The second generation to lead the firm founded by her father in 1963, Sandra W. Harbrecht has led Paul Werth Associates through a period of growth, achievement and national recognition for its results-driven communications programs.

Ms. Harbrecht provides senior leadership and direction for the firm’s public relations, advertising, public affairs, research and digital accounts. She offers extensive expertise in strategic communications planning, organizational communications and public and social policy communications management.

Under her leadership, the firm has won eight of its nine prestigious Silver Anvil awards as well as numerous other national awards for excellence in integrated communications planning and implementation.

A frequent speaker for various regional and national business and professional organizations, Ms. Harbrecht is a nationally recognized facilitator in strategic planning, constituency consensus-building and crisis management.

Consistently ranked for her influence on the Smart Business magazine “Power 100” list of central Ohio executives, Ms. Harbrecht serves leadership roles in academia, the corporate world, her community and her profession.

• A member and immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees for Kent State University, Ms. Harbrecht chaired the search committee for the new president. She serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.
• She serves on the Board of Directors for The Davey Tree Expert Company, one of the nation’s largest employee-owned corporations.
• Ms. Harbrecht is a trustee of the Ingram/White Castle Fund of The Columbus Foundation, chair of Experience Columbus and chair of the board of the Law Enforcement Foundation.
• An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, she is a past chair of the Society’s Counselors Academy and a founding member of the Council of Public Relations Firms.

Ms. Harbrecht previously worked at Bank One, Columbus NA and began her career as an educator, earning the Jennings Award for excellence in teaching during 10 years with Worthington Public Schools. She holds two master’s degrees from The Ohio State University: a Master of Arts in Education and a Master of Business Administration. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude from Kent State University.

Sandra Harbrecht, APR, President & CEO
MBA; MA, The Ohio State University
BS, Kent State University