Gratitude for 2025, Optimism for What’s Ahead

Thought Leadership
Written By Fay Shapiro

I’m filled with gratitude and optimism for the work CommPRO does best, bringing communications professionals together to create community and move the industry forward, including our continued collaboration with PRSA-NY on the Big Apple Awards.

In 2025 we focused on the issues that matter most to comunicators–AI, trust in earned media, disinformation, storytelling, data intelligence, leadership and workplace wellness. We convened thought leaders through programs including, our shareholder activism webinar series hosted by Keith E. Gottfried; virtual and in-person town halls at Cannes Lions and New York City Climate Week; original thought leadership such as podcast conversations on PR Masters with Art Stevens and That Said with Michael Zeldin, featuring voices such as Peter Finn, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Heather Cox Richardson. 

It was a fast-moving and sometimes unpredictable year, but our community showed up, leaned in and kept the conversations thoughtful, relevant and real.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how connected this community remained. Agency leaders, in-house teams, independent practitioners and next-generation voices all found space here to share ideas, ask questions and learn from one another. That sense of connection is what makes CommPRO more than a media platform. It’s a community.

2025 also brought great sadness. In November, we lost Paul Kontonis while he was working with CommPRO. Paul was a true force in our world. He was generous with his time, his wisdom and deeply committed to this profession. His presence shaped so much of what we do, and his loss was felt across the communications community. The way people came together to honor Paul reminded me why this work matters and why relationships sit at the heart of communications. His legacy will continue to guide us.

As we enter 2026, I’m excited that CommPRO and Capitol Communicator are coming together in a strategic union. This partnership brings two trusted platforms together around shared values, complementary strengths and a common vision for the future of communications. It’s about growing thoughtfully, expanding our reach and creating more opportunities for meaningful connection and insight.

Both CommPRO and Capitol Communicator will continue to operate under their existing brands, with the same voice and values our communities trust. By working together, we’ll be able to move faster, deepen our programming and reach more than 100,000 communications professionals around the world. I’m grateful to Paul Duning and his team, and I can’t wait to see where this collaboration leads.

Thank you to everyone who read, participated, partnered, sponsored, spoke and supported CommPRO in 2025. You are the reason this community continues to grow and thrive.

Here’s to honoring what we’ve built, carrying forward what matters most and stepping into 2026 with energy, openness and optimism.

With gratitude,
Fay

Fay Shapiro

My background is rooted in business development and education. I am a "connector," driven to deliver results for my colleagues through the sharing of content on topics ranging from blockchain and cryptocurrency to crisis communications, digital marketing and financial communications.

I launched CommPRO.biz, a B2B digital media platform with the mission to become an educational resource for anyone seeking the tools they need to build and promote their message. A successful business needs to be able to tell their story. The content and events offered via CommPRO provide the foundation for their success.

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