WASHINGTON WOMEN IN PUBLIC RELATIONS CELEBRATES 2026 EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS WINNERS
16th annual awards program recognizes seven women shaping the future of communications in the Washington region
The Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a professional society for female communicators in the greater capital area, today announced its 2026 class of Emerging Leaders Awards (ELAs) honorees. Now in its 16th year, the ELAs recognizes seven exceptional women, ages 25-35, who have distinguished themselves across government, nonprofits, agencies, and the corporate sectors. Each honoree is recognized for outstanding professional achievement and contributions to the industry through mentorship, advocacy, and innovative thinking.
“For 16 years, the Emerging Leaders Awards have recognized exceptional women who are shaping the future of communications and strengthening our profession,” said Charmaine Riley. “This year’s honorees didn’t just meet the bar—they raised it. Their accomplishments reflect the importance of investing in rising talent, and we are proud to celebrate their contributions and welcome them into the Emerging Leaders community.”
The 2026 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Winners are:
- Small/Boutique Agency: Emily Tillet, Vice President, Jasper Advisors
- Mid-Sized Agency: Amanda Finney, Vice President, Reputation Management, Avoq
- Global & Large Agency: Nia Page, Chief of Staff of National Geographic Content, Office of the President, The Walt Disney Company
- Government: Casey Bell, Public Affairs Officer, Education with Industry Fellow at Google Public Sector, U.S. Air Force
- Trade Association: Julie Hirschhorn, Manager of Public Relations, American Academy of Family Physicians
- Corporate: Meaghan Delaney, Manager, Corporate Affairs, KPMG US
- Non-Profit: Ariana Perez, Manager of Public Relations, Children’s National Hospital
Winners were celebrated on June 25, 2026, at a special reception at AT&T Forum in Washington, D.C. The evening featured a keynote address from Julia Krieger. It was an evening full of energy, inspiration, and well-deserved recognition.
This year’s final round judges included:
- Natalie Adler, 2025 WWPR Woman of the Year and Vice President, Public Impact and Resilience Communications, Fors Marsh
- Kirstin Garriss, Communications Director, URL Media
- Maureen Coelho, Senior Sales Director, KARGO
- Jonelle Henry, University of Florida Student Immersion Program Director, College of Journalism and Communications
The complete list of 2026 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards finalists is available here.
Washington Women in Public Relations thanks its event sponsors, Frontwood Strategies, Narrative Strategies, and PLUS Communications, for their support of the 2026 Emerging Leaders Awards.
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Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is a leading membership organization dedicated to advancing women in communications and public relations throughout the Washington, D.C., region and beyond. The organization provides leadership opportunities, professional development, mentorship, and networking to support women at every stage of their careers. Visit us at wwpr.org, connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook, and follow us on X @WWPR and on Instagram @WWPRDC.
CONTACT:
Isabel Aldunate & Janae Washington
WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chairs
ela@wwpr.org
