Michelle Olson, APR
Michelle leads the Scottsdale office of Fingerpaint. She also is a career public relations practitioner, having spent most of her 32-years in the industry in a consulting environment, ranging from mid-size firms to large, integrated advertising agencies in the Midwest and Phoenix. She has significant experience in corporate communications and issues management across industries, with particular expertise in real estate, retail, hospitality/tourism, healthcare and sustainability. High profile events are among her favorite endeavors, having led the grand opening activities for the Glendale Arena/Phoenix Coyotes, two regional lifestyle/shopping centers, and managed media during the SKINS GAME, Countrywide Tradition (Senior PGA Tour) and the Phoenix Open.
Fingerpaint PR was at the forefront of changing media and interactive platforms and for more than a decade has been integrating content marketing, social media, brand journalism and other online initiatives into all PR programs. Her work in the digital PR space has garnered attention from top tier media across the country and has received recognition from industry trade associations.
Michelle launched her career in Minneapolis but has made her mark in Arizona for the past 27 years, building relationships with business leaders, government staff and officials, influencers and media throughout the state. She has been a key player in her field nationally, is a director on the national board of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and holds the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation. She is a past president of the Phoenix Chapter of PRSA and a past chair of Counselors Academy, a special section within PRSA for public relations firm owners and leaders. Michelle also is immediate past chair of the board of Arizona Forward, a statewide environmental organization that convenes balanced dialogue on sustainability issues.
She continues to mentor students and young people interested in public relations as a career choice, is the national board liaison to the Public Relations Student Society of America and a frequent guest lecturer at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
In 2003, Michelle was recognized by the Phoenix Chapter of PRSA with the prestigious Percy Award for her achievements in the public relations industry, and she has won numerous industry awards for client work.