Hi. I’m Sonja, with a ‘J.”
About my name …
"It’s Sonja, with a ‘j,’” I find myself saying. A lot. And it’s a long “o.” SOHN-yuh.
My last name — Barisic — may look daunting, but think of it this way: “The BEAR is sick.” See, not so hard (although perhaps uncomfortable for the poor animal).
That’s the Americanized pronunciation of my surname. My parents emigrated from Croatia to Ohio, where they raised my sister and me. I moved to southeastern Virginia in the mid-90s for a career opportunity, and I love living here.
Having an unusual moniker makes me very careful about getting the details right. I understand the disappointment and damaged credibility that can come from even little mistakes. (I can’t estimate how many times my name has been misspelled.)
I love helping people and organizations tell their stories.
I began my career reporting for The Associated Press, covering the military, business, politics, travel, the arts and more for 18 years. The personal stories are the ones I always liked best.
Then I transitioned to public relations, focusing on nonprofit marketing communications. I believe in the power of nonprofits to change the world. And I’m passionate about helping nonprofits grow their abilities and their donations through the power of storytelling. I also spent many years reviewing restaurants for the Norfolk, Virginia, newspaper.
As an accredited public relations pro, I’m very involved with the Public Relations Society of America. I’m a past president of the Hampton Roads Virginia chapter and spent three years as treasurer of PRSA’s Mid-Atlantic District. In 2024, I became a regional representative for PRSA, acting as a liaison between the national organization, PRSA’s Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Sunshine (Florida) districts and the 28 chapters within those districts.
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AP Style for Communicators Who Need a Refresher, with Nealy Gihan of Purpled Inked LLC, April 2022
Do You Know Your AP Style? with Nealy Gihan of Purpled Inked LLC, for Public Relations Society of America, Hampton Roads chapter, March 2022
Top 10 Pitfalls to Avoid in PR Writing, with Nealy Gihan of Purpled Inked LLC, for Public Relations Society of America, Hampton Roads chapter, June 2020
How to Get Your Story to the Media, Parari Morning Blend, December 2016
How to Get Your Story to the Media, for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, April 2016
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Member of the Year, 2019
Excellence Award - Internal/Employee Communications, 2019, for “In the Know, Enhancing Employee Communications at St. Mary’s Home”
Newsletters, 1st Place, 2017, for Journeys, an eight-page publication of St. Mary's Home
Annual Reports - 2nd Place, 2016, or "A Good Life," for St. Mary's Home
Newsletters - 1st Place, 2015, for "Journeys," an eight-page publication of St. Mary’s Home
Best in Show, 2014, for "Meeting the Complex Needs of Children and Adults with Disabilities," a new informational brochure about St. Mary's Home
Brochures - 1st Place, 2014, for "Meeting the Complex Needs of Children and Adults with Disabilities," a new informational brochure about St. Mary’s Home
Annual Reports, 1st Place, 2014, for "Room to Grow," for St. Mary's Home
Annual Reports - 2nd Place, 2013, for "Embracing the Possibilities," for St. Mary's Home
Best of Show, 2012, for "Power of Touch," for St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children
Best Annual Report, 2012, for "Power of Touch," for St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children
Rising Star Award, 2011, for public relations practitioners working in the field for less than five years who have demonstrated a commitment to the practice of PR and an aptitude for leadership through participation and contribution to the chapter
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Beth Drews Scholarship recipient, 2012, one of 20 individuals working in nonprofits nationwide to be awarded full tuition to the class of their choice in The Goodman Center's online schoolItem description
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AP Staffer of the Year, 2001, for breaking the story on the cause of a plane crash that killed 21 National Guard members and reporting other stories of national interest
A note about photography, because selfies don’t always cut it.
With gratitude to Karen Hibbard of Karen Hibbard Photography. Karen is a terrific food and travel photographer, and she also knows how to put people at ease so she can make them look their best at work and at play. She took many of the images on this site. If you love a photo you see here, chances are Karen shot it.