Professional Achievement Award

Rebecca Barry Olson, Comm ’03
Grand Rapids, Mich.

Rebecca Olson’s Marquette experience can be summed up in one word: magis, which means “more” in Latin. At Marquette, Becky learned she is always capable of more when it comes to pursuing excellence. That is exactly what she’s done in the PR industry and as the communication director for Be Better.

Over the past 20 years, Becky has worked in global PR agencies and as a consultant, serving a variety of brands across the food and beverage and hospitality industries, including Sweet Baby Ray's, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!, Bertolli, Klondike, Breyers, Subway Restaurants, Kohler and Motel 6. She partners with her clients on a wide array of services, ranging from writing and media relations to strategic planning and influencer engagement.

This year, she took on a new role as communication and business director for Be Better, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing access to mental health education and guidance for student-athletes and their families.

Becky has also leveraged her communication skillset to fight online misinformation and disinformation when fallacies about her local school district divided the community. She respectfully shared facts, data and truthful communication at school board meetings to protect the integrity of the local schools and educators. Becky continues to work with families in other school districts across Michigan to explain how to spot disinformation and communicate facts, and her guest essays on the topic have been published by national and state-level media.

Becky credits her Marquette professors with giving her the skills and confidence to earn her first PR agency internship. In turn, she eagerly gives back to the next generation of students as a professional advisor and mentor for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter at Grand Valley State University. Becky has also served as an adjunct instructor, teaching public relations campaigns and case studies. As a proud alumna, Becky co-leads the Marquette Club of Grand Rapids and West Michigan and works to bring together alumni and future students in her area. She also serves on two nonprofit boards.

Fun Facts:

Name someone (past or present) with whom you’d like to have dinner.

I want the opportunity to meet author and speaker Mel Robbins. She discusses how life’s challenges, shake-ups and losses can help you see things you previously couldn’t. For example, “Life isn’t happening to you…it’s showing you the way forward.” I resonate with how what we experience helps us live more authentically. I’d welcome personal advice on applying her 5 Second Rule and Let Them theory to stay better focused on the right things.

Name a Marquette faculty or staff member who had an impact on you, and how.

Dr. Gee Ekachai helped me build and solidify a love of public relations. Dr. Ekachai created a fun and engaging classroom environment balanced with high expectations for excellence. She emphasized the importance of getting involved with PRSSA, networking and landing relevant industry internships. We kept in close touch, and I was able to speak to some of Dr. Ekachai’s classes and coordinate agency tours. Her encouragement built my confidence, and I’m grateful for her genuine care for students.