Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future

This Women's History Month, join PRSA Memphis for lunch and a panel discussion that will expand our understanding of sustainability to encompass financial sustainability, community resilience, leadership succession, and intergenerational equity. 

Our talented panel and moderator:

Kim Alexander, Director, Public Relations & Internal Relations, Baptist Memorial Health Care

Kim Alexander has more than 25 years of communications experience. She is the director of public relations and internal communications for Baptist Memorial Health Care, a $4.3 billion, 25-hospital integrated health care system that is recognized as one of the largest health care systems in the South. Kim has also worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and AutoZone Inc. During her career, she has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including PRSA Memphis VOX awards and Mississippi Hospital Association Maggie awards. She also was named the Memphis Advertising Federation Ad Woman of the Year, Public Relations Director of the Year and Public Relations Specialist of the Year. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. SunAh Laybourn, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Memphis 

SunAh Laybourn is a sociologist and community engagement leader transforming research on identity and belonging into real-world impact. She is the organizer of Memphis's first month-long celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month and co-founder of the Hungry Tiger Memphis, a food club that fosters community, exploration, and support of local businesses. As an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Memphis, she specializes in race, identity, and Asian America. SunAh is also the author of Out of Place: The Lives of Korean Adoptee Immigrants. She shared some of her research findings and personal experience as a Korean adoptee in her 2024 TEDx talk. SunAh is committed to bridging research, storytelling, and action to build communities where everyone is seen, heard, and celebrated.

Dawn Ray, Communications Lead, Chartwell Higher Education Dining Services 

Dawn Ray is a senior level strategic communications executive and brand storyteller with deep expertise in hospitality, franchising, and global consumer brands. She is known for helping organizations navigate transformation through clear, compelling
narratives that resonate from the front line to the Csuite. Across her career, Dawn has led executive communications, brand management,
earned media, events, and franchisee and field communications for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Hilton and its global portfolio of hotel brands, GoTo Foods (Cinnabon, Auntie Annes, Jamba, Carvel, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli
and Schlotzsky’s Deli,) FedEx, Papa Johns and more. Her experience includes orchestrating major company rebrands, guiding organizations through mergers and acquisitions, and building and leading high performing, multidisciplinary communications
teams. She currently leads communications for Chartwells Higher Education, the collegiate dining sector for Compass Group. Dawn has been recognized as a Top Women in PR (2024) by PR News and named to the Women in the Lead list by Fast Casual. Her work has earned Silver and Bronze Anvils, along with numerous industry awards in hospitality and public relations.

Kim Cherry, CEO, Cherry and Company Public Relations 

In her 30 years at First Horizon, Kim Cherry managed internal and external communications, media relations, crisis communications, community investment and the First Horizon Foundation.  Eight years ago she founded Cherry and Company Public Relations, where she helps business leaders get the PEOPLE who matter to their businesses excited about THE THINGS that matter to their businesses.  She's accredited in public relations and earned her bachelor's in communications from Rhodes College.  She's also completing her thesis for a master's in strategic communications from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.  

Kirstin Cheers - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair, PRSA Memphis (Moderator)

Kirstin Cheers is a communications strategist and public relations leader specializing in strategic messaging, crisis management, and media relations. She serves as Director of Public Relations at KQ Communications and holds a master’s degree in communication studies. Passionate about amplifying Black voices and driving civic engagement, Kirstin is committed to shaping public narratives that inspire change.

Goals and objectives for this session:

• Honor: Celebrate the diverse contributions of women who are leading sustainability efforts across environmental, health, economic, educational, and social justice movements.

• Educate: Raise awareness about the important historical and contemporary roles of women in shaping sustainable change.

• Inspire: Empower individuals and institutions on how to take action toward sustainability, equity, and justice in their own spheres of influence.

• Connect: Build bridges across generations, geographies, and disciplines to foster collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning.

• Envision: Encourage a long-term vision for our future where women’s leadership is central to thriving communities and a healthy planet.