Washington Women in Public Relations Announces Natalie Adler as the 2025 Woman of The Year Winner
The Woman of the Year awards recognize women who have shaped the communications industry through leadership, innovation and impact
Washington, D.C., October 6, 2025 - Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a professional development and networking organization for female communicators in the nation’s capital, recognized Natalie Adler, Vice President, Public Impact and Resilience Communications at Fors Marsh as the Woman of the Year at the annual luncheon on Friday, October 3.
Natalie Adler is a nationally recognized communications leader and trusted advisor with over 25 years of experience shaping campaigns that drive behavior change and strengthen communities. She has guided campaigns for federal agencies, national nonprofits, and corporations across issues ranging from public health and public safety to education, climate resilience, and social impact.
Natalie began her career at Porter Novelli, where she spent 15 years building and leading teams focused on social marketing and public affairs. She then served for 12 years as a Senior Vice President in Ogilvy’s Social Marketing Practice. In 2020, Natalie joined Fors Marsh, a certified B Corp committed to equity, sustainability, and community impact. She expanded the firm’s health communications portfolio, securing campaigns with the CDC, USDA, and NINDS. In 2023, she established Fors Marsh’s Public Impact and Resilience Communications practice, addressing climate resilience, financial literacy, and public service recruitment for clients such as FEMA, the American Red Cross, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Rachel Caggiano, Strategic Advisor, Talent, Strategy & Transformation at Shadow Search, and Julie Murphy, President at Sage Communications were also honored and celebrated as finalists. The 2024 Woman of the Year Winner, Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NAACP, formally presented the award.
“We are thrilled to name Natalie as WWPR’s 2025 Woman of the Year and celebrate her impressive background and accomplishments,” said Colleen Gallagher, WWPR President. “We are proud to recognize the achievements of all three deserving finalists - Natalie, Rachel and Julie. Their impressive accomplishments, leadership and contributions are inspirational and will surely make a lasting impact on the communications industry.
The Woman of the Year honoree was announced at a luncheon held at The Salamander in Washington, D.C.. The program featured keynote remarks from Ellen Bryan, former host of Great Day Washington on WUSA9, an Emmy Award–winning journalist, author and motivational speaker.
Established in 1990, the Woman of the Year program recognizes individuals who have raised the bar in the communications field. It is an annual experience fostering camaraderie among women in public relations, culminating in this must-attend event that honors the achievements of those who have reached a pinnacle in the profession.
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.
