Assembling the Ultimate Future-Ready Comms Team

Catenya McHenry is an award-winning communications executive, storyteller, writer and author. She brings more than 25-years of experience in broadcast journalism, communications, and storytelling. She holds two University of Texas at Austin Excellence in Marketing and Communications awards, an Edward R. Murrow award, and a National Headliner award for excellence in investigative journalism. She has logged hundreds of stories throughout the years and is also an author, inventor, and entrepreneur, having owned and operated two public relations and marketing firms and a production company. In 2021, Catenya earned an Edward R. Murrow award and a National Headliner award for excellence in journalism. Also in 2021, Catenya launched the Fxck Fear podcast, exploring fears we face in relationships, life, career, and parenting. Committed to developing stories about bravery and women’s issues, in February 2020 Catenya’s production company VisionAries launched The Mom Who Can’t Cook show, and others. Catenya is SAG credited for principal roles in Miss Congeniality and The Life of David Gale and has also appeared in dozens of industrial commercials for TV, corporate, and print campaigns, as well as voice over talent in a host of radio spots. In 2018, she released her first book, Married to a Narcissist: Enduring the Struggle and Finding You Again. Its story chronicles her devastating journey of life in a toxic, narcissistic relationship but guides her readers of how to break free of the same abuse. Catenya is also an inventor. In 2016, she created a solution for missing socks called SoleMate Sox, patent-pending magnet socks, knitted from super soft bamboo, that cling together in the wash- the world’s first solution for lost and single socks. Catenya holds a Bachelor of Science honors degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Linda Thomas Brooks, PRSA’s Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for all program, financial, and operational aspects of the organization. Reporting to and collaborating closely with PRSA’s Board of Directors, she guides the development and implementation of PRSA’s strategic vision and plan, as well as the programs and policy positions necessary to support the membership. Since joining PRSA in 2021, Thomas Brooks has had the opportunity to meet members from across PRSA’s 110 Chapters, 14 professional Sections, and interact with members of PRSSA, PRSA’s student organization. She has been able to bring her experiences intersecting communications, marketing, media and technology to the role, helping communicators navigate through current challenges in the profession. Through her previous role as President and CEO of the Association of Magazine Media, Thomas Brooks gained experience in driving systemic change and structural realignment. While there she led an organization which provided business, research, marketing and government affairs support to hundreds of media client brands. She has been at the forefront of industry change in her role as Executive Vice President, Managing Director of General Motors Mediaworks, a media strategy and investment unit representing all the divisions and brands within General Motors. She and her team were responsible for approximately $750 million in annual media spending. Other pivotal career experiences included serving as President, Ingenuity Media at The Martin Agency and working with innovative technology companies such as Trilogy and Gear Digital, an omni-channel, full-service agency which she co-founded and served as President. Thomas Brooks has been recognized with many industry awards, including being named an Ad Age Women to Watch, as well as one of Folio’s Top 100 Execs and one of the Leading Woman in Automotive Marketing. She has also been presented with an AWNY Impact Award for Mentoring and was inducted into the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement. She is one of the founding executives of the nonprofit Institute for Advertising Ethics. Thomas Brooks graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in journalism. She resides in Westchester County, N.Y.

Katie LaFranchi is a seasoned HR Consultant at Amplēo, specializing in delivering impactful, data-driven HR solutions. With nearly two decades of experience in People Operations, including leadership roles at prominent tech companies, Katie has a proven track record of transforming organizations through strategic HR initiatives. Her expertise lies in crafting and implementing business-aligned people strategies that drive performance and foster a high-performing culture. Known for her creative problem-solving and results-oriented approach, Katie leverages her deep understanding of HR best practices and emerging trends to deliver measurable value to her clients.

Emily Teitelbaum is the Chief Communications Officer of Libra Group, leading a team responsible for all public relations, branding, and marketing across the Group based in Washington, D.C. Previously, Emily was Vice President of Public Affairs Communication at Wells Fargo where she was a member of the Media Center of Excellence, leading media for economists, macro strategists and bond deals for the bank’s Corporate Investment Bank, and social initiatives including the 2020 Get-Out-The-Vote campaign. Before that, Emily was a Vice President of Public Affairs at Edelman Public Relations where she led Fortune 50 accounts, including global financial and maritime clients, philanthropies, and trade associations. Prior to joining Edelman, Emily was a Legislative Aide in the Office of U.S. Senator Jim Webb, supporting his work as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Emily has an M.A. from Georgetown University and a B.A. from Hollins University.