PRSA Honors 8 Emerging Professionals
October 2026
Eight communications professionals whose early-career work demonstrates innovation, ethical practice and measurable impact make up the inaugural class of PRSA Emerging Professionals Award recipients.
Representing agencies, financial services, education, health care and tourism, the recipients reflect a range of roles and sectors across the communications profession.
The 2026 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
Introduced this year, the awards recognize professionals with two to seven years of communications experience. Selection is based on professional accomplishments, career progression, industry contributions and overall impact rather than age, title or management responsibility.
The awards also emphasize creativity, critical thinking and work that has produced meaningful results for organizations, communities and the profession.
The recipients will be honored Oct. 18 during the 2026 PRSA Emerging Professionals Program and Awards Ceremony at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla.
Held in conjunction with PRSA ICON 2026, the program will include sessions on teamwork, proactive storytelling and artificial intelligence, along with opportunities to connect with other communications professionals.PRSA Honors 8 Emerging Professionals
6 Creators Join ICON Collective
Six communications professionals and content creators will offer an inside view of PRSA ICON 2026 through a new pilot initiative designed to expand conference storytelling.
The members of the inaugural Creator Collective are Daniel Mendez Arostica, MBA; Omari Evans; Michelle Garrett; Kourtney Janeau, M.M.C.; Brittany Mobley; and Melissa Rodriguez.
Selected through a competitive application process that drew interest from a diverse group of communications professionals, the participants will share the conference through their own voices, platforms and perspectives.
Collective members will produce original content before, during and after ICON. Their work will give audiences additional ways to follow the people, ideas and experiences shaping the profession, from advance coverage and real-time moments in Orlando to post-conference takeaways.
Each participant will receive complimentary registration for PRSA ICON 2026, taking place Oct. 18-20 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla.
Kuziola Joins PRSA as Sales VP
Michele Kuziola has joined PRSA as vice president of sales and business development, leading sales strategy, developing new business opportunities and strengthening relationships with corporate partners and other organizations supporting PRSA’s mission and members.
Kuziola brings experience in sales, marketing, business development and relationship management across the hospitality, association and tourism sectors. Her work has included generating revenue, developing strategic partnerships and creating programs for association clients and corporate partners.
Most recently, she was a regional sales leader with Naples Hotel Group, supporting sales and marketing across a portfolio of hospitality properties. Her previous positions include sales leadership roles at full-service, four-star hotels and resorts, including the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village and The Don CeSar.
In those roles, Kuziola worked with association clients, corporate partners and meeting professionals to develop programs and experiences supporting client objectives and business growth.
