Donna Wertalik named Western Virginia American Advertising Federation Advertising Person of the Year
The Pamplin professor and PRISM founder is recognized for industry leadership and student-centered, real-world learning.
Donna Wertalik, professor of practice in the Department of Marketing at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business and founder of the faculty-led, student-run marketing agency PRISM, has been named the 2025 Advertising Person of the Year by the Western Virginia chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advertising profession within the last calendar year while helping shape the next generation of industry leaders.
For Wertalik, the recognition reflects decades of work across both industry and education.
“To be recognized in that way is truly special,” Wertalik said. “It reflects not just my journey, but the many people who have supported and inspired me along the way.”
The Western Virginia AAF has presented the Advertising Person of the Year award for nearly 30 years, honoring professionals who demonstrate excellence in marketing and advertising while contributing to the growth of the industry.
Recognized by colleagues across disciplines
Wertalik’s nomination for the award came from Meaghan Dee, a longtime Virginia Tech colleague and leader in the university’s design community.
Dee is an associate professor of graphic design in the School of Visual Arts and a senior fellow at the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology at Virginia Tech. She previously served nine years as chair of the graphic design program and spent six years on the American Institute of Graphic Arts Design Educators Community Executive Board, including two years as co-chair.
In her nomination, Dee highlighted Wertalik’s leadership in experiential learning, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration across Virginia Tech’s creative and business communities. Her nomination emphasized Wertalik’s role in developing opportunities that allow students to apply marketing strategy, analytics, and creative thinking in real-world contexts.
Bridging industry experience with the classroom
Before joining Virginia Tech, Wertalik built an extensive career in marketing and advertising, working with major agencies and global brands including Nestlé and Ogilvy CommonHealth. That experience shaped her approach to aligning brand strategy, messaging, and creative execution; skills she now brings into the classroom to help prepare students for professional careers.
“I love bringing those experiences into the classroom,” she said. “Students learn the concepts, and then we bring them to life through real examples and current industry challenges.”
Over more than 17 years at Virginia Tech, Wertalik has mentored hundreds of students each semester and helped redefine how marketing education can blend theory with hands-on experience. Her leadership was recognized nationally in 2025 with the Michael O’Hara Leadership Award from the Direct Marketing Association of Washington, honoring her commitment to developing the next generation of marketers through innovative teaching and experiential learning.
“Professor Wertalik has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to educating the next generation of marketers through innovative teaching and dedication to student success,” said Mary Peyton Marble, a copywriter in PRISM.
PRISM: A hands-on marketing agency for students
One of Wertalik’s most influential contributions to Virginia Tech is the creation of PRISM, the university’s first faculty-led, student-run marketing and advertising agency. Founded in 2009, PRISM allows students to work directly with real clients on marketing strategy, creative campaigns, and brand development.
In 2025, PRISM celebrated its 15-year milestone, marking more than a decade of interdisciplinary experiential learning. The organization has earned more than 10 Telly Awards, two ADDY Awards, and a Muse Award, while raising over $200,000 through Giving Day campaigns between 2022 and 2025 to support student initiatives and professional opportunities.
The program’s success also led to the creation of the PRISM Endowment, which reached a $125,000 milestone in 2025. The endowment funds the first-ever PRISM scholarships, awarding two $5,000 annual scholarships to student members.
“For many students, PRISM is where everything clicks,” Wertalik said. “They’re not just studying marketing, they’re doing it.”
Innovation beyond the classroom
Wertalik’s impact extends beyond student organizations into new forms of educational innovation.
In 2025, she spearheaded the development of the Digital Twin Campus for the Pamplin College of Business. The immersive, interactive virtual replica of the Data and Decision Sciences building in Blacksburg and Virginia Tech’s new academic building in Alexandria is designed to engage prospective students, alumni, and industry partners.
She also established Pamplin’s first formal partnership between a student organization and Deloitte, securing $15,000 in funding to support student-led research and creative work focused on supporting U.S. military veterans.
Outside the classroom, Wertalik shares insights on digital privacy with the broader public through a monthly segment on WDBJ7, Roanoke’s CBS affiliate, reaching audiences across Virginia and West Virginia through the Voices of Privacy initiative.
Mentorship that shapes careers
While awards and initiatives highlight Wertalik’s accomplishments, many students say her greatest impact comes through mentorship.
“Donna has been a personal and professional mentor to me since I came to Virginia Tech,” said Alison Gottesman, chief marketing officer for PRISM. “As a freshman, I knew I had a passion for marketing but was unsure what that could mean for my future. After meeting Donna and joining PRISM, it became clear how much she genuinely cares about her students.”
A legacy of impact
For Wertalik, the Advertising Person of the Year recognition represents more than a personal achievement, it reflects the broader community she has built through PRISM and her work at Virginia Tech.
“This recognition is not just about me,” she said. “It’s about the students, alumni, and colleagues who have made everything we’ve built possible.”
Through her work in the classroom, her creation of PRISM, and her commitment to mentorship, Wertalik continues to shape the future of marketing education, preparing students not only to enter the industry, but to lead it.
Written by Kyle Reilly, marketing department associate.
