Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and the hosts of That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast, Karen Swim and Michelle Kane about Melissa's tips on cultivating a purposeful personal brand.

Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and Chip Griffin about Melissa's unique journey in public relations and the importance of content creation.

Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and author champion and publishing strategist Hussein Al-Baiaty on the Rising Authors podcast where they discuss how challenging it was for Melissa to "be" the author for her first book, "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know." And then, what it was like to inspire other Latina leaders to go down that path with her second, "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture."

Thanks to Hussein for having Melissa on her show to talk about her journey!

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Irasema Romero and Lorraine Pulido.

About Irasema:
Irasema Romero is a seasoned internal communication advisor and leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience supporting leaders through transformative organizational changes. She currently leads internal communications at Gong, an AI-powered revenue intelligence platform, and has a leadership coaching practice, Ollin Growth, focused on supporting early-career leaders. Throughout her career, Irasema has worked with C-suite executives during key moments of growth, including major mergers and acquisitions, and has a track record of successfully navigating high-impact communication initiatives across companies like AT&T and Ancestry.

Connect with Irasema on Linkedin.

About Lorraine:
Dr. Lorena “Lorraine” Pulido, Ph.D. became the communications director for the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) in August 2024. She has thirty years of experience in the communications industry, previously serving as communications manager for VIA Metropolitan Transit and public relations manager for the City of San Antonio. She was elected the first female and first Latina chairperson to lead the Brooks Development Authority Board of Directors and as a trustee for Alamo Colleges District for District 4 in San Antonio, Texas. She is an award-winning PR professional and adjunct professor at Texas A&M University- San Antonio and has taught hundreds of students in her twenty- four years of teaching at various colleges.

Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn.

Topics covered:
- How the authors got in Public Relations
- What inspired them to share their story
- A preview of each author's story
- Advice for someone taking a step forward in their career
- Buy your copy of "Latinas in PR" on Amazon

Resources mentioned:
- "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture"
- "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know"
- MVW Communications

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Rachel Benavidez and Lilly Cortés Wyatt.

About Rachel:
Rachel Benavidez is a former journalist turned public relations and marketing professional who brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as Vice President of Communications and Strategy for VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio. The local PRSA Chapter named her PR Professional of the Year in 2023 and in 2024 elected her President, to lead in 2025. She's a Rio Grande Valley native who has lived in San Antonio since 2008, with roles as editor in chief at San Antonio Magazine and City Editor at the San Antonio Express-News.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn
Follow Rachel on Facebook
Follow Rachel on Instagram

About Lilly:
Lilly is the founder of SociosPR, an integrated communications firm known for its expertise in multicultural strategies and cultural competence. Drawing from her journalism background, Lilly leads a team with over a century of combined experience delivering tailored, human-centered communication solutions. With a commitment to diversity in thought and approach, Lilly offers insights that are intersectional, socially conscious, and environmentally aware, empowering clients to connect authentically with diverse audiences.

Connect with Lilly on LinkedIn
Follow SociosPR on LinkedIn
Follow SociosPR on Instagram
Follow SociosPR on Facebook

Topics covered:
- How the authors got in Public Relations
- What inspired them to share their story
- A preview of each author's story
- Advice for someone taking a step forward in their career
- Buy your copy of "Latinas in PR" on Amazon

Resources mentioned:
- "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture"
- "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know"
- MVW Communications

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Brenda Duran and Anais Biera Miracle.

About Brenda:
Brenda Duran is a seasoned media and communications specialist with over a decade of impactful service in Los Angeles County. Currently the Director of External Affairs for the LA County Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department, she has excelled in expanding social media presence, launching successful multimedia campaigns, and crafting strategic messaging for key public programs. With a journalism degree from USC's Annenberg School, Brenda's career spans government communications and print media, showcasing her expertise in driving outreach and innovation across diverse platforms.

Connect with Brenda on LinkedIn.
Check out Brenda's website.

About Anais:
Anais Biera Miracle has 20 years of experience in communications, with expertise in litigation public relations, crisis communications, and nonprofit leadership. Anais is the Chief Communications Officer for one of the largest, Latino-led nonprofit organizations in the United States. Anais lives in Austin with her husband and daughter.

Connect with Anais on LinkedIn.

Topics covered:
- How the authors got in Public Relations
- What inspired them to share their story
- A preview of each author's story
- Advice for someone taking a step forward in their career
- Buy your copy of "Latinas in PR" on Amazon

Resources mentioned:
- "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture"
- "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know"
- MVW Communications

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Jill Casey Pintor and Marisol Vindiola.

About Jill:
Jill is a PR and communications professional with experience spanning more than two decades across several industries including television, nonprofits, entertainment and finance. She currently works as a financial content writer at StreetCred PR. Jill holds a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Arizona and has served three terms as ethics chair on the PRSA Southern AZ Chapter Board of Directors. Jill is an Arizona native, raised in the border town of Douglas, and she resides in Tucson.

Connect with Jill on LinkedIn.

About Marisol:
Marisol Vindiola is a Senior Business Development Manager in the multicultural space at Orange 142. She is passionate about public relations, relationship-building, marketing, tourism, and promotion of her heritage and culture. Her superpowers include being bilingual, binational, and bicultural—proud Latina.

Connect with Marisol on LinkedIn.

Topics covered:
- How the authors got in Public Relations
- What inspired them to share their story
- A preview of each author's story
- Advice for someone taking a step forward in their career
- Buy your copy of "Latinas in PR" on Amazon.

Resources mentioned:
- "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture"
- "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know"
- MVW Communications

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Jeannette E. Garcia and Paola Vargas-Strassner.

About Jeannette:
Jeannette is the Director of Communications at a San Antonio systems-change nonprofit organization, UP Partnership. In the past, Jeannette was a reporter with the San Antonio Business Journal. She has more than a decade of communications, public relations, and marketing experience, having led these types of efforts for places like the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the City of San Antonio’s Economic Development Department. She has a bachelor’s degree in public relations with concentrations in Latino Media Studies and Business Foundations from the University of Texas at Austin.

Connect with Jeannette on LinkedIn

About Paola:
Paola Vargas-Strassner, MPS, APR is a Strategic Communications and Public Affairs professional currently serving the Maryland State. She is a well-traveled, seasoned bilingual communications professional who specializes in the areas of public affairs, strategic planning, and digital media.

Connect with Paola on LinkedIn
View Paola's portfolio

Topics covered:
- How the authors got in Public Relations
- What inspired them to share their story
- A preview of each author's story
- Advice for someone taking a step forward in their career
- Buy your copy of "Latinas in PR" on Amazon

Resources mentioned:
- "Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture"
- "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know"
- MVW Communications