empHoweredPR | Public Relations, Brand Strategy, Crisis Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Media Training, Reputation Management

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 empHower businesses and non-profit organizations to build a strong brand and reputation, and develop the tools needed to effectively respond to—and during—a crisis.

Our core services include:
• Brand strategy
• Crisis communications planning & support
• Reputation management
• Corporate social responsibility
• Media training
• Writing services (a la carte)

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

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.

our services.

“With Lauren’s expert guidance, we raised our level of professionalism and confidence in communications, particularly those pertaining to crisis management. Even in an emergency, I knew our crisis management team was effectively trained to handle all the variables, and most importantly, communicate properly, which can so often be overlooked in times of stress. A decision to work with Lauren is the right decision!”

Bethany Salek, Plant Manager

crisis
communications
planning

Being prepared for a crisis can save your business time–and money. We will guide you through a challenge exercise to analyze your current plans and prepare you with the tools needed to respond quickly and effectively.

Expert counsel and partnership are just a few of the key strengths Lauren Howe offers as a public relations and crisis management communications professional. Lauren is a resourceful and thoughtful leader in both community and media relations, and her voice was essential for decision-making and advising leadership on strategic communications and initiatives. Should you have an opportunity to work with Lauren, take it!

Mark Peine
Brand Strategy and Communications professional

crisis
communications
support

When a crisis strikes, the reputation of
your organization can be irrevocably impacted in seconds. With empHowered PR, we will be with you from the start, quickly strategizing your response to the media, employees and the public to help you create and deliver concise messaging to align with your company’s principles and values.

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, Project Manager
YouthBuild USA

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.

I have known Lauren Howe for the past seven years having built a professional and personal relationship with her through Girls Inc. of Worcester. Beginning with her wildly successful media coverage for an in-kind donation of a basketball floor, followed by the celebration of a basketball game between community leaders versus our Girls Inc. basketball team, Lauren furthered her engagement and involvement in corporate social responsibility. In 2016, she chaired our 100th anniversary gala and exceeded the fundraising goal, which was integral to the $5.5 million campaign. Lauren possesses a rare skill set of deeply caring, persistence, and talent. She is a role model for our mission of inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

Victoria Waterman
CEO, Girls Inc. of Worcester

reputation
management

The reputation of your business is the DNA that defines you. It is the face you create for your customers, employees, investors and community. If your reputation is not good, customers won’t buy from you, employees will leave you, investors won’t give you a chance, and it will be difficult for the community to forgive you when a crisis occurs. By identifying and articulating your company’s DNA, we’ll find a common theme to increase awareness of your reputation and make a positive impact in the eyes of all stakeholders.

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.

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.

meet Lauren.

awards and recognition

Graduate, Leadership Worcester, Class of 2017
Recipient, Public Relations Society of America Philadelphia Pepperpot Award, Ladle for Community Relations, 2017
Keynote speaker, Greendale Retired Men’s Club, 2016
Keynote speaker, “Rise to Leadership” forum, Regis College, 2016
Nominated, Silver Anvil, Public Relations Society of America, 2015
Recipient, Stoddard Award, United Way of Central Massachusetts, 2015
Recipient, Global Communications Stars Award, Sponsorship category, Saint-Gobain, 2015
Recipient, Worcester Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award, 2014
Recipient, Silver Bell Ringer Award for Feature or Commentary Placement: Online, Publicity Club of New England, 2012
Keynote student speaker, Graduate Luncheon, Regis College, 2012
Recipient, Award of Excellence Lamplighter Award for Publications: Annual Report, 2009
Recipient, Silver Lamplighter Award for Publications: Brochure, 2008

publications

Thesis, “Epilepsy Awareness in the Massachusetts Public School System,” L. Petit, 2012

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 assisted businesses in implementing new corporate branding, overseeing crisis and reputation management issues, and creating robust philanthropy and corporate social responsibility campaigns and programs.

Lauren has the unique ability to make strong connections with executives and business leaders to understand what drives their decisions, promote their philosophy, and use 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.

Not just a business leader, Lauren also walks the talk and is an active member of the community, serving on the boards of the 658 Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the Fay Club, and the Boys & Girls Club of Lunenburg. 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. She serves as a Corporator for the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, the Worcester Public Library Foundation and YMCA of Central Massachusetts. A passionate cyclist, Lauren spends the first weekend in August each summer riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge.

In recognition of her work, both professionally and in the community, Lauren was recognized in 2014 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 Healthcare 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.

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