WWPR announces Emerging Leaders Awards finalists

Twenty-one female communicators will be recognized during WWPR’s 15th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards ceremony.

According to WWPR. the Emerging Leaders Awards honor outstanding rising stars, ages 25-35, in the D.C. area who have excelled in communications and related fields. From the 21 finalists, 18 shown above, one winner from each category will be announced during the ceremony on June 11.

The 2025 ELA finalists are: 

Small/Boutique Agency

• Janessa Sambola-Harris, Account Director, Meraki Communications Group
• Asma Amani, Founder, Asma Amani PR
• Erika Dyer, Owner, Daylit Consulting

Mid-Sized Agency

• Charlotte Freeman, Senior Manager, Narrative Strategies
• Rebecca Walker, Account Supervisor, Adfero
• Katherine Nanney, Director, Government Practice, Merritt Group

Global & Large Agency

• Bridgette Dodge, Vice President, Health, Edelman
• Mackenzie Trumbull, Account Director, We. Communications
• Megan Reilly, Senior Account Executive, Edelman

Government

• Rita Clark-Sandino, Communications Specialist, US Environmental Protection Agency
• Kemi Giwa, Communications Director, House Financial Service Committee, Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-43)
• Tejah Robinson, Creative Director, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Nonprofit 

• Hannah Huntt, Head of Strategic Communications, Hope For The Warriors
• Ianthe Metzger, Senior Director of Advocacy Communications, Planned Parenthood
• Troi Barnes, Director of Media Relations, Legal Defense Fund

Corporate

• Courtney Bailey, Global Large Advertiser Marketing Lead, Meta Platforms, Inc.
• Miki Carver, External Relations Lead, U.S. Public Policy, IBM
• Laura Clifford, Senior Communications Manager, BAE Systems, Inc.

Trade Association 

• Emily Ekshian, Communications Lead, Crypto Council for Innovation
• Janae Washington, Senior Director of Communications, Information Technology Industry Council
• Katie Shoaf, Senior Manager of Public Affairs, Edison Electric Institute

More here.