PRSA Announces Winners of Inaugural Emerging Professionals Awards

Eight rising communications professionals recognized for innovation, ethical practice and meaningful impact

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2026 - PRSA today announced the eight winners of its inaugural Emerging Professionals Awards, a new national recognition honoring communications professionals who are already making a meaningful impact on their organizations, communities and the profession.

The 2026 Emerging Professionals Award winners are:

• Mariana Anchante, Senior PR Manager, Jive PR + Digital
• Stephanie Brynes, Account Director, Niki Jones Agency
• Detavious Hill, Marketing and Communications Manager, Key School and Training Center
• Hannah Lafleur, Public Relations Specialist, Enterprise Communications, Ochsner Health
• Janelle Puckering, Associate, Gladstone Place Partners
• Sankalp Sharma, Media Relations Coordinator, Visit California
• Amanda Theisen, Communications Manager, Sunrise Banks
• Jasmine Washington-Price, Communications Manager, Alexandria City Public Schools

Launched this year, the PRSA Emerging Professionals Awards recognize individuals with two to seven years of professional communications experience whose work demonstrates innovation, creativity, critical thinking, ethical practice and measurable impact. Unlike traditional recognition programs based on age, title or management responsibility, the awards focus on career experience, contribution and achievement.

"Our inaugural Emerging Professionals Award winners represent the extraordinary talent, fresh thinking and momentum shaping the future of communications," said Matthew Marcial, CAE, APR, chief executive officer of PRSA. "These professionals are not simply preparing to lead someday, they are already strengthening their organizations, serving their communities and moving our profession forward. We are proud to recognize their achievements and welcome them as the first class of honorees in what we expect will become a signature PRSA awards program."

Representing agencies, financial services, education, health care, tourism and other sectors, the inaugural class reflects the breadth and influence of today's communications profession. The recipients were selected for their professional accomplishments, career progression, industry contributions and overall impact.

The winners will be honored during the 2026 PRSA Emerging Professionals Program and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 18 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla. The event will take place in conjunction with PRSA ICON 2026, the profession's premier annual conference.

In addition to the awards presentation, the Emerging Professionals Program will feature sessions focused on teamwork, proactive storytelling and artificial intelligence, providing participants with practical insights and opportunities to connect with fellow communications professionals.

About PRSA

PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the communications community through a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico. Guided by its Code of Ethics, PRSA empowers its members to succeed at every stage of their careers through a wide breadth of premium professional development programs, exclusive networking events and leadership opportunities. Signature events include the Anvil Awards and ICON, the profession's premier annual conference for communications professionals and students. For more information, visit www.prsa.org.

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Media Contact:
Linda Beltran, APR

[email protected]