Honoring Outstanding Leaders in Communications
Celebrate the Excellence of Women in PR.
Since 1990, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) has celebrated exceptional women who have shaped the communications industry through leadership, innovation, mentorship and service.
The Woman of the Year Award recognizes accomplished communications leaders in the Washington, D.C., region whose contributions extend beyond professional achievement to create lasting impact on their organizations, communities and the next generation of leaders.
Each year, WWPR brings together the communications community to celebrate these remarkable women, recognize their accomplishments and honor the relationships that strengthen our profession.
Meet the 2026 Woman of the Year: Carrie Fox, Founder and CEO, Mission Partners
WWPR proudly named Carrie Fox its 2026 Woman of the Year during the organization’s 37th annual awards celebration on October 23, 2026, at The Potomac Hotel in Washington, D.C.
An accomplished communications leader, author and advocate for purpose-driven leadership, Carrie founded Mission Partners in 2004 and has helped hundreds of organizations and leaders use communications to advance meaningful social change. An inaugural WWPR Emerging Leader of the Year, she continues to demonstrate the importance of leadership grounded in purpose, mentorship and service.
Natalie Adler, WWPR’s 2025 Woman of the Year, presented the award.
Read the 2026 Woman of the Year Announcement
Celebrating Our 2026 Finalists
The Woman of the Year Award recognizes women whose professional achievements, leadership and commitment to mentoring others have helped advance the communications industry.
WWPR was honored to recognize three extraordinary leaders in 2026:
Sheila Brooks, Ph.D.
Founder, President and CEO, SRB Communications
Carrie Fox
Founder and CEO, Mission Partners
Shakirah A. Hill Taylor
Head of Innovation and Chief Digital Officer, Fenton
Together, these women exemplify the vision, integrity and commitment to community that define the Woman of the Year Award.
A Look Back at the 2026 Celebration
The Trust Gap: Leadership, Influence, and Truth in a Fragmented World
On October 23, 2026, 250 communications professionals and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the 37th annual Woman of the Year Awards.
This year’s program examined the evolving role of communications leaders in building trust, navigating misinformation and strengthening credibility in an increasingly fragmented world.
Keynote speaker Karen Finney, CNN political commentator and veteran communications strategist, explored the changing landscape of leadership and influence.
Finney was joined by Ashley Allison, publisher of The Root and founder and CEO of Watering Hole Media, for a fireside conversation on independent journalism, audience trust and the responsibility of communications leaders to shape credible narratives.
The afternoon was also an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, build new relationships and recognize the women whose leadership continues to elevate the profession.
A Legacy of Leadership
For more than three decades, WWPR’s Woman of the Year Award has recognized women whose leadership, achievements and commitment to others have left a lasting mark on the communications profession.
In 2025, WWPR honored Natalie Adler, vice president of Public Impact and Resilience Communications at Fors Marsh, for her contributions to communications and public service. She joined a distinguished community of past honorees whose work continues to inspire future generations.
