Kala Morrissey, APR is a national award-winning school public relations professional passionate about promoting strategic communication that benefits students, staff and families.
For more than 15 years, Kala has served in school communication roles at urban and suburban school districts. Currently, she is the Director of Communications for Omaha Public Schools, Nebraska’s largest and most diverse school district. Omaha Public Schools educates nearly 53,000 students who speak more than 108 languages.
During her career, Kala has had various career experiences, including rebranding two school districts, passing three bond issues, executing three website redesigns, implementing social media, opening nine new buildings, working with five superintendents, and countless other communication efforts. She has also been instrumental in supporting schools through crisis and issues management matters that include budget cuts, a worldwide pandemic and student safety issues.
In her day-to-day role, she sets her team's communication priorities, aligned with the district’s Strategic Plan of Action. She also works with various department leaders to provide strategic communication counsel and assist with issues and crises.
Kala has been highly involved with the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and the Nebraska Chapter of School Public Relations Association (NebSPRA). Kala served on the NebSPRA board for seven years as president, vice president and treasurer.
Kala has received several NSPRA publication awards and PRSA paper anvil awards. She was recognized with the inaugural NSPRA 35 under 35 Award in 2012 and was named an NSPRA Front Runner in 2014-15. Kala has earned two Gold Medallion awards for strategic branding and website redesign implementation. Kala also contributed to the NSPRA social media blog with tips and tricks for school administrators.
Kala obtained her bachelor’s degree in marketing and public relations from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in communication from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
She is married and has two children, who are proud to attend public school.