2025 Year in Review: Celebrating Connection and Support, Igniting Member Experience in 2026
By Sarah Graves, Communications Committee, PRSA Puget Sound
2025 saw growth, connection and impact for PRSA Puget Sound. With more than 300 members — the largest in the North Pacific District — we continued to increase service to members, provide thought leadership at the local to national levels, advocate for our profession, and improve the Chapter's structure. In 2026, get ready to experience even more engagement and support.
Gratitude
All of this happens because of our members. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, participated, joined, donated, and supported each other through events, professional development, career growth and more.
Thanks also go to our 2025 leadership for their dedication and work. Behind the scenes, they have been reviving and restructuring how our Chapter operates to further professionalize and support members' goals. As we approach the new year, we welcome our 2026 board of directors, and in the coming months, you will see more leadership opportunities designed to make our Chapter more sustainable and durable.
Welcome, 2026 Chapter Leadership
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President: Jillian Henze, APR
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President-elect: Lily Gordon
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Immediate Past President: Eric Moss
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Secretary: Mariesa Bus
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Treasurer: Jason Hagey
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Director: Kati Sills
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Director: Ian Coon
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Director: Curtis Rogers
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Director: Mason Luvera
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Assembly Delegate 1: Jay Weisberger, APR
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Assembly Delegate 2: Jennifer Hawton, APR
Influencing Our Industry
The Puget Sound region is an innovation hub, home to leading organizations and professionals – from big corporations to startups, agencies, and solo entrepreneurs. We're flush with top-notch communications professionals, many of whom are PRSA members, driving innovation in PR. We highlighted this at our 2025 Summit Awards and in our member-of-the-month profiles, showcasing our outstanding members.
This year, members also made an impact at the national level. Hats off to Karla (Slate) Hartley, APR, for co-chairing the 2025 PRSA Public Affairs and Government Summit in Tempe, Arizona. This June. Additionally, congratulations to Karen "KC" Crabtree, APR, for being inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows and to PRR, which earned the Best of Silver Anvil Award for the "Use Food Well" campaign with the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Members also reminded us that the field of communications can drive important change while having fun with the work. Member Brandon Macz stood out for his on-point digital storytelling on the Seattle Humane Society's TikTok, proving that even nonprofits can drive engagement with strategic PR and social media skills.
Leading Through Change
This year, we saw the passage of Washington's ESSB 5814, new tax laws that will profoundly impact the services communications professionals provide. The Chapter is committed to supporting and advocating for communicators affected by the law. An action alert was recently sent to members, and the conversation around these laws will continue in 2026.
Connecting and Supporting
From happy hours to networking and educational events, PRSA Puget Sound membership turned out for a full slate of events in 2025. Headlining this year were our Summit Awards and Annual Meeting. Thank you to all our volunteers for making these festive occasions for connection happen, and thank you to everyone who attended.
This year's Summit Awards celebrated the exceptional work of our membership. Winners highlighted the diversity, innovation and impact we are making as professionals in the Puget Sound region.
At the Annual Meeting, held at the LeMay Car Museum in Tacoma, we again saw a record crowd. We heard from Katherine Cheng, in an inspiring keynote presentation on truth-telling, connected on Chapter business, met our 2026 Board and honored members with our professional awards.
Congratulations, 2025 Chapter Award Recipients
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Public Relations Professional of the Year: Annie Alley
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New Public Relations Professional of the Year: Kaitlin Nguyen
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Jay Rockey Lifetime Achievement Award: Libby Catalinich, APR
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Hugh Smith Community Service Award: Jacque Coe, APR, Fellow PRSA
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Outstanding New Member of the Year: Rashaad O'Neal
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President's Award for Volunteerism: May Wildman
Chapter leadership also provided value and connection at Chapter events from Tacoma and Tumwater to North Seattle and virtual spaces. With a commitment to host at least one event a month, we beefed up in-person connection opportunities.
Incubating the Future
PRSA Puget Sound remains committed to supporting the next generation of public relations professionals. In 2025, we deepened connections with local PRSSA chapters, the UW Communication Leadership Graduate Program, and through our two annual scholarships.
Congratulations to our 2025 scholarship winners — both students at Western Washington University:
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Sally Heet Memorial Scholarship: Sophie Cadran
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Susie Revels Cayton Scholarship: Azaria Purdy Horace
Member donations and fundraising make these scholarships possible. Thank you to everyone who contributed, attended trivia night, and shared your time and expertise in support of students.
Supporting Accreditation
A half-dozen members are currently pursuing their Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)! Our Chapter is here to support APR candidates with resources – from study guides to mentoring and cohort connections. It's more than a professional designation; it's a process that sharpens your skills, increases your impact, and opens doors professionally and within PRSA. Is 2026 your year? Visit the PRSA website to learn more and reach out to Jay Weisberger, APR Coordinator ([email protected]), to discuss the process.
Looking Ahead to More Innovation and Growth
As we look toward 2026, PRSA Puget Sound is positioned to ignite even greater impact and member support.
Membership is personal, and your experience should elevate your professional goals and support your career journey. Our strategic focus will bring this to life with structural improvements to ensure sustainability and longevity.
With more than 300 members, we have an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together. Beyond a number, we are a community of practitioners who share your challenges, celebrate your wins, and understand the evolving landscape of PR and communications.
This coming year, we'll ensure our Chapter is a destination and foundation for members — a place where you advance your career, deepen your expertise, and build meaningful relationships. Membership is personal. So, join in. Volunteer, attend events, start your APR process, and share your feedback. PRSA Puget Sound wants to put your goals into action.
