THE EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS 15TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating young women who challenge the status quo and break down barriers in the rapidly changing public relations and communications landscape.
Every year, the WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards ceremony recognizes outstanding young women in public relations who are making a significant impact early in their careers. This year, WWPR is excited to celebrate 15 years of the Emerging Leaders Awards. Our programs and events are open to all!
Congratulations to the 2025 Finalists!
Small/Boutique AgencySmall/Boutique Agency
- Janessa Sambola-Harris, Account Director, Meraki Communications Group
- Asma Amani, Founder, Asma Amani PR
- Erika Dyer, Owner, Daylit Consulting
Mid-Sized Agency
- Charlotte Freeman, Senior Manager, Narrative Strategies
- Rebecca Walker, Account Supervisor, Adfero
- Katherine Nanney, Director, Government Practice, Merritt Group
Global & Large Agency
- Bridgette Dodge, Vice President, Health, Edelman
- Mackenzie Trumbull, Account Director, We. Communications
- Megan Reilly, Senior Account Executive, Edelman
Government
- Rita Clark-Sandino, Communications Specialist, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Kemi Giwa, Communications Director, House Financial Service Committee, Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-43)
- Tejah Robinson, Creative Director, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Nonprofit
- Hannah Huntt, Head of Strategic Communications, Hope For The Warriors
- Ianthe Metzger, Senior Director of Advocacy Communications, Planned Parenthood
- Troi Barnes, Director of Media Relations, Legal Defense Fund
Corporate
- Courtney Bailey, Global Large Advertiser Marketing Lead, Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Miki Carver, External Relations Lead, U.S. Public Policy, IBM
- Laura Clifford, Senior Communications Manager, BAE Systems, Inc.
Trade Association
- Emily Ekshian, Communications Lead, Crypto Council for Innovation
- Janae Washington, Senior Director of Communications, Information Technology Industry Council
- Katie Shoaf, Senior Manager of Public Affairs, Edison Electric Institute
CELEBRATE: This year’s event honoring our finalists will be held on June 11, 2025, at 6 pm EDT. Stay tuned for the venue address, which will be located in Washington, D.C.
For more information, contact: Ligia McEvoy and Ranata Reeder, WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chairs ela@wwpr.org
The ELAs recognize rising stars in the communications industry, and showcase the field’s most talented young women (ages 25-35) for their professional accomplishments. These honorees implement innovative communications strategies that go above and beyond – achieving impressive and extraordinary results.
The ELAs were created in 2010 as a special accolade for young women active within the communications field that were making a significant impact on the industry but were not being recognized due to age or years of experience. The Emerging Leaders Awards ceremony is an opportunity to hear from these up-and-coming leaders that will inspire and educate, and celebrate the value of public relations. The honorees will be promoted in WWPR materials and on the website. Honorees will be named at the awards ceremony based on their contributions as well as their potential to contribute to the industry for many years to come, making them truly emerging leaders.
The honorees will span from different industries and will be honored in the following categories: boutique agency ELA honoree, mid-sized agency ELA honoree, large/global agency ELA honoree, nonprofit ELA honoree, corporate ELA honoree, association ELA honoree, and government ELA honoree.
Eligibility requirements and nomination instructions are detailed below. Please direct questions about nominations to Ligia McEvoy and Ranata Reeder, WWPR board members and Emerging Leaders Awards co-chairs, at ela@wwpr.org.
Nominate a friend, a mentee, a mentor or a colleague today by April 21, 2025.
- Nominees must be no younger than age 25 and no older than age 35 on June 11, 2025 and reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
- Nominees must work in one of the following disciplines: media relations, crisis communications, event planning, social media, digital media, website communications, strategic communications, community relations, internal communications, speech writing, public affairs, public relations, marketing communications, government communications, investor relations communications, consumer/lifestyle communications, branding, and writing/editing.
- Nominee cannot be a current WWPR board member.
- Nominees must have demonstrated leadership, including contributions to the field, post-college.
Wondering where you or your nominee fit in? Here’s a breakdown of each category:
Boutique Agency: A public relations/communications professional who is employed at an agency with less than 50 full time employees
Mid-size Agency: A public relations/communications professional who is employed at an agency with 50 to 250 full time employees
Large/Global Agency: A public relations/communications professional who is employed at an agency with more than 250 full time employees
Government: A public relations/communications professional who is employed by a local, state, federal, or tribal government entity, or any other public employer, such as a school district or transportation agency
Corporate: A public relations/communications professional who is employed by a corporation or entity with the purpose of operating for a profit, that is not considered a nonprofit or government agency
Trade Association: A public relations/communications professional who is employed by a trade association made up of a collection of companies and/or individuals with common interests or who work in the same industry
Non-Profit: A public relations/communications professional who is employed by a nonprofit organization that qualifies for tax-exempt status by the IRS because its mission and purpose are to further a social cause and provide a public benefit
You can also register now for the Awards Ceremony and be sure to reserve your spot to network with your colleagues beforehand and honor them for their contribution to the public relations and related fields. Special early-bird pricing is in effect until April 30, 2025.
Read the Recap of the 2024 Event
WWPR extends beyond the District of Columbia, offering women throughout the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region opportunities to network and connect. Since joining, I’ve been impressed by the remarkable women I’ve met and have enjoyed hearing their unique insights and perspectives.ictumst risus.
—Abigail Hillerich, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
