15 to Watch (Corporate/Nonprofit): Tiane Harrison

Media Relations Manager, USO Age: 30

As the public relations point for USO centers and programs in the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific, Tiane Harrison is adept at finding the balance between out-of-the-box ideas

and desired results. Planning events at the White House, working with Us Weekly and celebrities to donate event swag to female soldiers in Iraq, or chronicling events at USO centers in the Middle East, the Arlington, Va.-based Harrison expertly spreads the word of the USO’s dedication to armed services personnel.

Balancing Act

“It’s challenging to balance the day-to-day communications while keeping up with the changing media landscape and trends in PR,” Harrison says. “But it’s fun when I get to implement something new into our communications efforts and it’s successful.”

Kid in a Candy Store

“I’ve worked on some amazing projects this year, including a USO care package event at the White House with President Obama and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a three-week photo and video safari to USO centers in Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s not often that a nonprofit engages in such so many great high-profile events.”

Global Team Effort

“From USO staff, volunteers and the troops, the most rewarding part of my job is the people I get to meet and work with around the world. It’s definitely a team effort as we plan for the coming year.” ■

December 7, 2009