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Interview: Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA
By Minnesota PRSA Admin
Posted: 2021-04-02T20:41:00Z
Minnesota’s Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA, is named chair-elect of the PRSA College of Fellows

Countless Minnesota PRSA members have had a positive mentoring moment – or career-long relationship – courtesy of Margaret Ann Hennen. Her smile, her sparkling eyes and, most importantly, her willingness to help create an immediate and welcoming connection. It’s no surprise that this extends to PRSA colleagues throughout the nation and that she’s as much a leader and mentor for new professionals as she is for Fellows, our wise, experienced and distinguished colleagues.

 



What is the PRSA College of Fellows?

The College of Fellows is a major milestone on the PRSA progression of professional development. We begin as members, earn our APRs and, through the practice and teaching of public relations as we continue our learning and renew our accreditation, we directly impact our profession. We contribute to the body of knowledge that enhances our profession. After 20 or more years of experience and service, we may apply to the ultimate step in our development progression, the College of Fellows. Here we shift to give back to public relations more through focused mentoring of students, new and established professionals and each other. We’re sharing back our learnings, and maybe even wisdom, garnered from years of teaching and practicing. 

How is Minnesota PRSA connected and involved?

Minnesota has been influential in the College since its founding when Ann Barkelew, 1986 Minnesota PRSA chair, led a national PRSA task force that created the College of Fellows.

Currently, Rose McKinney is in her fourth year co-chairing the GoodFellows program, Brooke Worden is serving on the Strategic Planning Committee and Mike Porter is a co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. David Hakensen, Brooke Worden, Paul Omodt and Greg Zimprich serve as GoodFellows, coaching candidates as they apply to the College. And I have just been selected as chair-elect for 2021. Minnesotans have served in various capacities throughout the years as chair, on selection committee, creating the Standards of Excellence, as GoodFellows, to name a few positions.

The earliest inductees include Ann Bareklew (1990), David Therkelsen (1993) Jim Lukazewski (1993), Tom Bartakowski (1994), Dennis McGrath (1996), and Lowell Ludford (1998). Following an 11-year hiatus, I was inducted in 2009.

Who are our local Fellows?

*Doug Spong (2013)*Rose McKinney (2014) 
*Bob Shelton (2014)
*Greg Zimprich (2015)
*David Hakensen (2017)
Paul Omodt (2019)
*Tom Jollie (2019)
Janet Swiecichowski (2019)
*Brooke Worden (2020)
Mike Porter (2020)

 

*indicates Minnesota PRSA chapter president


What is the path to becoming a Fellow? What can members do now?

Get involved. Start building your legacy in the profession. Earn your APR. Members of the College of Fellows are selected based on their impact or footprint on the public relations profession over the course of their careers. It’s never too soon to begin serving—locally, regionally, nationally—and building the growing body of knowledge that forms the basis of our profession. Enter your campaigns and programs in Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards, Silver and Bronze Anvils, publish PR-related articles or books, attend public relations webinars and classes, volunteer for committees, serve Minnesota PRSA as officers.

Serve your community as a role model for increasing understanding of the strategic difference public relations makes in business and charities.  Showcase public relations and build our profession’s reputation.

What led you to becoming the chair-elect for 2021-22 and chair for 2022-2023? Why did you want to take on this role?

In 2005, I was selected for the National PRSA Board. It opened up new public relations worlds for me. I worked with outstanding professionals, some of them were Fellows, others have since become Fellows. My worldview expanded. Chairing the College is an opportunity to pay back some of what I gained from my chapter and national exposure to exceptional members. I have the energy, time and desire to move solidly into that ultimate spot on the progression of professional development – mentoring and sharing my knowledge with the next generations of professionals. 

What excites you most about this opportunity?

Building relationships personally and helping the college build relationships, and renew relationships with existing members and with public relations professionals across the United States, maybe even beyond. We are at a critical time in our country, in our world. So much of what happens in the coming years depends on relationships, reaching out and embracing new perspectives, ideas, cultures. Public relations and communications professionals are well suited for this work, we can be bridges, helping move our society in a healthier direction, a direction of inclusion. 

What energizes you about PRSA?

I will always be indebted and to my PRSA colleagues. I often worked in small offices and members were my sounding board when my work colleagues questioned me. Early on I reached out to David Hakensen; we had been introduced at a PRSA meeting. He was a good listener, gracious and helpful. From that welcome, grew a friendship. He and other PRSA colleagues strengthened my career.  It’s a wealth of resources for the PR professional.

What is the significance of the gold medallions?

Each year there is an induction ceremony for our newest members of the College of Fellows. Each Fellow receives a medallion to wear at future events. The Medallions make College of Fellows members stand out, particularly at PRSA events. They say we’re respected leaders of our profession. They are a welcoming invitation to students and members, saying that we are open to sharing our professional experiences, our opinions and our thoughts if they wish to ask. We’re here to talk and share. Start the conversation.

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