PR pro Emily McDermott, most recently with Rockville’s Fovndry, has joined Abel Communications in Hampden.

McDermott has 16+ years of experience working with nonprofit, corporate, and consumer clients strategically executing public and media relations, brand messaging, consumer marketing, business development, and social media strategy. McDermott actively participates in Thread and is a board member for the Maryland chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The Daily Record named her to the “2019 VIP List” recognizing area professionals for their achievements and PRSA Maryland honored her with the Paul E. Welsh Award for mid-career success. In 2020 Abel Communications was honored as PR Team of the Year.

Nikki Bracy

Nikki Bracy, also a PRSA Maryland board member, has been named social media manager at Pandora. Bracy joins from Planit where she was PR and social media account director. According to Pandora, the company designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished and contemporary jewelry made from high-quality materials at affordable prices. Pandora jewelry is sold in more than 100 countries on six continents through more than 6,700 points of sale, including more than 2,600 concept stores.

Vitamin president Amanda Karfakis announced the hire of Melissa Weyant as VP, Client Services. Weyant is an agency veteran with 14 years of experience in integrated communications across a range of industries that match Vitamin’s client roster. She spent more than 13 years at Renegade, most recently as VP of client services.

Chris Daley

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), the leading voice for the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians, has hired communications veteran Chris Daley as its Vice President of Strategic Communications. In the senior leadership role, Daley will lead HAP’s communications and public affairs team responsible for media relations, social media strategies, HealthyMePA (HAP’s digital community), member publications, as well as all other association communications services and activities.

Daley spent the last two and a half years running his own consulting agency, Whirlaway. Prior to starting his own business, Daley spent nearly 13 years with Columbia, Maryland-based, Maroon PR. He had been with Maroon PR since the company was launched by longtime public relations professional John Maroon in April 2006. During his time with Maroon, Daley served in a variety of leadership roles at the firm including account management and business development director. He led strategic communications campaigns for brands across various industries including hospitals, health care organizations and nonprofits.

Photo of Emily McDermott by The Daily Record