Biography

Tara L. Smith has more than 10 years of experience in public relations and corporate communications, working for a range of organizations, from non-profits and small agencies to global corporations and media conglomerates. In the fall of 2016, she launched her independent public relations consultancy, Tara Lynn Communications, which specializes in media relations, employee engagement, thought leadership, and event promotion. One year later, Tara earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and began teaching as an adjunct professor for the University of Delaware's Department of Communication.

Prior to moving to Delaware, Tara lived in New York City for several years, and worked at the headquarters of NBCUniversal News Group, Time Warner Inc., and Ketchum Public Relations. Earlier in her career, she lived and worked in Atlanta as a public relations account executive for The Haystack Group, and in the public relations department for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Since 2006, Tara has been an active member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She served nationally on the Educational Affairs Committee, held numerous leadership positions with PRSA Georgia, served on the Board of Directors for PRSA New York, and was a judge of the chapter's prestigious Big Apple Awards. She is currently a member of PRSA's Independent Practitioners Alliance and the PRSA Delaware chapter.

Throughout her career, Tara has gained recognition from notable industry awards, including the CLIOs, SABREs, and the coveted PRSA Silver Anvil Award. She was also selected as PR Week Magazine's 2006 Student of the Year during her senior year of college. Tara earned her M.S. in public relations and corporate communication from New York University with distinction, and a B.A. in public relations from The Pennsylvania State University. She lives in Middletown, Delaware, with her husband and children.