Mary Louise VanNatta, APR, Fellow PRSA

Salem, Oregon (August 25, 2020) — Mary Louise VanNatta, APR, CEO of VanNatta Public Relations, was recently selected to join the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) College of Fellows.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. The college of Fellows is an honorary organization comprising approximately 350 senior professionals nationwide, each of whom has left a significant footprint on the PR profession. 

Election to the College is considered the pinnacle of one’s professional career. It signifies and celebrates the meaningful work accomplished, the long-lasting impact made, and dedication shown. The PRSA says that the College of Fellows is “the gold standard of public relations professionals” and requires “a rigorous peer-review process.” In her confirmation letter to VanNatta, PRSA 2020 Chair Barbara Kerr congratulated Mary Louise for being honored as one of the “best of the best” in the profession.

VanNatta has spent over 35 years in the field of Association Management and Public Relations.

She holds a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives and an APR (Accreditation of Public Relations) from the Universal Accreditation Board/Public Relations Society of America. She earned her MBA from Corban University and graduated from Willamette University with honors and a triple major in Political Science, International Relations (Latin American Studies), and Spanish. In 2018, she received the William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award from the Public Relations Society of American Oregon Chapter.

Throughout her career, VanNatta has consulted with such nationally recognized clients as the NFL, NBA, Alamo Rental Car, and Cricket Communications. She has worked to plan charitable fundraising events with celebrities such as Jane Goodall, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Barbara Bush, and Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York.

In his recommendation letter, Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett wrote, “Mary Louise’s volunteer work has not gone unnoticed by the community. In 2019, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce recognized her with a Distinguished Service Award. Mary Louise and I see each other at many charity and nonprofit events as she volunteers for our local community papers to write articles about events.”

About VanNatta Public Relations: VanNatta Public Relations is a PR, event planning, and consulting firm located in Salem, Oregon. PRSalem.com

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