From a very young age growing up near the wheat fields of Idaho, Virginia Anderson knew that her career would involve communicating with others. Networking came naturally, as she connected with the kickball, hopscotch and jump rope players. She was the first person to disseminate the key messages of the day (i.e. free candy at recess) to the rest of the class.

Her high school years were filled with other significant events: she was a four-year letter-winner in golf and contributed to a state championship title when she birdied the final hole of a sudden death playoff. She even earned the privilege of playing a few holes of golf with the legendary Chi Chi Rodriguez.

Arizona State University brought a world of sunshine, palm trees, challenging classes, sorority membership and being introduced to her future husband.

Her variety of classes, from journalism, broadcasting, political science and photography, led her to a summer job at HMA Public Relations. When the summer was over, HMA extended the offer for her to spend another semester.

Her senior year at ASU was jam-packed -- from getting engaged and then married, continuing the internship with HMA and participating in a variety of Public Relations Student Society of America events. She was a part of the first-place team that presented a senior project on the International Space Station to NASA in Houston. And, at the same time, her husband was relocating to Italy for a work assignment.

Upon graduation, Virginia moved to Italy to be with her husband, studying Italian and learning more about the culture and history of her new home. She desperately searched to find a job where she could utilize her degree; unfortunately PR in Italian really translated to government messaging, something she wasn’t really interested in doing.

Today, Virginia is back in the states and serving as a consultant with HMA Public Relations working on a variety of clients in the legal, non-profit, healthcare, banking and retail industries. She is an active member of Public Relations Society of America and the 2006 chair of the local chapter’s Agency Special Interest Group. She enjoys creative thinking, proactive media relations and strategic planning -- but most importantly receives great satisfaction knowing that her work and relationships are making a difference.