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WASHINGTON WOMEN IN PUBLIC RELATIONS ANNOUNCES 2025 EMERGING LEADERS FINALISTS

21 DC-area female communicators will be recognized on June 11, 2025, at the 15th annual awards ceremony; Seven winners will be revealed during the awards event

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2025 – Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a professional development and networking organization for female communicators in the nation’s capital, today announces the finalists for its 15th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards (ELAs).

The ELAs honor outstanding rising stars, ages 25-35, in the Washington, D.C. metro area who have excelled in communications and related fields. The 21 finalists are grouped into the following categories, Small/Boutique Agency, Mid-Size Agency, Large/Global Agency, Government, Non-Profit, Corporate and Trade Association. One winner from each category will be revealed on Wednesday, June 11, at the annual awards ceremony.

This year’s finalists represent the top three candidates in each of the seven categories, as determined by a distinguished panel of judges. The 2025 ELA finalists are: 

Small/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 

“As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Emerging Leaders Awards, it is clear: Women in the D.C.-area have been, and continue to, lead the way in communications and public relations,” said Colleen Gallagher, President, WWPR. “This year’s finalists exemplify the strength and diversity of our local communications field and we are proud to honor these exceptional women who continue to reshape the industry, uplift their communities and inspire fellow professionals. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements.”

Renowned communications executive Kathy Baird will serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s event. The awards celebration will be held at 601 New Jersey Avenue, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C., on June 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reserve your spot 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 Ranata Reeder and Ligia McEvoy at ela@wwpr.org.

President’s Letter: Celebrating Growth and Looking Ahead

Dear WWPR Community,

Spring is in full bloom, and so is the momentum within our WWPR network! 🌸 I continue to be inspired by the strength of this community and the incredible energy we’ve seen at every turn this year.

Last month, we hosted a dynamic professional development event and happy hour, and we were blown away by the response—over 100 RSVPs, with registration closing early due to demand! It’s clear that our community is eager to connect, share, and grow together, and we’re thrilled to keep building on that excitement.

A Few Important Updates and Upcoming Events:

✨ Emerging Leaders Awards – June 11
We are officially counting down to our 15th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards! Nominations are still open through May 9, and I encourage you to nominate a rising star in your network and know that we love seeing self-nominations as well! This event is such a powerful celebration of young women who are making an incredible impact in our field, and we can’t wait to honor them this June in Washington, D.C.

✨ Woman of the Year – October 3
Mark your calendars for our next signature event of the year—our annual Woman of the Year celebration returns to the beautiful Salamander DC this fall. Stay tuned for more details in the months ahead!

✨ Upcoming Programming
Stay tuned for some exciting updates about our professional development programming coming in May! And don’t miss the next dinner in our Executive Communicator Series on June 12 at Café Riggs. Registration is open now, and these dinners have been a huge success for building real community among senior communicators. A big thank you to MiQ for making this series possible!

✨ New Peer Mentoring Program: WWPR LINK
We’re thrilled to be launching WWPR LINK: A Peer Mentoring Network this summer! LINK will connect members through small, curated groups focused on shared learning, candid conversations, and career growth. Applications are open now for the pilot cohort running July–December 2025.

👉 Apply here by June 1!

✨ Member Scholarships Coming Soon
In the spirit of community support, I’m excited to share that we’ll soon be offering a limited number of scholarships for WWPR members who have recently been laid off, thanks to a generous donation from a past Woman of the Year honoree. Stay tuned for more details soon.

Finally, I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible work our Pro Bono Committee is doing alongside our 2024-2025 pro bono client, Running Start. It’s inspiring to see how our members are making a difference by supporting young women in their journey toward leadership. You can learn more about the partnership and ways to get involved here.

Thank you for being part of WWPR’s vibrant community—and for everything you do to lift one another up. I can’t wait to see what we continue to accomplish together this year!

With gratitude,
Colleen Lerro Gallagher
WWPR President

WASHINGTON WOMEN IN PUBLIC RELATIONS ANNOUNCES 2024 EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS WINNERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 20, 2024) — On June 18, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a professional society for female communicators in the greater capital area, named its 2024 class of Emerging Leaders Awards (ELAs). The seven winners were selected from a diverse and impressive slate of rising stars, ages 25-35, who have excelled in public relations and related fields, and given back to the industry by contributing their skills and talents to innovative initiatives and projects. 

“We continue to celebrate the remarkable achievements of young women who represent the next era of communications,” said Chelsea Echavarria, President of  WWPR. “Congratulations to the finalists and the honorees who were selected from another record number of nominations. We look forward to following their careers and supporting them along the way.”

The 2024 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Winners are:

Corporate: Michelle Byamugisha, Senior Manager, Communications, PwC

Michelle Byamugisha is a leader with global experience in public relations and stakeholder engagement across multiple sectors.  Currently, Michelle is a senior manager on PwC’s communications team, with a focus on people communications and public affairs. When she’s not coordinating internal employee engagement campaigns to a 75,000+ strong workforce or managing owned/earned content strategies, Michelle is engaged in social inclusion efforts both inside and outside the office. 

Prior to PwC, Michelle was on the social impact team at Weber Shandwick where she helped purpose-driven clients tell their stories through an audience-centric approach to thought leadership. In Weber’s DC office, Michelle served as chairperson of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and was also recognized as the 2020 employee of the year.

Trade Association: Jen Bristol, Senior Director of Communications, Solar Energy Industries Association

Jen Bristol is a strategic communications expert who has dedicated her career to supporting the U.S. solar and storage industry. 

Currently, Jen leads the communications team at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), where she supervises a team of communications professionals and orchestrates public affairs campaigns and announcements designed to expand the U.S. solar market. 

Prior to joining SEIA, Jen was the deputy communications lead at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, where she provided communications support and led the office’s awardee engagement efforts, editorial calendar, web presence, and special communications projects and events.

Non-Profit: Valeria Sabaté, Senior Media and Public Affairs Manager, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Valeria Sabaté is the Sr. Media & Public Affairs Manager at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She drives organization-wide media and public affairs engagement, elevating AAAS’ leadership/policy positions and news at the nexus between science and society while protecting its reputation through risk assessment and crisis communications preparedness.

Valeria has many years of experience in media relations, public relations and crisis communications in health care, public health, publishing and science associations.

Before joining AAAS, Valeria was the Sr. Communications Specialist, Research & Innovation at the Children’s National Hospital (CNH).

Small/Boutique Agency: Erin Berst, Vice President, CURA Strategies 

Erin Berst serves as a vice president at CURA Strategies, where she develops and manages integrated communications campaigns for organizations that span the healthcare industry. 

From helping patients address the emotional grief of cancer with new interventions to educating urologists on the latest precision medicine tools, Erin keeps the purpose of her work front and center: helping people live stronger, better, healthier lives. Although Erin is experienced across communications disciplines, she is particularly passionate about writing and has earned a reputation for being tenacious about securing media coverage for her clients. 

Erin regularly provides strategic counsel and daily coordination for her clients and is known for her cheerfully persistent approach to project management. Recently, Erin led a collaborative effort to create Mobilize Recovery Day of Service, a campaign to help break down stigmas around recovery during National Recovery Month.

Mid-Size Agency: Jenny Wang, Senior Vice President, Susan Davis International

Jenny Wang is an agile and dynamic communications expert who has helped companies and organizations in the healthcare, technology, nonprofit and energy sectors gain greater recognition in the media, bolster thought leadership, navigate DE&I issues, and mitigate crises. With more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, she is a recognized leader in the PR industry (honored by PRWeek, PRNEWS, Ragan, and the Diversity Action Alliance).

Before joining SDI, Jenny was a Senior Vice President at CLYDE, where she worked with clients in the healthcare and DEI spaces, including leading and helping grow the firm’s largest account (driving patient advocacy and health equity for a Fortune 150 pharma company).

Large/Global Agency: McKenzie Wax, Vice President, Weber Shandwick

Captivated by trends and driven by numbers, McKenzie seamlessly marries brand messages with the pulse of today’s internet culture.

With over a decade of experience, McKenzie has driven social and influencer campaigns that make global brands pop in an oversaturated digital world. She’s a wizard at cultivating engaged online communities and turning casual scrollers into die-hard brand enthusiasts.

At Weber Shandwick’s Social Media, Emerging Platforms, and Influencer practice in Washington, DC, McKenzie guides a spectrum of clients—from Fortune 100 giants to fresh, emerging brands—through the maze of modern digital strategies. Her expertise spans paid and organic social media, employee advocacy, executive visibility, and integrated campaign planning, both for B2C and B2B.

Government: Jennifer Min, Director of Digital Media, U.S. Department of Defense 

Jennifer Min currently serves as the Director of Digital Media for the Department of Defense, where she develops digital communication strategies for the DoD and coordinates messaging with the Armed Services and Combatant Commands. Previously, Jennifer served as the Special Assistant to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. In this role, she assists the Pentagon Press Secretary and Deputy Press Secretary in their efforts to advise the Secretary of Defense on public communications. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Jennifer was press secretary for retired U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14).

The 2024 judges included:

  • Susan Apgood, 4media Group; WWPR Advisory Board Member
  • Sukhi Sahni, Wells Fargo; WWPR Advisory Board Member
  • Hillarie Turner, SpireCommunications; WWPR Advisory Board Member
  • Elynsey Price, Marriott International; WWPR Past President
  • Zorie Valchev, AstraZeneca; WWPR Past President
  • Chelsea Echavarria, The Curley Company; WWPR President
  • Colleen Gallagher, OnWrd & UpWrd; WWPR Vice-President 

The ELA winners were announced at a special awards reception on The Wharf on June 18, 2024. Kirstin Garriss, award-winning journalist and Washington D.C. Correspondent for Cox Media Group gave the keynote. Attendees also supported WWPR’s pro bono client, Running Start. The complete list of 2023 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards finalists can be found here: Washington Women in Public Relations Announces 2024 Emerging Leaders Finalists (wwpr.org). 

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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.

CONTACT:
Ranata Reeder and Charmaine Riley
WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chairs
ela@wwpr.org

Reflections on Lunar New Year, Asian Culture, and How to Celebrate 

by Pattie Yu, 1998 WWPR Woman of the Year Award Winner, principal and founder of theYucrew, LLC. 

Today, culture consumed me. I opened up my WaPo to pounding media rhetoric and anti-Asian hate sentiment. I took an early morning walk in the mall well before opening, delighting in the shiny red lanterns hanging at every turn, heartened by companies and brands that genuinely strengthen their relationships and collabs with Asian American communities by cultural latitude vs marcom attitude. But I was also barraged by big brands’ blitz for limited editions or capsule collections around the Year of the Dragon.

I retreated to my home office and was reminded as a public relations professional who focuses often on health platforms of the dire need to close the gap in data collection and reporting of Asian American health disparities. I scanned the latest issue of a professional trade magazine that spotlighted the forgotten but early diversity leadership representation in our field. This month I’m seeing red. 

The irony of codifying the color red – the palette most associated with love but also the color most frequently linked to hatred and anger. The common denominator in both is passion. 

This month my passion is ignited by the Lunar New Year — The Year of the Dragon. 

1998 Woman of the Year Award Winner Pattie Yu with colleagues

Known as the Spring Festival, China’s Lunar New Year is called Chūn jié in Mandarin; while Koreans celebrate Seollal and Vietnamese refer to it as Tết;Filipinos call it Media Noche. It begins with the first new moon on February 10 (varies by culture) and is usually celebrated for multiple days, observed by an estimated 2 billion people. It is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asians. For me, a Chinese American, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon in the lunar zodiac. 

Lunar New Year is a big holiday in Asian culture across the world and it’s important to note that Asians are one of the fastest growing racial/ethnic segments in the United States. So, how can you get in on the celebration, whether you are or work with one of the estimated 5% Asians in public relations or not? In our nation’s tapestry of many colors, we share a common context – a deep-rooted love for our extended and multigenerational families, an appetite for food that preserves our heritage and enables us to share our cultural traditions around the “family” table, part of our storytelling that is germane to communities of any color. 

In homage to my late parents, I hear their voices guiding me on how to celebrate the Lunar New Year:

  • Fresh Start – Pay off your debts; give your space/place a clean sweep to rid it of inauspicious spirits; wash your hair; do the laundry – before New Year’s but never on the day itself lest you sweep out good luck.
  • Go Red – Not only for Women’s Heart Month and Valentine’s Day but wear something new and red on New Year’s Day for good luck; red is the symbol of joy, happiness, success and good fortune. Decorate your windows with red paper cuttings; hang banner couplets expressing wishes for good health and fortune in your homes and offices.
  • Food – Feast on traditional lucky foods like dumplings (wealth), oranges (abundant happiness), fish (prosperity), and noodles (the longer the better for happiness and longevity) but leave a little on the plate to hope that the new year will have surplus; join colleagues at a nearby Asian restaurant for lunch; or prepare an Asian-inspired dinner at home.
  • Family – If logistics allow, reunite with family and friends for a spread of symbolic dishes that bring good luck and fortune.
  • Festivities – Participate in free Lunar New Year activities that abound in our communities from lion dances at the mall to dragon parades punctuated by firecrackers to ward off evil spirits; from ceremonial teas to teeing up for talks and tours; from cooking demos to dancing with fans, culminating with the Lantern Festival. 

You might even get lucky to get “lucky money,” red envelopes often given by elders to children but sometimes even to employees. Money should be in certain denominations but avoid the number 4 (symbolizing death). 

After my parents passed, I got the slap on the side of the head – the “aha!” moment that we wake up to after loss. I try to be more mindful of those beloved traditions and am heartened to hear that our eight “family” members who are young hard working professionals in New York have already made plans to gather around for what no doubt will be an IG-worthy Chinese New Year’s meal. They may enhance celebrating tradition with emojis and digital platforms but I am convinced they all cherish the essence of our new year. No doubt they will all be wearing red. No virtual transfers of money here. Their traditional paper hong baos (red envelopes) are en route the good old-fashioned way. 

Finally, if the two-week celebration has you yearning for more, consider exploring the small but mighty Chinese American Museum where I volunteer at Chinese American Museum.

In native Mandarin – which I feebly learned in college – I’m wishing you and yours Xīn nián kuài lè!  新年快乐 – Happy New Year! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pattie Yu is the principal and founder of theYucrew, LLC, a communications firm that has been awarded two Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvils for her team’s launch of the first World Thrombrosis Day, amongst many other industry awards. Pattie is a past WWPR Woman of the Year award recipient, was recognized as Inside PR’s “One of the Top 10 Minority Agency Leaders Nationwide,” and has been a judge on several industry award ceremonies, including WWPRs Woman of the Year. Pattie is one of WWPR’s original members and served on the WWPR advisory board. Pattie’s work ranges from developing national public education campaigns to developing media strategies to reach underserved communities for topics including COVID-19 and renewable energy access. Pattie has worked with some of the biggest names in PR, including serving as vice president at Porter Novelli, partner at Fleishman-Hillard, and co-founder of GYMR. She speaks at universities, organizations and associations and volunteers for several organizations. 

Member Spotlight: Kelsey Nelson, Director of Communications at the National Foster Youth Institute  (NFYI)

Kelsey Nelson is currently the  Director of Communications at the National Foster Youth Institute  (NFYI) and WWPR 2023 Emerging Leader Award Winner in the Non-Profit category

Kelsey Nelson, Director of Communications. National Foster Youth Institute  (NFYI)

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

I have worked in a variety of industries, including nonprofits, education, sports, and politics. My background draws from an array of strategic marketing, digital media, communications, and public relations disciplines. I also have a strong background in broadcast media, having worked as an on-air journalist and media lecturer at George Washington University. Essentially, I’m a storyteller, helping to bring purpose and cause to the right audience. Prior to my current role, I worked as the Senior Manager of External Relations for Learning Heroes, where I led a partnerships team and co-led a communications team.

 In April of this year, I began my current role as the Director of Communications for the National Foster Youth Institute, a national youth development nonprofit with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. I was drawn to this position because I am a huge proponent of using your platform for a purpose. I wanted to be part of the organizational change occurring within the organization to help them achieve an even greater positive impact for current and former foster youth and their families, helping to positively transform the child welfare system.

I also loved the challenge of starting as a one-person communications department with the opportunity to expand, cultivate, and build upon the organization’s current framework.

Previously, I have spoken to foster youth through the DC Child and Family Services Agency as well as worked as a mentor to foster children in DCPS and DC area public charter schools, but I wanted the opportunity to work with foster youth on a larger scale to be able to have more of a direct and positive influence on their growth, journey, and development not just here in the DMV but nationally.

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

Most recently, a project I was very excited to work on with NFYI was our 2023 Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day program. From June 11–15, the 2023 Congressional Leadership Academy (CLA) class participated in the annual Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day Experience on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. This week-long event, which hosted current and former foster youth from across the country, provided 22 CLA delegates representing 20 states with the chance to directly impact policy and connect with members of Congress. Thirty members of Congress participated in this year’s Shadow Day programming. The week-long event included a congressional town hall, a gala, a congressional awards luncheon honoring members of the 118th Congress, a kickoff and opening session featuring Miss District of Columbia 2023 Cassie Baloue, and a congressional awards luncheon. Throughout the week, CLA participants also participated in a wide variety of workshops.

I’m also very excited to work on our #LostDaysJJ campaign, which will this year highlight the disproportionate number of Black and brown foster youth and their families who get torn apart due to being locked up due to minor drug offenses in the juvenile justice system. This will be the second year our organization runs the #LostDays campaign, and it will be my first time getting to be part of it.

We are also gearing up for the 3rd annual NFYI Virtual 5K, taking place October 6–8. The #NFYI5K is meant to bring awareness to issues and challenges that continue to plague the child welfare system. We have a goal to get individuals from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to participate with a goal of raising $20,000. For this upcoming race weekend, I also just launched a newly created race ambassador program to highlight the stories of current and former foster youth to help uplift and amplify #FosterYouthVoices.

As an Emerging Leader Award Winner and member of WWPR, what have you gained from your experience? 

First off, let me say I am still so thankful to be named a 2023 Emerging Leader Award winner by WWPR. This accolade was so special to me and one I hold near and dear to my heart. It was an amazing opportunity to be amongst and recognized by some of the best in the industry, as well as to hear an inspiring keynote by Devi Thomas. From this experience, I have had the opportunity to become an official WWPR member, which has given me a great opportunity to further connect with my peers in the communications and public relations space. Attending in-person events and having a chance to support New Endeavors by Women has also been great.

What PR trends do you see happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had or will have on professionals in the industry?  

The PR field is always changing, always providing a challenge and new skills to learn, which is why I love working in it. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the field by storm, while always leaving desired questions. How we use AI in a safe and effective way to help digital storytellers has been something I have been learning about to help run effective communications campaigns. Another trend to follow is social responsibility, especially as we continue to dive into a highly contested political election cycle. Some issues will require organizations to have a clear stance to not accept prejudice and bigotry, and publicly declaring that an intolerance of fairness will not be accepted. This trend will increase the need for public statements and op-eds. As trends change, I am excited to be able to lead a conversation with Meltwater on various topics in the industry on September 27th. 

Is there any particular book, podcast or influencer you would recommend? How has it impacted your life?  

The next book to read on my book list is “Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love” book by Michelle Miller. I received a copy of the book this year during Essence Fest at the National Urban League’s Women in Harmony Awards. I believe so many of us are influenced by our families and how society views the construct of race. But before I read this book, what has truly captivated me was Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open win. I love quotes!

 “Speaking things into existence is real. I’ve been trying to speak more positively of myself and actually telling myself that I’m a great player.” — Coco Gauff

“The more experience you get being pushed to these limits, the further I guess those limits can go.” — Coco Gauff

Coco’s story of perseverance, following her dream led her to this moment of being a Grand Slam champion, who won her first major at the US Open.

For me, it’s always remembering the journey and knowing that by staying steadfast, working hard, and being consistent, you can achieve anything! Quotes from inspiring figures like Coco Gauff, who has achieved so much at the mere age of 19 as a pro athlete, provide motivation for me daily. She also knows what it is to play from behind and has the mental fortitude, toughness, and emotional maturity to push through any obstacle or battle, which is so important when working in this field. You can always bounce back from a bad day or bad time! Don’t rush your moment.

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