President’s Note: Keeping the Momentum Going
Dear WWPR Members,
It is hard to believe we are already halfway through 2026! As we head into summer, I have been reflecting on everything our community has accomplished together over the past six months, and I could not be more proud.
Since January, WWPR has hosted more than a dozen professional development events, welcomed new members into our growing community and continued to create opportunities for women in communications to learn, connect and lead. Through it all, we have remained rooted in our 2026 theme of pride, purpose and connection.
One of the biggest highlights of the year was our 2026 Emerging Leaders Awards. We celebrated a record-breaking attendance and recognized an incredible group of finalists whose talent, leadership and passion continue to raise the bar for our profession.
Congratulations to this year's winners:
- Small/Boutique Agency: Emily Tillett, 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
- Nonprofit: Ariana Perez, manager of public relations, Children's National Hospital
Every finalist reminded us why the future of our industry is so bright, and I know they will continue to make an impact for years to come.
A special thank you to Julia Kreiger, head of U.S. public affairs, for delivering a phenomenal keynote address that challenged and inspired all of us.
While summer is a time to enjoy longer days, warm weather and time with friends, we are not slowing down. We have an exciting lineup of programming planned for the second half of the year that will continue to meet our members where they are, whether they are building new skills, growing their networks or advancing their careers.
Make the Most of your WWPR Membership Or Learn More About WWPR! | July 16 | Virtual
How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling | July 16 | Avoq DC
From Manager to Leader: Transitioning from Doer to Strategic Leader | July 22 | Virtual
Summer Social Happy Hour | August 12 | Bronson Bierhall
I am especially looking forward to our third signature event of the year, the Woman of the Year Awards, where we will once again celebrate the outstanding women who continue to shape our profession and our community.
Thank you for being part of WWPR and for helping make this organization such a welcoming and inspiring place. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events.
Wishing you all a wonderful summer!
Cheers,
Charmaine
