Shelley Spector

Shelley Spector is a public relations executive, educator, and cultural preservationist recognized as the CEO and co-founder of the Museum of Public Relations, the only museum dedicated to the public relations and communications professions. Spector began her career in public relations after graduating from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and working as a radio and television journalist. She held communications roles at organizations including Hill & Knowlton, the American Stock Exchange, and RuderFinn before founding Spector & Associates in New York City. The firm, noted for its campaign strategy, has served global brands such as AT&T, HP, Bayer, Philips, and L3Harris, earning more than 50 national awards for Fortune 500 clients.

The Museum of Public Relations originated from Spector's professional relationship with Edward Bernays, considered the father of public relations. Spector and her co-founder conducted oral history interviews with Bernays, sharing these recordings with public relations organizations and academic institutions. Bernays encouraged the establishment of the museum in New York City. The institution, a 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the State of New York, houses more than 5,000 artifacts documenting the history of public relations. Initially located at Baruch College, the museum later moved to the Financial District, with its space designed to replicate Bernays' 1919 office.

Spector has focused on diversity and inclusion within the public relations industry, making it a central mission of the museum to highlight the contributions of women, African Americans, LGBTQ professionals, and other underrepresented groups. The museum was the first public relations organization to spotlight the histories of minority populations, launching events such as the Black PR History celebrations and the LGBTQ Experience in Public Relations series. Spector also co-edited "Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership," a book published in partnership with the PRSA Foundation that features accounts from more than 40 multicultural communications leaders and is used in classrooms throughout the United States.

Spector serves on the faculty of New York University and Baruch College, teaching public relations. As a researcher, she has produced papers on the role of public relations in financial crises and communications during pandemics. She has delivered lectures to student and industry groups internationally, and her work has been recognized with Distinguished Service awards from the Page Society and the American Journalism Historians Association, as well as diversity awards from national organizations. Spector's career spans agency leadership, museum direction, academic research, and advocacy within the public relations field.