Join the PRSA Foundation and the University of Houston Jack J. Valenti School of Communication for a Student Summit on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The evening will feature a panel of public relations leaders and networking between students and professionals. The student summit is also being co-hosted by the PRSA Houston Chapter and the UH PRSSA Chapter.
Panelists:
Warren Robinson, Executive Director, Corp Communications, USAA
Monica Silva Kaus, Vice President, Global Communications, LyondellBasell
Kristal Howard, Founder, The Howard Method (and former Head of Communications at Kroger)
Moderator: Thomas Bennett, Senior Vice President, FleishmanHillard
Location:
University of Houston
Jack J. Valenti School of Communication
Room 150
Agenda:
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Panel “Life in the Communications Profession”
7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Networking Meet & Greet
All students from the University of Houston Jack J. Valenti School of Communication are invited to attend this event. RSVP here.
About the Panelists:
Warren Robinson, Executive Director, Corp Communications, USAA
Warren Robinson joined USAA leading the Issues & Crisis team for Corporate Communications, bringing 15 years of strategic corporate communications, public affairs, and crisis management expertise. He protects and promotes USAA’s reputation among key stakeholders. Previously at Shell Oil Company, he guided senior leaders through communications and crisis response during natural disasters, social challenges, and the COVID pandemic. Before Shell, Warren held communications leadership roles at energy, manufacturing, and technology companies in Houston and DC. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. Warren resides in the Houston area.
Monica Silva Kaus, Vice President, Global Communications, LyondellBasell
Monica Silva Kaus is Vice President of Global Communications at LyondellBasell, where she leads global communications and corporate citizenship for a 20,000-employee multinational organization. LyondellBasell is a $30B annual revenue global chemical and plastics manufacturing company. With more than 20 years of experience across the energy and manufacturing sectors, she specializes in corporate reputation, transformation, stakeholder engagement, and purpose-driven leadership. Previously, Monica worked in communications leadership roles for Phillips 66 and Conoco Phillips. She graduated from St. Mary’s University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English & Communication Arts and resides in the Houston area.
Kristal Howard, Founder, The Howard Method (and former Head of Communications at Kroger)
Kristal Howard is an award-winning communications expert who helps brands increase visibility and reach in today’s attention economy. With over a decade leading communications at Kroger Co., a Fortune 20 company, she founded The Howard Method to help food, wellness, and lifestyle brands scale through strategic storytelling and a seven-principle framework. She specializes in product launches, media moments, and brand positioning. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston with her Bachelor of Arts, Communication/PR and Retail & Consumer Science degree. Kristal combines insights and instincts to fuel business growth. Kristal resides in the Houston area.
Moderator: Thomas Bennett, Senior Vice President, FleishmanHillard
Thomas Bennett is Senior Vice President at FleishmanHillard, a global PR and communications agency. He began his career with the San Francisco 49ers and Memphis Grizzlies before transitioning to healthcare marketing leadership roles, including positions with the American Heart Association. An active PRSA member since 2018, he has served on the PRSA Dallas chapter board, the PRSA national board of directors, and currently serves as the immediate Past President of the PRSA Foundation. Named to PRWeek’s 2023 Health Influencer 30 list, Thomas holds a B.A. in English from Fisk University, an HBCU, and an MBA from Belhaven University.