PRSA New York Board Sets Bold 2026 Agenda With Expanded Big Apple Awards

Photo credit: Tucker Berardi, 2025 Big Apple Awards Gala

As public relations enters a period of rapid transformation driven by accelerating AI adoption, media fragmentation, and rising expectations for trust, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America has unveiled its 2026 Board of Directors, a leadership team designed to guide the profession through a pivotal year of change and opportunity.

The new Board brings together senior leaders from agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and academia, reinforcing PRSA-NY’s role as a trusted professional home for communicators navigating complexity in the nation’s largest media market.

“We’re entering a pivotal moment for public relations, defined by new technologies, evolving media dynamics, and rising expectations for trust,” said Paul Cohen, president of PRSA-NY and founder and CEO of Attention Comms. “This Board brings the experience and imagination needed to help our community navigate that change and elevate the standards of our profession, from leadership development to the Big Apple Awards.”

Cohen brings more than three decades of agency leadership and global reputation counsel to the presidency, with prior senior roles at Milk & Honey PR and Ketchum. His career spans crisis communications, executive positioning, and purpose-driven strategy for organizations operating in high-stakes environments across North America, Europe, and Asia.

In 2026, Cohen’s priorities include delivering more frequent, high-value programming on a consistent cadence, expanding mentorship opportunities, strengthening member engagement, and positioning PRSA-NY as a forward-looking, stabilizing force for communicators operating amid uncertainty.

“PRSA-NY has long served as a professional home for communicators navigating change, complexity, and rising expectations for trust,” Cohen said. “The 2026 Board reflects the depth, diversity, and strategic leadership needed to support our members and advance the profession at a time when clarity, connection, and credible counsel matter more than ever.”

Cohen succeeds Ken Kerrigan, APR, adjunct faculty at New York University, who will serve as immediate past president and provide continuity and institutional leadership. Bill C. Smith, senior vice president at Highwire PR, will serve as president-elect.

“Public relations professionals have a growing responsibility to communicate with integrity, actively combat misinformation, and engage constructively with journalists and influential stakeholders as they navigate ongoing disruption,” Smith said. “In 2026 and beyond, we are renewing our focus on credible leadership and member resources to support accurate reporting, informed public discourse, and a healthier media ecosystem.”

Throughout the year, the Board will focus on delivering more frequent, high-impact programming, expanding leadership and mentorship pathways, strengthening member value and engagement, and advancing an action-oriented approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion across the profession. A dedicated Mentorship Committee will launch in 2026, reinforcing the chapter’s investment in developing the next generation of communications leaders.

Big Apple Awards Positioned for Growth in 2026

A major pillar of the Board’s agenda is the continued expansion of the Big Apple Awards, now entering its 39th year as one of the nation’s premier communications awards programs.

“As we celebrate the 39th Annual Big Apple Awards, we’re excited to build on a legacy that has become one of the premier communications awards programs in the nation,” said Stephanie Jo Peksen, PRSA-NY vice president, Big Apple Awards, and senior account executive at Notified. “This event isn’t just a New York Chapter tradition. It’s a showcase of the most innovative, impactful, and culturally resonant work shaping the world’s media capital. For 2026, we’re aiming for a record number of entries as we continue to elevate and recognize the very best in strategic communications.”

Marc Drechsler, PRSA-NY vice president, Big Apple Awards and executive vice president at Weber Shandwick, emphasized the opportunity to broaden participation and reflect the evolving scope of the industry.

“We are incredibly excited about the Big Apple Awards this year, where NYC continues to define the most vital cultural and business moments on so many levels,” Drechsler said. “We’ll look to reflect that legacy in how we celebrate this moment in time in our industry. We also plan to expand participation from agencies and companies who may not have entered before, especially across the many categories PRSA-NY pioneered in finance, technology, and creative.”

The expanded Awards strategy aligns closely with the Board’s broader focus on innovation, inclusivity, and elevating standards across the profession, while creating new opportunities for agencies, brands, and practitioners to gain visibility and recognition.

The 2026 Board was selected by a Nominating Committee chaired by Kerrigan and unanimously approved. Collectively, the leadership team reflects deep operational expertise, strategic insight, and a collaborative spirit designed to guide PRSA-NY through a year of transformation, growth, and renewed member impact.

With expanded programming, a dedicated mentorship platform, and a reinvigorated Big Apple Awards strategy, PRSA-NY enters 2026 positioned to deliver greater value, stronger community connection, and continued leadership for communications professionals across the New York market.