Curley & Pynn Welcomes Two UCF Graduates as Communications Specialists
January 30, 2020
By Kacie Escobar, MBA, APR
MAITLAND, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2020) – Rachel Ilardi and Sarah Kelliher have joined the team at Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management, where – as communications specialists – they support the agency’s execution of strategic public relations and marketing communications programs for its clients.
Ilardi brings diverse experience to the team, previously serving as an intern for nonprofit organizations such as the Sunshine Foundation and New Beginnings of Central Florida, and in corporate communications and public relations roles with AdventHealth, Uproar PR and Florida Municipal Power Agency. Ilardi also interned with Curley & Pynn, where she first exemplified the shared values and work ethic of the firm.
While attending the University of Central Florida (UCF), Ilardi served as president of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) student chapter, QUOTES, and has since remained active with the FPRA Orlando Chapter, including a recent appointment to its board of directors as vice president of student outreach. Ilardi’s work has been recognized with multiple awards from FPRA, including a Grand Image Award in the student division of its statewide awards program and the Orlando Chapter’s “Intern of the Year” award. She holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations with a minor in writing and rhetoric.
Kelliher was introduced to the communications field in high school while interning in the marketing department at the Brevard Zoo. This experience inspired her to pursue additional internships in marketing and public relations with the Florida Collegiate Summer League, the design firm of BRPH and Limbitless Solutions, an Orlando-based nonprofit organization that advances disability technology and STEM education. In 2019, her experience with Limbitless Solutions culminated in the opportunity to speak on a panel at the United Nations about the intersection of gender and disability at the Annual Ideagen 2030 Empowering Women and Girls Summit.
Kelliher has also served as a contributor for several media outlets, including Knight Sports Now, and remains an active contributor for CheeseheadTV, a news source for Green Bay Packer fans. She graduated from UCF, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in journalism studies.
About Curley & Pynn
Founded in 1984, Curley & Pynn provides counsel and advice and total program management to Florida professionals and corporate clients who recognize that in today’s business environment it is essential to communicate with all who have an interest in their success. Curley & Pynn is the Central and North Florida affiliate of MSLGROUP Americas, one of the world’s largest public relations firms. For more information, visit www.thestrategicfirm.com.
