Speakers

Thursday Keynote: Navigating Crisis for School PR Professionals

Christian Turner is a public relations professional with more than a decade of experience in nonprofit and government communications. She currently serves as the Communications Director for the City of Canton, where she leads efforts to foster connection, trust, and collaboration throughout the community. She previously served as the Director of Public Relations & Community Initiatives for the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office.

Christian is a proud military veteran, having served 13 years in the United StatesArmy as a licensed practical nurse and public affairs specialist. During her service, she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010 and Operation Inherent Resolve from 2017.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from The University of Akron, and is a graduate of the Broadcast Communication Course at the Department of Defense’s Defense Information School (DINFOS). Christian is active in the Canton community, serving on nonprofit boards and volunteering with organizations focused on youth success.

Thursday Presentation: Crisis Management: Saving the Most Important Stakeholder (You)

Dr. Carrie Hennessy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as the District MTSS Coordinator for Kettering City Schools.Holding a doctorate in Organizational Change, Carrie is a seasoned speaker passionate about empowering others. As an IIRP (International Institute for Restorative Practices) Certified Trainer, Carrie works directly with leaders, providing practical strategies to enhance self-regulation, identify and leverage their strengths, and foster a more productive environment.

Personally, Carrie has enjoyed over 20 years of marriage and adventures with her husband, Mike, and is the proud mother of Audrey and Adeline. In her leisure time, she enjoys immersing herself in books, collecting all things Mickey Mouse, and soaking up the sun on the beach.

Christian Ross is the Director of Communications for Olentangy Schools in Central Ohio, where he helps lead strategic communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement for one of the fastest-growing districts in the state. He has spent more than a decade working in school PR, with previous experience in large districts including Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Columbus City Schools.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Electronic Media from the University of Tennessee (2011) and his M.A. in Strategic Communication & Organizational Leadership from Ashland University (2026).

Friday Keynote: Securing a Seat at the Table: Elevating School Communications in District Leadership

Dr. Jocelyn Cosgrave brings 23 years of distinguished leadership and classroom experience in public education. She currently serves as Director of Human Resources and has previously held the roles of Chief Academic Officer, Assistant Superintendent, and Principal, in addition to her years spent as a highly effective classroom teacher.

An accomplished instructor at Concordia University Chicago, she regularly facilitates professional learning for teachers, school leaders, and central-office administrators. Her areas of expertise include backwards and unit design, project- and problem-based learning, STEM/STEAM integration, mastery/standards-based grading, performance assessment, and personalized learning. Her recent work includes supporting district and building teams with staff retention and staff care and well-being initiatives.

A passionate advocate for adaptive leadership and educational equity, Dr. Cosgrave is a change agent, student advocate, action researcher, and lifelong learner. As a proud product of rural education and a first-generation college graduate, she has successfully led school transformation efforts in urban, suburban, and rural districts, always with a solutions-oriented, collaborative approach to complex challenges.

Friday Presentation: WCAG Readiness: Leading Digital Accessibility Across Your District

Cassie Dietrich is an award-winning strategic communicator with more than 15 years of experience in public relations, marketing, and storytelling. She currently serves as the Public Information Officer for Dublin City Schools—one of Ohio’s largest public school districts, serving 17,000 students across 25 schools. In this role, Cassie leads all districtwide communications, including media relations, crisis response, digital engagement, and community outreach. Known for translating complex topics into clear, compelling narratives, she uses her expertise in messaging and design to build trust, foster transparency, and advocate for educators and public education. In 2024, Cassie was recognized as Ohio’s School Communicator of the Year for her leadership, creativity, and impact in the field. A proud graduate of The Ohio State University, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, two teenagers, and a rotating cast of animals on their family’s small hobby farm. When she’s not telling the story of public education, she’s proudly cheering from the stands as a dedicated hockey mom.

Tara Allinger is a Communications Specialist for Dublin City Schools, where she manages strategic initiatives ranging from website management and social media to graphic design and photography. With seven years of experience across the nonprofit, marketing, community development, and higher education sectors, Tara brings a multifaceted perspective to K-12 communications. She is currently leading Dublin’s district-wide digital accessibility audit and task force to implement the new WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. A graduate of Capital University with a degree in emerging media, marketing, and public relations, Tara is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Professional Communication at the University of Findlay. Originally from Bucyrus and a proud graduate of Wynford High School, Tara is a product of Ohio public education and is passionate about supporting districts of all sizes. She currently lives in Central Ohio with her husband, Sam, and their dog, Maya.

It’s Raining Resources Mini Session Presenters:

Vicki Gnezda, Director of Communications; Worthington City Schools

Vicki Gnezda has been the director of communication for Worthington Schools for over twenty years. In that role, she is responsible for internal and external communications, including digital communications and media relations. Gnezda received her Master of Business Administration from Capital University and her Bachelor of Arts in Business and Marketing from Otterbein College. She resides in Worthington with her husband and two daughters.

Betsy Fuller, Executive Director; and Lauren Boettcher, Asst. Director, School/Community Relations, Lakota Local Schools

Since 2017, Betsy Fuller, APR has proudly served the Lakota Local Schools community by sharing the stories of the District's students and staff. A native of Cleveland and graduate of Miami University, Betsy spent the first part of her career in newspaper advertising and marketing for two national publications before finding a love for storytelling in public education. She earned her accreditation in public relations in 2021. Betsy’s favorite part of her job is sharing the exciting, innovative and collaborative learning that goes on in Lakota’s 23 schools. She is an active member of the National School Public Relations Association and the Ohio School Public Relations Association. She has presented about the power of storytelling and public relations at the regional, state and national level. Betsy’s work has earned her district several awards from the Ohio School Public Relations Association, as well as an international Telly award for video storytelling.

Lauren Boettcher has been a member of the School & Community Relations team for Lakota Local Schools since 2012. A former Thunderhawk who graduated from Lakota East in 2003, Lauren continued on to Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, where she also earned a major in Spanish.

She is a skilled communicator who enjoys using writing, creativity, design, video storytelling and social media to share exactly what a Lakota education looks like and the talented and compassionate people who fill our school community. She is an active member of the National School Public Relations Association and the Ohio School Public Relations Association (OHSPRA). Lauren’s work has earned her district several awards from OHSPRA as well as a Golden Achievement Award from NSPRA. Lauren also enjoys giving back to her community in other ways and proudly serves as a board member and secretary for Reach Out Lakota, the emergency food and clothing pantry serving West Chester and Liberty townships.

Alex Kincaid, Director of the Public Information Office; and Ryan Poole, Video Content Coordinator, Dayton Public Schools

Alex Kincaid serves as the Director of the Public Information Office for Dayton Public Schools and has led the district’s communications efforts for the last seven years. As a former journalist, Kincaid brings strong media relations expertise and a deep understanding of how to connect with the desired audience.

In 2023, Kincaid was recognized by the National School Public Relations Association as one of the Top 35 School PR Professionals Under 35 in the nation. That same year, she was named a Dayton Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and was featured in the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Journal for her work in school communications.

Ryan Poole is a Video Content Coordinator at Dayton Public Schools with over 10 years of experience in live broadcast, social media video, and movie production. With Poole's expertise in shooting, editing, and optimizing workflow, we've been able to bring consistent high-quality and engaging content for our audience.

Anna L. Davies, Communications Specialist, Licking Heights Local Schools

Anna L. Davies serves as the Communications Specialist for Licking Heights Local Schools, one of Ohio’s most diverse and rapidly growing public school districts. In her role, she leads strategic communications that strengthen community trust and deepen public understanding of education.

A passionate advocate for equity, Anna focuses on making complex education policy accessible and actionable for the communities schools serve. She leverages grassroots advocacy and storytelling to connect residents with the real-world impact of state and local decision-making.

Anna has led key community engagement initiatives within her district, including facilitating a local advocacy committee, building partnerships with aligned organizations, and developing research-driven communications. This year, she launched the Legislative Updates video series—an in-depth initiative featuring district leadership that explains Statehouse decisions and their direct impact on local schools and taxpayers. She serves as the project’s primary researcher, scriptwriter, and producer.

Outside of her professional work, Anna lives in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus and enjoys reading, music, and long-distance running.

Mary Stephens, PR & Communications Coordinator, Vandalia-Butler City Schools

Mary Stephens serves as the PR & Communications Coordinator for Vandalia-Butler City Schools and specializes in visual storytelling through photography. In her role, she has led strategic communications initiatives that connect her school district and community while capturing authentic moments that tell powerful stories. Her work has earned multiple OHSPRA Mark of Distinction Awards. Stephens is passionate about helping others use photography to elevate their communications and bring school stories to life.

Kristen Miller, Director of Strategic Communications, Shaker Heights Schools

Kristen Miller is the Director of Strategic Communications for Shaker Heights City School District. She brings extensive experience in crisis management, branding, media relations, graphic design, video production, and strategic planning. Kristen has led districtwide website redesigns, developed the district’s first comprehensive communications plan, and orchestrated innovative community engagement initiatives that strengthen relationships between schools and families. Kristen emphasizes building authentic connections, sharing meaningful stories, and keeping the community informed, and her work reflects a commitment to transparency, creativity, and thoughtful communication. Recognized as Ohio’s 2025 School Communicator of the Year, Kristen joined the OHSPRA Board as Director of Communications in June 2025.

Cassie Dietrich, Public Information Officer; Dublin City Schools

Emily Worrell, Class Intercom

Emily Worrell serves as the Customer Success Manager for Class Intercom, where she supports school communicators nationwide in developing efficient, sustainable, and student-driven social media systems. With a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Ball State University and a teacher’s license from Indiana Wesleyan University, she blends strategic communication expertise with firsthand classroom experience. Her career includes roles in public relations, teaching, district communications, and nonprofit leadership. Emily has overseen messaging, branding, community engagement, and data-informed storytelling as a Director of Communications and Marketing, and she has led community-centered initiatives as a nonprofit executive director.

In her work with Class Intercom, Emily partners with districts to strengthen communication workflows, empower student content creators, and elevate authentic digital storytelling. She is passionate about helping schools enhance transparency, build trust, and connect meaningfully with the communities they serve.

Brian Bratt, Van Buren Local Schools; and Thomas Evans, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships, School Revenue Partners

Brian Bratt serves as the Communications Coordinator at Van Buren Local Schools in Northwest Ohio. In addition to the communications role he has held for the last two years, he has also been the district’s Career Advisor for the last five years and an English teacher for the last 28 years.

He earned his B.A. in English Education from Bluffton College (1998) and his M.A. in Educational/Instructional Technology from the University of Findlay (2006).

Thomas Evans is the Vice President of Sales and Partnerships for School Revenue Partners, where he works with school districts around the county increase their budgets while partnering with local companies who want to promote to local parents and staff members. He graduated from The University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and a focus in Financial Services. Helping non-profit organizations monetize their marketing efforts was a perfect fit for him. He is one of the founders of School Revenue Partners and has watched the company grow from its infancy to help communication departments increase their overall revenue in 14 states across the country. He and the SRP team have helped produce over $3.5 million dollars for public school districts in the last 14 years.

While working with School Revenue Partners, Thomas and his team partnered with districts to help increase their departmental budgets with very little time and effort. He wants to help all his clients increase productivity and fund their communication channels to assist their communities. With the current state of school funding, Thomas has made it a focus to help generate as much advertising revenue as possible for public school districts.

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