Name: Janet C. Hart, APR, CFEE, Fellow PRSA
Chapter: Charlotte
Current position: Vice President of Public Relations & Communications, Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont
How long in current position: 9 years
First PR job: Public relations has been one of my essential job functions of almost every position that I’ve held during my career. However, it became my primary job function when I was hired as Vice President of Marketing for Goodwill Industries in 1999. In that role, I was responsible for conveying Goodwill’s message about how donations of clothing are sold in Goodwill’s stores and that provides the money to pay for Goodwill’s job training programs. In short, “You donate stuff. We put people to work.”
Where you attended college: UNC Chapel Hill, B.S. in Business Administration; Wingate University, MBA in Marketing; Duke University, Certificate in Nonprofit Management; and Wake Forest University, Certificate in Business Essentials for Nonprofits.
If you weren’t doing PR, you’d be……planning major events and festivals. I have produced several of the largest festivals in the country and co-produced many local festivals. I am fascinated by logistics. When I go to an event or festival, I silently critique the event layout, crowd flow, access, security and more.
Proudest professional accomplishment: My proudest professional accomplishments involve helping people. At Goodwill, I got 900 cars for low-income families who needed transportation to work. I also spearheaded Goodwill’s efforts to provide donated clothing and household items for Hurricane Katrina evacuees who were brought to Charlotte. At Better Business Bureau, I have helped hundreds of thousands of people avoid becoming the victims of scams.
What is your passion? My passion is making a difference and helping people. I faced tough obstacles growing up, so I can relate to people who are struggling with life circumstances that are unjust or unexpected.
Why you are a PRSA member? I have been a member of PRSA since 1999 and it has been such a wonderful experience. I have met people who are working in public relations across different industries, grown my network of contacts, earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and taught Accreditation classes for APR candidates. I was honored to have the opportunity to serve as President of PRSA Charlotte and to be inducted into PRSA’s College of Fellows.
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