WASHINGTON WOMEN IN PUBLIC RELATIONS ANNOUNCE 2025 EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS WINNERS
Seven D.C.-area women named Emerging Leaders at 15th Anniversary Event
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2025)— The Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a professional society for female communicators in the greater capital area, named its 2025 class of Emerging Leaders Awards (ELAs). The seven winners were selected from a well-rounded and remarkable slate of rising stars, ages 25-35, who have excelled in public relations and related fields, and given back to the industry by contributing their skills and talents to innovative initiatives and projects.
“As we proudly celebrate 15 years of the Emerging Leaders Awards, WWPR is honored to recognize women who are driving impact and change in the communications and public relations fields,” said Colleen Gallagher, WWPR President. “Congratulations to this year’s finalists and honorees—they now join an exceptional group of emerging leaders. If the past 15 years are any indication, their futures—and our industry’s—are incredibly bright.”
The 2025 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Winners are:
Corporate: Courtney Bailey, Global Large Advertiser Marketing Lead, Meta Platforms, Inc.
Trade Association: Katie Shoaf, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Edison Electric Institute
Non-Profit: Ianthe Metzger, Senior Director of Advocacy, Planned Parenthood
Small/Boutique Agency: Asma Amani, Founder, Asma Amani PR
Mid-Size Agency: Katherine Nanney, Director, Government Practice, Merritt Group
Large/Global Agency: Megan Reilly, Senior Account Executive, Integrated Brand, Edelman
Government: Tejah Robinson, Creative Director, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
The 2025 judges included:
Martha Boudreau, Past WWPR Woman of the Year and Former AARP Executive Vice President & Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Adiya Mobley, Founder, Mission to Movement Worldwide
Gemma Puglisi, Past WWPR Woman of the Year and Professor at American University
Seleana Wright, Senior Director, APCO
Mara Vandalik, Past WWPR President and Principal, mkv2 strategies
The ELAs winners were announced at a special awards reception in Washington D.C. on June 11, 2025. Renowned communications executive Kathy Baird gave the keynote. Attendees also supported WWPR’s pro bono client, Running Start. The complete list of 2025 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards finalists can be found here: https://wwpr.org/2025wwprelas/
###
Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is a member-based professional society cultivating and inspiring female communicators to reach their full potential in the DC market and beyond. The organization is committed to providing leadership opportunities, professional development, mentorship, and industry networking. Visit us at wwpr.org connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @WWPR and on Instagram @WWPRDC.
CONTACT:
Ranata Reeder
WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Chair
ela@wwpr.org
