Diversity Action Alliance to Honor Industry Legends & Changemakers at 2025 G.E.M.S. Honors

The nonprofit recognizes communication leaders from Fortune 500 companies and top agencies, including P&G, Omnicom Public Relations Group, Enbridge, Cone Health, and Edelman

NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Diversity Action Alliance (DAA) will host its annual G.E.M.S. Honors Reception: Purpose in Action on Wednesday, September 17, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET in NYC. Sponsored by Omnicom Public Relations Group (OPRG), this signature program celebrates the outstanding contributions of individuals shaping the future of communications through bold leadership, cultural insight, professional excellence, and a deep commitment to equity.

Created to close a long-standing gap in recognizing inclusive leadership and equity, the G.E.M.S. Honors (Growth in Equity is a Measure of Sustainability) distinguishes respected communications leaders whose intersectional perspectives challenge the status quo, transforming their organizations and the industry. First launched in 2021 as the Distinguished Communicators of Color (DCOC) and reintroduced as G.E.M.S. in 2024, the program celebrates at least 25 honorees each year, with five standouts named top of their class. Over the past four years, more than 150 leaders have been recognized, establishing DAA as an identifier of sharp talent and pushing other industry awards to diversify their own honoree rosters.

At the reception, five leaders will also receive the organization's highest honor, "Industry Legend," in recognition of an enduring legacy and career marked by excellence, advocacy, and impact.

This year's Industry Legends include:

• Mike Fernandez (Enbridge)
  
  
• Chris Foster (Omnicom Public Relations Group)
  
  
• Damon Jones (Procter & Gamble)
  
  
• Chuck Wallington, Ph.D. (Cone Health)
  
  
• Michelle Flowers Welch (Flowers Communications Group)

The reception will be emceed by Dr. Felicia Blow, APR, who earned the coveted host spot this year after being voted the 2025 People's Choice Distinguished Communicator of the Year by industry colleagues, with each vote doubling as a donation to DAA.

Additional highlights of the evening include:

• The launch of the inaugural Pat Ford Larger Than Life Impact Award, honoring DAA's Founding Chair and former Burson Marsteller Global Executive, Pat Ford (University of Florida)
• Fireside chat with award-winning strategist Cheryl Overton (Cheryl Overton Communications)
• Recognition of 25 honorees from leading companies such as Amazon, M Booth, Highwire PR, Alta Consulting, MikeWorldWide, Bully Pulpit International, Chambers Media Solutions, and others
• Announcement of the Top 5 G.E.M.S. of 2025

"Our industry's future depends on leaders with diverse perspectives willing to disrupt outdated constructs while staying true to our functional purpose: building trust and loyalty with stakeholders while driving measurable business results," said President of the Diversity Action Alliance, Carmella Glover. "At G.E.M.S. 2025, we're honoring those who treat purpose as a verb, see equity as an economic driver, and use communications to unlock opportunity and deliver lasting impact."

Limited tickets remain available.

ABOUT DAA

The Diversity Action Alliance (DAA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, brings communication and public relations industry leaders and organizations together to drive and support transformative change toward shared workforce representation and inclusion goals. Through data-driven insights, agenda-setting thought leadership, education, and other resources, the DAA's mission is to be the industry's accountability lever and force multiplier, driving more diverse, fair, and inclusive workplaces that lead to lasting change. For more information, visit https://www.diversityactionalliance.org.

SOURCE Diversity Action Alliance