President Spotlight: Kaley Infield, APR
Posted on Feb. 9, 2022 / Subscribe 0
This special President Spotlight profiles Kaley Infield, APR, who is 2022 president of PRSA Tampa Bay and also marketing manager at The Bank of Tampa. She joined PRSA Tampa Bay in 2012 and previously served as a member and the website and newsletter chair of the Digital Communication Committee; a member of the 2019 PRSA SunCon Committee, a group that organized the annual conference for the PRSA Sunshine District (Florida), which was held in Tampa that year; and secretary for PRSA Tampa Bay, in 2020.
1. Reason you wanted to become PRSA Tampa Bay president?
I wanted to give back to PRSA Tampa Bay because it has given me so much. This year I’m celebrating 10 years of membership with PRSA Tampa Bay, and through those 10 years I’ve developed deep, meaningful relationships with many members who have become close friends, confidants, and mentors over my career. Through our chapter, I’ve found my voice and the confidence I needed to become a leader inside and outside of this organization. In particular, I was able to pursue and attain my APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) with the help of some of my chapter mentors, and that has been one of my proudest professional accomplishments so far. I’m honored to give back to PRSA Tampa Bay by being able to serve as leader for the chapter this year.
Receiving the gavel to officially begin my presidency from 2021 PRSA Tampa Bay president Josh Carrasco, APR, at our Dec. 14 holiday mixer.
2. Major goals for the chapter this year?
In 2022, with the help of PRSA Tampa Bay’s talented board of directors and our dedicated committee leaders and volunteers, we are focused on three primary goals among others: increasing membership retention and recruitment; ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion become embedded in our chapter’s culture; and providing meaningful and engaging professional development programs and opportunities.
3. Biggest chapter events this year that everyone should keep on their radar?
I’m particularly looking forward to our Media Roundtable event, our Professional Development Day, and our PRestige Awards. While we can’t make guarantees, I’m crossing my fingers (and toes!) that we will be able to hold each of these signature events in person this year. I’m also working with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to put together some special events. Stay tuned to the PRSA Tampa Bay website for more details on all these activities soon!
4. Biggest challenge in adapting the chapter’s activities to the COVID-19 lockdown?
What phase we’ll be in next. With all the different waves of new virus variants and new lockdowns that we’ve had to contend with, making long-range plans has been a challenge. My goal this year is to keep everyone safe and to stay as flexible as possible while continuing to keep our members engaged through networking and programming opportunities, whether virtual or in person.
5. Most rewarding moment as a PRSA Tampa Bay officer so far?
It’s difficult to pick one. It’s more the deep and personal connections I’ve been able to make with our members, committee leaders, board members and past presidents over the years. There is an entire community of passionate public relations professionals in this organization, and I am truly honored to be able to be a part of it and to call my fellow chapter members my colleagues.
I work with the best colleagues! Me with our 2021 PRSA Tampa Bay president, Josh Carrasco, APR, and 2020 PRSA Tampa Bay president, Kelsy Long, at Clearwater Marine Aquarium for a chapter event in June of last year.
6. First news publication you read in the morning?
I start the day with a scan of the Wall Street Journal, the Tampa Bay Times and the Washington Post.
7. First public relations job?
In 2011, I started as external communications specialist at Gerdau, a global steel company with its North American headquarters based here in Tampa, and it was one of those jobs where you get exposed to all aspects of public relations, everything from public affairs, to media relations, to marketing communications, to advertising and branding. Having gained so much exposure to so many core competencies so early in my career gave me the experience and confidence I needed to grow into a leader in the public relations profession.
8. Most important career mentor, and why?
It’s so hard to pick just one. I am very fortunate to have several influential mentors and dedicated supervisors who have guided me and helped me grow as a professional. Within PRSA Tampa Bay, Mary Haban, APR, and Angela Eveillard Walters, APR, come to mind as mentors and advocates; Paula MacDonald, APR, Katy Parsons, APR, and Jesica D’Avanza, APR, are also valued colleagues for their encouragement and guidance in helping me complete my APR; and my predecessor, Josh Carrasco, APR, 2021 president of PRSA Tampa Bay, who was tremendous in helping me prepare for the presidency.
9. Top grammar, style or writing pet peeve?
Unnecessary capitalization. Drives me crazy!
On most Saturdays during the fall, my husband, Steven, and I can be found in the Swamp cheering for my alma mater! Go Gators!
10. Most rewarding accomplishment in public relations?
Completing my APR, in 2019.
11. Advice to new public relations professionals?
Try to dip your toes into many aspects of public relations and communications early in your career. It will make you a versatile, well-rounded professional, and it will keep things exciting.
12. Job you would pursue if you weren’t in public relations?
I have a photography side hustle, and if I weren’t in public relations and marketing, I would love to pursue that as a full-time career. I also love true crime, and I think it would be interesting to be an investigative reporter or a detective.
13. Favorite movie?
The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
14. Favorite vacation?
My husband and I love to travel, and some of our favorite trips include Scotland (2018), where we spent a great deal of time touring the Scottish Highlands, and Thailand (2019), where we visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi. Both are otherworldly destinations in their own way. Stay tuned, if COVID protocols allow it, we have Spain on the docket in 2022!
My husband and me on the Isle of Skye, in Scotland, hunting for dinosaur fossils.
Me at Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, one of our first stops during our two-week trip to Thailand in 2019.
15. Any three dinner guests?
Tom Petty, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Amanda Gorman
Our dogs Zero (left), a golden-chow mix, and Arlo, a border collie, on a recent trip to Charleston, South Carolina.
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