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Pioneering with Purpose: The Rise of Female Entrepreneurship in PR

Written by Kimberly McGuire

This article was developed with assistance from artificial intelligence.

Over the past decade, women have transformed entrepreneurship by starting and leading businesses at an unprecedented rate. From 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses grew faster than those started by men, and by 2024, women were launching nearly half of all new businesses. This record-breaking trend continued into 2025, with women-owned businesses making up 40% of all U.S. businesses, employing 12.6 million people and generating $2.8 trillion in revenue. This surge is more than just a statistic—it signals a fundamental shift in how women define and pursue professional success.

Climbing the traditional corporate ladder is no longer the only goal for many women. Many are leaving secure corporate jobs, motivated to make a difference in their communities and industries. But in the process, they are not giving up on ambition. Instead, they are redefining what it looks like. Women are defining success for themselves through entrepreneurship and creating businesses centered on purpose, flexibility, and personal values. “Women have a unique opportunity right now to create roles for themselves that fit their lives, not the other way around,” said Melissa Vela-Williamson, Founder of MVW Communications, LLC.

This redefinition of success is having a particularly profound impact on public relations, an industry that thrives on creativity and personal connection. As more women become agency owners, leaders, or “solopreneurs”, they are reshaping the culture and priorities of the industry. The public relations industry is fundamentally about storytelling, building connections, and understanding people—skills at which women excel. What’s more, women are emphasizing and elevating digital innovation, taking public relations beyond traditional media and into new realms of reputation management. “I’m seeing more and more female entrepreneurs who are very well connected enter the space and partner with one another,” said Carrie Johnson, Founder and Principal, Carrie Johnson Communications, LLC. It’s becoming apparent that women are driving the public relations industry with strategies that are more authentic, applicable, and advantageous for the clients or organizations they work with.

At the same time, female entrepreneurs are introducing flexible work cultures and companies with inclusive values that foster creativity. They mentor other women, support diverse perspectives, and build networks based on collaboration rather than competition. The results are seen in the work they produce—public relations strategies that resonate and brands that are (not feel) genuine. “I see so many people, so many women in our community, who are powerful women starting their own business because they can. They have the network. They have the skills. And they are aligning their values and their strengths to serve communities and people that they care about,” said Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Founder and Principal of Zeal Communications. “[Because of entrepreneurial women], organizations that lead with authenticity, clarity, and purpose are getting ahead of the shift at a time when trust is low and media is fragmented, and that gives a ripple effect to the demographics they impact,” she said. 

To support this new wave of leadership, organizations are stepping up to nurture and connect women across the public relations industry. Organizations like Washington Women in Public Relations help advance, mentor, and connect women at every career stage—whether they work for a company or lead one. So as we wrap up Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate the trailblazers, rule-breakers, and multitaskers. Because the rise of fabulous female entrepreneurs is bringing in a bold new era for public relations.

A candid conversation about the future of public relations, which is female and fabulous. From top left to bottom right, Kimberly McGuire, President, MPA Inc.; Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Founder and Principal, Zeal Communications; Carrie Johnson, Founder and Principal Carrie Johnson Communications, LLC; and Melissa Vela-Williamson, M.A., APR, PRSA Fellow, CDP and Founder of MVW Communications, LLC.

How Washington Women in PR Can Help You Level Up Your Career

Written by WWPR Membership Co-Chair Kate Urbach

Communications careers rarely move in a straight line. They’re shaped by the moments you raise your hand, the people who challenge your thinking, and the rooms you’re invited into before you feel “ready.” In a field that changes as quickly as ours – new platforms, new expectations, new pressures – growth isn’t just about learning one more skill. It’s about building the conditions that make long-term progress possible.

That’s where Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) comes in. WWPR exists to cultivate and inspire women in communications to thrive – through leadership opportunities, professional development, mentorship, and industry networking. As a Membership Co-Chair, I’ve seen how this community supports women at every stage of their careers: early-career professionals looking for direction, mid-career leaders ready to expand their responsibilities, and senior communicators investing in community and the next generation.

What makes WWPR different isn’t any single benefit. It’s how the pieces work together to create momentum.

A network that reflects the realities of the work

Networking gets a bad reputation when it feels transactional. WWPR is different.

The value isn’t in collecting contacts; it’s in building relationships with women who understand the work – and the realities behind the work. Agency life. In-house expectations. Nonprofit constraints. Government pace. Client pressure. Reputation risk. Career pivots.

When you’re surrounded by communicators who have lived those dynamics, something shifts. You stop trying to solve challenges in isolation. You gain perspective. You start to see career paths that don’t show up inside your day-to-day bubble.

Yes, networking can lead to job leads, referrals, and recommendations. But just as often, the value shows up in quieter ways – confidence, calibration, and clarity. Sometimes the most useful thing you can hear is, “You’re not the only one. Here’s what worked for me.”

Professional development that shows up in real work

In communications, “professional development” has to be more than inspirational. It has to be relevant, practical, and grounded in the pressures communicators actually face: tight timelines, high stakes, limited resources, and the expectation to deliver measurable impact.

WWPR’s programming strengthens the capabilities that drive career momentum – strategic thinking, executive communication, stakeholder fluency, and career navigation. It helps you move from execution to strategy, sharpen message discipline, build presence, and better understand how decisions are made.

The most effective programs don’t leave you with a motivational quote. They leave you with language you can use in a meeting tomorrow, frameworks you can apply to a problem this month, and a clearer sense of how to grow into the next version of your role.

Leadership built through real responsibility

One of the fastest ways to build leadership skills is by taking on real responsibility in a supportive environment. WWPR creates those opportunities – through committee work, event leadership, mentorship, board service, and meaningful ways to contribute to the community.

Image courtesy of James Minichello Photography

That experience builds more than skills. It builds proof. Proof you can own outcomes, not just tasks. Proof that you can plan, prioritize, align stakeholders, and deliver. Proof you can show up consistently and lead with intention.

WWPR isn’t just a community you join. It’s a place where contributing accelerates your growth.

Community that creates momentum

WWPR is a member-based society built to help women communicators thrive. Spend any time in this community, and you’ll feel a difference between “membership” and belonging.

With a long history of programming and a sustained commitment to creating opportunities for women in communications, WWPR offers depth – not just access.

If you’re looking to grow with more intensity this year, this is a place to start. Join WWPR today.

Board Member Spotlight: Bridgette Dodge, SVP at Edelman, WWPR Treasurer

Bridgette Dodge is a communications expert with experiences ranging from the television industry, marketing, hospital systems, and now a pharmaceutical and healthcare communications pro. She is a seasoned, strategic, and thoughtful leader who values team building and storytelling. Bridgette currently serves on the Health Communications team as a Senior Vice President at Edelman and also is the AI Lead, creating stronger, more efficient workflows for healthcare organizations. She also serves as Washington Women in Public Relations newest Board Treasury. Bridgette graduated from University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). 

Can you tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position? 
I began my career with an undergraduate degree in television production, initially aiming to work in broadcast news on the production side. Early on, I worked as a floor manager at a local FOX affiliate in Orlando, gaining experience in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. That role ultimately led to a pivotal career shift into marketing and communications within a local hospital system—an experience that catalyzed my trajectory in healthcare communications. 

Since then, I’ve made several intentional career pivots, from television to marketing, to communications within a healthcare system, and now to agency work supporting large pharmaceutical clients. While these moves were not always directly lateral, they were consistently upward. Each transition broadened my strategic lens, expanded my leadership responsibilities, and deepened my impact. Today, I serve as a Senior Vice President at Edelman, leading integrated communications across complex healthcare and pharmaceutical portfolios. 

I was introduced to Washington Women in Public Relations after being nominated as a 2025 Emerging Leader Award finalist. That experience marked the beginning of a deep and meaningful connection with the organization. What started as initial involvement quickly evolved into full engagement, driven by the sense of community, mentorship, and investment I felt within WWPR. That journey ultimately led me to my current role as 2026 Treasurer, where I’m proud to help steward an organization that has made such a meaningful impact on my professional and personal growth in this city. 

What do you enjoy most about being a part of WWPR/serving as a WWPR Board Member? 
What I enjoy most about WWPR is the genuine sense of community and intentional investment in one another’s growth. It’s a space where professional development, mentorship, and meaningful connection are not just encouraged but actively practiced.

There is a rare generosity within this community, women showing up for one another with honesty, support, and shared ambition. 

As a Washington, DC resident for just over four years, I still feel that there is so much to experience and so many incredible people to meet. WWPR has been instrumental in helping me plant roots in this city, both personally and professionally. Serving as a Board Member allows me to contribute to that experience for others, while helping shape programming and opportunities that support women at every stage of their careers. It’s deeply rewarding to give back to a community that has played such a meaningful role in my growth. 

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career? 
One of the most formative and rewarding experiences of my career was serving as the communications lead for AdventHealth’s COVID-19 System Command Center. In this role, I oversaw internal communications for an emergency response team deployed across AdventHealth’s national hospital system, spanning nine states and supporting more than 80,000 employees. 

Operating in a constantly evolving crisis environment reinforced how essential communications can be in moments where clarity, trust, and timeliness truly matter. That experience fundamentally shaped how I view leadership, our healthcare system, and the role communicators play in life-or-death situations. While those years were among the most challenging and stressful of my career, they were also the most educational and unforgettable, and they ultimately formalized my passion for healthcare communications. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity and the lessons it provided, and equally grateful to never have to do it again. 

Is there any book you would recommend? 
Because so much of my professional life involves reading for work, I find a great deal of joy in fiction—particularly science fiction. One of my personal goals for 2026 is to read 52 books, one each week, and I unapologetically consider myself a sci-fi enthusiast. I love stories that explore big ideas, complex systems, and the human condition through imaginative worlds. 

A few favorites I’d recommend include The Expanse Series (heads up, there are 9+ books) by James S. A. Corey, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and The Family Experiment by John Marrs. Each offers a unique perspective on humanity, technology, and decision-making, and is incredibly fun to read. 

What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, music and travel play a huge role in my life. I’m a longtime fan of electronic music and music festivals, including Coachella, EDC Orlando, and Moonrise, but I truly love live music in all its forms. Over the years, I’ve attended more than 60 concerts spanning genres and generations—from Queen, Jimmy Buffett, and Cher to Fall Out Boy, Kesha, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber. 

I especially love when my passion for music and travel intersect. Some of my favorite memories were traveling to Ibiza for live DJs and attending two of my all-time favorite concerts: Swedish House Mafia in Amsterdam and The Lumineers in Lisbon. 

When I’m not traveling or at a concert, you’ll usually find me reading a good sci-fi book or spending time with my husband, Jason. We’ve been married for 11 years and share our home with our Italian Greyhound, Cannoli.

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