Officers/Advisers
Grace Shim - President
Grace Shim is a fourth-year speech communication major who is minoring in music. In addition to serving as IABC president, she is an active member of DiGamma Kappa, Newsource 15, and the Adventist Students for Christ, serving as vice president for two years. She has worked as a public relations intern for Petal's Floral Botique in Hartwell and currently serves as director of music for Elberton's First Presbyterian Church. Grace also loves volunteering her time to the Northeast Georgia Food Bank, nursing homes and overseas missions, with her most recent mission trip being to Portugal in 2009. As president, Grace is humbled and excited to be a part of IABC this year. [ e-mail ]
Ching Er - Vice President, Programs
Ching Er is a fourth-year advertising major in UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The Malaysia native is also pursuing a minor in Japanese and certificates in new media and organizational leadership. This is Ching's second year on the e-board; she previously served as secretary in 2008-09. In addition to IABC, Ching is webmaster of the Advertising Club and new media director of Hooper Sanford Baldwin Thomas (HSBT) advertising firm. She is also active in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). She interned at the Georgia Museum of Art in 2008 and worked as a public relations intern at Kudzu Interactive in Atlanta and as a communication intern at Ty Cobb Healthcare Systems this past summer. She hopes to bring about exciting events that will benefit the entire IABC membership in the upcoming year. [ e-mail ]
Hillary Traylor - Vice President, Membership
Hillary Traylor is a fourth-year public relations major in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She was selected for the leadership certificate program in the Terry College of Business. Hillary also served as the public relations director for UGA's first fashion magazine, The Little Red Book. In addition, she serves on the Grady Student Diversity Council and is a founding member and charity chair for Messianic Dawgs at UGA. In her hometown of Warner Robins, Hillary works as a lead advertiser at Robins Air Force Base. She looks forward to sharing her excitement about IABC with students from all majors throughout UGA. [ e-mail ]
Lauren Rohde - Vice President, Communication
Lauren Rohde is a fourth-year public relations major and speech communication minor. She is also a member of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Lauren gained experience in digital communications by working as a public relations intern on the new media and digital team for CNN in Atlanta. She gained additional communications experience planning PR Workout, a student-run PR workshop, and leading its writing, publicity and media relations session. She has also worked with Creative Consultants, PRSSA's student-run PR firm, and was an account executive for Athens Walk MS. Lauren is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and has been involved with various philanthropy efforts through that organization. Lauren is excited to meet returning and new IABC members and is working diligently to continue the award-winning excellence of IABC@UGA! [ e-mail ]
Carissa Sinacori - Secretary
Carissa Sinacori is a fourth-year public relations major in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is completing a minor in speech communications and is also obtaining the new media interdisciplinary certificate offered by Grady's New Media Institute. Carissa is an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). She joined Creative Consultants (the student-run PR firm) last year and worked as junior account executive on her team, Walk MS. Carissa served as a representative on the PR committee for Bulldog Outreach to Nursing Homes and Elderly (BONE). She is involved in the local Athens community and enjoys devoting time to both the Athens Health and Rehab Center and the Boys and Girls Club. When she is not studying, Carissa enjoys golfing, reading and swimming. She is very excited to be part of IABC this year and is eager to get her peers involved. Go Dawgs! [ e-mail ]
Katy Sheehan - Treasurer
Katy Sheehan is a fourth-year management major in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. She is also pursuing a second major in Spanish. Katy is a member of UGA's Women in Business chapter. For the past two years, she has served as marketing editor for UGA's Pandora yearbook. Katy spent last summer interning with Coca-Cola in New York City through its 2009 University Talent Program. [ e-mail ]
Evan Nowell - Community Outreach Coordinator
Evan Nowell is a fourth-year marketing major in the Terry College of Business. This is Evan's first year on IABC's executive board. In addition to his involvement with IABC, he is currently a Residence Hall Team Leader and child relations committee member with UGA HEROs. Evan is also involved with SGA, Dance Marathon and Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). He is a brother and public relations committee head of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. Evan is excited to be a part of IABC this coming year and carry on the success of this amazing student chapter at The University of Georgia! [ e-mail ]
Sherrie Whaley, Ph.D. - Chapter Adviser
Sherrie Whaley is director of communications and marketing at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Whaley earned her bachelor's degree from East Tennessee State University in English and mass communications, her master's in journalism from The Ohio State University, and her Ph.D. in human and community resource development from The Ohio State University. She has worked as a daily newspaper reporter, a freelance writer/photographer, a university communications specialist and a university professor at two Big Ten universities. She has served as chapter adviser to the IABC/UGA chapter since its inception in 2006. [ e-mail ]
Jamie Traynor - IABC/Atlanta Liaison
Jamie Traynor is an internal communications contractor for Southern Company in Atlanta. She is a 2008 alumna of UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication where she graduated summa cum laude with a major in public relations. The UGA IABC chapter is thrilled to have Jamie as its new professional adviser and liaison with our sponsoring IABC chapter in Atlanta. [ e-mail ]