Emily Sperling, CWC-FPRA President 2009
Where are you now?
Strategic Advisor for Airlink – a Washington, DC-based aid organization connecting NGOs and the commercial aviation industry to transport relief workers and emergency aid to communities impacted by disasters and other humanitarian crises around the globe. I also have a consultancy providing advisory services and implementing strategies to help non-profit and for-profit clients capitalize on opportunities and address significant challenges.
What FPRA means to you?
FPRA provided a great opportunity to network with other communications professionals from a wide variety of businesses when I returned to the area after a longtime away. But most importantly, the organization introduced me to some really outstanding people I still call friends today.
What was your biggest accomplishment or Ah-ha moment as president of the CWC-
FPRA?
During my year as president, I was inspired by the board’s dedication to providing educational opportunities to both communications practitioners AND local business operators eager to learn how to use PR to advance their businesses. Doing so supported local economic development and underscored the value of FPRA in the community.
Favorite book or website that you recommend to PR professionals:
I like learning from the successes and failures of other businesses and people – with that in mind, I think conversations with other people trump books and websites. But, I do enjoy Harvard Business Review case studies. They are short, to-the-point and usually interesting.