Ellen W. Hartman, APR, Fellow PRSA
Ellen Weaver Hartman, APR, Fellow PRSA, is president and CEO of Hartman Public Relations, based in Atlanta. Hartman has more than 45 years of experience in building strategic communications campaigns for some of the world’s most well-known brands including Coca-Cola, National Restaurant Association, Brinker, Popeyes, Arby’s, Smokey Bones, Miller’s Ale House, Concessions International, Golden Corral, Seattle’s Best Coffee, and Kroger.
In addition to consumer and business to business communications, she has expertise in corporate communications, social responsibility, media relations and crisis management. Her crisis work includes Covid-19 management, legal and labor issues, gender and diversity issues, workplace violence, food borne illnesses, environmental disasters, product recalls and financial issues.
Prior to forming her own company, Hartman was president of the Atlanta office of Weber Shandwick a company owned by Inter Public Group (IPG), one the largest communication companies in the world.
She was also vice president and chief communications officer for AFC Enterprises, a $4 billion, public company and parent to Popeyes Chicken, Church’s Chicken, Cinnabon and Seattle’s Best and Torrefazione Italia coffees. A member of the 12-person executive team, Hartman reported to the chairman and CEO. While at AFC, Hartman managed all internal and external communications including the company’s IPO and investor communications, employee communications, diversity management, social responsibility, and government affairs. Hartman also led a four-year communications initiative to help bring the company from bankruptcy to the top honor in the restaurant industry: “Operator of the Year.” As chair of AFC’s New Age of Opportunity Diversity Management program, she was instrumental in AFC’s selection by Fortune Magazine as the Third Best Company to Work for African Americans in 2001. She was also the lead of AFC’s program to build 300 Habitat for Humanity International in 21 countries around the world.
Previously, Hartman also was a senior vice president for Fleishman Hillard and Manning, Selvage & Lee and worked for The Coca-Cola Company in the area of financial communications.
A community leader for 40 years, Hartman serves on the Board of Counselors for The Carter Center, as well as the boards of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, Georgia Restaurant Association, Georgia State University’s School of Hospitality, International Women’s Forum, Les Dames d’ Escoffier, and the Public Relations Society of America/Georgia Chapter where she served as the 2001 president. She is an accredited member of PRSA, and was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows in 1998 and the Chapter’s Order of the Phoenix in 2006. PRSA/Georgia Chapter recognized Hartman’s achievements in 1997 with the Dyar Massey Award for service to PRSA and the Georgia Goodwin Award for community service in 2001. She was awarded the Paul Lund Award for Community Service by national PRSA in 2008 and the CEO Award of Excellence from Smokey Bones.
In 2022, Hartman was recognized by the Georgia Restaurant Association as one of three inaugural inductees to the Georgia Restaurant Hall of Fame. The award recognizes individuals who have exhibited the highest standard of excellence and professionalism in all aspects of the industry and have made significant contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry and the Georgia Restaurant Association.
Hartman is a 1990 graduate of Leadership Atlanta. Additionally, she is a member of the Arthur Page Society for senior level communication professionals, the Women’s Foodservice Forum, and former board member of the Multi-Cultural Foodservice Hospitality Alliance.
A native of Starkville, MS, Hartman graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She is the mother and stepmother of five children, a former pilot, marathon runner and is currently researching her deceased father’s history as a WWII airman who flew more than 50 bombing missions and became a POW after he was shot down over France shortly after D Day 1944.
In addition to consumer and business to business communications, she has expertise in corporate communications, social responsibility, media relations and crisis management. Her crisis work includes Covid-19 management, legal and labor issues, gender and diversity issues, workplace violence, food borne illnesses, environmental disasters, product recalls and financial issues.
Prior to forming her own company, Hartman was president of the Atlanta office of Weber Shandwick a company owned by Inter Public Group (IPG), one the largest communication companies in the world.
She was also vice president and chief communications officer for AFC Enterprises, a $4 billion, public company and parent to Popeyes Chicken, Church’s Chicken, Cinnabon and Seattle’s Best and Torrefazione Italia coffees. A member of the 12-person executive team, Hartman reported to the chairman and CEO. While at AFC, Hartman managed all internal and external communications including the company’s IPO and investor communications, employee communications, diversity management, social responsibility, and government affairs. Hartman also led a four-year communications initiative to help bring the company from bankruptcy to the top honor in the restaurant industry: “Operator of the Year.” As chair of AFC’s New Age of Opportunity Diversity Management program, she was instrumental in AFC’s selection by Fortune Magazine as the Third Best Company to Work for African Americans in 2001. She was also the lead of AFC’s program to build 300 Habitat for Humanity International in 21 countries around the world.
Previously, Hartman also was a senior vice president for Fleishman Hillard and Manning, Selvage & Lee and worked for The Coca-Cola Company in the area of financial communications.
A community leader for 40 years, Hartman serves on the Board of Counselors for The Carter Center, as well as the boards of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, Georgia Restaurant Association, Georgia State University’s School of Hospitality, International Women’s Forum, Les Dames d’ Escoffier, and the Public Relations Society of America/Georgia Chapter where she served as the 2001 president. She is an accredited member of PRSA, and was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows in 1998 and the Chapter’s Order of the Phoenix in 2006. PRSA/Georgia Chapter recognized Hartman’s achievements in 1997 with the Dyar Massey Award for service to PRSA and the Georgia Goodwin Award for community service in 2001. She was awarded the Paul Lund Award for Community Service by national PRSA in 2008 and the CEO Award of Excellence from Smokey Bones.
In 2022, Hartman was recognized by the Georgia Restaurant Association as one of three inaugural inductees to the Georgia Restaurant Hall of Fame. The award recognizes individuals who have exhibited the highest standard of excellence and professionalism in all aspects of the industry and have made significant contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry and the Georgia Restaurant Association.
Hartman is a 1990 graduate of Leadership Atlanta. Additionally, she is a member of the Arthur Page Society for senior level communication professionals, the Women’s Foodservice Forum, and former board member of the Multi-Cultural Foodservice Hospitality Alliance.
A native of Starkville, MS, Hartman graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She is the mother and stepmother of five children, a former pilot, marathon runner and is currently researching her deceased father’s history as a WWII airman who flew more than 50 bombing missions and became a POW after he was shot down over France shortly after D Day 1944.
Alison Ilg
Anyone who knows Alison Ilg – and most of the Atlanta PR community does – recognizes she's a public relations professional who truly enjoys the thrill of the pitch and has a passion for engaging clients in effective social media trends. Alison helps businesses create and implement results-oriented national and trade media relations, internal communications and social media programs. Tenacious, optimistic and always seeking new opportunities to promote clients, she builds relationships with key reporters and keeps connections alive through multiple communications platforms.
Clients she has served include David Oakey Designs (Interface designer), tvsdesign, Amtico (flooring), Beazer Homes, North American Properties, The Coca-Cola Company, Mayo Clinic, GE Healthcare Camden Group, CDC and Siemens Energy & Automation. Formerly, Alison worked at Ketchum Public Relations and Georgia-Pacific, producing award-winning efforts. Early in her career, she was the public relations director and promotions director at WGST and WPCH radio stations in Atlanta and WLVE radio in Miami.
Alison speaks frequently about how to employ social media tools to achieve business objectives and how to successfully pitch media on any size budget. An avid reader and TED Talk devotee, she also is a member of Social Media Atlanta Club. Alison’s energy is not confined to her professional endeavors. When she takes a break from her efforts to blow clients away with the results she produces, you can find her windsurfing in the waters off Cape Hatteras. Closer to home she enjoys ZUMBA, cooking classes and biking. Alison graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor of science degree in cmunications. She majored in public relations and was PRSSA president.
Clients she has served include David Oakey Designs (Interface designer), tvsdesign, Amtico (flooring), Beazer Homes, North American Properties, The Coca-Cola Company, Mayo Clinic, GE Healthcare Camden Group, CDC and Siemens Energy & Automation. Formerly, Alison worked at Ketchum Public Relations and Georgia-Pacific, producing award-winning efforts. Early in her career, she was the public relations director and promotions director at WGST and WPCH radio stations in Atlanta and WLVE radio in Miami.
Alison speaks frequently about how to employ social media tools to achieve business objectives and how to successfully pitch media on any size budget. An avid reader and TED Talk devotee, she also is a member of Social Media Atlanta Club. Alison’s energy is not confined to her professional endeavors. When she takes a break from her efforts to blow clients away with the results she produces, you can find her windsurfing in the waters off Cape Hatteras. Closer to home she enjoys ZUMBA, cooking classes and biking. Alison graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor of science degree in cmunications. She majored in public relations and was PRSSA president.
Mitch Leff
Mitch Leff is a 25-year Atlanta public relations veteran, recognized as one of the strongest and most effective media relations specialists in Atlanta. He began his career with Cohn & Wolfe Public Relations, rising to become Media Relations Director for the Atlanta office, at the time the largest public relations agency in the southeast.
For many years, he edited the Cohn & Wolfe Metro Atlanta Media Guide, the definitive guide to Atlanta media. Mitch also spent several years with the Atlanta offices of Edelman Public Relations and GCI Group.
He left agency PR to become director of public relations for Turner Learning, the educational division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. There he was responsible for public relations and public affairs for educational programs across a number of AOL Time Warner networks and entities, including CNN, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, HBO, and the Atlanta Thrashers. He also launched CNNstudentnews.com, the network's first and only educational Web site.
Leff has provided public relations services for some of the world's most prestigious companies, including The Coca-Cola Company, AOL Time Warner, the National Football League, UPS and many others.
He is a member of the Atlanta Press Club and the Public Relations Society of America. He serves on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, and has served on their marketing committee since 1990.
For many years, he edited the Cohn & Wolfe Metro Atlanta Media Guide, the definitive guide to Atlanta media. Mitch also spent several years with the Atlanta offices of Edelman Public Relations and GCI Group.
He left agency PR to become director of public relations for Turner Learning, the educational division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. There he was responsible for public relations and public affairs for educational programs across a number of AOL Time Warner networks and entities, including CNN, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, HBO, and the Atlanta Thrashers. He also launched CNNstudentnews.com, the network's first and only educational Web site.
Leff has provided public relations services for some of the world's most prestigious companies, including The Coca-Cola Company, AOL Time Warner, the National Football League, UPS and many others.
He is a member of the Atlanta Press Club and the Public Relations Society of America. He serves on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, and has served on their marketing committee since 1990.
Tracy Aiello Henderson
With more than ten years as an owner or manager of three public relations agencies in Denver and Dallas, Tracy Henderson knows the value of a well-defined reputation and the bottom-line impact of a fine-tuned awareness campaign.
Whatever the nature of the project, Tracy offers experience, understanding and objectivity. In her history she has told the story of clients in myriad industries including architecture, real estate, professional services, restaurants and retail, software, and the public sector. Her writing has appeared in daily and weekly news publications, in trade journals, on websites and in marketing collateral -- and has been put in the hands of many potential clients.
Henderson’s commitment to a quality business community has been recognized by many prominent organizations. She was named one of the Denver Business Journal’s 40 under 40, was a finalist for the publication’s Outstanding Women in Business, was named Outstanding Woman of Jefferson County by the West Chamber of Commerce and was selected for Leadership Denver by the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
When she’s not writing for clients, she enjoys writing for kids. Her first book in a series for elementary school children, Miracle Dogs of Portugal, was published in 2010.
Whatever the nature of the project, Tracy offers experience, understanding and objectivity. In her history she has told the story of clients in myriad industries including architecture, real estate, professional services, restaurants and retail, software, and the public sector. Her writing has appeared in daily and weekly news publications, in trade journals, on websites and in marketing collateral -- and has been put in the hands of many potential clients.
Henderson’s commitment to a quality business community has been recognized by many prominent organizations. She was named one of the Denver Business Journal’s 40 under 40, was a finalist for the publication’s Outstanding Women in Business, was named Outstanding Woman of Jefferson County by the West Chamber of Commerce and was selected for Leadership Denver by the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
When she’s not writing for clients, she enjoys writing for kids. Her first book in a series for elementary school children, Miracle Dogs of Portugal, was published in 2010.