PRSSA EXECUTIVE BOARD
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Jalynn "Ro" Lane
Chapter President
Ro Lane is a first-generation junior at the University of Memphis double-majoring in creative media and public relations. After completing her bachelor’s, Ro plans on completing her masters degree in strategic media. Her career goals are to run freelance social media and public relations management, eventually become a professor and pass on her passion and love for media and eventually complete her doctorate degree.
After changing their majors to creative media and public relations, Ro took a class that sparked her love for all things planning and design. Through their hard work in said class, Ro was offered the vice presidency of the UofM's PRSSA chapter. Now, in her junior year, Ro is the Chapter President of the University of Memphis PRSSA Chapter and the logistics director for 2023 ICON.
Ro is completing her second internship on campus with Sweet Lala’s Bakery, where she is doing all things social media. She hopes to complete one more internship before she graduates. Ro is also the president and social media manager for the honors student program and is managing her own freelancing to gain experience when and where they can.
Vice President & President-Elect
Taylor Hollands
Taylor Hollands is more than excited to serve as vice president of the Memphis PRSSA this year! Taylor is currently an undergrad majoring in public relations with a minor in English. When she's not busy with school, Taylor works as a freelance social media manager for small artists and brands, a Starbucks barista, and an in-home caregiver for her great-grandmother.
Outside of school and work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, and spending time with friends. Taylor is a first-generation college student, serves as the SGA senator for the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus, and even studied abroad at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany with the department of journalism.
Taylor is pursuing a career in PR activism as she is passionate about social issues and her community. She hopes to one day integrate her work in PR into the political realm—and who knows, maybe even run for president! Taylor joined PRSSA because of the opportunities for students to prepare for their future careers in PR, develop their professional skills, and form valuable connections with other students and professionals in the field. Taylor is absolutely thrilled for the exciting and promising opportunities that PRSSA has in store this year!
Vice President of Membership
Serena Whittaker
Serena Whittaker is overjoyed to be the Vice President of Membership! She is studying Public Relations with a minor in Communications.
She has been a sales associate at Harbor Freight Tools for the past three years. During this time, Serena balanced school, work, and an internship. Last year, she served as the Marketing Intern for Huey’s Restaurants.
Serena is pursuing a career in Public Relations to work with politicians to help build a better society. She has been in PRSSA for almost a year, and this is her first leadership role in PRSSA; she is excited to build relationships with members. Serena joined PRSSA to network with students and business professionals and further her knowledge of public relations.
Vice President of Programming
Madalyn "Maddie" Bobbitt
Madalyn Bobbitt is thrilled to be joining the PRSSA Executive Board this year! She is a senior Public Relations major wanting to pursue a career in social media!
She loves reading, singing, and hanging out with her dog!
Outside of school, Madalyn has worked with New Day Children’s Theatre as a stage manager, director, admin, and more. She loves sharing her love of musical theatre with her community.
Madalyn is so excited to see what PRSSA has in store! Go tigers!
Social Media Liason
Kaylee "Lee" Elks
Kaylee (Lee) Elks is honored to become a PRSSA executive member for this upcoming year! She is a Junior majoring in PR with a focus in strategic social media and has been a member of PRSSA since her freshman year.
Kaylee has worked for UofM's Mighty Sound of the South as their community engagement coordinator and is currently involved in Meeman 901 Strategies. She is also heavily involved in other clubs and organizations on campus.
Kaylee dreams to one day work for the National Park Service on their social media team. Along with this she is enjoys hiking, rock climbing, skateboarding, surfing and reading in her spare time. She hopes to enjoy all the opportunities that PRSSA brings her way and can't wait for this year!
Community Outreach Director
Jackson "Jax" Gaither
Jackson is excited to be onboard the Memphis PRSSA Executive Board as the Community Outreach Director. Jackson is an upcoming senior public relations student.
He loves networking and getting to build relationships with the people he meets along his collegiate journey and because he never meets a stranger, this comes easy!
Jackson joined PRSSA as a way to network in community of individuals with similar interests in PR. He is thrilled to get started and see where he can help bring Memphis PRSSA to new heights.
Prof. Kim Marks Malone, APR, Fellow PRSA
Faculty Advisor
Kim Marks Malone, a retired U.S. Navy veteran with 30 years of service, has made a lasting impact in both the military and Public Relations (PR). Her retirement in 2015 marked the end of a distinguished career highlighted by effective leadership. Notably, she commanded the Navy Office of Community Outreach, a grassroots-level public affairs command, and earned recognition for her work, including a PRSA Silver Anvil award in 2012.
Kim's influence extends to academia, where she's an Assistant Professor of Practice in PR at the University of Memphis. She coordinates on-campus and online PR programs, advises student communication agencies, and guides the Memphis PRSSA Chapter, nurturing the next generation of PR professionals.
Beyond academia, Kim excels as an independent PR consultant, aiding local businesses and nonprofits with narrative-building, social media, media relations, and crisis communication. She's also an executive PR consultant for VoxOptima, collaborating with institutions like the U.S. Navy and NATO.
An active PRSA member, Kim's roles within the Memphis PRSA chapter, PRSA's Educators Academy, and the Southeast District demonstrate her commitment to advancing the PR field. Her journey reflects leadership in the military, meaningful contributions to PR education, and influential roles within PRSA.
Kinnawa Kaitibi
Professional Advisor
Kinnawa Kaitibi, a first-generation Memphian with roots in Sierra Leone, West Africa, is a Senior Account Executive at KQ Communications, specializing in PR, marketing, branding, and crisis management. With over seven years of industry experience, he's garnered extensive expertise. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication/Media Studies. Kinnawa's diverse roles, from municipal government to celebrity entertainment, have cultivated his understanding of client needs and creative problem-solving.
Besides his role at KQ Communications, Kinnawa is the Owner and Senior Marketing Communications Consultant of AfricanThunder, Inc., a media production company. He's also an active member of PRSA Memphis, serving as Communications Co-Chair, fostering connections between the professional and University of Memphis PRSSA chapters.
In his leisure, Kinnawa engages in creative projects like short films and artist management, reflecting his eagerness to share stories. His positive demeanor and willingness to aid others define him. Dedicated to self-improvement and community impact, Kinnawa aspires to achieve his goals and make a meaningful difference in the world.