Scala-Giokas of Certilman Balin named Mentor of the Year PRPLI

Debra Scala-Giokas, director of marketing at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP, was named Mentor of the Year by Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) at the organization's 22nd Annual Awards Gala. The event was held at The Chateau Caterers in Carle Place. Scala-Giokas began her legal marketing career in 1990, and joined Long Island's second largest law firm, Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP, as it first marketing director, in 1998. She lives by Maya Angelou's words: "When you learn, teach. When you get, give." As an adjunct lecturer at Dowling College since 2007, Scala-Giokas teaches a course in services marketing and serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement to her students. She speaks to trade organizations, associations, and student groups, has taught at Hofstra University School of Continuing Education, and has presented continuing legal education courses in marketing. She participates in the Mentoring Partnership of Long Island's "Shadow Day," and has mentored college and high school interns. Debra earned a Master's in Business Administration degree from Dowling College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) is a professional trade association that provides members with the opportunity to network, learn and share new experiences, and advance in their careers. Founded in 1990, PRPLI is the largest regional organization for individuals working in public relations, publicity, media relations, marketing, corporate communications, advertising, event planning, government relations and community affairs. PRPLI members include PR practitioners from the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, as well as independent communicators.