PR insights 2025: Mastering Connection in the Age of Disruption

Get ready for an unforgettable Chapter Summit as PRSA Colorado and Pikes Peak Chapters join forces for an epic day of learning, networking, and inspiration! This year’s summit will bring together top communications minds from across the state for high-impact sessions and plenty of opportunities to connect with peers. 

Meet the Speakers:

Morning Keynote 

Disrupted or Dominant? The PR Pro’s Playbook for Thriving with AI

Presented by Dr. Eric Goodman, Innovate AI Systems

Public relations is in AI’s crosshairs — but disruption doesn’t have to mean replacement. In this bold keynote, Dr. Eric Goodman reveals how to command AI instead of compete with it, equipping you with the tools and mindset to thrive in the next decade of communications. You’ll see how AI can accelerate research, streamline workflows, create content at lightning speed, and amplify your presence — while you elevate to strategist, trust-builder, and future-ready PR leader.

Key Takeaways:

• Harness AI for faster research, writing, and media monitoring.

• Streamline repetitive tasks and workflows to free up creative energy.

• Strengthen trust and human connection — the communicator’s true edge.

• Position yourself as a future-ready leader who commands the bots.

Dr. Eric Goodman is a visionary business strategist, AI pioneer, bestselling author, and award-winning trainer who helps leaders and communicators fuse artificial intelligence with human connection to ignite influence and impact. As founder of Innovate AI Systems and co-founder of i3 Empowerment Solutions, he equips organizations to transform ideas into strategies, stories, and systems that spark change.

Eric has trained thousands of professionals and spoken on global stages, helping communicators, marketers, and storytellers integrate AI into their daily practice. His work spans industries from healthcare to publishing, with a focus on amplifying brand trust, accelerating productivity, and future-proofing roles most impacted by AI.

Holding a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder, Eric has served as both a business school dean and Chief Academic Officer, leading one of the nation’s largest Colleges of Business. He bridges cutting-edge technology with timeless human skills—teaching communicators how to command AI, elevate strategy, and shape the narratives that move markets and minds.

A native Coloradan with a passion for skiing, mountain biking, and travel, Eric finds his greatest joy in creating meaningful experiences with his wife and two daughters.

Afternoon Keynote 

It’s Not About You: Rewiring Your PR Strategy with an Audience-First Mindset

Presented by: Michelle Baum, Co-founder and COO of The Nova Method

Brands that gain traction today aren’t the loudest; they're the most relevant. This session, led by Michelle Baum, award-winning communicator and co-founder of The Nova Method™, explores how audience-first messaging transforms public relations from transactional to transformational. Drawing from more than two decades of experience, including high-stakes crisis response, M&A communications, and brand reinvention, Michelle will unveil a proprietary framework: Assimilate → Align → Activate, and explain how to decode audience behavior, close perception gaps, and deploy integrated campaigns that drive real-world outcomes. Using data, examples, and case studies, Michelle will guide attendees on building ethical, emotionally resonant PR strategies. Attendees will walk away with practical tools for navigating today's fractured media landscape with clarity, purpose, and results.

Michelle Baum is a strategic communications executive with over 20 years of experience driving brand equity and market relevance. As co-founder and COO of The Nova Method, she architects high-stakes campaigns spanning corporate turnarounds, mergers, and crisis response for organizations from agile startups to Fortune 1000 enterprises. Earlier in her career, she founded and led two boutique PR agencies, served as in-house communications lead at both a venture-backed startup and a publicly traded company, and refined her expertise at several global PR firms.

An award-winning educator and mentor, Michelle spent a decade at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she served as both an adjunct and a tenured professor, overseeing the public relations degree program and teaching courses in PR, writing, and crisis management. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Iowa, a master’s in education from Regis University, and her accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She is a past board member of the Colorado American Marketing Association, Colorado PRSA, and the Southwest Education Council for Journalism and Mass Communications.

Embrace the Future: Leveraging the Power of Influencer Engagement

Presented by Elexis Schroder, founder and head of the Haus at SchroderHaus

Join Elexis Schroder, founder and head of the Haus at SchroderHaus, for a dynamic presentation focused on the future of public relations and how to build a hard-working integrated campaign that utilizes the power of influencers. The session will cover the benefits of influencer content and how PR professionals can best integrate influencer engagement to quickly build consumer awareness, engagement and potentially drive purchase consideration.

Elexis Schroder has built a reputation as a strategic marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience in agency settings and within a growing CPG company. In 2015, Elexis founded SchroderHaus Marketing Communications to be an agency that could flex for natural and organic brands committed to making products that are better for people and the planet. She specializes in developing and implementing integrated, brand-building programs that authentically share a company’s mission to drive trial, sales, and loyalty. Elexis began her career in New York City at Fleishman-Hillard, working on brands like Tide, Danon and Knorr Foods, then moved back to Colorado where she helped Linhart PR build their natural and organic practice for nearly nine years. After a stint at a food manufacturing company, she recognized the need for an integrated communications agency that could meet the needs of brands and organizations in the natural products industry.

Today, Elexis and her team at SchroderHaus provide clients like Justin’s, Horizon Organic, Clipper Tea, and Kettle & Fire with a variety of strategic communications support, ranging from public relations, influencer engagement, social media, experiential marketing, and more. Since its founding, Elexis’ leadership has resulted in the SchroderHaus crew being recognized by PRSA Colorado, winning more than 21 Silver and Gold Pick Awards in three years, including for Best Boutique Agency in 2025, and as a finalist in PRNews Platinum PR Awards for Integrated Communications. Elexis is an active advocate for food justice and our need to proactively create a brighter and more sustainable future for the next generation. She currently sits on the strategic marketing communications committee for Metro Caring and is a board member of Naturally Colorado. Most recently, Elexis was recognized as a 2025 Outstanding Woman in Business winner by the Denver Business Journal, and she was also recognized in the ColoradoBiz GenXYZ class in 2020. Elexis is often asked to speak to current PR, marketing, influencer trends, and other areas of expertise for trade organizations, podcasts, panels, and leaders at some of the biggest food and beverage companies, such as Hormel.

Communicating to Connect

Presented by: Susan M. Pahlau, Assistant Professor of Communication at Colorado Christian University

Public speaking is one of the top fears many people have. What helps? Come learn how to connect with all types of audiences when giving presentations or speaking in public. Professor Susan Pahlau has taught public speaking for 16 years and has spoken to audiences of all sizes for more than 25 years. It's not about a having a perfect delivery that matters, but rather connecting with your audience. Wherever you are, you will walk away with a new set of skills to help in public speaking!

Susan M. Pahlau has a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and had a career for 10 years working at 9NEWS, NEWS4, and the Colorado Broadcaster’s Association in Denver, CO. At the age of 48, she earned a Master's degree in Communication at the University of Colorado Denver. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Communication at Colorado Christian University, where she has worked for 16 years. Susan also speaks for women’s groups, universities, churches, retreats, and conferences. Susan has been married for 31 years to Clay, and they have three adult kids, Luke, Kendall, and Kira, and two grandkids. Her favorite thing is to be at home in the evening with her husband and her dog, Addy, just hanging out together.

Commanding the Crisis: Strategy, Trust, and Action

Presented by Natalie Sosa, Interim Director of Communications, El Paso County and Amy Jo Fields, Marketing Communications Manager, El Paso County

Crisis communications is more than managing the message—it's about leading with strategy, confidence, and credibility. Join us for an in-depth workshop on how to be a trusted strategic advisor during a communications crisis.

This session will offer practical expertise and actionable insights on:

🔹 Strategic crisis response – How to stay ahead of the narrative
🔹 Reputation management – Protecting your brand and leadership trust
🔹 Real-time decision-making – Navigating high-pressure situations effectively

Whether you are advising executives, managing media inquiries, or handling internal communications during a crisis, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies you need.

Amy Jo Fields, Marketing Communications Manager, El Paso County

Amy Jo Fields is a communications professional with a background in western sports entertainment, non-profit support, and brand management. She serves as the Marketing Communications Manager for El Paso County, Colorado, where she promotes public programs and services that benefit the community. A graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Amy Jo brings both technical insight and creative strategy to her work. She is an at-large board member for the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and a dedicated volunteer with Protein 4 Helping Others.

Natalie Sosa, Interim Director of Communications, El Paso County

Natalie Sosa is the Interim Director of Communications for El Paso County, Colorado with experience in public relations, media relations, and strategic communications. She has led initiatives that build community trust, enhance accessibility, and align communications with organizational priorities. Known for her expertise in crisis communications and strategic messaging, Natalie has developed high-profile programs and communication plans that strengthen both internal and external engagement.

Plain Language: More Than Just Simple Words 

Presented by Robert Austin, Office of the Denver City Council 

Plain language is often misunderstood as just using simpler words. In reality, it’s a thoughtful strategy for clarity that considers both how we write and how we present information. This session will focus on the design elements that are just as important as word choice: white space, headings, bullets, sentence length, and layout. Attendees will leave with practical tools to write and format content that respects the reader’s time, improves understanding, and builds trust—especially in public-facing or high-stakes communication.

Robert Austin brings more than 30 years of experience in strategic public relations. A dedicated advocate for research-driven communication and plain language, he has delivered keynote speeches and led workshops at both national and regional conferences. He has also served as a guest lecturer at San Diego State University and the University of Colorado. Robert is passionate about travel, the Spanish language, and soccer, following several leagues around the world. He and his husband, Kevin, live in Denver’s West Highlands neighborhood.

Beyond the 10 Blue Links: How Generative AI Is Rewriting SEO

Natalie Henley, CEO & Owner Volume Nine Digital Marketing

Search results pages aren’t what they used to be — and neither is SEO. In this fast-paced, tactical session, we’ll explore how Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and AI-powered results are reshaping visibility, rankings, and content strategy. You’ll learn what’s changed in the SERPs, what “Generative Engine Optimization” (GEO) really means, and how to adapt your SEO and PR strategies to stay visible in the age of AI search.  

Natalie Henley is a widely acclaimed speaker, trainer, and consultant. She has been in the industry since 2009 and specializes in Search Engine Optimization, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Pay Per Click & Social Media Marketing fields. As the driving force behind Volume Nine, one of Denver’s premier Digital Marketing agencies, Natalie doesn't just hold the title of Owner; she's hands-on, leading operations and crafting personalized strategies for her clients. Over the years the company has helped hundreds of companies grow online. Some of their notable clients include Dillards, Back Country, REMAX, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Coppertone, Bed Head, Claritin, and more. As a speaker and thought leader, Natalie helps companies stay relevant in digital marketing and helps them implement easy, non-technical techniques to connect with their customers online. 

Tickets

$60.00 Ticket

$40.00 Student