A Legacy of Leadership: Lisa Van Hook, APR, Honored with 2024 PRSA Crystal Award

Twenty-seven years ago, The Communications Group recognized the untapped potential in Lisa Van Hook and recruited her to its team. Now, nearly three decades later, her influence on the public relations and marketing industry is evident through her strategic leadership and outreach initiatives.

In recognition of her significant and continuous contributions to the profession, Lisa was awarded the 2024 Crystal Award by the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at its annual Prism Awards banquet in Little Rock. This prestigious award honors professionals who have made lasting impacts on the public relations field, and Lisa’s career is a testament to that legacy.

Earning her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is a tribute to Lisa’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in the profession. The rigorous APR process demonstrates a public relations professional's knowledge, experience, and ethical judgment. For Lisa, this accreditation not only solidified her expertise but also reinforced her dedication to ethical and effective communication strategies—a commitment that defines her career.

On September 1, Lisa assumed the role of President at The Communications Group (ComGroup), succeeding Dan Cowling, one of the agency’s founders. Throughout her tenure, she played a pivotal role in shaping ComGroup, guiding its growth and maintaining its reputation for excellence.

Reflecting on her journey, Lisa expressed her gratitude to PRSA: "I grew up professionally in PRSA and am grateful for the role it has played in shaping my career. From the moment I joined, I was welcomed into a network of passionate professionals who are dedicated to excellence and ethical practice."

Lisa built lasting relationships with clients by providing ethical counsel and innovative communication strategies. Her expertise spans numerous areas of public relations, including media relations, crisis communications, strategic planning, and community outreach. As a former president of the Arkansas PRSA and a respected leader within ComGroup, Lisa has mentored – and continues to mentor – numerous professionals while working tirelessly to advance the state's public relations and marketing industry.

With Lisa’s strategic support, ComGroup has launched over 40 outreach and education programs for government agencies and programs like breast cancer screening, early childhood education, maternal health programs, diabetes prevention, smoking cessation and many more. One of her notable recent initiatives, the Women in Industry program, was introduced in 2019 to champion and promote the advancement of women across various sectors. As the host of the WIN program podcast, Lisa interviews women leaders from diverse industries, discussing their journeys to success and how they blazed trails in their respective fields. Through these conversations, she inspires future generations of women to harness their talents and excel in their careers.

But, Lisa is just getting started. As she looks to the future, she emphasizes, "Leadership of the agency is a trust from our clients, our vendor partners, and our team that I take very seriously. I can’t wait for the next part of the journey."

Learn more about Lisa and follow along ComGroup’s new journey under her leadership on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and at comgroup.com.