Leaders & Legends: Real Talk with PR Pros

Great careers don’t just happen — they’re shaped by stories, setbacks, mentors and moments that matter.

PRSA Nashville invites you to Leaders & Legends, a candid, storytelling-rich conversation with two respected voices in our local communications community:

• Ronald Roberts, Managing Partner, FINN Partners
• Jenny Barker, APR, Fellow PRSA, Founder, Gray Owl Strategy

Moderated by Meredith Libbey, APR, Fellow PRSA, Past President of PRSA Nashville (2020), this program explores the pivotal moments, challenges and mindset shifts that shaped each communicator’s path.

Expect real talk, practical wisdom and encouragement to help you lead with purpose, navigate complexity and build a resilient, values-driven career in communications.

Whether you’re just getting started or seeking fresh inspiration, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from leaders who’ve built meaningful, long-lasting careers — and are willing to share lessons learned along the way.

Bring your questions, your curiosity and your appetite. We’ll start with coffee, donuts and networking at 7:30 a.m., with the conversation beginning promptly at 8:00 a.m.

RSVP via Eventbrite.

Meet the Speakers

Ronald Roberts

Managing Partner, FINN Partners

With over 30 years of experience in public relations and agency leadership, Ronald Roberts is recognized for his strategic approach to complex communication challenges. At FINN Partners, he leads client retention and serves on the firm’s global crisis communications team, where he helps guide clients through reputation-defining moments. He is certified in crisis communications management by the Institute for Crisis Management and often leads quick-response teams during urgent, high-profile situations.

His expertise includes media training, executive visibility, messaging strategy, branding, and conflict resolution. He is also a frequent speaker on corporate storytelling and communications leadership.

Ronald’s career began in media and higher education — he served as an assistant producer at The Nashville Network (TNN), then spent more than a decade at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in both PR and faculty roles.

A committed civic leader, Ronald has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Cheekwood, the Nashville Rotary Club, Second Harvest Food Bank, the United Way of Greater Nashville, and 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee. He earned both his B.S. and M.Ed. from MTSU.

Jenny Barker, APR, Fellow PRSA

Founder + Principal, Gray Owl Strategy

Jenny Barker brings over 20 years of experience across agency and corporate roles and is now a solo PR practitioner. Working in these various settings has given her a broad and nuanced perspective on what it takes to succeed in the PR industry.

She joined PRSSA at Lipscomb University in 2001 and has been active in PRSA ever since. She earned her APR in 2008 and was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows in 2023.

Jenny has held senior communications positions at two Nashville PR agencies and two publicly traded companies—HCA Healthcare and Marriott International. In 2022, she launched Gray Owl Strategy, where she specializes in reputation management—helping organizations navigate complex change and high-pressure situations.

Known for her dedication to mentorship and community service, Jenny has served on boards such as the Junior League of Nashville, Oasis Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and PRSA Nashville. Jenny has held numerous committee chair roles with the Rotary Club of Nashville and holds leadership roles within PRSA at both local and national levels.