How a $500 Check Sparked a PR Career and a Lesson in Mentorship
Photo credit Joe Vericker
Ken Kerrigan, president of the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY), and SVP, Co‑Practice Lead ‑ Professional Services, The Bliss Group, believes the most meaningful investment communicators can make is in the people just starting out. His own career proves it.
In a recent conversation with CommPRO, Kerrigan shared how a single act of generosity from a senior PRSA-NY leader helped launch his path in the profession.
“I fondly recall the late Bob Dorf writing a personal check for $500 (a lot of money back then) to help our student-run agency succeed,” he said. “I think you could easily make the case that without those leaders in PRSA-NY I probably don’t pursue a career in public relations, and if I didn’t I couldn’t really imagine where I’d be today.”
Kerrigan’s story is a reminder of the profound influence professional organizations can have—especially when they invest in the next generation. Now leading PRSA-NY, Kerrigan is committed to continuing that legacy.
“For those who may not be familiar, PRSA-NY is the New York City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America,” Kerrigan explained. “PRSA was established in 1947 and the New York chapter was one of the earliest created.”
He added that the New York chapter aims to amplify that work locally: “As a chapter we look to amplify and expand on those efforts for practitioners working in New York City, while also connecting with the next generation of professionals through local PRSSA chapters.”
Kerrigan said his current leadership role is a full-circle moment. “When the opportunity presented itself a few years ago to get involved at a senior level there was no way I could say no,” he said. “And that’s led to me now serving as president of the New York Chapter.”
It’s not just his own career that reflects the importance of mentorship—Kerrigan said many of PRSA-NY’s current leaders are similarly motivated by their early experiences with the chapter.
“I’m not the only one who remembers how important the chapter was in their early career development, so I think a lot of the current leadership is involved to make a difference not only for the profession but more so for the next generation,” he said. “To me that comes across as very genuine and authentic and something that people want to be a part of, regardless of where they are in their career.”
The Big Apple Awards, PRSA-NY’s annual recognition of outstanding public relations work, are one of the most visible ways the chapter honors excellence in the industry. Kerrigan sees the event not only as a celebration of top talent, but also as a key part of reinforcing community and pride in the profession.
“Professionals outside of New York City won’t like me saying this, but New York is the communications capital of the world,” Kerrigan said. “The work that gets done here more often than not represents the best thinking of the profession, so the Big Apple Awards is when we stop and honor that. You can go get a sunburn on the beach at Cannes, but for my money the best of the best is getting done right here in New York.”
He acknowledged the challenges of award fatigue but emphasized the significance of the program. “We get it—there’s a lot of awards out there. Many of them are money grabs,” Kerrigan said. “And while it’s a fact that it costs money to put on a meaningful awards program, the Big Apples to me are the equivalent of the Oscar for New York-based public relations professionals.”
With the May 28 entry deadline approaching, Kerrigan encouraged PR pros to step forward. “We’ve already surpassed the number of entries we’ve received in the past two years, but we know that’s not everyone,” he said. “If you think you’ve done some of the best work in New York, stand up and be recognized for it. That’s the reason the awards were created in the first place.”
Kerrigan’s journey—from NYU student to PRSA-NY president—underscores a fundamental truth in the communications field: mentorship isn’t just a gesture. It’s a long-term investment in the strength and sustainability of the profession.
