ABOUT THE PRESIDENT

Michelle M. Lantz, MA, APR is the president and owner of Lantz Communications, Inc. and a partner of the Insight Development Group.

In 2009 & 2010, Michelle was appointed chair of the national PRSA District Council by PRSA chairmen Mike Cherenson, APR and Gary McCormick, APR.
 
Michelle served as the 2009 chair of PRSA's East Central District, a 6-state region with 15 chapters and 2,500 members. She also was selected the 2008 PaceMaker of the Year, the highest honor given to individual public relations professionals by the Central Michigan Chapter of PRSA.

Michelle is accredited in public relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America. She holds a master’s degree in public relations and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Michigan State University.

Lantz Communications is a Lansing-area public relations firm specializing in strategic planning, marketing and public relations, writing, special events, and print/electronic communication for small to mid-sized organizations. Created in 2002, the firm was founded to support organizations desiring an external consultant who would focus intensely on their goals. Michelle provides a hands-on, highly-creative level of professionalism with a unique ability to understand and coach clients’ staff and volunteers.

Michelle is also a partner of the Insight Development Group, a fund development agency that delivers a start-to-finish process for capital campaigns, board development and fundraising planning. Insight believes in involving key staff and volunteer leaders throughout each step to increase the potential of success, provide an educational experience for all, and to ensure institutional knowledge. The firm believes that long-term relationships with donors should remain with the organization, not the Insight Group. Additionally, Insight builds the fundraising and communication plans simultaneously, ensuring an integrated approach for a successful campaign.

Michelle serves as an adjunct faculty member at Michigan State University and Lansing Community College. Her curriculum philosophy focuses on proactive, strategic public relations, marketing, advertising and consumer behavior. Her commitment to passing along the critical role of public relations as an integral business discipline to future professionals is widely recognized.

 
Education & Certifications
Accreditation in Public Relations, Public Relations Society of America, July 2000
Master of Arts, Michigan State University, December 1992
Bachelor of Arts, Michigan State University, June 1991

History & Experience
President, Lantz Communications, Inc. Founded 2002
Partner, Insight Development Group, Founded 2006
Adjunct Professor, Michigan State University, 2010
Adjunct Professor, Lansing Community College, 1997-Present
Marketing Coordinator, Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, PC, 2000-2002
Director of Communications, Capital Area United Way, 1997-2000
Director of Communications, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, 1993-1997

Community Involvement
2010 & 2009 Chair, National District Council, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 
2009 Chair, PRSA East Central District
PRSA - National Nominating Comittee, 2006 and 2007
PRSA - East Central District Treasurer, Secretary and At-Large Board Member
PRSA - Central Michigan Chapter, Former President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary,
             Assembly Delegate and At-Large Board Member
Care Free Medical & Dental Fundraiser Event Committee
Capital Area United Way Volunteer Division Chair
Oldsmobile Classic Media Co-Chair
Public Relations Committee Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation
Committee Member Oldsmobile Centennial Celebration Planning Committee
Junior Achievement Professional Instructor
Big Sister Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Lansing