Top Women in Communications Awards Luncheon

Corporate Board Director and Senior Advisor

BMO Financial Group

Kimberley Goode, senior advisor, BMO

Within her first five years of entering the field, Kimberley Goode saw the power of communications first-hand as she led the function for a global merger. In particular, the power of listening and asking questions revealed how she could better appeal to the diverse audiences she needed to serve.

Decades later, Goode’s career has seen her through IPOs, major technology changes, the largest bank acquisition in Canadian history and a number of crises. She’s made her mark on major companies including American Express, The Kellogg Company, Northwestern Mutual and her current role as a senior advisor at BMO.

“I have proudly planted myself in purpose-driven companies with dedicated colleagues who fueled all that I’ve been able to accomplish,” she said. “It’s gratifying to see so many of the people I’ve had a chance to lead stepping up to create impact as leaders in the profession. That is probably the legacy I am most proud of.”

But there is one road less taken Goode wishes her younger self had considered more seriously. Early in her career, she was given the opportunity to serve in a program that would have taken her outside of communications to rotate through various business functions. Her love for comms made her say no. In hindsight, she sees how much that cross-functional training would have helped her work in communications.

“I encourage all communication professionals to invest the time early in their careers to understand business fundamentals, so that you are able to connect the dots and speak the language of business. That makes you a more credible and more impactful communications adviser,” she said.

Like many women in the workplace, one of her biggest challenges has been finding the time to be both the professional and the mother she wanted to be. Early on, the always-on nature of the industry energized her, but mid-career, she chose to shift her focus from international businesses to U.S.-based companies so she could be present for her children.

“It didn’t derail my career at all,” she said. “In fact, when my children all graduated from high school, I returned to being a CCO of a global, public company despite taking a 14-year break. I am so grateful that I was able to create the balance that worked for me so I could deliver in both jobs that mattered so much to me.”

Founder and President

Rosen Group

Lori Rosen, president, Rosen Group

Lori Rosen’s four-decade career in public relations has been defined by creativity, resilience and a relentless drive to push boundaries.

Career highlights include orchestrating a live “Today Show” broadcast from a Manhattan art gallery and lighting up the Empire State Building in honor of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. One of her most memorable campaigns was a bipartisan hot chili pepper-eating contest for members of Congress, on behalf of “Chile Pepper” magazine, which made CNN’s ticker news.

“Our success comes from an unwavering commitment to moving forward,” said Rosen, currently the president of Rosen Group.

Rosen’s professional success has been driven by instinct, confidence and “chutzpah,” she said. Rosen credits these qualities with helping her succeed in an industry where breaking news can upend the best-laid plans and clients’ needs constantly evolve.

“It’s not an exact science,” she said. “Navigating these challenges with grace and authority has been our secret sauce, holding the agency together.”

Having lofty goals and their sights set high has served as another guiding force. “That ambition has remained one of our most powerful tools,” she said.

Of course, that success didn’t happen overnight.

Rosen’s path hasn’t always been smooth. Excelling in PR came easy. “I loved collaborating with journalists and making compelling stories,” she said.

Learning management skills on the job was a different story.

Signing her first office lease in New York City turned into a hard lesson, Rosen said. Overlooking hidden costs, she found herself in a costly legal battle to break the lease.

“A business colleague told me at the time, ‘You’ll make bad decisions along the way; the key is to ensure you make more good ones than bad ones.’”

That advice stuck with her. “I’ve since kept my missteps to a minimum,” she said.

Today, Rosen takes most pride in having mentored hundreds of young professionals who have gone on to successful careers. At her recent 40th-anniversary celebration, many former colleagues shared how much they learned from working with her.

“(It) remains one of my most gratifying accomplishments,” Rosen said.

Chief Administration Officer

Southwest Airlines

Linda Rutherford, chief administrative officer, Southwest Airlines

Linda Rutherford is the chief administrative officer at Southwest Airlines. Linda began her career as a newspaper reporter, as many of the great comms minds do. After her time at the Dallas Times Herald came to an end, she was offered a job as a PR coordinator with Southwest Airlines. The rest, as they say, is history. Rutherford will retire this April after 33 years at Southwest with a legacy as a business-first communicator who drew clear lines between comms efforts and organizational performance.

Rutherford told Ragan that her biggest source of pride in her career has come from passing on her knowledge to others.

“I’m most proud of the leaders who I’ve been able to mentor and then watching them aspire to higher roles and bigger business challenges,” she said. “I didn’t know that working with leaders would bring me so much joy, but I’ve found that some of my fondest memories of my work in communications and the airline business are when I saw a leader achieve something he or she didn’t think was achievable.”

Rutherford also shared that for any communicator looking to advance their career, genuine collaboration with others is a cornerstone of advancement. She works to share this knowledge with her mentees constantly.

“My desire to bring many brains into a business challenge helped me have a natural desire to know people, what makes them tick, what gets them excited and then to push and encourage them to achieve something even they weren’t sure was possible,” Rutherford said. “I love it when people surprise themselves and are their biggest cheerleader when they do.”

But Rutherford didn’t just magically get to this point in her career overnight — it involved a great deal of hard world and putting in background work. Great careers have plenty of obstacles to overcome. Rutherford shared that her biggest obstacle was building a business acumen along with her comms skills.

“I decided to be intentional about it and spend time with leaders who could teach me the basics,” she said “Then I pored over financials and studied the stock market and how other companies articulate their business models. I became more comfortable with the terms, concepts and principles and determined being a student of the business was OK and I wasn’t going to be judged for learning.”

Rutherford also related that if any comms pros are feeling stuck in early career roles, there is always greener grass ahead.

“Your first job is not a life sentence!” she said. “I put so much pressure on myself to land that perfect first job out of college that when it didn’t work out, I felt like a complete failure. But it led to so many other cool job opportunities, friends met along the way and ultimately to a career flip into communications for Southwest Airlines that was a defining moment I’ll always cherish.”

President and Founder

Geben Communication

Heather Whaling led Geben Communication through a comeback after a rough 2023

Geben Communication saw its most financially difficult year in 2023, but that didn’t stop founder and president Heather Whaling from turning things around, locking her in Ragan’s Class of 2025 Top Women in Communications Awards in the Agency Leaders category.

And turn things around Heather Whaling did: The company’s operating profit saw a 9x year-over-year boost. Geben’s client net promoter score reached 30 points over the industry average, while the internal score was 29 points above average.

Part of the turnaround strategy was replacing traditional PR and digital departments with client experience, communication strategy, and growth and innovation teams. The thinking behind doing so was to differentiate the agency from competitors and adapt to an industry that is evolving. Whaling saw an opportunity to focus on multiservice accounts, prioritize strategy and communication, increase client satisfaction and retention as a result, and find new growth opportunities.

She also wanted to improve client experiences through two new initiatives: the Zone of Genius exercise, where employees share their strengths, and the Skills Enhancement Sprint, which catered to professional growth in certain areas. In October 2023, the company saw 16 promotions, with 90% of employees saying they saw opportunities for growth.

Again, this proved successful as the agency landed more 2024 PRSA awards than any other local agency, including the Best in Show recognition.

At this past year’s annual retreat, Whaling created the Employee Flourishing model, which spotlighted the importance of wellness for individual and company success. Employees participated in wellness initiatives, and there was also a Secondary Trauma Exposure benefit used for elevating mental health support for employees working on sensitive subjects like gun violence.

Beyond the walls of the agency, Whaling serves on The Women’s Fund’s Enduring Progress advisory, which invests in nonprofits led by women of color, and is a board and executive committee member of the YMCA of Central Ohio. She also volunteers and sponsors more than 50 nonprofits.

Congrats on this recognition!

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Regeneron

Christina Chan has tapped into the science of communications

Christina Chan, SVP of corporate affairs of Regeneron, understands the power of bringing medicines to patients and how it impacts various groups: patients, media, community and staff. Her work has earned her a spot in Ragan’s Class of 2025 Top Women in Communications Awards in the Bridge Builders category.

In Christina Chan’s role, she handles all internal and external communications, patient advocacy, sustainability and ESG strategies, corporate responsibility and social impact. According to her award submission, she follows this philosophy: “Communications should not operate in silos but as an integral part of the strategic core, ensuring every piece of information disseminated informs, aligns with and advances Regeneron’s mission.”

This was her third year leading the “Let’s Get Real About Skin Cancer” campaign, where she partnered with the race car driving community, which has a high risk of sun exposure. It received more than 115,000 web visits, over 700 pledges for skin checks, 23,000 visitors to racetrack educational booths and 1,500 healthcare panel views.

She also led communications for Regeneron’s Dupixent drug, which treats chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), grabbing media attention from outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and the Financial Times.

Chan doesn’t just prop up the scientific breakthroughs at the company — she also promotes its leaders. She led the charge behind expanding its STEM program to Nashville with a $5 million investment, bringing education opportunities to marginalized students. She also forged relationships with various nonprofits and educational institutions to support innovative efforts.

Within the company, she has led a “Day for Doing Good” volunteer initiative where employees can choose causes to support. It has achieved a rate of 55%, which is more than three times the national U.S. average.

Under her guidance, Regeneron has increased trust among its audience, improving by 6% in the public and 40% with its target audience.

Congrats on the win!

Vice President of Communications

Lockheed Martin Space

Jenna McMullin is propelling Lockheed Martin Space forward

VP of communications Jenna McMullin has built key relationships and shared impactful messaging that’s proved beneficial for the 80-person Lockheed Martin Space team, moon-landing her a spot in Ragan’s Class of 2025 Top Women in Communications Awards in the Bridge Builders category.

To achieve goals, any leader needs their “wolf pack,” and that’s precisely what McMullin has brought together with herself, the VP of strategy and business development, and the VP of government affairs. The group meets weekly to strategize and determine external communications efforts.

And that has proved successful for her process. She’s used the learnings from her team to create an Instagram account, which has exceeded the KPIs set for 2024 in just six months.

In March, McMullin led the WorldDenver’s International Women’s Day event as the chair, where she brought together 1,000 leaders and locked in an interview with the Colorado CBS station to drive engagement. Then, in April, after Lockheed Martin was selected to deliver a new homeland missile defense capability, she helped lead a communications plan with the Missile Defense Agency. Later that year in June, McMullin then helped oversee on-the-ground support for the GOES-U weather satellite with social media engagement from big names in (the) space. Her own LinkedIn post about the launch received over 140,000 impressions.

Phew! To say it was a busy few months would be an understatement.

But it didn’t stop there. In July, McMullin, who identifies as disabled, moderated a panel at the Disability:IN conference called “Putting the People First: The Power of Representation and Person-led Communications.” She also joined a leadership cohort through the Page Society where she built a network with various industry execs.

Her team also led a Space Impact Week in October, tapping people within the space and identifying volunteer opportunities. The week ended with president Robert Lightfoot being selected as the honorary chair for 2025’s World Space Week.

Congrats on the win!

Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer

Southwest Airlines

Whitney Eichinger drives cultural and organizational transformation at Southwest Airlines through strategic communications

From leading the “Southwest. Even Better.” initiative to restructuring the communications department for long-term impact, her transparent and engaging approach has elevated both employee engagement and brand reputation Whitney Eichinger’s leadership has been impactful. Whitney Eichinger is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Change Agents category.

Eichinger, SVP and chief communications officer at Southwest Airlines, has become a catalyst for driving transformational change through communication and engagement. Over the past year in particular, she demonstrated how transparent and creative messaging can rally an entire organization around new initiatives.

In 2024, Southwest launched the “Southwest. Even Better.” transformation plan. This initiative, aimed at enhancing the customer experience through more choices and greater comfort, required internal and external buy-in to succeed. Eichinger implemented a robust communications strategy that blended traditional media outreach, social media content and internal engagement efforts.

By keeping employees informed of each stage she helped encourage a sense of ownership for the initiative’s success. The approach led to a surge in employee feedback through town hall questions and internal surveys, with employee engagement scores rising in affected departments, according to internal tracking. Likewise, social media analytics indicated a clear increase in positive sentiment around the initiative.

Another highlight of Eichinger’s recent work is the strategic reorganization of Southwest’s Communication Department. Recognizing that effective storytelling and messaging require both focus and flexibility, she guided a realignment that expanded resources for more strategic support. Under this new model, a vice president of communications and brand reputation role was created to guide communications into what the airline calls “the next era.”

Additionally, a campaign strategy and implementation team emerged to address long-term transformation plans. During this restructuring, Eichinger maintained an inclusive approach by actively seeking employee input, hosting small-group meetings and developing platforms that allowed for unfiltered feedback.

“Evolving is part of our DNA, but we are at a critical inflection point and Whitney’s leadership helps ensure we are well-positioned to usher in a new era of change, profitability and industry leadership. She has my full trust in galvanizing our stakeholders around our transformational plan while building on our strong foundation, our business model and our Culture,” says Bob Jordan, president, CEO and vice chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines.

Congratulations Whitney Eichinger!

Change Management and Communications

CDW

Susan Hardy leads CDW’s largest transformation empowering employees through innovation and change management

Susan Hardy’s leadership in change management at CDW turned complex transformations into opportunities for innovation and growth. With creative initiatives like the Friction Fighters Superhero League to driving company-wide adoption of new systems, her human-centered approach empowers employees to embrace change. Susan Hardy is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Change Agents category.

Change can be disruptive, but under Hardy’s leadership, it becomes an opportunity for growth system-wide. As head of change management and communications for CDW’s largest multi-year transformation, Hardy has reshaped how employees adapt to new systems and processes by turning complex transitions into a shared journey that strengthens both coworker and sales experiences. For Hardy, change is about people and systems, so the culture built around it needs to accommodate both.

As a Forbes business author, Hardy has contributed articles and been quoted in several business technology journals, discussing insights on organizational change and effective corporate storytelling. Her background in financial services, technology, and consulting honed the unique approach to transformation that has rewarded CDW.

As a speaker, Hardy regularly takes the stage at CDW’s most significant events, sharing the “CDW on CDW strategy,” giving customers an exclusive glimpse into how she drives change within the organization.

Off the stage, she redefined engagement through creative initiatives like the Friction Fighters Superhero League, where employees become champions of change, complete with AI-generated avatars and personalized backstories. These ambassadors serve as examples, showcasing tangible ways that individuals can contribute to ongoing CDW initiatives.

The lighthearted branding and heroic backstories were so successful that several CDW customers expressed a desire to replicate the concept themselves. Hardy’s influence also extends to several of CDW’s business resource groups, such as the Women’s Opportunity Network and the Pan Asian Network Group, where she has spoken on topics including cultivating a growth mindset and fostering a culture of taking initiative. By advocating for an environment in which workers feel comfortable experimenting and learning from mistakes, she has helped CDW maintain forward momentum in a competitive sector.

For Hardy, maintaining a human-centered focus means recognizing that even the most sophisticated technology initiative succeeds or fails, depending on how well people adapt to it. The sum of her efforts makes her a linchpin in CDW’s ongoing transformation and a widely respected voice in change management.

Great work to Susan Hardy for her human-centered communication strategy!

Public Relations Senior Manager

Samsung Electronics America

Samantha Kreloff elevates Samsung’s wearables PR strategy, driving award-winning product launches and cultural partnerships

Samantha Kreloff’s strategic leadership in public relations at Samsung Electronics America has further secured the brand’s presence in the competitive wearables market. From driving national Galaxy Unpacked PR launches to securing 67 product awards for the Galaxy Ring, her media engagement and cultural activations have expanded Samsung’s influence. Samantha Kreloff is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Change Agents category.

Kreloff, Samsung Electronics America’s point person for public relations in the wearables category, has driven several campaigns that have elevated Samsung’s presence in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Overseeing strategy and execution in the United States, Kreloff consistently demonstrates how creative storytelling and media engagement can propel consumer interest.

As public relations senior manager, Kreloff is critical in orchestrating national PR launches tied to Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked events, which happen at least twice a year. Each launch requires a blend of paid, earned, shared and owned tactics to reach audiences at scale.

With each new product announcement, including the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Kreloff’s team has seen a +9% year-over-year growth in top media hits. Her decision to focus on saturating both mainstream technology outlets and consumer lifestyle media keeps the product narratives resonating with existing fans and potential new adopters.

This past summer, Samsung’s anticipated Galaxy Ring, which stands as one of the brand’s most significant wearables launches to date, was released. Under Kreloff’s direction, Samsung secured more than 67 product awards and accolades. By aligning the messaging around health, wellness and innovative design, Kreloff captured the attention of key reporters at tech publications and lifestyle magazines. Simultaneously, the team shaped social media conversations by partnering with creators who showcased the product’s features on personal channels, amplifying organic reach.

Kreloff’s PR leadership is also a compelling force behind the lifestyle activations that broaden Samsung’s appeal to younger audiences. Her approach hinges on forging partnerships that reflect cultural relevance. During New York Fashion Week, Samsung collaborated with luxury fashion designer LaQuan Smith to debut a specially designed sleepwear line inspired by the Galaxy Ring’s sleek aesthetics and sleep insights, culminating in a coveted afterparty. Those in attendance, including influencers and stylists, were invited to take hands-free selfies with the Galaxy Z Flip6 while wearing the new Galaxy Ring. This collaboration drew more than 80 earned media placements, garnered an estimated 722.4 million impressions, and landed coverage in publications like Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily.

Congratulations to Samantha Kreloff!

Compensation Program Manager

Mass General Brigham

Sarah Ottaway transforms compensation communications at Mass General Brigham, unifying pay structures for 90,000 employees

Sarah Ottaway created a unified compensation strategy for 90,000 employees. By streamlining 13,000 job descriptions and standardizing pay structures, she modernized compensation transparency and career progression at Mass General Bringham. Sarah Ottaway is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Change Agents category.

Compensation program manager Ottaway joined Mass General Brigham last year and quickly became a catalyst for transforming how the large, integrated healthcare system manages and communicates its employee and executive compensation programs. For decades, the previous framework for compensation varied independently within dozens of MGB’s subsidiary entities and left 90,000 employees compromised.

In a matter of months, Ottaway created a cohesive, organization-wide approach that aligned pay philosophies, policies, and structures, all while leading the communications strategy that would guide leaders and employees through these major changes. One of her earliest tasks was to build a strategic change-management plan that could unify MGB’s compensation initiatives into a single blueprint.

By defining a vision, articulating key messages, and creating comprehensive communication deliverables, Ottaway established a roadmap for the organization to follow. She then layered in an additional plan to address the competitive labor market by equipping managers to explain career progression models, equity adjustments, and custom market evaluations to employees unfamiliar with modern compensation design.

Further modernizing the company’s approach, Ottaway produced HR and Leader Toolkits that provided clear information on policies, pay changes, and detailed conversation guides. Since MGB had to integrate multiple compensation policies simultaneously, Ottaway had to tailor these toolkits for more than 60,000 employees across hundreds of targeted populations. Whether it was aligning new differential rate schedules, modifying base salaries, or introducing new career pathways, each toolkit contained the essential content, instructions and talking points managers needed to guide employees through change.

A crowning achievement for Ottaway and her team was streamlining the 13,000 disparate, decentralized job descriptions into approximately 5,000 standardized ones for the academic medical system. Ottaway developed the initiative’s foundational messaging pillars, training modules, and unified brand voice. This foundational work set the stage for clarity regarding employees’ roles, salary ranges, and career progression, while also aligning with MGB’s overarching messaging about patient care, research and community impact.

Congratulations to Sarah Ottaway!

Chief Communications Officer & Corporate Vice President

Nissan Motor Corporation

Nissan’s Lavanya Wadgaonkar drives transformation through communication and culture

With over a decade of leadership at Nissan spanning India, Asia, Oceania and Japan, Lavanya Wadgaonkar has redefined corporate communications on a global scale. Her ability to lead through transformation and inspire cultural change has earned her recognition as a Change Agent in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Lavanya Wadgaonkar has played a pivotal role in modernizing Nissan’s communications strategy, aligning it with the company’s long-term Ambition 2030 vision.

In an era of rapid disruption in the automotive industry, Wadgaonkar has been instrumental in driving Nissan’s evolution, ensuring that communications serve as a catalyst for change. Under her leadership, Nissan successfully executed major initiatives, including the Japan Mobility Show 2023, where a multi-channel campaign delivered a unified message tailored to diverse global audiences. Her ability to shape Nissan’s narrative transformed external perceptions, with media and influencers recognizing the shift in the company’s brand presence.

Wadgaonkar also led corporate milestone announcements such as Ambition 2030 and Nissan’s new business plan, The Arc, reinforcing transparency and strategic clarity. She challenges her team to embrace innovation, continuously seeking new and effective ways to communicate Nissan’s vision.

Wadgaonkar’s impact extends beyond communications. She is a driving force behind Nissan’s cultural transformation, fostering a workplace where employees are active participants in shaping the company’s future. She prioritizes transparency and trust to cultivate an environment where teams feel empowered to take initiative and drive meaningful change.

Her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion underscores her leadership. As Nissan’s global DEI champion, she promotes an inclusive culture where differences are embraced, stereotypes are dismantled and employees feel a sense of belonging. Her empathetic leadership ensures Nissan is not just a workplace, but a home where individuals can thrive.

With dedication to innovation, culture and inclusivity, Lavanya Wadgaonkar continues to shape Nissan’s future, proving that communication is not just about storytelling. It is about driving real, lasting change.

Congratulations on this significant recognition as a Change Agent.

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

SAG-AFTRA

Pamela Greenwalt leads SAG-AFTRA’s historic strike communications mobilizing global media and member support for a landmark victory

Pamela Greenwalt’s leadership during SAG-AFTRA’s historic strike drove a strategic communications campaign that generated 10.7 billion organic impressions, 112,100 media articles, and unprecedented public support. Pamela Greenwalt is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Crisis Navigators category.

For 118 days, the 160,000-member SAG-AFTRA union stood on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, marking one of the most pivotal labor actions in entertainment history. At the center of this effort was chief communications and marketing officer and strike manager Pamela Greenwalt, who led a comprehensive campaign that combined strategic messaging, member engagement, and assertive media tactics to secure a new contract. By the time members ratified the agreement on December 5, the strike had generated over 112,100 articles, 10.7 billion organic impressions and a groundswell of public support.

Long before the July 14 walkout, Greenwalt and national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland prepared a 60-page strike campaign and communications plan, training more than 850 strike captains and 50 local leaders. This early mobilization built cohesive messaging and fueled the 97.91% member vote authorizing the strike. Working with her in-house communications and marketing team, Greenwalt oversaw multi-channel education initiatives, including videos, phone banks, webinars, emails and robocalls to keep members informed and galvanize them into a unified front.

During the strike, Greenwalt saturated media channels with a blitz of narratives that drew public support. The team achieved astonishing impressions across 139 countries, helped by 129 million social profile impressions, 212 million post impressions and 3.5 million mentions on social platforms. Through strategic social media engagement, the union quickly refuted misinformation, maintained message discipline and added 586,000 new followers along the way. With political backing to reinforce their position, Greenwalt then coordinated more than 100 political supporters who appeared on picket lines in all 25 locals, further amplifying the union’s core demands.

When an agreement was finally reached, Greenwalt’s role shifted to ratification. Her team launched informational sessions, phone banking, direct mail, social media, and mobile app updates to provide members with transparent details of the proposed contract.

Bravo to Pamela Greenwalt for her triumph!

Senior Vice President, Crisis Communications

Red Banyan

Kelcey Kintner masters crisis communications for Red Banyan, turning high-stakes reputational threats into strategic opportunities

Red Banyan’s crisis communications strategy evolved under Kelcey Kintner’s leadership. From defending a Boston doctor against misconduct allegations to guiding a nonprofit through controversy, her strategic approach keeps facts at the center of the conversation. Kelcey Kintner is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Crisis Navigators category.

A crisis can destroy a reputation in minutes, but Kintner knows how to take control before the damage is done. As the senior vice president of Red Banyan’s crisis team, Kintner specializes in high-pressure situations and supports clients ranging from private individuals to corporations. When a Boston doctor faced misconduct allegations, Kintner responded within an hour, crafting a media statement that established credibility.

After the doctor’s acquittal, she shifted online narratives, ensuring the truth dominated search results. She applied the same strategic precision when guiding a Wisconsin nonprofit through backlash, helping them reframe the conversation while maintaining donor support. When the Wisconsin nonprofit faced backlash for inviting professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, whose comments on transgender individuals in sports had sparked controversy, to speak at an event, Kintner chose to lean into the moment instead of sidestepping public criticism.

The organization’s open and constructive messaging mitigated reputational damage and turned a potentially harmful narrative into a conversation about inclusivity and hope, measurable by sustained donor engagement and positive local media coverage. With her resilient and high-performing team, Kintner’s strong internal culture translates to better execution.

Beyond individual cases, Kintner’s overarching crisis communication strategy centers around fact-based storytelling and balanced discourse to safeguard narratives in an era when cancel culture and snap judgments can erode reputations within minutes. Her principles have earned her trust across diverse celebrity and corporate clients who rely on her to avert scandal and reshape conversations around fairness and accountability. When heightened emotions and 24-hour news cycles can derail reputations overnight, crisis communication strategies stand out by shifting adversity into opportunity.

“As someone who juggles a lot, both personally and professionally… I can think of no one more poised to receive the Ragan’s Top Women Award in Communications than Kelcey Kintner. She is always ready to rally around her team and her family and ensure that everyone feels supported, valued, and championed,” says Kara Schmiemann, director of crisis communications at Red Banyan.

Congratulations to Kelcey Kintner!

CEO

Milan Public Relations

Mikaya Thurmond redefines crisis management at Milan PR using predictive analytics to keep clients ahead of media firestorms

Mikaya Thurmond’s leadership at Milan PR has redefined crisis management through predictive analytics and proactive strategy, enabling clients to stay ahead of emerging issues. Her “Crisis Response Blueprint” and data-driven approach have positioned the agency as a trusted resource in high-stakes situations, from municipal emergencies to corporate reputation management. Mikaya Thurmond is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Crisis Navigators category.

Thurmond has built a reputation for turning crisis management into a proactive, data-driven discipline. With over a decade of communications experience in both PR and as a former television news anchor, Thurmond was a consistent voice for hundreds of thousands daily. While reporting at NBC-Raleigh, she was frequently requested by CNN, The Weather Channel, CBS Evening News and NBC Today to report on breaking news as it transpired.

Now as the CEO of Milan PR, she applies predictive analytics through Google Alerts and monitoring competitor landscapes to anticipate emerging issues before they spiral out of control. Being proactive allows her team to craft contingency messages early, cutting response times and positioning clients ahead of potential media storms.

Founded on the principles of innovation, authenticity and responsiveness, Milan Public Relations continues to thrive under Thurmond’s leadership. This past year, when a local municipality faced mounting job vacancies and severe flooding due to Tropical Storm Debbie, Thurmond and her team’s foresight let them create draft statements, identify key spokespersons and confirm distribution channels well before the city found itself in a media firestorm.

A core component of Thurmond’s arsenal is her “Crisis Response Blueprint.” This comprehensive guide helps clients to navigate crises in real time. At Ragan’s inaugural Women’s Retreat for Communicators, Thurmond worked alongside established leaders such as Carri Twigg, known for guiding healthcare.gov during a turbulent period. These sessions on proactive crisis preparation exposed new angles to broaden Thurmond’s skill set and are now featured in Milan PR’s crisis offerings, raising the agency’s profile as a resource to turn to when the stakes are highest.

By harmonizing predictive analytics with a keen understanding of news cycles, Thurmond has proven that even the toughest crises can be navigated with clarity, composure, and a keen sense of duty.

Congratulations to Mikaya Thurmond!

VP, Internal Communications

BNY

Taylor Cordeiro transformed internal communications at BNY leveraging data and real-time insights to drive engagement

Taylor Cordeiro’s overhaul of the communication initiatives at BNY led to a 30% increase in intranet article views, a 75% rise in town hall attendance, and real-time reporting capabilities now integrated into executive decision-making. Taylor Cordeiro is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Data Dynamos category.

Cordeiro’s first year as BNY’s VP of internal communications has already reshaped the way the global financial services firm measures and manages its communications. Charged with forging a more data-driven foundation, she led the standardization of tracking methods across business, executive and employee communications, rendering essential insights available on demand. This integrated dataset transformed how BNY understood engagement with its intranet articles, all-employee emails, leadership and town halls.

Central to Cordeiro’s communication thesis is real-time monitoring. By establishing new data monitoring systems, she enabled BNY’s Communications function to pivot quickly as needs arise. Since her overhaul, average views of intranet articles have climbed by over 30%, while the open rate on all-employee emails has risen by 6%, exceeding industry benchmarks for similar communications. Attendance at firmwide town halls even increased by 75% year-over-year.

A significant contributor to this new level of insight is the taxonomy Cordeiro developed for BNY’s communication datasets. Team members can quickly see how coverage is distributed across key initiatives and campaigns by tagging content according to strategic priorities and business lines. This allows for more precise calibration and faster reporting, whether for a single campaign update or an overarching quarterly recap. Rather than producing static snapshots, the Communications function can now offer dynamic, nuanced perspectives on performance.

In a corporate environment where questions about the impact of communications trigger uncertainty, executive leaders can now request near-instantaneous reports on the volume, reach and effectiveness of messaging thanks to Cordeiro. This capability represents a major leap forward in accountability and strategic thinking for a 240-year-old financial institution managing over $52 trillion in assets under custody and administration.

Moreover, these metrics are now regularly integrated into quarterly Board reports, discussed at Executive Committee Member town halls, and considered in weekly team meetings. By systematically linking key performance indicators to strategic outcomes, Cordeiro’s work validates BNY’s communications strategies and sets a precedent for ongoing improvement.

Cordeiro is now onto her next adventure as the new head of internal communications for corporate functions at Invesco as of March 2025.

Kudos to Taylor Cordeiro for exceeding benchmarks!

Sr. Manager - Internal Communications Program Management

The Home Depot

The Home Depot’s Kayla Reed-Stillman is redefining internal communications through data-driven innovation

With a pioneering approach that merges storytelling with analytics, Kayla Reed-Stillman has transformed how internal communications are measured and valued at The Home Depot, earning her recognition as a Data Dynamo in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Kayla Reed-Stillman has redefined the role of internal communications at The Home Depot, proving that strategic messaging is not just an art — it’s a science. By integrating data-driven insights into communications strategy, she shifted how success is measured, valued and understood within the organization.

Reed-Stillman pioneered efforts that demonstrate the direct impact of strategic messaging on business outcomes. Among her most notable achievements is the creation of The Home Depot’s first-ever Monthly Business Review and Quarterly Business Review for internal communications.

These reports provide senior leadership with a clear, data-backed view of how communications efforts influence employee engagement and contribute to the company’s overall success. These reporting structures helped elevate internal communications from a supporting function to a strategic business driver.

Reed-Stillman also spearheaded the launch of the Internal Communications Measurement Committee, a cross-functional group dedicated to advancing measurement practices across the organization. The committee standardized metrics, fostered collaboration among communicators and aligned with broader business objectives.

Reed-Stillman also collaborated with analytics vendors to refine how engagement is measured across employee segments. By working closely with these partners, she developed an understanding of audience behaviors that allowed her team to tailor messaging strategies for maximum impact. Her efforts have led to more precise actionable insights that help shape strategic decisions.

Reed-Stillman’s ability to merge data with storytelling has fundamentally shifted the perception of internal communications. She championed a balanced approach that captures both quantitative metrics and qualitative insights, ensuring that communications are measured and truly understood. Her work strengthened trust between the Internal communications team and business partners, reinforcing the strategic value of effective messaging.

By bridging the gap between analytics and creativity, Reed-Stillman continues to pave the way for the future of communications.

Congratulations to Kayla Reed-Stillman!

EVP, Head of Innovation

The Bliss Group

Sally Slater transforms The Bliss Group with data-driven communications, revolutionizing PR strategy and media impact

Sally Slater’s leadership at The Bliss Group came with updated data-driven communications, integrating advanced analytics to enhance marketing strategy and execution. From launching the firm’s first Research & Analytics team to developing AI-driven tools like Pitch PRfect and the Executive Signals Platform 2.0, her innovations have streamlined insights and improved client impact. Sally Slater is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Data Dynamos category.

As The Bliss Group’s EVP head of innovation, Slater propelled the company into a new era of data-driven communications, revolutionizing how the agency and its clients approach marketing strategy and execution. Anchored in integrating analytics tools, Slater’s strategic vision has yielded faster, smarter pitch generation to real-time insights on executive visibility and brand engagement. Beginning in November 2023, Bliss Group’s transformation began as Slater established the firm’s first Research & Analytics team to scale The Bliss Group’s ability to gather, interpret and act on data.

In a short window, Slater produced key solutions to benefit stakeholders. One of her most impactful innovations is the revamped Executive Signals Platform 2.0. The platform delivers actionable intelligence on trending topics, stakeholder engagement, and brand penetration by collecting and analyzing more than 230,000 LinkedIn posts from more than 1,000 executives across five industries.

The new platform allows teams within The Bliss Group to tailor content, refine messaging and identify emerging themes for clients seeking to increase their influence with high-priority audiences. Building on this success, Sally spearheaded the Earned Media Impact Analysis approach. By correlating client-provided metrics with conversation volume, impressions and engagement data, the system highlights how media coverage translates into business returns.

It also equips executives with concrete evidence of how their marketing dollars contribute to brand growth and revenue generation. Another novel solution was the development of Pitch PRfect, a proprietary pitch generator driven by artificial intelligence. This tool analyzed historical data across industries, reporter preferences and existing client success rates, enabling staff to produce more targeted pitches and subject lines automatically. Beyond content creation, Pitch PRfect also offered intelligence dashboards and trend tracking, revealing how specific angles perform over time.

By embedding analytics across client reporting, Slater positioned The Bliss Group to provide current and highly targeted guidance for its clients. Even in her Speed Data initiative, her commitment to real-time research benefits clients with near-instant market readings and more effective media strategies.

Bravo to Sally Slater for innovations at The Bliss Group!

Corporate Reputation Communications Advisor

Southwest Airlines

Rachel Barry strengthens DEI at Southwest Airlines using strategic communications to foster inclusion and employee engagement

Rachel Barry’s leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, as corporate reputation communications advisor at Southwest Airlines, has strengthened the company’s culture. From launching employee resource groups to guiding nuanced communications on social issues, her work has reinforced Southwest’s reputation as an industry leader in DEI. Rachel Barry is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions category.

For more than a decade, Barry has played a central role in elevating DEI at Southwest Airlines. By weaving inclusive messaging into company communications and executive platforms, she helped Southwest maintain its reputation as an industry frontrunner in the DEI space. Serving as a key advisor to senior leaders, Barry consistently provides nuanced counsel on how to navigate sensitive topics and align corporate messaging with the airline’s values of hospitality and community.

When Southwest Airlines introduced its first employee resource groups (ERG), it was Barry who pushed for strategic communication that educated employees, fostered authenticity, and upheld the goal of increasing engagement. These ERGs target specific aspects of diversity or identity, whether gender, ethnicity or shared experiences. With her advocacy, participation rates for these new groups exceeded Southwest’s initial projections, demonstrating employees’ enthusiasm to connect under a formal support structure.

As national conversations around social justice remain contentious, Barry collaborates closely with executives, most notably DEI vice president Juan Suarez, to focus their platforms on highlighting Southwest’s commitment to representation. Her work involves shaping executive remarks for internal town halls, industry conferences, and community events.

During the most recent election cycle, it was Barry’s guidance that helped to reinforce Southwest’s message of respect for all perspectives while upholding the airline’s longstanding Culture of Belonging. It took adaptability and nuance for Barry to coordinate communications around the introduction of non-binary gender markers for Southwest. Overcoming multiple schedule changes and policy shifts, she balanced employee needs with customer concerns, ensuring the rollout remained sensitive to privacy and data issues.

The communications plan she championed, including guidance for frontline staff, proactive FAQs, and targeted messaging, resulted in minimal confusion among customers and employees, as evidenced by direct feedback through digital channels and minimal call-center escalations.

By ensuring that DEI remains a core component of internal and external communications, Barry has contributed to an environment where employees feel both seen and heard.

Applause for Rachel Barry!

Director, Communications, The McDonald's Division

The Coca-Cola Company

Kiara Lane transforms DEI at Coca-Cola driving cross-industry partnerships and expanding opportunities for diverse talent

As president of Coca-Cola’s Black Employee Network, Kiara Lane grew membership to over 1,000 and implemented a multi-year business strategy that strengthened leadership pipelines and DEI initiatives. Kiara Lane is a winner in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions category.

Corporate inclusivity efforts often fall flat without action, but communications director Kiara Lane turned advocacy into measurable progress at The Coca-Cola Company. Since thriving in Coca-Cola’s Global McDonald’s Division, Lane has redefined how the company elevates diverse voices and fosters belonging, both internally and through industry partnerships. Whether fueling employee resource group initiatives or collaborating with key stakeholders, her impact is rooted in tangible change with people front of mind.

A centerpiece of Lane’s impact is her presidency of Coca-Cola’s Black Employee Network (BEN). Under her leadership, BEN has grown to more than 1,000 members, guided by the company’s first-of-its-kind, three-pronged, multi-year business plan. This plan focuses on identifying and supporting emerging leaders, rebuilding community connections in the post-pandemic era, and directly contributing to Coca-Cola’s bottom line through DEI insights.

Lane established partnerships with ERGs at Delta, Microsoft and Amazon even beyond the red and white Coca-Cola walls. Her ability to facilitate cross-company dialogues fosters a richer exchange of perspectives which leverage more resources for better outcomes. These collaborations have built talent pipelines, increased employee engagement, and strengthened Coca-Cola’s reputation as a thought leader in inclusive workplace culture.

The tangible outcomes, ranging from co-hosted networking events to shared mentorship programs, demonstrate how intentional DEI efforts can raise standards across multiple organizations. At this year’s PRSA conference, Lane delivered a keynote entitled “Inclusion for All,” emphasizing authenticity in communication and the importance of marrying internal initiatives with community-focused outreach.

Dedicated to community outreach, Lane is active in initiatives that uplift underrepresented communities. Her volunteer work with Girl Scouts Greater Atlanta, Atlanta Hawks SheLeads, LEAD Atlanta, ColorComm and other nonprofits advances career development opportunities for women and people of color. Whether mentoring a young professional or advocating for expanded access to education, she brings Coca-Cola’s mission for inclusivity directly to the communities it serves.

Bravo to Kiara Lane for her community outreach!

Senior Consultant

FTI Consulting, Inc

Lorena Terroba Urruchua expands DEI impact at FTI Consulting driving hispanic leadership development and economic equity initiatives

Lorena Terroba Urruchua’s leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion extends beyond her role at FTI Consulting. As chair of HOLA, she further expanded professional development initiatives, increased Hispanic/Latinx representation, and fostered impactful industry conversations. Lorena Terroba Urruchua is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions category.

As senior consultant for FTI Consulting, Terroba Urruchua’s capacity to unite colleagues around a shared goal of uplifting underrepresented voices is proof of her effectiveness in turning inclusive ideals into concrete actions. Whether championing Hispanic/Latinx professionals through her role as chair of HOLA, the Hispanic/Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advancement, or organizing volunteer efforts benefiting underprivileged children and Special Olympics athletes, her dedication extends far beyond typical job responsibilities.

Terroba Urruchua manages a substantial budget that funds internal and external programming for HOLA. She oversaw this year’s intern-focused events, introducing emerging professionals to the collaborative environment at FTI and boosting awareness of broader issues affecting Hispanic/Latinx communities. The distinct measure of HOLA’s impact manifested at the 2023 Association of Latino Professionals For America Convention, where FTI’s presence ignited powerful conversations among its 6,000 registrants. The volume of successful efforts through the HOLA program led to multiple Hispanic/Latinx professionals finding new career opportunities with FTI.

Beyond professional development with people beginning their careers, Terroba Urruchua takes the initiative in fostering economic equity. Her Winter Wishes Program in FTI’s New York office provides dozens of children in economically challenged neighborhoods with holiday gifts that might otherwise have been out of reach. Even outside FTI’s immediate geography, by offering pro bono counsel to InCommunity, an Atlanta-based nonprofit supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Terroba Urruchua provides critical causes with the strategic guidance needed to heighten its impact.

In the broad context of the global consulting industry, Terroba Urruchua’s DEI initiatives stand out for their depth and drive consistent results for FTI. Thanks to Urruchua’s guidance as part of FTI’s Strategic Communications segment, the company achieved record revenues of $3.489 billion in 2023 and is ranked in the top 1,000 companies by Fortune Magazine.

Kudos to Lorena Terroba Urruchua!

Vice President, Public Impact and Resilience Communications

Fors Marsh

Fors Marsh’s Natalie Adler advances meaningful change in health communications

Natalie Adler is forging a new path for health communications at Fors Marsh, which makes her a Dynamic Do-er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

When Natalie Adler develops an idea, she always makes sure to consider what will have the most positive outcome.

That mindset came into play when she joined Fors Marsh, a business consultancy rooted in creating lasting social change, in 2020. Her goal was to create a new discipline the company had not yet explored: public health communications.

For the next 3 years, Adler, vice president of public impact and resilience communications at Fors Marsh onboarded new clients. Those included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Screen for Life, which advocates for colorectal cancer prevention, CDC’s Bring Your Brave, an early onset breast cancer awareness campaign, and the USDA’s Kitchen Drama, a food safety campaign.

Adler was then tasked with establishing a new practice within the company, which she named Public Impact and Resilience Communications. The practice’s aim is to prioritize work outside of the health world, whether it’s discussing climate change, financial literacy, or finding ways to encourage people to engage in public service, in order to build a more equitable future for people.

Organic growth and new clients, such as three contracts within FEMA, the American Red Cross, AmeriCorps and the Federal Trade Commission, have been a direct result of Adler’s efforts. She even exceeded projections for revenue, growth, sales, and employee measures.

In 2024, Adler also forged a new initiative between Fors Marsh and George Mason University with a new public opinion research survey that will help her and her team understand the local community’s viewpoints on climate change. Alongside that initiative is the launch of a speaker series to help federal agencies understand public service recruitment trends.

“Without question, Natalie’s deep experience in strategic communications has helped to drive social change and to improve the world for good,” says Ellie Hollander, president and CEO at Fors Marsh.

Congratulations!

Manager, Communications Business Partner

Cardinal Health

Andrea Bunce strengthens Cardinal Health’s messaging, driving successful brand integrations and acquisitions

Cardinal Health’s communications strategy flourished under Andrea Bunce’s leadership. By spearheading the successful launch of Navista, Cardinal Health’s Community Oncology Business, Bunce crafted a cohesive narrative, secured leadership visibility, and grew Navista’s LinkedIn following to nearly 500 in just four weeks. Andrea Bunce is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers.

Under the leadership of Andrea Bunce, manager of communications for Cardinal Health, the company thrived in an environment where collaboration was encouraged, open dialogue was prioritized, and the effectiveness of the communications team increased so much that it began to resonate organization-wide.

Bunce’s impact was evident during the rollout of Navista, the new community oncology business from Cardinal Health. Launching as Bunce was entering the company, Navista needed to be embraced and included within Cardinal Health’s overall identity while also having its mission easily understood by the Oncology market. Faced with the pressure of launching a new solution into a competitive space, Bunce and her team developed detailed internal and external launch plans that brought all teams into cohesion and aligned them toward a central narrative.

Not only did she write newsroom articles and secure leadership speaking engagements, but she won praise from teams across the initiative thanks to her choice to eliminate the jargon and keep the information relatable. Bunce’s effectiveness and foresight also shined as she established the new LinkedIn page for Navista with a content roadmap that grew the page’s followers to nearly 500 in just four weeks.

On top of the successful launch of Navista, Bunce further illustrated her leadership as she helped Cardinal Health navigate a major acquisition in September 2024. With the challenge of communicating the acquisition to ten different audiences, Bunce crafted a comprehensive strategy that addressed each group’s unique concerns, orchestrated precise timing for the message rollout, and collaborated with internal departments to keep Cardinal Health’s brand image consistent through the transition.

Bunce’s passion for how healthcare solutions truly affect patients’ lives is evident in her ability to elevate complex narratives, adapt communication for diverse audiences, and energize her teams to action. Her hands-on mentality, paired with her drive to be a doer, has earned her consistent praise from her leadership team.

Kudos to Andrea Bunce for her empathy on display!

Manager, Global External Affairs

McDonald's

Emily Cheung amplifies McDonald’s global brand voice through innovative media dominance

Emily Cheung’s strategic communications expertise has strengthened McDonald’s global earned media presence. From orchestrating media strategy for the CosMc’s brand reveal to leading global engagement at Cannes Lions, her efforts generated thousands of earned media placements. Emily Cheung is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers.

McDonald’s global reputation takes strategic storytelling and the ability to shape conversations before they happen. Emily Cheung, the company’s manager of global external affairs, brings that precision to its Global External Affairs team, where her data-driven approach has expanded the brand’s earned media presence. Over the past year, she has elevated McDonald’s profile across marketing and impact whether by navigating investor relations or cultural campaigns, building narratives, or refining communication processes.

During McDonald’s December 2023 Investor Update, the company capped off the segment with the announcement of a new spinoff brand, CosMc’s. Even though it was a closed-door event, Cheung devised a media relations strategy that offered reporters virtual access to McDonald’s leadership, capitalizing on the magnitude of speculation surrounding the event. The success of the strategy set the stage for the CEO’s custom interviews with high-quality outlets, ultimately driving 6,000 stories related to CosMc’s. Cheung’s strategy set new precedents for media availability and keeping a consistent stream of high-quality coverage that reinforced McDonald’s strategic focus.

Between June and August of 2024, Cheung tackled back-to-back opportunities to expand the McDonald’s brand message. First, at the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Cheung coordinated closely with multiple agencies, worldwide PR teams, and event organizers to lead 18 high-profile speaking engagements featuring McDonald’s top leaders, including the CFO and the European segment president.

Two months later, Cheung is guiding communications for McDonald’s Collector’s Edition cups launch across more than thirty countries. The successful Cannes Lions experience earned more than 40 pieces of positive media coverage, and the fan-centric story angles surrounding the Collector’s Edition cups launch garnered 2,000 earned media placements, and the cups sold out in most locations within a week.

Equal to her impact with public launches is her role in building McDonald’s Global External Affairs team into a resource “center of excellence” by developing frameworks that standardize messaging on core business topics.

Kudos to Emily Cheung!

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Anywhere Real Estate Inc.

Gabriella Chiera redefines Anywhere Real Estate’s corporate messaging, increasing employee engagement and buy-in

Gabriella Chiera has transformed Anywhere Real Estate Inc.’s communications strategy, modernizing messaging, revitalizing internal events, and driving a 50% increase in event registrations. Gabriella Chiera is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers category.

Gabriella Chiera has reshaped Anywhere Real Estate Inc.’s communications strategy, making the company’s mission to help people feel at home more authentic and engaging across every channel. As senior director of corporate communications and a direct report to the chief communications officer, she manages internal and external messaging, brand reputation, social media and quarterly earnings communications.

Over the past year, Chiera has revamped the Anywhere.re website for clarity, elevated leadership visibility on social media, and redesigned the corporate social responsibility report to better resonate with executives. To simplify and refresh all facets of corporate communications, Chiera embedded the Anywhere Real Estate mission and values in every piece of content and focused on modernizing the company’s values.

By leading focus groups, refining messaging, and integrating them into daily operations, she effectively reimagined employee events like Values Day, town halls and strategy sessions to align with the company’s new identity. One of her most noticeable transformations has been in company newsletters. Previously thought of as out of touch, the now timely and effective newsletters feature updated formats, memes, pop culture references, and a more engaging tone. With this overhaul, Chiera drove a 50% increase in event registrations and boosted open rates.

Chiera’s work in internal communication changes coincides with Anywhere’s highest employee retention rate in five years and rising engagement scores. Employee feedback over the changes has been overwhelmingly positive as readers send fan mail praising the new format and other communication teams within the company look to replicate her strategies.

Thanks to her combination of clear, creative messaging and strategic implementation, Chiera has energized her entire organization. Her innovative approach challenged the notion that a real estate company should only deliver predictable, buttoned-up messaging. Through a more modern newsletter, renewed internal events, and data-informed improvements, Chiera has helped to distinguish Anywhere as a company.

Congratulations to Gabriella Chiera!

Communications Manager

New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)

Joanne Degnan reinvents NJBIA’s communications, strengthening advocacy and expanding media reach

New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s communications thrived under Joanne Degnan’s leadership, leading to a 30% newsletter open rate, managing 120 press releases annually, and tracking 3,000 media hits per year. Joanne Degnan is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025 in the Dynamic Do-ers category.

As New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s communications manager, Joanne Degnan keeps its message direct, timely, and impactful. She navigates a constant flow of news, press releases, and editorial content, delivering clear messaging for the largest statewide business association in the nation. For almost nine years, her editorial expertise has expanded NJBIA’s reach, strengthening newsletter engagement, broadening media coverage, and refining how the association connects with its 4,000-plus members.

Overhauling the association’s daily newsletter was a significant undertaking. Under Degnan’s management, the newsletter, which curates top headlines and business updates for thousands of subscribers statewide, retains an open rate exceeding 30%. With a relentless pace, Degnan researches, writes, or edits about six business stories each day, often needing to quickly incorporate breaking news. Once these stories are finalized, she posts them on the NJBIA website, keeping a consistent stream of quality media for readers to engage in during their daily routine.

On top of the newsletter, Degnan also oversees the writing and editing of around 120 press releases annually, many of them tied to NJBIA’s advocacy initiatives in Trenton. Whether it’s reacting to a last-minute legislative vote or announcing a new business policy, she keeps each release accurate, aligned with NJBIA’s messaging, and framed for maximum clarity. Degen’s behind-the-scenes quality control supports the organization’s broader communications goals. She tracks and catalogs every piece of media coverage the association earns, which can amount to up to 3,000 hits per year. This also includes reviewing 800 marketing emails annually as one of the final voices to maintain alignment with the external message.

Outside of her daily efforts, Degnan contributes monthly columns for NJBIA’s award-winning New Jersey Business Magazine, focusing on government affairs while also writing 1,000-word feature articles. She also occasionally produces marketing videos to showcase NJBIA’s offerings on social media, reflecting her capacity to pivot across varied communication platforms.

Kudos to Joanne Degnan!

Vice President

KCSA Strategic Communications

Francesca DeMauro-Palminteri’s disruptive PR strategy at KCSA secures new business

Francesca DeMauro-Palminteri’s rapid rise to vice president at KCSA reflects her adaptability, leadership, and expertise across diverse industries. From securing popular media coverage for MIKE TYSON 2.0 to launching the first craft distillery on tribal land, her strategic approach impacts business growth. Francesca DeMauro-Paminteri is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers category.

DeMauro-Paminteri’s ascent to vice president at KCSA within three years of joining the PR agency world is a testament to her adaptability, leadership skills, and experience across multiple industries. From a graphic designer to a marketing manager and then a company president, DeMauro-Paminteri’s experiences equipped her with a broad lens on what drives business success. That same diversity of experience shapes how she delivers value to KCSA’s clients and the agency itself as a respected senior voice in the firm.

As a leader, DeMauro-Paminteri is praised for her empathetic mentorship of junior staff. Not only is she willing to help junior employees map out their careers, but she also takes pride in supporting them in troubleshooting challenges as they refine their communication craft. Though her time in the agency environment might be brief, DeMauro-Paminteri leverages her prior leadership roles while working seamlessly with cross-functional teams wherever needed.

DeMauro-Palminteri’s range of responsibilities sees her managing public-facing events for Mike Tyson’s cannabis company, MIKE TYSON 2.0, successfully securing coverage in outlets such as Forbes, ESPN and The New York Post. Just as easily, she could be coordinating the launch of the first-ever craft distillery on tribal land in Washington State for Heritage Distilling in partnership with the Stillaguamish Tribe. Her involvement spans everything from drafting press releases to offering creative art direction for social and marketing content to help brand new product lines with visually compelling stories.

With success in juggling the dynamic demands of her days, DeMauro-Paminteri is a standout contributor to KCSA’s growth as a company. In the past year, she’s leveraged her entrepreneurial mindset to identify new opportunities, propose actionable solutions, and bring in four new clients. Throughout it all, DeMauro-Paminteri maintains a strong rapport with media contacts, building relationships to seamlessly secure coverage and negotiate placements for clients in advertising, media and technology, cannabis, psychedelics, professional services, nonprofit and hospitality sectors.

Congratulations to Francesca DeMauro-Paminteri!

Corporate VP/ Senior Director

New York Life Insurance Company

Emily Gonce reshapes internal communications at New York Life, boosting employee connection and executive influence

Emily Gonce’s strategic leadership at New York Life Insurance impacted executive communications, strengthened company culture and enhanced employee engagement. By leading over 120 initiatives and launching innovative storytelling formats, she has increased executive visibility while establishing an Internal Communications Center of Excellence. Emily Gonce is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers category.

A focus on measurable results and strategic leadership has defined Gonce’s nearly two-decade career in corporate communications as corporate vice president and senior director. Over the past year, her work at New York Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 organization and the largest mutual life insurance provider in the U.S., included leading communications support for four executive business leaders with distinct responsibilities ranging from product development to operations.

During this past year alone, Gonce steered more than 120 communications initiatives, each aimed at reinforcing corporate strategy, guiding employees through change, and strengthening company culture. A survey of employees in her divisions revealed that 91% understand how their work aligns with broader objectives, 91% reported that their divisional forums were a valuable use of time, and her executive messages consistently achieve an 85% open rate, well above the industry average of 58%.

Part of what makes Gonce so effective is her ability to highlight the nuances in each executive’s visibility efforts creatively. For one executive, she launched the company’s first bi-monthly series featuring candid personal stories with a Picasso-inspired branding called “Unfiltered.” To strengthen the lines of communication and understanding between executives and employees, Gonce created branded initiatives like “Open Minds & Open Mics,” “Connecting the Dots,” and “The Product Pulse.”

With creative communication methods structured around each executive’s unique voice and priorities, she enables their message to resonate more authentically with its intended audience. In addition to her executive-level support, Gonce was entrusted with establishing a new Internal Communications Center of Excellence for New York Life Insurance. By refining processes, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and setting quality benchmarks, she aims to streamline the way various teams align messages and respond to organizational needs.

As a mother of two young children, a volunteer soccer coach and the owner of two barbershops and an international haircare company, Gonce continues to hone her skills in marketing, leadership, operations, and empathy.

Congratulations to Emily Gonce!

Chief Communications Officer

Jackson Lewis

Lara Hamm shapes the future of strategic communications at Jackson Lewis

Lara Hamm’s ability to lend her communications expertise across all departments at Jackson Lewis makes her a Dynamic Do-er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Lara Hamm has had her share of firsts throughout her time at Jackson Lewis. She was the first external communications staff member when she was hired and now, she’s the employment law firm’s first-ever chief communications officer.

Hamm’s path to CCO happened as a result of her strategic and thoughtful external messaging during the pandemic. Her impact led Jackson Lewis to build communications out into its own team, separate from its original home under business development, which is not a common occurrence among large national law firms. From there, Hamm has made her team a collaborative one, working with fellow chiefs, the firm’s board, as well as Jackson Lewis’ DEI and talent teams.

Being multifaceted drives Hamm’s leadership skills. She helped construct the parameters of Jackson Lewis’ corporate partnership with Feeding America in 2024, which resulted in it meeting its target donation goal at the 2024 Association of Corporate Counsel Conference. External events have also fallen under her purview, where she’s been responsible for about 650 events and sponsorships each year, including Workplace Horizons, Jackson Lewis’ annual conference. Last year, the conference took place in two different locations for the first time ever to maximize its reach.

For Hamm, communications doesn’t stop at external initiatives. She and her team have helped the internal communications team to build out strategies rooted in transparency. That endeavor led to a new quarterly all-hands meeting for departments under business services that aimed to highlight firm goals and achievements. When surveying for feedback about the meetings, 92% of participants said the meetings were valuable to them, noting that Hamm was adept at understanding Jackson Lewis’ growing needs.

The firm also got a revamp in its industry awards strategy. Hamm hired a staff member and consultant to focus on that, which resulted in 25% of Jackson Lewis’ 69 attorneys’ rankings going up within Chambers & Partners, a prestigious award within the legal world, compared to the year prior.

“Her influence extends far beyond her title— she’s a true partner in every sense of the word,” says Kevin Lauri, Firm Chair at Jackson Lewis.

Congratulations!

Vice President, Client Experience

dna Communications

dna Communications’ Kim Holzinger propels success in healthcare communications

Kim Holzinger’s detail-oriented and forward-thinking approach for each of her healthcare clients at dna Communications has earned her recognition as a Dynamic Do-er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

For Kim Holzinger, managing client accounts isn’t just about helping them hit milestones, it’s about making a meaningful impact every step of the way.

As vice president of client experience at dna Communications, a healthcare communications agency, Holzinger has been successful in managing an organization’s consistent year-over-year growth thanks to her ability to see things from a broader perspective, being detail-oriented and knowing when to delegate tasks so junior team members have a chance to flex their skills.

But Holzinger can also pivot to a solutions-oriented mindset when clients experience a few bumps in the road. Within the last few years, one of the companies she works with was experiencing legal challenges that ultimately led to budget tightening across the company and layoffs. With Holzinger’s assistance, they were able to maintain a steady budget.

Experience working with a very science-focused oncology client has led Holzinger to be an essential source of knowledge at dna Communications. Other account teams have looked to her for guidance when they’re on the cusp of reaching a data or regulatory breakthrough. That has all led to Holzinger’s involvement in leading dna Communications’ largest and longest-tenured client through groundbreaking treatments for chronic liver, kidney, and metabolic disorders to the health market in the next few years.

“I can’t imagine Kim’s accounts — or dna, for that matter — without Kim. She’s the glue that holds this team together, and I’m very glad I have the opportunity to learn from and work with her every day. Our clients are very lucky that they have such smart and dedicated counsel,” says Michelle Mwara, account director of client experience digital at dna Communications.

Congratulations!

Communications Manager of Public Affairs

American Airlines

American Airlines effectively navigates policy and accessibility changes thanks to Amy Lawrence’s leadership

Amy Lawrence’s tailored media approach resulted in widespread coverage for American Airlines, including a feature in USA Today, reinforcing American Airlines’ commitment to inclusivity and innovation. Amy Lawrence is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers.

As the communications manager of public affairs at American Airlines, Amy Lawrence managed complex initiatives and secured favorable results for one of the world’s largest brands. Whether spearheading groundbreaking initiatives or negotiating routes, she has proven to drive media attention and secure stakeholder buy-in.

When the Federal Aviation Administration released its latest legislative reauthorization package, American Airlines identified the possibility of winning new highly contested and difficult-to-obtain flight slots for travel to Washington D.C. National Airport. With the new opportunity in clear sight, Amy directed a comprehensive outreach strategy aimed at a myriad of stakeholders, including local media, community leaders, and national outlets, to highlight the benefits of connecting San Antonio to the nation’s capital.

Lawrence’s strategy focused on emphasizing the economic impact of the new route and the invaluable service for active duty military and veterans who call San Antonio home. Not only did this secure a tentative approval for the new route, but it showcased how effective Lawrence’s communication strategy can be in positioning American Airlines for success.

Another prime example of Lawrence’s effective leadership was in her spearheading a new initiative to launch mobility device tags for travelers with wheelchairs and other necessary equipment. With air travel being stressful for many passengers who require specialized assistance, Amy Lawrence rightfully aligned American Airline’s commitment to inclusivity with tangible changes to benefit its customer base. Whether disability advocacy, travel innovations, or consumer affairs, Lawrence created a media blitz filled with tailored pitches to ensure the attention surrounding the initiative reached the appropriate platforms. Once USA Today picked up the story, it amplified it and reinforced American Airline’s stance as a corporation.

As airlines are often confronted with unpredictable events, shifts in the economy, weather emergencies, and geopolitical tensions, it takes a strong network of professionals and industry experts to shape narratives in their favor effectively. Amy Lawrence has managed to do this effectively while securing coveted flight slots and coordinating messaging with policymakers and community stakeholders.

Kudos to Amy Lawrence and her team!

Senior Vice President

Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn’s McKenzie Naylor paves the way for more Type 1 diabetes awareness

McKenzie Naylor’s work with Ruder Finn to advocate for early screening for Type 1 diabetes has earned her recognition as a Dynamic Do-er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

McKenzie Naylor is always ready to roll up her sleeves and find ways to add meaningful impact to work for clients at PR agency Ruder Finn.

Within the last year, the agency’s senior group vice president was instrumental in Sanofi’s Type 1 Diabetes campaign. Naylor’s biggest successes came from spearheading two initiatives: “The 1 Pledge” and “Taking the #ScreenForType1 Movement to Washington DC,” which ended up receiving national, local, and trade media coverage. “The 1 Pledge” focused on using celebrities and public figures, such as Usher, who have had a personal connection to the community to encourage people to get an early screening for Type 1 diabetes. Usher was also involved with other celebrities for the “Taking the #ScreenForType1 Movement to Washington DC” initiative, meeting with Congress to advocate for an increase in federal support for Type 1 diabetes early screening measures. The push led to the introduction of the Screen For Type 1 Diabetes Act.

Despite having seven years under her belt at Ruder Finn, Naylor is just as committed to the clients she started out with as an Account Supervisor as she is to her current ones. When former Cisco CEO John Chambers started venture capital firm JC2 Ventures at the start of her tenure, Naylor was involved in helping its release and still assists with it now. Her work with Chambers includes finding innovative ways to keep boosting Chambers’ profile, launching “Chamber Talks,” Chambers’ podcast about tech disruption that has received over 38,500 listens across 31 episodes, and using his perspective to craft yearly industry predictions that have received coverage in CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider and MarketWatch.

“McKenzie has a commitment to quality that is unmatched,” says Laura Ryan, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Communications at Ruder Finn. “She understands business growth and works to drive it across her clients and on behalf of her agency. She has a level of maturity and professionalism that is beyond her years.”

Congratulations!

Account Supervisor

Haymaker

Haymaker’s Lizzie Penna is making headlines and driving impact

Lizzie Penna’s ability to secure major media wins in under 3 years at Haymaker makes her a Trailblazer in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Lizzie Penna might only be 24, but she’s already making a name for herself in the communications world.

Within nearly three years at PR agency Haymaker, Penna has been promoted three times to become the account supervisor she is now, and that’s thanks to her ability to make successful media coverage happen.

Over the last year, Penna has secured some big wins for Haymaker’s clients, which has included recognition on media award lists such as the Forbes Cloud 100, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and Best Workplaces for Innovators, and Inc.’s Power Partners. She was also instrumental in Wellhub’s rebranding from Gympass, subsequently landing media coverage in Axios and The Financial Times. Her work with Wellhub on the rollout of its annual State of Work-Life Wellness Report led to more than 100+ articles in publications, including Fortune, Newsweek and Fast Company. Penna even had a hand in helping Tyson 2.0, Mike Tyson’s cannabis brand, when it launched in New York.

While Penna’s strategic leadership is rooted in media relations at Haymaker, she’s also played a fundamental role in helping companies navigate through bumps along the road. When PlayVS, an esports platform for middle and high schoolers, needed a rebrand following a challenging time under a previous CEO, she stepped in to help redirect its efforts. While she did use her media magic to develop relationships with esports reporters at outlets like Digiday and VentureBeat, she was also in charge in PlayVS’ communications strategy for vital news, working with partners like NFL and EA Sports’ Madden NFL.

“Her success is a testament to how driven, quick, thoughtful, and innovative her work is. In addition to being our resident idea-generator and real-time brainstorm machine, Lizzie is a media relations wiz,” says J.J. Colao, founder at Haymaker Group.

Penna’s impact doesn’t end with client success. Known for having positive energy and leading by example, she often encourages Haymaker’s junior employees to unapologetically own their work.

Congratulations!

Chief Communications Officer

F.N.B. Corporation

Jennifer Reel transforms FNB’s culture and communication strategy with a 75% growth in media coverage

Jennifer Reel’s leadership as FNB’s inaugural chief communications officer has elevated the bank’s brand, causing a 75% increase in media coverage and securing over 60 accolades from Forbes, TIME and Newsweek. Jennifer Reel is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers category.

In 2000, when Reel joined FNB as a temp, the bank held under $4 billion in assets with almost 30 branches. Today, at nearly $50 billion in assets and around 350 branches, FNB ranks among the nation’s top 50 bank holding companies. Reel’s rise to the inaugural role of Chief Communications Officer in 2022 mirrored FNB’s remarkable trajectory and underscored her impact.

Leading a lean team of 10, Reel manages communications for approximately 4,200 employees without substantial agency support. Her group handles everything from brand campaigns and press releases to employee events. One notable example was FNB’s 160th anniversary event this year, where Reel served as archivist. Leading the campaign, Reel engaged employees and consumers in celebrating the bank’s storied heritage.

This past year, FNB took on a major new development in its new financial center. About 800 employees will transition there, reshaping the workspace experience and creating momentum around an in-person culture. To bring excitement and support to the relocating employees, Reel launched a dedicated intranet resource called “The Vault,” with a countdown clock, photo gallery and Q&A section for them to navigate.

She also launched lunch-and-learns and an ambassadorship program called “Change Champions” to help colleagues embrace the benefits of the new center. On top of successful internal initiatives, Reel and her team also generate consistent external buzz around the company’s achievements. Thanks to targeted press releases, exclusive media tours, and championing a deliberate third-party awards strategy, FNB received over 60 accolades in the past year from respected outlets like Forbes, TIME, and Newsweek.

By balancing authentic storytelling with a measured display of transparency, Reel has helped to elevate FNB’s cache to the public while safeguarding its traditional brand positioning. Since 2018, FNB’s media coverage has grown by roughly 75%, a hallmark of Reel’s effectiveness.

Bravo to Jennifer Reel!

Communication Manager

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Ashley Skokan elevates Hy-Vee’s brand storytelling, leading to award-winning recognition and consumer engagement

Hy-Vee’s brand storytelling and strategic messaging thrived under Ashley Skokan’s leadership. Her work in launching the Awards and Recognition program helped Hy-Vee secure national acclaim, including being named “Best Grocery Store” by USA Today’s 10Best Program. Ashley Skokan is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Dynamic Do-ers category.

Keeping a brand top-of-mind is no small feat, but at Hy-Vee, much of that success can be traced back to the strategic storytelling of communication manager Ashley Skokan. For the past four years, she has been the driving force behind capturing and curating Hy-Vee’s journey as a brand, leading its health and wellness efforts, and maintaining alignment with the company’s messaging.

One of the impactful initiatives Skokan brought to life is the grocer’s 100-page annual report. Under the leadership of Hy-Vee’s chairman and CEO, Skokan orchestrated every detail of the comprehensive showcase of key achievements and milestones for Hy-Vee. Whether writing and design to photography and production, Skokan’s dedication to articulating Hy-Vee’s journey not only honors the company’s progress but also serves as a strategic guide for a shared vision for the future. Her new corporate social responsibility report bolsters the strength of the brand’s messaging by elevating the company’s wide range of community initiatives, including sustainability endeavors and charitable giving.

In 2020, Ashley Skokan built the Awards and Recognition program for the company from scratch, and since then, the company has secured multiple awards and garnered national acclaim, most notably by being named “Best Grocery Store” in the country by popular vote in the USA Today 10Best Program. This past year, the company was awarded the “Best Consumer Donation Initiative” and “Best of the Best” distinction at the Engage for Good Halo Awards, thanks to the impact of the company’s 100 Million Meals Campaign to fight food insecurity.

With over 570 business units in a competitive retail environment, Skokan has to articulate the big picture while elevating the details that make Hy-Vee unique as a grocer. Her carefully crafted narratives elevate Hy-Vee’s reputation among shoppers and stakeholders, showing measurable community benefits and reinforcing the chain’s commitment to ethical business practices.

Congratulations to Ashley Skokan!

Vice President, Campaign Strategy

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Sandra Sullivan’s strategic vision at the Muscular Dystrophy Association boosts impact

Sandra Sullivan’s significant impact on transforming the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s approach to brand strategy and campaigns makes her a Dynamic Do-er in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Sandra Sullivan was only at the Muscular Dystrophy Association for eight days before she set the standard for the organization’s future year-end campaigns.

The vice president of campaign strategy used her first week on the job to revamp the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s approach to year-end campaigns. That effort ended up making a marked difference in returns on investment and increased engagement. While ROIs went up by 40% from 2022 to 2023, average donation amounts grew from $61 in 2022 to $99 in 2023. New donors also increased their support from $52 to $127.

Since then, Sullivan has set out to transform the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s general marketing and communications strategy to establish consistent messaging across the organization. She created a suite of tools and resources, including a communications guide with explainer videos, year-end and mid-year reports, and impact sheets. Centering the organization’s messaging on the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 75-year impact has also been a game changer. Harris Poll data found that brand equity increased from 24.8 to 29.4. Fostering emotional connections with the organization’s mission has also been at the heart of Sullivan’s and has been a success, with innovation scores growing from 12.1 to 24.6 and trustworthiness rising from 29.1 to 41.9.

Sullivan’s impact on the organization has extended beyond year-end campaigns and into awareness campaigns. Her work on the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s ALS Awareness Campaign in 2024 saw double the amount of email clickthrough rates and a 50% reduction in unsubscribe rates.

“Beyond her strategic brilliance, Sandra is a collaborative leader who lifts up her colleagues and empowers everyone around her,” says Mary Fiance, VP of strategic communications at MDA. “Her storytelling creates a lasting impact, making her an invaluable asset to the team and the organization.”

Vice President Transformation and Enterprise Internal Communications

Baker Hughes

Baker Hughes’ Brenda Clark is transforming internal communications

Brenda Clark is redefining internal communications at Baker Hughes, leading a team of 14 communicators to inspire and engage 58,000 employees across 120 countries. Her visionary leadership has earned her recognition as an Internal Communications Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

As a driving force behind the company’s transformation, Brenda Clark implemented initiatives that ensure employees are aligned, engaged and empowered to contribute to the organization’s long-term success. At the core of her approach is a commitment to transparent, data-driven communication.

To support Baker Hughes’ transformation, which focused on driving profitability, simplifying operations and enhancing customer service, Clark introduced key performance indicators and a balanced quarterly scorecard. These tools track the impact of change initiatives and ensure employees see the link between their efforts and the company’s success. That strategy strengthened business acumen, boosted morale and contributed to record-breaking financial and operational performance.

Beyond measurement, Clark has reshaped the employee experience through a refreshed employee value proposition. Built on insights from more than 300 employee interviews and extensive external benchmarking, it articulates what it means to work at Baker Hughes using employee stories.

Clark’s partnership with the CEO has elevated leadership communication, ensuring employees see executives as approachable, trustworthy and aligned with their interests. She empowered 4,600 leaders with tools to drive two-way dialogue, including a meeting framework that consistently receives high ratings.

Employee listening is another cornerstone of her approach. Through surveys, focus groups and one-on-one interviews, Clark ensures employee sentiment and diverse perspectives inform the company’s communications strategy. Integrated engagement surveys have resulted in inclusion and culture scores of 76% and 73%.

Clark launched “Ask Comms,” a digital tool to streamline employee engagement processes, and implemented a PowerBI dashboard that provides real-time engagement insights to create a more connected, informed and engaged workforce.

Brenda Clark’s leadership exemplifies the power of strategic internal communications. Her ability to drive transformation, foster dialogue and implement data-driven solutions has made a lasting impact at Baker Hughes, solidifying her place as a leader in the field.

Congratulations to Brenda Clark on this well-earned recognition.

Vice President of Corporate Communications and EX Strategy

Simpplr

Simpplr’s Carolyn Clark uses industry expertise and mentorship to elevate communications

Carolyn Clark champions strategic initiatives and mentors the next generation of leaders at Simpplr, making her an internal communications leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Carolyn Clark had firsthand experience navigating Simpplr, an employee experience platform, as a customer prior to joining the team. When the time came for the now Vice President of Corporate Communications and EX Strategy to share her vision on how to elevate communications, it made a world of difference for her colleagues.

With more than 20 years of communications experience under her belt, Clark has combined her industry expertise and knowledge of Simpplr to become an effective leader who is able to connect with team members across the company. In addition to being a guiding force for her colleagues and stakeholders in coming up with actionable solutions, Clark has helped Simpplr users understand the benefits that come with the platform.

“Carolyn brings insight and innovation to our product development — advocating for the needs of IC and EX professionals so they can be more impactful. She also has an uncanny knack for expertly looking ahead to what’s next,” says Miriam Connaughton, chief people officer at Simpplr.

Product innovation isn’t the only thing Clark brings to the table. She mentors emerging leaders in and outside the company by helping them strengthen their communication and strategic thinking skills. When mentoring Christine Robertson, senior manager of internal communications at Simpplr, Clark supported Robertson in making a difference internally by revamping the company’s Town Hall meetings to become a once-a-week event called WKLY SYNC that intranet, Slack, and newsletter notifications accompanied. WKLY SYNC helped increase newsletter engagement by 114% and employee survey participation by 111%.

Clark is also high in demand as a speaker, having previously worked as an adjunct professor within Appalachian State University’s Department of Communication. She delivered a keynote speech at the Public Relations Society of America’s Employee Connect24 Conference, regularly speaks at IABC and Ragan Communication events, and has been a guest on several industry-related podcasts.

Congratulations to Carolyn Clark!

Director, Field Communications

The Home Depot

The Home Depot’s Christina Cornell is shaping the future of field communications

With a career in journalism and nearly a decade as a communicator, Christina Cornell’s award-winning leadership has earned her recognition as an Internal Communications Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Great communicators have a deep curiosity, a knack for asking the right questions and the ability to distill complex ideas into compelling narratives. Christina Cornell embodies these traits, making her one of The Home Depot’s most respected and influential communications leaders.

With a background in journalism and nearly a decade at the Atlanta-based retailer, she has become a trusted partner to senior executives, balancing long-term strategic planning with the agility needed for crisis response and change management.

In early 2024, Cornell took on the role of director of field communications, overseeing communications for The Home Depot’s stores, operations, home services delivery and outside sales teams.

Leading a newly established team, she developed and implemented strategies to enhance engagement among the company’s 450,000 associates across 2,300 stores and facilities in North America. Her leadership helped strengthen alignment between frontline employees and corporate initiatives, ensuring a more connected and informed workforce.

One of her standout achievements has been the launch of “Culture of Selling,” a companywide campaign designed to reinvigorate product enthusiasm, improve selling behaviors and boost service. The initiative uses metrics such as message saturation, recall and behavioral impact to ensure the campaign resonates with employees and drives business outcomes.

Cornell has also played a pivotal role in The Home Depot’s most significant business moves. In the summer of 2024, she led internal communications for the company’s $18 billion acquisition of SRS Distribution, the largest acquisition in its history. Her ability to coordinate effective messaging helped ensure a seamless transition, with the deal closing in a record-setting eight weeks.

She has been a key member of the corporate communications team, managing issues related to disaster response, organized retail crime, social justice and COVID-19. Her experience and ability to navigate high-stakes situations made her a highly regarded leader within the organization.

Congratulations to Christina Cornell!

Director of Communications & Culture

Power Design

Power Design’s Jenna Greco is Elevating Communications and Culture with Innovation

With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for fostering connection, Jenna Greco has transformed internal communications and culture at Power Design, earning her recognition as an Internal Communications Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Over the past year, Jenna Greco has redefined internal communications and employee engagement at Power Design, making a lasting impact on the Florida-based national design-build contractor’s culture in the process. Using a people-first approach, she has transformed how employees connect, collaborate, and stay informed, earning her recognition as a leader in corporate communications.

A key achievement under Greco’s leadership has been the enhancement of Power Design’s internal communication channels, most notably the launch of a user-friendly intranet. She improved collaboration across departments by streamlining access to critical company information, making it easier for employees to stay aligned and engaged.

She also reimagined employee email communications by consolidating excess messages into a single, streamlined weekly update. This new approach led to a record-breaking 20% click rate — over 5% higher than the company’s 2023 average.

Authentic storytelling has become a cornerstone of Power Design’s brand under Greco’s guidance. She played a pivotal role in revamping the company’s internal communication strategy, including “The Power Line,” a biannual employee newsletter that celebrates company milestones and fosters a sense of connection among employees.

Greco is also a cultural champion, literally taking center stage as the company’s in-house emcee and hosting major events or engaging audiences. She has the ability to create an energetic and inclusive environment, ensuring employees feel connected and valued.

Understanding the importance of employee feedback, Greco introduced Energage, a new survey platform that gives employees a chance to voice their opinions. The insights gathered from these surveys have directly influenced executive decisions, leading to policy improvements and enhanced workplace experience.

Her expertise in executive communications is also evident in her role in supporting high-profile leadership moments, including town hall meetings, all-hands manager sessions, and major milestones like Power Design’s CEO transition. Through her work, she has helped ensure transparency and alignment at all levels of the organization.

In addition to her work on engagement and leadership communication, Greco developed Power Design’s emergency response plan, equipping the company with protocols for hurricanes, floods and other potential crises. Her proactive planning has strengthened company resilience.

Jenna Greco’s dedication and innovative approach have set a new benchmark for excellence in corporate communications and culture at Power Design. Her leadership continues to drive engagement, enhance transparency and position the company as an industry leader.

Congratulations to Jenna Greco on this well-earned recognition.

Senior Manager, Communications

Providence Health

Providence Health’s Allie Hyams uses internal communications to advocate for people first

Allie Hyams’ commitment to inclusivity in critical moments and accessible communications for caregivers at Providence Health makes her an Internal Communications Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

As a former journalist, Allie Hyams knows the importance of disseminating critical information to large groups of people in challenging times. Working in healthcare during the pandemic was no easy feat, but the senior manager of communications at Providence Health, a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare system, tapped into her reporting skills. She gave bedside caregivers the most up-to-date news on timely topics such as when to properly dispose of a mask, company layoffs, and the closing of facility units due to budget constraints.

Hyams’ internal communications work and assurance that employees understand what’s happening at their workplace has extended beyond the pandemic. She recently managed the first union strike at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. As the caregivers who were demanding higher pay and different benefits weren’t physically at work and checking their emails every day, Hyams found inventive ways to make sure they had access to the latest information, occasionally relying on the use of basic fliers and posters to get the job done.

Hyams’ ability to take on challenges as they come isn’t the only way she’s made a positive impact at Providence Health. She’s adept at identifying areas of communication that need improvement and then advocating for it, such as an initiative to translate newsletters and caregiver information into multiple languages. Enforcing that kind of change can sometimes be costly, but Hyams found an affordable way to make it happen.

“Time after time when I ask Allie to take on a project, she will say, ‘But the food service people need XYZ,’ or ‘We have to rewrite this so everyone can understand it,’ and most importantly, Allie questions the work we do to ensure that we are always inclusive for all,” says Beth Hegde, director of communications at Providence Health.

Congratulations to Allie Hyams!

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Confluent Health

Annie Jamieson adds a personal touch to Confluent Health’s workplace infrastructures

Annie Jamieson’s ability to improve Confluent Health’s employee engagement and streamline communications has earned her recognition as an Internal Communications Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Even with thousands of employees at Confluent Health, a network of physical therapy and occupational therapy companies, Annie Jamieson has found a transformative way to make their work world feel a little more connected.

In 2024, the vice president of corporate communications introduced The Connection, an enhanced intranet platform where people can access critical resources and stay informed about what’s happening at work. Within 30 days, the number of users signed up for The Connection grew from a few dozen people to almost 18,000. Jamieson also implemented the use of Microsoft Teams, which has helped Confluent Health stay on top of file management and communications.

Jamieson has been an essential part of efforts to build culture and boost retention in her time at Confluent Health so far. She was involved with employee engagement campaigns, such as one for the organization’s 10th anniversary and National Physical Therapy Month, allowing employees to gain a new perspective on their identity and roles. On a more day-to-day basis, Jamieson has also had a hand in the success of The Pulse, an employee newsletter. Since her involvement, its open rate has increased from 0% to 44%.

“Annie is masterful at building relationships with her humble, kind, approachable, and adaptable style and has quickly become a trusted partner to many leaders throughout the company,” says Meg Dietzel, chief marketing officer at Confluent Health.

However, metrics aren’t the only way Jamieson’s influence has been measured. Her partnership with human resources has also helped introduce initiatives centered around DEI and employee recognition programs, creating a culture of more transparency and workplace participation.

“Her leadership shadow has raised the bar for everyone and has driven an intentionality for collaboration which has made us a better organization,” says Dr. Kristi Henderson, DNP, FAAN, CEO at Confluent Health.

Congratulations!

Director of Internal Communications

Saatva

Caroline Johns pioneers the ins and outs of Saatva’s success

As Saatva’s first director of internal communications, Caroline Johns reshaped how Saatva interacts with employees and consumers, making her an Internal Communications Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Caroline Johns may have only joined Saatva as its first director of internal communications in 2022, but her work is already having a lasting impact on the luxury mattress brand.

Upon her start at the company, Johns introduced Saatva’s first annual employee engagement survey, where she assessed how the brand could make actionable changes within its communications structures. Survey responses helped Johns streamline an initiative where she works with senior leadership and department heads to set clear goals while also bolstering both top-down communications and collaboration across various teams. Since the inaugural survey was sent out in 2022, employee participation in providing feedback each year has grown by 14%.

In November 2024, Johns launched Saatava’s first-ever intranet platform. While it was initially meant to be a place for employees to navigate essential resources, the platform has grown to become a space where they can connect, collaborate, and stay informed on company news with newsletters, videos and team-driven content.

Johns’ work at Saatva encompasses more than just internal communications. She believes that for a company to have a robust corporate identity, it must start with a strong internal culture. Johns has put that idea into motion by utilizing Saatva’s corporate partnerships with nonprofits in U.S. cities to help cultivate connections and belonging among employees. She also created an employee advocacy program to help employees establish a personal brand using social media.

By partnering with the company’s social media team on the initiative, Saatva’s LinkedIn following grew by 20%. There was even a boost in morale and a 250% increase in employee participation in the program. Johns’ external efforts also landed Saatva on recognition lists such as Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Best Workplaces in New York and Built In’s Best Workplaces.

Congratulations to Caroline Johns!

Senior Director, Communications and Marketing

Spirit AeroSystems

Erin Miser guides companies through high-stakes challenges

Erin Miser has built a reputation as an expert guide through high-stakes transitions and crises. Her ability to steer companies through turbulent times with clarity and confidence has earned her recognition as a Crisis Navigator and Internal Communications Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

From mergers and acquisitions to complex reputation management challenges, Erin Miser’s ability to craft strategic, data-driven narratives has cemented her place as a trusted leader in corporate communications.

As senior director of global communications and marketing at Spirit AeroSystems, she played a pivotal role in navigating the company through multiple issues, including an $8.3 billion acquisition by Boeing, a simultaneous separation from Airbus and an extensive corporate reorganization. In an industry where precision and stability are critical, her strategic counsel helped maintain stakeholder confidence and align global messaging through one of the most complex transactions in aerospace history.

Before joining Spirit AeroSystems, Miser was head of communications at American AgCredit, where she developed and executed a communications strategy that reinforced AAC’s mission to support sustainable food production. Her work ensured consistent messaging during times of economic uncertainty and strengthened AAC’s reputation among farmers, investors and policymakers.

Miser’s crisis leadership was further honed during her 12-year tenure at Cargill, where she provided communications counsel across businesses in the animal nutrition, protein, food ingredient and bio-industrial sectors. She played a role in managing global reputational risks, guiding teams through mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures while ensuring business continuity and stakeholder trust.

Miser’s commitment to professional growth and community involvement is evident in her pursuit of knowledge and participation in industry associations. Her multilingual skills and global perspective have been instrumental in developing culturally sensitive communication strategies for multinational organizations. Miser frequently contributes to industry publications and speaks at conferences, sharing her insights on emerging trends in communications and marketing.

With a global perspective, a data-driven approach, and a steady hand in times of uncertainty, Miser continues to set the standard for crisis communications leadership, ensuring businesses navigate challenges with resilience and purpose.

Congratulations on being recognized as a Crisis Navigator.

Head of Marketing

Coder

Coder’s Katherine Bagood centers innovation and collaboration for marketing success

Katherine Bagood oversaw marketing campaigns that strengthened company goals at Coder, earning her recognition into the Leaders category in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

It doesn’t matter where Katherine Bagood works — she knows a thing or two about creating engaging work for developers.

The head of marketing at Coder, an open-source cloud development environment, had only been at the company for a year before she launched several successful campaigns, which included Coder 2.0 and Series B2 funding. Those campaigns aided Coder’s goals in supporting cloud development and platform engineering and helped secure 50% of its revenue and 75% of its pipeline. In that time, Bagood also expanded her team from two to nine people and has become known for cultivating innovation and collaborating across departments.

Bagood has utilized the skills she’s put into projects at Coder prior to joining the company. As Program Manager of Community and Alliances at F5, an application security and multi-cloud management company, she oversaw several complex projects that exceeded company goals. A previous role as Senior Field Marketing Manager allowed Bagood to flex her skills in brand awareness and lead generation when she held more than 20 third-party sponsored events each year.

Meanwhile, when Bagood served as event marketing manager for web server NGINX, some of her achievements included spearheading over 25 developer-focused initiatives each year and running the company’s annual Sprint conference, which garnered over 10,000 viewers across YouTube and event hosting platforms. She also made the company’s NGINX Conf event so successful that it had a 100% attendee satisfaction rate.

“Kat has always excelled at building collaborative communities. Whether it was boosting open-source awareness at NGINX or driving high-impact campaigns at Coder, she consistently delivers results that fuel growth,” says Rob Whiteley, CEO of Coder. “She’s not only a visionary leader but also a dedicated mentor, always encouraging her team to push the boundaries of innovation and teamwork.”

Congratulations to Katherine Bagood!

Global Head of Corporate Communications

Beats by Dre

Sarah Joyce: Present at the creation of Beats by Dre

It’s easy to see why Sarah Joyce is a perfect choice to head global corporate communications at Beats by Dre. Not only is Joyce, like Dre, a music industry veteran, but she also personifies Beats’ scrappy, innovative ethic, propelling her candidacy for honors in the Leaders category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Sometimes, you realize a position, and the person in it seems a perfect fit. That’s the case with music industry veteran Sarah Joyce, global head of corporate communications for Beats by Dre and the first in-house PR pro the company hired 13 years ago. Moreover, Joyce handpicked and helped develop the communication professionals on her current team and is the principal communications advisor to Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.

Yet Joyce’s communication experience with some of music’s heavyweights — Apple, MySpace Music, Rod Stewart and Alicia Keys, among others — is just part of her allure. An equally critical factor is, as one of her colleagues put it, “Sarah’s notorious creativity and refusal to color inside the traditional proverbial lines.” Joyce’s innovative personality fits perfectly with the iconoclastic ethos of Beats by Dre.

Her activities during 2024 illustrate Joyce’s creativity and frenetic pace. For example, Joyce was instrumental (pun not intended) in the success of Beats’ focus on sports and entertainment (you know, you’ve seen numerous athletes and celebs entering venues wearing Beats).

Part of the buzz springs from Joyce’s global, multi-platform campaigns for Beats, including “The King and the Viking,” which features basketball icon LeBron James and the British-Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland.

Joyce also was part of the team that outfitted some of the country’s best college football players in headphones as part of a campaign called Beats Elite. The effort culminated in an all-star collection of football players called the Beats Elite Class. In addition, Joyce devised the PR strategy behind Beats’ partnership with MLS.

On top of all this, Joyce was put in charge of strategic communication for Beats’ partnership with Apple’s Services organization.

Congratulations!

Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing

Army & Air Force Exchange Service

Sandra Lute: Blazing a trail serving Army and Air Force needs

After 41 years with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Sandra Lute has done it all. That happens when you work your up from cashier to SVP of brand marketing. Despite her long tenure, Lute wants to do more. She’s an innovator whose introduction of social media and other creative ideas earn her a place in the Leaders category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

It was a no-brainer that Sandra Lute, SVP of brand marketing at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, should have a place in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards. Where should we start?

Well, she’s been at the Department of Defense’s largest retailer for ‘just’ 41 years, beginning as a cashier. Lute’s Exchange resume — which is as long as a novella — includes visual merchandiser, illustrator, graphic designer, art director, advertising manager, branding manager, communication chief and VP of marketing customer engagement. And that’s just a sampling.

Clearly, Lute is a trailblazer. She’s the senior-ranking woman communication executive in the Exchange’s 130-year history. Her colleagues refer to Lute, adoringly, as “the lead tank on communication.”

And despite her years of experience, or perhaps because of them, Lute insists on innovating.

For instance, in 2009-2010, she led the largest overhaul of the organization’s brand identity, touching every facet at 5,500 locations in the U.S. and abroad.

The next year, 2011, Lute began leading communication with the Exchange’s 26,000 associates. Again, she shook things up. Lute transitioned the monthly magazine to a digital platform, with news updated as it happens.

In 2016, the Exchange’s social media team was moved under Lute’s purview. She seized the opportunity to grow its social media channels. Lute’s team also manages the social pages of each Exchange store.

It’s difficult to pin down highlights of Lute’s career. But one was in 2017, when she managed external communication as the Exchange nearly tripled its shopping base to 33 million through expanded benefits to honorably discharged veterans.

Her clear communication helped prompt a 120% increase in Veterans Day weekend sales year over year.

Also in 2017, Lute led the Exchange’s collaboration with the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl when the organization’s first TV commercial debuted on ESPN.

Not bad for a one-time cashier.

Congratulations!

Vice President of Global Marketing Communications

MyFitnessPal

Amanda Mahan’s Myfitnesspal social strategy fuels explosive growth, securing record engagement

MyFitnessPal’s global marketing transformation under Amanda Mahan expanded the brand’s reach, generating over ten billion in PR exposure, four billion media impressions, and a 900% increase in high-quality media placements. Amanda Mahan is a winner in Ragan’s Top Women of Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Leaders category.

Amanda Mahan, vice president of global marketing communications at MyFitnessPal, was instrumental in reshaping how the health tech brand engaged consumers by delivering consistent results with an expansive global scope. By orchestrating multi-regional campaigns across the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, Mahan was able to grow revenue for MyFitnessPal as well as user engagement.

Under Mahan’s leadership, MyFitnessPal’s TikTok following grew from a single follower to 170,000, while the brand’s Instagram more than doubled. Her dedication to expanding the brand’s social media presence led to a 464% jump in content shares and a 216% increase in follower interactions. Instead of relying on flash-in-the-pan promotions, Mahan and her team focused on authentic, consumer trend-driven content that resonated with diverse audiences, such as gut health tips and high-protein meal ideas.

With measurable social metrics to underscore the effectiveness of her strategy, Mahan also excelled at forging high-profile partnerships with celebrities like Ayesha Curry and Kate Hudson, and brands such as Adidas, HelloFresh, and WellHub. With their support added to the already working social strategy, MyFitnessPal amassed more than four billion media impressions and exceeded global partnership revenue targets for all parties involved.

To further increase the strength of MyFitnessPal’s brand, Mahan focused on increases in reach and visibility in the press. Under her leadership, the brand’s global public relations strategy was released and saw almost immediate results; unaided brand awareness so increased by more than five basis points. Even more impressive, Mahan and her new strategy boosted overall PR exposure by ten billion while increasing high-quality media placements by 900%.

By delivering tangible results through data-driven marketing and clear communication strategies, Amanda Mahan helped lead MyFitnessPal’s brand to new heights. The increase in visibility also lead to a tangible impact, with MyFitnessPal securing over one million Premium subscriptions through partnerships with the American Diabetes Association and the American Liver Foundation following the White House’s Conference on Food and Nutrition.

Congratulations to Amanda Mahan

Vice President, Communications

STV

Beth Miller strengthens STV’s media presence with a major website overhaul and rebrand

Beth Miller initiated STV’s strategic website overhaul, a seamless corporate transition to the Empire State Building and a rebrand recognized by the Society of Marketing Professional Services. Her media expertise secured coverage, while her internal engagement initiatives boosted employee intranet views by 36%. Beth Miller is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Leaders category.

With two decades of expertise in media relations, crisis communications, and branding, Beth Miller, STV’s vice president of communications, has been pivotal in refining the firm’s messaging strategy. Since joining STV, her ability to craft value-driven narratives has strengthened both internal and external communications while balancing cost efficiency with strategic innovation.

Drawing from a career dedicated to shaping public dialogue around major infrastructure projects like the Oculus at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, the Second Avenue Subway, and LaGuardia Airport’s redevelopment, Miller’s understanding of public-sector communications has enabled her to secure top-tier media coverage in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and CNN.

After recognizing the need for a more modern and intuitive platform to elevate the firm’s reputation, Miller spearheaded the complete overhaul of STV’s website this past June. Miller’s vision for the website came to fruition after securing buy-in from executive leadership and coordinating with cross-functional teams on content, design, and user experience.

The new STV website garnered 6,185 views on its first day and has received positive reviews from employees, leadership, and clients for its clear presentation of STV’s projects and capabilities. Last May, Miller also led STV’s outreach around its move to the Empire State Building, turning a major transition into an opportunity to unify the company. She managed updates through newsletters and town halls and organized an employee celebration, keeping teams engaged and productive during the shift. Miller’s leadership continued to pay dividends for STV as the firm’s strategic rebrand won recognition from the Society of Marketing Professional Services New York chapter in July.

Externally, Miller’s achievements build upon her long career of communication expertise and shaping the public dialogue around infrastructure. Internally, her management style reflects her approach to success as she emphasizes collaboration and leveraging team member strengths. This new culture led to an increase in employee intranet views by 36% year over year and helped STV reach over one billion media impressions.

Great Job to Beth Miller!

Managing Director, Strategic Communications

FTI Consulting, Inc.

Citseko Staples Miller advances healthcare equity at FTI Consulting

Citseko Staples Miller’s leadership in healthcare advocacy and expertise in public health have positioned her as a trusted voice, leading initiatives with organizations like the CDC Foundation and the Institute for Medicaid Innovation. Citseko Staples Miller is a winner of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Leaders category.

Healthcare advocacy is about policy, trust, access and impact. Citseko Staples Miller, a managing director of strategic communications at FTI Consulting’s Healthcare & Life Sciences practice, has spent the past year tackling these challenges head-on and with a track record of success. She has worked to expand vaccine access among diverse communities, using data-driven strategies to address disparities in care. Her collaborations with organizations like the CDC Foundation have led to tangible solutions, including workplace tools for hypertension prevention.

Outside of public health initiatives, Staples Miller is a trusted voice in the pharmaceutical industry, facilitating conversations that drive action, whether focused on improving treatment access or strengthening patient education. A key facet of her influence lies in her role on the Board of the Institute for Medicaid Innovation, where she helps steer policy discussions to the benefit of low-income communities.

Her efforts to be a positive agent of change are seen as she leads campaigns to end cervical cancer and promotes knowledge-sharing on supply chain and cost challenges that disproportionately affect underrepresented patient groups. Beyond just advocacy, Staples Miller also spearheads women’s leadership programs inside and outside FTI Consulting, emphasizing mentorship and professional development.

Staples Miller’s insights have taken center stage at international conferences, where she speaks on issues from vaccine distribution bottlenecks to educational shortcomings affecting patient adherence. Building on her reputation as a thought leader, she spearheaded FTI Consulting’s proprietary quarterly analysis that spotlights insurance payer and provider disputes. By distilling these findings into actionable insights, she enables pharmaceutical and healthcare clients to anticipate shifts in reimbursement policies and address patient care holdups more proactively.

Staples Miller’s leadership helps generate momentum for initiatives that can significantly reduce mortality rates thanks to her knack for uniting diverse teams around clearly defined goals. Her teams at FTI praise her empathy, thoroughness, and inclusivity; these qualities dovetail with FTI’s overall performance, which saw record revenues of $3.489 billion in 2023, a 15% increase from the prior year.

Well done Citseko Staples Miller!

Managing Director, Strategic Communications

FTI Consulting, Inc.

MD of strategic communications Clara McGrail answers the call

In almost any endeavor, the best thing one can do is be the answer to the organization’s needs. That’s what MD of strategic communications, Clara McGrail does for FTI Consulting, whose size and flat structure present challenges for mid-level pros to receive support and coaching. The success McGrail has had in filling this need earned her honors in the Mentors & Coaches category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Face it: Communication is often a 24/7 endeavor. That’s why it’s the rare PR pro who dedicates her little free time to mentoring and coaching others. Clara McGrail at FTI Consulting is that rare breed, which is why she’s among our honorees.

Some people see mentoring and coaching as a soft skill, unworthy of significant resources. Not FTI Consulting, which recognizes some of its units’ flat structure and considerable size make it challenging for mid-career pros — the people it strives to retain and develop — to get the coaching and support they need. Accordingly, it’s not an accident that FTI touts McGrail’s mentoring and coaching at every turn.

You can often find McGrail conducting 1:1 coaching with colleagues, whether during weekly 30-minute meetings or informal check-ins. In addition, she’s known for staffing projects with teammates, with whom she later helps guide through new experiences. She also goes out of her way to bring young professionals to networking events and development opportunities.

It’s not a surprise that McGrail also leads FTI’s intern and consultant recruitment process, serving as the interface with corporate HR on everything related to early talent development. This has her sifting through hundreds of resumes, sitting for dozens of interviews, and ensuring new hires have buddies and coaches who facilitate a smooth onboarding process.

And remember we mentioned the misconception that coaching and mentoring are considered soft? Not in McGrail’s case. She’s known for pushing mentees hard, forcing them to maximize their potential. Not coincidentally, her colleagues also describe her as “caring,” “insightful,” and “dedicated to [their] success.”

Congratulations to Clara McGrail!

Chief Communications Officer

Booking Holdings

Booking’s CCO Leslie Cafferty’s wide-ranging PR trip

Like an excellent vacation, the remit of Leslie Cafferty, Booking Holdings’ CCO, is extensive, exciting and loaded with interesting side trips. Her success in raising Booking’s visibility earns her a place in the PR Leader category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

Communication, at times, becomes an always-on job. And when the company you represent has partners in 220 countries and is the world’s largest in its category, 24/7 can get normalized quickly.

That’s life for Leslie Cafferty, CCO of Booking Holdings, the world’s top travel company, whose Booking.com platform is synonymous with travel just about everywhere.

You might not immediately associate DEI with a travel company, yet it’s a priority for Cafferty. Knowing that DEI starts at the top, Cafferty was instrumental in organizing an executive-level DEI steering committee.

Moreover, she is the executive sponsor of B.Equal, Booking.com’s Employee Resource Group, and has established regional chapters, increasing the network of women and male allies to 3,000+. Not surprisingly, she also has played a key role in leading the company’s LGBTQ+ travel research.

In addition, Cafferty has intensified Booking’s media relations push with pitches on traditional and progressive travel topics. The latter include the future of travel and technology’s role in transforming travel and making travel more inclusive and sustainable.

Also on sustainability, Leslie has driven Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable program, which contributed to 40% of 2023 bookings being made on sustainable offerings.

Moreover, Cafferty has raised awareness through a series of high-impact thought leadership initiatives, earning placements in global media, business, and policy forums.

Turning to social media, Cafferty spearheaded Booking.com’s expansion into TikTok, where the brand quickly amassed 1.3 million followers in 18 months. An entertainment-first strategy led to highly successful campaigns, such as ‘Genius with Brooklyn Beckham,’ which garnered 2.4 million views.

Another major thrust for Cafferty is the importance of AI in the travel sector. As such, she’s led communication for the launch and scale of Booking.com’s AI Trip Planner and Priceline’s Penny AI Assistant. She’s also introduced AI best practices at Booking, as well as ethics guidelines and supported AI-related career development across teams.

Congratulations!

Director of Communications

Coldwell Banker Real Estate

Kristin Cockerham: Coldwell Banker Real Estate’s global voice

Coldwell Banker Real Estate’s director of communications, Kristin Cockerham, and her global team handle everything from newsletter publication and education to corporate messaging. Cockerham’s experience and leadership earned her honors in the PR Leader category in the Class of 2025 Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards.

Since joining Coldwell Banker Real Estate in 2021, Kristin Cockerham, director of communications, has initiated key efforts that keep the company top of mind with stakeholders within and outside its global offices.

For example, Cockerham spearheaded a weekly newsletter, “Last Week in Real Estate,” highlighting important industry news and trends. Among Coldwell Banker’s many newsletters, it surpasses industry standards in open and click-to-open rates.

In addition, Cockerham heads communications and strategy around the Leadership Summit, a key company event that draws more than 500 global Coldwell Banker leaders. Part of the Summit is a series of recruiting master classes that some of the top brokers in the industry lead. Also on the agenda are numerous networking opportunities and access to exclusive content and insight.

Facilitating education is a key part of Cockerham’s work. As such, she has played an important role in the success of “This Quarter at Luxury,” a virtual series offering insight into high-end real estate trends from Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialists.

In addition, there’s Agents Helping Agents, a series featuring Coldwell Banker Affiliates President Jason Waugh connecting with the Coldwell Banker network about strategies for maintaining business focus, achieving operational excellence and exploring innovative ways for accelerating growth.

Cockerham’s work was also on display in successful launches of studies, including the “Agent Priorities Report,” which surveyed affiliated and non-affiliated competitor agents, measuring how they feel about the real estate market, their priorities and views of the industry’s leading real estate brands.

Congratulations to Kristin Cockerham!

Director of Corporate Communications

Wasabi Technologies

‘Secret’ of Wasabi’s Lindsay Daly? Outwork the competition

Sometimes, communication teams that enjoy large budgets and equally big staff become complacent. That’s not the way Lindsay Daly approaches communication. Instead, Wasabi Technologies’ director of corporate communications prefers scrappy, creative, resilient and thoughtful tactics. This earned her honors in the PR Leader category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

Among the first things one notices about Lindsay Daly, cloud storage company Wasabi Technologies’ director of corporate communications, is her management style. She’s not content to counsel and supervise her small but effective team.

Instead, Daly is best described as a player-coach, jumping into the tactical work of media relations, corporate social responsibility and analyst relations. For Daly, goal setting leads to goal achievement when hard work, innovative thinking and relationship building are applied.

An example of Daly’s effectiveness is securing major coverage last summer in Variety, a Wasabi bucket-list outlet. Other media relations highlights included pitches in Europe and Asia that resulted in European earned media coverage increasing by 132%. Incidentally, this helped Wasabi land its biggest European partner to date and grew its annual recurring revenue rate there more than 70%. In Asia, Wasabi, for the first time, experienced a quarter where its share of voice topped its competitors.

Building on the team’s increased media relations focus, Daly helped increase buzz around a Wasabi technology acquisition. Pitching media vigorously, attention rose for the launch of an AI-based product for the sports, media and entertainment industry. That resulted in 18 standalone features and a Best of Show award for the product at NAB. There was even more momentum after early adopters included the Liverpool Football Club and the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.

Also on Daly’s target list was bolstering Wasabi’s relationships with the analyst community. Her team’s efforts resulted in generating at least $1 million for Wasabi’s pipeline and had firms like Gartner recommending the company to buyers.

Congratulations to Lindsay Daly!

Senior Vice President, Global Communications and Chief of Staff to the EVP and CCO

Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck’s Johanna Herrmann sets the standard for PR leadership

With a track record of navigating corporate communications at the highest level, Johanna Herrmann has solidified her role as one of Merck’s most influential leaders. Her ability to blend strategic foresight with operational excellence has earned her recognition as a PR Leader in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Johanna Herrmann has helped steer her company through rapid growth, major acquisitions and complex global crises.

Since joining Merck in 2021, Herrmann has been instrumental in strengthening the company’s crisis response framework, particularly amid escalating geopolitical tensions and natural disasters. She implemented a streamlined decision-making model, including a social media pause decision-making framework, which enables swift, strategic responses to crises.

Beyond crisis management, Herrmann played a critical role in shaping the company’s corporate and product communications. She led the communications strategy for Merck’s $10.8 billion acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences, securing 63 media placements in top-tier outlets. The acquisition’s social media campaign also generated over 217,000 LinkedIn impressions.

Her leadership extended to the successful launch of a breakthrough treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The launch generated over 70 original media articles within 48 hours, with Merck’s CEO featured in broadcast interviews on Bloomberg and CNBC. Merck’s stock rose 5% following the announcement, underscoring the impact of a well-executed communications strategy.

In oncology, Herrmann has helped Merck maintain the leading share of voice at major medical congresses, driving an average of 40 media interviews and over 200 articles per event. Additionally, the “Focus on Your Lungs” campaign promoting lung cancer screening awareness reached 30 million impressions and drove over 100,000 site visits.

Herrmann is also a champion of corporate culture and inclusion. She advises employee resource groups such as the Women’s Network and Next Gen Network, and as a Latina leader, she supports Alianza EBRG, which fosters professional development for Hispanic employees.

Herrmann’s impact extends globally through her role as executive sponsor of Merck’s Richard T. Clark Fellowship for Global Health program supporting NGOs in underserved communities.

Johanna Herrmann continues to elevate Merck’s reputation, making her a standout PR Leader in the industry. Congratulations on receiving this industry honor.

Vice President

UPRAISE Marketing + Public Relations

Katie Jewett, UPRAISE’s $1 million marketer

Katie Jewett’s 2024 accomplishments leave no doubt she’s worthy of honors in the PR Leaders category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025. The VP at UPRAISE Marketing + Public Relations strategically deployed media relations tactics and thought leadership campaigns en route to doubling her client portfolio and generating $1 million in revenue. Any questions?

It wasn’t difficult for our judges to recognize Katie Jewett’s 2024 successes. The first lines of her application stood out: Katie “demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision, doubling her client portfolio and generating $1 million in agency revenue.” Next!

Seriously, Jewett, a VP at UPRAISE Marketing + Public Relations, successfully navigated a merger for her longest-standing and largest account, ultimately retaining its business and later capturing the newly formed entity as a client.

She did all this as she navigated a comprehensive RFP process, bonding with the firm’s new CMO.

A similar success for Jewett had her working with UPRAISE’s second-largest account in 2023, a larger parent company business unit. By early 2024, she secured not only the parent company’s business but also earned the account of another unit, collectively increasing UPRAISE’s monthly retainer by $15,000.

Never one to remain idle, Jewett is now spearheading an expanded thought leadership program for three C-suite members.

Another example of Jewett’s excellent work is her execution of a media relations campaign for a client that participated in Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative, a hot-button topic in the advertising community.

Jewett deftly positioned the client as a thought leader on third-party cookie deprecation and privacy-forward advertising, cleverly managing shifting timelines and Google’s evolving strategy.

The messaging Jewett helped craft emphasized transparency around testing limitations while maintaining a positive partnership with Google. As such, it secured coverage with Adweek, Ad Age, eMarketer, MediaPost and the Wall Street Journal, solidifying her client’s reputation as a leader in privacy-first advertising.

Jewett also led a media campaign for market research firm Circana that resulted in nearly 500 articles, which were further amplified on journalists’ X feeds, reaching 1.72 million followers.

Congratulations to Katie Jewett!

Vice President

Berk Communications

Laura Kepus: Crafting sports & fashion PR for large and small

It’s difficult to say where Laura Kepus will be next. That’s because the remit of the Berk Communications VP ranges from established clients to start-ups in sports, fitness, fashion and consumer lifestyle. Her success with minuscule to large budgets propels Kepus to honors in the PR Leaders category in Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

No job is too small or large for 11-year communications pro Laura Kepus, vice president at Berk Communications. Kepus has handled clients like Puma, Foot Locker, Major League Soccer and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. However, she’s also created viral moments for start-ups with negligible communication budgets.

Among Kepus’ wins in 2024 was her masterful orchestration of activities around the September NFL game that marked the first time where both teams had female presidents. Leading up to the game between the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders, Kepus conceptualized and executed the strategy that ultimately spotlighted this moment.

Her outreach months before the contest resulted in features in Fortune and on CNBC about Kristi Coleman, the Panthers’ president. Kepus also helped coordinate the pre-game moment that saw Coleman and Sandra Douglass Morgan, the Raiders’ president, exchange custom-made, commemorative footballs. Not only did this moment garner coverage on CBS, ESPN and in Essence, hip hop artist Flavor Flav endorsed it on his X feed.

Another win was Kepus’ work on Foot Locker’s unveiling of its store of the future concept, in spring 2024. Cleverly, the unveiling of the initiative was timed to kick off the company’s 50th anniversary.

Kepus’ team secured in-depth features about the announcement in a slew of outlets, spanning business, consumer lifestyle, sneaker and retail trades, including CNBC, Men’s Journal and Sneaker News.

In addition to these victories for clients, Kepus played a major role in expanding her agency’s inaugural pro bono program. She translated the firm’s years of pro bono work into an annual program, with $100K invested for PR work for companies that make a difference.

In March 2024, Berk onboarded two clients into the program, HOT BONES and Black Owned Bos., both are female-founded and serve diverse and underrepresented audiences in their respective markets, Detroit and Boston.

Congratulations!

Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications

Red Banyan

Red Banyan’s Levin crafts strategic response to Oct. 7 attack

Few communicators work in the kind of high-stakes environment that’s become routine for Monika Levin, Red Banyan’s SVP of strategic communication. Within hours of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, killing of 1,200 music fans in Israel and taking 251 hostages, Levin was strategizing client responses. Her success prompted honors in the PR Leader category in Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

For most people, shock was the immediate reaction to Hamas brutally slaughtering 1,200 civilians at a music festival in Israel and taking 251 hostages. While Monika Levin also was shocked with the events of Oct. 7, 2023, she had little time to consider her emotions. Instead, Red Banyan’s SVP of strategic communication almost immediately hit the phones, strategizing responses with nearly a dozen clients.

Since that day, Levin and her team’s work on the Oct. 7 attack has secured 2,660 pieces of earned media, reaching an estimated audience of 7.8 billion people.

Their nimble response was not accidental. For years, Levin amassed a team of subject-matter experts. They were quickly matched with media requests, catapulting clients’ views into national and global headlines.

In addition, Levin knows the Middle East. She spent years there as a TV field producer, including interviewing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at his Gaza compound.

An example of Levin’s leadership on this issue is the campaign she helped launch for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: “Philly Stands with Israel.” From 10/2023-01/2024, the team secured 200+ earned media pieces, reaching an estimated audience of 4.8 million.

Moreover, their efforts helped raise more than $15.3 million in three months for humanitarian needs in Israel, promoted emergency rallies and helped correct disinformation and misinformation concerning the Israel-Hamas war.

Levin and her team’s quick work also positioned the client as a thought leader on the conflict and college campus antisemitism, landing it coverage in national outlets like The New York Times and USA Today.

Since Oct. 7, the region has continued producing headlines, meaning Levin and her team remain busy. For instance, when Adidas featured Bella Hadid in a 1972 Munich Olympics-themed shoe ad in July 2024, the team swiftly issued a statement for the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). Condemning Adidas for its ignorance of the Munich Olympics tragedy resulted in 79 earned media pieces, reaching 96 million people. The media exposure led Adidas to apologize and meet with CAM to discuss specific measures for combating antisemitism.

Congratulations!

Vice President, External Relations

Dow Jones

Lauren McCabe’s work helps Gershkovich leave Russian prison

Dow Jones VP Lauren McCabe deserves much of the success for a relentless awareness campaign that ultimately helped free Evan Gershkovich, the Wall St. Journal reporter wrongly detained in Russia for 16 months. Her success in this unprecedented crisis earned McCabe global thanks and honors in the PR Leader category in Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

It’s a fair bet that Lauren McCabe never dreamed her communication work would help save a life. Yet McCabe’s tireless leadership of Team Evan, the Dow Jones effort to keep the plight of Evan Gershkovich in the public eye, helped spring the Wall Street Journal reporter from 16 months of detention in Russia in August 2024.

In the days after Gershkovich’s remarkable release, government officials and media leaders said the Dow Jones’ unrelenting awareness campaign was a crucial pressure point that compelled the U.S. government to get Evan and other American hostages freed.

McCabe joined Dow Jones 8 months into Evan’s wrongful detainment and immediately threw herself into leading the publicity barrage. Besides ensuring Wall Street Journal readers saw and heard constant reminders about Gershkovich’s plight, Lauren spent countless hours prepping Dow Jones executives and the Gershkovich family for media interviews and events.

Did McCabe have special training that helped her lead with composure and grace in this unprecedented situation? The short answer is no. However, McCabe had 20 years of experience as a communicator. Accordingly, she leaned on her media knowledge to provide tactics and strategies to navigate the litany of public-facing campaigns she developed for Evan.

While Evan was her top priority, McCabe had other responsibilities. McCabe also built out Dow Jones’ external communication team. Moreover, she led communication strategy for Alma Latour, the Dow Jones CEO and Wall Street Journal publisher. Her work spurred positive press, including a long-form profile from the Poynter Institute, another in New York Magazine and an Axios feature touting Dow Jones’ record subscription growth.

Congratulations!

Chief Strategic Communications Officer

Investment Company Institute

Investment Institute’s Richardson Pushes PR’s human side

The personable management style of Erica Richardson, chief strategic communications officer of the Investment Company Institute, disrupts a view of the financial industry as cold and inhuman. Richardson’s success in mentoring an inclusive team earned her an award in PR Leader category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

While there’s no doubt that digital technology and AI are permanent parts of the business world, Erica Richardson, chief strategic communications officer at the Investment Company Institute, believes the human touch remains critical in messaging and managing communicators.

She leads with a refined sense of humor, personal warmth and emphasizes inclusivity — sharing thoughts is encouraged among team members; spirited, collegial discussions are part of Richardson’s process as she mentors, develops and manages her 20-person team.

Concerning communication tactics, Richardson takes a multifaceted approach, mixing earned and owned media on traditional and digital platforms as well as employing grassroots initiatives. This recipe has successfully raised awareness of the institute’s issues.

For example, on financial stability, a hot button for regulators, Richardson crafted pitches for earned and oversaw owned content creation that educated international regulators, dispelling myths about funds and their influence on financial stability.

Richardson targeted high-profile outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and industry-focused press like Bloomberg to get ICI’s messages into the financial services mainstream media.

Internally, anticipating issues, Richardson helped prepare institute staff with pre-buttals in the ICI Daily on the morning of regulatory meetings, challenging assumptions and augmenting messaging.

For the topic of closed-end funds (CEF), a mutual that sells a fixed number of shares, Richardson spread ICI’s view with grasstops initiatives, increasing public and political pressure on policymakers to help protect fund shareholders from activist investors.

In addition, Richardson and her team urged community leaders to write opinion pieces to local newspapers outlining why CEFs are important for retail investors. One of the essays, by a labor union leader in the Bowling Green Sentinel, was highlighted on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

The PR pressure contributed to a bipartisan bill in the U.S. House, the Increasing Investor Opportunities Act.

Congratulations!

Executive Vice President, Communications

CBS Sports

2024 was a super (bowl) year for CBS Sports’ Jen Sabatelle

For Jen Sabatelle, EVP of communications at CBS Sports, Super Bowl LVIII was just one of 2024’s high points as she prepared the company and media for a leadership transition and handled ‘small’ events like The Final Four and The Masters. Her year-long leadership and success earned Sabatelle honors in the PR Leader category in Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

Many PR professionals dream of leading communication for a high-profile event like the Super Bowl. For Jen Sabatelle, EVP of communications at CBS Sports, the dream became a reality in 2024 as she guided a yearlong PR initiative around Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

Sabatelle’s PR plan for CBS Sports’ presentation of the Super Bowl included a multi-layered strategy, with tactics for social and traditional media, TV, radio, mass circulation outlets and the sports, business and pop culture trades.

She and her team also oversaw the traditional on-site Media Day before the game, featuring some 30 CBS announcers and executives, along with 200 media members.

Not coincidentally, Sabatelle also led PR for CBS’ announcement that its broadcast was the most-watched telecast ever, at the time, averaging 124 million viewers across all platforms.

And while the Super Bowl was a high point of Jen’s year, her accomplishments didn’t end there. While some companies recoil from mentioning succession plans, CBS Sports took the opposite route. Heeding Sabatelle’s strategic vision, CBS Sports celebrated the transition from longtime chairman Sean McManus to David Berson, in April 2024, as the next chapter for an iconic brand.

As such, Sabatelle unveiled the narrative strategically, beginning with an announcement in September 2023. Internally, she managed news of the succession with a Town Hall; her external pitching included a press release, embargoed stories and background sessions for media. Her external efforts resulted in features in the Associated Press, Sports Business Journal and LA Times, among others.

And Sabatelle wasn’t finished. She also developed communication plans for the NCAA’s Final Four, golf’s The Masters and a slew of NFL and college football and basketball contests.

Beyond her extensive accomplishments, however, perhaps Sabatelle’s most lasting work is mentoring young women across CBS Sports. Clearly, she has plenty of wisdom to impart.

Congratulations to Jen Sabatelle!

Head of Marketing –Brand Marketing, PE/HE

Sony Electronics

Maya Wasserman: ‘Ear-ning’ media for Sony Electronics

It’s difficult to fit Maya Wasserman’s title on a business card. Yet it’s easy to describe Sony Electronics’ head of marketing, brand marketing, personal entertainment and home entertainment — she’s a producer. Her winning awareness campaigns for Sony’s collaborations with top musicians and the NFL earn her a place in the PR Leader category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

When you look at Maya Wasserman’s title — head of marketing, brand marketing, personal entertainment and home entertainment at Sony Electronics — it’s easy to imagine she’s launched more than 100 products during a 13-year stretch, leaning on creative, integrated omni-channel marketing and emphasizing thought leadership with a data-driven approach.

A major win for Wasserman in 2024 involved Sony’s technology partnership with the NFL, which exemplified her role in advancing the company’s technologies across diverse industries.

As the NFL’s official headphones partner in 2024, Wasserman leveraged the brand’s community of audio ambassadors and influencers and likened Sony’s approach to building on those passions through a new sports-focused collaboration. The partnership exemplified Sony’s breadth and versatility across industries and highlighted its potential to shape the future of football. For her part, Wasserman crafted an innovative campaign that spurred millions of views across top social channels.

In addition, Wasserman’s leadership was pivotal in driving the success of Sony’s For The Music campaign to rebrand across its TV and headphone lines. A key to Wasserman’s effectiveness was her consistent understanding of evolving consumer preferences, augmented with data-based insight.

And then there are marketing collaborations with artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Miguel and Peso Pluma, underscoring Wasserman’s willingness to push the boundaries of entertainment. As a brand builder, Wasserman spearheaded these partnerships with innovative campaign strategies across multiple product lines, including TV, headphones and speakers.

Throughout Sony, Wasserman is known as a visionary and a leader who speaks with conviction and executes projects thoughtfully while consistently producing strong results.

She’s also a mentor, constantly uplifting others and taking time to offer advice and assistance.

Congratulations to Maya Wasserman!

Senior Vice President, Communications & Creative

RealPage

A perfect match: Jennifer Bowcock and RealPage

Describing Jennifer Bowcock as a tech veteran is an understatement. She was literally present at the creation — an Apple communicator when the company introduced the iPhone. She’s still at the frontlines, maintaining RealPage’s reputation in the midst of a federal antitrust suit. Her success earns her honors in the Tech Leaders category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

It wasn’t an ideal scenario for RealPage or Jennifer Bowcock, SVP of communications and creative. In late August 2024, 13 months after joining the apartment rental software platform, the U.S. Justice Department hit RealPage with an antitrust suit and allegations of price fixing.

Fortunately, RealPage isn’t Bowcock’s first go-round. Not even close. She’s a 30-year technology veteran, predating Apple’s introduction of the iPhone in June 2007. And, yes, Bowcock was a senior PR pro at Apple when the iPhone debuted; she worked on its launch.

As such, Bowcock has collaborated with tech luminaries from Steve Jobs and Tim Cook to Dagmar Dolby. She’s also worked at AT&T, ChargePoint and Oglivy. She’s also experienced in global, financial, policy, employee and crisis communications.

That’s why Bowcock just might be the perfect person to maintain RealPage’s reputation as it battles the Justice Department. Accordingly, she’s led crisis communication efforts, including developing and implementing The RealStory campaign, exposing employees, customers, policymakers and media to RealPage’s version of the situation.

In addition, Bowcock crafted a policy-themed PR program supporting and, when necessary, combating legislative issues. She also led tours for influencers in Washington, D.C., with RealPage’s general counsel.

Aside from crisis work, she also established a PR program and infrastructure with little to no internal staffing. And she drove and promoted honors, including Forbes’ “Best Employers 2024” and Newsweek’s “Best Workplace for Women.”

In addition, she led a re-branded and revamped corporate philanthropy program, RealPages Cares, and collaborated with Habitat for Humanity, which became a strategic partner. Bowcock launched RealPage’s first B2B2C campaign and product launch, for LOFT, a resident experience platform.

Congratulations!

VP, Corporate Marketing

Mimecast

Melanie Poitras: Mimecast’s tireless advocate for inclusion

In addition to her knowledge of technology marketing, gained via 20 years in the sector, Melanie Poitras, VP of corporate marketing at Mimecast, is dedicated to ensuring the company’s messaging is inclusive and appealing to a diverse audience. This and her mentoring earn her recognition in the Tech Leaders category of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

The award-winning marketers in Ragan’s Top Women in Communication craft strategic campaigns for their company’s products and services. And they do so with visionary strategies and initiatives that drive narrative influence and transform market equity for their company. Melanie Poitras, VP of corporate marketing for the cybersecurity firm Mimecast, does all this. However, she goes several steps further.

Poitras also works tirelessly to ensure inclusion and diversity are present in Mimecast’s marketing and throughout the company’s internal communication. In addition, she is dedicated to mentoring women throughout Mimecast.

A 20-year veteran of the tech industry, you’d expect Poitras is a brand visionary, and, indeed, she’s a thought leader. She’s respected for her strategic vision and insight on corporate responsibility and the future of communication and work. Yet it’s her advocacy for inclusion and representation in communication and within Mimecast that sets her apart.

Poitras’ communications programs and campaigns are focused on authentic, diverse storytelling, which helps Mimecast’s branding represent and respect its varied customer base.

Moreover, it’s not just Poitras’ marketing campaigns that are inclusive. Inside Mimecast, she’s committed to mentoring the next generation of women – communications professionals or not. She coaches young women, empowering them to advocate for themselves and others. Her mentorship has inspired numerous women and men to pursue communications and brand leadership roles in the tech space.

A savvy professional, Poitras combines data-driven insights with creative innovation, producing impactful and memorable campaigns. She oversees Mimecast’s integrated communications, creative, digital and events teams, spearheading strategies and programs that have redefined the company’s brand position and enhanced its channel engagement.

Congratulations!

Director, Marketing & Outreach

ICF

ICF’s innovative Kelly Zonderwyk mixes data with humanity

Kelly Zonderwyk, marketing account director at ICF, is the rare marketer who understands the recipe for targeted communication is a mix of data and the human touch. This winning approach makes her worthy of a Tech Leaders honor in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Kelly Zonderwyk, marketing account director at consultant ICF, is rightly known as a transformative voice in the utility sector. She’s not only pioneered an approach to communications using Account-Based Marketing (ABM), but has driven tangible, industry-defining results with it.

In short, Zonderwyk makes extensive use of data about utility customers’ engagement strategies when she crafts marketing initiatives. However, she never underestimates the importance of thinking about business customers as people instead of data. Zonderwyk believes that, ultimately, people make business decisions. Indeed, Kelly helped create more than 50 decision-maker personas, representing the diversity of stakeholders involved in the utility decision-making process.

One of Zonderwyk’s first innovations was spearheading the development and deployment of ICF’s ABM Data Hub, which stores the collected customer engagement data. Importantly, Zonderwyk also emphasized standardizing data she was collecting about utility usage, allowing for significantly cleaner data that improved personalized communications and targeting.

This resulted in data accuracy spiking, with match and append rates jumping from 15% to 50%-70%, a critical improvement in an industry where most utilities lack standardized data.

Moreover, Zonderwyk’s work bridges the communication gap with the missing middle — the often overlooked medium-sized businesses — and ensures utilities engage them in meaningful ways.

Zonderwyk’s work has driven results. In 2024, her initiatives yielded a 69% increase in revenue, with projections for 2025 showing at least 30% growth. Utilities adopting her ABM strategy have seen a 68% increase in leads, faster lead-to-project conversions, and a 300% increase in customer contacts.

One utility exceeded its energy savings goal by 160%, underscoring the tangible impact of her work. These results further underscore Zonderwyk’s ability to elevate utility communications with business customers, which, in turn, drives progress toward a more sustainable and decarbonized planet by enabling smarter, more efficient energy use.

Congratulations to Kelly Zonderwyk!

Senior Director, External Communications

Priceline

Christina Bennett redefines Priceline with a tech-first strategy

Recognizing that Priceline is not just a travel entity but also a sophisticated tech platform, Christina Bennett introduced a fresh communications strategy aimed at promoting a modern, technology-first image beyond the travel industry. For this reason, she’s honored in the Trailblazers category of Ragan’s 2025 Top Women in Communication Awards.

Christina Bennett, senior director of external communications at Priceline, generated billions of impressions on Priceline’s products, from the company’s inaugural product release to the “Eras to End Zone Challenge.”

Bennet led a cross functional effort to adopt a launch strategy reminiscent of Silicon Valley tech giants. Priceline’s “Trip Intelligence” product announcement highlights the GenAI technology paired with custom research. This tech-forward narrative vastly expanded visibility and changed brand perceptions across technology and business media outlets.

Priceline newsjacked Super Bowl coverage for the second consecutive year without an ad, but instead through expert commentary, trend analyses and by inserting itself into the cultural zeitgeist with the “Eras to End Zone Challenge.” If Taylor Swift could travel from Tokyo to Vegas in time for the Super Bowl, “could Priceline as well?” Priceline collaborated with influencers Victoria Browne and Max Browne to document their dream journey from the Tokyo Eras tour to the Super Bowl — all booked with Priceline. The campaign earned over 50M+ video views and 75M+ content impressions, overwhelmingly positive audience feedback and sentiment and introduced a new demographic to the brand’s value proposition.

“Christina consistently champions strategic, out-of-the-box thinking, finding creative ways to enhance the brand while remaining true to the company’s vision. Her collaborative spirit has been instrumental in integrating the company’s marketing efforts across all channels, resulting in unprecedented impressions and successful campaigns,” says Alyssa Garnick, president of Aegan PR.

We congratulate Christina Bennett on this honor.

Deputy Director for the Communications and Education Directorate

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Georgina Goode finds the humanity in science and technology

Georgina Goode’s dedication to powerful storytelling and employee engagement at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory has earned her recognition as a Trailblazer in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

When it comes to telling stories about human exploration and discovery, some could say that Georgina Goode’s work is out of this world.

As deputy director for the communications and education directorate at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory – a world leader in planetary and deep space exploration – Georgina has been responsible for turning complex scientific concepts into cultural moments.

Over the last year, Goode commissioned the first stream of a cat meme from deep space, which explained Deep Space Optical Communications, a NASA project that uses a laser space communications system to communicate beyond the Earth-Moon system. Her team also led a partnership with the Library of Congress and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón to send an original poem to Europa, one of the moons orbiting Jupiter. The same campaign allowed 2.6 million people to have their names etched to a vault plate attached to the spacecraft that launched in October 2024.

Goode’s strategic leadership amid NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program, which aims to bring back samples of Mars to Earth for the first time ever is also a career highlight. Her teams’ efforts have led to extensive media coverage, high engagement on digital platforms, and enhanced public understanding of this groundbreaking mission and its profound implications—not just for humanity’s understanding of Mars, but for broader questions about the origins of life in our solar system.

But Goode’s impact at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory doesn’t just stop at external communications — she’s also making a difference internally. She’s been an advocate for the organization’s Employee Value Proposition to strengthen communications between the company’s leadership and employees. She also serves on NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Executive Council, is an executive sponsor for its Disability Awareness Networking Group, and actively mentors a number of employees through a company-wide mentorship program.

“Georgina is the epitome of trailblazer, visionary and fearless leader,” says Claire Powell, Mars program communications manager. “When given the opportunity to work for Georgina, I moved my family across the country because I was such a strong believer in both her leadership and vision, and it’s proven even more impactful than I could have ever imagined.”

Congratulations!

Founder + CEO

Dreamday

Lauren Kleinman is shaping the future of PR with data-driven strategies and purpose

Recognizing the need effective PR ROI, Lauren Kleinman transformed public relations by integrating data-driven strategies, establishing a performance-based approach that earned her recognition as a Trailblazer in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2025.

The PR industry has long struggled with proving ROI, often relying on traditional metrics rather than measurable business impact. Lauren Kleinman, founder and CEO of Dreamday, saw an opportunity and set out to change it. In 2019, she pioneered the concept of Performance PR, which integrates affiliate marketing with public relations. This innovative approach has delivered significant results, leading Dreamday, under the leadership of Kleinman to become an industry leader in measurable, results-driven campaigns

Kleinman identified a significant gap in the PR industry — struggling to demonstrate return on investment (ROI) — and set out to change it. In 2019, after struggling to prove ROI with her clients, she pioneered the concept of Performance PR, integrating affiliate marketing with traditional public relations. This innovative approach has reshaped how PR campaigns are measured, allowing clients to see direct business results from their media investments. The impact is clear: Dreamday has seen a 2-3x increase in press hits and consistently doubled affiliate revenue year over year

Kleinman’s influence also extends to mentorship and social impact. In late 2023, she launched Dreamday’s Client Accelerator program, providing pro bono PR services to mission-driven brands. Its inaugural recipient, Hella Awkward, a BIPOC-owned card game, secured over 50 media placements and a panelist spot at Hearst’s Diversity in Commerce Expo. In 2024, the program selected Keiko Furoshiki, a sustainability-focused Japanese gift-wrapping company.

Under Kleinman’s leadership, the company has drove revenues of $15 million across Dreamday and her second agency, a spot on the Inc. 5000 list as the #719 fastest-growing company in the U.S., was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and was recognized as one of Inc’s Best Workplaces in 2023.

Through innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to social responsibility, Kleinman is setting a new standard in public relations — where measurable impact and positive change go hand in hand.

Congratulations Lauren Kleinman.

Managing Director

FTI Consulting, Inc.

Alexandra Priola drives culture transformation at FTI Consulting

Alexandra Priola’s focus on outcomes, measurement and building connections as a managing director of FTI Consulting has earned her recognition as a Trailblazer in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

Alexandra Priola co-founded FTI’s People & Transformation practice in 2020. At the time, culture was seen as a bonus, often detached from day-to-day operations. But, when the pandemic struck, and everything we thought we knew about the workplace changed overnight, Priola found a way to cut through the challenges and deliver meaningful results to her clients.

Thanks to Priola’s contributions, the People & Transformation practice has doubled in size. Hyper-focused on the outcome, her work to refine one biotechnology company’s employee value proposition led to follow-on projects focused on recruiting and performance management.

In response to changing cultural drivers, Priola delivered new assessment tools to isolate areas of focus and show impact over time. Her ability to quickly and quantitatively diagnose challenges allowed her to deliver insights in weeks — where it once took months — for a private equity client to better understand a merger.

“Culture is not easy to define or to sell — particularly in a business that is often driven by financial analysis and data — but Alexandra has been able to break through by defining business impacts, making it easier to identify the factors most likely to drive meaningful change and quantifying results,” said Brian J. Kennedy, senior managing director and head of the Americas at FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communication branch.

Another colleague said Priola has been instrumental in setting the strategic direction for a financial services firm’s communications function. In one particular example, she worked with a firm for two years to establish improved capabilities and ways of working. Priola’s work now supports the function’s one-, five- and seven-year business planning in direct support of their corporate strategy

The nucleus of Priola’s impact is her ability to balance creativity with active listening and a desire to create bespoke solutions for FTI’s clients. Team members praise her willingness to work through client deliverables together, explain her thinking, open opportunities for learning and ask probing questions that inspire better thinking.

Congratulations to Alexandra Priola!

VP of Corporate Affairs

VCA Animal Hospitals

Kimberly West: Leading with purpose in veterinary care and communications

Kimberly West is leading with purpose and making a significant impact in veterinary care and communications. As vice president of corporate affairs at VCA Animal Hospitals, West has redefined the company’s communications strategy while driving initiatives that blend sustainability, animal welfare, and crisis management, earning her recognition as a Trailblazer in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2025.

When West stepped into her role as the first-ever vice president of corporate affairs for VCA Animal Hospitals, she saw an opportunity to position VCA as a leader in veterinary communications — specifically in developing initiatives that reduce the environmental impact of veterinary operations, support communities in times of crisis and improve adoption outcomes for shelter pets.

West’s first step was addressing the environmental impact of veterinary operations. She led the development of VCA’s first 100% renewable energy pilot at a hospital in Sonoma County. Under her guidance, the pilot project has cut CO2 emissions by 75% and has become a model for expanding renewable energy practices across VCA’s network. This initiative demonstrates that top-tier veterinary care can align with environmental responsibility.

Next, West took proactive steps to address the challenges posed by natural disasters, developing a comprehensive crisis response framework that ensures VCA hospitals can swiftly reopen and continue providing essential care in the aftermath of events like Hurricane Ian. Her leadership in this area has allowed veterinary teams to deliver uninterrupted services, even during times of crisis.

Beyond her environmental and disaster response efforts, West has driven VCA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, fostering a more inclusive workplace. Her work contributed to VCA earning recognition as one of Newsweek’s Greatest American Workplaces for Women. West’s leadership in elevating Associate Resource Groups and maintaining a positive reputation score on RepTrak speaks to her ongoing commitment to creating a supportive and diverse organizational culture.

Let’s not forget West’s dedication to animal welfare and her work with VCA Charities. She has developed programs to expand adoption readiness, including “Dog Day Out,” which increases pet socialization and drives higher adoption rates.

West’s visionary leadership has reshaped the landscape of veterinary care, blending sustainability, community engagement and crisis management into a powerful formula for success.

Congratulations, Kimberly West.

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Mars Wrigley North America

Mars Wrigley’s Jessica Adelman leads the charge for social impact

Jessica Adelman’s results-driven approach to communications has elevated Mars Wrigley brands but also set a new standard for purpose-driven leadership, earning her recognition as a Visionary in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

With nearly three decades of experience in corporate affairs, Jessica Adelman has solidified her place as a visionary leader in the field of communications and reputation management. As senior vice president of corporate affairs for Mars Wrigley North America, she has demonstrated a relentless commitment to social impact and inclusivity.

In 2024, Adelman led Dove Chocolate’s AI-powered “Mom Experience Translator,” a campaign that helped mothers translate their parenting skills into job-relevant skills, addressing the bias against applicants with resume gaps, particularly those who took time off to raise children. This initiative embodied Dove Chocolate’s mission to uplift women to drive change in the workforce.

Adelman also led Skittles in creating partnerships and campaigns that supported the LGBTQ+ community at a time when many brands were retreating from DEI initiatives. Under her leadership, Skittles was hailed as a brand that got it right and stood firm in its commitment to social justice while engaging a loyal customer base.

Her passion for driving corporate responsibility is further evidenced by her role in developing the M&M’s FUNd Advisory Council, ensuring that the brand’s messaging remains inclusive and fun and promotes a culture of belonging. The 2023 Super Bowl campaign that Adelman oversaw garnered 25.2 billion earned media impressions, underscoring the power of inclusive, culturally relevant storytelling.

Adelman’s leadership includes time at Syngenta and Kroger, where she spearheaded sustainability efforts and corporate reputation management, elevating both organizations on key reputation rankings.

An advocate for inclusivity and youth engagement, Adelman also serves on national impact committees and teaches at Northwestern University, where she is shaping the future of corporate communications with a focus on purpose, impact and inclusivity.

Jessica Adelman’s visionary leadership in corporate communications continues to set new benchmarks for social responsibility, inclusivity and business success, making her a true leader in the industry.

Congratulations to Jessica on this significant recognition.

Senior Director - Global Communications, Culture & Brand Partnerships

PATRÓN Tequila

Allie Bostwick elevates PATRÓN tequila through culture-driven storytelling

Allie Bostwick has worked to redefine how spirits brands connect with culture, making Patrón Tequila a dominant force in earned media. Her ability to tap into cultural moments and strategic partnerships has propelled the brand to an 81% share of voice, consistently outperforming competitors. For her bold approach, Bostwick is a Ragan Class of 2025 Top Women in Communications award winner in the Visionaries category.

One of Bostwick’s most notable achievements in the past year was leading Patrón’s Las Vegas Grand Prix campaign, which secured more than 70 media placements and 1.5 billion earned media impressions, surpassing even the race’s official tequila sponsor.

As senior global director of communications, culture and partnerships at Patrón’s parent company, Bacardi, Bostwick saw the rise of Formula One in the United States early on and acted quickly. Her foresight led to a partnership with F1 driver Checo Pérez, followed by Patrón becoming the official tequila of the F1 Paddock Club. In 2023, Bostwick helped spearhead Bacardi’s deal as the official global spirits partner of the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

Bostwick’s work isn’t limited to racing. She also transformed Patrón’s presence at the major music and culture event Coachella – without the brand even being on-site. By securing sponsorships for the festival’s most exclusive events and executing a 360-degree marketing plan, she drove 16.4 billion impressions, surpassing Patrón’s total for all of 2023 by 3 billion impressions. Forbes summed it up: “If Coachella Is the Influencer Olympics, Patrón Just Took the Gold.”

Keeping Patrón’s Mexican heritage at the heart of the brand has been at the heart of Bostwick’s strategy. With the launch of Patrón Cristalino, the brand honored música Mexicana and its rising stars. The campaign generated 3.5 billion media impressions and secured Patrón’s No. 1 share of voice for the month.

For her successes, Bostwick is a deserving winner of the Top Women in Communications Award. Congratulations.

SVP, Communications

UL Solutions

UL Solutions’ Kathy Fieweger leads a communications transformation amid historic IPO

With a track record of leading high-impact communications strategies, Kathy Fieweger has set a new standard for excellence at UL Solutions, earning her recognition as a Visionary in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

With a career spanning journalism, banking and corporate communications, Kathy Fieweger has built a reputation for navigating complex, high-stakes environments with strategic clarity.

In the summer of 2023, she brought that expertise to UL Solutions, an applied safety science company, as senior vice president of global corporate communications to lead the company’s communications strategy to support its transition to a publicly traded entity. In April 2024, UL Solutions successfully completed its historic initial public offering (IPO, a milestone that underscored Fieweger’s leadership.

Fieweger built a high-performing communications team, hiring three new directors and aligning messaging with executive leadership, bankers and advisors. She played a pivotal role in crafting the IPO narrative, shaping the CEO’s S-1 letter to highlight UL Solutions’ 130-year legacy and its future vision of working for a safer world.

Beyond messaging, Fieweger spearheaded a multi-stakeholder communications strategy to ensure alignment across employees, investors and the media, all within SEC guidelines. Her initiatives included developing core messaging for the S-1 filing, producing an IPO roadshow “sizzle reel” for investors, launching the company’s investor relations website and implementing an internal communications campaign that kept UL Solutions’ 15,000 employees informed throughout the process.

Her leadership also extended to media strategy, preparing CEO Jenny Scanlon for post-IPO interviews with Bloomberg, Reuters, Crain’s Chicago Business and CNBC’s Mad Money. The positive tone of media and analyst coverage surrounding the IPO reflected the effectiveness of her efforts.

Fieweger also led communications for a secondary public offering in September 2024 and orchestrated global celebrations marking both the IPO and UL Solutions’ 130th anniversary. She organized an employee gathering at company headquarters for an aerial photo with the NYSE banner and secured an official “UL Solutions Day in Illinois” proclamation from Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Working with the finance team, Fieweger continues to solidify UL Solutions’ reputation with investors and the media, all while establishing corporate communications as a key driver of business value.

Over a year into her tenure, her influence has been transformational, positioning UL Solutions for long-term success. Congratulations to Kathy.

SVP, Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer

Adtalem Global Education

Blake Simpson champions health equity and diversity in healthcare communication

Blake Simpson, senior vice president and chief communications and corporate affairs officer for Adtalem Global Education, has been recognized as a Visionary in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2025, for her outstanding leadership and advancing critical conversations surrounding healthcare equity, diversity and representation.

Adtalem Global Education is the leading provider of healthcare education in the United States, shaping the future of healthcare by preparing a diverse workforce with high-quality academic programs. As senior vice president and chief communications and corporate affairs officer, Simpson plays a pivotal role in shaping the brand and narrative of Adtalem and its five institutions: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University.

The need for diversity in healthcare, particularly in addressing disparities faced by people of color and women, is critical. Simpson has used her position and personal experience to elevate this reality. One of her most significant contributions came in May 2024, when she co-authored an op-ed for Fortune highlighting the lack of diversity in the healthcare system and its direct impact on Black maternal health.

Beyond her written work, Simpson has engaged in high-profile speaking opportunities to advance these important conversations. In July 2024, she spoke at the 9th Annual ColorComm Conference, where she led a fireside chat with Dr. Jessica Shepherd of Ross University School of Medicine, an Adtalem institution. The event shed light on significant gaps in healthcare representation while recognizing two Adtalem institutions that graduate more Black physicians than any U.S. medical school.

Through her leadership, Simpson has been instrumental in furthering Adtalem’s mission of health equity and diversity, fostering a more inclusive healthcare system that better serves diverse communities. She is a powerful advocate for ensuring that future healthcare professionals are trained to provide effective, compassionate care for all patients, regardless of race, gender or background.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is that Adtalem truly advocates for health equity,” Simpson said. “We support a more inclusive model that graduates more professionals into medical communities, specifically people of color.”

Congratulations to Blake Simpson.

Public Relations Specialist

Macon-Bibb County

Edna Adams transforms government communications with creative stunts

Edna Adams, public relations specialist of Macon-Bibb County serves as a strategic advisor for all communication plans and supports the Mayor when he’s seeking advice on how he should message his goals and plan. Her dedication to creative events and consistent communication make her a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

In her first few years in PR and communications, Adams knows that to reach her audience, she must communicate consistently, constantly, and creatively.

There are some weeks when Adams will coordinate four major events that require significant planning, equipment, scheduling of elected officials, message development, talking points, and full media coverage. Each week, Adams also publishes The Hub e-newsletter with up to 15 stories, including original features, basic public notices and community partner information.

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller says her creativity has truly set her event planning ahead of any government in the state.

Her events this year included setting buildings on fire to help the Fire Department make announcements, opening the new pickleball facility on January 1 with a pickleball drop countdown, volunteers packing boxes of food at the Food Bank Grand Opening, lessons for children wearing life jackets when they were donated to a department and having a Commissioner fish in a lake where the park was about to undergo a major improvement project; and more.

Additionally, Adams grew her community’s Hispanic Heritage Festival from a few vendors in a small park to several hundred people attending the county’s largest park.

“I could go on and on, but results speak for themselves. Walking through the community, people ask me about the stunts, showing they saw the coverage and remembered it. We were asked about our airport events at national conferences by other airports and airlines. The creativity in our event planning means we are getting through the noise and reaching our audience,” said Mayor Miller.

Adams leads communications projects from start to finish. She tells great stories because she can identify the proper messaging touchpoints with the best medium.

We congratulate Edna Adams on this award!

Account Director

Berk Communications

Morgan Evans shines with sporty media relations that drive results

In her time with Berk Communications, Morgan Evans has raised the game on getting press for her clients in the sports world. Through detailed rollout strategies and media outreach, she’s earned her place as a Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Rising Star category.

Morgan Evans, an account director at Berk Communications, has been recognized as one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications for her contributions to the public relations industry. Over her three-year tenure with Berk, Evans has ascended from account coordinator to account director, delivering measurable results for clients like the NFL, MLS, WNBA, PUMA, IBM and Xfinity.

Evans has been instrumental in executing high-impact campaigns that elevated brand visibility and engagement in the past year alone. She spearheaded PUMA’s activation efforts for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, a partnership that placed the brand at the heart of the event’s media coverage. Her meticulous rollout strategy and media outreach secured hundreds of placements, establishing PUMA as a motorsports authority.

Evans further demonstrated her media relations prowess when she led the one-year anniversary event for Christian Pulisic’s CP Stomping Grounds powered by PUMA. Through her efforts, top-tier outlets like CBS Sports Golazo, GQ and the Miami Herald highlighted the facility’s ongoing role in providing free, safe soccer training for youth athletes.

Her strategic leadership extended to the Paris Games, where she managed a comprehensive media campaign for Xfinity, featuring 14 Team Comcast athletes. The project delivered 40 unique earned placements across editorial, social and podcast platforms, generating over 121 million media impressions.

In the rapidly growing arena of women’s sports, Evans partnered with the WNBA to promote the league’s 2024 season. Her efforts resulted in widespread coverage, including features in Fast Company, a Masters of Scale podcast interview with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and a “60 Minutes” segment that was months in the making.

Evans’ innovative strategies and consistent results have solidified her reputation as a trusted media relations expert, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Congratulations!

Corporate Communications Manager

San Jose Water

Pal Hollywood puts the focus on water and people at San Jose Water

With strong ideas for revitalizing newsletters and communications vehicles, Pal Hollywood has earned recognition as one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025, in the Rising Stars category.

Since joining San Jose Water in 2023, Pal Hollywood has enhanced the utility’s position as a leader in conservation and environmental stewardship. Her passion for sustainability and innovative communication strategies have engaged both employees and customers alike.

As a water provider for over a million Californians in the San Jose metropolitan area, SJW faces challenges like water scarcity, aging infrastructure and natural disaster risks. Hollywood’s communications initiatives have helped underscore the importance of sustainable resource management and the company’s role in protecting its watershed.

One of Hollywood’s standout achievements was the launch of Watershed Appreciation Month in August. This inaugural campaign highlighted SJW’s 120-year stewardship of the Los Gatos Creek watershed through educational blog posts, a historical Instagram campaign, a digital toolkit for partners and employee tours of protected watershed lands. The initiative generated over 100,000 impressions across social media and the SJW customer newsletter, with engagement rates exceeding average performance by 50-70%.

Hollywood also revamped the company’s website conservation messaging and developed an educational video series to empower customers with practical water-saving tips. Internally, she created new content processes for employee newsletters, including Straight Talk and Service Connections. Her Employee Spotlight blog posts, which showcase the personalities and contributions of SJW staff, have become the most clicked links in the company’s customer newsletter.

Through her creative vision and strategic execution, Hollywood has not only reinforced SJW’s commitment to environmental stewardship but also strengthened its connection with the community. Her work has made SJW synonymous with sustainable water management and earned her well-deserved recognition as one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications.

Congratulations!

Senior Account Manager

Gateway Group

Brenlyn Motlagh secures top media places and delivers strategic comms campaigns

Brenlyn Motlagh’s ability to navigate the complexities of B2B and B2C and build strong, lasting media relationships have made her a Rising Star in Ragan’s Top Women in Communication Awards, Class of 2025.

As a senior account manager at Gateway, a financial communications firm representing public companies, Motlagh creates campaigns that consistently exceed expectations and position her clients well in the market.

Over the past year, Motlagh has secured more than 50 media interviews for C-suite executives across AI, clean tech, crypto and IoT industries, resulting in over 150 media placements. It is her ability to craft and deliver end-to-end strategic campaigns that placed her clients in media such as Bloomberg, Fortune and The Wall Street Journal.

Her strategic thinking and proactive approach shined when she secured coverage on CNBC, Fox and Fast Company for a client in the AI data center sector. Her ability to research and introduce the company to top reporters increased the client’s media exposure, boosted their visibility and added value to their stock performance

“Brenlyn quickly became fully invested in all aspects of our business and helped provide strategic guidance for our marketing communications efforts as we continue to scale. Her approach has been instrumental in helping increase our visibility and expand opportunities to connect with new audiences.,” said Scott Zafiropoulo, senior director of marketing at Amprius Technologies.

Motlaugh’s clients consistently express satisfaction with her work. She is recognized for her ability to navigate the complexities of public B2B and B2C companies. Her approach ensured they would receive premium media attention that aligned with their long-term business goals. As a result, her work has earned client’s trust.

Zach Kadletz, managing director of the Gateway Group, said, “Her work ethic and approach go beyond securing coverage—it’s about building lasting media connections and creating narratives that resonate.”

Congratulations, Brenlyn Motlagh, on this accomplishment!

Public Relations Specialist

Ivanti

Ivanti’s Sierra Price leads with impactful storytelling

In just two years at Ivanti, Sierra Price has quickly established herself as a Rising Star in the world of public relations as well as Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 2025.

As a public relations specialist, Sierra Price has demonstrated exceptional storytelling skills, a creative outlook and a deep understanding of how to craft narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Price’s impact on Ivanti’s PR strategy has been transformative. Since joining the company in 2022, she has become a key member of a team that has secured 3,263 pieces of coverage, reaching 2.6 billion readers and generating an estimated $39.4 million in publicity value. Her efforts have placed Ivanti in outlets such as Forbes, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal and Fortune, elevating the company’s profile within the tech industry.

Beyond her core PR duties, Price is a versatile communicator, contributing to Ivanti’s social media strategy by creating impactful content for the executive leadership team. Her approach to influencer marketing campaigns also significantly amplified Ivanti’s message, fostering key relationships and ensuring that the right influencers are aligned with Ivanti’s thought leadership initiatives. Her most recent influencer campaign drove engagement, with over 6,000 likes, 430 comments and 94 shares, helping to establish Ivanti’s credibility in the market.

Price also took over and manages Ivanti’s awards program. By creating a streamlined process that crosses departmental lines, she has garnered 183 awards for the company. Her ability to transform technical product descriptions into award-winning submissions has exceeded Ivanti’s goals and set a new standard for excellence within the company.

Her collaborative approach and communication skills have built Ivanti’s external reputation and also improved internal relationships, positioning her as a key bridge between the communications team and other departments.

Sierra Price’s achievements in public relations, storytelling and campaign strategy have set a high bar for success, making her a Rising Star in the communications world.

Congratulations on this important industry recognition.

Public Relations Manager – Personal, Home Entertainment & Brand Marketing

Sony Electronics

Mara Redican’s journey from intern to manager in just three years cements her place as Rising Star

Quickly working her way up within Sony Electronics North America, Mara Redican’s commitment to lifelong learning and delivering measurable results has earned her the nod as one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards, Class of 205, in the Rising Stars category.

Mara Redican has earned recognition as one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications for her strategic leadership and measurable results in the PR and brand marketing space. In just three years, she has advanced from an intern to PR and brand marketing manager for Sony Electronics North America, overseeing public relations for the Personal and Home Entertainment divisions and guiding brand marketing efforts across the region.

Since joining Sony, Redican has led the launch of more than 40 global products, including 25 in the past year alone. Her work includes high-profile campaigns like the ULT Power Sound Series with Peso Pluma, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds with Miguel and the LinkBuds S with Olivia Rodrigo, each achieving billions of media impressions. Under her leadership, Sony’s PR program saw nearly a 20% increase in coverage across all business categories in her first year.

Redican also played a key role in Sony’s partnership with the NFL, overseeing PR for the announcement of the brand’s position as the league’s official technology partner and headphone provider. Her contributions extended to global communications as she developed a plan for a new brand launched in April 2024. The effort involved coordinating embargos, organizing a 500-attendee global event, securing executive interviews and driving conversations that reframed perceptions of OLED and Mini-LED technology. The success of this initiative exceeded business goals and positioned Sony for continued growth.

Redican’s results-driven approach and commitment to continuous learning have established her as a trusted PR leader. Her innovative strategies and willingness to take on new challenges have delivered significant outcomes, earning her this well-deserved recognition in the field of communications.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Ragan’s Top Women in Communications, Class of 2025!

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