Deja of Prevea/HSHS named Communicator of the Year

Matthew Day

Staff

June 1, 2026

GREEN BAY – Returning to work after a vacation can be tough – but it can be much more enjoyable when the surprise of a prestigious recognition awaits.   

Such was the case, Angela Deja – director of public relations and communications for Prevea Health and Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) – said, when she learned she’d been named the WisCOMsin Awards’ 2026 Communicator of the Year. 

Deja said she received the good news at her department’s regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting, with everyone in attendance, just after she and her family had come back from traveling for spring break. 

Ironically, when the award was announced, she said not even her now-award-winning communication skills could aid her loss for words.  

“It was honestly one of the few times in my life I’ve been rendered speechless,” she said. “The immediate reaction was shock, but then it was immense gratitude.” 

Communication celebration 

The WisCOMsin Awards are an annual program celebrating the state’s top communications professionals – a collaboration between the Northeast Wisconsin and Madison chapters of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), according to the former chapter’s website, prsanewis.org.

As a member of the Northeast Wisconsin chapter, Deja said she had made and been part of submissions to the WisCOMsin Awards in the past, and has previously won awards from the 20-plus categories.

“So, I’m very aware of this annual event and the awards process,” she said, “but really, my focus and goal this year was on empowering my team to showcase their best work. They juggle multiple projects at a time. As soon as one is finished, they’re on to the next.” 

Based on her team’s “many incredible projects” throughout the year, Deja said she encouraged them to pause, reflect on their work and make submissions to the WisCOMsin Awards. 

“Little did I know that this year, they were also reflecting on my work and decided to nominate me for Communicator of the Year,” she said. 

‘I’ve never felt so seen’ 

Leading up to her WisCOMsin Awards recognition, Deja said her career path began in earnest 22 years ago, when she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. 

She said her professional journey commenced at WSAW, Wausau’s CBS affiliate, where she was initially hired as a producer, then became a general assignment reporter and anchor. 

After several years, Deja said she took an opportunity at WLUK, Green Bay’s Fox affiliate, working as a live shot reporter for the “Good Day Wisconsin” morning show. 

“People may remember me as Angela Kelly – that was my TV name – and I worked alongside Rachel Manek, Pete Petoniak and Emily Deem,” she said.

Spending a “good 10 years in news,” Deja said she loved her time in the industry.

“I deeply respect journalism and TV news, and I’ll always remember my time, but I was ready for a new chapter and looking to learn and grow in new ways,” she said.

It was in 2013, Deja said, when she made the move to Prevea Health, taking on the role of media specialist.  

Though her titles have evolved through the years, she said she has always served Prevea and HSHS in this capacity since she came aboard.

“My specialty has always been in the public relations and communications functions,” she said. “And then in 2022, I was named director of public relations and communications.” 

Deja said her current role entails overseeing internal communications, PR and social media functions for both Prevea and HSHS in the Wisconsin market. 

“I lead a team of four amazing women who specialize in these functions,” she said. “I shape that strategy and ensure our work is aligned with departmental and organizational goals and objectives.”

Describing her personality as a “cocktail of independence, determination and empathy,” Deja said she ensures communications enable Prevea/HSHS care providers to do their best work, as “all roads lead to what is best for our patients.” 

“I honestly consider it a blessing that I get to do what I love every day, knowing I’m serving that greater good that health care provides to a community,” she said. 

In a statement on Deja’s recent recognition, Prevea/HSHS representatives cited her work announcing HSHS’ $270 million investment in its Green Bay hospitals, as well as the strategic reworking of Prevea’s internal communications – as examples of “her exceptional leadership during a pivotal year for her organization.” 

Such responsibilities, Deja said, “absolutely” carry a degree of pressure. 

Such pressure is compounded, she said, with the complexities and fluidities inherent to the healthcare industry. 

However, Deja said she’s ultimately able to lean on her skills honed as a journalist – “leaning into the truth and telling the story of how we are serving our communities and patients, and showing we meet a community need.”

Dana Jermstad – senior vice president, chief marketing and communications officer for Prevea and HSHS in the Wisconsin market – said Deja approaches her role with “the dedication, heart and excellence she brings to everything she does.” 

“Her ability to navigate complex, high-stakes communications while remaining deeply invested in her team and the missions of our organizations is extraordinary,” she said. 

Deja said her team completed a nomination form for the WisCOMsin Awards that went beyond listing accomplishments, giving them the opportunity to share reflections on her character.

Even for someone whose previous role had her on televisions across Northeast Wisconsin, she said her team gave her an all-new sense of visibility. 

“They did share with me the nomination form they submitted, which was so beautiful,” she said. “I’ve never felt so seen.” 

The large projects may be what earn the headlines, but Deja said for her, the interpersonal, “human element” can hold the greatest significance. 

“In the nomination form, my team addressed how supported and empowered they feel, and the mentorship I provide to them, and that really meant the most to me,” she said. 

Deja said though she considers herself “a working leader; I don’t just sit at a desk and make decisions, I am right in the trenches alongside my team” – she can’t help but question her own efforts.

“I know I’m doing my best to support them, but I’m always thinking, ‘Oh, gosh, I could be doing more,’” she said. “But then, reading that nomination form really affirmed for me I must be doing something right.” 

Further encouragement 

Deja said the nomination/award also affirmed for her the importance of recognizing those around her, “whether for something big or small,” inspiring her to do more of it as a leader. 

“We spend so much of our lives dedicated to work, and we’re often too busy to notice what we’ve accomplished or how far we’ve come,” she said. “It’s really important to take time to do that, because that, too, is fuel for future growth and success.” 

This increased tendency to recognize others, Deja said, is about the only change she anticipates from having been named Communicator of the Year, more so, viewing it as encouragement to further her efforts. 

She said she’s grateful to PRSA and the regional chapters behind the WisCOMsin Awards; all past coworkers, educators and mentors; and the team who nominated her: Angela Raleigh, Ashley Noel, Maddi Cave and Maddie Paulsen. 

Jermstad, Deja said, is also one of the many people she credits for her development. 

“I have worked side by side with Dana for nearly 13 years,” she said. “She’s helped me grow personally and professionally, and has made a direct impact on the course of my life and career. And I would say the Communicator of the Year award is as much hers as it is mine.” 

Deja said the PR/communications industry is “very rewarding,” and encourages aspiring young professionals to consider the career path.

Even as AI technology is leveraged to optimize certain tasks, Deja said “it can never replace the very human work we do every day,” recommending the line of work as she offers advice. 

“You have to love doing something different every day,” she said. “You have to be comfortable with change, being agile, staying curious and learning how to pivot without losing your center. [Those] are the things that will allow you to keep showing up and doing that meaningful work, no matter what the day brings.”