FutureCon
November 5 - 7, 2025
FutureCon Virtual Summit
Get ready for 2026 with FutureCon
A brand-new virtual summit from PRSA!
Designed for executive, C-suite and management level communicators, this future-forward event will bring together industry leaders and innovators to share the latest trends, data and insights shaping communications and public relations.
- Dive into the key forces transforming how organizations communicate, build trust, and lead with purpose.
- Get forward-looking updates on the leading trends of today and tomorrow, including AI and disinformation.
- Explore the biggest challenges and opportunities communicators face, and how to adapt and thrive.
- Access the insights, tools, and connections you need to chart a strategic course for the year ahead.
No one knows the future.
With FutureCon, you will be prepared for it anyway!
Industry Leaders Joining Us
Kim Clark
Conscious Communications Strategist Consultant
Fred Cook
Director, USC Center for Public Relations, University of Southern California
Lisa Du Bois Low, APR, MA, MBA
Associate Professor at Texas Tech University
Kelli Kombat
Master Certified Coach and Founder, R.I.C.H. LLC
Chris Lukach, APR
CEO, AKCG - Public Relations Counselors
Tonya M. Matthews, Ph.D.
President and CEO, International African American Museum (IAAM)
Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR
Owner and CEO, Siarza; PRSA DEI Committee Co-Chair
Melissa Waggener Zorkin
Global CEO and Founder, We
More speakers will be announced soon!
Registration Info
FutureCon Rates
| Registrant Type | Saver Rate On or before 10/13 | Standard Rate After 10/13 |
|---|---|---|
| PRSA Member | $499 | $599 |
| Non-Member | $599 | $699 |
Agenda
Agenda
NOVEMBER 5 │ 5:15–6 p.m. ET
5:15–6 p.m. ET
Connections & Conversations
Kick off your FutureCon experience with Connections & Conversations — a relaxed and facilitated roundtable-style networking event.
Join us for engaging conversations, fresh insights, and the chance to build real connections with fellow attendees before the main event gets underway.
Roundtable Topics: TBD
NOVEMBER 6 | 1–5 p.m. ET
1–2 p.m.
Welcome and Keynote Address
Agency C-Suite Panel – TBD
2–2:45 p.m.
Steering Into Headwinds: Overcoming the Six Factors Defining Modern Reputation Management
Chris Lukach, APR, CEO, AKCG - Public Relations Counselors
Today’s communication landscape is shaped by more than just new communication methods. Changing trends in audience behavior — from shrinking attention spans to validation-seeking tendencies, to uncharted levels of compassion fatigue — compound the already complex work of building, restoring and protecting positive reputations. Savvy communicators are meeting the moment, prioritizing disruptive forms of communication that penetrate the noise and break down cynicism.
This session details six factors shaping the practice and offers practical techniques for overcoming the communication barriers of the “attention-deficit age.”
Speaker Bio
Chris Lukach, APR CEO, AKCG - Public Relations Counselors
Chris Lukach, APR, is CEO of AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, a national public relations consultancy with deep experience in reputation management, crisis communications and issues management.
Chris has been instrumental in developing issues and crisis communications plans and consulting with the firm’s clients on sensitive and pivotal matters. He is a sought-after lecturer and author on a range of reputation-management topics.
Chris serves on the boards of directors of WHYY, Inc., the Philadelphia region’s leading public media affiliate, and the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Chris serves as APR chair for the New Jersey Chapter of PRSA, guiding aspiring APRs through the UAB’s accreditation process.
Chris is an adjunct professor of Crisis Communications at his alma mater, Rowan University, where he co-designed the university’s Crisis Communication Certificate of Undergraduate Study (CUGS) Program. In 2018, he was named the university’s
“Distinguished Alumnus.” Chris earned his Master of Legal Studies in Law and Entrepreneurship from Drexel University.
2:45–3 p.m.
Recharge
3–3:45 p.m.
The Failure Resume: Rethinking Mistakes as Milestones
Lisa Du Bois Low, MBA, MA, APR, Associate Professor of Practice, Public Relations and Strategic Communication Management, Texas Tech University
What if your biggest professional setbacks were actually your most powerful leadership lessons? In this hands-on session, Lisa Du Bois Low, Associate Professor of Practice at Texas Tech University, introduces the “failure resume”—a reflective tool that reframes failure as evidence of growth and constructive risk-taking.
Grounded in the concept of “failing forward,” the failure résumé helps participants explore how past missteps have shaped their professional journey. You’ll learn how to identify pivotal failures, extract leadership lessons, and begin building a failure résumé that highlights your adaptability and resilience rather than just your personal highlight reel.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to reconnect with your purpose, this 45-minute session offers a practical, perspective-shifting approach to leadership and professional development.
Speaker Bio
Lisa Du Bois Low, APR, MA, MBA, Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management at Texas Tech University
Lisa Du Bois Low, APR, MA, MBA, is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management at Texas Tech University and a Teaching, Learning, & Professional Development Center (TLPDC) Fellow. Leveraging her 25-year career in strategic communications and 10 years of teaching experience, Lisa's expertise is centered on the dynamic intersection of technology and strategic communication.
Low conducts research and facilitates workshops focusing extensively on the strategic implications of generative AI, online reputation management, and the effective use of social and digital media across diverse organizational contexts — including higher education, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes. As an active member of PRSA at both national and local levels, Lisa brings a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape and its impact on the public relations profession.
Low earned an MA in Educational Psychology and Educational Instructional Technology from Texas Tech University, an MBA from Baker University, and a BA in Business Administration/Marketing from Park University.
3:45–4:30 p.m.
The Future in Focus: Leading with Purpose
Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR, Owner and CEO, Siarza; PRSA DEI Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Tonya Matthews, President and CEO, International African American Museum
Join Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR, PRSA DEI Committee Co-Chair, as she sits down with Dr. Tonya Matthews, President and CEO of the International African American Museum for an inspiring fireside chat. Drawing from her dynamic leadership journey and the museum’s mission of connection and collaboration, Dr. Matthews will share actionable strategies for leading teams effectively with purpose and clarity. Together, we’ll discover how to foster collaboration and build resilient high-performing teams. We’ll also explore how to leverage cultural storytelling and innovation to motivate and inspire.
This fireside chat will leave you energized and equipped with actionable takeaways to lead confidently and cultivate a legacy of shared success.
Speaker Bios
Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR Owner and CEO, Siarza; PRSA DEI Committee Co-Chair
Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR is an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder with more than a decade of experience in communications and leadership. In 2014, she launched Siarza, a forward-thinking PR, advertising, and digital marketing agency known for its innovation, creativity, and strategic results.
Under her leadership, the agency has grown into a global operation with a diverse team of over 20 professionals and a portfolio spanning healthcare, finance, government, cannabis, and retail industries.
Recognized as one of PRNEWS’ Top Women in Public Relations, Kristelle has built award-winning campaigns that deliver measurable impact and elevate the role of PR as a strategic business driver. Her team specializes in crafting data-informed strategies that generate millions of impressions and meaningful engagement for clients. Kristelle also extends her expertise beyond client work, serving as co-chair of PRSA’s national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and supporting the development of PR professionals through mentorship and industry advocacy.
Tonya M. Matthews, Ph.D. President and CEO, International African American Museum (IAAM)
Dr. Tonya M. Matthews is president and CEO of the International African American Museum (IAAM), which is located in Charleston, S.C. at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf, one of our nation’s most prolific former slave ports. As a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history, IAAM is one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as America continues the walk toward “a more perfect union.”
A thought-leader in inclusive frameworks, social entrepreneurship, and education, Matthews has written articles and book chapters across these varied subjects. She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a movement to engage girls in their future with STEM careers. Matthews is also a poet and is included in 100 Best African American Poems (2010), edited by Nikki Giovanni.
Matthews received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her B.S.E. in engineering from Duke University, alongside a certificate in African/African American Studies.
4:30–5 p.m.
Wrap Up and Looking Ahead to Day Two
NOVEMBER 7 | 1–5 p.m. ET
1–1:45 p.m.
Welcome Back and Keynote Address
TBD
1:45–2:30 p.m.
PR Meets the Machine: AI, Misinformation, and the New Battle for Reputation
Fred Cook, Director, USC Center for Public Relations, University of Southern California
Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Global CEO and Founder, We
As AI-powered language models become the internet’s new brand ambassadors, communicators find themselves fighting to ensure Large Language Models (LLMs) are returning accurate information to key audiences. Featuring new data and insights from We Communications and USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations, this conversation will explore how AI is reshaping brand visibility and outline steps communications leaders can take to ensure their organization's values, vision, and voice show up with clarity and intention.
Speaker Bios
Fred Cook, Director, USC Center for Public Relations, University of Southern California
Fred Cook is the director of the USC Center for Public Relations (CPR) and a Professor of Professional Practice in the Annenberg School. As the director of CPR, he works with corporations, agencies, and students to define the future of our industry and to develop those who will shape it. He oversees extensive research into all aspects of the public relations profession.
Cook is also Chairman Emeritus of Golin, one of the world’s largest public relations firms, with 50 offices around the globe. For the last 40 years, he has been providing marketing advice and crisis counsel to blue-chip companies like Nintendo, McDonald’s and Toyota. He has also worked personally with Jeff Bezos, Herb Kelleher and Steve Jobs.
Under his leadership, Golin was voted agency of the year more than a dozen times. As CEO, he replaced Golin’s traditional hierarchical structure with a radical new model called g4, where communities of specialists deliver insights, ideas and engagement
to their clients.
Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Global CEO and Founder, We
Melissa Waggener Zorkin is the Global CEO and Founder of We. She has grown the company into one of the largest independent communications agencies in the world, with more than 1,500 employees, in over 100 international markets.
Melissa has cultivated long- term partnerships with many revolutionary brands in the technology, health and consumer sectors guided by a simple formula for business success: Always put people at the heart of every decision.
From the start, she made the early bet that technology would change work and life, which has propelled agency expertise and growth. Driven by the purpose to use the gift of communication to inspire positive action, Melissa and We. have made a substantial impact on the communications industry across the globe.
2:30–2:45 p.m.
Recharge
2:45–3:30 p.m.
Communicators: Leaders of the DEI Renaissance
Kim Clark, Conscious Communications Strategist Consultant
For communicators who enthusiastically embraced talking about their organization delivering on their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion, 2025 has felt like someone threw everything they were doing into the trash. In its wake, there’s a lot of confusion, incognito rebranding, sanitizing websites, and disempowering people, policies and practices. We feel out of integrity when our values are at odds with what the organization decides to do.
It also means that we have a blank canvas. It also means we can do something. Communicators are resilient. We are creators.
In this session, we’ll begin to take this historical time as an opportunity to set in motion an entirely new era – a Renaissance – in diversity, equity and inclusion conversations and experiences.
Speaker Bio
Kim Clark, Conscious Communications Strategist Consultant
She is the co-author of the Amazon #1 bestseller, The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t, and hosts the podcast, Communicate Like You Give a Damn.
Her background includes running global internal communication teams at PayPal, GoDaddy, and GitHub, producing documentaries, and lecturing at San Jose State University.
Kim Clark is helping communicators gain back control of their inclusion messaging in ways that protect organizational reputation and employee trust. She consults and speaks at organizations and coaches communicators to be their personal best so they can be at their professional best.
3:30–4:15 p.m.
TBD
4:15–5 p.m.
Unlocking Internal Communication Brillance
Kelli Kombat, Master Certified Coach and Founder, R.I.C.H. LLC (Resources in Coaching Happiness)
Let’s get real for a second—internal communication can either be the glue that holds an organization together or the crack that lets everything fall apart. As Comms and PR pros, you know the stakes are high. That’s why this session is designed to give you practical, punchy, and people-first strategies to master internal communications in today’s fast-paced, always-on world.
This session helps to unpack the moves that matter when it comes to connecting with your people: building trust, communicating across differences, and making sure your message doesn’t just land—it sticks. This won’t be another sit-back-and-scroll session. It’s interactive, it’s inclusive, and it’s designed with every style and level of communicator in mind.
Speaker Bio
Kelli Kombat, Master Certified Coach and Founder, R.I.C.H. LLC (Resources in Coaching Happiness)
Kelli Kombat, MCC, is a Master Certified Coach and HR strategist with more than 3,500 coaching hours across 20+ countries. She has led cultural transformation for Fortune 500 companies and global organizations, including Ford, L’Oréal, Volvo, IDEO.org, and Publicis Groupe. Kelli helps leaders and teams unlock potential, deepen trust, and elevate communication. As President of ICF New Jersey and founder of R.I.C.H. LLC (Resources in Coaching Happiness), she stands at the crossroads of people, culture, and communication. Career Kombat—hosted by Kelli Kombat, MCC—is a listener-favorite career podcast with a perfect 5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts. With over 50 engaging, real-talk episodes, it’s where clarity meets confidence for today’s career gladiators.
5 p.m.
Wrap Up and Looking Ahead
Speakers
Speakers
Kim Clark
Conscious Communications Strategist Consultant
She is the co-author of the Amazon #1 bestseller, The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t, and hosts the podcast, Communicate Like You Give a Damn.
Her background includes running global internal communication teams at PayPal, GoDaddy, and GitHub, producing documentaries, and lecturing at San Jose State University.
Kim Clark is helping communicators gain back control of their inclusion messaging in ways that protect organizational reputation and employee trust. She consults and speaks at organizations and coaches communicators to be their personal best so they can be at their professional best.
Fred Cook
Director, USC Center for Public Relations, University of Southern California
Fred Cook is the director of the USC Center for Public Relations (CPR) and a Professor of Professional Practice in the Annenberg School. As the director of CPR, he works with corporations, agencies, and students to define the future of our industry and to develop those who will shape it. He oversees extensive research into all aspects of the public relations profession.
Cook is also Chairman Emeritus of Golin, one of the world’s largest public relations firms, with 50 offices around the globe. For the last 40 years, he has been providing marketing advice and crisis counsel to blue-chip companies like Nintendo, McDonald’s and Toyota. He has also worked personally with Jeff Bezos, Herb Kelleher and Steve Jobs.
Under his leadership, Golin was voted agency of the year more than a dozen times. As CEO, he replaced Golin’s traditional hierarchical structure with a radical new model called g4, where communities of specialists deliver insights, ideas and engagement to their clients.
Kelli Kombat
Master Certified Coach and Founder, R.I.C.H. LLC (Resources in Coaching Happiness)
Kelli Kombat, MCC, is a Master Certified Coach and HR strategist with more than 3,500 coaching hours across 20+ countries. She has led cultural transformation for Fortune 500 companies and global organizations, including Ford, L’Oréal, Volvo, IDEO.org, and Publicis Groupe. Kelli helps leaders and teams unlock potential, deepen trust, and elevate communication.
As President of ICF New Jersey and founder of R.I.C.H. LLC (Resources in Coaching Happiness), she stands at the crossroads of people, culture, and communication. Career Kombat—hosted by Kelli Kombat, MCC—is a listener-favorite career podcast with a perfect 5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts. With over 50 engaging, real-talk episodes, it’s where clarity meets confidence for today’s career gladiators.
Chris Lukach, APR
CEO, AKCG - Public Relations Counselors
Chris Lukach, APR, is CEO of AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, a national public relations consultancy with deep experience in reputation management, crisis communications and issues management.
Chris has been instrumental in developing issues and crisis communications plans and consulting with the firm’s clients on sensitive and pivotal matters. He is a sought-after lecturer and author on a range of reputation-management topics.
Chris serves on the boards of directors of WHYY, Inc., the Philadelphia region’s leading public media affiliate, and the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Chris serves as APR chair for the New Jersey Chapter of PRSA, guiding aspiring APRs through the UAB’s accreditation process.
Chris is an adjunct professor of Crisis Communications at his alma mater, Rowan University, where he co-designed the university’s Crisis Communication Certificate of Undergraduate Study (CUGS) Program. In 2018, he was named the university’s
“Distinguished Alumnus.” Chris earned his Master of Legal Studies in Law and Entrepreneurship from Drexel University.
Lisa Du Bois Low, APR, MA, MBA
Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management at Texas Tech University
Low conducts research and facilitates workshops focusing extensively on the strategic implications of generative AI, online reputation management, and the effective use of social and digital media across diverse organizational contexts — including higher education, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes. As an active member of PRSA at both national and local levels, Lisa brings a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape and its impact on the public relations profession.
Low earned an MA in Educational Psychology and Educational Instructional Technology from Texas Tech University, an MBA from Baker University, and a BA in Business Administration/Marketing from Park University.
Lisa Du Bois Low, APR, MA, MBA, is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management at Texas Tech University and a Teaching, Learning, & Professional Development Center (TLPDC) Fellow. Leveraging her 25-year career in strategic communications and 10 years of teaching experience, Lisa's expertise is centered on the dynamic intersection of technology and strategic communication.
Tonya M. Matthews, Ph.D.
President and CEO, International African American Museum (IAAM)
Dr. Tonya M. Matthews is president and CEO of the International African American Museum (IAAM), which is located in Charleston, S.C. at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf, one of our nation’s most prolific former slave ports. As a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history, IAAM is one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as America continues the walk toward “a more perfect union.”
A thought-leader in inclusive frameworks, social entrepreneurship, and education, Matthews has written articles and book chapters across these varied subjects. She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a movement to engage girls in their future with STEM careers. Matthews is also a poet and is included in 100 Best African American Poems (2010), edited by Nikki Giovanni.
Matthews received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her B.S.E. in engineering from Duke University, alongside a certificate in African/African American Studies.
Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR
Owner and CEO, Siarza; PRSA DEI Committee Co-Chair
Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR is an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder with more than a decade of experience in communications and leadership. In 2014, she launched Siarza, a forward-thinking PR, advertising, and digital marketing agency known for its innovation, creativity, and strategic results.
Under her leadership, the agency has grown into a global operation with a diverse team of over 20 professionals and a portfolio spanning healthcare, finance, government, cannabis, and retail industries.
Recognized as one of PRNEWS’ Top Women in Public Relations, Kristelle has built award-winning campaigns that deliver measurable impact and elevate the role of PR as a strategic business driver. Her team specializes in crafting data-informed strategies that generate millions of impressions and meaningful engagement for clients. Kristelle also extends her expertise beyond client work, serving as co-chair of PRSA’s national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and supporting the development of PR professionals through mentorship and industry advocacy.
Melissa Waggener Zorkin
Global CEO and Founder, We
Melissa Waggener Zorkin is the Global CEO and Founder of We. She has grown the company into one of the largest independent communications agencies in the world, with more than 1,500 employees, in over 100 international markets.
Melissa has cultivated long-term partnerships with many revolutionary brands in the technology, health and consumer sectors guided by a simple formula for business success: Always put people at the heart of every decision.
From the start, she made the early bet that technology would change work and life, which has propelled agency expertise and growth. Driven by the purpose to use the gift of communication to inspire positive action, Melissa and We. have made a substantial impact on the communications industry across the globe.