We sat down with PRSA Capital Region President Kimmy Venter to learn more about her style as a PR pro and personal interests.
The Gist: Kimmy has been involved with PRSA Capital Region since 2014 and has served in several roles on the chapter board. She is the Director of Communications for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, where she supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families. Kimmy lives in Delmar with her husband, Brendan; their rescue dog, Callie; and — just recently added — their newborn son, Bryce.
What do you appreciate about being involved in the chapter?
I’m incredibly grateful for the connections I’ve made with so many wonderful people in the Capital Region because of PRSA. I also really appreciate how much my confidence as a PR practitioner has grown out of my involvement with this chapter through the years.
What’s the best PR advice you’ve ever received?
At our chapter’s inaugural “Women in PR” event a few years back, one of the panelists made a great point that I think about often. She said that PR pros (and especially women in the field) should never joke that they are “not math people” or that they “work better with words than numbers,” because understanding the numbers is an important part of leadership in any organization, and having a seat at the decision-making table means being able to talk competently about both messaging and money. I loved that advice and have found it to be so valuable and true.
What are you reading now? I’m currently on maternity leave and reading lots of baby-related books and articles for the most part! But I’m also trying to keep up with at least a little reading for my own enjoyment. I just finished The Midnight Library by Matt Haig which I would highly recommend!
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
2021 has already been a really exciting year with the arrival of our first child. I’m just really looking forward to each new experience with him, and to spending lots of time with him around our friends and family after waiting so many months to be together in person!