Meet the Team
Kristina Humbarger i CEO
Kristina is a senior majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, serving as the CEO of GrandPR, which is directly affiliated with GVPRSSA. She is most excited to see the incredible work the GrandPR client teams will produce this year and to support them in advancing their skill sets. After graduation, Kristina plans to take a year to study for the LSAT before attending law school, aiming to combine her passion for strategic communication and advocacy in her future career.
Britlynn Veliz | coo
Britlynn is a senior pursuing a degree in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Applied Communications. This is her second year with GrandPR, where she previously served as Account Associate and Account Executive, and now will be taking on the role of Chief Operations Officer. Britlynn spent the past year handling communications for the Center for Civil Discourse and is currently the Calendar of Events intern at Experience Grand Rapids. After graduation, she hopes to begin her career in-house at a company that aligns with her interests.
Lauren Wayburn | Cxo
Lauren is a junior majoring in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Applied Communication. Now in her second year with GrandPR, she serves as the firm's Chief Experience Officer, following previous roles as an Account Associate and Media Coordinator. Beyond GrandPR, Lauren further develops her professional experience as a Marketing Assistant for GVSU's Office of Student Life, co-leads GVSU’s National Student Advertising Competition team, and is a 2026 cohort member of the EMERGE Leadership Academy. After graduation, she plans to launch a career in public relations, then potentially advance her education in a specialized field and pursue an executive leadership role.
Sophie Lehner I GVPRSSA President
Sophie is a junior majoring in Advertising & Public Relations with a minor in Psychology and an emphasis in Public Relations. She is also a student in the Frederik Meijer Honors College. Sophie currently sits as the GVPRSSA President and Programming Director, along with working as an Account Associate for a second semester at GrandPR. Her favorite part of her job is seeing how all the new members discover a love for PR through the guest speakers. After graduation, Sophie hopes to pursue a career in sports media or work at an agency.
Dr. Adrienne Wallace | Faculty Advisor
Dr. Wallace is the associate director for the School of Communications and an associate professor of advertising and public relations at GVSU with a passion for student-to-professional development. In addition to advising GrandPR, she advises the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter at GVSU, is past-president of West Michigan PRSA, and a past chair of the East Central District (PRSA). She also serves as the Digital Marketing Competition coach, Page Case Study Competition coach, and our Bateman faculty advisor. Dr. Wallace is a prolific author and conference presenter. She is also the mother of rescue beagles, Rosie and Wilbur.
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