Starting a public relations firm was never on my bucket list.
Instead, I was pushed in that direction by the good people around me. Fifteen years ago, I was the national communications director at Reclaiming Futures, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. My job was coming to an end, but Ann Searight Christiano, my communications officer at RWJF and now head of the Center for Public Interest Communications, believed in my work. She gave me a true gift: my first communications contract. And so began my scrappy, half-time side hustle as a communications consultant. Give it a try for a year, I thought, and see where it takes you.
“Soon that side hustle became—at least in my eyes—the best job in the state of Oregon: running Prichard Communications.”
Soon that side hustle became—at least in my eyes—the best job in the state of Oregon: running Prichard Communications. It’s offered me the wonderful opportunity to practice social change communications, and make a difference about issues that matter in Oregon and across the United States.
But after 15 years, I’ve decided to close our business at the end of this year. It’s not a decision I take lightly, though it’s something I’ve been thinking about for some time.
As every business owner knows, there’s no opportune moment to close up shop. Yet looking back, I feel fulfilled by our accomplishments. I’m proud we’ve served so many changemaking clients—philanthropies like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust, organizations like Reclaiming Futures and Rural Development Initiatives, local governments such as the City of Tigard and Clackamas County, and many others.
I’m also proud of our Portland Ten dinner series. We’ve hosted 19 dinners, bringing together nearly two hundred people who care deeply about the future of our community. I know that these dinners have sparked lasting connections which have directly led to positive change in Portland and beyond.
Finally, I’m proud of all my colleagues at Prichard. In the long run, whatever your career, it’s the people you work with that matter. And over the years, I’ve been lucky to work alongside so many bright, talented colleagues. It’s to my great satisfaction to watch them go on to thrive elsewhere. I want to express my deep appreciation to each of Prichard’s managing directors—Jennie Day-Burget, Jenna Cerruti, and Erin Stutesman.
Know that I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be leading the Mac’s List team as we work to make hiring more human in the Pacific Northwest, and hosting the Find Your Dream Job podcast. And here at Prichard, we’ll be working hard for our clients until the end of December. So if you have questions, or want to get in touch, don’t hesitate to do so.
Take care,
Mac Prichard
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