Franco Public Relations Group - People

Maria Leonhauser

President, Owner

When she’s not coaching Franco’s account teams, Maria Leonhauser turns to fiction. She is writing a murder mystery that involves American antiques, Bucks County and a family that is either highly dysfunctional or simply entertaining.

Her 35 years in public relations and journalism include, serving as communications director for Volkswagen and Audi in North America.

But there’s no mystery to her commitment to the Franco team

Maria leads the agency in its mission and vision. She provides strategic planning, crisis management and community outreach for Franco’s clients.

As a journalist, she worked at The Bulletin in Philadelphia, The Sacramento Bee and People and Time magazines.

Maria serves on the boards of College for Creative Studies and Inforum – a professional women’s alliance. She also is a member of the University of Michigan – Dearborn Citizens Advisory Committee, the Public Relations Society of America and Automotive Press Association. Crain’s Detroit Business named her one of Detroit’s 100 Most Influential Women in 2002. She is the recipient of civic and professional awards.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Temple University.