Geri Ann Evans, APR, Fellow PRSA
President/CEO, Evans PR Group
Geri Evans, APR, Fellow PRSA, is an award-winning public relations professional, public speaker, writer, consultant, and educator with experience in the corporate, academic, non-profit, and association arenas. For the past 15 years Evans has been president of her own public relations firm, specializing in helping organizations and individuals create and present persuasive and powerful messages. Her clients are organizationally diverse, but with a common need: to tell their story in a clear and compelling way.
Prior to this business venture, Geri wasvice president of public relations for the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) for four years where she was responsible for external communications, media relations, member relations, and communication support for state and federal advocacy issues. She also was the executive director of the Florida Society of Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing, the Hospital Safety and Security professional membership group, and the state board of the auxiliaries and volunteers.
Before joining FHA, Geri served as the director of public relations for a boutique hotel chain in Orlando, taught communications at the college level on a full-time or part-time basis for over 25 years, was a special features and sports editor for three years, and served as a public speaking and writing coach to professionals from many industries. She also developed and taught an award-winning reading program for at-risk middle school students, a program that continues today. She is nationally published.
A popular seminar and keynote presenter, Geri speaks on topics such as powerful presentations, volunteer leadership, gender communication, professional attitude, business etiquette, and personal strategic planning.
PRSA Service
A member of PRSA since 1997, Geri has served and continues to serve all levels of the Society. She is the past president of the Orlando PRSA Chapter, a past officer of the Sunshine District, and a former national board member as well as a member of several national committees and task forces. During her three years on the national board, Geri was the liaison to the Universal Accreditation Board as well as to the national leadership of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Geri received her APR in 2009 and was inducted into the College of Fellows in 2014. Since then she has served as Co-Chair of the GoodFellows, the coordinator of the Fellows/University of Alabama mentorship program, and currently is the Vice Chair of the College. She continues to mentor young professionals, present seminars at district and national conferences, and is the professional advisor to the new Rollins College PRSSA Chapter.
In June 2017, the Sunshine District presented Geri with its first Distinguished Service Award, an award that will carry her name. In 2011, the Orlando Chapter honored Geri with the Frank R. Stansberry Ethics Award.
Community Service
Geri is highly active in the Central Florida community, serving on several non-profit boards as well as city-wide task forces. She is the past president (twice) of the Orlando Breakfast Rotary Club, receiving several local and national awards for her volunteer leadership and professional expertise. The Women’s Executive Council selected her as a “Woman of Achievement,” the Orange County Public Schools recognized her as “Volunteer of the Year,” (twice) and she was honored on National Philanthropy Day for leading the “Outstanding Service and Civic Organization” in Central Florida.
In 2014, Geri’s name was added to her high school’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
Geri holds a B.S. in both English and Speech and an M.A. in Communications. A Central Florida Packer
Backer, this Wisconsin native loves to watch football and baseball but likes to play tennis, swim, and
golf. Geri and her husband Lee love to travel – especially to visit their four grandchildren.