Who We Are

Suzanne Miller is President and Founder of SPM Communications, bringing more than 25 years of experience building and leading one of the nation's top 100 independent PR firms. She oversees SPM's agency-wide strategy, driving media relations, crisis communications, and brand-building programs for leading restaurant, CPG, retail and franchise brands nationwide, with a focus on reputation management and long-term client partnerships.

Since founding SPM in 1999, Suzanne has led PR strategy for iconic brands including Whataburger, Chipotle and Nothing Bundt Cakes, guiding each through high-growth expansion and high-stakes crisis moments. She also built SPM's "No Jerks" policy into the foundation of company culture, fostering mutual respect among leaders, team members, and clients.

Outside the office, Suzanne trains for adventure: she's currently hiking Colorado's San Juan Mountains in preparation for another trek across France and Spain, a follow-up to the 30-day hike she completed with her youngest daughter in 2025.

Jennifer is Director of Operations at SPM Communications, bringing more than 10 years of agency experience to the firm's operational infrastructure and systems. She maintains advanced expertise across the agency's operational and financial platforms and manages multiple business functions ranging from invoicing and account master planning to contract administration and vendor relationships, specializing in identifying and resolving bottlenecks before they impact the team.

Jennifer has built and documented many of SPM's core operational processes from the ground up, training and mentoring team members along the way, and is recognized agency-wide as the trusted advisor on operational matters, known for translating complex systems into clear guidance and proactively flagging solutions before issues escalate.

In addition to her work at the agency, Jennifer is a trained vocalist who has taken the stage with David Bowie, has a great eye for fashion and decor, and is mom to three sons and to Alice, an adored member of SPM's office dog pack.

Kristen Kauffman is Senior Vice President of Editorial and Crisis at SPM Communications, bringing 30 years of experience in journalism and strategic communications. She leads the agency's editorial team, overseeing crisis communications, media relations and press materials for clients across the food, restaurant, retail and franchise industries, specializing in high-stakes reputation management and message development under pressure.

Before joining SPM, Kristen built her expertise in newsrooms across the country, including The Associated Press, The Dallas Morning News, WFAA-TV, and multiple television newsrooms nationwide. That journalism foundation gives her a reporter's instinct for what makes a story newsworthy and a crisis manager's discipline for protecting a brand's reputation when it matters most. She is known for translating complex situations into clear, credible messaging that holds up under media scrutiny.

Kristen is an avid New York Times crossword puzzle aficionado, and her love of words extends to Wordle and Spelling Bee. She and her husband founded, owned, and operated the popular Dallas neighborhood spot Urbano Cafe for 22 years. She holds a bachelor's degree from SMU.

Kendra Byrd is a Senior Account Supervisor at SPM Communications, bringing a decade of experience in public relations, influencer marketing, and earned media strategy. As one of SPM's influencer marketing leaders, she leads integrated communications programs for national food, restaurant and retail brands, overseeing creator campaigns from strategy and talent selection through execution.

Kendra is known for building influencer programs that align with broader business objectives, helping clients build authentic audience connections while driving measurable results.

Kendra enjoys traveling, discovering new restaurants, and staying on top of the latest trends shaping influencer marketing and digital communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Ashley "Lenny" Lennington is Media Relations Director at SPM Communications, bringing nearly 20 of experience in strategic media relations. She leads national and local media relations for brands across the hospitality, lifestyle, franchise and CPG space, specializing in securing placements that directly impact clients' business objectives.

Ashley was named a "PR Star Under 40" in the 2022 Bulldog PR Awards, and she is known for building media strategies that translate directly into measurable business results for her clients.

Outside the office, Ashley is a triathlete who brings that same competitive drive to the office. She's mom to Gracie, SPM's beloved office dog, and a phenomenal cook who's always ready to talk recipes. She holds a degree from the University of Michigan, where she was a star athlete and member of the school's field hockey team.

Sara Hundley is a Vice President at SPM Communications, bringing more than 20 years of agency and in-house leadership experience to nationally recognized restaurant, franchise, retail, consumer, and entertainment brands. She leads integrated PR programs spanning earned media, influencer marketing, executive visibility, thought leadership, crisis communications and brand storytelling, specializing in strategies that build brand relevance and generate measurable impact.

Before SPM, Sara held senior marketing leadership roles at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen and CiCi's Pizza, helping shape nationally recognized brands through innovative, award-winning campaigns. She is known as a trusted advisor and collaborative leader, passionate about mentoring teams and creating bold ideas that cut through crowded markets.

Sara enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks and Trinity Christian Academy Trojans with her family. She holds a B.B.A. in Marketing from Texas Tech University.

Sophia Feleke is a Director at SPM Communications, bringing 12+ years of experience working with national and emerging consumer brands. She leads SPM's Cultural Relevance Engine™, developing trend-driven moments for clients that translate into media coverage and social content.

Sophia's work has included leading strategy and execution for Einstein Bros. Bagels' growth announcement and helping Dig Inn earn a spot on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list, alongside ongoing crisis communications strategy for several clients. She is known for translating fast-moving cultural and trending moments into creative ideas that matter for her clients' brands.

Sophia is passionate about all things art, from music and poetry to photography. She holds a B.A. in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of Texas at Austin.

Cori is a Senior Director at SPM Communications, bringing nearly 15 years of agency experience to the firm's restaurant, CPG, and franchise clients. She leads SPM's Engineered Brand Discovery™ and influencer marketing practices, helping clients strategically raise their brand profile wherever consumers are, whether that's scrolling social feeds or chatting with their AI platform of choice.

Cori is known for translating emerging platforms and consumer behavior into practical brand strategy, keeping SPM's clients, like Utz, Pollo Campero and Home Helpers Home Care ahead of where audiences are actually spending their time.

Outside the office, you can find Cori playing princesses with her two girls, catching up with friends on the SMU "Boulevard," or counting down to her next North Carolina beach trip. She holds a degree in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from SMU.

Loren Rutledge is General Manager at SPM Communications, overseeing agency operations and setting strategic direction firmwide. She joined nearly 15 years ago as an Account Executive and has risen through every level of the agency, building deep expertise in strategic planning and brand positioning for powerhouse brands including Velvet Taco, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Michaels, Community Coffee, Gold's Gym, Karbach Brewing, Madison Reed and Pollo Campero.

Loren spearheaded SPM's Engineered Brand Discovery™ practice, a proprietary generative engine optimization (GEO) offering built ahead of the market curve, and is known for anticipating where the industry is headed before competitors catch up.

Outside the office, Loren can be found exploring a new hiking trail, on her yoga mat (a practice she's kept up for 15+ years), or hanging out with her boxer, Estelle. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Arkansas.