About Rachel Harrison Communications PR Agency

Rachel Harrison

Founder

Rachel Harrison has over 25 years of marketing and communications experience creating unique partnerships and campaigns for some of the biggest brands in the industry. Together with her talented team, Rachel has helped clients achieve global awareness, transformative growth, and coveted awards from The World’s 50 Best to the Hot List.

Before founding Rachel Harrison Communications, Rachel was the co-founder of the award-winning Lion and Lamb Communications. She helmed the agency for six exciting years, achieving Inc Magazine’s “Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America” award.

Rachel’s broad and well-heeled background includes previous roles as Chief Marketing Officer for Chris Blackwell’s Island Outpost Resorts, Director of Marketing and Communications for Andaz by Hyatt (where she led the communications strategy to bring Hyatt public), and Senior Vice President at Dan Klores Communications.

A Salem, Massachusetts, native with 20 years in New York and four years in London and Northern Ireland, Rachel travels the world, exploring and uncovering what people are looking for next.

Lauren
Webster

MANAGING PARTNER, UK & MANAGING DIRECTOR, Digital

Lauren leverages more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, from front-of-house operations through to creative marketing and PR. During this time, she has crafted innovative and impactful communications strategies and campaigns for a diverse portfolio of drinks, hospitality and travel brands both online and offline.

Amanda
Watenberg

MANAGING DIRECTOR, Spirits

Amanda brings over a decade of experience within the spirits and hospitality industries. She has extensive experience leading PR campaigns and creative programming for Jose Cuervo Tequila, PUBLIC Hotel, Herschel Supply Co, KITH, Coca-Cola, and more.

Amber
Appelbaum

MANAGING DIRECTOR,
Operations & Business Development

Amber oversees our agency operations, business development and recruitment. She brings almost fifteen years of experience across spirits, CPG, retail, outdoor and hospitality brands as well as large scale events with brands within the following portfolios: Bacardi, Campari, LVMH, Richemont, along with retail brands like Arc’teryx and Bombas, and managed event activations at the Golden Globe awards, TIFF, US Open, Art Basel, NYFW and more.

Lauren
Ryback Hurth

MANAGING DIRECTOR, Travel

Lauren oversees the agency’s Travel and Hospitality division. She has an extensive background in travel and tourism with a focus on the luxury space, having overseen successful campaigns for notable brands including Black Tomato, Ritz-Carlton, Viceroy, Park Hyatt, Bermuda Tourism Authority, and more.

Lucy
Ballantyne

MANAGING DIRECTOR, Lifestyle

Lucy is an expert in the luxury and lifestyle sectors. She has launched dozens of hotel properties and created new ideas to keep hospitality clients top of mind. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, she completed her communications and film degrees in Australia and Italy.

Sarah
Hellman

MANAGING DIRECTOR, Culinary

Sarah has vast experience leading campaigns for high-profile chefs and New York Times bestselling authors. She’s worked with Ample Hills Creamery, Chef Amanda Cohen, Chef Wylie Dufresne, the Marcus Samuelsson Group, and more.

Sacha
Bell

Senior Vice President

Sacha Bell is a media specialist with expertise in international markets, particularly in the US and Europe. Born and raised in the UK’s Lake District, she has been involved in the hospitality industry for her entire working life. Sacha attended university in London at Goldsmiths College, where she studied media & communications and specialized in creative writing.

Mikayla
Vielot

VICE PRESIDENT

Mikayla is a compelling storyteller who combines her background in journalism and love for the hospitality industry at RHC. Originally from South Florida, Mikayla moved to NY to receive her Master’s from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Throughout her career, Mikayla has worked with notable brands such as Omni Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Highgate Hotels, Select Aperitivo, Amaro Montenegro and Mijenta Tequila.

Rachel
Boyd

VICE PRESIDENT

Rachel Boyd has over a decade of experience in the communications industry with a focus on media relations, strategic partnerships, relationship management, event production and social media campaigns. She’s worked across several categories including restaurants, hospitality, travel, wellness, fashion and lifestyle with storied personalities and brands including Krug Champagne, YSL Beauty, Kinn Studio, LVMH, Lenny Kravitz and Chef Gordon Ramsay.

Katie
Melchior

VICE PRESIDENT

Katie Melchior brings over 10+ years of digital experience to RHC, working across social media and influencer strategy for various food, wine, and spirits clients including Fuji Japanese Whisky, select spirits from the Pernod-Ricard portfolio, Kohler Hospitality, Château de Pommard, Loire Valley Wines, the French Cheeseboard, Champagne Jacquart, and Japanese Craft Beer. She also holds a WSET 2, and is a French Wine Scholar.

Jill
Laufer

SENIOR DIRECTOR

Jill is a public relations leader with over a decade of experience in spirits and hospitality. She has driven strategic communications and marketing campaigns for global brands including Suntory Global Spirits, Pernod Ricard, Proximo Spirits, McDonald’s, and Lucky Strike Entertainment. Known for her creative storytelling and results-driven approach, she excels in product launches, brand positioning, and partnerships, bringing a thoughtful, senior-level perspective to every client.

Brett Depper
Goldstein

SENIOR DIRECTOR

Brett brings a decade of experience across travel, fashion, beauty, and design. She has led PR and events for Bergdorf Goodman, produced Monique Lhuillier’s NYFW shows, and managed campaigns for brands including Oscar de la Renta, Good American, Sandro, and Fogo Island Inn.