PRSA Announces 2027 Board of Directors Nominations
Jun. 15, 2026
Paula L. Pedene, APR, Fellow PRSA, Selected as Chair-Elect Nominee
NEW YORK, June 15, 2026 — PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the public relations and communications community, announced today the nominees for the 2027 Board of Directors. The nominees will be presented for election at the Leadership Assembly on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Delegates representing the membership will elect Officer and Director candidates to serve a term beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Officers serve a one-year term, and Directors serve a two-year term.
“This year’s nominees embody the leadership, vision and commitment that continue to move PRSA forward,” said Joseph Abreu, APR, CPRC, chair of the 2027 Nominating Committee. “They bring a wealth of experience, a passion for serving the profession and a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing communicators today. I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident they will help shape PRSA’s continued success.”
Nominations for Officers of the 2027 Board of Directors include:
- Chair-Elect: Paula L. Pedene, APR, Fellow PRSA, Honoring America’s Veterans, Phoenix, Ariz.
- Secretary: John Palmer, APR, Ohio Hospital Association, Pickerington, Ohio
The PRSA Nominating Committee also made its selections for the open Director positions for the 2027 Board. The selections of the Committee include:
- Mid-Atlantic District: Michael S. Gross, APR, Fellow PRSA, AKCG - Public Relations Counselors, Glassboro, N.J.
- Northeast District: Melissa Farmer Richards, APR, iMarketingMix LLC, Hubbardsville, N.Y.
- Western District: Kenneth T. Hagihara, APR, Fellow PRSA, Integrity Public Relations, Inc., Mission Viejo, Calif.
- Director-at-Large: Natan Edelsburg, Muck Rack, New York, N.Y.
Positions of Treasurer, East Central District, and Tri-State District were not slated and will be open for petition and election at Assembly. Instructions to apply are on the National Leadership Recruitment webpage.
The PRSA Board of Directors includes 17 voting members. Angela Walters Eveillard, MBA, APR, will serve as chair, and Heide Harrell, M.A., APR, will serve as Immediate Past Chair in 2027.
Paula L. Pedene, APR, Fellow PRSA, is executive director of Honoring America's Veterans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and preserving the legacy of America's military veterans. A U.S. Navy veteran, award-winning communications leader and former Department of Veterans Affairs executive, Pedene has devoted more than 40 years of service to supporting veterans, strengthening communities and advancing ethical public service. In her role, she works alongside volunteers, veterans and community partners to lead meaningful programs and events, including the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony and Veterans Forums, ensuring the stories and sacrifices of America's heroes are honored and never forgotten.
Throughout her distinguished career in military service, journalism, public affairs and nonprofit leadership, Pedene has championed initiatives that improve the lives of veterans and their families while elevating the practice of public relations. She has earned five Silver Anvil Awards from PRSA, holds the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential and was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows, one of the profession's highest honors. Guided by the values of honor, courage and commitment, she continues to build partnerships, mentor leaders and advocate for those who have served our nation.
About PRSA
PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the communications community through a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico. Guided by its Code of Ethics, PRSA empowers its members to succeed at every stage of their careers through a wide breadth of premium professional development programs, exclusive networking events and leadership opportunities. Signature events include the Anvil Awards and ICON, the premier annual gathering for communications professionals and students. For more information, visit www.prsa.org.
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Media Contact:
Linda Beltran, APR
