PRSA News Thought Leadership

Meet PRSA Board of Directors Nominee Jane Law, APR

Jane Law

Each week, PRsay will interview one of the nominees for the 2022 PRSA Board of Directors.

Name: Jane Law, APR

Location: Bedford, N.H.

Current title: Internal/HR Communications Manager, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority

Board nominee position: Secretary

Alma mater: Wittenberg University (undergraduate degree); Southern New Hampshire University (graduate degree)

Number of years as a PRSA member: 14


How do you describe your leadership style?

I am a collaborative leader. I truly enjoy and respect the discussions with team members of differing viewpoints, and coming to an agreement on issues as a team. I firmly believe that this exchange of ideas and opinions produces stronger and more well-balanced decisions. This style of leadership has served me well over the years in both my work roles and in volunteer leadership roles — including as a member of PRSA’s National Board.

By gaining input from others — particularly from those of diverse viewpoints — the resulting decisions are more balanced and better serve those constituencies impacted.

What’s the best leadership advice that you’ve ever received?

I don’t know that I have any special leadership advice that I’ve received, but I have certainly been privileged over the years to have served in various capacities with some great leaders – whether through work or through volunteer activities such as PRSA – who I have used as guides in my own leadership development.

My own advice to others would be to watch the people you admire — a team leader, a CEO, a fellow committee member — and learn from them. Watch how they work and pick up any tips you can. Every leader is different because every individual is different. Find what works for you based on your observations and start putting it into practice.

What do you see as the role of the Board of Directors in an organization like PRSA?

A Board’s role is one of strategic guidance for the organization. While the members of PRSA’s Chapter and District Boards often carry out the operations of those entities as well, PRSA, on a national level, has a great staff that runs the Society on a day-to-day basis. It’s up to the Board to provide the strategic vision and direction to carry PRSA successfully into the future. One way it does that is by creating a strategic plan every three years, which is approved by the Leadership Assembly.

PRSA Board service is an amazing experience. No matter how much you think you know about the organization and how it runs, you’ll learn more when you sit on the Board! My Board service has certainly helped me to better understand the inner workings of how PRSA operates at the staff, National Committee and Board levels. I believe it is important to gain that knowledge and understanding prior to service at the Executive Committee level.

 


John Elsasser is PRSA’s publications director and editor-in-chief of its award-winning publication, Strategies & Tactics. He joined PRSA in 1994.

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John Elsasser

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