ABOUT "The PR Lady..."

Ms. Francia Marguerite Hinrichs, also known as “The PR Lady,” is a native of San Francisco and a graduate of the University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, emphasizing in Public Relations. Since graduating from college, Ms. Hinrichs has served in a student service and/or community outreach capacity at various colleges and universities throughout California, including Cal State Fullerton, Cal State L.A., the National Hispanic University and Cal State East Bay (formerly Hayward). With a special passion for both public relations and community outreach, Ms. Hinrichs has worked both directly and indirectly with campus programs and departments such as Student Life, Orientation, EOP, Outreach, Upward Bound and Summer Bridge to help encourage, motivate, support, and enrich students’ college experience. She has served as the Associate Director of the Upward Bound Program at the National Hispanic University, Director of the Upward Bound Program at Cal State Fullerton, Crime Prevention/Special Events Coordinator at Cal State Los Angeles, Program Coordinator in the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life at Cal State East Bay, as well as Advisor/Programs Coordinator for Cal State East Bay's Office of Student Life and Leadership, where she was responsible for advising cultural and special interest student clubs and organizations, as well as planning and coordinating campus life programs and events. Ms. Hinrichs went on to serve as the Special Events/Marketing Coordinator for the City of Oakland's Office of Parks and Recreation, where she coordinated special events and programs for the City's 100+ parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, golf courses and enterprise facilities, including concerts, play days, cultural celebrations, community events, park clean-ups and much more. Ms. Hinrichs currently serevs as the Director of Student Life and Leadership Programs at California State University, East Bay, where she is responsible for the successful coordination of new student and family orientation programs, over 100 student clubs and organizations, and student leadership development programs.

In addition to her work in the university and community arenas, Ms. Hinrichs owns and operates The PR Lady & Associates, a public relations and marketing consulting business that specializes in event planning, marketing campaigns, small business development and public relations consulting. Since 1997, The PR Lady & Associates has developed numerous media kits and promotional items, as well as planned and executed many successful events for a diverse range of clients throughout the Bay Area and Southern California, including entertainers, artists, educators, business professionals and community organizations. The PR Lady was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Black College Expo, a Los Angeles-based event that draws over 40,000 participants each year and continues to market and promote successful educational, cultural and social events that target both students and professionals.

Also an extremely dynamic motivational speaker, Ms. Hinrichs delivers numerous workshops presentations, seminars and keynote addresses at various colleges, universities and community agencies on a diverse range of topics including: diversity, student leadership, small business development, personal and financial self-empowerment, communication and public speaking skills, marketing and public relations tools and popular culture. She has twice served as the Keynote Speaker for Women at Work’s Young African-American Women’s Conference at Pasadena City College (2002 & 2003), addressing over 300 13 – 17 year old students on the importance of preparing for college and personal success. She has also served twice as the Keynote Speaker at St. Mary’s College’s Week of Welcome, addressing hundreds of incoming college freshmen on the importance of student involvement and leadership development, and she is the primary facilitator for Cal State East Bay Upward Bound Program’s Annual “Senior Retreat,” a three-day retreat with a program that prepares high school seniors for their First Year Experience in college. In her spare time, Ms. Hinrichs is a vocalist, performing with local bands, writes extensively, supports the local arts and music scene, and shares her music, poetry and other writings at venues throughout the Bay Area.