All of us at PR with Panache! look up to Thought Leaders within education because they take a bold stand in what they believe in. They fight for what’s best for students nationwide; they are fearless and we admire their endless courage and strength.
To celebrate the phenomenal Thought Leaders in the education industry, PR with Panache! launched their Thought Leadership Series at the annual TCEA conference three years ago to recognize, honor and showcase these individuals who influence us all with their determination in making education the forefront of the 21st century.
PR with Panache! hosted it’s annual Soirée to shine the spotlight on Dr. Karen Billings, Vice President and Managing Director of the Education Technology Industry Network (ETIN), a division of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA). Dr. Billings was chosen as this year’s recipient because of her leadership in and contributions to education, her leadership of all things “technology” and her crucial role in keeping the education industry on the cutting edge over the past 40 years.
“We launched the “PR with Panache! Thought Leadership Series” to let these leaders know how much we appreciate the gigantic steps they are taking each day to help improve education in our school districts nationwide,” says Sue Hanson, Founder and Managing Partner of PR with Panache! ”Dr. Billings, who is so humble, she would never tout her own successes, she is known and beloved by everyone in the industry and we are thrilled that she accepted our award and allowed so many colleagues to honor her contributions.”
Dr. Billings drives strategic direction, programs and initiatives’ for the ETIN division and its 185 company members focused on the K-12 and higher education markets. While in this position, she has developed and implemented the Innovation Incubator Program, the Vision K-20 Initiative, the One-to-One Business Connections, and produced numerous webinars, conferences, and market reports to support the education members she serves.
PR with Panache! hosts, Sue Hanson and Jacob Hanson, are very proud to report that over 150 educational leaders packed the house at the “PR with Panache! Thought Leadership Soirée” to honor Dr. Billings and her dynamic impact on the industry. All attendees raised their glasses in agreement that she has made significant strides in improving education in our nation by climbing mountains with her innovative thinking.
“It was such a pleasure to be honored at TCEA by PR with Panache!. There are so many powerful contributors in the Ed Tech industry, and to be chosen and recognized means a lot to me. I love working in education and making a difference in the classroom. I cannot express enough, how wonderful it is to be part of this community,” says Dr. Billings.
Ron Reed, Executive Producer SXSWedu, was the inaugural winner of the PR with Panache! Thought Leadership award and Kathy Hurley, former EVP at the Pearson Foundation and Industry Consultant were honored in 2014.
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PR with Panache! the bold, fast-moving public relations and strategic storytelling agency for the education marketplace launched the “PR with Panache! Thought Leadership Series” to magnificently showcase the remarkable contributions of extraordinary individuals in the field of education.