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Advancing Women in Communications

We are dedicated to advancing women in communications by providing opportunities for professional development, leadership, and networking. Whether you’re here to learn, connect, or grow your career, WWPR offers the resources and support you need to thrive. Join or renew your membership today.

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Featured Event

Advocate for Your Work: Strategic Visibility and Boundary-Setting for Communications and PR Professionals

Join WWPR and Susan Matthews Apgood on Wednesday, April 15 at 8:30 AM as she explores why women in particular are often assigned lower-visibility responsibilities and how to change those dynamics through strategic self-advocacy and organizational awareness.

Participants will gain practical tools for articulating the value of their work, demonstrating impact to leadership, and building professional paths that align with both ambition and sustainability.

Upcoming Events

Apr 21
Informed Women’s Month Happy Hour Apr 21, 2026 Binge Bar DC (506 H St NE LL, Washington, DC 20002)
May 01
Beyond the Manosphere: What the Data Actually Says About Men in America and What It Means for Communicators May 1, 2026 Virtual

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Job Listings

Looking for your next career opportunity? We feature the latest openings in communications, public relations, marketing, and related fields. Whether you’re just starting out or advancing your career, our job board connects talented women communicators with top employers looking to hire.

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Committees

Maximize your WWPR membership by joining a committee. As a member, you’ll work alongside like-minded professionals to plan events, support pro bono clients, and contribute to key initiatives. It’s a great way to grow your skills, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact within our community. Get involved today!

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Member Benefits

Membership with WWPR offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, networking, and leadership development.

Professional Development Events

Our professional development events are designed for communicators at all career levels and offer valuable insights and skills to help you grow and succeed in the industry.

Networking and Relationship Building

Connect with like-minded professionals in the DC area through our networking events, designed to foster meaningful relationships and expand your industry connections.

Community Engagement

Through our community engagement initiatives, members have the opportunity to collaborate with pro bono clients, using their communication skills to make a meaningful impact while supporting important causes.

Leadership Positions

WWPR offers leadership opportunities that empower members to take on key roles, develop their leadership skills, and influence the direction of our programs and initiatives.

WWPR offers leadership opportunities that empower members to take on key roles, develop their leadership skills, and influence the direction of our programs and initiatives.
—Maria Papakonstantinou-Spero, Public Relations Director, CapitalHQ

Become a Member

Becoming a WWPR member gives you access to a wealth of professional development resources, networking opportunities, and leadership roles tailored to help you thrive in the communications industry in the Washington D.C. area. Join our vibrant community and unlock the full potential of your career while making a meaningful impact.

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WWPR Board Members

President

Charmaine Riley
American Beverage

Vice President

Vanessa French
Vanessa French Consulting

Past President

Colleen Gallagher
OnWrd & UpWrd

Secretary

Tisa Sinclair

AARP

Treasurer

Bridgette Dodge

Edelman

Operations

Julie McDowell

College of American Pathologists

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Read the Latest Blog Posts

Pioneering with Purpose: The Rise of Female Entrepreneurship in PR

Mar 30, 2026

Written by Kimberly McGuire This article was developed with assistance from artificial intelligence. Over the past decade, women have transformed entrepreneurship by starting and leading businesses at an unprecedented rate. From 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses grew faster than those started by men, and by 2024, women were launching nearly half of all new businesses. […]

How Washington Women in PR Can Help You Level Up Your Career

Feb 23, 2026

Written by WWPR Membership Co-Chair Kate Urbach Communications careers rarely move in a straight line. They’re shaped by the moments you raise your hand, the people who challenge your thinking, and the rooms you’re invited into before you feel “ready.” In a field that changes as quickly as ours – new platforms, new expectations, new […]

Board Spotlight: Julie McDowell, WWPR Operations Chair

Mar 18, 2026

Stepping into the spotlight this month is WWPR Operations Chair Julie McDowell, a strategic marketing and communications executive with 20+ years of experience leading mission-driven work at the intersection of healthcare, science, and public affairs. Currently, she serves as Director of Strategic Communications and Digital Content at the College of American Pathologists, where she’s spent […]

Member Spotlight: Kelsey Nelson

Feb 26, 2026

Written by Kimberly McGuire Kelsey Nicole Nelson is a broadcast media personality and the founder, executive producer, and host of the “Listen in with KNN” sports talk podcast and radio show. She also is the Social Media and Digital Marketing chair for the Entertainment and Sports section for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). […]

Board Member Spotlight: Isabel Aldunate, WWPR Emerging Leaders Award Co-Chair

Feb 25, 2026

In our latest Board Spotlight Series, get to know Isabel Aldunate, a Senior Communications Strategist with deep experience shaping messaging and media strategy across politics, government, and advocacy. She has held senior communications roles for national political campaigns and Democratic leadership, including serving as Deputy National Press Secretary for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, leading […]

President’s Note: 2026 Is Already in Full Swing

Feb 9, 2026

Dear WWPR Members, It is hard to believe that I took the reins from Past President Colleen Gallagher just 40 days ago. In that short time, the organization has already accomplished so much, with even more ahead. First, if we have not yet met, my name is Charmaine Riley, and I am honored to serve […]

Board Member Spotlight: Bridgette Dodge, SVP at Edelman, WWPR Treasurer

Jan 27, 2026

Bridgette Dodge is a communications expert with experiences ranging from the television industry, marketing, hospital systems, and now a pharmaceutical and healthcare communications pro. She is a seasoned, strategic, and thoughtful leader who values team building and storytelling. Bridgette currently serves on the Health Communications team as a Senior Vice President at Edelman and also […]

Meeting the Moment: Erica Loewe on Storytelling with Strategy, Credibility, and Owning Your Voice

Jan 28, 2026

By: Kamica Price and Elisa O’Halloran As the communications landscape continues to shift at lightning speed, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) kicked off 2026 by doing what it does best: creating space for conversations and clarity. At WWPR’s Annual Meeting Luncheon, members gathered to reflect on a year that challenged traditional communications playbooks and […]

Celebrating Running Start: A Partnership Built on Impact and Friendship

Dec 17, 2025

By Pro Bono Committee As we close out December, WWPR is wrapping up our two-year pro bono partnership with Running Start. What began as a professional commitment evolved into something much more meaningful—a true partnership built on shared values, collaborative spirit, and a genuine friendship that made every project a joy. Throughout our time together, […]

A Strong Finish, a Balanced Start to 2026

Dec 16, 2025

A Strong Finish, a Balanced Start to 2026 By Marianna Aristizabal As 2025 winds down, many organizations are reflecting on the year, what went well, what didn’t, and what’s ahead. For those specifically in health communications, this is the perfect moment to highlight how wellness, both personal and organizational, ties into goals for the upcoming […]

President’s Letter: Grateful for 2025, Excited for What’s Ahead

Dec 12, 2025

Dear WWPR Community, as we close out 2025, I’m feeling incredibly grateful—for the unforgettable experiences we’ve shared, the relationships we’ve deepened, and the continued momentum we’ve built as a community of women in communications. It has been an absolute honor to serve as President of WWPR during such a meaningful year. From day one, our […]

Board Spotlight: Charmaine Riley

Dec 16, 2025

Charmaine Riley, Communications Director at American Beverage, WWPR VP/Incoming 2026 President Charmaine Riley is a public relations and communications director with 10+ years of experience in media relations, advocacy and strategic communications. She has a track record of securing media coverage and managing social impact initiatives. Dedicated, creative and highly collaborative, she brings diverse experience […]

From Pitch to Post: Four Ways AI Can Strengthen Communications

Oct 16, 2025

By: Allison Gross, associate director, Vanguard Communications Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to speak about artificial intelligence (AI) in communications at the National Disability Rights Network Annual Conference. In a Zoom room filled with advocates, attorneys and communicators, the questions were less about the technology itself and more about its purpose. How can […]

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