Whitney Lee

Whitney Lee, APR, CPRC, is the founder and principal of True Story Public Relations – an award-winning agency specializing in the hospitality, travel and tourism.

With a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Florida State University, an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and a Certification as a Public Relations Counselor (CPRC), this ambitious millennial has grown her PR agency from the small beach town of Destin, Florida, to the international agency it is today.

Starting her career in hospitality at the age of 16, Whitney has worked in multiple aspects of the industry, from fast food to fine dining, luxury resorts and everything in between.

Starting her professional career at Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village in Destin, Florida, as Events and Marketing Manager,
Whitney went on to serve as Director of Marketing for the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, Florida. At the time, the resort was the number one revenue generating franchise of Hilton in the world. She managed a $500k+ budget for all marketing, social media and PR for the hotel as well as their award winning spa, Serenity by the Sea, and the AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood.

At age 26, Whitney left the corporate world and began her entrepreneurial career.

Whitney has been named Scarlett Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in PR, one of the “Five Most Dynamic Women Leaders Ruling the PR Industry” in the CIO Times and one of United Way’s 40 under 40.

Whitney is also a keynote speaker and the host of True Story: The PR Podcast where she shares insights to working in the PR industry and interviews other industry experts across marketing, social media, branding and more.

Born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Whitney is the baby of the family and self proclaimed “Aunt of the Year” to three spunky nieces. A former college athlete, Whitney is fiercely competitive and continues to enjoy fitness, as well as cooking, Florida summer boat days and of course, traveling the world. No matter where life takes her, this southerner will always be a Hattiesburger. (with cheese!)

Whitney has been described by her friends and colleagues as pragmatic, fiercely loyal, determined, brutally honest, self aware and a natural born leader.

“Ads are what you pay for, PR is what you pray for.”