It takes a powerhouse team to oversee the diverse programming, networking, mentoring, and other membership needs of Women Communicators of Austin (WCA), one of the region’s largest professional organizations. Every year, a new team of talented women joins WCA’s Board of Directors and dedicates their time, talent, and service to the organization. Check out the latest team!
Are you looking to get more involved? It’s a fresh new year for WCA, and there are plenty of new opportunities to volunteer on WCA committees. For more information, email our VP of Engagement at engagement@wcaustin.org.
Ellen Decareau
President
Ellen is currently chief strategist at Medvoice PR, a communications agency that focuses on supporting medical and healthcare companies. She has spent more than a dozen years in the med/health space and doesn’t plan on doing anything else unless, that is, she finally gets her children’s book published.
Jacqueline Sinex
President Elect
From her experience as an artist, graphic designer, front-end web and e-commerce developer, Jacqueline (Jackie) cherishes her ability to speak both creative and tech. Today, she is the managing partner of WEBii, an Austin-based digital agency that specializes in small business and non-profit websites, web application development and complex e-learning development.
Andrea Exter
Past-President
Since 2006, Andrea has served WCA in seven different board roles and co-chaired the inaugural Get Smart conference. With an eye for detail and a background in journalism and association leadership, she is cofounder of Monarch Media & Consulting, a boutique custom-publishing company specializing in full-service magazine publishing for associations.
Jenevieve Andersen
Treasurer
Jenevieve is a lifelong lover of photography and has worked most of her career as a professional photographer and media producer. (She also loves nature and cooking, which is an awesome combo!) This is Jenevieve’s third year serving on the WCA board as Treasurer.
Genevieve “Vivvi” Britton
Secretary/VP of Operations
Vivvi (pronounced Vee-Vee) is the associate director, HCP PR at Pascale Communications. Prior to finding herself in PR, Vivvi was a teacher, spending the first part of her career teaching English abroad. When not traveling and working on home projects, you might find her oversharing about her German Shepherd, Inga. (#ingatheindifferent).
Kim Barnes
VP of Development
Kim started Barnes Team Media to share her 30 years of on-air experience to help clients get comfortable and confident on camera for videos and media interviews. She was an award-winning anchor/reporter for 15 years and has another 15 years of corporate and commercial on-camera and voiceover experience. She also taught broadcast journalism at the University of Texas.
Ericka Foster
VP of Membership
As a communications professional, Ericka’s goals are simple — to educate and inspire. She has many tools in her toolbox to do so, from marketing to PR to internal communications and more. Currently as senior communications analyst at Accenture, Ericka is helping employees connect to their community at work.
Jennifer Jones
VP of Engagement
Jennifer has more than 20 years of experience in public relations, communications, media relations, pitching, branding, and marketing. Since founding JKJ Marketing, Jennifer has focused her energy on bringing clients’ stories to life through engaging content and savvy marketing. (Her editorial instincts are rock solid, and her writing and editing skills are second to none.)
Michel Hudson
VP of Professional Developement
Michel, CFRE, has more than 30 years’ experience guiding nonprofits and associations, in the roles of staff, volunteer, board member, and consultant. Her company, 501(c)onsulting, established in 2001, focuses on leadership coaching for women in the nonprofit and association field, and providing groups with a framework for growth through strategic planning. Michel loves to lend her knowledge and experience as a community volunteer and we are thrilled to have her join the WCA Board.
Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, APR
Co-VP of Programs
Anne is an award-winning public relations and strategic marketing communications executive who helps businesses solve their communications challenges and achieve measurable results within changing, complex environments. She is also a born connector. (If rolodexes still existed, hers would be overflowing.)
Stacey Lawson
Co-VP of Programs
Stacey is VP of Strategic Accounts at A Place for Mom, a company that helps families navigate the maze of senior housing options. She joined the organization in July 2020 at the height of the pandemic, leaving the hospitality space to make a mark in Senior Living. Stacey has worked in a variety of verticals including public relations, literary publicity, digital marketing, and technology sales. Stacey left Texas in 2010, living five years in Chicago and five in New York City before moving back to Austin last year. She is a fantastic people person and self-professed Peloton junkie.
Sara Sturtevant
VP of Special Programs
From her experience as an educator, nonprofit communications professional, and plant enthusiast, Sara loves blending her interests, talents, and skills to bring a unique and fun experience to any project. Her company, Sturtevant Digital Marketing, provides marketing strategy for small businesses and nonprofits with creativity and enthusiasm.
Kirsten Knoll Longnecker
VP of Philanthropy
Kirsten oversees B2B marketing, communications, PR, social media, content strategy, and events for Kasasa. From her early days writing rhymed pentameter for Hallmark Cards to architecting communication in a highly regulated industry, Kirsten trusts that creativity thrives within confines. At Kasasa, she and her badass team drive engagement for community financial institutions giving the megabanks a run for their money.
Alice M. Walton
VP of Communications
Alice is a public affairs and strategic communications specialist who is able to tap into more than a dozen years’ worth of experience as a political journalist to define objectives, develop strategies and implement tactics for a diverse base of clients. Her skill for fast, quality writing was honed during her days at the Los Angeles Times and 89.3 KPCC public radio.
Monique Carreon
VP of Career Services
Monique Carreon has 15 years of marketing experience ranging from public relations to event management and all things in between. Currently, she is the marketing campaign manager for ESO, a software company located in The Domain.
Gail Gonzales
VP of Freelance Austin
Gail always loved art, ever since she was a child. She is a trained graphic designer and focused her entire career on “visually-related” jobs. After working for two dozen years with advertising agencies and a lifestyle magazine, Gail founded her own boutique branding agency, Evolve Your Brand.
- In Memoriam: Pam Baggett-Wallis - February 5, 2024
- Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, APR - January 6, 2024
- Cindy Friedman - December 6, 2023