Risa Hoag has more than 35 years of experience in public relations and marketing. Before founding GMG Public Relations in 1991, she was a Director of Public Relations with Ernst & Young, responsible for media placement, writing feature articles and press releases, developing and coordinating special events, market research, and the design and placement of advertising.She is a founder of the Nanuet Chamber of Commerce and served as President for several years. She also served as President of the Rockland Business Women's Network, board member of the Rockland Community Foundation, and board member of Meals on Wheels in Rockland and created their unique annual gala titled Cornucopia. She held numerous board positions with the Westchester Association of Women Business Owners (WAWBO) over fifteen years including President and twice received the organization’s President’s Award. She is a past Public Relations Chairperson for the Advertising Club of Westchester and past Vice President of the Tappan Zee International Trade Association. She served on the board of the Orange & Rockland Community Investment Committee and chaired the Marketing and Communications subcommittee of the Clarkstown Business and Economic Development Advisory Committee. She has served as a mentor to Rockland Community College students and to female students through The Gerald P. Buccino Center for Leadership Development at Seton Hall University's Stillman School of Business. She currently serves as a mentor to students at UNCW.Risa is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and a recognized seminar leader, presenting numerous public relations, marketing and social media workshops. She is a member of the 2018 Class of Leadership Rockland and was the recipient of the RBWN Service Woman of the Year Award in 2017. She has also been honored with the 2019 Lillian Vernon Award for Community Service from the Women’s Enterprise Development Center and received the 2019 Distinguished Service Award from the County of Rockland for her dedication and Community Service. In 2022 she received the New York State Empire Award for her decades of support for small businesses and non-profits.Risa was recently asked to serve as a member of the National Small Business Association Leadership Council alongside other small-business advocates from across the country as they work to promote the interests of small business to policymakers in Washington, D.C.Maiden Name: Risa Bell