Reflections on PRSA Nebraska’s March Program: Elevating Internal Communications
By: Brittney Ryba
The March PRSA Nebraska lunch program was a powerful reminder of why I love this field.
Because communication, when done with intention and humanity, becomes the steady pulse
of an organization. The PRSANE panel on elevating internal communications brought
together four leaders who are shaping how thousands of employees experience their
workplaces every day.
Highlights from the Panel
FNBO: Emily Eaton
- Reaches 5,000 employees across nine states without losing meaning or connection
- Internal communications help define culture and employee experience
- Recently launched a recognition and rewards program
- Focus is on engaging remote employees and managing internal tools effectively
Buffett Early Childhood Institute: Ally Freeman
- Works within a mission-driven, research-focused environment
- Demonstrated how internal messaging reinforces purpose, not just process
- Emphasized clarity, alignment, and communication that strengthen organizational
impact
Nebraska Medicine: Paul Baltes
- Brings a seasoned perspective from media relations to systemwide communications
leadership - Communicators in their department are assigned “beats” to stay close to the work
- Building targeted campaigns to reach nurses with need-to-know information
- Publishes “The Now,” a daily enews update for staff
- Goals include: Boosting mobile app downloads, strengthening connection
through small‑group meetings, gathering real‑time photos and stories
OPPD: Bernie Post
- Supports more than 2,000 employees across office, field, and mission-critical roles
- Reinforced that internal communication is fundamentally storytelling
- During storm outages, OPPD uses: three daily internal huddles and a robust intranet
strategy to keep employees informed and aligned
Common Threads
Internal communication isn’t a support function - it’s a strategic one. It shapes culture, builds
trust across teams and roles, and strengthens connection in every corner of an organization.
When done well, it grounds employees in purpose and keeps everyone aligned with the work
that matters.
My Takeaway
I left the program reenergized by the craft of storytelling and the impact it can have inside an
organization. As workplaces continue navigating hybrid environments, shifting expectations,
and evolving tools, the opportunity is clear: communicate in ways that honor people,
strengthen connection, and make information meaningful.
What’s Next
Join us on April 23 as we dive into metrics and measuring outcomes across digital channels.
