Meet the Team

MEET THE TEAM

2024–2025 Executive Board Members

President

Evan Tom (He/Him), Junior, Public Relations Major, Marketing Communication Minor

Evan Tom has been an active member of PRSSA since his freshman year. After serving as Secretary during his sophomore year, Evan is eager to step into the role of president, where he looks forward to nurturing the professional growth of his fellow PR students.

His deep involvement in PRSSA, combined with three prior internships in industries ranging from music to government, has ignited Evan’s passion for communication in all its forms—verbal, written and visual. Additionally, Evan serves as a Resident Assistant on campus and works with Universal Music Group as a PR Representative. In his free time, Evan loves listening to music and aims to combine his passion for music with communications, by pursuing a career in music PR.

Connect with Evan

Vice President of Programming 

Caitlyn Finnegan (She/Her), Senior, Public Relations Major,  Nonprofit Communication and Business Studies Minor

Starting her freshman year, Caitlyn has taken numerous PR courses that led her to passion for PR. She joined PRSSA her freshman year, as well, to network with public relations peers and gain more insight from professionals. Caitlyn possesses a keen interest in nonprofit work and has spent a large portion of time working with children in her hometown. In her free time, Caitlyn enjoys reading, thrifting, the beach and spending time with friends. Caitlyn’s excited as to what she can bring to the table holding a leadership position in the chapter and wh

at she can learn or teach others from her time in the position.

Connect with Caitlyn

Vice President of Membership  

Jessica Wang (She/Her), Junior, Public Relations Major

As an international student from China, Jessica has been studying in the United States since she was 14 years old. Since her freshman year, Jessica has been an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), attending the PRSSA ICON conference for two consecutive years. These experiences have not only enriched her understanding of public relations but also allowed her to form lasting friendships and mentorships with people from all around the world. Jessica is passionate about non-profit work and loves using her knowledge to help others. Through school projects, she have worked with organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Soldier On, Wellness World USA and the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition. During her free time, Jessica loves traveling, especially road trips with her friends. She just had an unforgettable experience driving around Iceland with friends during spring break.
Connect with Jessica

Treasurer

Elle Baray-Forgét (She/Her), Junior, Public Relations Major

Elle Baray-Forgét is a junior Public Relations major at Emerson College, who embodies a unique blend of strategic communication skills, creativity, and a passion for comedy. Throughout her academic journey, she has honed her expertise in PR principles and marketing strategies, enriched further by hands-on experiences in graphic design, social media management, event planning, and more.

As an active member of the Emerson community, Elle has showcased her leadership skills as the President of Stroopwafel, Emerson’s only short form improv troupe and as a beloved WECB DJ! Elle’s love for comedy infuses her approach to communication, adding a distinctive flavor to her campaigns that captivates audiences and fosters memorable connections. She thrives on finding innovative ways to tell compelling stories that resonate and leave a lasting impression.

Connect with Elle

Secretary

Sofia Sarmanian (Sher/Her), Junior,  Public Relations Major

Sofia Sarmanian is a junior Public Relations major at Emerson College. In the future, she would love to work in the fashion public relations industry as well as beauty influencer marketing! Sofia joined PRSSA her first semester freshman year to gain insight in the industry as well as to be able to learn and grow from PR professionals. One of her favorite PRSSA memories would be attending the 2024 PR Advanced conference held at Boston University! She loved getting to network with other students as well as hear industry professionals stories! When Sofia is not managing social media accounts you can usually find her sitting at a coffee shop, taking a walk through the Boston Common or Public Garden, as well as shopping! Sofia is so excited to be serving as your secretary for the 2024-2025 season!
Connect with Sofia

Director of Social Events

Sophie Rodrique (She/Her), Junior, Public Relations Major

Sophie Rodrique is a junior Public Relations major at Emerson with a passion for the entertainment industry. She got involved in PRSSA during her freshman year and found excellent networking opportunities within the org.

In addition to being involved in PRSSA, Sophie works as an Emerson Student Ambassador where she gives tours of the college. She also has PR experience from serving as Marketing Director for Noteworthy A Cappella. In her free time, Sophie loves to sing, make music and try new foods.

Connect with Sophie

Director of Professional Events

Victoria Kalala (She/Her), Sophomore, Public Relations Major, Marketing Communication and Dramatic Writing Minor

Victoria Kalala is a second-year Public Relations student with two minors in Marketing Communication and Dramatic Writing. She has been passionate about PR since high school. She always tries to stay on top of media trends and learn more about PR daily. Participating in PRSSA events provided her with precious advice for her future in the communications industry.

She loves to use her communication skills to drive social change. Throughout her time in high school, she actively contributed to various events for Black and Women’s History Month. Currently, Victoria is the treasurer of Emerson’s Black Organization with Natural Interest (Black Students Union). On campus, she also works for Emerson’s IT department.

Connect with Victoria

Social Media Chair and Historian

Maxwell Brady-Lewis (He/Him), Sophomore, Public Relations Major, Pre-Law Minor

Max is a sophomore Public Relations major with a minor in Pre-Law at Emerson College. Max currently serves as the Social Media Chair for Emerson’s 2027 Class Council and a Playlist Coordinator for FiveCentSound, an Emerson magazine dedicated to music. Max joined PRSSA during the first semester of his freshman year to be exposed to new opportunities, such as workshops and networking. When he is not hard at work, you can find Max trying local restaurants, at the gym or shopping, usually with a Sephora bag in hand. In the future, Max hopes to work in entertainment or beauty public relations. Max is thrilled to serve as your Social Media Chair and Historian for the 2024-25 season!!
Connect with Max

Graduate Student Liaison 

Michelle Hu (She/Her), Graduate Student, Public Relations Major, Psychology Minor

Michelle Hu is a dedicated student at Emerson College, pursuing a major in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. Throughout her academic journey, Michelle has cultivated a keen interest in PR, branding, and corporate communication, drawing from her diverse experiences across various industries including corporate communication, FMCG companies, and luxury brands.

Since her freshman year, Michelle has been an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), immersing herself in hands-on experiences and regularly attending workshops to hone her skills. Her passion for PR led her to take on the role of graduate program liaison, bridging the gap between undergraduate and graduate students within the Emerson community seamlessly.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Michelle enjoys exploring the vibrant city of Boston and indulging in her love for diverse cultural experiences. She is deeply committed to personal and professional growth, continually seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills in the field of public relations.

Advisors

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Gregory Payne Associate Professor and Chair,
Communication Studies Dept. – 8th Floor, Walker Building
Email: gregory_payne@emerson.edu

Read the full bio of Dr. Gregory Payne

Professional Advisors

David Gerzof Richard, Affiliate Faculty, Public Relations
Communication Studies Dept.
Email: david_gerzof@emerson.edu

Read the full bio of David Richard

Kirsten Whitten, Affiliate Faculty, Public Relations
Communication Studies Dept.
Email: kirsten_whitten@emerson.edu

Read the full bio of Kirsten Whitten