Marsha Pitts-Phillips, APR, is president and founder of MRPP & Associates Communications, LLC. Her experience includes leading the public relations function at a large nonprofit, as a former broadcast journalist with several television stations including KSTP-TV, as an associate professor of communications, and a volunteer guest lecturer in college public relations courses. In 2018, she moderated the Gubernatorial Candidate Town Hall Forums for then-DFL candidate Tim Walz and GOP candidate Jeff Johnson. She has spearheaded and collaborated on several large-scale public relations initiatives including the 2018 National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.’s “The Sound of Gospel Musical” and the NFL Sanctioned Super Bowl LVII Gospel Celebration broadcast on Black Entertainment Television.

In addition to PRSA membership, she’s a member of the National Association of Black Journalists Media-Related Members Task Force; and its local affiliate, the Twin Cities Black Journalists, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  She serves on the board of directors for Prepare + Prosper; the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies Leadership Advisory Council; and as an Associate Minister at the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis. 

Pitts-Phillips earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Communications from Northeastern University in Boston; attended Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Conn. and United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, Minn.

Director

Emily Tackaberry, APR

Emily Tackaberry, APR, is the senior director of corporate communications at AllianceRx Walgreens Prime. She has over 12 years of experience in communications, marketing and advertising, and has been a member of PRSA since 2010. She became Accredited in Public Relations in September 2020, deepening her skills and abilities in crisis communications, strategic planning, evaluation and beyond. Emily is also certified in change management from Prosci, helping her lead communication efforts in several large- and small-scale changes. She lives in Shoreview, Minn. with her husband, three kids and work associate/French bulldog, Walter.

As senior director of public relations for Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime), Lyons is responsible for elevating and protecting the reputation of the pharmacy benefit management company, which has 3,800 employees and is owned by 19 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Lyons creates and executes integrated marketing and communications plans, establishes and maintains relationships with national, local and trade media to generate positive earned media, secures awards and speaking engagements, writes executive communications, talking points as well as presentations, oversees Prime’s social media channels plus internal and external events and manages crisis communications.

Lyons has more than 30 years’ experience in public relations and marketing in the health care, education, fundraising industries, for both profit and non-profit organizations. She held several positions with Prime including client communications manager, public relations director and senior director of public relations. Previously, Lyons served in marketing and PR leadership positions for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota and United Way. Notable achievements include: designing a public relations campaign that helped to secure more than $45 million to renovate the student union on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities; serving on a team that helped pass Minnesota’s indoor smoke-free law; implementing various public relations efforts for Blue Cross’ “do” campaign which promoted physical activity and healthy eating; and launching Minneapolis/St. Paul’s Nice Ride bike share system; and managing PR for agreements with Walgreens, Cigna’s Express Scripts and Amazon’s PillPack pharmacy. She recently received Prime’s President’s Team Award for contributions to a successful product launch. 

Lyons holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications–public relations from St. Cloud State University. She is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and also holds certificates in reputation management and integrated marketing. She has served in numerous volunteer roles and boards including the Minnesota Chapter of Public Relations Society of America, and previously chaired the accreditation (APR) committee for the chapter.

Director

Dave Folkens

Dave possesses a broad range of expertise, gained from his experience of over two decades in the corporate, agency and nonprofit realms. 

He started his career at Orphan Medical, a specialty pharmaceutical company where he honed his skills in product and corporate communications, media relations, issues management and investor relations. Dave then moved into the world of medical devices at Medtronic Inc., serving as corporate public relations manager for the Fortune 500 company. His major objectives included gaining national visibility as well as managing complex intellectual property issues and merger and acquisition communications. 

After establishing a strong corporate background, Dave has spent much of his recent career on the agency side. He has worked with Fleishman-Hillard, Padilla, Risdall and Bluespire leading health care, technology and B2B clients both as a public relations expert and account strategy lead.

In 2020, Dave went independent to bring his vision of integrated communications that encompasses traditional PR strategy with the data-driven insights that current digital technology offers to clients. He works with leaders in the medical device market, architecture and engineering, local government, as well as startups and nonprofit organizations.

Dave graduated from Moorhead State University in Minnesota with a degree in mass communications and an emphasis in public relations. He is a longtime member of the Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and has served on a variety of committees to support the chapter.

Director

OPEN

2022 Board of Directors Appointees

Leah Kondes is a director in Padilla’s corporate advisory group with a focus on social impact. She is a long-time Minnesota PRSA member who currently serves the chapter as chair of the diversity and inclusion committee. In previous years she has served on the Classics, membership and communications committees. Previous roles with the chapter include volunteer coordinator and webmaster. In the past, she has served on the boards of Resources for Child Caring (now Think Small), the Bloomington Theater and Art Center (now Artistry) and Volunteers of America Minnesota and Wisconsin.