Executive Biographies

Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR
Principal, Keenan PR
IPRA Founder

Building upon the success of nearly a decade in corporate and agency public relations, Heathere Evans-Keenan launched Keenan PR Inc., a virtual public relations consulting firm, in June 1999. Focused on helping companies develop their public relations strategies, as well as build and manage their corporate reputations, Keenan PR implements a wide range of strategic public relations programs on behalf of its clients.

Prior to founding Keenan PR, Evans-Keenan was vice president of corporate communications for ICG Communications, a nationwide $1.6 billion telecommunications company. In this role, she developed and drove the strategic direction of the company’s national public relations program, managed all internal and external functions of the corporate communications department, built a comprehensive employee and community relations program, and managed the department’s $1.5 million budget. She also ensured a cohesive corporate message was consistently communicated by media training and managing targeted spokespeople in each of the company’s regions. As a result of that effort, the company received unprecedented nationwide media coverage and experienced widespread recognition as a leading integrated communications provider.

Before that, Evans-Keenan was a senior public relations counselor at Mesa Communications, a high-tech public relations firm, where she was responsible for developing and executing a wide range of public relations campaigns on behalf of the firm’s clients. Evans-Keenan also managed public and employee relations for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site in Denver, Colo. In this capacity, she secured local and national media coverage, facilitated public and local government participation, worked with community groups, and developed a site-wide employee communications program. In addition, she was publicity coordinator for the annual environmental restoration conference, as well as team lead for the crisis communications team.

Evans-Keenan maintains regular contact with local, trade and national media, and has succeeded in placing articles and securing broadcast coverage on behalf of her clients in the top computer, finance/banking, telecommunications, healthcare, marketing, business and consumer media outlets. Prior to joining the public relations field, she worked both on and off camera in broadcast journalism for San Diego’s NBC affiliate.

Evans-Keenan is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, a 3-year board member for PRSA’s National Capital Chapter, and is the founder and chair of the Independent PR Alliance in Washington, D.C. She has received numerous awards in recognition of her excellence in communications and outstanding public relations.

Evans-Keenan received her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from San Diego State University with a minor in Spanish.