Our Board

The Board of Directors of PRSA Philadelphia is a diverse body of public relations professionals drawn from business and industry, agency, healthcare, not-for-profit and high-tech backgrounds. Their job, with the help of committees that report to the board, is to manage the chapter’s operational and financial needs, as well as to execute marketing, special events, publicity and program management.

If you are looking for ways to build your network of contacts, gain valuable volunteer experience, participate in new aspects of the field, or contribute to the further advancement of the profession, please contact us at membership@prsaphilly.org. We would love to have you on our team!

2013 Board of Directors and Directors-at-Large

Linda Woody
President
Association Headquarters, Inc. (AH)
president@prsaphilly.org

Linda Woody is the Director of Communications at the in-house full service marketing communications agency at Association Headquarters, Inc. (AH). In this position, Linda oversees the public relations department and sets strategic direction and manages efforts to increase international visibility for AH and its 32 nonprofit trade and medical association clients. Linda’s expertise in marketing and communications includes reputation management, crisis communications, public awareness campaigns, membership marketing initiatives, product launches and event management.

Lisa Packer
Treasurer
Root Strategies
treasurer@prsaphilly.org

 Lisa Packer is the founding principal of Root Strategies, an agency serving a variety of industries both domestically and internationally. She began her career as a broadcast news reporter and has more than 30 years of experience in public relations, communications and marketing working for corporations in the nuclear power, publishing, pharmaceutical, chemical and medical device industries as well as in institutional healthcare. She has extensive experience in crisis communications planning and management, and issues management. In 2012, Lisa served as a Director-at-Large for the chapter.

Kory Aversa
Secretary
Aversa PR
secretary@prsaphilly.org

Kory Aversa is the owner of Aversa PR & Events LLC, a firm that creates big buzz for arts, culinary, entertainment, small business and nonprofit clients. Kory has more than 15+ years of experience in public relations, social media and event planning from working in nonprofit and private sectors. Prior to forming Aversa PR, Kory led communications efforts for groups such as Philadelphia Senior Center, PleaseTouchMuseum, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts and Children’s Healthcare Fountain of South Jersey. Kory is the 2012 recipient of PRSA’s President’s Award for Volunteerism and chair of the chapter’s Nonprofit Resource Committee.

Blair Kahora, MBA
Immediate Past President and Ethics Chair
Buchanan PR
blair@buchananpr.com

Blair Kahora Cardinal is an account supervisor at Buchanan Public Relations, a full service strategic communications firm. She specializes in media relations, board relations, web and social media, communications writing, community outreach, strategic planning and budget management. She previously served as the chapter’s 2011 President-Elect, 2010 treasurer and 2009 chair of PR Institute training program. Blair was co-recipient of the Anthony Fulginiti Award for her work on the institute planning committee in 2009.

Rick Buck
Director-at-Large
American Association of Cancer Research
rick.buck@aacr.org

Barbara Link
Director-at-Large
Link Ink.
barbara@linkink.com

Barbara Link is a highly skilled freelance writer, award-winning public relations practitioner, and president of Link Ink – a full-service communications consultancy established in 1997. Barbara’s professional background spans more than 25 years, encompassing all aspects of communications across the agency, corporate, academic and nonprofit sectors. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, copywriting, media relations, collateral development and project management. Prior to forming Link Ink, Barbara held senior management positions with Rosenbluth International, Electronic Payment Services, Golin/Harris Communications and Elkman Advertising. She has received multiple honors for her work, including the National Communicators Award, two Philadelphia Business Marketing Association Bell Ringer Gold Awards, three International Best Bets Awards from McDonald’s Corporation, and four Pepperpot Awards from the Public Relations Society of America. She is also the proud recipient of PRSA’s 2009 DeAnn White Award for community service.

Dina Silver Pokedoff, APR
Director-at-Large
Saint-Gobain
Dina.Pokedoff@saint-gobain.com

Dina Silver Pokedoff, APR, is External Communications Manager at Saint-Gobain, the world’s largest building materials company, as well as a global leader in the production of high-performance materials and glass containers. Dina is responsible for the development of strategies to raise Saint-Gobain’s profile and strengthen its corporate image in the United States and Canada. Additionally, Dina manages community relations, foundation programs and public outreach activities for the company. Dina served as the chapter president in 2002, was the 2007 recipient of the Maxine Elkin Award and has won 19 Pepperpot awards. She is currently on the Executive Committee of PRSA’s Corporate Communications section and serves as the chapter’s Sponsorship Committee Chair  for the 2013 PRSA International Conference.

Scott D. Tattar
Director-at-Large
LevLane
stattar@levlane.com

Scott is one of the Philadelphia region’s most recognized and respected PR professionals. Over a 30-year career, he has gained experience in traditional and social media relations, public affairs, community relations, investor relations, product publicity, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and crisis/issues management from work. Scott joined LevLane in January, 2007 and established the region’s first formal CSR practice which focuses on leveraging business for positive social change. He oversees integrated communication initiatives and provides executive counsel and media coaching to the agency’s clients. From 2004 through 2005, Scott served as the president of the Philadelphia Chapter. Scott’s philanthropic endeavors include work for The Philadelphia Recreation Department, Starfinder’s, The Philadelphia School Project and The Philadelphia Center for Autism.