Sailing Toward Success: Highlights from CAPIO’s Leadership Summit
By: Liselle DeGrave, APR, President of DeGrave Communications and Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR, Founder/CEO, RMG Communications
Last month’s CAPIO Leadership Summit brought together public information, communications and public relations professionals from across California for two days of learning, leadership, and inspiration. As long-time CAPIO members, we were honored to be part of it.
During our session, “Sail for Success: Elevate Your Voice, Brand, and Career,” we shared authentic stories and actionable insights on personal branding for PR professionals. From discovering your professional “north star” to amplifying your voice in meaningful, strategic ways.
Our rockstar panel, which also included Christina Byrne, director of industry relations at HNTB; Melody Hendrickson, Riverside County Riverside public information officer II; and Mary Haddad, communications manager at the City of Agoura Hills, offered honest reflections on their own journeys, practical tools for defining and expressing a personal brand, and encouragement for communicators at every stage of their careers.
One of the biggest takeaways from the session? Your personal brand isn’t a logo; it’s your reputation in motion. It’s built by the work you do, the values you uphold, and how you show up for your organization and community.
After being involved in CAPIO for nearly two decades, our teams can confidently attest to the value of this association and the professional network it cultivates. Beyond the sessions and insights, it was also wonderful to reconnect with colleagues and friends, which served as a reminder that the relationships we build in this field are just as important as the lessons we take home.
To learn more about CAPIO and its professional development opportunities for California communications professionals, public relations practitioners and public information officers, visit capio.org.
If you missed the session or want to revisit the materials, you can find all of our worksheets, tools, and resources here:
PRessingOnPodcast.com/branding