Leaders &
Creators

As the visionary leader of J/PR, Jamie has built the powerhouse agency, combining an exacting mix of methodical media relations, unrivaled strategy and next-level service to transform clients into brand pillars. Jamie’s two-fold philosophy that relationships always come first, and PR and social campaigns should forever speak for themselves, has catapulted J/PR to become one of the most respected agencies in travel, tourism, real estate and lifestyle today.

Jamie’s penchant for innovation and risk-taking set new expectations within the agency landscape. Wielding that rigor and ideology, she and her like-minded team don’t just deliver—they redefine results. O’Grady is also a master on all matters crisis management and has become the go-to strategist within the industry.

She grew up working in the tourism business in her native Cape Cod, and her insider know how set her apart when starting her agency from the ground up. Fast-forward, it’s the fabric of J/PR–where being trusted authorities is the core of company culture. PR aside, her true talent lies in the recruitment, mentorship and establishment of a team that genuinely matches the caliber and service standards of her clientele.

J/PR’s renowned roster includes Vail Resorts Hospitality, Vail Mountain Resorts, The Utah Office of Tourism, The Ritz-Carlton, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, Pilot Hotels, Nobu Ryokan Malibu, Under Canvas, Relais & Chateaux, Virgin Limited Edition, Waldorf Astoria Resort at Pedregal, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Sensei Four Seasons Lanai and The Hotel Del Coronado, among many others. J/PR has been named to New Yorker Observer’s “Power 50” PR Agency List as one of the most powerful PR firms in the country for eight consecutive years, and one of America’s Best PR Agencies by Forbes (with a Five Star designation). 

J/PR has also been named “Small Agency of the Year” Under 10 Million in US and Canada by PR News, and received recurring accolades as a “Top Place to Work” and “Best Place to Work” — accolades that mean the most to O’Grady as a reflection of her passion for people and her team. 

Jamie is also a recipient of the prestigious Edward L. Bernays Eva Irving Community Service Award by the PRSA San Diego chapter, as well as an active board member of YPO Coastal San Diego.

Sarah Evans is a highly influential figure in the public relations industry, known for her success in building J/PR into a prominent agency with a global presence. Her comprehensive understanding of the travel industry, social media, and traditional public relations, combined with her extensive knowledge of luxury travel, lifestyle, and branding, has elevated J/PR to a superior position within the field. Sarah’s reputation as a trusted resource in the industry is founded upon her strong relationships with clients, media and the J/PR team.

Sarah’s impressive client portfolio features renowned establishments such as Ritz-Carlton properties, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts (including the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai), Relais & Châteaux and Dorchester Collection. She has also worked with notable properties like Necker Island, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Twin Farms, Four Seasons Ocean Club and many other top hotels and resorts in the world.

Sarah’s industry prowess has earned her recognition and acclaim. She has appeared as a travel expert on reputable news networks such as MSNBC, ABC, and Fox. Forbes featured Sarah and her business partner, Jamie Lynn Sigler, in an article titled “These are the Women Deciding Where You Travel,” while Inc. Magazine highlighted the duo in an article titled “How Two Millennial-ish Women Grew a Female-Dominated PR Powerhouse.” As a sought-after panelist, Sarah has spoken at prestigious conferences and events, including the PRSA Travel & Tourism Conference, Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Investment Conference, ILHA (International Luxury Hotel Association), and America’s Luxury Summit by Walpole in London and New York City. She has also delivered talks at programs targeting esteemed hotel leaders, such as The Ritz-Carlton and Relais & Châteaux.

Sarah’s involvement in the industry extends beyond her professional achievements. She has served on the board of the BLLA, acted as a mentor with Women in Communications, and was a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) in New York City. Throughout her career, Sarah has received numerous awards, including being named one of the “Top Women in PR” by PR News and earning the “Leader of the Year” title from Bulldog Reporter. She graduated with honors from East Carolina University and was included in the university’s inaugural “40 Under 40” list. Sarah is also a recipient of the Incredible ECU Woman Award. Furthermore, both Sarah and her firm have been recognized with multiple accolades, including Inc. Magazine’s Best Places to Work, New York Observer’s “Power 50” for many consecutive years, “Agency of the Year” by PR News and Bulldog Reporter, Smart CEO’s Culture Award, PR News’ Best Places to Work, Crain’s New York Best Places to Work and O’Dwyer’s Top 100.

With 20 years of experience, Ali is a highly regarded, industry leader in public relations and marketing. An executive committee member for PRSA Travel + Tourism for eight years, she is an award-winning PR and social pro whose expertise ranges from digital marketing and earned media strategies to trend forecasting.

She’s led fresh-faced creative campaigns for countless renovations and re-imaginations with staying power in the travel industry, including the Enchantment Resort and Mii amo Spa where her passion for the world of wellness was first ignited. For the award-winning L’Apothecary Spa at L’Auberge de Sedona, she was the concept originator. Ali also led the team that catapulted Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa into an elite category of lifestyle and luxury properties after its remodel. Her personal passion for adventure and fitness, paired with her expertise, make for a powerful synergy when leading clients like Under Canvas, Rancho La Puerta and Mountain Trek.

Also on the A-list roster: Ali oversaw media relations strategies for the opening of Washington School House Hotel in Park City, the ART Hotel in Denver, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, The Camby, Mountain Shadows and ADERO in her native Arizona,, the transformation of MacArthur Place in Sonoma and most recently openings for Hotel Drover in Ft. Worth and The Cloudveil in Jackson Hole. On the family friendly front, she leads J/PR’s pack for Great Wolf Lodge and oversees the agency’s work with Disney Signature Experiences, including Adventures by Disney, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club and Disney Cruise Line. 

Her efforts have garnered national media placements and her clients have achieved international acclaim including Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, Departures 100, and Conde Nast Traveler’s coveted Hot List. Ali is the recipient of many awards including the prestigious PRSA Copper Anvils, PRSA Edward L. Bernays, and HSMAI Adrian awards in the category of media relations. In 2017, she had the esteemed position of chairing the PRSA Travel + Tourism conference in Palm Springs.

A seasoned PR professional and passionate leader of the West Coast team, Suzanne joined J/PR more than a decade ago and has a long record of success spearheading multi-faceted media programs for hotels, resorts, and destination marketing. Suzanne is a consistent cultivator of creative campaigns, publicity innovator, effective communicator, and leader within the travel and hospitality industry currently serving on the Executive Board for the PRSA Travel + Tourism Section.

In her role, Suzanne’s expertise includes strategic leadership and counsel to new and long-standing clients and management of hotel openings and re-launches, including Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, Nobu Palo Alto and more. She has also shone a spotlight on J/PR’s tourism clients including Baja California by generating positive regional and national awareness for the state and shifting the travelers perception to showcase its adventure travel, culinary gems and wellness experiences. She has led J/PR’s partnership with the Utah Office of Tourism for the past three years with successful creative campaigns and media relations focusing on its urban markets, Red Emerald initiative, and more. With her strategic vision, award-winning brands and tourism destinations shine even in a crowded market and goals are achieved.

Suzanne is articulate in all aspects of the hospitality realm. Prior to joining J/PR she held both in-house resort and agency positions with more than fifteen years experience, including a PR career in NYC creating national media campaigns for luxury beauty brands, adding to her rich background in media relations. Suzanne studied Communication at San Diego State University.

With over 13 years of experience, Emma is a global force in the luxury PR industry and launched J/PR’s first international flagship in London, which in under two years of opening, was a finalist in the highly coveted PR Week Awards for Best New Consultancy.

With an intuitive grasp of brand strategy and a sixth-sense for business development, Emma knows how to make a splash internationally and is trusted by some of the world’s most demanding luxury brands spanning travel & hospitality, lifestyle, real estate and design.

Her background in real estate coupled with experience of having lived in eight countries, makes her the ultimate global insider who understands the ever-changing, complex travel & lifestyle industries. She is skillful in the partnership lexicon and is a consummate networker, passionate about delivering commercially driven campaigns for the agency’s portfolio of clients.

Emma’s integrated PR experience spans some of best known and iconic names in the travel industry, from big name brands such as Marriott, to independent hotels & associations (Leading Hotels of the World), boutique collections and destinations. A handful of names include The Goring, multiple Relais & Châteaux (Chewton Glen, Cliveden House, 11 Cadogan Gardens, The Surrey), Y.CO Superyachts, Adare Manor, the island of Mustique, amongst others.
Emma is highly regarded for her creative energy and ability to see, and operate, ‘outside the box’. Her extensive knowledge of working with high net worth audiences and unrivalled network of global media contacts, international influencers and collaboration partners ensures results which exceed client expectations.

Under Emma’s direction, J/PR’s UK office continues to diversify its offering, working with new and established clients to deliver commercially impactful and award winning results.

Kristin Moller brings nearly 20 years of hospitality marketing and public relations expertise to the team and is focused on high-level client management, crisis communications, and creative campaign development. Since launching the Toronto office in late 2019, she’s strengthened the agency’s presence with Canadian media and clients and continues to develop unique strategies for connecting clients with key customers and brands in-market. As part of the agency leadership team, Kristin leads the Client Services Committee, which focuses on providing resources and tools across all offices to build strong client relationships and communication. This includes the agency’s Media Training Program, which provides custom coaching and training for clients. Kristin is the executive bridge between Business Development and Marketing at J/PR, where she works to elevate the agency’s brand reputation, including hosting the agency’s podcast, Priority Status, where she interviews media, industry leaders and innovators in hospitality, travel and wellness.

She is an expert storyteller and trusted resource for clients and media alike and has secured cover stories in major luxury magazines, interviews for business leaders and is the brains behind many award-winning campaigns. Her leadership style is consistent and solid, fostering a culture of trust and teamwork to deliver results in both traditional PR and social campaigns, amplifying storytelling across all channels.

Prior to joining J/PR in 2013, Kristin’s experience included acting as a spokesperson for variety of destination tourism offices, CVBs, and OTAs. She spent several years working with global hospitality brands and notable boutique hotels, shaping their media narratives to create impactful campaigns with revenue generating effects. Kristin is a lifelong learner, whose curiosity along with passion for travel and helping people, has found the perfect match in her role at J/PR.

With nearly 15 years of experience, Tanya is a high-level media relations professional with the pulse of the dynamic travel, hospitality, and lifestyle landscapes. Tanya is the strategic lead across several of the agency’s marquis accounts including Hilton Luxury Brands, Great Wolf Lodge, Geneo US, The Palms Turks & Caicos and The Shore Club Turks & Caicos, Waldorf Astoria Maldives, Palazzo Ricci, The Setai Miami Beach, and tech leader Jitjatjo. Her experience is vast, with particular specialty in global brands, Caribbean resorts, executive positioning, and family travel.

In the broadcast and podcast media world, Tanya is a heavy hitter who has landed clients key segments and expert appearances on The TODAY Show, Bloomberg, Inside Edition, Good Day New York, No Vacancy and Hack the Entrepreneur podcasts. She serves as direct client counsel across the C-suite, navigating an evolving media and travel landscape, also providing leaders with media training and A-list interview and profile opportunities.

Tanya is skilled when it comes to cross-pollinating partnerships with brands, and tapped for creative ideas and thought leadership in reinvigorating her clients’ repertories and reestablishing their audiences for the next generation.

In 2014, the Penn State University grad was named to The New York Observer’s “9 Names to Watch in PR,” a list recognizing top PR pros under 30-years-old. She’s an HSMAI Gold Award winner many times over for campaigns she created, and was published in O’Dwyer’s in July 2019, penning an article on the power of partnerships in the industry.

With a dozen years steeped in global communications and luxury hospitality PR, Chelsey lends a sophisticated worldview and hit-the-ground-running verve to every account. Her premier J/PR clients include Relais & Châteaux where for the last 4+ years she has helped lead the global association’s worldwide awareness campaign, establishing its pillars of individualism and sustainability, landing it in the upper echelon of hospitality here in the USA. Her work with Relais & Châteaux additionally includes individual representation of several members including Eden Roc Cap Cana (Dominican Republic), Old Edwards (Highlands, NC), The Inn at Dos Brisas (Texas) and The Surrey (NYC).

Chelsey has an especially rich history in community messaging for destinations and is a skillful storyteller. She currently oversees the Visit North Carolina account at J/PR, serving as strategy and point person for the state tourism account which represents more than 100 counties. Her strategic work on the account includes presentations at twice yearly public relations conferences in addition to a heavy media relations lift. Earlier on in Chelsey’s career, she represented the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and spearheaded a campaign to showcase the city, reinvigorated and reborn after the fifth anniversary of the ravaging Katrina hurricane. Considering the event coincided with the BP oil spill, Chelsey juggled crisis control while still showing the world the city’s massive recovery.

Known as “The Opener” at J/PR, Chelsey’s specialty lies within hotel openings. Throughout her career, she has opened more than 20 hotels globally. During her 4+ years with J Public Relations, she has overseen the openings of Bobby Hotel (Nashville), Encore Boston Harbor, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf, Rosedon Hotel (Bermuda) and Scribner’s Catskill Lodge. During peak COVID, she successfully opened Shandaken Inn (Catskills) and Quirk Hotel Charlottesville, a property near and dear to her heart as she opened the first Quirk Hotel in Richmond back in 2015.

Her efforts have garnered national media placements and her clients have achieved international acclaim including Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, Departures 100, and Conde Nast Traveler’s coveted Hot List.

With more than 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Heidi’s work is rooted in launches from Las Vegas’ largest privately financed hotel development to independent boutique hotels and new-to-market hospitality brands. But, when the dust settles after any launch, you’ll find Heidi maintaining momentum through creative storytelling, brand-accelerating partnerships and initiating thought-provoking trends.

Heidi’s business savvy in the travel and real estate industries makes her a go-to resource for those in and outside the walls of J Public Relations. She has a keen eye for what will resonate with media and brings a creative lens to each and every story opportunity. Her long-term media relationships paired with spotting the next podcast or ideal influencer partner brings traditional and emerging media to the forefront. Whether it’s media stunts or seeding speaking engagements for the C-suite to front-page press, Heidi’s drive for results are fueled by one goal: impacting the bottom line.

As J/PR’s boots on the ground in Nashville, Heidi maintains a strong presence in market as well as the south with experience across Music City to Savannah, South Florida, Texas and the Caribbean.

Heidi’s resume includes working with some of the most reputable hospitality brands in the world including Four Seasons, Montage International, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Resorts, Vail Resorts, MGM Resorts International, Andaz Hotels by Hyatt, Caesars Entertainment, among others.

Marrissa is a former lifestyle journalist and seasoned PR tastemaker with more than 15 years of media experience—and an incomparable palette in her arsenal. She has spearheaded national campaigns for clients across a variety of market segments, from culinary, hospitality and tourism, to retail, technology, real estate, health and wellness. Marrissa is a proven strategist who speaks the language of media today, navigating the crowded landscape with ease. As a trend forecaster and former journalist, she revels in creating compelling content that tells stories and sets clients apart. She also wields this next-level, macro-micro insight to orchestrate strategic campaigns for some of the most exciting brands today. She brings her passion for food & wine to her client work as an WSET Level II certified professional and wine enthusiast, and relishes in placing her treasured toques at world-class events and institutions—from the James Beard House to Pebble Beach Food & Wine. Marrissa revels in brokering big-time brand partnerships; landing coveted national opportunities and leading her teams to deliver award-winning work for clients.

A seasoned communications leader with over twelve years of global PR experience, Erin produces fresh, viable campaigns that translate to international press and resonate with consumers. Specializing in hospitality, Erin has elevated the hotel launch to an art form, opening and rebranding countless properties worldwide. Her approach has been honed across the globe with victorious results.

Most recently, Erin led PR efforts for the grand opening of Hard Rock Hotel New York, the iconic entertainment brand’s only hotel outpost in NYC, marking a new moment for the company and introducing a new level of guest experience for the portfolio. On the hotel’s opening day, an exclusive 7-minute broadcast segment with Good Day New York filmed with notable New York City anchor Rosanna Scotto aired 5 times, amplifying the news across the Tri-State area. The earned media value of the 7am segment alone was over $69k for the airtime.

Equal parts account leader and trend forecaster, Erin maximizes storylines for press with staying power. She has planned and executed dozens of press trips, desk-side tours for C-suite executives and large-scale media events. An expert in corporate communications, Erin has led results-driven campaigns with a focus on executive positioning for luxury and hospitality brands worldwide including Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah Group, and Vail Resorts, among others. Erin’s strong passion for merchandising the power of PR through tangible results shined through in her role as account lead for Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts. Educating her clients on AMEC (International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication) guidelines and J/PR use of the Barcelona Principles methodology, she was commissioned to lead a webinar for the entire corporate communications team across the brand’s MEIA (North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa) portfolio to enact new reporting and measurement standards.

As part of the J/PR leadership team, Erin oversees the client services committee which is committed to ensuring account teams are equipped with the tools, resources and insights necessary to deliver the highest quality of work for our portfolio across the globe. In her role, Erin organized the agency’s first media survey in the wake of the pandemic, collecting over 100 responses from decision-making editors, to shape client strategy and strengthen the firm’s relationships, in addition to spearheading the agency’s annual trend forecasting report which informs goal setting and storytelling for clients across the company.

Beyond the office, Erin regularly engages in larger industry conversations in the PRSA New York Chapter having moderated panels at chapter events and at the national conference on the future of travel and tourism, and serving as a judge for the annual PRSA Big Apple Awards.

Marrissa is a former lifestyle journalist and seasoned PR tastemaker with more than 15 years of media experience—and an incomparable palette in her arsenal. She has spearheaded national campaigns for clients across a variety of market segments, from culinary, hospitality and tourism, to retail, technology, real estate, health and wellness. Marrissa is a proven strategist who speaks the language of media today, navigating the crowded landscape with ease. As a trend forecaster and former journalist, she revels in creating compelling content that tells stories and sets clients apart. She also wields this next-level, macro-micro insight to orchestrate strategic campaigns for some of the most exciting brands today. She brings her passion for food & wine to her client work as an WSET Level II certified professional and wine enthusiast, and relishes in placing her treasured toques at world-class events and institutions—from the James Beard House to Pebble Beach Food & Wine. Marrissa revels in brokering big-time brand partnerships; landing coveted national opportunities and leading her teams to deliver award-winning work for clients.

Since joining the agency in 2012, Lauren has led countless marquee hotel openings and major relaunches; spearheaded headline-worthy and impactful PR campaigns; cultivated powerful relationships with some of the nation’s top editors and freelancers; developed high-profile partnerships with globally recognized brands; and has secured brand-defining feature placements for her clients.

A Los Angeles native, Lauren supported the launch of the agency’s Los Angeles office where she also took on a tall (quite, literally) order of opening the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Since then, Lauren has led countless luxury openings and brand relaunches including The Private Suite at LAX, Disneyland’s 21 Royal, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, and most recently, Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé. A destination-changing 17-room hotel located in France’s Loire Valley, Lauren launched Hotel Château with an eight-page print exclusive that ran in MUSE by Robb Report and months later, landed the cover of Travel + Leisure’s coveted “It List” issue. Since then, the hotel has been included in the holy grail of awards and accolades including Condé Nast Traveler’s “Hot List, Departure’s Legend Awards and Robb Report’s annual Best of the Best Awards.

Savvy and results-driven, Lauren has worked on an impressive roster of clients that have spanned from the beaches of Bali to the Colorado Rockies, including Vail Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, W Los Angeles – West Beverly Hills, The Westin Nashville, Hakkasan Group, W Hollywood, Andaz Maui, The Mulia Bali, Dream Hollywood, Washington School House, and more.

Lauren has also previously been named one of PR News’ Rising PR Stars Under 30.

With a passion for hospitality and a foundation in guest service, Melanie is a dynamic, industry authority with more than 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations. A strategic thinker and innovative leader, Melanie most recently served as the director of marketing for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants covering the western half of the country and supporting more than 40 restaurants and bars. Her expertise ranges from media relations and strategic counsel to revenue drivers, new openings, photography and developing brand loyalty.

As our resident restaurant expert, Melanie has spent two decades perfecting brand strategy, creative vision and a critical eye. She knows the genius inside the mind of a chef, she understands the nuances of how hotels function and she uses that to create a compelling synergy leading to national media placements and international accolades.

A Level 1 Sommelier, Melanie is driven, decisive, resourceful and committed to success in all she does. She is a thought leader, insightful communicator and her words are always backed by action. She excels at knowing the very latest and greatest — whether it’s in PR, social strategy, marketing or which restaurants are opening this weekend.

Since joining the agency in 2012, Lauren has led countless marquee hotel openings and major relaunches; spearheaded headline-worthy and impactful PR campaigns; cultivated powerful relationships with some of the nation’s top editors and freelancers; developed high-profile partnerships with globally recognized brands; and has secured brand-defining feature placements for her clients.

A Los Angeles native, Lauren supported the launch of the agency’s Los Angeles office where she also took on a tall (quite, literally) order of opening the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Since then, Lauren has led countless luxury openings and brand relaunches including The Private Suite at LAX, Disneyland’s 21 Royal, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, and most recently, Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé. A destination-changing 17-room hotel located in France’s Loire Valley, Lauren launched Hotel Château with an eight-page print exclusive that ran in MUSE by Robb Report and months later, landed the cover of Travel + Leisure’s coveted “It List” issue. Since then, the hotel has been included in the holy grail of awards and accolades including Condé Nast Traveler’s “Hot List, Departure’s Legend Awards and Robb Report’s annual Best of the Best Awards.

Savvy and results-driven, Lauren has worked on an impressive roster of clients that have spanned from the beaches of Bali to the Colorado Rockies, including Vail Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, W Los Angeles – West Beverly Hills, The Westin Nashville, Hakkasan Group, W Hollywood, Andaz Maui, The Mulia Bali, Dream Hollywood, Washington School House, and more.

Lauren has also previously been named one of PR News’ Rising PR Stars Under 30.

Sarah Richards has established herself as one of the youngest female leaders in luxury travel PR in London, having started her PR career aged 21 at Belmond, formerly Orient Express. With a combination of boutique and large agency experience, including a year spent working in Dubai, Sarah has spearheaded successful campaigns for an array of luxury hotels and travel companies during her career. Sarah joined her family business, Sadler&co, in 2018 and was instrumental in the running of the agency prior to its recent acquisition by J/PR. Sarah joins J/PR as Managing Director, alongside Emma Hartland-Mahon.

With a career spanning 15 years, Eleanore has expertise in launching hotels, rebrand campaigns, strategic ideation, influencer campaigns, creative brand partnerships and programming along with executing thoughtful and successful PR campaign strategies. Eleanore is driven, creative and methodical, and deeply understands what works for the media and her clients. Eleanore is a proven strategist who speaks the language of media today and navigates the crowded landscape with ease. Having worked in both Dubai and London, she has headed up global campaigns across a diverse portfolio of hospitality and real estate clients including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Rocco Forte, Porto Montenegro, Anantara Hotels, 432 Park Avenue, Shangri-La, Farncombe Estate and Villa d’Este.

Hannah Gardiner, Account Director and PR News 2019 Rising Star Award winner, brings a results driven and strategic approach to leading her accounts at J Public Relations. Creative, driven, meticulous and solution-oriented Hannah has overseen everything from global hospitality brands, boutique luxury hotels, independent restaurants to innovative technology platforms and public forums. Over the last seven plus years this Canada native has jet-setted globally and deeply understands what makes travel media tick – while also boosting her clients sales. Launching creative and meaningful campaigns that impact her clients business goals while creating a long lasting buzz in top media titles is the main focus of her role. Most recently Hannah led the successful re-opening of The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach and relaunch of The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park. Both banner campaigns resulted in millions of earned media impressions in national and impactful regional titles inclusive of feature placements in Departures, The Miami Herald, Town & Country, Robb Report, and more.

A dual-citizen, Hannah was born in Canada and raised in a small upstate New York town south of Montreal, QC in the Adirondack Park. Always searching for a bigger stage on which to shine, the University at Albany honors graduate took the chance and moved to New York City. While Hannah has lived in multiple boroughs, for the last three years she’s called Brooklyn home where she enjoys constantly exploring new restaurants and bars, fitness classes, gardening and whipping up a great meal with sustainable ingredients!

Most recently Hannah has overseen the following accounts at J/PR – The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami, Marriott International – The Americas, Relais & Châteaux brand globally, the Relais & Chateaux North American Delegation, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf, The Hari Hotel, and Curtain Bluff. As Account Director she acts as a trusted resource to her clients to define measurable PR goals that ladder up to their overall business and sales priorities. She leads her teams to secure impactful press and influencer results, as well as brand partnerships utilizing her vast network of contacts and industry expertise.

In the past she has represented Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts brand, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand, Triumph Hotels brand, The Surrey Hotel, Chewton Glen, Cliveden House, HALCYON – a hotel in Cherry Creek, The Palms in Turks & Caicos, Four Seasons Resorts Lana’i and Fairmont Mayakoba, among many others. Hannah has been a part of multiple brand launches, and re-launches as well as individual hotel openings including with brands such as Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, Jumeirah, IHG and Destination Hotels.

Prior to joining J Public Relations, Hannah honed her communications skills interviewing many nationally and internationally known musicians as an executive producer for her university’s television network. She also interned for multiple PR firms, where she worked with a variety of clients including those in the food and beverage, higher education and technological industries. Learning both sides of the trade, prior to graduating Hannah was also a News Intern at WTEN Albany’s ABC News affiliate for three months. Hannah graduated Cum Laude in 2012 as a member of Lambda Pi Eta and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

As a Vice President on our social media team, Sarah Bassett is a passionate, data-driven digital marketer leading all aspects of social media programming at J Public Relations from paid advertising to cohesive content strategy for a range of hotel, technology, luxury lifestyle, and retail clients.

With nearly a decade spent elevating social media strategies, activating creative campaigns, and innovating digital plans, Sarah has honed a talent for seamless brand experiences bridging the virtual offline. She never shies away from a challenge to deliver quality content, whether that means making an unlikely hero out of the bitter vegetable broccoli rabe to trend in groceries stores nationwide, championing cocktail culture to help drive the bourbon boom with Beam Suntory’s premium whiskeys, or leading businesses to foray into social media by creating and running Grand Hyatt’s first Instagram account. Sarah’s varied experience uniquely positions her to deliver impactful social-led campaigns at J Public Relations.

Her recent strategic work at JPR includes running paid media programming for the boutique luxury hotel & spa client, MacArthur Place in Sonoma, which opened in 2019. Her tactics continually deliver on average nearly a 20X+ ROI for clients showing the real, trackable value of social media efforts. Her skill set also includes a strong design eye leading her to often manage photo and video content shoots, most recently at the newly renovated Hilton Los Cabos resort where she oversaw a three-day shoot.

All at the same time, Sarah believes forging and maintaining meaningful relationships offline and in-person are just as important for brand health and social success, so you can find her in the pitch room, integrated planning meetings, or in webinars, most recently participating in a COVID-19 Comeback Planning Webinar to advise on social media strategies for the travel and tourism industry.

Kaitlin recently joined J/PR as our Senior Director, Social Media and first employee in Boston, bringing nearly nine years of social media experience to our team. After starting her career in marketing for Kimpton Hotels in Boston, Kaitlin moved to NYC and worked for two agencies, holding positions in social media and client management. She specialized in travel and tourism, working with clients such as Brand USA, Lufthansa Airlines, NYC & Co, South Dakota Tourism, Waldorf Astoria, and Palladium Resorts. Kaitlin leads creative teams to success by focusing on data driven decisions and building a cross functional approach. With several years in marketing roles, Kaitlin brings a comprehensive mindset to social strategy. While at Beautiful Destinations, Kaitlin’s team produced a creative campaign, #UnitedStories, for BrandUSA that was a Webby Award 2020 nominee and has since been used for the storytelling of the U.S.’s international marketing efforts. Throughout her career, Kaitlin has opened hotels and restaurants with bold creative campaigns and on-property programming, building a social strategy that will create buzz and sustainable growth. In her most recent role at Zipcar, Kaitlin was responsible for leading the social customer service team through the pandemic, where inbound messages increased by 400%, only deepening her passion for online community building and belief in the power of social media to create impactful moments for a brand.

Hailing from the Bay Area, Monica first got her start in entertainment publicity while attending UCLA. Upon returning to the Bay Area she dove headfirst into the award-winning restaurant and hospitality industry collaborating with some of the best bars, hotels, and restaurants in Northern California. After two years of sinking her teeth (literally) into the local Bay Area culinary scene, she transitioned her passions to working with clients in the fashion, travel, CPG, and lifestyle space including big names like Shinola, Filson, California Olive Ranch, Blue Bottle Coffee, A.P.C. and more. Following these incredible projects, Monica turned her attention to in-house communications and helped build, strategize and implement a cohesive internal and external communications program for Chosen Foods, the pioneers of avocado oil and avocado-inspired products available at every major retailer in the country. Monica prides herself on being a true client collaborator and advisor. She works hard to engrain herself deep into her client’s brands and uses that knowledge to power impactful campaigns and initiatives.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Ariana has propelled into an international media relations expert in New York City, becoming J/PR’s first Media Relations Director. Hotel openings, relaunch campaigns, partnerships and influencer strategies have rounded out her 7+ years of industry experience, working on critical tactics that drive home ROI for her clients. Personally touted by the industry’s best, writers from The New York Times, CNN, Travel + Leisure, Town & Country, Conde Nast Traveler and Food & Wine have called out her brilliance in strategic, thoughtful media relations, that has resulted in her expertise to secure exclusive, creative and feature placements. Ariana has worked on North American hotels including Twin Farms, Gramercy Park Hotel, The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Eden Roc Cap Cana, to international brands including Virgin Limited Editon (Sir Richard Branson’s collection of private luxury reatreats), Relais & Châteaux and Iconic Luxury Hotels.

As a Senior Director and having been with J/PR for nine years, Kristen has expertise in launching hotels, strategic ideation with influencer campaigns, creative brand partnerships and programming along with executing thoughtful and successful PR campaign strategies for many of her longstanding clients including Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Rancho La Puerta, Four Seasons Resorts Lanai, Hotel del Coronado, Nobu Hotel Palo Alto and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club.

With nearly a decade of experience, Anna joined J/PR six years ago and brings her passion for traveling, building meaningful relationships and helping clients tell their stories.

Leading J/PR’s Los Angeles offfice, Anna specializes in media and influencer relations, event planning, campaign implementation, brand partnerships and crisis communication. During her time at J/PR, Anna has worked on more than 15 hotel openings and major renovations – from flagship brand hotels & resorts to one-of-a-kind boutique properties – including InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Hotel Californian (Santa Barbara), Lido House (Newport Beach), The Cloudveil (Jackson Hole), Hotel Drover (Fort Worth) Halepuna Waikiki By Halekulani, ADERO Scottsdale and Pendry West Hollywood. Her media relations efforts have resulted in feature stories, exclusives and coveted awards in top-tier outlets such as Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, AFAR, The New York Times and Vogue.

Bringing 7+ years of hospitality public relations experience to J/PR, Kristen oversees the PR strategy for global luxury and lifestyle properties as a Senior Account Supervisor. She digs into meaningful storylines and media-worthy brand collaborations that generate top tier placements. From opening The Roundtree, Amagansett during the pandemic to Travel + Leisure It List acclaim, to executing a virtual series for Nashville’s Bobby Hotel garnering New York Times and Wall Street Journal placements, Kristen leans into trends, strong relationships, and creativity to build buzz at any moment. Passionate about new hotel openings, Kristen has been a part of the successful launches of a variety of coastal and urban properties including The Roundtree, Amagansett, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Bobby Hotel (Nashville), The Revolution Hotel (Boston), and Merrion Row Hotel + Public House (NYC) to name a few. Kristen currently manages the PR strategy and media relations for Great Wolf Lodge, Visit North Carolina, The Stafford London, The Roundtree, Amagansett, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District, and several Ritz-Carlton properties.

As an expat in her childhood, Audrey developed a global perspective and love for travel that translates to her career at J/PR. With nearly a decade of experience, Audrey joined J/PR in New York and has been in Denver 5+ years, maintaining a strong presence in the market. Through her experience with domestic and international hospitality brands and destinations, Audrey delivers innovative PR campaign strategies, revenue-generating opportunities, brand partnerships, programming, and influencer campaigns that impact her client’s goals while creating buzz in top media outlets. Her outstanding media/influencer relationships in target markets and national outlets from coast to coast deliver relevant and valuable results for her clients. Audrey works on a variety of accounts such as Vail Resorts, MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, The Chedi Andermatt, Utah Office of Tourism, The Residences at Aspen Valley Ranch, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, and more.

As the Human Resources Manager for J/PR, Liz is passionate about our team and a champaign for culture, striving to always elevate the employee experience at J/PR. She brings more than seven years of experience in people development to J/PR and seeks opportunities to grow our team in their day-to-day roles as well as providing development tools for our leadership team.

During her previous positions and experience with lululemon and Harrah’s Resort Southern California, companies known for their strong company culture, Liz focused on ways to elevate talent, both internal and external. She led a team who was focused on creating training and workshops on principals rooted in Emotional Intelligence, Communication, and Servant Leadership. Liz and her team also created an internal development system that consisted of leadership tracks and job pathways. It was through her leadership that team members were able to see what training and competencies to focus on when working towards their next roles.

With past awards such as San Diego’s Human Resources Team of the Year, she believes in a collaborative and supportive environment with emphasis on team transparency. Liz is part of the DEI Committee at J/PR and focuses on ways to create opportunities to attract and diversify top talent for J/PR, our industry, and plays an integral part of J/PR’s internship and BIPOC mentorship programs.

Jennifer, a CPA, has 35 years of experience in both public and private accounting which includes working for 2 of the 4 International, Big 4 Accounting Firms.

She has a reputation of having integrity and being detailed, organized and accurate. She is self-motivated, analytically inclined and dedicated to being successful in her role at J/PR.

As the visionary leader of J/PR, Jamie has built the powerhouse agency, combining an exacting mix of methodical media relations, unrivaled strategy and next-level service to transform clients into brand pillars. Jamie’s two-fold philosophy that relationships always come first, and PR and social campaigns should forever speak for themselves, has catapulted J/PR to become one of the most respected agencies in travel, tourism, real estate and lifestyle today.

Jamie’s penchant for innovation and risk-taking set new expectations within the agency landscape. Wielding that rigor and ideology, she and her like-minded team don’t just deliver—they redefine results. O’Grady is also a master on all matters crisis management and has become the go-to strategist within the industry.

She grew up working in the tourism business in her native Cape Cod, and her insider know how set her apart when starting her agency from the ground up. Fast-forward, it’s the fabric of J/PR–where being trusted authorities is the core of company culture. PR aside, her true talent lies in the recruitment, mentorship and establishment of a team that genuinely matches the caliber and service standards of her clientele.

J/PR’s renowned roster includes Vail Resorts Hospitality, Vail Mountain Resorts, The Utah Office of Tourism, The Ritz-Carlton, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, Pilot Hotels, Nobu Ryokan Malibu, Under Canvas, Relais & Chateaux, Virgin Limited Edition, Waldorf Astoria Resort at Pedregal, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Sensei Four Seasons Lanai and The Hotel Del Coronado, among many others. J/PR has been named to New Yorker Observer’s “Power 50” PR Agency List as one of the most powerful PR firms in the country for eight consecutive years, and one of America’s Best PR Agencies by Forbes (with a Five Star designation). 

J/PR has also been named “Small Agency of the Year” Under 10 Million in US and Canada by PR News, and received recurring accolades as a “Top Place to Work” and “Best Place to Work” — accolades that mean the most to O’Grady as a reflection of her passion for people and her team. 

Jamie is also a recipient of the prestigious Edward L. Bernays Eva Irving Community Service Award by the PRSA San Diego chapter, as well as an active board member of YPO Coastal San Diego.

Sarah Evans is a highly influential figure in the public relations industry, known for her success in building J/PR into a prominent agency with a global presence. Her comprehensive understanding of the travel industry, social media, and traditional public relations, combined with her extensive knowledge of luxury travel, lifestyle, and branding, has elevated J/PR to a superior position within the field. Sarah’s reputation as a trusted resource in the industry is founded upon her strong relationships with clients, media and the J/PR team.

Sarah’s impressive client portfolio features renowned establishments such as Ritz-Carlton properties, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts (including the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai), Relais & Châteaux and Dorchester Collection. She has also worked with notable properties like Necker Island, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Twin Farms, Four Seasons Ocean Club and many other top hotels and resorts in the world.

Sarah’s industry prowess has earned her recognition and acclaim. She has appeared as a travel expert on reputable news networks such as MSNBC, ABC, and Fox. Forbes featured Sarah and her business partner, Jamie Lynn Sigler, in an article titled “These are the Women Deciding Where You Travel,” while Inc. Magazine highlighted the duo in an article titled “How Two Millennial-ish Women Grew a Female-Dominated PR Powerhouse.” As a sought-after panelist, Sarah has spoken at prestigious conferences and events, including the PRSA Travel & Tourism Conference, Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Investment Conference, ILHA (International Luxury Hotel Association), and America’s Luxury Summit by Walpole in London and New York City. She has also delivered talks at programs targeting esteemed hotel leaders, such as The Ritz-Carlton and Relais & Châteaux.

Sarah’s involvement in the industry extends beyond her professional achievements. She has served on the board of the BLLA, acted as a mentor with Women in Communications, and was a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) in New York City. Throughout her career, Sarah has received numerous awards, including being named one of the “Top Women in PR” by PR News and earning the “Leader of the Year” title from Bulldog Reporter. She graduated with honors from East Carolina University and was included in the university’s inaugural “40 Under 40” list. Sarah is also a recipient of the Incredible ECU Woman Award. Furthermore, both Sarah and her firm have been recognized with multiple accolades, including Inc. Magazine’s Best Places to Work, New York Observer’s “Power 50” for many consecutive years, “Agency of the Year” by PR News and Bulldog Reporter, Smart CEO’s Culture Award, PR News’ Best Places to Work, Crain’s New York Best Places to Work and O’Dwyer’s Top 100.

With enthusiasm, drive and a high level view, Lindsey has guided J/PR’s financial strategy for the past seven years. She has facilitated all aspects of planning and operational tactics to lead the agency’s monumental success, expanding offices to accommodate rapid growth on the East Coast, West Coast and now globally. Beyond the numbers, Lindsey is the point person on all things legal and technology, and she is the levelheaded, passionate financial steward of the agency. On the HR front, she’s integral to the agency’s top initiatives including the Pink Passport, an office swap program where J/PR team members immerse themselves in other J/PR offices. A fitness fanatic, Lindsey delves head first in the company’s Fit Friday’s, encouraging group activity to support a healthy work/life balance. For three consecutive years, Lindsey has been nominated to San Diego Business Journal’s CFO of The Year. She serves on the steering committee of the CFO leadership Council, and in 2015, Lindsey participated in the California Real Estate Women Leadership series where she was one of the six panelists chosen to discuss their role in the growth and success of the San Diego community. She is also a member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce representing J/PR in the community.

With 20 years of experience, Ali is a highly regarded, industry leader in public relations and marketing. An executive committee member for PRSA Travel + Tourism for eight years, she is an award-winning PR and social pro whose expertise ranges from digital marketing and earned media strategies to trend forecasting.

She’s led fresh-faced creative campaigns for countless renovations and re-imaginations with staying power in the travel industry, including the Enchantment Resort and Mii amo Spa where her passion for the world of wellness was first ignited. For the award-winning L’Apothecary Spa at L’Auberge de Sedona, she was the concept originator. Ali also led the team that catapulted Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa into an elite category of lifestyle and luxury properties after its remodel. Her personal passion for adventure and fitness, paired with her expertise, make for a powerful synergy when leading clients like Under Canvas, Rancho La Puerta and Mountain Trek.

Also on the A-list roster: Ali oversaw media relations strategies for the opening of Washington School House Hotel in Park City, the ART Hotel in Denver, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, The Camby, Mountain Shadows and ADERO in her native Arizona,, the transformation of MacArthur Place in Sonoma and most recently openings for Hotel Drover in Ft. Worth and The Cloudveil in Jackson Hole. On the family friendly front, she leads J/PR’s pack for Great Wolf Lodge and oversees the agency’s work with Disney Signature Experiences, including Adventures by Disney, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club and Disney Cruise Line. 

Her efforts have garnered national media placements and her clients have achieved international acclaim including Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, Departures 100, and Conde Nast Traveler’s coveted Hot List. Ali is the recipient of many awards including the prestigious PRSA Copper Anvils, PRSA Edward L. Bernays, and HSMAI Adrian awards in the category of media relations. In 2017, she had the esteemed position of chairing the PRSA Travel + Tourism conference in Palm Springs.