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Author: Derika Crowley

Teaching, Mentorship, and Impact: Gemma Puglisi’s Path as a WWPR Woman of the Year

by Elisa OHalloran

For Gemma Puglisi, Assistant Professor in the School of Communication at American University and Director of Teaching in the Center for Faculty Excellence, receiving the WWPR Woman of the Year Award in 2022 was a professional milestone. A native Washingtonian and daughter of Italian immigrants, Gemma’s father worked as a barber at the Harrington Hotel and her mother took her and her sisters to see the city’s monuments and department stores. Gemma was knighted by the Republic of Italy years ago –  Cavaleri — is the title of the knighthood.  

The WWPR award ceremony was held in one of those department stores, bringing her childhood full circle. “It was very moving and powerful,” Gemma reflects. “Washington is such an important city, and where I spent my youth, so this honor award was very special. Also, winning this award was impactful because it meant that my colleagues honored and appreciated my career.”

Gemma spent her career working in newsrooms, agencies, companies, and now academia. At American University, she was recently recognized with the Outstanding Teaching Award in a Continuing Appointment and named Director of Teaching for the Center for Faculty Excellence. Gemma says, “The recognition was such an honor because I have been teaching for over 20 years. “ 

The Woman of the Year recognition reinforced Gemma’s passion for mentorship. She actively supports emerging leaders, often reminding them that success is built not only on hard work and passion but also on kindness and generosity. Gemma adds, “People always remember who smiled, who helped, who welcomed them. One of my goals is to leave the world a better place after I am not around. That’s mentoring the next generation and being involved in organizations that do great work.As Faculty Adviser for American University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PPRSSA) chapter and National Faculty Adviser for the organization, Gemma is helping co-host the International PRSA/PRSSA Conference this October in Washington, D.C. She also continues her work with the National Press Club, recording podcasts and contributing to the broadcast committee.  Gemma adds, “I have recorded many podcasts, so please connect and hear some of my past ones.”

WWPR Announces Finalists for 2025 Woman of The Year Award

Three finalists represent exceptional local women who have shaped the communications industry through leadership, innovation and impact

Washington, D.C., September 18, 2025 – Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a professional development and networking organization for female communicators in the nation’s capital, today announces the three finalists for the 36th annual Woman of the Year Award ceremony. 

Nominees were judged on demonstrated ability in the communications field, contributions to the community and industry leadership qualities. The finalists for WWPR’s 2025 Woman of the Year Award are:

Natalie Adler, Vice President, Public Impact and Resilience Communications at Fors Marsh 

Rachel Caggiano, Strategic Advisor, Talent, Strategy & Transformation at Shadow Search 

Julie Murphy, President at Sage Communications 

“Woman of the Year is more than an award, it’s a celebration of purpose, progress, and the power of women leading in communications,” said Colleen Gallagher, WWPR President. “Each of this year’s finalists has made a lasting mark on our industry through bold ideas, meaningful mentorship, and exceptional leadership. We’re proud to honor them as part of this beloved WWPR tradition.”

This year’s program will feature keynote remarks from Ellen Bryan, former host of Great Day Washington on WUSA9, an Emmy Award–winning journalist, author and motivational speaker.

The Woman of the Year Award Ceremony, established in 1990, is WWPR’s signature event. It is an annual experience fostering camaraderie among women in public relations, culminating in this must-attend event that honors the achievements of those who have reached a pinnacle in the profession. 

The awards celebration will be held at the Salamander DC at 1220 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, D.C., on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 11am-1pm. Reserve your seat today. 

Sponsorship opportunities can be found here or by contacting sponsorships@wwpr.org.

About Washington Women in Public Relations

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.


For more information, contact Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chairs Christine Blake and Michelle Schafer at woy@wwpr.org.

Tips to Make Your Woman of the Year Nomination Shine 

2016 Woman of the Year Award Finalists Maria Rodriguez, Martha Boudreau and Sharon Reis

By Elisa OHalloran 

Every year, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) honors an exceptional woman with the Woman of the Year Award, a recognition of professional excellence, mentorship, and community impact. If you know a woman whose influence deserves the spotlight, a thoughtful nomination can make all the difference.

Here are some tips to help your nomination rise above the rest:

The Basics

Make sure the nomination form is fully completed. Ensure you get all the details to complete the application by collaborating with a friend, colleague or mentee who knows the nominee if needed.

Go Beyond the Resume

Resumes and job titles only tell part of the story.  What should we know about the nominee that is not on their resume or LinkedIn account? For example, did they champion a new policy or project at their company or in their personal life.

Tell a Leadership Story 

Highlight how the nominee served as a mentor. How has she mentored young professionals, through formal or informal guidance? Show how she has helped others grow, or step into leadership positions themselves.

Highlight Community Contributions

Community impact matters, so show her broader impact through church involvement, volunteering, pro bono work, or board positions. Share these stories, even if they are not tied to communications. 

Stories Matters

The most memorable nominations include specific, personal stories. Share how the nominee has impacted the industry, their company, their community, or an individual. Use concrete examples with measurable outcomes rather than generic praise.

The Woman of the Year Award is about celebrating women who lead with purpose, elevate others, and leave a lasting mark on their profession and community. By going beyond the basics and sharing both facts and stories, you can help ensure your nominee’s influence is fully recognized.

Ready to submit? Visit the WWPR Women of the Year Award for details and deadlines. https://wwpr.org/events/woman-of-the-year-award-celebration/

Board Member Spotlight: Vanessa French

Vanessa French is a Communications and Content Executive with two decades of experience spanning corporate, government, nonprofit, and association sectors. She specializes in building strategic frameworks that deliver results and creating teams and systems that set organizations up for long-term success. Vanessa has led rebrands, launched advocacy campaigns, and crafted strategies that connect and inspire. Curiosity, empathy, and connecting the dots are her hidden superpowers — the throughline in every campaign, client, and team she has touched.

Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.  

I’ve always been fascinated by how ideas move — from spark, to story, to strategy. After leading comms at agencies, heading content at major organizations, and running my own consultancy, I’ve carved out a niche where I can blend leadership with creativity. I help organizations communicate with purpose, build trust, and scale with heart. That same spirit brought me to WWPR. After recovering from stage 1 cancer, I wanted to reconnect with my community and channel my energy into something meaningful. Joining the Board — and now stepping into the Treasurer role — felt like the perfect next chapter.

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?  

The work that stays with me isn’t tied to a single campaign or brand — it’s tied to people. I reflect most on the teams I’ve built, the talent I’ve mentored, and the moments when collaboration just clicked. I may have delivered the logos, strategy decks, and press hits, but it’s the behind-the-scenes breakthroughs — the confidence gained, the skills sharpened, the culture built — that I’m proudest of.

What do you love about being a WWPR Board Member? 

WWPR is a catalyst. It’s full of wise, generous, driven women who show up for each other and for the industry. Being on the Board means contributing to something bigger — shaping how we support the next generation of women communicators, building a culture of mentorship, and having a seat at a table where smart strategy is matched with genuine heart.

Is there any book you would recommend? 

For fun, I love books about revolutionary women — my top three are Personal History by Katharine Graham, The Good Girls Revolt by Lynn Povich, and Anna by Amy Odell. For business, I think Start with Why by Simon Sinek should be required reading for every communications professional. Pro tip: I often find the audiobooks easier to fit in with a busy schedule.

What do you do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love to travel — with a Michelin star map in one hand and an art museum pass in the other — finding great art, memorable meals, and history’s hidden stories. Palatine Hill in Rome remains one of my favorite historic sites, and next on my list is Hever Castle in England, with a trip planned in the coming months for my Tudor history fix. If it feeds the brain or the heart, I’m in.

Board Member Spotlight: Kate Urbach

Kate Urbach is a passionate communicator with over a decade of experience providing strategic communications counsel for organizations across a variety of industries. As a Vice President at Curley Company, Kate helps clients achieve their strategic communications goals. Kate is a global thought leadership expert and has helped clients deliver impactful programs with measurable, actionable results. Before joining Curley, Kate served as Vice President at Edelman, where she was responsible for developing strategic campaigns across multiple channels for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies with projects spanning thought leadership, executive visibility, media relations and disease awareness.

Prior to Edelman, Kate spent more than four years at Ketchum, where she led communications programs in the public and corporate affairs and healthcare practices. Her experience focused on thought leadership and executive visibility, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, and media relations for several clients ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies. Prior to Ketchum, Kate worked at Havas PR where she implemented global campaigns for companies and nonprofits devoted to creating lasting social change. She also brings experience leading client events at conferences including the Consumer Electronics Show, South by Southwest and the Cannes Lions International Festival.

She has been recognized by the PR industry including PR News Rising Star in 2014 and more recently as a finalist for WWPR’s Emerging Leaders Mid/Large Agency Category in 2021. Kate graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies.

Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.  

I’ve spent over 12 years in communications, with the majority of that time dedicated to working with purpose-driven organizations. Throughout my career, I’ve led a wide range of initiatives – from thought leadership to media engagement and integrated campaigns – supporting both businesses and foundations across industries like technology, financial services and healthcare. The breadth of experience has helped me understand how to craft narratives that resonate, build trust and drive meaningful engagement.

What drew me to Curley Company was the opportunity to apply those skills in an environment where I could make a tangible impact. I was particularly excited by the chance to be more entrepreneurial and hands-on – working in an environment where creativity and initiative are essential. The role aligned nicely with my passion for mission-driven work and my desire to contribute to something with real purpose.

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?  

There are so many! I loved working with the United Nations Foundation. It was an incredible opportunity to contribute to a global movement aimed at transforming the world, and I had the privilege of being involved in several high-impact campaigns that were instrumental in raising awareness and driving action on some of the world’s most pressing issues. What made the experience unforgettable was the opportunity to collaborate with teams on the ground across different countries. Seeing firsthand how these goals were translated into local action and how communities were mobilizing for change was eye-opening.

What do you love about being a WWPR Board Member? 

One of my favorite things is being able to surround myself with like-minded women in communications and create new connections and opportunities that allow me to learn and grow as a PR professional and woman in business. I love being part of this community and am grateful to be able to contribute as a member of the board.

Is there any book you would recommend? 

I don’t get to read as much as I’d like to, but I keep a running list! Right now, I’m making my way through Magic Words by Jonah Berger—it’s a great read for anyone in communications, full of good insights on how language shapes impact.

What do you do outside of work?

Outside of work, I’m usually chasing sunshine, good coffee, or my next favorite workout class – sometimes all at once. Lately, I’ve been on a bit of a Peloton streak and get way too competitive on the leaderboard for someone riding in their living room.

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