological Society and Michelle Franzen Martin, APR, of Corewell Health.
Returning board members represent organizations that regularly navigate Detroit’s public-facing work: Detroit Medical Center & Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Stellantis, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, 98Forward, Trestle Advisors, Chem-Trend, Toyota North America, Detroit Regional Chamber, and Gleaners Food Bank.
The chapter also recognized individual leaders for their contributions to the profession. Tina Kozak, CEO of Franco, was inducted into the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame for 2025. Kozak, Franco’s first woman CEO, has spent nearly two decades at the agency leading client strategy, internal development, and organizational planning.
The Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award went to Sharon Garcia, APR, vice president of marketing and communications at the Downtown Detroit Partnership and the chapter’s 2021 president. The Nancy Skidmore Distinguished Service Award was presented to Georgie Kirsten, APR, head of corporate communications at Freudenberg Chemical Specialities and a current board director.
“This year, our Chapter will look, feel and breathe Detroit in everything we do — from the venues we gather in to the voices we amplify and the partnerships we cultivate,” said Strickland.
The meeting closed with a clear signal that the chapter is positioning itself for a more active role in Detroit’s communications landscape. With new leadership, returning board members, and a growing focus on professional standards across the region, PRSA Detroit enters 2026 with an agenda shaped by the city’s evolving media needs and the practitioners who manage them every day.
