Washington Women in Public Relations Names 2013 Emerging Leaders Awards Honorees

Announcement Culminates Reception Honoring Rising Stars in Communications

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) proudly named Nell Callahan, Rachael Glaws and Lauren Wesley Wilson the 2013 Emerging Leaders Awards (ELA) honorees at their fourth annual ELA reception on July 18. The signature WWPR accolade honors young women (ages 23-30) who have significantly impacted the communications field and show the potential to make their mark on the industry as a whole for many years to come.

WWPR congratulates the 2013 Emerging Leaders Awards honorees:

Nell Callahan, Senior Vice President, SKDKnickerbocker
Nell leads award-winning campaigns for corporations, trade associations and issue advocacy clients at SKDK, including the award-winning Center for Constitutional Rights campaign to promote the Center's legal work in defending Guantanamo Bay detainees. She also provides pro bono counsel to 826 National, a network of nonprofit writing centers founded by award-winning author, Dave Eggers.

Rachael Glaws, Principal and Founder, RGI events & public relations
Rachael is the founder of RGI events and public relations, a company recognized as a top events firm by Washington Life Magazine in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and placed on the Washington Business Journal's Top Meeting & Event Planners lists from 2009 to 2012. Rachael was also named on the Apex Awards Top 30 Under 30 list in 2010 and was an Event Solutions Magazine-recognized Rising Star in 2011 and 2012. She is currently writing her first book, "Work It! A Chic & Savvy Script for an Ultra Successful Startup," focusing on women entrepreneurs.

Lauren Wesley Wilson, Communications Strategist and Account Supervisor, MSL Group
Lauren leads successful media relations campaigns for her clients at MSL Group and she was recently named one of WKYS 93.9's "30 Under 30." Lauren is the founder and Chief Networking Officer of ColorComm, a networking organization for women of color in communications. ColorComm has received mentions in the National Journal, The Washington Post, Black Enterprise, and Washington Informer.

"WWPR is pleased to recognize these exceptional honorees who blew the judges away with their professional success and dedication to other nonprofits and groups," said Kendra Kojcsich, WWPR Co-President. "We know the communications industry is in good hands with these honorees and finalists shaping the field."

The honorees were named at the National Press Club reception from a distinguished group of finalists that also included Kristine Austria, Account Executive at Ketchum, Liz Bartolomeo, Media Director at Sunlight Foundation and Jackie Titus, Vice President at Powell Tate.

The event's keynote speaker was Kori Bernards, Senior Vice President of Communications at Universal Pictures. Bernards gave a lively address that focused on lessons learned and behind the scenes stories from her illustrious career. She ended on a personal note with advice for attendees to "Dream big, revise often."

WWPR thanks the companies who supported the 2013 ELA:

Gold Sponsors
Central Michigan University
Z Communications
National Press Club
Boss Ladies Mean Business
Edelman
DS Simon
PR Newswire
Porter Novelli
Hager Sharp
Strauss Radio Strategies
Pepco

Silver Sponsors
JPA Health Communications
WestGlen Communications
Ketchum
Powell Tate
Ogilvy
Vocus

Bronze Sponsors
McBee Strategic Consulting
Widmeyer Communications
National Restaurant Association
NAPS
Keenan PR
WestGlen Communications

Event Partners
Stanton Communications
Haley Tobias Events
Wally Dyer Photography
Uber DC

About Washington Women in Public Relations
Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) is the first and only D.C. based professional organization advancing women in the communications industry. WWPR is committed to delivering outstanding professional development, networking, marketplace positioning, and leadership opportunities to area communicators. Visit us at wwpr.org, find us on Facebook.com/WashingtonWomeninPR and follow us on Twitter @WWPR.

SOURCE Washington Women in Public Relations