Jennifer Salo
Managing Director
I am so proud to lead a team of PR and social media professionals who are passionate about our clients and the results we deliver. After studying PR at school, I’ve been fortunate to have had progressive roles in corporate settings, not-for-profits and agencies over the past 25 years. Food and beverage, security, hospitality and tourism, building products, refrigeration, IT, cyber security, automotive, social issues and more. Every single category I’ve worked on, has great stories to tell.
I’ve always loved learning about what makes clients’ offerings interesting and driving more depth into why they should be the preferred choice for their customers. It’s amazing the great stories that you can generate in any category when you’ve got a great client partner who understands the power of modern media.
Ashley Mills
Director, Client Success
Born and raised in New Jersey, I studied communications at Radford University and never left the state for lovers. I got my real first taste of PR working for a golf-PR agency outside Washington, D.C., where I led accounts like the LPGA Tour, ECCO, FILA and more. In those first 6 years of my career, I executed several media tours in NYC and secured placements for clients on TODAY Show, FOX & Friends, The Wall Street Journal and notable lifestyle publications.
At Golden Word, I’m lucky enough to work with cool brands doing cool things and have been able to hone my knack for connecting brands to consumers through thoughtful storytelling and meaningful relationships. I’m always excited to build and maintain internal and external relationships across Golden Word, ultimately striving for press and opportunities that move the needle and powerfully spread the word on behalf of our clients.
Victoria Concepcion
Senior Publicist
In my years of working in public relations, I’ve been proud to represent a wide range of clients, from energy advocacy and political campaigns to history and lifestyle authors. I value forming personal relationships with members of the media on the regional and national level, including The Wall Street Journal, Fox & Friends and TIME Magazine. From conducting one-on-one media training to on the ground assistance, I love guiding clients through every stage of their media journey to ensure their message is delivered to a diverse audience.
Since 2020, I’ve been proud to share the stories of Virginia winemakers and winery owners on Instagram, eventually developing a multimedia venture as Vino + a View. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with winery owners and winemakers throughout the state about the stories behind their wineries and the future of Virginia wine, including Paradise Springs Winery, Ox-Eye Vineyards, and King Family Vineyards, and love sharing their unique insights with other wine enthusiasts across the country. In my role at Golden Word I get to creatively and strategically amplify the voices of diverse brands, ensuring their stories resonate with their target audiences. The dynamic and collaborative environment fuels my passion for impactful communication, making every day both challenging and rewarding.
Jenna Weston
Social Media Manager
I was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado and pursued a Journalism degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in California. A wide range of experiences have brought me to where I am today — from copywriting to podcast production, to social media marketing. As a seasoned podcast producer, I contributed to shows that garnered over 1 million downloads. I launched Book of the Month’s podcast, “Virtual Book Tour”, and collaborated closely with company founders like Brit Morin of Brit+Co. and Kara Golden Hint Water. On the technical front, I worked closely with sound engineers to ensure flawless episode edits, crafted engaging and informative show notes, and curated standout clips for social media sharing. The unifying element in all my endeavours? Storytelling.
At Golden Word, I lead the development and execution of social media strategies for brands with followings exceeding 50,000. My expertise spans a diverse range of industries, including home decor, food and beverage, and hospitality. I am dedicated to crafting and editing compelling short videos for Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, as well as collaborating with photographers to create visually stunning Instagram photos. My passion lies in empowering individuals and businesses to uncover their distinctive voice on social media, engage their audiences effectively, and broaden their reach across multiple platforms.
Jean Luther
Publicist
After earning my degree in Media Arts and Design from James Madison University, I discovered a profound passion for storytelling and fostering connections between people and brands through public relations. My career has been particularly focused on consumer goods, hospitality, and food & beverage brands, where I have carved out a unique niche. My experience spans a wide array of PR activities, from meticulously organizing press trips and media events to securing high-profile placements and broadcast opportunities for clients. I am committed to delivering meaningful media coverage that elevates our brands. Notably, I have achieved press placements for our clients in acclaimed publications such as Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, and Garden & Gun.
I love planning, preparing, and hosting events. Press events, in particular, blend hospitality and storytelling, allowing us to share our brands with key media contacts in a compelling and memorable way. At Golden Word, I have had the pleasure of working with brands that I genuinely admire. The synergy of working with great people and exceptional companies has opened a world of creative possibilities, and I am enthusiastic about what we can achieve together.
Melina DeNunzio
Publicist
Growing up in Richmond, VA, I am thrilled to be back in my home state where I can work with both local and national media. After obtaining a Master’s degree in Communication and Business Leadership from High Point University, I gained invaluable experience working as a communications specialist. This journey led me to discover my passion for Public Relations at Golden Word, where I have dedicated myself to the craft and represent a diverse array of exciting and authentic clients across various industries.
I work with clients on a national and regional level, organize and host media events, communicate the launch of new brands, collaborate with press, influencers and celebrities. I enjoy being able to apply my experience in communications to my passion for the food, beverage, and interior design spaces. Sharing our clients’ unique stories with the world has allowed me to secure impactful coverage with key outlets, help build brand narratives, and amplify client voices. I’ve landed clients noteworthy placements, such as Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, and the Cashiers Designer Showhouse. My strong connections with media and influencers enable me secure coverage that effectively supports our clients goals.
Catherann Sweeney
Publicist
I moved from my home state of Virginia to New York where I lived out my big city dreams working in fashion and jewelry PR. For almost 6 years across two agencies, I worked my way up the ladder from assistant-executive to a scope of 20+ clients in the national and international luxury jewelry and accessory, demi-fine jewelry, and RTW fashion spaces. Within these transformative years of market pitching from the sample closet to hosting top-tier editor appointments at press previews, I discovered my affinity for sharing brands’ unique stories and building relationships with the media.
As a former Brand Manager for a local jeweler, I had the privilege of experiencing firsthand a community-centric approach to story pitching. This role provided me with comprehensive visibility into various facets of the business, teaching me the true essence of being a brand’s advocate and the profound, lasting impact effective public relations can have. At Golden Word, I channel my time and expertise into my passions for food, beverage, and hospitality, while also maintaining a keen interest in lifestyle categories.
Elisabeth Edelman
Founder & New Business Lead
I founded Golden Word with a vision for creating a powerhouse agency that chases doing great work with great people. We want working with Golden Word to be impactful and fun for both clients and our team.
I studied journalism at the University of Richmond, cut my teeth on PR with five action-packed years in NYC, and broadened my marketing grasp in-house at Ledbury. After running Golden Word for eight years, I am now focused on new business development, applying my two decades of experience to partner exciting potential clients with our ace team to create game-changing results.