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MEET PRSA AUSTIN CHAPTER MEMBER: Olga Mayoral Wilson, APR, Fellow PRSA

CURRENT LIVELIHOOD: In 2010, I started as an adjunct lecturer teaching public relations campaigns at the SJMC while serving as public relations director at The Center for the Study of Latino Media and Markets — a research, service and academic center on campus (2009-2013).

Presently, I’m the coordinator of the School’s Public Relations sequence and teach public relations research methods to undergraduates. In addition, I advise the Latino Communications Association (LCA) student organization, assist with the PRSSA chapter, and coordinate the annual D.D. Hachar Visiting Hispanic Media Professionals Program for Laredo High School students during our annual Mass Comm Week in October.

CHILDHOOD AMBITION: I really didn’t know … but I loved to read, write, plan, organize and looked forward to travel and to discover ‘exciting’ locations. My parents bought me a desk with the world map printed on the desktop for one Christmas. I would look up places in the “Encyclopedia” ( … remember that?) and my imagination took me everywhere! I was constantly asking questions to my father -- curiosity started early!

DRAW TO THE COMMUNICATIONS FIELD: ‘The French made me do it’ would be a short answer! My first job was to translate documents from French into English and Spanish for an international resort company. My mentors — all excellent communicators, were incredibly supportive. I believe they set the wheels in motion which led to C-suite positions.

ALMA MATER: 

  • Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico: BA, English Literature major and French Literature minor
    • Study Abroad: Universíté Laval, Quebec, PQ, Canada, for French immersion program
  • Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA: Master in Arts in International Studies (MAIS)
  • Currently at Texas State University, Graduate School, second masters program in strategic communication - expected graduation date: August 2015

HOMETOWN: I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico (USA) -- a beautiful island in the Spanish Caribbean. I've lived in Ponce and San Juan, in Puerto Rico; Honolulu in the state of Hawaii; Norfolk and Alexandria, VA; Washington DC; and Texas since 2008, in New Braunfels. I have been married for 31 years to US Coast Guard Ret-CWO Lowry L. Wilson with whom I discovered the exciting world of relocation!

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL: I lead the crisis communication strategy for two financial institutions to avoid the threat of bankruptcy while maintaining their established reputation in the communities they served. Everything I learned was tested and successfully implemented.

RECOMMENDED READS: Professionally, I keep myself up to date with the research work published in the PR Journal and the Harvard Business Review; on a daily basis, I follow The Economist, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and NY Times, as well as the PR industry news. Personally, I recommend Isabel Allende Maya’s Notebook (2014) and Gabriel García Márquez Del Amor y Otros Demonios (2010).

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT AUSTIN AND FAVORITE AUSTIN RESTAURANTS: Living in New Braunfels is great because we’re close to everything; the possibilities are endless when choosing a place to go! Love to go sightseeing in downtown Austin -- the Capitol, its neighborhoods; Driftwood and Fredericksburg. As for restaurants, Myron’s and McAdoo’s in downtown New Braunfels are two of our favorites!