# Tina Kozak

> Tina Kozak is the chief executive officer and majority owner of Franco, the Detroit communications agency she joined in 2007 after beginning her career in automotive communications. The first woman and third CEO in the firm's history, she has helped move Franco from traditional public relations toward integrated communications while keeping its identity anchored in Detroit, values-led management, and crisis counsel.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and majority owner at Franco
- **Organizations:** Franco, Michigan Women Forward, Life Remodeled, PRSA Counselors Academy, Detroit Economic Club, Automotive Press Association
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, Wayne State University, Leadership Detroit XXXIII, Detroit Regional Chamber
- **Known for:** First woman and third CEO in Franco's history., Became Franco's majority owner in 2024 as the agency became fully women-owned., Helped expand Franco from traditional public relations into integrated communications, with the firm reporting double-digit growth in revenue and employees under her leadership.

## Career timeline

- **2000** — Began her first public-relations internship at Bianchi Public Relations, working mainly with automotive clients.
- **2000s** — Joined automotive supplier Metaldyne and grew into a full-time global communications role covering public relations, advertising, auto shows and employee events.
- **2007** — Joined Franco in Detroit after seeking a smaller, community-connected alternative to corporate communications.
- **2013** — Moved into Franco's president role through an abruptly accelerated leadership transition and learned the position in real time.
- **2021** — Became the first woman and third chief executive officer in Franco's history.
- **2024** — Became Franco's majority shareholder and owner; the agency became fully women-owned with Tina Benvenuti Sullivan and Nikki Little as minority owners.
- **2025** — Inducted into the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame for contributions to public relations and Southeast Michigan.
- **2026** — Received PRSA's inaugural Women of Impact Agency Leader award.

## Achievements

- First woman and third CEO in Franco's history.
- Became Franco's majority owner in 2024 as the agency became fully women-owned.
- Helped expand Franco from traditional public relations into integrated communications, with the firm reporting double-digit growth in revenue and employees under her leadership.
- Inducted into the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame in 2025.
- Named the Agency Leader recipient in PRSA's inaugural Women of Impact Awards in 2026.
- Recognized as a Crain's Detroit Business 40 Under 40 honoree.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Received the Agency Leader honor in PRSA's inaugural Women of Impact Awards.
- **2026-03** — Appeared on PRGN Presents to discuss earned media, AI and authenticity in brand reputation management.
- **2025-12** — Inducted into the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame.
- **2025-08** — Returned to Franco's frankly podcast for an episode on crisis preparedness, internal communication and frontline messengers.
- **2024-03** — Publicly announced the ownership transition that made her Franco's majority owner and the firm fully women-owned.

## Links

- Website: https://franco.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinakozak
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/FrancoPRGroup
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_r2GKPfhk83SK4zx1iJIlA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franco_detroit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franco-169433033089834

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tina-kozak
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22