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Kelliann Amico has spent four decades transforming how organizations approach strategic communication, elevating it from a tactical function to a core leadership discipline that drives measurable outcomes and builds public trust.

Her career began in the 1980s after earning a double degree in communications and drama from the University of Portland. Early in her professional journey, she made her mark by chairing a committee of young professionals for a public service campaign that earned national acclaim, including the prestigious G.D. Crain Jr. Award in 1988, just two years into her career.

Amico honed her expertise at a highly regarded regional public relations and public affairs firm before launching her own successful strategic communication practice as a sole proprietor. In 2016, she formalized her company as Amico PR, building it on a foundation of ethical, human-focused public relations.

From 1998 to 2000, Amico served as a press lead for the Clinton White House, traveling internationally and domestically in advance of presidential and first lady visits. She served as a liaison to the White House Press Corps and local media. She later volunteered in the same role for presidential campaigns including Hillary for America, Kerry for President and Al Gore.

One of her most notable achievements came in 2013 when Amico led media relations for the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit in Portland. Recognizing that traditional religious framing might limit public participation, she strategically repositioned the summit as a secular gathering about climate action led by one of the world’s most respected moral leaders. This bold messaging shift helped sell out the event’s 15,000 seats and succeeded in framing climate change as a moral and communal imperative. Though initially brought on in a partial pro bono capacity, Amico’s commitment quickly surpassed the scope of her contract. She contributed more than $20,000 in pro bono time, recruited a documentary film team to chronicle the event at no cost and secured a social media strategist to provide live, real-time engagement during the summit. Her efforts generated more than 150 media stories, raised $300,000 for local nonprofits and increased public awareness of Maitripa College as a hub for compassion, learning and social change. The work earned a national Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Award.

Her leadership in the profession was formally recognized with her induction into the PRSA College of Fellows.

Currently serving as president-elect of PRSA Oregon, Amico champions strategic communication as a core leadership function. At a time when many organizations are stepping away from diversity, equity and inclusion commitments, she is leading her company and PRSA Oregon to lean into this work, assembling a diverse board and designing programming to ensure DEI remains a core, enduring value.

Amico’s commitment to public service extends throughout her career. She currently serves on the national board of the League of Minority Voters and has served in public relations roles on numerous boards and committees for nonprofit organizations throughout Oregon and Washington. Her longstanding commitment to volunteerism has been recognized by the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Oregon Mentors and more. As the mother of a son on the autism spectrum, she reached out to offer her firm’s pro bono services to The Shadow Project, a nonprofit offering school-based programs proven to help students with learning challenges build skills for school and life success.