Joann Lesage Nelson, APR

Jo Ann LeSage Nelson, APR, is vice president of client services for Pierce Communications, an Albany-based public relations/public affairs/crisis management firm where she is responsible for strategic public relations and communications counseling for Pierce clients.

She serves on the Executive Committee of the Public Relations Society of America’s national board of directors in her role as secretary and is the professional advisor to the SUNY Plattsburgh Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. She is also a member of PRSA’s national Human Resources, Strategic Planning and Advocacy committees.

Jo Ann is an accredited member of PRSA, having demonstrated broad knowledge, experience, competence and professional judgment in the field. In November 2008, the Capital Region Chapter presented Jo Ann with its first Outstanding Public Relations Practitioner Award, given to a Capital Region public relations professional who has achieved exceptional success, displayed the highest ethics and is dedicated to serving the community and the profession.

Jo Ann is a past board chair of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce and a former board president of Literacy New York Greater Capital Region. She is an active community volunteer and frequently speaks on the topics of media relations, crisis communications and business writing.