OC PR alumna Susan Nelson named one of PR Week’s 2023 Women of Distinction

Oklahoma Christian University Public Relations alumna Susan Nelson was recently named one of PR Week’s 2023 Women of Distinction. PR week is one the top magazines for the PR industry, and the Women of Distinction initiative honors trailblazing women who have transformed the PR industry. 

Nelson will be further honored by PR Week at a special event in New York City on May 31. The women chosen for the program were nominated by their peers and colleagues for setting the bar higher within their organizations and setting the standard for other women working in PR.

Since graduating from OC, Nelson has had executive communication leadership positions at McDonald’s and Applebee’s and now works with Dine Brands Global as chief communications and public affairs officer. DBG operates franchised and corporate-owned full-service restaurants including Applebee's and International House of Pancakes. 

She is thankful for the recognition and said her mentors were people who got her to the position she is in now.

“They are individuals from all walks of life,” Nelson said. “Mostly, they do not look like me. They were my truth-tellers, my advocates; they challenged me and championed me. More than anything, they taught me to believe in my own ability, and to see things in me that I did not see in myself.”

According to OC Associate Professor of Communication Josh Watson, who has hosted Nelson in PR classes, she is one of OC’s most-accomplished graduates. 

“Susan is such an impressive and authentic executive, leader, mom and Christian,” he said. “She is truly an inspiration for future OC PR grads who seek to follow in her footsteps. This is such a deserving honor for her.”