Ann Getman is Principal of Getman Strategic Communications, and frequently collaborates as Counsel with JJW on strategic research and program projects and workshops at professional meetings.

Ann has over 25 years experience in researching how individuals, organizations and communities interact for the common good, and translating that into effective communications strategies. Her academic and professional background spans sociology, advertising, public affairs and public relations. She has worked with a wide range of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, government agencies, associations and businesses to help them communicate effectively with stakeholders in ways that inform, involve and motivate.

As a Ph.D. candidate in Community Sociology, Ann was a policy consultant to regional and national organizations on advocacy issues in housing, health care, economic development, and justice. As Vice President for Kearns & West, a national public relations firm, Ann specialized in public affairs, reputation building and collaborative planning. As Vice President/Creative Director with Professional Media Services, Inc. Ann developed a wide range of national public education campaigns for federal and national nonprofit organizations.

Ann holds an M.A. and has completed Ph.D. coursework in Sociology from Boston University, and holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She is an adjunct professor at Regis College (2004-present), teaching a graduate course in Communication Research Methods.

Areas of Professional Expertise include:

• Stakeholder research (customer, employee, member, community, constituency)
• Community Reconnaissance research and environmental scans
• Communications audits and strategic program planning
• Message development from concept through creative and delivery
• Facilitation/collaborative planning to bridge private and public interests

Noteworthy Professional Activities:

• Accredited member, PRSA (1991-present)
• Member, Counselors Academy
• President, Boston PRSA 2000
• Co-founder, PRSA Boston Sole Practitioner's Collaborative (1995- present)
• PRSA National Committee on Development of Independent Practitioner Section
• Accreditation chair, PRSA Boston, 1998-2002

Public Service:

• Cambridge Reads (2005-06)
• Director, The Brain Tumor Society (1996-1999)
• Director, Better Business Bureau of MA, ME and VT (1995-1998)
• Co founder, Publisher, Allston-Brighton Community News (1975-78)

Speeches and Articles:

• Presenter, Mass. Land Conservation Conference, Media Relations for Non Profits, 2006
• Moderator, New England Women Business Owners Organization program: Paying it Forward: How Corporate Social Responsibility Drives Profits, 2006
• Workshop Co-Presenter, PRSA National Conference: Building a Productive Organizational Culture: Why the Practitioner is Indispensable, 2004
• Presenter, Counselors Academy: Changing Markets, New Opportunities for Solo Practitioners, 2002
• Speaker, PRSA National Conference, Chicago: Managing Change, 2002
• Speaker, PRSA Boston/Yankee Chapter program, Stimulating Change in Resistant Organizations, 2001
• Presenter, Maine Public Relations Council: Research for Changing Behavior, Portland, ME 1997
• Organizer, presenter PRSA Boston conference, Research for Effective Public Relations,1994
• Panelist, US Conference of Mayors, Research and Public Relations Strategies for Moving Public Policy, 1978

Articles:

• Inc.com, July 2002, United We Stand
• PRSA Tactics, March 2003: Collaboration: the New Business Model for Independent Practitioners
• White Paper: Corporate Philanthropy: Doing Well by Doing Good, 2005
• White Paper: Community Involvement in Redevelopment, 2005