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Author: Charmaine Riley

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 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
  • 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.

CONTACT:

Isabel Aldunate & Janae Washington

WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chairs

ela@wwpr.org

Member Spotlight: Brynne Krispin

Written by Kamica Price

Brynne Krispin is the Founder and CEO of Cause Fokus, a boutique agency helping leaders transform their expertise into authentic, visible thought leadership. She specializes in empathy-driven brand strategy, executive storytelling, and LinkedIn thought leadership. A recognized LinkedIn Top Voice, writer, and speaker, Brynne is passionate about helping leaders build trust and meaningful influence.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your current role at Cause Fokus.

I’m the Founder & CEO of Cause Fokus, a boutique thought leadership agency helping visionary founders and executives turn their quiet expertise into visible, trustworthy thought leadership without ego or overwhelm.

After nearly a decade leading social strategy for NGOs and policy orgs, I saw the same pattern repeat itself: the most credible leaders in the room were consistently the least visible ones online. And yet, their unique perspectives and expertise were creating the biggest impact behind the scenes. 

So I built Cause Fokus for them. We partner with leaders to tell their story online thoughtfully and intentionally through thought leadership strategy, executive ghostwriting, newsletters, and LinkedIn outreach. I’m also a mom to a very active 8-year-old boy and usually spend my weekends at the baseball field or climbing trees.  

2. What drew you to a career in public relations/communications?

My love for media started with a love of language and people. I studied English Literature in college and wanted to be a newspaper journalist. Once I saw the community-building aspect of sharing stories on social, I was all in. What kept me in this field is the belief that authentic storytelling is the most underutilized tool in any leader’s arsenal. The right message, told with honesty and clarity, can open doors that no ad budget ever could.

3. What’s one valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?

You can’t build trust if you’re invisible, and playing it safe by staying behind the scenes is its own kind of risk. I had to learn this firsthand when I suddenly became a single parent just six months into launching Cause Fokus. I had a five-year-old, a brand-new business, and the pressure to triple my income with almost no public visibility. I thought keeping the spotlight on my clients’ work was enough, but it wasn’t. I had to learn to step into my own story with confidence, show up even when it felt uncomfortable, and position myself as the expert I actually was, not wait until everything felt perfectly polished or the timing felt right. That experience became the foundation of everything I teach. The world doesn’t need a more polished version of you, and you are far more ready and capable than you know! 

4. How has WWPR supported or impacted your professional journey?

I joined WWPR in fall of 2022, right as I was getting Cause Fokus off the ground, and the community came at exactly the right time. Being surrounded by such smart, badass women who are thoughtful, generous, and genuinely invested in each other’s success reminded me why I love this industry. WWPR has been a space where I can learn, connect, and be reminded that collaboration, not competition, moves us all forward.

5. What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

This industry will never stop changing. What works today may be obsolete in 18 months. If you anchor your identity to any of it, you’ll feel like you’re failing every time the ground shifts. So do the deeper work. Get clear on who you are, what you believe, and what you actually stand for. Your values are the only stable ground you have, so hold onto them and protect them. Then ride the waves with everything else. Be willing to adapt, experiment, and follow threads you didn’t plan on. The most important pivots in my career looked like interruptions at the time, but they turned out to be the best thing in the end.

6. Anything else you’d like to add?

Stay curious! Give yourself permission to build, experiment, and explore. Even if it doesn’t turn into a new opportunity, the lessons you learn along the way are worth it. If you’re building something cool, interesting, or weird, I’d love to connect with you and cheer you on. 🙂

President’s Note: 2026 Is Already in Full Swing

Dear WWPR Members,

It is hard to believe that I took the reins from Past President Colleen Gallagher just 40 days ago. In that short time, the organization has already accomplished so much, with even more ahead.

First, if we have not yet met, my name is Charmaine Riley, and I am honored to serve as the 2026 WWPR president. I am proud to have spent several years on the WWPR Board as Emerging Leaders co-chair and to have served as vice president in 2025. As I step into this role, I am building on the strong legacy of WWPR leaders who came before me while charting a path that meets women in communications where they are in 2026.

Here are a few highlights so far.

2026 WWPR Board and Advisory Council Induction

Earlier this year, we inducted the 2026 Board and Advisory Council. Both are exceptional groups of women with deep experience across sectors that help WWPR best serve our members.

I am pleased to welcome Bridgette Dodge as treasurer, Julie McDowell as operations chair, Tisa Sinclair as secretary and Vanessa French as vice president to the WWPR Executive Board. You can view the full list of new and returning board members here.

For the 2026–2028 Advisory Council, WWPR is proud to welcome an outstanding group of communications professionals. Led by women who exemplify empowerment, industry leadership and long-standing support for WWPR, the council will play a key role in strengthening our long-term vision and impact. Members include:

  • Debbi Jarvis, president and CEO, The Debbi Jarvis Group
  • Lauren Tyler, chief of staff and communications strategist
  • Nell Callahan, founder, Frontwood Strategies
  • Sukhi Sahni, communications senior advisor and educator
  • Tina Anthony, founder, Iris Strategies

2026 Annual Meeting

On Jan. 21, WWPR kicked off our 46th Annual Meeting at The Hamilton. It was an incredible showing of members and leaders past and present, including former presidents and board members Colleen Gallagher, Susan Matthews Apgood, Avelyn Austin, Kendra Kojcsich, Lauren Lawson-Zilai and Kate Perrin.

I also had the honor of hosting a fireside chat with D.C. powerhouse Erica Loewe. We discussed what it takes to succeed in today’s communications landscape, how women can advocate for themselves and more. You can read the recap here.

One Party

For the first time in years, WWPR partnered with AMADC, AAF, PRSA and IABC to bring together communicators and creatives from across the region for a celebration of our industries. Hundreds of professionals joined us for a night of connection, networking and island vibes.

New Pro Bono Client: Community Bridges

WWPR is thrilled to announce Community Bridges as our pro bono client for 2026-2027. After reviewing 34 applications from exceptional organizations across the DMV area, Community Bridges stood out for its transformational impact, strategic readiness, and powerful untold stories.

Our Pro Bono Chairs and Committee also recently launched a new resource for all nonprofits in need of communications support.

Whew, what a January. And we are just getting started. Here are a few upcoming events to mark your calendar:

Make the Most of Your WWPR Membership or Learn More About WWPR

Virtual | Feb. 11 at 9 a.m.

How AI Is Changing Search and What It Means for Your Reputation

Virtual | Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m.

How to Network Like a Star

FIU in D.C. | Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.

I hope to see you at future events as we continue to focus on pride, purpose and connection. I welcome everyone, members and nonmembers alike, to bring their full selves to WWPR and experience a community dedicated to meeting women in communications where they are. And if you see me, please stop and say hello.

Cheers to 2026!

Charmaine

Q&A with WWPR Annual Meeting Keynote Speaker Erica Loewe 

WWPR’s Annual Meeting keynote speaker, Erica Loewe, is a nationally recognized communications strategist. Recognized by The Root 100 as one of the Most Influential Black Americans, Essence Magazine’s Power 40, ColorComm’s 28 Black Women in Communications Making History, the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce’s 50 Under 40, and the Washington Association of Black Journalists for Excellence in Communications, Erica brings more than a decade of experience at the intersection of media, politics, and entertainment.

In this conversation, Erica shares her perspective on communications in Washington, D.C., navigating challenges, and how women communicators can use our voices and influence for good.

Q&A

Can you share your current role and what a “typical” day looks like for you?

I advise clients across media, tech, politics and philanthropy on communications and social impact strategies. A “typical” day involves more calls than I’d like, managing fast-moving moments, and a lot of reading.

Which communications or leadership accomplishment do you feel made the greatest impact, and what did that experience teach you?

Any opportunity to create access. Some of my proudest moments include bringing Black media outlets to the White House who had never been invited and mentoring younger women finding their professional footing.

Are there any defining moments or projects that shaped your communications or leadership style?

When headlines like “President Biden defunds HBCUs” or “Biden-Harris Administration is Disseminating Crack Pipes” went viral, it became clear that disinformation is now an unavoidable reality. We no longer live in an era where we can rely on journalistic integrity and story corrections to catch up. We have to move faster, push back aggressively, and be proactive with our narrative.

Your career spans media, politics, and social impact. How has navigating those spaces influenced your approach to storytelling and strategy?

It’s made me bilingual. I’ve learned how to speak to audiences and institutions. Strategy without storytelling falls flat and storytelling without strategy is soon forgotten.

What advice would you give to emerging communications professionals?

Dress up. Show up. Never give up. Pull others up. The skills come with time and experience, but what sets you apart is how you show up and treat others. 

In 2024, you were featured in The Sixth, chronicling your experience during January 6th. What was that experience like?

It was deeply personal. Sharing that story was less about reliving the trauma and more about preserving truth. I’m proud to have been part of an Emmy-award-winning project that will shape how history remembers that day because we told it honestly.

How do you define impactful leadership in today’s communications landscape?

Impactful communications leaders know when to respond quickly and when to shut up. Both require thoughtfulness, clarity and restraint. 

In a 24-hour news cycle, what does taking care of yourself look like and how has that changed?

Early in my career, self-care meant pushing through, whether caregiving for my mom with Alzheimer’s or working around the clock. Now it still means those things but with boundaries, rest, and perspective. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Register now for the WWPR Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 21 to hear Erica Loewe’s keynote and be part of this important conversation.

Meet Our 2026-2027 Pro Bono Client: Community Bridges

WWPR is thrilled to announce Community Bridges as our pro bono client for 2026-2027. After reviewing 34 applications from exceptional organizations across the DMV area, Community Bridges stood out for its transformational impact, strategic readiness, and powerful untold stories.

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

Community Bridges empowers girls from under-resourced communities in Montgomery County, Maryland, to become resilient young women who thrive as students, engaged community members, and confident leaders. Through year-round leadership development, academic support, and college readiness programming, they serve girls in grades 4-12, often helping a single girl for more than 10 years.

Their outcomes speak for themselves: last year, 100% of Community Bridges’ high school seniors graduated and enrolled in college. They are eager to work with the experts in WWPR’s membership to strengthen their reach and visibility.

“We believe that with WWPR’s guidance and expertise, we can expand our reach, strengthen our communications capacity, and inspire broader community engagement,” said Shannon Babe-Thomas, Executive Director of Community Bridges. “Ultimately, we want to enable more girls and families to benefit from our programs.”

WHY COMMUNITY BRIDGES

The WWPR Pro Bono & Social Impact Committee, co-chaired by Christina Crawley and Alicia Aebersold, selected Community Bridges after a rigorous evaluation process that included a deep assessment of organizational capacity, impact potential, and execution readiness.

“Community Bridges has the perfect combination of compelling stories to tell and the infrastructure to implement strategic communications,” said Crawley. “They’ve built an incredible program with proven results. Now we get to help them amplify those stories to attract new supporters, strengthen partnerships, and expand their reach.”

Community Bridges already has strong foundations in place—including a signature annual gala that raises $100K, active social media channels, and established partnerships with organizations like Wells Fargo and Montgomery County Public Schools. WWPR’s support will help them scale strategically through media training, storytelling frameworks, and capacity-building guidance.

A NEW WAY TO SERVE: THE WWPR NONPROFIT COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

The competitive selection process for our new pro bono client revealed something important: dozens of worthy organizations need communications expertise, but we only have one slot for a pro bono client. 

That’s why the WWPR Pro Bono Committee is launching a new initiative in early 2026: the WWPR Nonprofit Communications Toolkit. This program will provide free educational resources—including one-page guides, expert Q&As, and potentially webinars—available to any nonprofit in the DMV area.

The Toolkit will allow WWPR to share its expertise more widely while creating opportunities for more members to contribute.

GET INVOLVED

WWPR members interested in supporting Community Bridges or contributing to the Toolkit initiative can join the Pro Bono & Social Impact Committee email list by contacting Christina Crawley or Alicia Aebersold. Opportunities will include everything from media training and messaging support to creating educational resources for the nonprofit community.

We’ll share more details about the partnership kickoff and Toolkit launch very soon. In the meantime, we invite you to learn more about Community Bridges at communitybridges-md.org.

Here’s to two years of empowering young women to lead!

ABOUT WWPR’S PRO BONO & SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAM

Since 2003, Washington Women in Public Relations has partnered with nonprofit organizations to provide strategic communications support, capacity building, and expertise. The program reflects WWPR’s commitment to strengthening our community while providing members with meaningful opportunities to give back through their professional skills.

CONTACT:

Christina Crawley, Pro Bono & Social Impact Committee Co-Chair

Alicia Aebersold, Pro Bono & Social Impact Committee Co-Chairprobono@wwpr.org

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