Dayton Area of Public Relations Society of America announces 2026 Board of Directors
DAYTON, February 6th, 2026 – The Dayton Area Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has installed its 2026 board of directors, elected by chapter members.
Niki Mayakova, community relations and event manager for Cox Media Group, was elected president of the Dayton Area PRSA. She will also serve as the East Central District representative for PRSA.
In her professional role, Niki Mayakova oversees philanthropy and community outreach strategy for Cox Media Group’s Dayton radio and television brands, using local media platforms to help nonprofit and community organizations amplify their missions and achieve meaningful impact. She previously served on the Dayton PRSA board as awards co-chair and president-elect.
“I’m honored to lead the Dayton PRSA chapter and to work alongside such a talented group of communications professionals,” Mayakova said. “Our chapter plays an important role in supporting professional growth, ethical practice, and meaningful connections across our region, and I’m excited to build on that momentum in the year ahead.”
The Dayton PRSA board is comprised of public relations professionals working across the Dayton region in a wide range of industries, bringing diverse experience and perspectives to the organization.
Leaders elected to the 2026 board of directors include:
· President-Elect: Claudine Bennet, external relations manager, Dayton Metro Library
· Past President/Assembly Delegate: Bryan Suddith, deputy director, Montgomery County Veterans Services Commission, and mayor, City of Kettering
· Treasurer: Stacy Porter, public relations director, Dayton Children’s Hospital
· APR Accreditation Chair: Kristen Bowser, director of corporate communications, Dayton Children’s Hospital
· Awards Co-Chair and Chapter Website/Communications: Emily Gilles, digital media strategist, Cox Media Group
· Member at Large: Steven Solomon, external relations lead, Central and Southern Ohio Region, American Red Cross
· Program Co-Chair and Communications: Katy Carrico, communications director, City of Beavercreek
· Program Co-Chair: Emily Gay, communications manager, City of Fairborn
· Secretary: Hannah Krafta, senior media relations specialist, CareSource
· Ethics Officer: Mark Weinstein, executive director of public relations, Cedarville University
· PRSSA Liaison: Julie Thompson, Co-Owner, ThompsonWriting
About PRSA Dayton Area Chapter
The Dayton Area Chapter of PRSA consists of public relations professionals representing all facets of the industry, including corporate, non-profit, agency, and independent practitioners. The chapter offers numerous benefits to its members, including monthly educational opportunities that feature local and national speakers, professional development workshops, an annual Media Day event to network with local media, and the annual Gem City PR Awards program. The Dayton Area Chapter, established on November 7, 1966, is part of the East Central District, which represents 15 chapters across six states.
About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America, headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest professional organization for public relations professionals, with nearly 20,000 members, organized into 117 Chapters nationwide, who represent business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms, and nonprofit organizations.
