about.

experienced.

empHowered PR, LLC, was founded by Lauren Howe, an award-winning public relations professional with more than 20 years of experience working in the healthcare, manufacturing, and non-profit industries. Our boutique public relations firm specializes in highly tailored communications services to empower businesses and non-profit organizations to build a strong brand and reputation, position executives and thought leaders within their industry, and effectively train leaders to respond to the media.

Our core services include:
• Brand strategy
• Executive communications
• Thought leadership
• Corporate social responsibility
• Media training
• Writing services (a la carte)

our services.

brand strategy

Your brand is the most important asset to your company for it defines your purpose in the marketplace and for your stakeholders. Working together to develop your brand strategy, we will conduct an analysis of your current position in the marketplace, identify areas for growth and improvement, and execute a plan to build or reinvigorate your strategy for success

"In the 10-plus years that I have had the pleasure of knowing Lauren Howe, one definite attribute has become crystal clear...when she takes on a project, Lauren doesn’t stop until it is successfully completed. She is incredibly focused and determined to deliver the highest quality product...always. Whatever the challenge, Lauren will find the solution."

Kirk Hazlett, APR, Fellow PRSA
Director/Ethics Officer, PRSA Tampa Bay

our services.

brand strategy

Your brand is the most important asset to your company for it defines your purpose in the marketplace and for your stakeholders. Working together to develop your brand strategy, we will conduct an analysis of your current position in the marketplace, identify areas for growth and improvement, and execute a plan to build or reinvigorate your strategy for success

"In the 10-plus years that I have had the pleasure of knowing Lauren Howe, one definite attribute has become crystal clear...when she takes on a project, Lauren doesn’t stop until it is successfully completed. She is incredibly focused and determined to deliver the highest quality product...always. Whatever the challenge, Lauren will find the solution."

Kirk Hazlett, APR, Fellow PRS
Director/Ethics Officer, PRSA Tampa Bay

executive communications

Executives have the unique opportunity to establish and build a company’s brand and culture while setting the stage on how stakeholders trust, perceive and engage with a business. Through open and honest conversations, we’ll work together to develop meaningful communications focused on objectives, audiences, channels, delivery, and feedback to achieve goals and reach success.

"I had the opportunity to work with Lauren as I prepared to deliver a personal keynote address for an event. From the first time I met Lauren, she immediately understood what I wanted to achieve. She worked with me over several weeks to ensure my messaging was succinct and served as my trusted advisor every step of the way. In fact, I asked that she attend the event and interview me on stage in lieu of a keynote address to make the message more impactful. Lauren is compassionate, intelligent, a good listener and a true professional who helped make my address, and the event, a success.”

Ed Manzi, Jr.,
Chairman and CEO, Fidelity Bank

thought leadership

Thought leaders have a unique opportunity to change the world with their knowledge, experience, and passion. From developing compelling key messages to identifying the best tools to reach audiences and establishing an impactful profile, you’ll be the one voice in the room that’s heard—and trusted.

"I worked with Lauren to ensure clear messaging and identification of appropriate channels to achieve communication goals for a nationally recognized public health program. As a result of her work, we achieved significant interest from local and national media where she positioned me as a thought leader, resulting in increased media interviews and opportunities to speak about my knowledge on the topic. Lauren is also very knowledgeable about how to build a presence on social media, and we have the data to back it up!”

Dr. Nathaniel Hafer
Director of Operations, UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science

corporate social responsibility

Being a good corporate citizen is more than just writing a check to sponsor a little league team or serving meals during the holidays at your local youth center. Being truly engaged with the community means making a deeper impact to actually effect change! We’ll identify what drives your employees to give back to their friends, family and neighbors, and establish programs that encourage volunteerism, promote pride in the workplace and improve relations with the people and organizations that create a difference in your city.

"In my time working with Lauren Howe, I found her to be highly skilled with bringing a wide range of multiple stakeholders together and getting them on the same page. She’s a motivator and a creative problem solver who will literally roll up her sleeves to get the job done. The celebratory ribbon cutting, ground breaking and community engagement events she engineered has fostered partnerships throughout the YouthBuild network. Lauren Howe is a perfect mix of process, professionalism and passion."

Chris Cato, Former Project Manager
YouthBuild USA

media training

Responding to questions by a reporter for the entire world to see can be a stressful task! By utilizing simple tools and tactics, we’ll prepare you for the tough questions to ensure you stay on message and maintain your credibility.

"As one of Lauren’s graduate students in Public Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Crisis Communications, her training and lessons were easily the most valuable during my time in graduate school. She knows how to effectively engage a room of people, and each class was filled with interactive conversations and assignments which emulated real-life situations. Lauren is a passionate PR professional and expert, and it was a great experience to learn from her."

Nikki Naccarto
Regis College, Master of Science, Organizational and Professional Communication, ‘17

writing services (a-la-carte)

When you need assistance with press releases, annual reports, marketing materials, grant funding submissions and more, we can help! Our writing services are available a-la-carte to make sharing your news cost-effective and easy.

"Lauren is great to work with. She understands any challenge facing her from multiple perspectives, she is extremely thorough and driven to help your organization succeed. Most importantly, she takes great pride in her work and is a true professional. During her time working with USA Luge, she elevated our brand to new highs."

Gordy Sheer
Marketing Director, United States Luge Association

our team

Lauren Howe is an award-winning public relations and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience working in the healthcare, manufacturing and non-profit industries. Lauren has the unique ability to make strong connections with executives and business leaders to understand what drives their decisions and creates communications tools to achieve business goals. By working collaboratively with all levels in an organization, Lauren’s guidance and strategic acumen can expand and enhance a business’s reputation and influence in the marketplace and with their stakeholders.

As a business owner, Lauren is an Ambassador for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by her peers as the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year in 2022. She also serves as the regular host of the Chamber’s popular “Good Morning North Central,” a face paced, executive networking and educational event held four times throughout the year. Lauren has also presented during the Women’s Leadership Connection and the Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts seminars on leading a women-owned business and entrepreneurship.

In 2014, she was recognized by the Worcester Business Journal as a “40 Under Forty” award recipient and is a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Worcester program, Class of 2017. She is also the recipient of many industry awards, including a Public Relations Society of America Philadelphia Chapter Ladle for her work in corporate philanthropy, and Silver Bell from the Publicity Club of Boston for an online media campaign for a medical device company.

Lauren holds a master’s degree in Organizational and Professional Communication, as well as a graduate certificate in Health Care Leadership Communications from Regis College. Additionally, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she majored in Journalism, and earned an associate degree from Mount Wachusett Community College.

Lauren also walks the talk and is an active member of the community, serving on the boards of the American Red Cross of Central and Western Massachusetts, and Why Me Sherry’s House. Lauren served on the board of directors for Girls Inc. of Worcester and was chair of the Girls Inc. of Worcester Centennial Celebration in 2016. A passionate cyclist, Lauren spends the first weekend in August each summer riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge.

She resides in central Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, stepdaughter and canine companion, Boo Boo.

As our Operations Director, Janine ensures the day-to-day operations of our business are running smoothly and oversees scheduling, media coverage reports and general business requests. Janine brings more than 25 years of experience in project and process management and earned a master’s degree in Business with a certificate in Project Management. In addition to work, she enjoys going on cruises and spending time with her three grandchildren, Kayla, Jason and James. She is also active in her church and community. Janine can be contacted via email at janine@empHoweredPR.com or by phone at 407 214-8406.

Carmen brings more than two decades of experience in corporate communications, media training, crisis, brand, reputation, and marketing to the table. He has prepared and trained executives on media relations strategies, comportment, delivery and style for a wide range of companies and clients. Most recently, Carmen trained and coached more than 200 executives and leaders for 85 live internet talk shows he produced at the UN Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. His work in creating replicable disciplines linking brand reputation and ESG has improved the reputations of companies and businesses, and earned him many accolades, including PRSA’s 2018 CSR Professional of the Year.

Lia is an award-winning public relations and communications professional with 20 years’ experience helping clients across a variety of industries exceed their communications, branding and marketing goals. During her career, she has worked with start-ups in their infancy and companies more than three centuries old. What remains consistent is her ability to listen and understand her client’s needs and provide honest counsel for what it will take to achieve those goals, supported by a creative, thoughtful, agile and resourceful approach to the work. Lia has worked for a variety of South Florida and New York City-based integrated communications agencies where she specialized in helping design, implement and execute integrated programs for clients in the B2B and B2C sectors. After 15 years, she moved in-house to manage communications, crisis and reputation as Director of Communications for one of the world’s biggest global manufacturers.

Sloane is a writing expert with more than a decade of journalism and communications experience. She uses her writing skills every day in her roles as content writer, social media manager, and B2B communications strategist. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English and Business from Anna Maria College, Sloane attended the University of Limerick in Ireland, where she received her master’s degree in journalism and became internationally published. Storytelling is Sloane's passion. She enjoys working with clients and crafting stories that capture their unique purpose, culture, and voice.

Mike's mantra throughout his 30+ year career is simply "Words Matter." He's taken that very fresh, basic, and yet effective approach in a career that started on-air as a radio personality and evolved into a marketing and communications career in non-profit, government, politics, and for the past two decades, construction materials, working for some of North America's leading manufacturers. Whatever industry it is, Mike brings a no-nonsense approach to getting the heart of the matter and helping clients communicate more clearly and on brand through integrated public relations, corporate communications, and marketing programs.

Lauren Howe is an award-winning public relations and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience working in the healthcare, manufacturing and non-profit industries. Lauren has the unique ability to make strong connections with executives and business leaders to understand what drives their decisions and creates communications tools to achieve business goals. By working collaboratively with all levels in an organization, Lauren’s guidance and strategic acumen can expand and enhance a business’s reputation and influence in the marketplace and with their stakeholders.

As a business owner, Lauren is an Ambassador for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by her peers as the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year in 2022. She also serves as the regular host of the Chamber’s popular “Good Morning North Central,” a fast paced, executive networking and educational event held four times throughout the year. Lauren has also presented during the Women’s Leadership Connection and the Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts seminars on leading a women-owned business and entrepreneurship.

In 2014, she was recognized by the Worcester Business Journal as a “40 Under Forty” award recipient and is a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Worcester program, Class of 2017. She is also the recipient of many industry awards, including a Public Relations Society of America Philadelphia Chapter Ladle for her work in corporate philanthropy, and Silver Bell from the Publicity Club of Boston for an online media campaign for a medical device company.

Lauren holds a master’s degree in Organizational and Professional Communication, as well as a graduate certificate in Health Care Leadership Communications from Regis College. Additionally, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she majored in Journalism, and earned an associate degree from Mount Wachusett Community College.

Lauren also walks the talk and is an active member of the community, serving on the boards of the American Red Cross of Central and Western Massachusetts, and Why Me Sherry’s House. Lauren served on the board of directors for Girls Inc. of Worcester and was chair of the Girls Inc. of Worcester Centennial Celebration in 2016. A passionate cyclist, Lauren spends the first weekend in August each summer riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge.

She resides in central Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, stepdaughter and canine companion, Boo Boo.

As our Operations Director, Janine ensures the day-to-day operations of our business are running smoothly and oversees scheduling, media coverage reports and general business requests. Janine brings more than 25 years of experience in project and process management and earned a master’s degree in Business with a certificate in Project Management. In addition to work, she enjoys going on cruises and spending time with her three grandchildren, Kayla, Jason and James. She is also active in her church and community. Janine can be contacted via email at janine@empHoweredPR.com or by phone at 407-810-7280

Carmen brings more than two decades of experience in corporate communications, media training, crisis, brand, reputation, and marketing to the table. He has prepared and trained executives on media relations strategies, comportment, delivery and style for a wide range of companies and clients. Most recently, Carmen trained and coached more than 200 executives and leaders for 85 live internet talk shows he produced at the UN Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. His work in creating replicable disciplines linking brand reputation and ESG has improved the reputations of companies and businesses, and earned him many accolades, including PRSA’s 2018 CSR Professional of the Year.

Lia is an award-winning public relations and communications professional with 20 years’ experience helping clients across a variety of industries exceed their communications, branding and marketing goals. During her career, she has worked with start-ups in their infancy and companies more than three centuries old. What remains consistent is her ability to listen and understand her client’s needs and provide honest counsel for what it will take to achieve those goals, supported by a creative, thoughtful, agile and resourceful approach to the work. Lia has worked for a variety of South Florida and New York City-based integrated communications agencies where she specialized in helping design, implement and execute integrated programs for clients in the B2B and B2C sectors. After 15 years, she moved in-house to manage communications, crisis and reputation as Director of Communications for one of the world’s biggest global manufacturers.

Sloane is a writing expert with more than a decade of journalism and communications experience. She uses her writing skills every day in her roles as content writer, social media manager, and B2B communications strategist. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English and Business from Anna Maria College, Sloane attended the University of Limerick in Ireland, where she received her master’s degree in journalism and became internationally published. Storytelling is Sloane's passion. She enjoys working with clients and crafting stories that capture their unique purpose, culture, and voice.

Mike's mantra throughout his 30+ year career is simply "Words Matter." He's taken that very fresh, basic, and yet effective approach in a career that started on-air as a radio personality and evolved into a marketing and communications career in non-profit, government, politics, and for the past two decades, construction materials, working for some of North America's leading manufacturers. Whatever industry it is, Mike brings a no-nonsense approach to getting the heart of the matter and helping clients communicate more clearly and on brand through integrated public relations, corporate communications, and marketing programs.

who we've empHowered

UMass Chan Medical School