Woman of the Year Award Celebration

Honoring Outstanding Leaders in Communications

Woman of the Year Award Celebration

Celebrate the Excellence of Women in PR.

Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is proud to host the 2026 Woman of the Year Award Celebration—our annual tradition recognizing exceptional women who have shaped the communications industry through leadership, innovation, and impact.

Join us on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Salamander DC for an inspiring afternoon of celebration and connection.

Nominate yourself or an exceptional woman in our industry.

Nominees will be judged by their demonstrated ability in the communications field, contributions to the community and industry leadership qualities.

Event Details

Date: Friday, October 23, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Salamander DC

Register or buy a table here.

A Look Back at 2025

Last year’s celebration honored Natalie Adler, Vice President of Public Impact and Resilience Communications at Fors Marsh, as the 2025 Woman of the Year.

Natalie Adler is a nationally recognized communications leader and trusted advisor with over 25 years of experience shaping campaigns that drive behavior change and strengthen communities. She has guided campaigns for federal agencies, national nonprofits, and corporations across issues ranging from public health and public safety to education, climate resilience, and social impact.

Read the full press release to learn more about the 2025 finalists and the impact of last year’s event.

Meet the 2025 Finalists

Natalie Adler, Vice President of Public Impact and Resilience Communications at Fors Marsh, is a nationally recognized changemaker in public health and social impact communications. She has spent her career advancing campaigns that improve lives and strengthen communities—from launching Michelle Obama’s Let Girls Learn initiative to leading national efforts around climate resilience and cancer prevention.

Rachel Caggiano, Strategic Advisor at Shadow Search, is a force in brand transformation and organizational strategy. Whether helping Fortune 100 CEOs navigate reputational challenges or launching a bold new phase of her career as an entrepreneur this year, Rachel has always stood at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and courage.

Julie Murphy, President of Sage Communications, is a trailblazer in technology and public sector PR. She’s not only elevating major brands in cybersecurity and AI—she’s mentoring the next generation, advocating for newborn health, and shaping the voice of women in tech through leadership roles, podcasts, and speaking engagements across the region.

More about WWPR Woman of the Year Awards

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How to Write a Winning Nomination

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By Nidia Yanez, 2016 PR Woman of the Year Committee Member Writing a nomination, particularly a winning one for Woman of the Year, isn’t an easy process. Much thought goes into crafting a nomination and there are only so many pages you can use to write about your nominee. To help you craft the best […]