Top Women in Communications Awards Luncheon

Chief Communications Officer

KeyCorp

Susan Donlan: The calm in the storm

Susan Donlan’s work keeping KeyBank on the right course through COVID-19 and other crises has earned her a spot in the Women in Communications Hall of Fame in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Over the course of her career, Susan Donlan’s influence and impact has blazed the trail for women in the banking industry, in which a vast majority of leadership and board roles are still held by men.

Currently chief communications officer at KeyCorp, a financial services company with assets of approximately $189 billion and more than 17,000 employees, Donlan launched her career working with the government of Canada in research and international policy, as well as advising multiple ministers. She went on to serve in the Canada Revenue Agency and the Office of the Minister of Labor and Housing, laying the foundation of her communications career.

At T.D. Bank, Donlan used her ability to build rapport and relationships to lean further into corporate communications, mastering internal and external communications, executive communications, media relations and crisis communications while ascending through the ranks to the post of vice president in 10 years.

“I have always valued the ability to listen — actively listen,” Donlan told Ragan. “You learn so much when you listen to how people are saying things, what they are sharing with you and how they feel about it. It connects you with your audience and helps you understand them. That makes you a better communicator.”

In 2018, Donlan relocated to the United States to join KeyBank as chief communications officer in Cleveland, Ohio. Once there, Donlan made sweeping changes to the corporate communications team, including establishing a leadership team and affording senior members of her team with development and leadership opportunities. Since then, she has led the team through worldwide crises and historic challenges to the banking industry.

One challenge, of course, was the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit shortly after a CEO transition. Donlan developed a reputation for being the “calm in the storm,” steadily leading her team through the pandemic while ensuring all KeyBank stakeholders were supported. Her efforts included a comprehensive internal and external plan, consumer relief, small business and Paycheck Protection Program support and continued support in the community.

Then came the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March 2023. The two largest bank failures since 2008 sent shockwaves through the industry, especially for regional institutions like KeyBank. Donlan mobilized the team with an action plan that supplied employees with essential information, ensuring that clients remained confident in KeyBank’s strength and stability. She also addressed numerous media inquiries and positioned CEO Chris Gorman as KeyBank’s voice in the public.

“I’ve learned how important it is to be the voice of calm within the chaos — even if I’m not feeling that calm on the inside,” Donlan said. “Experience has taught me to focus on how we move forward and out of the crisis instead of worrying about how we got there. There’s always time to reflect back and determine how to learn from a situation once the crisis passes, not from a blame perspective, but from the perspective of how we can do better.”

An active participant in KeyBank’s formal mentoring program, Donlan is involved in the Cleveland community, serving as a director on the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Board and as a member of the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation Board.

“The field has changed so much since I began my career,” she reflected to Ragan. “The day of prose memos is long gone — you need to be able to package your content in small, digestible pieces, focusing on what you really need the audience to know. This can be a real challenge when you are dealing with complex information — the ability to synthesize complexity is a more important skill than ever for communicators.”

She advises other communicators to slow down and take time to appreciate where they are and what they’re working on. “I was always in such a hurry to get to the next thing, like I was running out of time,” she said. “Instead of focusing on the next opportunity or role, now I really try to enjoy all of the things I get to do and learn every day in my current role.”

Congratulations to Susan Donlan!

Chief Communications Officer

Kraft Heinz

Kathy Krenger: Iconic work for iconic brands

Kathy Krenger revamped the comms team, beefed up the company’s news engine and boosted communications with employees, earning her spot in the Women in Communications Hall of Fame in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

In 2021, as Kraft Heinz was navigating one of the most visible transformations of the decade, its CEO decided to rebuild the company’s communications team from the ground up. The person he selected to lead that team was Kathy Krenger, prompted by her stellar leadership as senior vice president of global communications at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, where she guided the hospitality brand through one of its most challenging periods amid pandemic lockdowns.

“I also watched as our entire industry collapsed in a matter of days,” Krenger said of her experience at Hyatt. “Even now, when I look back at how volatile those first few months were, I can hardly believe it was real. But the work we were doing then was vital, critical, even ground-breaking. People needed our communications. They needed the information we created to survive. And sometimes, the content we were developing was the only thing giving them hope. I know this sounds a little dramatic today, but in that instant it was true.”

Building upon that experience, Krenger joined Kraft Heinz as chief communications officer. Her task: Take what had been a small support function within the company and create a best-in-class global center of communications to serve as a strategic partner to the business.

Two major initiatives demonstrate Krenger’s work boosting Kraft Heinz’s reputation:

From 2022 to 2023, Krenger’s team increased annual corporate media coverage results by 265%. In addition, negative news coverage decreased to 9% (down from 31% in 2021), with 91% of media coverage positive to neutral. Kraft Heinz ranked No. 28 in the 2023 Axios Harris “100 Reputation Rankings,” moving up the list from 2022 (and not making the list at all in 2021).

And when employees reported feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from each other and their leaders. In response, Krenger’s communications team launched a new, mobile-enabled engagement platform, “The Vine,” to deliver timely and easily accessible information to the company’s 37,000 employees. To date, 97% of users have engaged on the platform, and a recent employee survey showed that 80% of respondents have greater trust in information coming from the company.

She told Ragan that an underrated quality for communicators to master is the ability to “read the room… and pivot the conversation based on someone’s preferences or need for clarity. It’s easy to forget that you may have spent the last two weeks focused on this topic, but your audience has not. They need time to absorb, ask questions and understand how this conversation or topic impacts them and if you are able to see their pause as an opportunity bring them along on the journey, be comforted by your understanding of all sides of the issue, you will have a partner and advocate rather than a detractor.”

She also touted the importance of writing skills. “Now more than ever, words matter,” she said. “Connected to words, I believe the ability to influence is a critical skill for communicators. Senior communicators will often find themselves being the one person in the room with a contrary position. Being able to explain your position without sounding like a dream killer is key.”

Thanks to Krenger’s efforts, the team today consists of 55 internal and external communication professionals across 15 countries. The team manages internal and external communications media relations, executive thought leadership, crisis and issues management, creative content generation and much more for the company.

“In an era where everything is about reputation management, and where there are pitfalls and opportunities at every turn, [Krenger] has elevated the communications function to be a go-to partner to guide company actions that span far beyond traditional communications practices,” says Alex Abraham, vice president, global corporate communications and reputation management at Kraft Heinz.

“Know yourself so you can believe in yourself,” Krenger advises. “I spent far too much time lamenting as to why I wasn’t the star of or the best at X, Y or Z. I wish I had really leaned into my strengths more, stopped worrying about other people and what they were doing and learned how to use my strengths as my superpower.”

Congratulations to Kathy Krenger!

Senior Vice President, Global Communications

Philip Morris International

Marian Salzman: Redefining the future

Marian Salzman spread the word ‘metrosexual’ and boosted #GivingTuesday. At Philip Morris International, she combats misinformation and hate, putting her in the Women in Communications Hall of Fame in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Marian Salzman’s career has always focused on the future — and she has consistently shaped that future. In the early 1990s, when the internet was still considered the domain of nerds, she founded the world’s first cyber-consultancy — holding online focus groups via her startup, American Dialogue, also known as Cyberdialogue.

It’s no exaggeration to call her a cultural icon: she helped introduce the word “metrosexuality” to the world in 2003, sparking a global media frenzy that ultimately resulted in “metrosexual” being named Word of the Year.

“People radar matters a lot,” Salzman told Ragan. “You can accomplish anything when you surround yourself with the best people, and when you work for and with people who are smarter than you are, and who share your commitment to great work, and good fun.”

And Salzman was a driving force behind #GivingTuesday, which encourages consumers to offset the gluttony of Black Friday and Cyber Monday by helping others and raising tens of billions of dollars for community programs.

In a PR career spanning three decades, Salzman has served as CEO of Havas PR North America and chair of the Havas Global PR Collective. In 2018 she moved to Philip Morris International (PMI) as senior vice president, global communications, to help the company deliver a smoke-free future.

Salzman guides PMI’s communications, media and other stakeholder engagement, forging productive alliances with NGOs, advocacy groups, policymakers and others. The end goal: making it easier for adult smokers to move away from cigarettes and toward the better science-based alternatives now available.

Using her global platform to combat misinformation, promote transparency and advance positive change, Salzman sparks conversations around important issues via her annual trends report, newsletter and PMI whitepapers — including “Hate Is in the Air,” a report that dissects the drivers of hate and challenges companies to contribute to solutions.

She says curiosity and energy are the most important skills for communicators. “If you aren’t in continuous learning mode, you will quickly be left behind.” She lives out that advice herself: Salzman told Ragan that she was taking remote courses in government at Johns Hopkins University when the pandemic began. “This engagement gave me a whole lot of brainfood at a time when socialization was largely screen-based. I developed considerable expertise by going back to school thirty-odd years after I had completed my formal education, and this made me a much better leader and professional. Studenting also knocked any arrogance I had right out of my system.”

As a commentator for a range of global and national media outlets, Salzman has been featured on the BBC, NBC News, Euronews, Sky News and Bloomberg Radio, as well as podcasts like Andrew Yang’s “Forward.” She also regularly serves as a keynote speaker or panelist at such venues as GWPR VOICE, IAA Creativity 4 Better Conference, University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and more, and is the author or co-author of 18 books.

Her advice to rising communicators: “Go abroad frequently, work there feverishly, savor the friendships you made in the early days because at the end of a career, it is the experience collecting, the human relationships, that carry you forward and make you better and more able to face the challenges day-to-day. I also wish I had become addicted to Pilates earlier, had embraced casual dress sooner, and would have dreamed as big as life carried me. I always treasured the journey and picked bosses but never planned my career, so I wish I would have known how lucky I would be — that would have made it easier to relax more, to worry less, and to have confidence that I would never have to compromise ‘me’ to succeed in the world of ‘we.’”

Congratulations to Marian Salzman!

Vice President, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

SPX FLOW

Melissa Buscher champions employees, women and the community at SPX FLOW

The TV reporter turned corporate communicator, Melissa Buscher, supports her employer, women and the community, making her a true Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Melissa Buscher spent 15 years as an award-winning television reporter before shifting gears to a career in corporate communications and marketing. As chief communications and marketing officer at SPX FLOW, she fills one of six senior leadership roles in the company as the only woman in the group. Buscher is focused on supporting others, whether it’s promoting her team’s work, championing women or improving the lives of people in her community.

For instance, Buscher learned from production workers at SPX FLOW’s global manufacturing sites that employees didn’t know how their products were being used. To bridge that knowledge gap, Buscher created a campaign, “Solution City,” to show employees and external stakeholders how the parts employees produce play a role in everyday life; this ultimately led the company to start referring to employees as Solution Makers.

Buscher also transformed the marketing team into strategic partners instead of mere order takers. Under her direction, marketing became a major revenue generator for the company — one marketing event, for example, brought in $10 million in business opportunities.

She’s created blogs and podcasts to help employees hear more from leaders, improving transparency throughout the company. In addition, Buscher uses her network to make connections, referrals and introductions between people, to ensure everyone around her has the opportunity to maximize their potential.

Community service also plays an essential role in her life. Buscher is currently the chair of the board of advisors for Designed for Joy, a nonprofit providing stability to women in crisis through immediate employment and support. She is also a marketing committee member for A Place at the Table, a pay-what-you-can restaurant supporting people experiencing homelessness. Beyond that, she sits on the board of advisors of United Partnerships, an organization that collaborates on initiatives that lift individuals, organizations and communities with focus areas including workplace culture, employee resource groups, community engagement and collaboration.

She is also an advocate for DE&I and is passionate about mentoring and sponsorship. Buscher serves as executive sponsor for SPX FLOW’s BEGIN, an employee resource group for young professionals. Before that, she was the executive sponsor for EMPOWER, an employee resource group dedicated to empowering women. In addition, Buscher is a regular guest speaker and mentor for SPX FLOW’s women’s leadership program.

Congratulations to Melissa Buscher!

Vice President of Global Marketing and Global Brand Owner

Berry Global, Inc.

Laci Hasenour champions sustainability in the plastics industry at Berry Global

At Berry Global, Laci Hasenour developed a vast campaign to convince the industry and its customers to do ‘More Together’ to reuse and recycle their products. She’s a Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Three years ago, Laci Hasenour brought her 14 years of sales and marketing experience to Berry Global, a manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products. As vice president of global marketing, Hasenour runs worldwide marketing and communications for 40,000 employees across more than 250 locations and has helped transform 47 companies acquired by Berry into a single, global brand.

One of Hasenour’s major accomplishments has been developing Berry’s “More Together” initiative — a campaign to educate Berry employees, customers and partners about creating positive change by collaborating across the plastics value chain.

Hasenour and her team spent 11 months developing the design, communications and corporate brand teams deployed in the campaign. “More Together” was launched in November 2022 at Chicago’s Pack Expo. Among all 2,221 digital showrooms at the expo, the booth Hasenour helped design scored the top 5 ratings across all five sustainability categories. The 2,500 views of the booth resulted in 944 unique leads, a 352% increase in recorded interactions, along with 1,494 unique contacts.

Under her leadership, Berry’s external communications team created joint communication plans supporting “More Together” in collaboration with Wendy’s, McCormick, Heinz and many more companies. The initiative’s success ultimately made it the theme for the company’s 2022 annual ESG report.

In addition, Hasenour created a campaign calling on all Berry employees to ask customers and partners one simple question: “What’s your more?” By encouraging people to share their “more,” Berry can identify and listen to the people’s commitment to sustainability, helping the company turn insights into actions that help keep resources in use and out of our environment.

Congratulations to Laci Hasenour!

Vice President, Internal Communications

Cognia

Kimberly Leidgertwood keeps the past and future connected at Cognia

Kimberly Leidgertwood edits the company newsletter, preserving its history and helping employees succeed. She’s a Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Throughout her 30+ year career, Kimberly Leidgertwood, vice president of internal communications at Cognia, has been an advocate of the employee. That means working with leadership to ensure that perspectives from the workforce get shared upward while also serving on cross-functional teams, employee resource groups and task forces to expand the reach and role of internal communications.

As the editor of the company newsletter “Connections,” Leidgertwood gathers leads throughout the organization to publish timely news, getting ahead of concerns and suggesting topics for the CEO’s editorial piece. In the past year, her guidance has led to a spike in readership with over a 70% open rate and consistent positive feedback. She also serves as the organization’s historian, taking responsibility for archiving and preserving Cognia’s history.

Leidgertwood also spearheaded the launch of Cognia’s Reference Library, a living repository of all the resources, documents and tools the marketing and communications team creates to support internal staff. She took on the project after realizing employees were having difficulty locating the information they needed to do their jobs.

In addition, Leidgertwood serves as liaison to Cognia’s board of directors, supervising the delivery of its quarterly report and biweekly newsletter. Board members recognize Leidgertwood as a steady leader with her finger on the pulse of the organization.

“As my manager,” says one of Leidgertwood’s direct reports, “Kimberly has created a myriad of opportunities for me to learn from her, enhance my communication skills and reach my professional goals. Beyond the work, Kimberly has become a trusted confidante and mentor. She is the leader that I aspire to emulate because she simply has that personal touch that separates the good from the great.”

Congratulations to Kimberly Leidgertwood!

Executive Vice President, rf.engage

Ruder Finn

Connecting people is central to Trish Nicolas’s vision at Ruder Finn

At Ruder Finn, Trish Nicolas focuses on breaking down barriers and forging connections between people. She’s a Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

“Our role and responsibility as communicators is to be active stewards of the audience experience,” says Trish Nicolas, executive vice president of rf.engage at Ruder Finn. rf.engage is Ruder Finn’s global Center of Excellence for Strategic Internal Communications, a cross-practice, shared services organization offering expertise, experience and resources in strategic internal communications, employee engagement and change communication.

Nicolas is a 34-year industry veteran whose career has been focused on breaking down silos and building connections that foster close collaboration, creative problem solving and positive results. The projects Nicolas has helmed demonstrate her ability to convene decision-makers and build bridges with and across audiences. Check out these examples:

A client’s internal communications team requested a service-level agreement (SLA) to address a challenging relationship with an internal business partner. However, an SLA could have been a bridge-burner, so Nicolas and her team instead launched a dialogue aimed at mutual understanding and collaboration. A year later, the teams were working as close partners, expanding their programs while staying aligned and audience focused.
At Georgia’s largest health system, decentralization and departmental silos were causing problems. Nicolas created a communications council to connect internal, external and provider communications, along with leaders in marketing, brand strategy, health equity and more, every week to discuss top priorities. This provided a clear line of sight into initiatives that created opportunities to link programs, share insights and solve problems as a team, as well as enhance message consistency.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Nicolas coordinated the first-ever joint Metro Atlanta health systems press conference, delivering unified safety messaging and taking the message directly to the public via livestream. Furthermore, she authored a kids’ COVID safety rap that was produced as a video for school children, their parents and educators. It ran across Georgia within 400 medical facilities and as a TV commercial for more than 18 months.

Nicolas is also a sought-after speaker on such topics as audience psychographics, enhancing employee experience and engagement, the value of virtual reality in storytelling and top communication trends.

Congratulations to Trish Nicolas!

Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer

Beyond Finance

Yolanda Schufford goes above and beyond at Beyond Finance

Yolanda Schufford is protecting consumers by educating the public and influencing policymakers about debt issues, making her a Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Debt resolution company Beyond Finance is dedicated to helping clients achieve financial freedom and promote sound policy in an industry regulated at the federal and state levels. As chief communications and public affairs officer, Yolanda Schufford oversees its corporate communications (internal and external), public affairs and government relations — as well as managing lobbyists in key states while sharing information and fighting misinformation with policymakers and regulators.

The firm offers group and individual financial counseling to help people significantly reduce their debt. Beyond Finance works with psychotherapists and analysts to help media, policymakers and consumers understand the mental and physical impact of “financial PTSD.” Schufford’s media and public information campaigns educate both the public and policymakers about how debt resolution helps people.

Schufford is also focused on protecting consumer rights. She was instrumental in helping stave off potentially restrictive legislation in debt resolution programs for North Carolina consumers. She also helped transform potentially harmful policies in California. In New York and New Jersey, Schufford was part of a team that introduced a model bill designed to initiate positive industry legislation.

During Schufford’s tenure on the executive team, Beyond Finance has grown its internal outreach from 400 employees to more than 1,500 across 49 states. Externally, her focus has been growing the company as a new brand in a niche market; as a result, Beyond Finance has grown into one of the country’s largest and most influential debt resolution organizations.

Outside her role at Beyond Finance, Schufford also serves on the board of an industry trade association, the American Fair Credit Council, and two nonprofits: Women of Debt Relief and Mentoring Brother2Brother.

Congratulations to Yolanda Schufford!

Vice President of Corporate Communications & Public Relations

Ancestry

Ancestry’s brand grows under Gina Spatafore’s comms leadership

Now seen as a tech innovator, not just a family history company, Ancestry has reaped the results of Gina Spatafore’s work. She’s a Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Gina Spatafore joined Ancestry six years ago, leading global consumer communications campaigns and later transitioning to oversight of corporate communications. Today, under her leadership as vice president of corporate communications and public relations, Ancestry’s brand reputation has evolved from being known as a 40-year-old family history company to a new identity as an innovative technology company.

Among her recent accomplishments, Spatafore partnered with Ancestry’s agency of record, Weber Shandwick, to implement a new global measurement system, Reputation Relevance Metric, a long-term tool to better track favorability and brand mentions across earned and owned channels. In the past year alone, Ancestry’s favorable coverage increased by more than 15%, with more than 210,000 brand mentions.

In 2023, Spatafore spearheaded several global communications programs, including leading executive communications for Ancestry’s CEO Deb Liu. Using creative story angles, strong media relationships and her partnership with Liu, Spatafore secured features on Ancestry’s CEO in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, The Washington Post and Fortune, as well as an appearance onstage at Fortune Brainstorm Tech.

Then, during the second half of 2023, Spatafore assumed responsibility for global consumer PR, which includes the company’s corporate reputation work, CEO communications and executive thought leadership. Since expanding her leadership role, Spatafore has seen her team’s employee engagement reach a 91% confidence rating.

As Ancestry’s chief communications and community engagement officer Julie Miller says, “Gina’s big-picture perspective makes her the ultimate strategic communications tactician; she is a trusted advisor to executives and the go-to in times of crisis.”

Congratulations to Gina Spatafore!

EGM/SVP of Communications

Xero

Around the globe with Xero’s Angela Sullivan

Angela Sullivan introduced Xero’s new CEO, oversaw its largest event ever, and launched a fund for small businesses and more. She’s a real Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Angela Sullivan was promoted to general manager of business communications at Xero in early 2023, after nearly four years with the cloud-based accounting platform. She leads employee engagement and external relations on a global scale, a pivotal role in Xero’s global business as it expands into new markets.

Within the last 12 months, Sullivan has been devoted to Xero’s customer-first brand and communications strategy, which involves creating, executing and spearheading some of the brand’s most essential projects, including:

The introduction of Xero’s new CEO. Sullivan played a key role on the communications team for the appointment of Sukhinder Singh Cassidy as Xero’s new CEO in February 2023. Additionally, as Cassidy settled into her role, Sullivan oversaw a media tour that generated top-tier coverage by Bloomberg TV, The New York Times, WIRED and LinkedIn News, producing a spike in searches for “Xero.”
Xerocon. Sullivan oversaw the external communications strategy for Xerocon — Xero’s annual two-day event for its accounting and bookkeeping community. Sullivan helped oversee the multilayered communications strategy surrounding the event, which included five unique media releases over three days and dozens of executive interviews, resulting in more than 115 unique pieces of earned media coverage across seven global regions.
Xero’s Beautiful Business Fund. From concept to launch, Sullivan led a global marketing and communications team through the creation of Xero’s inaugural Beautiful Business Fund, designed to boost small businesses through funding and grants. Through a global press release, proactive media outreach and social and email communications, Sullivan and her team generated more than 5,000 submissions from Xero customers in less than two months across North America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore.
Proprietary research. Sullivan led a global research effort to provide resources to current and potential customers and the accountant/bookkeeper community, ensuring that content was relevant across cultures and geographies and disseminated appropriately. This included the creation of “Future Focus, Xero’s AI Guide for Accountants and Bookkeepers,” and “The Global State of Small Business Owner Well-being.”

Before Xero, Sullivan worked at IBM, where she was chosen to participate in the inaugural Arthur W. Page Society’s Future Leaders program, a two-year learning and skills development experience for high-potential communications executives.

Congratulations to Angela Sullivan!

Vice President of Corporate Affairs

Royal Canin North America

Talk to the animals: Racquel White forges connections between pets, humans and Royal Canin North America

At Royal Canin North America, Racquel White’s efforts have supported animal adoption, vet care and more, while also celebrating her community. She’s a Bridge Builder in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Racquel White is in a unique point of connection for pet owners, industry partners and Mars, Inc. brands. As vice president of corporate affairs for Mars subsidiary Royal Canin North America (RCNA), which specializes in the health and nutrition of dogs and cats, White oversees internal and external communications, sustainability, regulatory and client experience teams while serving as spokesperson for the Royal Canin brands.

In 2023, White gave Royal Canin’s support to Missouri’s Puppies for Parole program, in which residents of the state’s prisons train rescue dogs to become more adoptable. To celebrate the program’s 7,000th adoption, White and her corporate team highlighted the program internationally through visits by Royal Canin’s global leadership team. White also spotlighted Canine Companions, the leading organization of the American service dog industry, through her team’s PSA, “Help Them Meet Their Match Sooner.”

For cat lovers, Aug. 22 marked National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day. This was the RCNA brand’s tentpole campaign spotlighting preventive health for felines. Because transportation can be a problem for some cat owners, White and her team launched a first-of-its-kind partnership with Uber Pet, providing up to 5,000 rides in 15 cities, encouraging riders to take their cats to the vet.

Internally, White serves as a sponsor for Royal Canin’s TuVoz Associate Resource Group (ARG), guiding its mission of building a Hispanic community that celebrates individual nationalities while recognizing the union of language and heritage. In this role, White advocates for diverse associates joining the company and her team at all levels through her connection to The LaGrant Foundation, which supports increasing the number of ethnic minorities in communications-related fields.

White’s commitment to animals extends to her personal life as well. She’s written a children’s book series, “My Adoption: A Max Brown Adventure,” in honor of the rescue and adoption story of her dog Max. Meanwhile, she serves on the board of directors for the Moses White Foundation, supporting underprivileged populations in Tampa, Florida, through scholarships and revitalization initiatives.

Congratulations to Racquel White!

OneTrust

Amid ongoing crises, OneTrust’s Kristy Campbell kept her cool

OneTrust endured a stream of negative events in 2023, but Kristy Campbell guided the company into positive territory. She’s a true Crisis Navigator in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Kristy Campbell and her team had a busy year in 2023. As chief communications officer at OneTrust, a privacy and security software provider, she was in charge of handling the company’s response to whatever crises may arise.

For example, after a substantial workforce reduction in 2022, the company faced a crisis early in 2023 when an M&A deal was abruptly halted, leading to the layoff of another 200 employees. The reduction drew lots of attention, resurfacing the layoff news from the previous summer. Campbell and the two other members of her team had to swiftly devise comprehensive strategies to manage both internal and external narratives and keep the company’s reputation intact.

In February, OneTrust’s CEO was hit by a surprise lawsuit from two board members and investors. Campbell’s team had to navigate the complex legal and reputational challenges to keep employees focused and limit the headlines. The team’s strategy to keep pumping out product stories and amplify positive news successfully pushed the lawsuit headlines to the third page of Google search.

Then, in March, the M&A cancellation of the previous year caused a string of customer contracts to be revoked. Campbell and her team orchestrated the transition to a new vendor at OneTrust’s expense to ensure that customer relationships remained intact and negative news didn’t erupt on social media or in the press.

August 2023 brought a complex product incident. Campbell and the team had to master the regulatory and legal requirements limiting what the company could share with customers. The balancing act of providing daily updates while protecting certain kinds of information was a challenge, but the team effectively guided the company through the turbulent period.

Through their highly targeted media relations work, the team dominated share of voice (SOV) among competitors in data privacy, substantially increasing SOV quarter over quarter. Positive media coverage in 2023 soared, and negative coverage declined by over half.

Congratulations to Kristy Campbell!

System Vice President Public Relations and Content Strategy

CommonSpirit Health

Gina Czark jumps into action during ransomware attack at CommonSpirit Health

CommonSpirit Health wanted to minimize the media fallout from the attack. Gina Czark took control of the narrative, making her a Crisis Navigator in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Gina Czark has slept near her cell phone since her early days as a journalist and PR executive. When a call came before sunrise on Oct. 3, 2022, she sprang into action. Her employer, CommonSpirit Health, had just fallen victim to a ransomware attack.

CommonSpirit Health is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, and the attack had the potential for a $160 million impact. Czark had to get briefed, devise a strategy to communicate accurate information to stakeholders, align a fragmented communications team, manage an onslaught of questions and report regularly to leaders.

Her first big decision was answering the key question all communicators face in a crisis, changing moment by moment: How much can we say? During daily meetings, Czark counseled executive leaders and the legal team to limit communications to the minimum necessary while she and her team wrote simple media statements, updating them as events unfolded. Her strategy kept the story from going mainstream and gave CommonSpirit a degree of control over the narrative.

Czark also created a centralized communications process: All communications requests had to funnel through her and her team for approval. To manage the hundreds of requests, she held twice-daily review sessions with legal, compliance, IT and other stakeholders. In addition, she established twice daily war room meetings with the leaders of regional communications teams across the country while building a nearly 24/7 communication channel to track, monitor and triage requests.

As a result of Czark’s efforts, the story was barely mentioned in mainstream national news media and didn’t go viral on social media or online forums. The sparse national coverage that did appear fit in with CommonSpirit’s narrative. In the end, CommonSpirit emerged with a more centralized and integrated communications function and a playbook for the next crisis.

Congratulations to Gina Czark!

Co-Founder and Senior Executive Managing Director

RF|Binder

Good in a crisis, Atalanta Rafferty fielded an array of tough situations for RF|Binder’s clients

Atalanta Rafferty battled misinformation, activists and a client’s global ban, winning accolades for her work — including recognition as a Crisis Navigator in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

As co-founder of communications agency RF|Binder, Atalanta Rafferty’s work spans a wide range that includes political and social crises, lawsuits and litigation, accusations of criminal or unethical actions, executive changes, natural disasters, environmental issues and labor-management conflicts. In 2023 alone, she counseled clients on cybersecurity attacks, ransom requests and data breaches, as well as food safety issues and product recalls.

For example, Rafferty worked with one client who was dealing with widespread misinformation about health claims in the media and on social media. Her knowledge of the rapid and fragmented nature of social media’s role in the spread of misinformation helped her influence key stakeholders and relationships to shift the conversation.

In another case, Rafferty managed an attack on fast-food chain QSR’s supply chain and purchasing practices by an animal health activist group. Facing threats of protests and an aggressive media campaign, Rafferty’s team developed a quick training program for QSR employees and wrote up statements and outreach plans to address the activists’ concerns. When a client’s products faced a possible ban in international markets, Rafferty developed a global campaign to improve understanding of the company’s sourcing and materials to protect the business.

In addition, Rafferty built RF|Binder’s Food, Beverage & Nutrition (FB&N) practice while consistently landing new business against some of the industry’s most well-known agencies. In 2023, Rafferty added $3.2 million in new client business to RF|Binder’s FB&N portfolio, solidifying it as one of the agency’s leading practice areas. New clients included Clink Different, a joint EU-funded program for Wines of Germany and Bordeaux Wines, Pladis Global’s Flipz, Ocean Spray, Oakberry Açaí and a leading national supermarket.

Congratulations to Atalanta Rafferty!

Director of Communications

Corn Refiners Association

Influential ‘Feeding the Economy’ report is just one priority for Jacqueline Boggess at the Corn Refiners Association

For the Corn Refiners Association, Jacqueline Boggess handles strategic communication, advocacy and CEO support, but wrangling the data into shape for this yearly report is key. She’s a Data Dynamo in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

One of Jacqueline Boggess’ key responsibilities as director of communications for the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) — in addition to crafting and implementing strategic communications plans, contributing to advocacy and offering direct support to the CEO — is CRA’s annual “Feeding the Economy” (FTE) research study.

Every year, Boggess and her team create a “farm-to-fork” analysis to illustrate the food and agriculture sector’s impact on local, state and nationwide economic activity, distributing the data on National Ag Day (March 21) each year. The data is used by policymakers at the national, regional and local levels of government to make important legislative decisions.

For FTE 2023, Boggess used an earned media outreach strategy to target national, policy and trade outlets for coverage. Weeks before the launch of the report, the team placed an op-ed by CRA president and CEO John Bode in Agri-Pulse, a top outlet in the agricultural industry with more than 50,000 unique viewers. The piece used data from the report to offer a unique perspective on the agricultural industry, showing that it has bounced back from major economic setbacks but isn’t yet reaching its full potential due to the U.S. pausing its pursuit of new tariff-reducing trade agreements.

One week before the launch, Boggess and her team shared a press release under embargo, targeting a highly tailored media list focused on national, policy and trade media, offering interviews with the CEO. At the state level, the team conducted local media market outreach, an effort that included targeting CRA priority policymakers’ states and member headquarters locations.

The effort was a success. Earned media for the report exceeded previous years’ benchmarks, generating 61 mentions — a 27% increase from 2022. The media hits drove traffic to the report’s website, with 3,164 unique views and an average visit of two minutes and nine seconds.

Congratulations to Jacqueline Boggess!

VP, Research & Analytics

EvolveMKD

From ‘fake news’ to matters of representation, Alex Christian provides compelling food for thought at Evoke MKD

Alex Christian’s research has grown revenues for Evoke MKD and earned her a name as a thought leader. She’s a Data Dynamo in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Every single department in Evoke MKD relies on Alex Christian’s research reports, making her an invaluable member of the PR agency’s team. As vice president and head of EvokeMKD’s research and analytics department, she is responsible for measurement, reporting and proprietary research for the agency and all clients, and her duties include evaluating clients’ reporting to identify meaningful metrics and then executing global strategic and thought leadership research on their behalf.

Christian recently launched Evoke MKD’s proprietary research platform, the Evolution of Communication and spearheaded the platform’s case study, “From ‘Fake News’ to ‘News You Can Use’” in February 2023. The case study focused on the relationship between media and media consumers. Evoke MKD surveyed 1,000 media consumers and 500 media professionals to get their thoughts on the media landscape and the importance of traditional and social media and found that “fake news” was the catalyst for a resurgence in media consumption. The research was shared in various arenas, including as a webinar with Cosmetic Executive Women.

Christian also created a research-based thought leadership platform to explore the idea of inclusive and representative beauty. Conducted via focus groups, her research focused on the importance of representation, but it also emphasized that education, intent and execution matter even more while spotlighting the harm that the tokenization of historically non-Caucasian features causes non-white women.

Since her hire, Christian’s department has grown in revenues from $33,000 in 2021 to $1.8M million in 2023. Outside EvokeMKD, Christian authored the recent refresh of the Barcelona Principles 3.0, a widely recognized industry standard for PR and communications measurement and evaluation — solidifying her position as a thought leader and a standout in the PR industry.

Congratulations to Alex Christian!

Partner and Director of Research

Sachs Media

Karen Cyphers: Translating numbers into action at Sachs Media

At Sachs Media, Karen Cyphers marshals data in the service of social issues, politics, work-life balance and more, making her a Data Dynamo in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Research is the foundation of any effective communication strategy, and Karen Cyphers is adept at it, blending precision and innovation to serve her clients. A partner and director of research at Sachs Media, Cyphers’ job is to meticulously analyze and transform data into actionable strategies that influence policies and create real-world impact.

In the last five years, Cyphers has conducted more than 400 opinion surveys, gathering an impressive 352,847 responses. Each survey was designed with meticulous attention, delivering insights into a broad range of subjects: social issues, the political landscape and consumer behaviors. Each survey supported clients’ informed decision-making and enhanced their strategic messaging.

In one survey, Cyphers explored the challenges faced by working parents in Florida, gathering insights into work-life balance and workplace dynamics. In another, she navigated a sensitive issue: sexual harassment among college athletes. This brought visibility and provided a voice to people who often suffer in silence. Ciphers’ work also played a pivotal role in helping to reshape Florida’s Medicaid dental program for children.

As a contributor to the “Florida Politics” political newsletter, Cyphers transforms complex data into visual narratives that make statistics and their insights accessible and compelling. The infographics she creates serve as visual narratives, combining clarity, insight and impact to offer a rich perspective on politics, policy and social matters.

Cyphers is also a member of the faculty at Florida State University, where she teaches civics literacy and public policy, nurturing informed and engaged citizens and making each course a journey of discovery. She also takes an active role in her congregation and works with a grassroots justice organization, highlighting her commitment to community and social justice.

Congratulations to Karen Cyphers!

EVP, Head of Innovation

The Bliss Group

Follow the data: Sally Slater helps create cutting-edge data-driven tools for success at the Bliss Group

At the Bliss Group, this head of innovation has crafted tools for marketers to analyze better and reach their targets. Sally Slater is a Data Dynamo in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

The right data can guide strategies and campaigns to success. As executive VP for marketing communications agency the Bliss Group, Sally Slater’s aptitude for harnessing operational data guides the company in assessing and staffing teams, thinking about product offerings and using data to stay connected in a hybrid work environment.

As founder of the Bliss Group’s innovation incubator X Labs, Slater partners with groundbreaking technology companies. The X Labs team of data scientists, analysts, developers and marcomm experts pursue a common cause: To create the biggest positive outcomes for clients, their customers and society at large.

What does that mean? Take a look at these solutions devised by Slater and the X Labs:

ABM Accelerator. Account-based marketing (ABM) delivers a higher ROI than other B2B marketing tactics, but only if it’s done right. The Bliss Group’s ABM Accelerator creates programs clients can implement immediately to speed up results.
Audience Architecture. This tool builds audience ecosystems to deliver analytics-driven insights, allowing the customer to determine what content will resonate with an audience. It also provides guidance on where, when and how to target these audiences.
Executive Signals. An audience intelligence platform that analyzes executives’ online conversations, the tool allows marketers to identify key trends and topics and track the audience’s changing interests over time.
Pitch PRfect (in alpha). The Bliss Group’s proprietary pitch generator produces pitches based on data that has historically resonated in specific industries, for specific clients and to specific reporters, all while maintaining data privacy.

Slater has an insatiable curiosity and a drive to constantly improve her skills, enabling her to dissect and discern potential capabilities. She looks to implement technology that’s actionable and innovative, coordinate with data scientists for real-time optimization and ensure better outcomes for clients and teams.

Congratulations to Sally Slater!

Manager, Brand Communications

McDonald's

Ti’Ara Brown’s goal is to support a culture of inclusion at McDonald’s

Ti’Ara Brown champions career development, highlights outstanding leaders, serves as a mentor and much more, making her a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Brand Communications Manager Ti’Ara Brown is known within McDonald’s as an advocate of ideas and individuals with a singular focus on the question, “How else can we see, hear and support everyone we serve?”

Brown’s priorities are connecting with diverse colleagues at all levels, understanding their interests and backgrounds, and locating development opportunities to advance their careers and/or the company’s commitment to DE&I. In 2023 she spearheaded a variety of initiatives supporting DE&I at McDonald’s:

Identified career development opportunities for more than 10 diverse employees and advocated for them to work on new teams and projects and attend professional development workshops/conferences.
Curated authentic and inclusive stories featuring the diverse employees at McDonald’s, which included recognizing Black female McDonald’s restaurant owners and supply chain workers as well as Black leaders in media making a difference in their communities.
Pushed for brand scholarships to include educational sessions and mental health app subscriptions, extending to corporate employees.
Helped lead the Purpose and Impact Report, which showcased the collective effect of the brand’s size and scale, along with its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Played a key role in mentoring participants in rebranding McDonald’s longest-existing employee business network to serve Black employees, resulting in a more inclusive, globally focused organization.

Outside the office, Brown volunteers at The Humanity Lab, a global collective of creators, storytellers, digital natives and data miners who amplify the anti-racism, pro-humanity agenda through pro bono resources. In this role, she developed the narrative and communications plan for The Gathering for Justice, a campaign that spanned earned, owned and paid channels. She also reorganized the Gathering for Justice website to promote more effective fundraising toward its mission to eliminate racial inequalities in the justice system.

On top of all that, she serves as a role model for current and prospective students at Central Michigan University, where she organizes and hosts panel discussions and helped plan the Integrative Public Relations department’s 25th-anniversary celebration.

Congratulations to Ti’Ara Brown!

Vice President, Communications & Community

Andersen Corporation

Eliza Chlebeck opens a window on Andersen’s inclusive culture

Eliza Chlebeck made the intranet accessible to all, brought in more diverse influencers and much more, making her a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

In her five-year tenure at window and door manufacturer Andersen, Eliza Chlebeck, vice president of communications and community, has displayed a consistent commitment to advancing DE&I.

One of her key accomplishments was the launch of the “Circle” intranet. Previously only accessible to office-based employees and in English, Chlebeck was determined to ensure that all employees, including those in manufacturing, had equal access to the information and resources they needed to do their jobs in their spoken language.

Chlebeck and her team implemented the new intranet in 17 facilities and within nine employee resource network groups, bridging gaps between employees. Now accessible via mobile app, the Circle supports 37 languages. Seventy-six percent of the company’s employees use the platform, more than 6,000 mobile apps have been downloaded and 85% engage with it several times per week. Seventy-four percent of employees say they’re very likely to recommend the Circle to their colleagues.

She’s also committed to accessibility and the importance of making Andersen content available to everyone, including those who are deaf, hard of hearing or non-native English speakers. Chlebeck worked with Andersen’s internal videography team to set standards for subtitles on all videos, both internal and external, ensuring accessibility for everyone.

In addition, Chlebeck led the PR team in broadening Andersen’s influencer partnerships; now, more than 65% of its current influencers include representation from LQBTQIA, BIPOC/BIPOC women, AAPI, Latinx and military/veteran communities around the country.

Chlebeck also amplifies DE&I stories externally, showcasing Andersen’s people and highlighting philanthropic partners. In 2023, she mobilized internal teams to participate in external interviews to shed light on the company’s progress in fostering inclusivity for Andersen’s deaf and hard-of-hearing workforce, complete with testimonials from hearing-impaired employees. The interviews were featured in six placements and garnered nearly 4.5 million impressions, along with substantial media attention.

Congratulations to Eliza Chlebeck!

Chief Innovation + Growth Officer

HUNTER

Gigi Garcia Russo turns ideas into DE&I action at Hunter

Gigi García Russo’s past helped her influence the present and the future, supporting ERGs, mentoring, accessibility and more. She’s a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border, Gigi García Russo was exposed to a variety of different cultures, languages and customs at an early age, which helped her grow up to become a storyteller and an empathetic leader. Today, after two decades at marketing communications firm Hunter, Russo — now its first-ever chief innovation + growth officer — examines everything from a multicultural perspective.

In 2020, Russo spearheaded the HUNTER Action Group, created to make inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility a prominent part of the firm’s permanent culture. Now in its third year, the Action Group continues to address the needs of the workforce under Russo’s guidance.

To foster collaboration and conversation among different communities at the agency, the Action Group established Black and Jewish employee resource groups and a BIPOC mentoring circle. They meet regularly to share resources and advance the agency’s mission of creating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive.

Russo guides inclusive campaigns, content and activations that make use of consumer insights, cultural sensibilities and real-time conversations to engage underserved audiences. For example, with her help:

Hunter supported Band-Aid brand’s Ourtone, a line of bandages embracing the diversity of skin tones, partnering with credible voices in the Black community, including athletes, dancers and more.
The agency partnered Buchanan’s Whiskey with relevant culture representatives to elevate the Hispanic American experience.
Hunter educated consumers on the accessibility features of Amazon Alexa Devices through engaging and authentic influencer content.

Russo’s work as a DE&I leader has been recognized by the PRNews Social Impact Awards, PRSA and the Diversity Action Alliance. Most recently, during Hispanic Heritage Month 2023, she was honored by PRSA-NY as one of the top 10 Latinx PR leaders making waves in the industry.

Congratulations to Gigi García Russo!

Senior Account Executive

French/West/Vaughan (FWV)

Madeline Hiller champions DE&I in many different arenas at French/West/Vaughan

Madeline Hiller pushed for greater diversity in the golfing community and led the charge for HBCU marching bands, making her a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Madeline Hiller, senior account executive at French/West/Vaughan (FWV), has put her commitment to DE&I into action in several ways. She’s the account lead promoting Steph Curry’s Underrated Golf Tour (UGT), founded to provide equity, access and opportunity to deserving student-athletes from underserved communities who may not otherwise be exposed to the full benefits of the sport. She’s also worked to gain greater exposure for the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands, the world’s original and largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) showcase for marching bands and dance teams.

Here’s a snapshot of both efforts:

UGT

The UGT seeks to increase the participation of competitive golfers from diverse backgrounds while engaging corporate partners for mentoring, networking and visibility. Players receive valuable exposure to college golf programs and potential partners, along with training, equipment, leadership panels and other benefits from tour sponsors.

Due in large part to Hiller’s work, the 2023 UGT’s results amplified its mission of increasing participation in golf among diverse junior golfers. Hiller created more than 35 media pitches and 13 media lists, generating 220 placements (up from 18 in 2022), and 2.8 billion impressions. On social media, she boosted UGT’s Instagram following by 101% and its TikTok following by 165%.

The UGT plans to expand throughout the U.S. and around the world, creating further diversity in the pool of junior, collegiate and professional players worldwide.

HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands

Hiller spearheaded efforts to establish the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands as the premier showcase for marching bands. Her work, reaching a diverse audience, attracted thousands of attendees to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, to watch the event, resulting in a total of 57 media features that reached more than 99.5 million readers for a total PR value of $10.4 million.

Other activities around the event included the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands college fair at the College Football Hall of Fame, which provided thousands of attendees with an opportunity to learn about more than 45 HBCUs and their academic and band programs. Students were able to apply on-site, waiving their student application fees (a $20,000 value annually); they even had opportunities for scholarships, which historically have been valued at up to $452,000.

On the personal front, Hiller has also volunteered with World Relief for the past two years as a tutor and friendship partner for refugee families in the Durham, N.C. area, and has begun volunteering with Young Lives to provide childcare so teen moms in the Durham/Chapel Hill, N.C. area can pursue community and mentorship opportunities.

Congratulations to Madeline Hiller!

Founder and CEO

The Brand Agency

Priscila Martinez takes top-tier clients to new realms at The Brand Agency

Priscila Martinez works with companies like Amazon Prime and Miss Universe, guiding them through new opportunities while keeping an eye on inclusion in her agency’s work. She’s a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Priscila Martinez is the founder and CEO of The Brand Agency, serving clients like Apple Pay, Disney and Amazon with a female-only team. Her achievements in the past year showcase her dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion.

In 2023, she took Amazon Prime Video to its first-ever Art Basel, the international art fair staged annually in Basel, Switzerland and other locations around the world. Martinez also led the strategy for Apple TV+’s first-ever Comic Con. Another client, the Miss Universe competition, put Martinez in charge of all corporate communications when it introduced its first-ever trans owner.

Focused on getting ahead of industry trends, Martinez picked up on the rise of affiliate marketing and formed an internal committee to expand the agency’s affiliate capabilities for clients. Martinez connected this specialized task force with top affiliate partnership platforms, forming relationships with stakeholders to assess the best channels for its diverse e-commerce client roster, as well as programming education into the company’s enrichment curriculum.

Martinez’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion extends to her community. She is a mentor through Big Brother Big Sister of L.A. and an advisor for Latinas in Tech. In addition, she runs a program for immigrant, Spanish-speaking seniors, teaching them about wellness and technology.

Martinez also sits on the board of the Tierra Del Sol Foundation, which empowers individuals with developmental disabilities through programs in workforce development, moving from college to career, and careers in the arts.

She’s been recognized for her work, earning recognitions like “Best in Business: Communications” by Inc. Magazine, “Top Agency” by PR Daily and more.

Congratulations to Priscila Martinez!

Principal and Growth Leader, Engagement Practice

Buck, A Gallagher Company

Leah Reynolds merges her comms expertise with a passion for DE&I at Buck

Leah Reynolds helped clients improve health equity, encouraged transparency, created guides for LGBTQ+ benefits and more. She’s a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Leah Reynolds combines her expertise in internal communication with her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion. After earning her certification in DE&I from Cornell University, she’s been leading DE&I efforts at consulting firm Buck.

She began in 2020 with an employee-focused effort to prioritize DE&I initiatives. Then, in early 2023, she led workshop sessions on health equity at the Council of Employee Benefits, challenging employers to assess their health and wellbeing programs for all segments of their workforce, especially those most vulnerable because of lower pay and lack of easy access to healthcare.

Reynolds also spearheaded the creation of Buck’s DE&I Center of Excellence, which brings together consultants from the company’s health, wealth, career and engagement practices to assist companies in incorporating DEI into their total rewards strategy. This work includes:

Developing transparency and accountability reports that provide third-party validation of annual DE&I reports published by clients, which helps demonstrate transparency and accountability and fortifies trust among employees.
Total rewards diagnostic assessments of global DE&I rewards programs. Buck’s propriety rewards criteria help clients analyze their rewards programs and identify gaps and potential blind spots.
Developing strategic solutions and roadmaps for DE&I to help companies develop a viable path forward, prioritize initiatives and build a strategic plan to guide execution of the desired outcome.

Reynolds also led the way in developing LGBTQ+ Benefit Guides for more than a dozen of Buck’s largest clients; more guides are currently under development. Clients have returned for assistance developing similar guides for other segments of their workforce, like women, veterans and employees with disabilities.

In addition to all that, Reynolds is currently leading a push for increased translation of benefits information into native languages, helping all employees understand the benefits available to them. She has also championed the use of inclusive language in employee and benefits communication.

Congratulations to Leah Reynolds!

Senior Vice President

Clyde Group

Clyde Group’s Jenny Wang keeps the PR industry focused on DE&I

Jenny Wang ensures advocates are heard by organizing events, speaking at roundtables and more, making her a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

As DE&I has become a key business issue, both internally and externally, Jenny Wang has emerged as one of the premier DE&I comms leaders in the PR industry.

As senior vice president at the Clyde Group, Wang has been a voice for the agency’s Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) working group, promoting greater diversity of thought in the workplace and beyond. She organized activities around AAPI Heritage Month, Pride Month, Immigrant Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and more, bringing in guest speakers to share their experiences and organizing/hosting panel discussions.

That’s not all. Wang also leads Clyde Group’s largest account: the patient advocacy function of Gilead, a Fortune 150 pharma company. She helps ensure patient advocates are heard — especially those from underserved communities — as well as emphasizing patients’ voices throughout Gilead. As part of this, Wang helped organize and execute Gilead’s inaugural Breast Cancer Advocacy Summit in March 2023; the summit brought leading national breast cancer advocates from across the country to Gilead’s HQ for two-way sharing and community building.

Wang currently serves as a board member of International Social Service USA, an organization that supports, protects and reunites vulnerable children, adults and families who are separated by international borders — work that Wang, an immigrant herself, finds particularly rewarding.

Wang is regularly invited to speak at events focused on DE&I; she was the keynote speaker at an American University AAPI Alumni Lunar New Year celebration, where she focused on mental health issues within the AAPI community. She was also a guest panelist for an event on women’s empowerment, diversity and inclusion hosted by Neiman Marcus and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Congratulations to Jenny Wang!

Lead US PR Manager for Smartphones and Lifestyle - Mobile

Samsung Electronics America

Holland Behn’s storytelling skills help Samsung’s biggest product soar

Holland Behn and her team shape the narratives for one of Samsung’s biggest categories: mobile phones. Her creativity and ability to stay on top of a competitive smartphone sector have led to her recognition as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Holland Behn, lead U.S. PR manager for smartphones and lifestyle, mobile, oversees everything for the category, including earned, paid, shared and owned channels to drive brand affinity. At Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked events twice a year, Behn oversees PR launches for its products and creates unique strategies to bring about earned media coverage. For instance, her team successfully launched foldable smartphones from scratch, which received positive media coverage — in fact, coverage for product launches have incrementally grown under her expert guidance.

Beyond smartphone PR, Behn also handles PR efforts for marketing and lifestyle activations to connect Samsung users with their products and ways to use them. And as with her other PR ventures, creativity plays a massive role in how she and her team help amplify these campaigns. Leading up to the Galaxy S23 event, Behn’s team arranged coverage for the #DropTheFilter partnership with Brit + Co.

Sustainability has become a prevalent theme for much of the lifestyle partnership work Behn has overseen. In April, her team worked with a team in South Korea to coordinate Nylon House at Coachella in an activation that brought artists together to create an installation made from recycled smartphones. They also worked with Jaden Smith’s brand MSFTSrep, making eco-conscious accessories for Samsung products and led another activation with sustainable designer Sean Wotherspoon to create a sustainable Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Watch4 accessories to coincide with Earth Day.

Behn’s ability to stay on top of trends and topics that are important to consumers solidifies her as a communications leader.

Congratulations to Holland Behn on this career milestone!

Director, US Communications and Employee Engagement

Haleon

Cortney Collins has proved herself a trusted advisor among Haleon’s leadership

Cortney Collins has been pivotal in many of the initiatives Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare) has undertaken in the past year, which is why she’s being recognized as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

When Haleon first split from the Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and GSK Consumer Healthcare merger, Cortney Collins, director of U.S. communications and employee engagement, led the charge on internal communications, handling everything from its strategies for digital and leader communications to rolling out a U.S. diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and special employee projects initiatives.

Not only that but when the company hit its first anniversary, she then oversaw communications to commemorate the day.

In what can often be a turbulent time, Collins helped smooth the transition and found ways to celebrate the business internally and externally.

This included handling a U.S. newsletter, rolling out a new employee engagement channel (Viva Engage) and setting up other internal resources via an intranet page. Since 2021, she has collected employee sentiment data, which helped further evolve the newsletter strategy and led to an almost 10-point increase in engagement through open rates, up to 49% from a previously historic 39%. Collins has also prioritized making Haleon more inclusive, serving on the U.S. DEI Council and building culture through the Culture Champ Network.

Collins has been adept at working with high-level staff, with her team training more than 400 leaders through “Building Inclusive Leadership Skills” workshops since 2021, which help reduce potentially harmful behaviors in the workplace. She has also brought more than 10 guest speakers to a U.S. DE&I speaker series to bring in outside experts. Further, she manages the social strategy, finds speaking engagements and helps coordinate town halls and Haleon meetings for the U.S. general manager.

Finding opportunities to give back has also been a priority in many ways for Collins, who helped organize onsite volunteer opportunities for the “Haleon Helps” program. She also oversaw a partnership with Direct Relief across 12 Haleon sites to build 6,000 hygiene kits for 37 health clinics.

So, whether it’s a charitable contribution, overseeing leadership opportunities or making a transition seamless, Collins has proven herself a pro.

Senior Program Specialist, Communications

Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)

Kenzie Freeman sets a high standard for others to follow

For close to 10 years, Kenzie Freeman has greatly impacted the quality of communications at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation (INPO), which has culminated in her recognition as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

When it comes to crafting and implementing the strategies for INPO, Kenzie Freeman, senior program specialist, communications, has proved herself a master of communications. She led an integrated campaign for the organization’s new data tool, which received positive feedback from members, particularly around how information was shared.

She’s established herself as a clear leader in the organization, from launching and developing new initiatives internally to seeking new opportunities to spread INPO’s mission to leading a department. This has taken the form of spearheading a toolkit, seeing it through from development to team member training, and launching a new integrated planning tool between the Change Management and Employee Development departments. She also created an initiative to build a continuous training framework within INPO.

Beyond that, she’s able to stick to a deadline — which has trickled into larger company initiatives. She led a campaign to improve data submittals from members, which were submitted on time for the first time in years.

Freeman has centered her leadership style around a “Know the Business” teaching and learning plan, which has come into play in many ways. At a global communications conference, she presented what she learned from implementing and leading strategies.

Being in the nuclear power industry has prepared Freeman to easily handle challenging topics. She was the first communications single point of contact with the Industry Response Center when the Russia-Ukraine war began, and she’s led a series of video guides on nuclear safety. She is also involved with the Industry Communications Council and participated in the Newer-to-Nuclear Communications Symposium.

This honor is just one of many for Freeman, who qualified as a corporate evaluator for member peer reviews and received the President’s Award for communications assistance on a special focus team.

Congratulations on the well-deserved win.

Executive Vice President, Head of Growth, Financial Services Practice Co-Lead

The Bliss Group

The future is bright for The Bliss Group’s Reed Handley

This past year saw growth, change and innovation for The Bliss Group’s Reed Handley, including being appointed to the agency’s newly created executive leadership team. These accomplishments and her drive, among other talents, have resulted in her being honored as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

In the last year, Reed Handley, EVP, head of growth and financial services practice co-lead, has played a crucial role in helping marketing communications agency The Bliss Group evolve into its next stage. As the first-ever head of growth, she was one of three executive vice presidents in the company’s history tasked with showing the company’s principles and value to clients, employees and teams alike. Due to her unending hard work, The Bliss Group achieved a 66% win rate and saw double-digit revenue growth year over year.

It was a year of Ps for Handley, centered around portfolio and performance, practice, people, processes, places and promotion.

In a tumultuous economy, Handley’s work ensured that not only did the company not lose any clients, but it retained a client satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 5 and reduced overservicing by 43%. As part of that, she launched a management system for better forecasting and strategic planning initiatives, including a new business content library that’s already helped cut time spent on proposals in half. And to help spread the word of The Bliss Group’s mission, she led the creation of a new website, which has driven 50% more leads year over year.

She also created a financial services practice leadership council to bring in new talent, formed the first-ever growth team and restructured the marketing team. Hence, it had more opportunities for career development.

And this isn’t Handley’s only recognition of the last 12 months: She was honored as a SABRE Awards finalist (Best Agency Disruption), PRNews Agency Elite Top 100 and received awards for Large Agency of the Year and B2B Agency of the Year by Bulldog PR Awards.

Congratulations to Reed Handley on this well-deserved win!

Vice President, Communications & Marketing

Pepco Holdings

An advocate for important causes, Mayra Hernandez Bergman is helping the industry evolve

Mayra Hernandez Bergman has been helping to change communities for the better through her work at Exelon companies PECO and most recently Pepco Holdings and its three utilities across the Mid-Atlantic Region (Pepco, Delmarva Power and Atlantic City Electric). She is driving support for the issues that matter, which is why she’s being honored for her work as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communication, Class of 2024.

With her work at PECO, Pennsylvania’s largest natural gas and electric provider, Mayra Hernandez Bergman, vice president of communications and marketing, created a series of thought leadership pieces that tackled bold and challenging topics. This included CEO Mike Innocenzo’s pieces on diversity, equity and inclusion, and gun violence, positioning Chief Operations Officer Nicole Levine as an aspiration for women in the energy field, and CCO Funmi Williamson’s takes on customer rights, which have almost doubled her LinkedIn following.

Hernandez Bergman’s team has been integral in PECO’s “Path to Clean” initiative, which focuses on environmental goals for the company. She coordinated TV features, event coverage with influencer strategies and over 20 media placements across digital and broadcast, resulting in over $14 million in media value to more than 30 million viewers.

In just five months at Pepco Holding, she’s leaving a mark on the Mid-Atlantic region through its new “More Than Energy” platform. This included an HBCU commitment to help develop the workforce and create career growth for marginalized employees.

As a co-executive sponsor of PECO’s Hispanic ERG and a founding executive member of Exelon’s LatinX Executive Council, she’s proven herself time and again as a champion for others. She was also recognized for her diversity, equity and inclusion-related work in 2022 when she was named to Metro Philadelphia Latino Power Players list and as an El Sol Powerful Latino, and then again in 2023 by the city of Philadelphia for her work to support the Hispanic community.

Hernandez Bergman is pushing the needle forward for diverse employees in the energy sector and beyond, serving as a mouthpiece and advocate. Bravo from the Ragan team.

Head of Global Communications & Industry Marketing

Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard’s Claire Nance marketing expertise establishes her as a thought leader

With 15 years of experience across the U.S. and Australia and a mastery of in-game advertising, Claire Nance’s reputation precedes her, leading to her recognition as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Claire Nance, head of global communications and industry marketing, is a gaming expert — though perhaps more behind the scenes than behind the screens.

Part of what makes Nance so skilled in her role is her ability to evolve traditional techniques into modern results. This includes partnerships with advertising groups like the IAB, ANA and MMA Global to showcase Activision Blizzard as an educational resource while also exerting a voice on topical conversations. For instance, through the Activision Blizzard Media’s Attention Measurement Scorecard, Nance brought in media coverage that showcased the brand as a leader with a specific point of view.

She also led the “Premium by Design” research project, which broke down mobile gaming myths and underscored the brand’s Playables product. The research was used at events, including Advertising Week and the IAB U.S. Playfronts, and overall, the campaign saw the most media coverage for a new product launch in company history. In fact, it sparked new client partnerships, including a Prada Candy X Candy Crush mini-game ad experience.

Over the past year, she has helped Activision Blizzard grow its efforts, leading to year-over-year growth in Q2 2023 across brand advertiser and partner networks. She also grew the company’s external media coverage by 63% year over year, saw a 33% spike in speaking engagements, locked in coverage at all the key trade publications and grew its social media footprint, including a 47% year-over-year increase in LinkedIn followers.

Not only has she been a thought leader on behalf of Activision Blizzard, but Nance has also used her voice to establish herself as a standalone expert, speaking at events including the Campaign Gaming Summit, the AdWanted Future of Gaming Event and Adweek: Cracking the Code Gaming Forum.

Beyond her work for Activision Blizzard, she’s also served as a mentor with organizations like New York Women in Communications and She Runs It and was a board of directors member of the Public Relations Society of America’s New York chapter.

Congratulations to Claire Nance for this well-deserved win.

Supervisor, Brand Communications

McDonald's

Jasmine Palmer’s ‘can-do attitude’ establishes her as an unwavering advocate

Jasmine Palmer champions representation and cultural understanding in her work overseeing multicultural communications for McDonald’s Black consumers. Her achievements have earned her recognition as a Dynamic Do-er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Jasmine Palmer, supervisor of brand communications, looks both inward and outward when creating a more equitable and accessible environment at McDonald’s. That starts with ensuring that her team has a seat at the table, digging deep to determine what matters most to the brand’s consumers and developing relationships internally.

She recently led interview coordination and influencer partnerships for a campaign that recognizes the one in eight Americans who have worked at McDonald’s, which met or exceeded all KPIs, including a 53% earned social media sentiment. Adept in multitasking, Palmer also oversaw key announcements from strategy to execution on the All-American Games event, a high school basketball all-star game, which drove a 70% year-over-year increase in media volume. On the ground (or court), she worked with her personal network to find opportunities for alumni and celebrity participants, and she delivered media coverage from multiple target outlets.

Palmer was also involved with the DE&I conference ColorComm, where she spearheaded its largest activation and attendance, all while staying true to McDonald’s mission of diversifying the supply chain. She brought together 20 McDonald’s colleagues, 10 Black “Change Leaders” who are giving back to their communities and Marcus Graham Project members. She also created a panel around navigating workspaces and professional development.

Internally, Palmer took on an RFP and onboarding process for a new multicultural marcom agency partner and is involved in McDonald’s African American Council (MA2C). She participates in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, serving breakfasts and leading resume writing and mock interview assistance.

In her spare time, she continues to walk the walk, serving as a Marcus Graham Project mentor and volunteering with the United Airlines’ Fantasy Flight for terminally ill children program.

Congratulations to Jasmine Palmer for this well-deserved honor.

Senior Manager of Public Relations

Avocados From Mexico

Jordan Phillips’ mission at Avocados From Mexico: To boost avocados across the U.S.

At Avocados From Mexico, Phillips leads campaigns like Super Bowl ads and a culinary scholarship program to raise awareness and sales. She’s a Data Dynamo in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Jordan Phillips, senior manager of public relations for Avocados From Mexico (AFM), leads the consumer-facing marketing and PR programs that support the organization’s mission to cultivate a distinctive brand and drive demand for the Mexican avocado.

Phillips led several strategic marketing campaigns, creative shopper partnerships and seasonal programs designed to encourage demand. The most significant was the 2023 Super Bowl ad campaign. The months-long effort began in October 2022 with the announcement of a celebrity partnership; Phillips sustained the momentum with a multisensory campaign, and the project concluded with the reveal of the celebrity, teaser and full ad.

Thanks to the campaign approach, AFM was among the most mentioned Super Bowl advertisers by the media, generating 5,800+ brand mentions, 12 billion earned media impressions, 2.8 billion social media impressions and a 75% message linkage score, beating the Super Bowl norm of 68% and the brand’s previous year’s score of 30%.

Other innovative consumer programs from Phillips include:

A collaboration with Sprinkles Cupcakes to publicize a limited-time cupcake in honor of National Avocado Day.
AFM’s experiential House of Goodness pop-up at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. Phillips led storytelling for the program, which included integrated communications efforts between departments. The event received more than 9,000 RSVPs, a foot traffic count of more than 12,000 (500% above target), more than 4,000 on-site visitors (300% above target) and 2 billion impressions.
The Spark the Good Scholarship Program, AFM’s first-ever cause marketing program, awards grants to local Latino chefs to fund their education and support the next generation of culinary talent during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Her efforts have resulted in record-breaking 2023 results: 2.48 billion pounds of imported Mexican avocados.

Congratulations to Jordan Phillips!

Director, Marketing Communications

SPX FLOW

Michelle Trautman has transformed SPX Flow into a modern hub

Under Michelle Trautman’s guidance, SPX Flow brought the company’s marketing strategy from trade shows and print into the digital realm, contributing to her recognition as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

The past year saw many cutting-edge developments that have brought SPX Flow onto a new level and increased its bottom line. That includes decisions driven by data — which have become essential for any organization. Rather than simply tracking its metrics, SPX now provides in-depth analysis of its results under the leadership of Michelle Trautman, director of marketing communications.

And in keeping with other emerging trends in today’s digital landscape, Trautman led the launch of SPX’s first-ever marketing automation platform, which brought in $4 million in open opportunities from just one email campaign, plus an AI integration that allows the team to stay nimble, efficient and productive.

She also helped sharpen content in general, beyond the AI refresh. By creating the digital asset management system, she aligned more items with marketing resources and made them more on-brand. The system-provided assets, like templates, increase consistency and have seen an 82% increase in downloads year over year.

Unsurprisingly, this jack-of-all-trades is well-versed in all sorts of multimedia and digital, which also extends to owning SPX’s website, social media platforms and video outputs. Trautman is the first to oversee the website and focused heavily on improving SEO optimization, which has led to a 19% increase in sessions, a 40% increase in page views and a 17% increase in content consumed by page per session. Her team’s more than 85 videos have also been SEO-optimized and shared across multiple platforms.

And speaking of platforms, Trautman’s approach to social was to cut back on the channels that weren’t as important to SPX’s target audience, which has spurred a 201% increase in website traffic from social media and $150,000 in sales via a lead generation form on LinkedIn.

Beyond her digital efforts, Trautman has also improved the webinar and live event strategy, achieving a higher ROI due to their lower costs (a potential ROI of 12,400% for just four webinars). The company also hit the global roadshow circuit, resulting in $24 million in open opportunities.

Her transformational skills have helped the company reach new heights that it hopes to keep on exceeding.

Congratulations to Michelle Trautman on this well-deserved win.

Senior Director, Communications

Healthcare Businesswomen's Association

Nancy White drives growth for HBA in a constantly changing healthcare sector

Nancy White’s tenacity and “roll-up-your-sleeves” approach in leading Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s (HBA) communications efforts have earned her a recognition as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Supporting a global membership organization of more than 18,500 members in more than 70 chapters worldwide, Nancy White, senior director of communications, works as a team of one, easily shifting between strategizing and implementation.

During new CEO Mary Stutts’ first four months at HBA, White delivered press coverage from more than 300 outlets and found speaking opportunities for Stutts at conferences like The Female Quotient’s Equality Lounge at the G20 Summit in India, the thinc360 Healthcare Congress, the American Black Film Festival and Pfizer’s Racial Equity Roundtable.

She also applied her skills internally, such as launching the “Horizontal Connections” initiative to help the entirely remote HBA workforce better understand the organization’s priorities and boost morale. As a result, 62% of staff reported that they better understood HBA, a 53% increase from 2022, and 79% better understood how their work helps the organization reach its goals, up from 59% in 2022.

White applied her digital expertise by tapping the organization’s partner and volunteer network to create over 200 videos, which have received over 500,000 views so far. And when HBA launched its new website in July, White supported the content strategy and development, which has helped its traffic jump up 30% since this time last year.

Further, White oversees the nonprofit’s social media efforts, with a particular focus on LinkedIn, where she’s grown followers by 33% to 60,000. She recently led a LinkedIn Live initiative to grow its engagement on the platform further, featuring conversations about topics like Women’s Equality Day, advancing women in corporate America, health equity and campaigns tied to Black History Month and Equal Pay Day.

Her inexhaustibility and versatility allow her to stay on top of a rapidly changing market.

Ragan congratulates Nancy White for her commitment to excellence.

Director, Internal Communications

Seattle Children's Hospital

Alison Zurcher helped Seattle Children’s Hospital bounce back after the pandemic

From strategizing to producing deliverables, Alison Zurcher, director of internal communications, has solidified her role as a leader at Seattle Children’s Hospital in her more than 16 years there, which has earned her recognition as a Dynamic Do-Er in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communication Awards.

Alison Zurcher has established herself as a go-getter who’s “willing to roll up her sleeves and dive in,” according to her teammates. While she wears many hats in her role, she has put substantial work into the “Fulfilling Our Mission: Securing Seattle Children’s Future” initiative, which launched in February 2023 to help the organization close its budget gap as it recovered from the pandemic.

For fiscal year 2023, Zurcher oversaw an extensive communications support package that included a project name, tagline, framework and two internal strategies. The first was a quarterly financial report on financial health and performance, starting with a look at leadership down to all employees. The second provided a plan to keep the company engaged by highlighting successes and distributing takeaways from those wins.

Beyond those two plans, she also created multiple tools to gather supporting research, including a poll to determine employees’ interest and knowledge of finances; an intranet site for the initiative that saw more than 3,000 views per month; an online portal, called Splash, for employees to submit cost-saving ideas, which also included “Splash wins” to celebrate submitted ideas that came to fruition; and a spotlight on various projects that have saved money or improved efficiency..

All the while, Zurcher remained true to one of Seattle Children’s Hospital’s core tenets: delivering all elements of the initiative in a transparent way.

And while she dedicated much of her time to the “Fulfilling Our Mission” project, she also helped with other major initiatives, including developing the organization’s new strategic plan and implementing a resource planning system.

Ragan congratulates Alison Zurcher for her commitment to excellence.

CEO

Amendola Communications

Jodi Amendola taps tradition to manage change at Amendola Communications

PR firms come and go, especially in these rapidly changing times. For Jodi Amendola, whose firm celebrates 20 years in healthcare PR this year, the best change management relies on traditional values. This leadership style earned Amendola honors in the Leaders category in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

It’s not that Jodi Amendola avoids technological progress, far from it. In fact, Amendola Communications’ specialty is PR for healthcare technology, life sciences and healthcare. Still, Amendola believes her firm’s success doesn’t rely on the latest technological solution, but emphasizing traditional PR principles when others are chasing fleeting trends.

The result is that the agency of 25 account directors obsesses about providing its more than 50 clients with top-notch service, building personal relationships and having an undying curiosity for ways those they represent can emerge from a crowded, competitive field. As such, it’s not a surprise that the firm is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

It’s also no wonder that when the pandemic hit and technology investment ebbed as did hospital budgets, Amendola and the organization stuck to their values. Amendola continued nurturing personal relationships built on 20 years of service. And as the country began emerging from the pandemic’s worst in 2023, Amendola added 17 clients.

Another thing that’s not surprising — more than 90% of Amendola’s client base represents multi-year and/or repeat business.

Amendola’s steady leadership is also known outside the organization’s walls and client list. She’s a frequent author of thought leadership articles and, in 2023, was named a judge for the UCSF Digital Health Awards and elected an advisory board member to Chilmark Research, the global health IT research firm.

This year, she and the agency donated time and raised funds for Big Brother Big Sister and American Friends of Magen David Adom — Israel’s national emergency medical service and the country’s International Red Cross representative.

Congratulations to Jodi Amendola!

Vice President of Communications

Mattress Firm

Katie Clark keeps employees at Mattress Firm consistently informed with dynamic communication

There are few businesses more competitive than the bedding industry. As such, change is constant. For navigating change with her timely and strategic employee communication as Mattress Firm’s VP and head of communications during its 2023 acquisition, Katie Clark is honored in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Colleagues describe Katie Clark, Mattress Firm’s VP and head of communications, as more than a PR professional who understands crafting messages. She’s an “advisor,” they say, a connector, decision maker, influencer and change agent.

When she joined Mattress Firm in 2020, the PR team was saddled with a low engagement rate. Clark energized the team, and engagement scores jumped nearly 50 percentage points. In addition, the communications team captured a Gold SABRE Award for “PR Campaign of the Year” in 2022 and Gold Stevie Awards in 2022 and 2023 for “Internal Communications Campaign of the Year.”

Clark’s internal work is also stellar. At a time when employee engagement was critical, she revamped the company’s survey program. This promptly drove responses from 67% in 2021 to 76% in 2022 through awareness campaigns. More importantly, she ensured employee suggestions were heard, helping propose more than 600 action items.

Clark’s influence also helped grow the company’s social impact initiative, and more than $700,000 in grants and customer donations were given to Mattress Firm’s nonprofit partners last year. Moreover, 5,000 mattresses were donated, up 154% vs 2022. Perhaps most important, employee giving rose 51% year over year.

Clark also organized the company’s largest event, VisionCast in February 2023, educating employees about the year’s plans. Almost every participant (96%) rated it “good,” “very good” or “excellent,” while 87% said it provided useful information. This was a prelude to Clark’s work preparing employees and investors for Tempur Sealy’s acquisition of Mattress Firm.

Congratulations to Katie Clark!

AVP, Communications

Providence

Providence’s Vanessa DeGier puts patients first before every project

In marketing lingo, the way Vanessa DeGier approaches everything she does professionally is called applying a brand filter. For the AVP of communications at Providence, her starting point for every action answers the question: How does this benefit our patients? That crystal-clear focus led to an honoree in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

A business is most successful when employees know the company’s mission and embody it. The mission is relatively straightforward for Vanessa DeGier, Providence Clinical Network’s AVP of communications: It’s serving patients. Accordingly, before she embarks on any communications project, she asks, ‘How does this benefit our patients?’

DeGier asks this question a lot while leading communications for Providence’s medical groups, ambulatory imaging centers, same-day care, clinical institutes, ambulatory surgery centers, key partnerships and graduate medical education in seven states.

DeGier also advocates for transforming clinical care through supporting work that makes it more accessible and affordable. She looks for ways that Providence can scale innovation and best practices so it can provide greater wellbeing for patients and create a more compassionate, connected healthcare system.

And she is as protective of patients as she is of her team of communicators. Leading with grace and empathy, DeGier inspires excellence, while promoting a culture of work-life balance. She constantly checks in with her team to see if their workloads are manageable and asks how she can better support them. As you might guess, she also insists that team members take vacation time and personal days and sees her colleagues as people, not just employees.

Accordingly, DeGier is calm during crises, displaying her leadership while overseeing change management and culture development during restructuring within the organization. She deftly developed a set of transparent and authentic messages that articulated changes within the organization.

Not surprisingly, DeGier’s patience and communication expertise helped her diffuse several large issues, ranging from labor relations to clinic openings/closings.

Congratulations to Vanessa DeGier!

Public Relations & External Communications Leader

Deloitte Consulting, LLP

Megan Doern refined external and internal consulting practices through measurement at Deloitte Consulting

To say Megan Doern is in the perfect job is an understatement. The leader of PR and external communications for Deloitte Consulting, Doern excels in a setting where numbers and efficiency are valued. This is just one of the reasons she was selected for honors in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Although it’s changing, PR was once considered a profession for people who detested numbers. On the other hand, the field of accounting attracts number-crunchers.

Fortunately, Megan Doern, who heads PR and external communication for Deloitte Consulting, an offshoot of the iconic accounting firm Deloitte, is an advocate of measurement. She’s also a stickler for efficiency.

As you might imagine, part of Doern’s role requires proving numerically how PR and communication benefit Deloitte Consulting. Doern devised a plan and began executing it.

Her first job was explaining, externally and internally, what a consulting unit does. Traditionally, consulting is a difficult-to-distinguish business. As such, Megan created external and media campaigns that explained consulting and set it apart from Deloitte’s accounting and tax units.

To do this, Doern positioned Deloitte Consulting as an expert in certain areas, crafting a narrative about how the company helps clients revolutionize their businesses. In addition, she uncovered synergies within Deloitte’s historically siloed groups and showed how the consulting team tapped their expertise, offering a unified Deloitte voice.

Another demonstration of her integrated communications strategy is the WIRED series she created. In conversations with Consulting’s CEO Dan Helfrich, Doern learned of his interest in advancing consulting as a profession. She selected a sponsored content approach, ensuring Helfrich’s voice would reach his core audience. Working with the CEO and clients, this series showcased how Deloitte helps clients become adaptable and resilient. This helped Deloitte Consulting promote itself as having a dynamic business model.

In addition, Doern developed an executive eminence program, which helped raise the profiles of other members of Deloitte Consulting’s leadership. Her penchant for efficiency has spurred the use of AI-driven PR tools and helped redesign the media coverage metrics process, delivering more valuable insights to internal stakeholders.

Congratulations to Megan Doern!

EVP, Chief Media Relations Officer

Evoke Kyne

Theresa Dolge’s passion for healthcare communications shines through

Theresa Dolge, who recently celebrated her 20^th year with healthcare communications firm Evoke Kyne, has helped biopharmaceutical companies and various healthcare organizations move the needle forward for public health, particularly around new vaccines and medications. Her achievements have led to her recognition as a Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Though Theresa Dolge, EVP and chief media relations officer, has always been passionate about advocacy in healthcare, that grew when her daughter passed away from Marfan Syndrome in 2010. This gives her a personal insight into healthcare, which she uses to drive efforts to educate and inform patients and communities, further advocate and showcase important patient stories.

Her time with Evoke has taught her how to balance the needs of her team with how to deliver under high pressure for clients — while also coordinating with journalists in a 24/7 news cycle. The relationships she’s established with the media lend themselves to coverage results for clients and an idea of coming trends.

She also built the company’s first-ever specialty function team around earned media after seeing an opportunity to better help clients meet their goals. The team, which started out as three Philadelphia-based members, has grown to over 15 across the U.S. and Europe under her guidance these last 10 years.

While she’s adept at handling internal and external communications — from town halls to scientific presentations to earnings calls — she has also played a key role in many healthcare media relations campaigns.

With “The Costs of Waiting,” a PSA campaign about waiting to get vaccinated in a partnership with Johnson & Johnson and featuring actress Kerry Washington, the brand saw more than 22,000 airings that reached about 643 million viewers. The “Fertility Out Loud” campaign featured model Chrissy Teigen in a partnership with Ferring to destigmatize infertility, resulting in over 1.34 billion earned media impressions and over 21 million paid media impressions. And “Know Your Count,” a partnership with Teva featuring spokesperson Kristin Chenoweth about the importance of role doses to manage asthma safely, led to 286 million traditional media impressions, 15,000 PSA airings that reached about 40 million viewers, and broadcasts across major segments like Fox & Friends and E! News.

When in her communications element, Dolge shines through as an exemplary leader who’s kind, compassionate and dedicated to helping others.

Congratulations to Theresa Dolge for this career milestone!

Vice-President, Communications and Government Relations

SkipTheDishes

Melanie Fatouros-Richardson helps online delivery brand SkipTheDishes make a difference

A rare startup that succeeds and does good work for the communities it serves, SkipTheDishes donates millions of meals to Canada’s food banks due to the influence of its VP of communications and government relations, Melanie Fatouros-Richardson, who has earned a win in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Many Canadians know SkipTheDishes as the country’s only homegrown online food delivery service. This tech startup from Saskatoon has grown widely since its 2012 founding. Melanie Fatouros-Richardson, VP of communications and government relations, can take plenty of credit for that.

While people in the PR industry may know that Fatouros-Richardson and her team have earned awards at Cannes Lion, Strategy, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Canadian Public Relations Society, among others, they might not know that these awards of the brand’s work in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and activities in areas with affordable access to food and sustainability that won it these awards. Indeed, a point of pride for Fatouros-Richardson and her team is the millions of meals SkipTheDishes donates to Canada’s food banks in support of communities.

Internally, Fatouros-Richardson has spearheaded SkipTheDishes’s inclusion, diversity and belonging program. This stands alongside her roles within employee resource groups and committees, including the organization’s inaugural Black Peoples, Indigenous Peoples and People(s) of Color (BIPOC) Network, as well as its Parents and Carers and Women in Tech communities.

Fatouros-Richardson reports directly to SkipTheDishes’ CEO in her new VP role, affording her a critical seat at the table. Responsible for communication and government relations across internal and external audiences, Fatouros-Richardson oversees strategic initiatives across a range of areas, including business development, corporate and consumer campaigns and employee engagement.

Besides the SkipTheDishes brand’s growth during Fatouros-Richardson’s successful career, perhaps one of her biggest victories is that her team has grown 133% during her tenure.

Congratulations to Melanie Fatouros-Richardson!

SVP of Marketing & Communications

Riddell

Erin Griffin delivered a heady 2023 for football-helmet maker Riddell

After being promoted to the SVP of marketing and communications at Riddell, the leading maker of NFL and college football helmets, in 2023, ErinGriffin created Riddell’s DE&I program, bolstered the company’s social presence, and secured a major deal with the NFL for collectible helmets. All this and more earned Griffin honors in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Sometimes a communicator’s accomplishments are overwhelming. That’s so with Erin Griffin, newly promoted to SVP of marketing and communications at Riddell, the company synonymous with football helmets and other equipment since 1929. Almost 80% of NFL players wear Riddell helmets, and nearly 90% of college players do.

In 2023, Griffin helped Riddell navigate media interest and scrutiny around the divisive issue of football head protection.

On its site, there’s a tab titled “Concussion Awareness.” Its first page carries information from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The text begins: “No helmet can prevent the serious head or neck injuries a player might receive while participating in football.” Indeed, Griffin helped gain media coverage for Riddell’s helmet innovation programming, securing placements “Fast Company” and “Crain’s.”

Away from the football field, Griffin also designed, developed and implemented a DE&I program for Riddell with nearly 90% employee engagement. In addition, she instituted company-wide learning opportunities via a monthly newsletter.

Griffin also contributed to a leading presence across social media within the industry and in the football marketplace. The brand’s page on X has more than 28,000 followers.

With the collectibles and nostalgia market booming in the sports sector, Griffin helped secure a seven-year agreement with the NFL as the exclusive licensee for collectible football helmets and locked in promotional rights, including support for the growth of football Internationally and with girls/women.

Moreover, with the NFL continuing expansion into Europe, Griffin executed an in-person national sales kickoff and the first International Sales Summit in London.

Like many of the communicators honored in the Leaders category, Griffin is known outside of Riddell. She served as a mentor as part of the NFL/NCAA Administrator’s Academy, providing counsel and mentorship for college students and interns. She was also nominated as the co-chair for the Sports and Fitness Industry Association’s marketing and research committee.

Congratulations to Erin Griffin!

Chief Communications & Marketing Officer

APCO

Like APCO, its CCO and CMO Mara Hedgecoth knows no borders

Mara Hedgecoth oversaw four acquisitions for APCO and still had time to lead the firm’s participation at large international events. For her efforts, she has been honored with an award in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

It’s a lot of responsibility when a person is CCO and CMO of a major PR firm. Indeed, reading about Mara Hedgecoth’s work for APCO is exhausting. In 2023, she oversaw participation in international activities, including the World Economic Forum at Davos, the U.N. Global Assembly and COP 27 in Dubai.

Then there were the domestic-based events she spearheaded, which were held in the U.S., but were global in nature. These included Fortune’s CEO Initiative, Climate Week, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Concordia Summit.

In addition to copious events on the road, Hedgecoth, a member of APCO’s global leadership team, accomplished much while at various company offices, including devising its thought leadership and marketing strategies.

Hedgecoth helped onboard four acquisitions in 2023 (Gagen MacDonald, Camarco, NGC International and Strategic Advice) and worked on APCO’s sustainability push, including overseeing its Corporate Advocacy report and 39-country study, “Climate Action Confidence Tracker,” in partnership with the World Economic Council for Sustainable Development.

In addition, she helped visibility for a pair of research initiatives: APCO around Climate and Biodiversity and APCO’s Geocommerce practice. She also helped lead APCO’s submission for the UN Global Compact Report and inaugural ESG report.

Moreover, she developed the marketing plan, brand identity and launch of APCO’s sister company Trilligent, a global advisory and strategic communications agency.

Aside from her full-time job, Hedgecoth somehow finds time for mentoring through the Arthur Page Society and serves on the board of The Museum of PR. It’s little wonder that under Hedgecoth’s leadership APCO’s visibility has grown, resulting in a 400% revenue increase during her tenure.

Congratulations to Mara Hedgecoth!

Chief Marketing, Communications & Customer Officer

Renown Health

Through crisis, patient experience and beyond, Suzanne Hendery is a seasoned pro

In her role at Renown Health, Suzanne Hendery wears many hats, juggling external and internal communications, public affairs, media relations, crisis management, advertising, patient experiences and so much more. Her ability to keep cool under pressure and maintain the brand’s storied reputation is why she is a Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down for healthcare organizations. Suzanne Hendery, chief marketing, communications and customer officer, stepped up almost immediately. As staff shortages and burnout swept the nation, she ensured that the nonprofit was able to continue providing accessible healthcare on a local level. She led a recruitment campaign with the marketing and communications team that rewarded talent with a $10,000 referral bonus and a $30,000 new employee sign-on bonus for particularly in-demand roles. Within eight months, the organization had met its goal of hiring and retaining 500 staffers.

With such a massive footprint tied to Nevada, particularly in the north of the state, Hendery oversaw an initiative to identify the most pressing health needs in that region. The Community Health Needs Assessment provides data that shows Renown where its resources are most needed, which has resulted in the company providing grant funding to 74 nonprofits under her guidance. She also expanded the Healthy Nevada Project, which gathers clinical, genetic and environmental data across the entire state.

Due to her expertise, Renown has seen its highest levels of growth, including its market share increasing 3.8 percentage points in Q4 2020 to 64.2%, seeing gains across every service line. She has also locked in multiple Best Of awards for the brand across northern Nevada, like Best Hospital Emergency Room from the Reno Gazette-Journal and Best Regional Hospital in Nevada from U.S. News & World Report.

Hendery has established respect for Renown’s reputation and is also deeply respected by all who meet her. Congratulations to her on this recognition!

Chief Communications Officer

Tyler ISD

Jennifer Hines delivers excellence for East Texas’ largest school district

An award-winning news anchor with 20 years of media experience across Texas, Jennifer Hines joined the academic communications industry in 2019, right before schools across the country were plunged into uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to her perseverance and agility, she’s honored as a Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines’ time with Tyler ISD has been nothing short of eventful and has included overseeing the district’s two flagship high schools changing their names; focus groups that turned around results in a record 17 days; crafting Return to Learn guidelines during the pandemic with messaging for parents, staff, the community and media; boosting recruitment efforts as the country grappled with teacher shortages; and launching a bus driver hiring campaign that received national and local coverage.

On top of leading communications through headline-grabbing moments, she has also spearheaded campaigns around topics like vaping, bullying and fentanyl use.

Before joining the school district, she received many accolades for her reporting, which ranged from covering the first Amber Alert baby kidnapping to high-profile criminal cases. Due to her direct experience excelling in journalism, it should come as no surprise that she continues to be adept at working with the media. In fact, she’s spoken on such topics across the state, like preparing for interviews, crisis management and recruitment marketing for school districts.

When she first joined the team, she restructured, hiring a marketer and social media strategist to help expand the district’s presence on platforms and to new audiences. She also hired the first bilingual member of the team, who has helped with internal and external translations and public outreach. Then, to boost morale, she brought on a staffer who created a success partners program, which led to over $200,000 in sponsorships.

Last year, Hines received a gold award from the Texas School Public Relations Association for her Tyler ISD strategic communications and community engagement plan. She was also nominated for the Innovator of the Year award in 2023.

Congratulations to Jennifer Hines for carrying her school district through one of its most difficult moments.

Senior Vice President of Global Communications

Cloudera

Jessica Hohn-Cabana boosted Rocket Software to new heights

When she joined Rocket Software, a 30-year technology brand, VP of Global Communications Jessica Hohn-Cabana’s mission was clear: “Make Rocket famous!” She succeeded, positioning the company’s image with an eye toward solving customers’ tech issues and being forward-thinking. Her impressive work resulted in Hohn-Cabana receiving honors in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

In many peoples’ minds, technology is all about the latest innovations and buzzworthy gadgets. Yet Jessica Hohn-Cabana knows there’s more to technology than buzzy things like AI, the cloud and the metaverse. Hohn-Cabana is VP of global communications for Rocket Software, whose specialty was mainframes, a relatively unsexy item when she joined in 2021. She’s changed that image, making Rocket synonymous with innovation, resilience and technological expertise. Perhaps more importantly, Hohn-Cabana’s talent for communication has helped Rocket become known as a hyper-focused company that solves customers’ IT technology issues and joins them on a journey of innovation.

A 27-year tech PR veteran, her sweet spot is taking companies from virtually unknown to known, thanks to her ability and passion for creating messages that resonate across audiences. As such, Hohn-Cabana centered communication around Rocket’s major acquisitions and product launches, positioning the company as progressive.

Recent highlights include a series of M&As, where Hohn-Cabana drove confidential and complex internal, external and executive communication as Rocket Software acquired KRI Security and B.O.S. Software in 2023.

In the area of product launches, Hohn-Cabana turned to thought leadership, which resulted in Rocket’s most successful product launch to date. Hohn-Cabana employed the one-two punch of survey data coupled with thought leadership, contextualizing how Rocket’s data intelligence product solves myriad issues. The deliverables included more than 20 message-rich media articles, a social campaign and several award wins for the product.

Hohn-Cabana’s tangibles include more than 200 pieces of global media coverage, easily surpassing 2022’s total, and featuring placements in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Reuters, among many others.

Congratulations to Jessica Hohn-Cabana!

Founder & President

KLG Public Relations

KLG Public Relations founder Kate Laufer Gorenstein is enjoying a 7-year spirited rise to PR success

You might not know KLG Public Relations or its founder Kate Laufer Gorenstein, but you surely know her clients. Her success in gaining media for some of the best-known names in wine & spirits earned her a win in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Some parts of Kate Laufer Gorenstein’s job look glamorous as she gains high-quality media coverage for celebrity wine & spirits products. As any experienced PR pro understands, pictures accompanying a media interview with a celebrity hawking chardonnay or tequila look glamorous for a reason. On the other hand, breaking through the clutter and landing that prized interview involves a lot of work.

As such, Laufer Gorenstein and her largely female team have a proven system that elevates narratives, making them much more likely to attract media attention. When they onboard a brand, they deeply explore its differentiators. After that, they consider the journalist best suited for that brand’s story. Once a decision is made, the KLG staff equip their client with a one-pager about the journalist.

This integrated approach has vaulted the seven-year-old boutique agency into a highly sought-after firm that’s known for its results with brands like White Claw and Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby.

Staying at the forefront of trends, Laufer Gorenstein established an affiliate marketing division to increase earned media value for KLG clients, educating their teams on best practices for generating meaningful results.

In addition, Laufer Gorenstein grew the agency’s digital media and influencer relations team, bolstering the impact of KLG’s media relations. And she cuts no corners. She focuses on results, but never compromises quality for financial gain.

Indeed, it’s been quite a ride for Laufer Gorenstein, who founded the agency with a three-month-old at home. Today, one of her main missions is ensuring that women know there is a path to success available.

Congratulations to Kate Laufer Gorenstein!

Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer

Advocate Health

Advocate Health’s Lisa Lesniak combines business acumen and communication savvy

As SVP and Chief Public Affairs officer at Advocate Health, Lisa Lesniak breaks the stereotype of communicators in highly regulated industries. Instead of creating arcane, jargon-filled messages, Lesniak prides herself on transparent communication that makes complex medical issues more understandable. This talent led to her honor in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

One thing many Americans discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic was that healthcare providers who can cut through medical jargon and explain issues clearly are a valuable commodity. Fortunately, delivering clear, concise medical communication is a specialty of Lisa Lesniak, SVP and chief public affairs officer at Advocate Health.

Whether she’s guiding crisis communication, counseling the C-suite or crafting tightly orchestrated plans, Lesniak has a talent for distilling complex information into understandable messages, which help an array of internal, media, community and government stakeholders understand important issues better.

In addition, her narratives provide the right message in front of the appropriate audience at the right time to drive results, whether it’s support for policy changes, improving internal engagement or launching and growing partnerships.

A veteran of more than two decades of communicating in highly regulated and competitive industries, Lesniak combines strong business acumen with internal and external communication expertise and top-flight leadership skills.

Among Lesniak’s 2023 highlights was helping with the successful combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Owing to her strategic vision and knowledge in building a brand, Lesniak positioned the newly formed Advocate Health as a leader in safety and quality. In addition, the new company has a visionary agenda to transform healthcare while driving health equity and partnering closely with local communities.

Lesniak’s leadership and accomplishments are recognized throughout the PR profession. She is a member of Ragan’s Communications Council, a past fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and served on PRSA’s board. In 2022, the Illinois Society of Healthcare Marketing and PR honored Lesniak with its Individual Achievement Award.

Congratulations to Lisa Lesniak!

Director, Strategic Communications & OCM

AWL Strategies, LLC

AWL’s Amanda Marotti helps Veterans Affairs explain increased benefits

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was tasked with providing a modernization plan for distributing expanded benefits under the PACT Act. Amanda Marotti, AWL’s director of strategic communications & OCM, supported the VA so well that it tripled its 2024 contracts with AWL. This earned Marotti honors in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communication Awards.

Some PR firms have evolved and offer organizations a fresh perspective, an external pair of eyes. That was the thinking of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which in 2022 was tasked with developing an IT modernization plan supporting the PACT Act, which increases care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, like Agent Orange.

Congress challenged the VA to produce its IT plan in just 180 days. This is where Amanda Marotti, AWL LLC’s director of strategic communications and organizational change management (OCM), joins the story. Fortunately, Marotti and her team have years of experience handling this kind of complex assignment.

Marotti and AWL’s job involved supporting the plan’s development and creating accompanying communication. At the outset, Marotti led a strategic communication team that helped the VA explore impossibilities and map goals, outcomes, stakeholders, tactics and metrics. Using a SWOT approach, Marotti and the AWL team developed a strategy that helped VA explain what success would look like. In addition, Amanda led the writing, editorial and graphics support for the 105-page IT plan that Congress received last February, on time.

After that, Marotti and the team supported VA leaders as they delivered related presentations and communication, including internal messages, congressional testimony and content for other events. This work entailed delivering 508 deliverables, such as custom graphics, talking points and run-of-show content. In addition, they facilitated speaker prep, prepared interactive meeting survey content and provided post-event speaker feedback.

Events where the VA presented the plan resulted in record audience response, including more than 84% overall favorability ratings. The VA tripled its support contracts with AWL in 2024 due to Marotti and the team’s work.

Congratulations to Amanda Marotti!

Vice President of Communications & Public Relations

The Corcoran Group

The Corcoran Group’s Johnna Muscente proves that a talented communicator can live a great life

Johnna Muscente has innovated, created and led while working with iconic brands and celebrities. As Vice President of Communications and PR at The Corcoran Group, she’s shaking up real estate communications. For her many successes, Muscente has been honored with a place in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

When people think of a career in PR, some imagine it includes attending glamorous parties, wearing haute couture and traveling the world. While 17-year veteran communicator Johnna Muscente knows most PR pros never have that sort of career, she also understands that conveying a glamorous brand image requires hard, unglamorous work.

Muscente knows all this from experience. She’s worked with glam brands and celebs. It’s fitting that now she is the Vice President of Communications and PR at The Corcoran Group, a global luxury real estate brokerage.

Muscente began working with fashion clients like Christian Lacroix. Later, at the Hearst Corporation, she oversaw communication for luxury lifestyles like Harper’s BAZAAR, ELLE and Oprah Magazine. Among her duties was securing national media opportunities for Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. In addition, she led Vail Resorts’ global communication department, driving international PR efforts for the ski industry brand across multiple continents.

With that sort of career, you can imagine the respect Muscente has in the real estate industry. With her visionary approach, she is pioneering innovative avenues for The Corcoran Group’s media strategy and initiatives. Through her creative thinking, strategic vision and insistence on excellence, Muscente is a leader in the field and a much-in-demand mentor and teacher.

In addition to nurturing her direct reports and inspiring many PR professionals, Muscente is an advisory board member for Ragan Communications and supports the University of Colorado at Boulder’s College of Media, Communication & Information graduate program. In addition, she frequently guest lectures at New York University.

Congratulations to Johnna Muscente!

Director of Communications

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Lauren Pearson Riley’s dedication brings AAOS to the next level

Lauren Pearson Riley takes the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ mission to heart, providing top-quality communications that has earned her recognition as a Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Lauren Pearson Riley, director of communications, leads her team with the values the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) strives to uphold: teamwork, accountability, empowerment and commitment to growth. In doing so, she maintains the organization’s reputation as a trusted leader in musculoskeletal health. Pearson Riley takes on challenges with creativity, a strong analytical mind and exceptional professionalism, whether it be providing key business functions with external communications counsel, solutions and activation plans or seeking out opportunities to engage volunteer leaders and stakeholders.

Pearson Reilly also serves as staff liaison with AAOS’ Communications Committee, acting as a resource for staffers, and spearheaded the AAOS Membership Value and Satisfaction (“Be Heard”) survey, which ensures that messaging and content around the business needs of education, advocacy and practice management aligns with key audiences. The survey saw a more than 200% increase in respondents and received a Healthcare Advertising Award.

According to AAOS communications committee chair Jennifer M. Weiss, “Lauren is brilliant and compassionate; she is brave and experienced. She has an uncanny ability to read the needs of many audiences and has a deep understanding of the immense power of communications to connect orthopedic surgeons to one another and to our patients.”

More of Pearson Riley’s accomplishments include:

Championing DE&I programming at the AAOS by overseeing the development of brand identity, key messages and communication strategy for the AAOS IDEA Grant Program, resulting in more than 70 applications.
Recognizing organizational accomplishments by highlighting the work the AAOS does on behalf of its members to ensure the highest quality musculoskeletal patient care. She led the development of the Annual Report as a resource that promotes awareness and planted connections.
Fostered media relationships by developing an Annual Meeting media program that drove more than 3,600 placements, 4,652 unique press kit page views, and more than 30,187 social media impressions.

Congratulations to Lauren Pearson Riley for this recognition!

Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Emphasizing approachability, Dalya Qualls White creates community in Tennessee at BlueCross BlueShield

A large part of communication is approachability and community. Dalya Qualls White, SVP and CCO at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, knows this. That’s why she sends personal notes welcoming new employees and hosts a video series featuring company executives, making them more approachable for BlueCross BlueShield staff. Qualls White’s personal communication style is one reason she’s honored in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communication Awards.

In many ways, Dalya Qualls White, SVP and CCO, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, is like other successful communicators that Ragan is honoring this year. She’s authentic, empowering, creative and genuine. Like many, she wears several hats, overseeing integrative communication for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and the company’s foundation, which donates more than $10 million annually to communities and programs throughout Tennessee.

Yet Qualls White’s leadership stands out because it extends beyond a job description and her duties. She is a community builder. Many leaders say, “People are our company’s most important asset.” Qualls White lives that adage, creating connections between employees and building a company where communication is a central characteristic of the corporate culture.

Qualls White makes time to welcome new employees. She sends personal notes and schedules one-on-ones, where she learns about the person’s professional and personal sides.

Qualls White also makes the company feel smaller with her video series, which features senior executives, with her asking about business issues while being sure to cover the person’s off-hours interests and hobbies. As one employee says, Qualls White has “fostered an environment where lines of communication must be open, so I’ve worked harder to do the same.”

Among Qualls White’s many other hats is her direction of the One Team, One Direction initiative that prioritizes culture, collaboration and communication to drive individual and organization-wide success.

In addition, Qualls White is a mentor in the BlueCross minority mentorship, corporate mentorship and BlueSky mentorship programs. She also participated in Urban League of Greater Chattanooga’s Inclusion by Design executive development program, where she’s a speaker and mentor.

Congratulations to Dalya Qualls White.

Director of Corporate Communications

HARIBO of America

HARIBO’s Lauren Triffler, a fearless communicator who confronted a (gummi) bear

It’s the courageous leader who believes tweaking a 100-year-old tradition is possible—even at a company that makes gummi bears. Lauren Triffler, HARIBO of America’s director and head of corporate communication, insisted that the opening of the company’s first North American manufacturing plant could be a media event. She was right. That’s why Triffler is recognized in the Leaders category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Award.

While PR and communication are generally considered important business parts, not everyone agrees. Some companies, new and old, consider PR a nice to have, while others see no benefit at all.

While HARIBO of America believed in PR, its 103-year-old parent rarely sought the spotlight for milestones. Director and Head of Corporate Communications Lauren Triffler changed this. It’s typical of her fearless leadership.

In July 2023, the company, which makes the classic Goldbears gummies and has 16 plants in 11 countries, was about to open its first North American production facility. The usual route for HARIBO was avoiding publicity of such an event.

Yet Triffler and her team understand the media-hungry environment that is the United States. As such, they pitched the concept of raising awareness through media coverage of the opening. It wasn’t an easy sell, but eventually, senior company leaders agreed with Triffler.

From there, Triffler spearheaded her team’s multi-layered media initiatives surrounding the opening. Her objective was to ensure news coverage resonated with external and internal stakeholders, such as consumers and retail partners. The campaign effort included national press outreach, trade media announcements and targeted story mining. It worked.

Thanks to Triffler’s guidance, there was concerted media coverage of the gummi production process for the first time in HARIBO’s history. The resulting coverage catapulted the plant’s opening into the realm of a trending news story.

Indeed, the numbers are impressive: 634 earned media placements, including coverage from confection and food trades and national consumer outlets. One of the biggest pieces of media was a six-minute earned segment on the “TODAY Show.” The story offered a behind-the-scenes look at the gummi-making process, accompanied by an in-depth interview featuring Triffler, who discussed HARIBO’s legacy. In addition, the segment’s syndication across TODAY’s platforms accounted for a large number of added views on today.com and X.

Congratulations to Lauren Triffler!

Vice President, Communications

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

Heather Young Leads with empathy at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

Heather Young, VP of communications at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, helped a former staff member seeking advice at a difficult time, despite being on vacation. The incident illustrated Young’s integrity, making her a clear choice for an honor in the Leadership category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

There’s an adage that says a person’s true character emerges when the cameras are off. Similarly, a leader’s authenticity is displayed when they’re interacting with someone who can do nothing to benefit them or the organization’s bottom line.

This is the case with Heather Young, VP of communications at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. She leads five teams including media, digital/design, community relations, internal communication and interpretation. Her list of qualifications is impressive.

Yet the story we reprint here from the entry form for Young is about how she counseled a staffer who’d left the company years ago. Good managers make time for employees. Great ones, like Young, also share themselves with former employees. Here are excerpts from that story in the former employee’s words.

“Earlier this year, I received devastating news that a colleague … passed away suddenly. I was navigating the grief and shock, alongside the responsibility of communicating about and memorializing our dear colleague. My first message was to Heather, whom I had not worked for in years. Yet she immediately dropped everything and made time — though she was on vacation.

I cannot express how much her guidance and support meant in those dark moments. With her signature empathy, she provided invaluable advice about how to proceed from an internal communications standpoint, keeping sensitivity and logistics in a delicate balance. With her guidance, I was able to think more clearly, even through my grief and shock.

It says a lot about Heather that she would make time, no questions asked, to speak with a former employee, while on a well-deserved vacation. I will be grateful for Heather’s leadership and guidance always.”

Congratulations to Heather Young!

Vice President

EvolveMKD

Shaping the Future of PR: Samantha Anderson brings brand building and talent development to EvolveMKD

A one-person team’s successful launch of the Beyond Miracles beauty brand is a testament to Samantha Anderson, vice president at EvolveMKD, who mentored the team through the whole process. Her efforts have earned her a place among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, in the Mentors & Coaches category, a testament to her over two decades of excellence in public relations.

Samantha Anderson’s journey began during the dot com boom, leading her to specialize in beauty and consumer goods, where she worked with global brands such as Johnson’s Baby, CoverGirl, Ulta, Neutrogena and Aveeno.

Recently, Anderson spearheaded the launch of Beyond Miracles, a startup beauty brand and client of EvolveMKD. Her hands-on involvement, from mentoring the sole team member to creating the brand’s website and driving sales initiatives, resulted in the brand flourishing in 15 aesthetician offices nationwide. The crowning achievement came when Beyond Miracles clinched the Harper’s Bazaar Icon Award, showcasing Anderson’s exceptional PR execution.

Anderson’s dedication extends beyond brand success to employee retention and mentoring at EvolveMKD. In just 1.5 years, she achieved a 100% retention rate within her team. Sam’s approach, balancing client engagement and management activities, exemplifies her commitment to individual growth. Her personalized mentoring style, focusing on each team member’s strengths and career goals, emphasizes her role as a leader shaping the industry’s future.

CEO of Beyond Miracles, Sara Olivova, attests to Anderson’s excellence, stating:

“Sam is absolutely incredible at what she does. She goes above and beyond to make things happen. Her work ethic and communication skills are everything a client can ask for, anything serious or exciting going on, Sam makes herself available to make sure her clients get what they need. She is very professional, while making things fun when appropriate. Working with Sam has been an absolute dream. You can always rely on her to do her 100% in any situation. There is no one else I would rather have by my side to help me grow my business.”

Congratulations to Samantha Anderson for her contributions to public relations.

Director, Strategic Communications

Milhouse

Ellen Bremseth leads transformation at Milhouse Engineering and Construction, redefining industry standards

Ellen Bremseth, director of strategic communications at Milhouse Engineering and Construction, is being honored for her leadership in the Mentors and Coaches category for Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Ellen Bremseth, director of strategic communications, is the founding leader of Milhouse Engineering and Construction’s Strategic Communications group. She has played a pivotal role in reshaping the company’s external image and driving unprecedented success over the past 12 months.

Since joining Milhouse in August 2021, Bremseth established and expanded the marketing department from a team of two to a group of 10 professionals. Leveraging her experience leading marketing communications for a billion-dollar Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG), and Risk Management company, Bremseth infused a fast-paced, high-growth performance mindset into Milhouse.

Her leadership has been marked by an exemplary commitment to redefining and articulating new value propositions for nine service offerings across 10 industries. This strategic initiative aimed to ensure the firm’s value was transparent to both the market and internal stakeholders. The implementation of updated branding, thought-leadership content, marketing collateral and a new corporate website not only aligned with revenue targets and the market but also resulted in significant success.

Under Bremseth’s guidance, the strategic communications team played a pivotal role in securing $33.1 million in awarded contracts, obtaining 42 media placements in top-tier local and national publications, securing 15 nationally recognized awards, and achieving a remarkable 25% increase in social media followers within the year.

Bremseth’s multifaceted approach to leadership is evident in her execution of various projects throughout 2023. From delivering a resonant core value for the organization through extensive market research and employee engagement to handling publicist responsibilities for the firm’s CEO, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to success.

Bremseth’s dedication to blending creative communications with strategy has inspired her team and significantly contributed to establishing Milhouse as the largest African American-owned engineering firm in the nation. She’s committed to driving DE&I in STEM fields. Bremseth’s player/coach approach, coupled with her passion for fostering growth, has left an indelible mark on Milhouse and the communications industry.

A round of applause for Ellen Bremseth!

Head of Partner & Client Experience, Marketing and Communication

Albertsons Media Collective

Elizabeth Erpelding, trailblazing innovator at Albertsons Media Collective for her communications leadership

For her strategic leadership and work as an architect of innovation, Elizabeth Erpelding, head of client and partner experience at Albertsons Media Collective, has earned recognition in the Mentors and Coaches category in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Recognizing her leadership in driving innovation and fostering impactful client experiences, Elizabeth Erpelding, head of client and partner experience at Albertsons Media Collective, has propelled the company to new heights but has also solidified her as a thought leader in the media and marketing industry.

In her role, Erpelding oversees the comprehensive strategy and execution of marketing, communication, public relations, advertising and branding. Her focus on cultivating a culture of creativity, collaboration and innovation has been instrumental in delivering an exceptional client and partner experience, generating significant value for Albertsons Media Collective and its partners.

With over 16 years of experience in the media and marketing industry, Erpelding’s impact has been profound. She played a pivotal role in the creation of Albertsons Media Collective, leading brand strategy and positioning senior leadership as industry thought leaders through various press activations, interviews, by-lines and speaking engagements.

In retail media, Erpelding’s leadership has been crucial to Albertsons Media Collective’s growth. In 2023 alone, she and her team achieved remarkable milestones, doubling the company’s social media followers, increasing share of voice by 5x, and boosting media mentions by 56%.

Erpelding spearheaded a communication and PR strategy advocating for industry-wide standardization, contributing to a white paper outlining a framework that gained significant press coverage. The initiative has been handed off to the IAB for implementation, further underscoring her commitment to industry advancement.

Erpelding also led a major branding initiative, “The Garage,” symbolizing Albertsons Media Collective’s innovation mindset, that has been a standout success. From a physical makerspace to a podcast series and a presence at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, The Garage has positioned Albertsons Media Collective as a leader in retail media innovation.

Erpelding’s dedication to innovation, communication, and strategic leadership has not only transformed Albertsons Media Collective. Her visionary work continues to shape the trajectory of the industry, making her a standout leader in the field.

Congrats, Elizabeth Erpelding!

Communications Consultant

Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

Fostering Community: Jessie Monroe cultivates Alliant Insurance Service’s mentorship program

Jessie Monroe, communications consultant at Alliant Insurance Service, revitalized and led the office’s mentorship program, creating over thirty mentor/mentee pairs to address the declining engagement that had persisted over the years. This great work has earned her a place among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, in the Mentors & Coaches category.

Recognizing the challenges posed by remote work and dwindling participation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jessie Monroe identified the root cause as awareness-related. Her solution involved improved communications through a set of mentee and mentor handbooks. The Mentee Handbook explains the company culture, accelerates skill development and enhances visibility to opportunities. Meanwhile, the Mentor Handbook equips mentors with leadership and communication skills to become trusted resources and advisors.

Monroe’s efforts extended beyond documentation, though. She launched three in-person events that drew significant attendance, encouraging connections not only within mentor/mentee pairs but also across the entire office. Monroe and her team emphasized matching women with the leaders they needed to level up their careers.

One of Monroe’s initiatives was “Meet Your Match,” a dating app-themed gathering where mentors and mentees were formally introduced to one another. Another success was the “Goal Setting Ice Cream Social,” in which the pairs created vision boards. Monroe’s adept marketing and communication skills amplified interest in the Mentorship Program, encouraging more women to join and build relationships within the office.

What sets Monroe apart is her holistic approach, not only facilitating the growth of new employees but also aiding senior colleagues in connecting during an evolving digital era. The Mentorship Program culminated in a Gratitude and Community Service Day, where participants came together to buy and wrap Christmas presents for children supported by CURE, a nonprofit dedicated to curing childhood cancer.

Congratulations to Monroe for making a lasting impact on future generations of women in the corporate world.

Director, Global Marketing and Communications

ZS

Driving Innovation: Stephanie Wilson’s strategic leadership transforms ZS Associates’ Digital Workplace

At the helm of ZS Associates’ global intranet transformation, Stephanie Wilson, director of global marketing and communications, leads with vision and strategic prowess. Her commitment to building a trusted digital platform for knowledge has earned her recognition in the Tech Leaders category for Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Over the past year, Stephanie Wilson has successfully overseen the global transformation of ZS Associates’ intranet environment, embodying the qualities that define excellence in communications.

As director of global marketing and communications, Wilson crafted a comprehensive change management strategy and successfully implemented a digital workplace platform across a vast network of sites and owners. Her efforts go beyond technology, as evidenced by her establishment of impactful stakeholder relationships and the facilitation of monthly Executive Steering Committee meetings. This dedication to fostering improved communication and connections has played a pivotal role in aligning the intranet’s continuous development with ZS’s growth objectives.

Wilson’s innovative approach is further demonstrated through the creation of a champions program, fostering a dynamic feedback loop between business and marketing teams. This initiative has not only generated innovative ideas but has also propelled ZS’s business development efforts forward.

As a fervent advocate for AI solutions, Wilson champions forward-thinking approaches to communication, delivering better internal and client outcomes. Her extensive experience across the marketing tech stack has contributed to enhancing ZS’s operational capabilities, driving overall efficiency within the organization.

Collaborating seamlessly with IT and Knowledge Services departments, Wilson harnessed ZS’s investments in Microsoft and other software partners, introducing new use cases for products like Viva Engage, Teams and Microsoft Copilot. This collaboration has enabled the workforce to share information more easily and upskill rapidly, showcasing her strategic vision.

Her adeptness at building strong partnerships with third-party suppliers has proven invaluable, fostering a sense of shared success and ensuring that partners deliver solutions that support continual business change at a manageable cost.

Wilson’s passion for integrating insights across various Sales Enablement platforms underscores her commitment to efficiency and accuracy. In a consultancy like ZS, where consultants rely on accurate information to guide clients, Wilson’s work brings confidence and truth to the forefront.

Wilson’s ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, coupled with her relentless focus on user engagement, has resulted in an intranet that is both dynamic and consistently valuable.

Bravo, Stephanie Wilson!

Head of Marketing & Communications

Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas’ Diana Castellanos champions internal and external brand consistency with an expanded marcom team

In recognition of her leadership over a newly expanded marcom team that has charged into branding and comms challenges, Diana Castellanos, head of marketing and communications at Atlas Renewable Energy, is honored in the Trailblazers category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

The renewable energy space often lags in consistency around marketing and communications guidelines. To unify these elements, Diana Castellanos positioned communications and employee engagement at the forefront of Atlas Renewable Energy’s culture while also equipping her team to meet external challenges.

To improve internal communications and employee engagement while equipping her department for external challenges, Castellanos expanded her marcom team from a one-person unit to a team of six. She introduced internal communications functions within the company to oversee town halls and all-hands meetings and boost engagement and transparency while providing a platform for discussions between leadership and employees.

To bolster unity and pride among employees, she led the development and introduction of an internal brand identity and integrated it into the company’s internal communications channels, which, as a result, reached over 40% employee engagement every week.

Castellanos also led initiatives to modernize the company’s external brand and align it with internal culture and sustainability goals — efforts that earned Atlas the World’s Best Green Brand award at the 2022 Charge Awards. Collaborating with commercial and business development teams, Castellanos has also developed products for B2B clients to ensure they meet brand standards.

Her team’s work telling the brand’s stories across external channels, including its website, blog, social media accounts, press releases and earned media, has boosted audience engagement and awareness and elevated the company’s reputation in the renewable energy sector.

Congratulations to Diana Castellanos for this well-deserved recognition.

Senior Vice President of Communications and Executive Director of the SpartanNash Foundation

SpartanNash

Adrienne Chance helps forge SpartanNash’s identity

Adrienne Chance’s work has played a pivotal role in shaping SpartanNash’s vision and strategy for purpose-driven communications. As the senior vice president of communications for the organization, a Fortune 400 food solutions company, she’s instituted plans that have positioned her organization on its best foot. Her efforts earned her a Trailblazer Award as part of the Ragan Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Adrienne Chance is responsible for leading the rollout of SpartanNash’s corporate identity, “Our Winning Recipe.” Overseeing communications and training for a workforce of 17,500 associates, Chance ensured the integration of this identity across all touchpoints with customers, vendors, investors and more.

Chance was also instrumental in launching the SpartanNash Summit, an annual, four-day leadership event that not only provides strategic insights for leaders but also honors frontline heroes through the Circle of Excellence awards program. Under her leadership, the Summit gained national recognition, winning a Stevie Award and achieving an attendee satisfaction score of 9.6 out of 10.

Her team has introduced innovative initiatives, including in-person and virtual Town Halls, the People First Digest magazine and an online swag store that turns associates into brand ambassadors. Suring her tenure, the company has transitioned from minimal public awareness to earning billions of media impressions annually, with executives regularly featured in national news outlets.

Beyond her role as SVP of communications, Adrienne serves as the executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation, where she has led fundraisers supporting the military, disaster relief heroes, Special Olympics athletes and food pantries nationwide. She has forged impactful relationships with organizations such as Junior Achievement, where she serves on the Board of Directors. This year, she led the creation of the Associate Hardship Fund, which provided swift financial aid to associates in need during unexpected hardships.

Congratulations from the Ragan team!

VP, Associate & Clinical Communications

Bon Secours Mercy Health

Erin Lickliter’s employs data to help her make the best comms decisions possible at Bon Secours Mercy Health

Erin Lickliter, the driving force behind Bon Secours Mercy Health’s internal communications team, is no stranger to rising to challenges as a communicator. Her work overcoming these challenges has earned her a Trailblazer award as part of Ragan’s Top Women in Communication, Class of 2024.

In 2021, Erin Lickliter built a dedicated associate and clinical communications team, with the goals of transforming how information flows within the organization and inspiring its 60,000 associates and clinicians to engage and succeed.

With 25 years of experience and a data-driven approach, Lickliter embarked on a journey of improvement. She conducted a comprehensive communications audit, including focus groups and data analysis. This foundational research informed a new communication strategy focused on improving the reach and accessibility of communications, inspiring employees through prioritized and personalized messaging, connecting through localized comms and enhancing leadership visibility.

As a result, overall email open rates surged to 71% in 2023, a 12% increase over the 2022 baseline. Intranet site traffic rose by 12%, surpassing targets for 2023. Nearly 60% of newsletters’ content is targeted by role and location, ensuring that messaging is relevant and personalized for the employees who receive it.

Lickliter has also launched a quarterly live leader webinar, connecting leaders across the organization and drawing an average of 1,200 participants per webinar. The response has been overwhelmingly positive response, with 96% considering the webinar a good use of their time.

Lickliter led the development of a refreshed content strategy and employer brand and co-led the creation of an associate value proposition. She’s launched campaigns such as “My Passion. Our Mission.” a multi-platform associate spotlight initiative that not only provided two-way communication opportunities for employees but also aligned with the organization’s mission. This campaign resulted in nearly 500 associates sharing their stories on the organization’s intranet, earning 18,000 views.

Lickliter’s commitment to personal development extends beyond campaigns; she actively supports her team in taking on stretch projects, learning new areas of the organization, and engaging with other leaders.

Congratulations to Erin!

Global Head of Communications

Builder.AI

Stephanie Lowenthal of Builder.ai revolutionizes industry narratives, paving the way for communications excellence

Stephanie Lowenthal, global head of communications at Builder.ai, is recognized for pioneering vision and strategic impact in the Trailblazers category for Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

At the forefront of visionary leadership, Stephanie Lowenthal, global head of communications for Builder.ai, has played a pivotal role in navigating Builder.ai through the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence, establishing herself as a driving force in the industry.

Hired to create and lead the PR and Communications function at Builder.ai, Lowenthal’s visionary mentality has propelled the company’s global awareness. Recognizing the promise of Builder and its leadership impact, Lowenthal strategically positioned the CEO as a visionary voice within the AI debate, balancing reason and optimism. This approach elevated Builder.ai’s brand, securing recognitions such as the 2023 Fast Company list of Most Innovative Companies, and prestigious awards like “Hottest AI Startup” and “Hottest Scale-Up” at the Europas for Europe’s successful tech start-ups.

Over the past two years, Lowenthal has spearheaded Series C & D communications, fostering partnerships with industry giants like Microsoft and expanding Builder.ai’s presence in key markets across the globe. Her strategic efforts doubled Builder.ai’s Share of Voice in India, the brand’s country of origin, and positioned it alongside industry giants like OpenAI and Microsoft in discussions about AI.

Lowenthal’s influence extends beyond traditional communications, as she continually incorporates unexpected strategies to shape the narrative. Her previous role with Trivago in Germany showcased her risk-taking approach, where she managed the external narrative around the pandemic travel standstill creatively. Initiatives to instill hope and excitement around the future of travel, along with transforming Stamford Bridge into a beach for a press event, demonstrated Lowenthal’s ability to push boundaries and generate global coverage.

Lowenthal’s impact is not just measured in awards and recognitions but in the transformation of Builder.ai into a global AI influencer.

Way to go, Stephanie Lowenthal!

Director, Brand Communications

McDonald's

McDonald’s Tess Mattingly crafts stories that put teams and diverse perspectives first

In recognition of her storytelling campaigns and activations that elevate teams and reach millions, Tess Mattingly, director of brand communications at McDonald’s, has earned a spot in the Trailblazers category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Spearheading a brand comms overhaul during a restructure at one of the world’s most recognizable brands takes a golden commitment to resilience — and to the employees who shine under McDonald’s golden arches. Brand communications director Tess Mattingly rose to that challenge, leading the creation of the Brand Communications Global Trust team during a major organizational transformation under the North American Impact Team and continues to chart a path to a brighter future for the company.

Captaining a team that thrives on cultural relevance, Mattingly champions diverse audiences, and fosters trust through people-first activations that lean into a commitment to a “culture of good.” For instance, the Thank You Crew website and content series, launched in 2022, relies on feedback and submissions from customers to elevate the stellar performance and service of crews at individual McDonald’s locations. The series — one in which Mattingly has played a critical leadership role — has yielded more than 20,000 submissions from customers and resulted in the highest positive sentiment for any of the brand’s campaigns to date. Praised as a “powerful example of emotional intelligence” by Inc. Magazine, this initiative sparked a national movement of appreciation, celebrating the Crew that makes McDonald’s possible.

Mattingly’s operational leadership was critical in bringing to life the “Now Serving” campaign, highlighting McDonald’s positive impact on communities, and she was core to the launch of the “1 in 8” initiative, which emphasizes the many Americans who have worked at McDonald’s. The latter campaign’s success, with 53% positive earned social media sentiment, showcases Tess’s ability to drive impactful and well-received initiatives.

Additionally, Mattingly was a key leader in McDonald’s largest global campaign to date. Surrounding the FIFA World Cup, it featured a short film starring Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis that was released in 10 languages and four dialects to reach more than 75 markets across the world. It became the team’s largest real-time activation, with 43 earned social placements and more than 7 million impressions.

By structuring her team to include holistic diversity, Mattingly prioritizes multicultural outreach and strengthens McDonald’s as a diversity-first organization.

Congratulations to Tess Mattingly for this well-deserved honor.

VP of Global PR & Communications

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Visionary communications leader Christina Stejskal of Fender trailblazed industry-leading campaigns

Christina Stejskal, VP of global PR and communications at Fender, pioneered industry-leading campaigns, earning recognition in the Trailblazers category in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

With over two decades of experience in PR and Communications, Christina Stejskal, the VP of global PR & communications at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), contributions have helped to reshape the narrative of FMIC’s diverse portfolio of brands and pioneering innovative campaigns that have set her apart as a leader in the industry.

At the helm of FMIC’s communication strategy, Stejskal has been unwavering in her commitment to placing the guitar at the forefront of mainstream culture storytelling. Her efforts focus on reaching new and diverse audiences while maintaining a keen eye on the legacy core player and dynamic Gen Z demographic.

In the past 12 months, Stejskal orchestrated the strategic storytelling for Fender’s First Flagship Store in Tokyo, a moment that unfolded on June 30th. Her adept leadership in global PR and communications strategy facilitated extensive media coverage, executive interviews and placements in prestigious international outlets. The event, etched into FMIC history, garnered attention from the Associated Press, Fortune, Billboard, Inside Retail Asia and the Sydney Morning Herald.

Stejskal’s impact also extended to the recording surge after the PreSonus acquisition in 2021. Under her leadership, an immersive media preview event in New York City resulted in a resounding success, generating 57 stories, 245.5 million impressions, and an estimated online ad value of $2.2 million globally.

In October 2022, Fender unveiled the American Vintage II Series campaign, marked by a themed pop-up experience at the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival. Stejskal’s strategic approach emphasized the importance of physical engagement with instruments, attracting over 1,200 attendees and achieving substantial media coverage. The PR initiative generated a cumulative 3.4 billion impressions and $31.49 million in online ad value, displaying an 87.5% positive sentiment overall.

Stejskal’s impact on the industry resonates through innovative storytelling and a commitment to connecting with audiences worldwide.

Congrats, Christina Stejskal!

EVP-Communications

Philadelphia Housing Authority

Nichole Tillman’s prolific career in comms makes her a trailblazer’s trailblazer at the Philadelphia Housing Authority

Nichole Tillman is a seasoned communications veteran with a 30-year career of comms achievements including a trail of ‘firsts’ that showcase her expertise in publicity, public affairs, public relations, community relations and crisis communications. Her achievements her a Trailblazer award as part of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

As executive vice president of the communications department at the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), the fourth-largest housing authority in the country, Nichole Tillman is the main strategic force behind the internal and external media and communication initiatives. As the agency spokesperson, she navigates complex landscapes, ensuring that PHA’s messaging resonates with employees, residents, stakeholders and the media.

Immediately after stepping into her role in 2011, scandal struck, and the organization’s executive director stepped down, while the federal government took control. Tillman orchestrated a complete rebranding of the agency, restoring trust among residents, the public and officials through not just a new logo and tagline but consistent positive media impressions on local and national outlets, including Yahoo!, NY Times and MSN.

Under her leadership, PHA has achieved national recognition through strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with a local university that made the agency the first housing authority to bring COVID-19 vaccinations to underserved residents — an effort acknowledged by President Biden.

Tillman’s ability to execute key partnerships, navigate crises and achieve positive media impressions has not only restored PHA’s reputation but has also positioned the agency as a recipient of six Choice Neighborhood Initiative Grants from HUD, totaling $110 million to revitalize underprivileged neighborhoods.

Before her impactful tenure at PHA, Tillman made waves as the VP-Publicity for the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters, securing their first appearance in the Macy’s Day Parade and creating innovative programs like S.P.I.N. (Some Playtime Is Necessary) to engage with children.

Tillman also volunteers with many organizations, including Cindy’s Legacy, Hiring Heroes, CityAthletics and as the Board Chair of the American Baptist Foundation.

Congratulations from the Ragan team!

Director of External Communications & Media Engagement

Reynolds American Inc.

Reynolds American’s Rhiannon D’Angelo-Parsons exceeds expectations as a bold communicator

Rhiannon D’Angelo-Parsons won a Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Award, Class of 2024, in the Visionaries category for her work in creative and impactful storytelling and deft communication strategies.

Rhiannon D’Angelo-Parsons, director of external communications and media engagement at Reynolds American Inc., knows how to find and tell good stories.

Her ability to foresee industry trends, coupled with a dedication to impactful storytelling, sets her apart in the communications field. In her three years at Reynolds, D’Angelo-Parsons has demonstrated original thinking and strategic prowess in navigating the complexities of the negative stigma and regulation of her industry. She excels as a media spokesperson and brand champion, directing marketing efforts, leading crisis communications and handling social media planning.

Notably, she has communicated the company’s diversity policies, achieving recognition for workplace inclusion while highlighting achievements across platforms. Her innovative approach includes purchasing and publishing listings in local business journals, showcasing women and minority leaders in senior positions.

She led the announcement of plans for an on-site water recycling facility and orchestrated a groundbreaking ceremony that garnered extensive local media coverage. Her efforts not only showcased Reynolds’ commitment to environmental sustainability but also improved corporate reputation in a challenging industry.

In another instance, D’Angelo-Parsons strategically positioned Reynolds in a Wall Street Journal article, showcasing the company’s approach to reclaiming work hours by canceling meetings. Her ability to flip the narrative and promote company wins in unconventional ways showcases her strategic thinking.

D’Angelo-Parsons exemplifies consistent foresight, innovative storytelling and a commitment to positive societal outcomes, making her truly deserving of a Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Award.

Congratulations on this well-earned recognition!

VP, Corporate Communications

The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company’s Tori Fernandes scores big wins for Disney Advertising

Tori Fernandes is the force behind Disney Advertising’s global communications, and her innovative campaigns and commitment to representation earned her a place among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, in the Visionaries category.

In her role as head of ad sales communications at The Walt Disney Company, Tori Fernandes’ achievements have bolstered Disney Advertising’s position.

As the architect of Disney’s integrated narrative across streaming, digital and linear properties, Fernandes orchestrated the communication plan for the domestic launch of Disney+’s ad-supported tier. The launch, supported by more than 100 brands, received extensive media coverage with more than 270 articles. Notably, over 40% of new Disney+ subscribers opt for the ad-supported tier today, a testament to Fernandes’ effective positioning.

Under Fernandes’ leadership, Disney Advertising expanded the ad-supported Disney+ rollout in Canada and select EMEA markets, showcasing her ongoing commitment to global success. Fernandes’ creative innovation, backed by technology and data, was highlighted through initiatives like Disney’s annual Tech & Data Showcase, earning award-winning recognition.

Fernandes played a pivotal role in Disney’s 2023 Upfront, differentiating the company from competitors by showcasing creativity, innovation and technology. Despite industry strikes and dynamic changes, Fernandes led the charge in securing Upfront commitments in line with the previous year’s record-breaking $9 billion.

Fernandes continues to reimagine the way Disney serves its partners and audiences. Recognizing the company’s staunch sports fans, especially in women’s sports, Fernandes used major moments to bring attention to this growing fandom. This year at Cannes, Fernandes framed Disney’s mainstage around the formula on women’s sports, inviting legendary basketball coach Dawn Staley to a conversation with Disney Advertising’s Rita Ferro.

The unveiling of this initiative was tied to Ferro’s real-time announcement of Level Up, a new framework for women’s sports sponsorships, and resulted in exclusive news, social media coverage and accolades, including a prominent spot on Fast Company’s 2023 Most Innovative Companies list.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

President

BODEN Agency

BODEN’s Sara Garibaldi champions growth, culture and talent

Sara Garibaldi, acclaimed industry veteran and BODEN’s transformative leader has been honored in the Visionaries category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards for reshaping the organization’s culture, driving growth and empowering diverse talent.

Sara Garibaldi, president of BODEN, has over two decades of experience and a stellar track record in the industry. Garibaldi’s transformative leadership at BODEN has reshaped the agency, expanded its influence and boosted its reputation.

Throughout her career, Garibaldi has garnered over 50 industry awards, including accolades from PRWeek, PRovoke SABRES and Cannes Lions. As a global agency veteran, she spent 14 years at Ketchum, where she significantly contributed to the growth of the portfolio she led.

In Garibaldi’s journey from a first-generation immigrant to the U.S. hailing from Argentina to an industry leader, she has overcome stereotypes and made a lasting impact in the communications industry. In just over a year as president of BODEN, she orchestrated a complete transformation, driving financial excellence, bolstering the agency’s creative and digital capabilities, and fostering a culture of belonging.

Under Garibaldi’s strategic vision, BODEN has become a magnet for diverse talent and clients eager to embrace the changing face of culture. Despite cutbacks across much of the industry, the team at BODEN grew by 34%, attracting talent from global agencies that have been closely watching the agency’s success. Top clients, including McDonald’s and PepsiCo, saw much success, and new Fortune 500 clients like Frito Lay, Unilever and JP Morgan Chase have joined the roster.

She spearheaded the revamp of BODEN’s proprietary strategic planning model, called Escucha, leading to insightful trend reports and thought leadership pieces such as “The Power of the Mamiverse,” which examines the impact Latina moms will have on buying power. She has presented at PepsiCo’s Hispanic Consumer Growth Summit and participated in the HACR Hispanic Inclusion Symposium.

The transformative impact of Sara’s leadership is evident in the accolades BODEN received in 2023, including “PR Agency of the Year” by Ad Age and “Agency of the Year” by the Hispanic Public Relations Association.

Congratulations to Sara Garibaldi!

Vice President of Communications

Lockheed Martin, Space

Lockheed Martin Space’s Jenna McMullin uses out-of-this-world strategies to lead

Jenna McMullin’s leadership guided her team through major organizational changes, positively shifted public perception, and deftly grew brand awareness, making her a winner in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024, in the Visionaries category.

Jenna McMullin, the vice president of communications at Lockheed Martin Space, is a creative, empathetic leader who knows how to set the right standard for a team.

McMullin has propelled her 80-member team to new heights, earning them accolades for their contributions in shaping customer perceptions, navigating unpredictable launch schedules and leading a significant organizational change.

One achievement under McMullin’s guidance was the groundbreaking “Destination: Space 2050” event in 2022. This one-day event held in Washington, D.C. influenced key customers but also generated substantial media attention, resulting in 300% growth for the @LMSpace Twitter account. This strategic event demonstrated Lockheed Martin’s commitment as a thought leader in the evolving space industry.

McMullin’s leadership during the historic Artemis I launch, and its 26-day mission showcased her vision for out-of-this-world success. Her team’s flexible tactics and real-time collaboration contributed to positive customer feedback and achieving metrics.

Her role in spearheading the omni-channel communications plan during Lockheed Martin Space’s realignment in May 2023 displayed her skill in effective communication to all 23,000 employees. Her proactive, transparent efforts resulted in positive responses from senior customers and the marketplace.

Under McMullin’s strategic and creative guidance, the Lockheed Martin Space Communications team achieved global recognition with the return of the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample. Their approach, including the first-ever Lockheed Martin Space social influencer event, contributed to @LMSpace Twitter nearing 100,000 followers in just 18 months.

Beyond her professional achievements, McMullin’s keynote address at The Limb Preservation Foundation’s annual symposium showcased her personal resilience as a two-time cancer survivor. Her commitment to inspiring others on and off the job and her contributions to Lockheed Martin Space make her a deserving honoree in Ragan’s 2023 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Congratulations to Jenna McMullin for this well-deserved honor!

Vice President, Global Communications

Weber

Weber’s Kristina Peterson-Lohman grills up excellence in brand storytelling

Through a restructuring, transition to a public company and then back to a private company, and even a natural disaster, Kristina Peterson-Lohman, vice president of global communications at Weber, has been honored as a Visionary in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Kristina Peterson-Lohman is one heck of a communications chef at the grilling and cookware brand Weber, where she keeps brand values and business objectives seared into its public and internal presence through exceptional storytelling that has guided the organization through both wins and challenges. Her impact as a trusted counselor, skilled relationship builder and visionary storyteller has crafted a modern narrative for Weber.

She has led her team through the complexities of a company restructuring in September 2022, going public to private in early 2023, and spearheaded the creation of a new global company values system. Internally, she helps to lead diversity, equity and inclusion, corporate social responsibility, community partnerships, and global town halls.

Peterson-Lohman leads with compassion, a priority that was critical as the brand supported Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit, efforts to provide grills, meals and on-the-ground support to those in need following natural disasters.

Externally, she has positioned Weber as a category innovator through strategic pivots: by shifting how and when Weber introduces new products ahead of the annual barbecue season, her team has continually generated year-over-year double digit increases in earned media coverage. In 2023, her team garnered the largest media coverage for Weber in decades — a 310% increase in media impressions year-over-year by the end of the year.

By building relationships with media and spokespeople, including white-glove service when facilitating product reviews, Peterson-Lohman has earned extensive coverage in major outlets, accolades across categories and ultimately helped solidify Weber as the most covered brand in grilling, owning a greater share of voice than any of its competitors for seven months in 2023.

Congratulations to Kristina for this well-earned recognition.

Chief Communication Officer

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Amanda Schoch brings her passion for science and comms to an inclusive audience

In her work at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Chief Communications Officer Amanda Schoch keeps up a constant dialogue with the public while also working to lift up the next generation of leaders – especially female leaders — in both comms and STEM, earning her recognition as a Visionary in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Amanda Schoch, chief communications officer at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has been honored with a Visionary award in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards. Her impact extends beyond her immediate responsibilities and has transformed the communication landscape at PNNL.

At the core of Schoch’s achievements is her strategic leadership, orchestrating a comprehensive communication strategy that includes over 20,000 internal deliverables, 11,710 external news releases, and 2,023 social media posts. Her vision has brought about an evolution in the institution’s communication structure, fostering inclusivity and support for staff.

Schoch’s commitment goes beyond rhetoric; she actively upholds her promises with a sense of responsibility and dedication. This commitment to ethical conduct sets a high standard, creating a positive and collaborative work environment that enhances the wellbeing and morale of staff. Her leadership style is built on honesty and transparency with all around her.

Schoch serves as a role model for aspiring female leaders in the fields of science and communications, ensuring that the next generation can shatter glass ceilings and become visionaries in their own right. She has initiated numerous outreach programs to foster community engagement and expand education in a way that inspires and awes students.

Schoch’s visionary communication approach bridges the gap between the scientific community and the public. From traditional press releases to engaging social media campaigns, she ensures that the impact of PNNL’s work resonates with the public, fostering a greater understanding of the importance of scientific innovation in Americans’ daily lives.

Congratulations to Schoch for this award, earned through her hard work educating and inspiring both her coworkers, rising leaders and the general public.

Executive Vice President, Global Communications & Marketing

Universal Studio Group

Tracy St.Pierre helps Universal Studio Group sweep awards seasons and serve up top-notch entertainment

Tracy St.Pierre, executive vice president of global communications and marketing at Universal Studio Group (USG), has been named one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, in the Visionaries category for her work in the entertainment industry.

Tracy St.Pierre, executive vice president of Global Communications & Marketing for Universal Studio Group (USG), knows how to generate buzz.

She leads the team responsible for series publicity, marketing, awards and corporate and DEI communications across four powerhouse television studios: Universal Television, UCP, Universal International Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio.

Since the formation of Universal Studio Group in 2020, St.Pierre has played a pivotal role in establishing the division as a force in the marketplace.

St.Pierre’s creativity and strategic acumen have been instrumental in shaping USG’s brand and influence within the competitive entertainment landscape. Her communication campaigns, marketing and media relations work has not only amplified studio leaders as industry trailblazers but has positioned USG as a home for the world’s greatest storytellers.

These campaigns contribute to the overall success of the studio, which is consistently responsible for five of the top 10 broadcast scripted series, including “FBI,” “One Chicago” and “The Equalizer,” and top-performing titles across streaming platforms, including “Hacks,” “Ted,” “Never Have I Ever,” “The Umbrella Academy” and “Bel-Air.” USG also delivers an industry-best 10 TV titles among Nielsen’s Weekly Top 20 Streaming Ranker (U.S.) so far in 2024 – more than any other studio. Additionally, St.Pierre and her team manage communications efforts for the studio group’s library series, including fan favorites such as “The Office,” “Will & Grace” and “Suits,” which set a record as the series with the most No. 1 overall finishes on Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming chart.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Senior Vice President

Global Strategy Group

Emily Williams pioneers creative change with GSG’s The L@B

In her role at GSG, Emily Williams specializes in seeking innovative solutions to client problems with her role at the in-house creative firm The L@B. Her campaigns have helped keep funding for important programs and led to increased revenue for clients. This has earned her a nod as a Visionary in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Emily Williams, a seasoned communications professional and senior vice president at Global Strategy Group (GSG), has been recognized with the Women in Communications Visionaries Award for her significant contributions to the field dating back to her time as an online advertising campaign manager for Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign. She built on that success and now leads digital and paid media strategy for major clients at GSG, including Apollo Global Management, FWD.us and Airbnb.

Williams demonstrated innovation and leadership in her role, masterminding and launching The L@B, GSG’s in-house creative and digital media agency created to serve public affairs clients. Under her direction, The L@B served 52 clients and managed $46.5M in gross media since 2021. Overall, The L@B increased GSG’s advertising and creative revenue seven-fold in just three years.

Williams’s strategic planning and direction at The L@B led to notable successes, exemplified by the disruptive campaign for Pratt & Whitney. Targeting lawmakers, DOD officials, and key stakeholders, the campaign secured over $175M in contracts. Similarly, The L@B’s work with Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR) resulted in a hyper-targeted advertising campaign that prevented funding cuts to emergency air medical services for veterans.

Her leadership on the AHIP account, focused on protecting federal funding for Medicare Advantage, resulted in client revenue creases of over 1000% since 2018, including a 2023 campaign that used testimonials and a multi-media approach to generate public engagement and block proposed cuts.

Williams’ achievements extend beyond her role at GSG, having been previously recognized as one of NYC’s 40 Under 40 and a Campaigns and Elections Rising Star. The Women in Communications Visionaries Award acknowledges her many successes in the industry — with many more sure to come.

Director Hulu Originals Publicity

Hulu

Hulu Originals’ Courtney Young is a PR powerhouse in streaming entertainment

In recognition of her work promoting Hulu Originals, Courtney Young, director of Hulu Originals publicity, has been honored in the Visionaries category of Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards.

Courtney Young’s role as the director of Hulu Originals publicity involves overseeing campaign strategy and execution for Hulu’s film and documentary slate, with a recent expansion to include international publicity efforts for Hulu Originals. In the past year, her remarkable work has left an indelible mark on Hulu’s publicity landscape.

Young’s leadership in PR campaigns for Hulu Originals has cemented the streamer as one of the top contenders for best original content from a streaming service: “Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story” became the most-watched docuseries in Hulu’s history, until the streamer’s “Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons” docuseries overtook it and was met with almost universally positive reviews by critics. “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal that Brought Down a Dynasty” became the most-watched documentary film in Hulu’s history, while “Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence” garnered exceptional fan and critical acclaim.

To promote these series and more, Young has secured significant media coverage, including a four-page People Magazine feature and takeovers of ABC properties with broadcast features on Impact x Nightline, Nightline, Good Morning America, Tamron Hall and ABC News. Her press campaign for “Welcome to Chippendales” led to cast appearances across various shows and print features in prominent publications, and ultimately contributed to its four Emmy nominations.

Measured by critical acclaim, awards and consumer reaction, each of Young’s campaigns underscores her versatility as a publicist who is undaunted by the unique challenges of promoting the film, scripted television series and documentaries. Her team expressed that Young is beloved by talent, their representatives and internal stakeholders for her inventive publicity campaigns and dedication to her craft.

Congratulations to Courtney Young for this well-deserved recognition.

Director of Strategy

Kaplow Communications

Julia Brown shaped analyzed industry trends to inform executive strategy and ensure growth for Fidelity and Target

Julia Brown’s talent for synthesizing insights across diverse sectors drove Kaplow Communications’ business growth and illuminated her as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Julia Brown’s talents, marked by stellar critical thinking, analytical prowess and quick information absorption, have propelled her to become the director of strategy at Kaplow Communications.

From the outset, Brown’s impact at Kaplow was undeniable, leading the agency to create a role tailored to her unique skill set. Over the past year, her influence has extended to guiding communication strategies for industry giants such as Fidelity Investments and Target, as well as innovative startups like Elvie. Her efforts have also significantly contributed to Kaplow’s business growth, with clients expanding their focus on strategy, thought leadership, and corporate communications based on her successes.

In her role as director of strategy, Brown excels at researching industry trends, synthesizing insights across diverse sectors, and developing executive positioning strategies. Notably, she has facilitated Kaplow’s proprietary ONE Strategy Session and played a vital role as a right hand to the president and chief strategy officer.

Brown’s leadership extends beyond her official duties as she manages and oversees several Kaplow employees, shaping their growth trajectories. Her recent achievements include identifying strategic opportunities for Target’s chief growth officer and chief food and beverage officer, creating multi-year positioning plans, securing speaking engagements, and positioning Fidelity Investments as a partner to women in finance.

Liz Kaplow, the founder of Kaplow Communications, says that Brown “personifies excellence” and is an “outstanding strategist and valued member of the agency.”

Ragan congratulates Julia Brown, a Rising Star among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, who applies her strategic communications skills to enable growth for clients and colleagues alike.

Account Manager

SourceCode Communications

Jessica Bryant embodies empathy and excellence in her swift rise

In just a few years, Jessica Bryant has already made her mark at SourceCode Communications, advancing quickly and displaying talent, accountability, and, above all, a concern for empathy and humanity. These qualities have earned her a nod as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Jessica Bryant has been honored with a Rising Star award in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, in recognition of her impressive journey and outstanding contributions to the field. She rose through the ranks quickly, from account executive to senior account executive to her current role as an account manager at SourceCode Communications.

As an account manager, she took on new challenges and responsibilities, including managing an employee, engaging more strategically with client contacts and demonstrating accountability across the board. She has effectively managed up to six teams and accounts, navigating challenges such as onboarding new accounts and handling difficult client conversations with a grace that her team says is unexpected in someone so new in the role.

Bryant’s hard work and resilience have translated into top-tier coverage for the brands she manages, earning excellent feedback from clients who appreciate her empathetic leadership style and strong results. Her writing, client communications, people management and overall output have consistently exceeded expectations, setting her apart at her level within the organization.

“It is the job of an Account Manager to lead accounts, manage people and deliver against client expectations,” wrote nominator Shannon Haggerty. “Jess has done all of that and then some, leading with empathy and receiving stellar feedback from our clients who absolutely love working with her.

She is also a passionate advocate for improving company culture, eagerly volunteering for opportunities to make the company more human across the board.

Ragan salutes Bryant’s continuous growth, performance, and her ability to lead with empathy, making her a valuable asset to the agency and a rising star in the communications industry.

Associate State Director of Communications

AARP-Florida

Allison Chavez translated intricate policy issues into compelling narratives to better the lives of AARP Florida members

Allison Chavez’s ability to strategically adapt and navigate the nuances of advocacy work elevated her as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Over the past year, Allison Chavez, associate state director of communications at AARP Florida, demonstrated outstanding expertise in communications strategy by playing a vital role in the success of AARP Florida’s initiatives.

Chavez’s strategic acumen and adeptness in advocacy communications were instrumental during the challenging 2023 Legislative Session, resulting in significant wins for AARP Florida and the more than 50 population in the state. Her exceptional project management skills were crucial throughout the three-month session, ensuring the success of legislative endeavors.

A standout achievement was Chavez’s media relations leadership for the release of Comprehensive Nursing Home Staffing Reports. Her relentless determination and effective media outreach garnered substantial statewide coverage, bringing attention to staffing challenges faced by older adults in Florida.

Chavez’s ability to translate complex policy issues into compelling narratives and her skill in managing statewide media buys showcased her as a communications expert. Her attention to detail and commitment to meeting deadlines played a pivotal role in campaign successes.

In the digital realm, Chavez enhanced the social media presence of AARP Florida’s State Director, implementing strategies that boosted online visibility and fostered organic connections. Her innovative approaches in the digital space strengthened the organization’s online identity.

Beyond her responsibilities, Chavez’s genuine commitment to AARP Florida’s mission, strategic understanding, and ability to deliver measurable results highlight her as an invaluable asset to the team.

Ragan congratulates Allison Chavez, a Rising Star among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, whose commitment to the cause and focus on communicating complexity with clarity made the voices of AARP members heard.

Account Manager

Sachs Media

From Intern to influencer: Amy Climenhage earns accolades for public affairs communications

As the youngest account manager at PR Daily’s 2022 Top Agency, Sachs Media, Amy Climenhage, APR, has quickly become a standout professional. She has been selected as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Amy Climenhage’s journey started as a college intern and has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. In the past twelve months, Climenhage secured her accreditation in public relations while serving in the Florida Public Relations Association’s Capital Chapter.

Climenhage’s campaign on promoting early childhood education was recognized as the 2023 FPRA Capital Chapter Best Public Service Campaign. Through this work, she demonstrated not just her ability to engage and educate the public on crucial issues, but also her deep-rooted commitment to societal betterment.

Her work involved a comprehensive strategy that included public awareness campaigns, partnerships with educational organizations, and advocacy for policy support. By leveraging her expertise in public relations and her storytelling capacity, she illuminated the critical role of early childhood education in shaping the futures of young learners. Her campaign raised awareness and mobilized support and resources, creating a more equitable and accessible educational landscape.

A second campaign to protect access to rooftop solar panels in Florida earned her a 2023 PRWeek Best Public Affairs Campaign Honorable Mention. As a part of her broader commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices, Climenhage orchestrated a campaign that garnered significant public attention and underscored her adeptness at navigating complex policy landscapes and her capacity to mobilize public opinion in support of green energy initiatives. She rallied support from diverse stakeholders, including environmental groups, homeowners, and policymakers.

Beyond campaign leadership, Amy has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of communication professionals as the director of Sachs Media’s robust internship program. As a former intern herself, her approach is marked by personal warmth and supportive coaching and has fostered an environment where aspiring talents can thrive.

Congratulations to Amy Climenhage for her outstanding contributions and for setting an inspiring example for future generations.

Director of Communications and Marketing

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Sawyer Coffey Noel elevates comms with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

From helping establish the comms function at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to standing with her community through natural disasters, Sawyer Coffey Noel’s practical, goals-oriented communications mark her as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Sawyer Coffey Noel takes a hands-on approach to communications and shows dedication to serving her state through the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, where she currently serves as director of communications. She began with the chamber in 2017 as manager of communications and has since helped establish a formal comms department.

Coffey Noel has taken on increasing responsibilities over her years of service, including overseeing public relations, social media, publications and marketing across the chamber and its foundation. Her work has helped modernize communications and improved engagement with businesses, policymakers and the public.

Coffey Noel ensures internal and external communications work in tandem to support goals and serve the chamber’s interests. Her instrumental role in the release of the vision plan for Kentucky’s Winning Strategy showcased her ability to develop comprehensive communications plans that drive awareness and secure media coverage.

During recent natural disasters, including floods and tornadoes, Coffey Noel coordinated press conferences and crafted relief messaging, highlighting the chamber’s involvement in community rebuilding efforts. She is at the forefront of the Chamber’s business advocacy and policy communications across mediums such as social media, graphic design and video.

Coffey Noel’s involvement extends to marketing campaigns, where she works on paid advertising programs across platforms. Her leadership in major chamber events, such as the Women’s Summit, includes video production and promotional activities to drive participation.

Her hands-on approach elevates every piece of content and strategy she touches. Coffey Noel’s efforts in educating, advocating, and connecting through the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce make her a deserving recipient of the Women in Communications Rising Star Award.

Senior Media Relations Specialist

City of Hope Orange County

Kelsey Dalton leads with excellence in City of Hope’s media outreach

The last twelve months have been transformative for Kelsey Dalton, senior media relations specialist at City of Hope Orange County. She played a leading role in the FY23 PR plan for the cancer center, which produced an audience of over 4 billion. She has been selected as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Kelsey Dalton’s career trajectory since her 2020 graduation is remarkable, achieving three promotions in just three years. Under her guidance and influence, City of Hope Orange County has dominated cancer-related media coverage in the highly competitive Orange County, California market for two consecutive years. Remarkably, the City of Hope Orange County owns over 50% of the media market in every category (mentions, audience reach, and publicity value) that measures the share of voice.

Dalton was crucial to the organization’s $1.5 billion investment into a cutting-edge cancer campus in Orange County. She spearheaded the FY23 PR plan, which resulted in over 700 mentions, reaching an audience of over 4 billion and generating an advertising value exceeding $59 million.

Dalton has been instrumental in various impactful campaigns, including the “Rise Above Cancer” campaign, where cancer survivors ascended in Irvine’s hot-air balloon, symbolizing overcoming cancer. Another significant effort was the promotion of the construction of a new inpatient cancer hospital, where she highlighted compelling stories like that of a blood cancer survivor’s diagnosis following a life-altering sneeze and achieved widespread media attention.

Her effectiveness in forging new media relationships is evidenced by the numbers. Dalton’s work has landed extensive coverage in prestigious outlets such as Forbes, KPCC (NPR), WebMD, the Los Angeles Times, and many more, significantly enhancing City of Hope Orange County’s visibility. The launch of the new cancer center alone garnered $10 million in publicity value, underscoring her impact on the organization’s media presence and contributing to its mission against cancer.

Always striving to enhance her expertise, Dalton completed a two-year fellowship with CLAOC’s Orange Fellows and serves on the Young Professional Committee for the Orange County Public Relations Society of America.

Congratulations to Kelsey Dalton for her well-deserved recognition.

Manager, Communications

The Walt Disney Company

Jane Ha positioned herself as a command center to bolster the recognition of Disney’s innovative advertising platform

Jane Ha’s ability to apply media relations skills to enhance the reputation of Disney’s advertising work make her a luminous Rising Star at Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Jane Ha, communications manager at Disney Advertising, delivered outstanding contributions in transforming Disney’s Addressable platform, a multi-billion-dollar business and a trailblazer in advanced advertising.

In her role, Ha has demonstrated an exceptional knack for storytelling, applying her background in technology and entertainment PR to boost Disney’s reputation. Throughout the year, she secured more than 30 speaking engagements and conferences, obtained several industry recognitions, and played a pivotal role in strategizing game-changing announcements that positively influenced the company’s standing.

Ha’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and news has been a driving force behind Disney’s continued innovation. She secured thought leadership opportunities at prominent events, including Variety Entertainment and Technology Summit, AEF Masters on Campus, ANA Masters of Data, Cynopsis That Big TV Conference, and Advertising Week New York.

During Disney’s annual Upfront event, her role as a “command center” showcased her adept management skills in handling media-related requests and working collaboratively across functions. This effort resulted in over 100 positive article mentions, with journalists praising the show’s “spectacle.” Ha’s dedication also shone in securing feature stories with outlets like Marketing Dive, highlighting Disney’s success in Halloween and Holiday tentpole campaigns.

Ha’s impact extends beyond media relations. She facilitated over 15 industry recognitions for Disney Advertising, collaborating with various business partners and cultivating strong relationships with top industry outlets. Her extensive PR experience, coupled with a relentless dedication to learning, has positioned her as a reliable strategic partner and the team’s ace.

Ragan congratulates Jane Ha, a Rising Star among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, for demonstrating how communications leaders can accelerate innovation across functions.

Account Supervisor

Ruder Finn

A PR powerhouse: Celebrating Sunjay Lee’s ESG success at Ruder Finn

Sunjay Lee, currently an account supervisor at Ruder Finn, has played a pivotal role in executing major campaigns, such as the award-winning GAF Cool Community Project, and has significantly expanded the firm’s engagement with high-profile clients like Southwest Airlines. Her commitment to community service and social change earned her a spot in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards in the Rising Star category, Class of 2024.

Sunjay Lee has swiftly climbed the ranks at Ruder Finn, from her start two years ago to her current position as an account supervisor. Her educational background in NGOs and Social Change from the University of Southern California has been pivotal in her role at RF Relate, Ruder Finn’s social impact, sustainability, and public affairs division, where she continues to amplify clients’ purpose-driven initiatives.

During Lee’s first week at Ruder Finn, she played a pivotal role in pitching and securing new business with GAF. Over two years, she has been instrumental in executing major campaigns like the GAF Cool Community Project, which won ‘Best in Show’ at the SXSW 2023 Innovation Awards. This initiative, aimed at reducing surface temperatures in one of LA’s warmest neighborhoods, garnered over 655 million impressions and significant media coverage on Axios, Good Morning America and the Drew Barrymore Show.

Her work with Southwest Airlines on sustainability-focused projects led to positive coverage in Forbes and industry-specific media. For Climate Impact Partners, Lee navigated the complex language around carbon markets, securing prominent coverage in Politico, Forbes and MarketWatch.

In August 2023, Lee was selected for RF’s global learning and development workshop, RF Horizon, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During the two-day summit, her team won a pitch competition with an ESG communications concept, demonstrating her expertise in her field.

Beyond her professional achievements, Lee is deeply committed to community service and volunteers at her local animal rescue. Her passion for social change and community service, combined with her PR expertise, have made her invaluable at RF and the communities she impacts.

Congratulations, Sunjay Lee, on this well-deserved accolade!

Senior Manager, Internal Communications

Xperi Inc.

Samantha Miller busted silos to make Xperi internal comms a force to be reckoned with

Senior manager of internal communications Sam Miller has acted as a bridge to make IC an integral, results-oriented part of technology company Xperi. Her dedication to the discipline has led to her recognition as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024.

Sam Miller is a critical corporate communications team member at Xperi, a technology company responsible for brands like TiVo. Miller shines in her role as senior manager of Internal Communications as a dynamic and efficient professional who has taken IC from an afterthought to a valued business partner.

Internal communications were siloed and pushed to the side when Miller joined the team. But she took the initiative to revamp tools and processes, showcasing her organizational skills and technical acumen. Her efforts did not go unnoticed, gaining recognition from top company leaders.

Recognizing a gap in internal comms tools, Miller researched platforms and successfully got buy-in for and implemented the launch of a new internal email tool, leading to the launch of Xperi Pulse, a bi-weekly internal newsletter with a 60% open rate, further solidifying the impact and power of internal comms.

Miller’s influence extended to the sales Winner’s Circle videos, where she built a strong relationship with the chief revenue officer, bringing new ideas and energy to the series while still preserving the CRO’s vision — and earning his respect.

She also ensured that team members felt part of the excitement during the separation/NYSE activation. She took ownership of the employee broadcast, communications and organizing the employee event in New York City. Combined, her hard work made employees on-site and across the country feel included.

Miller’s impact is evident in quarterly all-employee meetings, where she streamlined IT support, improved the review process and ensured relevant and timely content. Her action-oriented mindset and ability to drive positive change have garnered great feedback from internal partners.

Overall, Miller’s dedication, creativity and ability to drive multiple projects independently have made her a valuable asset to Xperi’s internal communications, making her a deserving recipient of the Women in Communications Rising Star Award.

Director

FTI Consulting

Sabrina Negron’s strategic mastery boosts FTI Consulting’s influence

Just five years ago, Sabrina Negron joined FTI Consulting as an intern. Today, she’s a director — and more than that, she’s a mentor, a culture champion and an advocate for diversity. She has secured an honor in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications in the Rising Star category, Class of 2024.

Over the last 12 months, Sabrina Negron has come into her own at FTI Consulting in a director role. Whether it’s her effective communication planning, which has been instrumental in aiding retail and consumer goods companies to navigate complex challenges, or her work within the firm as a culture champion, she exemplifies what it is to be a Rising Star.

In particular, Negron’s performance at the NRF Big Show stands as a testament to her ability to craft compelling narratives and impactful messaging. Her adept coordination of on-site interviews between her specialty retail client and top-tier business media outlets at the event showcased not only her ability to navigate high-pressure environments but also her knack for creating meaningful connections that benefit her clients.

Her work on a high-profile deal in the “on-demand” private aviation industry further highlighted Negron’s expertise. Providing quick, thoughtful counsel and speed in critical moments, Negron demonstrated great care for her team members, especially those new to high-velocity engagements.

Within the firm, she’s looked to as a leader. “Whether Sabrina is project managing a complex assignment, providing savvy counsel on an opportunity, or leaning into a new assignment, she has left an indelible mark on FTI,” said Rachel Rosenblatt, head of the retail and consumer products sector for the Americas within the strategic communications segment.

Negron has been recognized by FTI Consulting as a “Culture Champion.” Not only is she an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry at large, she is a founding member of FTI Consulting’s Hispanic/Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) employee resource group. Negron mentors young women entering FTI Consulting, and her efforts in fostering an inclusive work culture have had a lasting impact on the workplace.

Congratulations, Sabrina Negron, for your exceptional contributions as a leader in the industry.

Communications Director

City of Muncie

Michele Owen acted as a community liaison during a mass shooting and restored trust in The City of Muncie’s communications department

Michele Owen’s gift for growing the city’s media presence while advocating for community betterment makes her sparkle as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Michele Owen, communications director for the City of Muncie, has some impressive achievements, including transforming a disorganized communications department into a respected entity that has significantly enhanced resident trust in the city’s brand.

Under Owen’s leadership, citizen faith in the communications department has been restored through her encouragement of citizen comments and the establishment of easily accessible online information. Notably, social media engagement witnessed a remarkable surge of 526% in her first seven months, followed by an additional 352% increase in the past 12 months.

Beyond her role in media presence, Owen has extended her influence as a community liaison, attending town halls, engaging with community leaders, and actively participating in initiatives such as the Impact Economics program. This initiative, aimed at helping marginalized citizens launch for-profit businesses, underscores Owen’s commitment to community development.

Furthermore, Owen’s role as program manager for the Make My Move initiative has significantly contributed to economic development. Her efforts have helped over 150 individuals relocate to Muncie, strengthening the community and promoting a better quality of life.

In the face of adversity following a mass shooting, Owen displayed exceptional leadership, working tirelessly to keep the community informed, address concerns, and provide support to victims and their families. Her initiatives, including establishing a relief fund and collaborating with mental health agencies, showcase her dedication to the well-being of the community.

Owen’s groundbreaking work in destigmatizing mental health care, increasing access to resources, and fostering trust among constituents has set a lasting standard for citizen engagement.

Ragan congratulates Michele Owen, a Rising Star among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024 whose leadership qualities restore trust and make Muncie a better place to live.

Senior Communications Consultant

Client Solution Architects – CSA

Maredie Palmer translated good ideas into great action by creating a successful weekly newsletter and platform adoption strategy

Maredie Palmer’s knack for staying agile and adaptable to impact platform growth while fostering a creative, collaborative work environment make her brighten the sky as a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2024.

Maredie Palmer’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, creativity and excellence was displayed in her previous role as digital communications and employee experience manager at Domino’s.

Palmer’s exceptional strategic thinking set her apart as she translated ideas into tangible outcomes. Her deep understanding of the target audience was evident through powerful, engaging messages resonating with stakeholders. She navigated complex challenges and crafted communication strategies that enhanced Domino’s brand image.

An agile and adaptable professional, Palmer stays ahead of communication trends and harnesses new technologies effectively. Leveraging digital platforms, her integrated campaigns on social media, content marketing, and SEO significantly expanded the online presence and engagement metrics for the organization.

Specific metrics underscore Palmer’s impact, such as an 18% growth in platform following within the first three months of her supervision campaign. Over a year, total engagement increased by 20%, while her weekly newsletter achieved 4,000 hits each week. The adoption rate for a newly launched platform hit 60% in the first quarter, and an average engagement rate of 19.9% was maintained.

Palmer’s leadership extended beyond metrics as she exemplified exceptional teamwork and mentorship. She fostered a positive work environment that promoted creativity and collaboration. Furthermore, her dedication to community outreach initiatives showcased a commitment to social responsibility.

Ragan congratulates Maredie Palmer, a Rising Star among Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, who stood out for her exceptional contributions, innovative strategies and outstanding leadership.

Manager, Crisis Communications

McDonald's

Bailey Williams champions inclusive communication strategies at McDonald’s

A proud Black lesbian with an academic background in gender and sexuality, manager of crisis communications Bailey Williams integrates diversity into crisis strategies, mentors colleagues, and champions inclusive corporate initiatives. She’s been included in Ragan’s 2024 Class of Top Women in Communications in the Rising Star category.

Bailey Williams, who transitioned from journalism to communications three years ago, has rapidly risen through the ranks at McDonald’s, one of the world’s leading QSR brands and received a promotion to manager of crisis communications in September 2023. William’s contributions at McDonald’s reflect her enterprise-focused, can-do mindset, a testament to her nonprofit background and her commitment to driving meaningful change.

Williams brings a unique and rich perspective to the brand. She has been instrumental in integrating diverse audiences into McDonald’s communications strategies, driving greater impact and boldly addressing traditionally “taboo” topics. Among over 100 communications colleagues worldwide, she has been recognized twice in three months for her involvement in initiatives that include The Marcus Graham Project, as well as her contributions to McDonald’s Purpose and Impact Report.

Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in her roles as a leadership team member of the LGBTQ+ employee business network and as a member of the Black affinity group. As an advocate for her communities, Williams actively participates in global employee webcasts for cultural moments such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Pride month. Within her first three months at McDonald’s, she directed and participated in an “Out at Work” video for PRIDE month, featured on McDonald’s corporate LinkedIn page as the leading speaker.

Mentorship is a key aspect of Williams’s approach. Despite being the most junior member of her team, she mentors both within and outside McDonald’s. Before joining McDonald’s, Williams worked at The AIDS Foundation, co-leading the implementation of its Racial Equity Action Plan. She continues to be involved in this nonprofit, participating in fundraising events and encouraging her team to do the same.

Congratulations, Bailey Williams, on this well-deserved accolade!

Senior Manager, Publicity - ABC Entertainment

Walt Disney Company

ABC Entertainment’s Michaela Zukowski scores strategic publicity wins on major series campaigns

An integral member of the ABC PR team, Michaela Zukowski, senior manager of publicity at ABC Entertainment, has led priority series to success, all while mentoring junior team members. She’s been included in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards in the Rising Star category, Class of 2024.

Over the past year, ABC Entertainment senior manager of publicity Michaela Zukowski’s impressive portfolio has included diverse campaigns for both scripted and unscripted series, such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Abbott Elementary,” and “American Idol.” Her work on these campaigns has delivered traditional and nontraditional press coverage, showcasing her unique ability to connect to the Gen-Z audience.

During the launch of the 21st season of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Zukowski increased awareness and popularity of five new interns throughout the season in the press while handling the departure of series star Ellen Pompeo. Her work assisted in the series retaining its high ratings, and her coverage culminated in an end-of-season PaleyFest celebration moderated by fan-favorite TR Knight.

In December, Zukowski managed the publicity for a top company priority, the “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Anniversary Celebration.” Her coordination across the company created various press opportunities, and eventually led to exclusive stories and interviews with top media outlets, contributing to over 550 press hits. Her efforts wrapped with a panel at the D23 Expo and a VIP screening event ahead of the premiere, which earned an impressive more than 32 million social impressions from cast and influencers in attendance.

During her work on the press campaign for “Abbott Elementary,” series creator and star Quinta Brunson hosted Saturday Night Live. Coverage of the ensemble cast reached across eight magazine covers.

As a member of the “American Idol” team for the 21st season, Zukowski focused on an intimate mixer with press and influencers, achieving a potential reach of 36 million users across Instagram and TikTok. Her work expanded the judges’ reach to new outlets with a Gen-Z audience, such as Katy Perry’s BuzzFeed puppy interview and Lionel Richie on the Drew Barrymore Show.

Congratulations again to Michaela Zukowski for her outstanding achievements in shaping the narrative of some of television’s most beloved shows.

Congratulations to Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024!

TOP WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions

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Rising Stars (Age 30 and Under)

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