Who We Are
We create innovative solutions to successfully address the priorities of individuals and organizations solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges in the technology, health, agri-foods, transportation, environment, education, and energy sectors.
Our Values
As an award-winning team of PR practitioners who are passionate about what excellence, insight and collaboration can achieve, we are united by the core values that are the foundation of our firm and the work we do together.
We Show Up
We are curious, compassionate, and committed to excellence as PR practitioners and communications professionals.
We engage sincerely with our clients, and we seek out clients whose mission and values speak to our own.
We are loyal to our client relationships, but loyal first and foremost to our integrity as professionals.
We Team Up
We take an approach of accountability, collaboration and respect with each project we take on.
As a team, we believe in each other and trust each other to think outside-the-box and beyond expectation.
We celebrate our wins, support each other, and bring the same approach to working with our clients as we do with each other.
We Deliver
As experts in our field, we work to constantly grow and consistently deliver for our clients.
We believe in being accountable — to ourselves and to our clients, as positive actors within the broader communications ecosystem.
We believe in being frank and fair with our clients, in uplifting them at every opportunity, and in holding ourselves to the highest standards of our profession.
Our Management Team
Our work encompasses everything you would expect from a public relations firm but what sets us apart is our experience telling science stories simply and accurately. At PR Associates there is no learning curve because science storytelling is all we do.
Robert Simpson
President & CEO
Twenty-five years of public relations experience with the contacts to get things done, master storyteller, and recreational fiction writer. Strategic communicator, thought leader, Forbes contributor, and terrific lunch companion. Motivated by conversations that get people noticed, broad smiles, and cold mojitos on sunny beaches. Runner, swimmer, and voracious fiction reader, working with the highest energy, smartest, and most dedicated team of professionals in the business.
Paola Ashton
Vice President
Two decades of expertise in business development, marketing, corporate communication, public relations, and investor relations. Problem solver, relationship builder, wife, and mother of two teenaged sons. Wine snob. Motivated by building long-term relationships, getting stuff done, and bringing smiles to people’s faces. Former journalism student, TSN camera operator, and visual storyteller now leading the most hard-working and creative team of professionals in the business.
Kamran Shaikh
Account Director
Team leader, master storyteller, media connoisseur and science, technology geek with a penchant for rooting out success stories. Avid Golden State Warriors fan and field hockey player who loves good food and stimulating conversation. Strategic planner, team player, motivated by seeing clients in the headlines, being on the winning team, and working with the most imaginative team of professionals in the business.
Swati Mehta
Account Director
Having worked with some of the most reputed international communications firms and clients for more than nine years, she has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the communication industry. Noted for bringing her creative spin to even the most ordinary projects in making it extraordinary is what she is known for. She believes in creating integrated campaigns that are compelling and drive tangible results. Swati is a strategy and ideation engine.
Carla Bosacki
Account Director
Celine Barton
Account Executive
People person driven by creativity. Lover of a good story, knack for interesting ways to communicate them. Dog mom. Motivated by making connections, going the extra mile, and being up to date on the latest trends in the media landscape. Bachelors in Communications. TikTok addict, mixologist, avid concert attendee. Proud to be a part of the most progressive, brilliant, and diverse team of communicators.
Michelle Hawkins-Wood
Office Manager
Focused on providing the utmost efficiency for our company, team, and valued clients. Expert in accounting, office management, and customer service. Almost 20 years of bringing an aligned relationship-oriented approach to our firm.
Pamela Rubio
Marketing & Design Manager
18 years of experience in Marketing, Advertising, Graphic Design and Web Development. 5 years of experience in Digital Marketing. Assisted dozens of B2B and B2C companies to stand out from the crowd. Builds meaningful brand identities. Expert in creative design, digital marketing strategy, and website user experience. Helps companies better understand, engage, and relate to their audiences in a meaningful and effective way.