Gretchen Hirt Gendron, APR

Gretchen Hirt Gendron, APR is a communications professional and mentor in the public relations field. Gretchen earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Universal Accreditation Board, and received her Bachelor of Arts in theater and mass communications with a concentration in public relations from Loyola University of New Orleans. Gretchen is the PIO (director of the Public Information Office) for Jefferson Parish Government. She is also the VP/president-elect and development chair for the New Orleans Women & Children's Shelter board; past-president of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) - Louisiana & New Orleans Chapters; and on the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) board. Gretchen graduated from the 2013 Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum, 2014 Junior League of New Orleans’ Get on Board Training Program, 2015 Leadership Jefferson program and 2016-2017 New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. Gretchen was named the 2020-2021 Jefferson Parish President's Office Employee of the Year; a 2019 Rising Star from PRNEWS (national award showcasing top talent, passionate professionals and budding PR leaders who are making communications matter). She was also named the 2018 SPRF Senior Practitioner, a 2018 Spark recipient, the 2015 Rising Professional from PRAL and the recipient of the 2015 Award of Excellence from PRSA New Orleans. For her work in public relations, Gretchen has received multiple Silver Anvil Awards from PRSA; as well as Award of Excellences, Lantern Awards, a Best in Show and Judges Choice from SPRF. She is a recipient of the Best in Show from the New Orleans Addy Awards, a Telly Award, Flambeaux Awards from PRAL New Orleans, 1st Place Awards from the Press Club of New Orleans and a Platinum Award from the AVA Digital Awards.