Like technology, public relations is an industry that also must overcome hurdles in employee diversity. Although women account for 70-80 percent of PR professionals, men out-earn their female counterparts and hold the majority of management roles. For many women in PR, there is a glass ceiling.

Our panelists will offer insight and share advice from their careers on how to break through this barrier. Come learn methods on negotiating a higher salary, securing a promotion, navigating gender-biased office politics and more.

Panelists

Victoria Hong
Director of Corporate Communication, Delaware North
For the past three years, Victoria Hong has worked as director of corporate communications for Delaware North, where she manages public relations and marketing for the company’s hospitality programs. Also a television veteran, Hong spent nearly 17 years reporting for Buffalo’s WGRZ and WIVB. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. 





Katie Krawczyk
President and Communications and Marketing Director, 19 IDEAS
Director of Communications, You and Who
Local entrepreneur Katie Krawczyk is the founder, president and communications and marketing director of boutique communications agency 19 IDEAS. Krawczyk also serves as director of communications for You and Who, a designer t-shirt retailer focused on assisting charitable causes. When Krawczyk isn’t running marathons, she’s organizing Buffalo Startup Weekend or co-chairing the International Institute of Buffalo’s annual fundraiser, Buffalo Without Borders. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and public policy from Indiana University Bloomington.





Andrea Todaro
President, Innovative Placements
Andrea Todaro is the president of Innovative Placements, a job placement firm that assists individuals with disabilities, refugees, at-risk youth and other special need populations. With more than 15 years of experience, Todaro has matched over 1,000 clients with Western New York employers. In addition to serving as the diversity director for the Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association, Todaro is a longtime opera singer and is a radio talk show host for WNY@Work, a program that discusses job growth in WNY. She holds a master’s degree in human resources management from Villanova University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Fredonia.

Moderator
Therese Hickok Fuerst
Vice President, Pantano & Associates
Therese Hickok Fuerst is vice president of Pantano & Associates, a public relations consulting firm. Hickok's accomplishments include earning a spot in the 2005 class of Business First of Buffalo's 40 Under 40, and receiving the 2012 Young Professional of the Year award from the Amherst Chamber of Commerce. She has held numerous leadership roles, most recently vice president of marketing and engagement for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. Hickok received a master's degree in public relations management from SUNY College at Buffalo and bachelor's degrees in political science and communication studies from Canisius College.


Notes: Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. Program will run promptly from 8 – 9 a.m. Light continental breakfast will be provided. Free parking is available.