Tag: WWPR

Board Member Spotlight: Lauren Tyler, Adfero

Post date March 17, 2025
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In this Board Member Spotlight we are getting to know Lauren Tyler a little bit better. Lauren serves as WWPR Secretary.

Lauren is a doer. When she sees someone in need of help, she lends a hand. When she observes something that needs to get done, she rolls up her sleeves and pitches in. Lauren employs this mentality at home, with family and friends, and at work at DC-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, Adfero.

In her role as Adfero’s Chief of Staff, Lauren manages the firm’s people and operations, ensuring that her Adfero teammates have the resources they need and opportunities to do what they do best. She supports client and business development teams across the firm’s practice areas, coaches and develops teammates within accounts and capabilities, and manages Adfero’s Executive Team operations and strategic planning.

Prior to joining Adfero, Lauren spent more than five years at the Public Affairs Council, the leading international association for public affairs professionals. At the Council, Lauren marketed and managed the association’s 100 plus events each year. She stays connected to the communications industry through involvement as a mentor in the Public Affairs Council’s Hogans Fellowship Program, a member of ColorComm, and secretary of WWPR’s Board of Directors.

Lauren is a proud Washingtonian, and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a BA in Communication and a minor in African American Studies.

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

My firm’s core purpose, to create opportunities for people to do what they do best, has been a driving force for me since I began at Adfero more than ten years ago. After working on client accounts across industries and sectors for the majority of my career, I wanted to focus on internal communication, people development and business operations – putting into place the processes and activities to enable our team to do great work.

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

“I’m proud of so many of the communications and advocacy campaigns I’ve worked on over the years, but my proudest accomplishments are related to working with and coaching our industry’s emerging leaders. Through my involvement in the Public Affairs Council’s Hogans Fellowship Program, I’ve had the privilege to get to know, mentor, and learn from intelligent and accomplished young professionals. These opportunities to connect with others in our industry, share successes and challenges, and cheer each other on has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

For those interested in learning more, the Hogans Fellowship is a D.C.-based program designed to provide skills training and mentoring for emerging public affairs leaders from diverse backgrounds. Applications are now open through March 24 for next year’s program! Learn more.

What do you love about being a WWPR Board Member?

The WWPR board has been an incredible opportunity to connect with likeminded women in the communications field. I joined the board at the end of the pandemic, looking for ways to meet new people, grow my network, and expand upon the skills I use every day in my agency role. The WWPR Board of Directors was the perfect blend of these activities, and has far exceeded my expectations for how much I would learn and develop my leadership skills.

Is there any book you would recommend?

I’m aiming to read one book per month this year (so far, trending ahead of schedule with six for 2025; we’ll see if I can keep it up), and have two favorites: We are the Brennans by Tracey Lange and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Both books explore family drama, secrets, and have happy endings.

What do you do outside of work?

I’m a sucker for the latest workout trends. On any given evening or weekend, you can typically find me at SoulCycle or Solidcore. I also love trying new restaurants around town, and am always looking for a new recommendation to try!

Tags member spotlight, Member Stories, WWPR

President’s Letter: Momentum, Inspiration, and Exciting Events Ahead

Post date March 10, 2025
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Dear WWPR Community,

We’re only a couple of months into 2025, but the energy and momentum within WWPR is already incredible!

Our Annual Meeting Luncheon in February was nothing short of inspiring. A huge thank you to Debbi Jarvis, who left us with so many powerful takeaways, including one of my favorites:

➡️ “Embrace who you’ve been because it’s going to lead to who you will become.”

Her wisdom set the perfect tone for the year ahead, and we are so grateful to have kicked things off with such an empowering conversation.

At the end of February, we gathered for Policy Influence in a Shifting Landscape—a timely and thought-provoking discussion on navigating today’s policy and regulatory environment. Thank you to our incredible panelists for sharing candid insights and practical strategies, and to Beekeeper Group for hosting us.

Looking ahead, I’m especially excited for the first dinner in our Executive Communicator Series this week! This new quarterly series is designed to bring senior-level communicators together for meaningful conversations in a private setting. A huge thank you to MiQ for sponsoring this initiative and helping us create a space for authentic dialogue among industry leaders. I also hope to see many of you at our Women’s History Month Happy Hour on March 27.

And if you’re already planning ahead, mark your calendars for our signature events:

✨ Emerging Leaders Awards – June 11 at the AT&T Forum, Washington, D.C.
✨ Woman of the Year – October 3 at The Salamander, Washington, D.C.

With so much happening, I’m beyond grateful to be part of this incredible community. Whether you’ve joined us at an event or engaged with us online, your presence and support make all the difference. I can’t wait to see what we continue to build together this year!

See you soon,

Colleen Lerro Gallagher
WWPR President

Tags events, professional development, WWPR

President’s Letter: Building on a Legacy of Leadership in 2025

Post date January 27, 2025
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Dear WWPR Community,

Happy New Year! (Can we still say that the last week of January?!) It’s an honor to kick off 2025 as your President, especially during this milestone year as we celebrate 45 years of Washington Women in Public Relations. For over four decades, WWPR has been a cornerstone for female communicators in the D.C. area, cultivating connections, leadership opportunities and professional growth. I’m thrilled to build on this incredible legacy alongside our incoming Board of Directors.

We’re coming into the year on such a high note after closing out 2024 with an incredible Woman of the Year event and launching a fresh, new website designed to create a much better platform and experience for both members and non-members alike.

We’ve already hit the ground running with exciting events to kickstart the year! On January 9, we hosted Recharge & Reconnect: A Guided Meditation for PR Pros, a virtual session that emphasized the importance of well-being in our fast-paced industry. Thank you to Kristi Duncan for guiding us through a calming meditation and equipping us with practical tools to prioritize mental health.

Later, on January 23, it was wonderful to see so many of you in person at Burson Global for Next-Gen Comms: Strategies for a Shifting Media Ecosystem. This insightful panel explored the challenges and opportunities of today’s decentralized media landscape. A huge thank you to Burson for hosting and to our incredible panelists for sharing their expertise. Seeing a packed room of communicators engaging in such a timely discussion reminds me of the power of our community.

Looking ahead, we have even more in store:

WWPR Annual Meeting Luncheon – Join us on February 13 at The Hamilton as we gather to thank our outgoing board, welcome the 2025 Board of Directors, and hear from our inspiring keynote speaker, Debbi Jarvis, whose journey and insights will set an exciting tone for the year ahead.
Policy Influence in a Shifting Landscape – Save the date for our February professional development event on February 25 at the Beekeeper Group. Stay tuned for details as we dive into how communicators can adapt to the priorities of a new administration.
Executive Communicators Series – We’ll soon announce dates for this exciting quarterly series, designed specifically for senior-level communicators to connect in-person, build community and share strategies on navigating today’s challenges.

This year, we are committed to providing even more meaningful opportunities for professional growth, thought leadership and connection. Whether you’re joining us virtually or in person, I hope to see you at an upcoming event as we continue to grow this amazing community.

Thank you for being part of WWPR’s legacy and future. Here’s to an inspiring 2025!

Best regards,
Colleen Lerro Gallagher
WWPR President

Tags professional development, WWPR

Washington Women in Public Relations Inducts 2025 Board of Directors

Post date January 23, 2025
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For 45 years, the organization has provided unique networking and professional development opportunities for female communicators in D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 23, 2025) – Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a leading membership group for female communications professionals in Washington D.C., today announced its 2025 Board of Directors. The newly elected Board is as follows:

President: Colleen Gallagher, OnWrd & UpWrd
Past President: Chelsea Echavarria, CME Communications
Vice President: Charmaine Riley, American Beverage
Secretary: Lauren Tyler, Adfero
Treasurer: Vanessa French, Vanessa French Consulting
Sponsorship/Partnership Co-Chair: Shalaya Crummie, GAP Solutions, Inc.
Sponsorship/Partnership Co-Chair: Aisha Johnson, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Pro Bono Co-Chair: Alicia Aebersold, American Psychological Association
Pro Bono Co-Chair: Christina Crawley, The Headfirst Companies
Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chair: Ranata Reeder, Reeder Communications
Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chair: Ligia McEvoy, AT&T
Woman of the Year Co-Chair: Christine Blake, W2 Communications
Woman of the Year Co-Chair: Michelle Schafer, Merritt Group
Membership Co-Chair: Kate Urbach, Curley Company
Membership Co-Chair: Tiffanie Rosier, Hotwire & ROI DNA
Professional Development Co-Chair: Katarina Ellison, Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW)
Professional Development Co-Chair: Kelsey Flora, SK Group
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair: Kristal Farmer
Content Co-Chair: Agatha Aramayo, Foundation for Total Recovery
Content Co-Chair: Andrea Sok, Sok Influencer
Design Chair: Kate Keverline, The Carlyle Group
Digital Marketing Chair: Derika Crowley, Skai Blue Media
Social Media Chair: Melanie Vynalek, Adfero

All WWPR members were invited to vote online for the new Board in January 2025.

For 45 years, WWPR has cultivated and inspired female communicators to reach their full potential in the D.C. market and beyond. The Board of Directors leads the charge and helps the organization to provide leadership opportunities, professional development, community partnerships, mentorship and industry networking.

“The 2025 WWPR Board of Directors represents an incredible group of leaders across the communications field,” said Colleen Gallagher, President, WWPR. “Their passion, expertise, and commitment to advancing women in our industry will drive WWPR’s mission forward. Together, we are focused on creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth, fostering connections, and continuing to make a lasting impact on our members and the D.C. communications community.”

Throughout the year, WWPR will continue to host professional development and networking events for female communicators at every stage of their careers, including the 2025 Annual Meeting Luncheon on February 13, and its two annual signature events: the Emerging Leaders Awards and the Woman of the Year Awards.

Learn more about WWPR and upcoming events at www.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: info@wwpr.org

Tags WWPR

Washington Women in Public Relations Announces 2024 Woman of The Year Winner

Post date November 4, 2024
Categories Posts

Washington, D.C., Oct. 7, 2024 – On Friday, October 4, 2024, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) recognized Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NAACP as its 2024 Woman of the Year. Established in 1990, the Woman of the Year program recognizes individuals who have raised the bar in the communications field and raised the bar for the future of the profession.

Throughout her 25-year career, Aba Blankson has made significant contributions to public relations, all of which were distinguished by her creativity, management skills, and strategic leadership, and focused on driving organizational growth. In her role at the NAACP, Aba has been crucial in amplifying the voice of the nation’s largest civil rights organization, ensuring it remains a leading force in the modern civil rights movement. Aba’s creativity in public relations is evident in her ability to craft compelling narratives and innovative campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Upon joining the NAACP seven years ago, she led a comprehensive brand evolution that strategically positioned the organization to address contemporary challenges while honoring its historic legacy.

Debbi Jarvis, a news reporter turned groundbreaking corporate communicator, and Linda Roth, Chief Communications Officer at World Central Kitchen, were also honored and recognized for their achievements. Kate Perrin, longtime WWPR supporter who is responsible for chairing the first ever Women of the Year (WOY) awards committee, formally presented the award.

“We are excited to name Aba Blankson as WWPR’s 2024 Woman of the Year and celebrate her remarkable achievements and contributions,” said Chelsea Echavarria, President of WWPR. “WWPR is also proud to recognize our other two incredible finalists—Linda and Debbi. Their leadership, dedication, and impact have made a lasting difference in our industry and in the community.”

The Woman of the Year honoree was announced at a luncheon held at The Salamander in Washington, D.C.

The event featured a keynote address from Sumi Somaskanda, Chief Presenter for the BBC, sponsored by AARP. Sumi has served as a senior news anchor and correspondent at DW News (Deutsche Welle), Germany’s international broadcaster. She has also reported in Germany for various international publications, including The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Washington Post, Al Jazeera, Global Post, Newsweek, PRI, and USA Today.

Her address highlighted her experience and expertise as a reporter, writer, and editor and important insights around today’s communications landscape. The event also highlighted WWPR’s commitment to serving the DC-area community with funds raised for the organization’s pro bono client, Running Start, a DC based nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to run for political office.

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 X, formerly Twitter, @WWPR and on Instagram @WWPRDC.

Tags Woman of the Year, WWPR

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