Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Minnesota Chapter is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment to all PR and communications professionals. We work with members to increase visibility of diversity, equity and inclusion standards, resources, and best practices for dimensions of diversity at all levels of the organization, including race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, abilities, culture, skills and mindset.

In 2018, the membership voted to add a Diversity and Inclusion Officer (DIO) to its board. Marsha Pitts-Phillips, APR, served as the first DIO through 2021. Leah Kondes served as DIO from 2022 through 2024. The title was changed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer and Sarah Bhimani was appointed to the role in 2025. In this role, Sarah now leads diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for the chapter alongside the chapter’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The office has a two-year term.

Focus of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

• Provide stewardship in aligning the chapter with the national PRSA standards and best practices for DE&I

• Oversee the chapter’s DE&I education, and lead efforts to incorporate DE&I into the fabric of the chapter

• Serve as an advisor to the board on matters related to DE&I

• Work with members to increase visibility of DE&I standards, resources and best practices for the following dimensions of diversity at all levels of the organization – racial, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, culture, skills and mindset.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

National PRSA DEI Resources

National Recognition

Minnesota PRSA Wins Second Place in Chapter Diversity Awards at 2025 PRSA ICON

Congratulations to the Minnesota chapter for its strategic diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programming receiving second place honors in the PRSA Chapter Diversity Awards. Immediate Past President and 2020 D. Parke Gibson Pioneer Award recipient Marsha Pitts-Phillips, APR, and Treasurer/Secretary Emily Tackaberry, APR, accepted the award on behalf of the chapter on Oct. 29, 2025 during the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Celebration at ICON.

The awards are given to chapters that embody and demonstrate key values in diversity, equity and inclusion, and that contribute to advancing diversity as shown by submissions of their best practices and/or case studies. Minnesota PRSA’s entry showcased the chapter’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through programming like our annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum, virtual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chats and board and committee co-chair training and ongoing learning. 

Learn more about PRSA’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, download the toolkit and see award photos at the PRSA website.

Chapter Immediate Past President Marsha Pitts-Phillips, APR, and Treasurer/Secretary Emily Tackaberry, APR, accepted the award on behalf of the chapter. Also shown is PRSA DEI Committee Co-Vice Chair Kenrick Thomas. (Photo Credit: Albert Chau)

Minnesota PRSA Awarded FIRST Place for Chapter Diversity Awards at 2023 ICON

Minnesota PRSA President Ben Saukko, APR, MBA, accepted the award for the Chapter at the DEI Reception at the PRSA 2023 ICON in Nashville on October 16. Presenting the award were Marsha Pitts-Phillips, APR, PRSA DEI Committee Co-Chair and Minnesota PRSA President-Elect, and W. Patrick McSweeney, APR, Fellow PRSA, PRSA DEI Committee Co-Chair.

The PRSA DEI Chapter Awards are given to Chapters that embody and demonstrate key values in diversity, equity and inclusion. Minnesota PRSA submitted an entry for the award showcasing the Chapter’s DEI work hosting the 2022 Midwest District Conference and its work in 2023 to incorporate the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) within the Chapter Board to expand the Board’s DEI knowledge by building cultural competence.

Thank you to everyone within Minnesota PRSA who played a role in our award-winning DEI efforts!

Photo Credit: Jim Cowsert, Grapevine Photo LLC