Nicole Shearer, APR, is the Associate Vice President of Public Relations at KPS3 here in Reno, Nevada, and serves as Incoming President on the PRSA Sierra Nevada Board of Directors. A graduate of the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a PRSA Sierra Nevada member since 2006, Nicole has dedicated her career to public relations.

Nicole started her career at small agencies in Lake Tahoe and Truckee, Calif., and at Northstar Ski Resort, before she and her husband moved to Reno. She joined the team at Renown Hospital in 2008 and stayed for 5.5 years, helping the organization launch its social media and digital presence. She then worked at the University of Nevada, Reno, Marketing and Communications Office for 7.5 years, where she found amazing mentors in Jane Tors and Kerri Garcia, who helped her learn and excel in her career.

After working through numerous crisis communications with the team at the University,  in early 2021, Nicole wanted a change of pace and missed her time in an agency role, which led her to join KPS3 in 2021 as its Director of Public Relations. Nicole worked her way to Senior Director of Public Relations and is now Associate Vice President of Public Relations.

About PRSA, Nicole says the organization has been a great resource throughout her career. Whenever she needed guidance with questions, ethics, writing, and more, PRSA has been a constant resource she could count on. From the very beginning, Nicole was determined to earn her APR, and with the encouragement and support of her team at KPS3, she achieved it in 2023.

“The pursuit was deeply personal to me, not just a career milestone,” Nicole said. “It was a goal I had set for myself and was committed to seeing through. Crossing that finish line meant more than I can fully put into words.”

As Incoming President, Nicole looks forward to giving back to the organization that has given her so much. This year, Nicole is excited to learn, absorb as much information as she can, and fill the shoes of those who have come before her as Chapter President next year.

Her advice to other practitioners in the industry is to get to know the exceptionally talented group of PR practitioners in our community. There are so many talented, smart, and remarkable public relations professionals here in Reno who love to talk shop and are often willing to share their expertise.

Getting involved in PRSA is a great way to get to know that community. Whether it’s attending in-person or online events, networking, or reaching out with new ideas, PRSA is here as a resource for you and your professional development.

Nicole’s parting words: Don’t be a stranger! Please come to her and others on the board with any ideas, things you would like to see happening in the PRSA Sierra Nevada Chapter, or simply to just say hello.

To learn more about Nicole and her career, read her biography at KPS3 or connect with her on LinkedIn!