FPRA Southwest Florida Chapter Member Lauren Bernaldo Earns Professional Public Relations Certification

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 23, 2023) – Lauren Bernaldo, APR, CPRC of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), recently earned professional certification in public relations and received the designation of Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC).

Earning the CPRC credential distinguishes senior members of FPRA who have demonstrated understanding and mastery of core public relations principles and ethical practices and have been certified to act as public relations counselors. Currently, there are 130 CPRCs in Florida, including 18 in Southwest Florida.

As the chief communications officer for the Lee County Tax Collector, Bernaldo is responsible for leading communication strategies to enhance customer engagement and education while also helping build a positive organizational culture. After graduating with a degree in media and politics, Bernaldo spent 23 years as an award-winning journalist at NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio, MSNBC, and NBC2/ABC7 in Fort Myers. Prior to her current role, she held senior communications positions with the School District of Lee County. Lauren is a mother to three exceptional teenagers and wife to a wonderful husband.

To earn the CPRC credential, candidates must have 10 years of experience in the field; have earned the APR designation, which is the first tier of accreditation; and successfully complete a verbal presentation and pass a five-hour written exam.

About the Florida Public Relations Association

The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida.  For more information on the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association, visit www.fpraswfl.org.