Women In Communications Who Shaped Our Careers

As Women’s History Month continues, I’ve been thinking about where our perspective as communicators really comes from. Not just the roles we’ve held or the work we’ve produced, but the people who shaped how we approach the work in the first place.

When communicators reflect on the women who influenced their careers, the answers are rarely about titles. They are about presence, about example, and about the moments that stay with you long after they happen.

For some, that influence begins very close to home.

“Margery Kraus, my mother and founder of APCO, has been my greatest inspiration. A fearless trailblazer, she built a global advisory firm at a time when opportunities for women — especially in leadership — were scarce, shaping both APCO and the industry. Her vision, tenacity and belief in collaboration have inspired countless others to push boundaries. Beyond her business acumen, her deep care for employees, prioritization of family and ability to empower those around her motivate many. I’ve seen firsthand how she is leaving a legacy that inspires generations in our industry and beyond.”
Mara Hedgecoth, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, APCO

What comes through in reflections like this is not just admiration, but a clear understanding that leadership is as much about how you build something as it is about what you build. That idea carries through in a different way in Johna Burke’s reflection, which centers on mentorship and the lasting impact of someone who chose to invest in others.

“Wilma Matthews profoundly shaped my leadership in communication. We worked together in IABC Phoenix, where she supported me as a young leader with generosity, humor, and genuine care. She recently passed, and I wish I had told her more often how much that support meant. What set her apart was her instinct to prioritize people, even in the face of constant demands. She showed that relationships are the foundation of our work. The lesson I carry forward is simple: make time for people, because that is what builds trust and defines lasting leadership.”
Johna Burke, CEO & Global Managing Director, AMEC

That emphasis on relationships and trust sits at the center of how many communicators describe the work itself. It is not just about delivering messages, it is about taking responsibility for what those messages represent.

“Sharon Merrill shaped my belief that communications is a leadership function grounded in credibility and trust. I’ve carried that forward by prioritizing clarity, consistency, and substance. Lesson: don’t just deliver messages. Have the courage to challenge, guide, and ensure what’s communicated reflects the organization’s actions and values.”
Maureen Wolff, Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Merrill Advisors

At the same time, there is a strong recognition that leadership is expressed in everyday behavior, in the way people interact and carry themselves, not just in outcomes or milestones.

“The woman who has inspired me most in my career is my mentor, Barbara Hunter. As a pioneering female leader in the PR business and one of the first women to lead a major communications agency, she led by example, showing strength, wisdom, and ethical intention in every interaction. She taught me that success is not only about achievement, but about how you carry yourself and treat others along the way. My advice to future generations is to be like Barbara — practice truthfully, operate with kindness, demonstrate accountability, and always lead with humility. These values shape character, build trust, and create a legacy that extends far beyond any single career.”
Grace Leong, Chief Executive Officer, HUNTER:

There is also an honesty in these reflections about how careers actually unfold. They are rarely linear, and they are often shaped by the people who make it possible to navigate both professional and personal priorities.

“Leadership in this industry looks different because women pushed doors open—and held them there. I credit Maureen Lippe for showing me early that ambition and family can coexist; bringing her son to the office, finding a role for her mom in the business, and leaning on her husband as an advisor expanded her strength, not diminished it. Lorraine Thelian helped lead the way at Ketchum, using an assertive voice and steady leadership to showcase a path to the executive team. My lesson to pass on: your route may be circuitous. Choose roles that fit your values, stay authentic, build your personal and professional team, and remember—asking for support is power”
Barri Rafferty, Chief Communication Officer, Compass International Holdings

Inspiration also comes from leaders who demonstrate that success and humanity are not mutually exclusive, but deeply connected.

“Hoda Kotb has long inspired me because she proves you can climb to the top and still lead with heart. Rising from local news to Dateline to co-anchoring The Today Show, she has built her career with warmth, resilience, and integrity. Teaming up with Savannah Guthrie as the first all-female anchor team on Today was a true game-changer in broadcast media. Hoda offers a valuable lesson for the next generation of communicators: lead with humanity. While talent may open doors, empathy and authenticity earn people’s trust.”
Stacey Ross Cohen, CEO, Co-Communications

That sense of leadership grounded in humanity connects closely with another recurring theme: seeing people clearly and investing in their potential.

"Who’s a woman leader who has influenced my career and perspective? That’s easy: Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn CEO, and my mom. What’s one lesson from her? How to choose? As anyone who’s ever worked with her knows firsthand, she doesn’t see titles, she sees people. She treats every interaction with equal respect and curiosity. And she expects the same “what’s next” attitude from herself as she does from all of us: what new tools can I learn, how can we do more, what can I do that no one has done before? Her belief in human potential is awe inspiring."
Rachel Spielman, Chief Strategy & Change Officer, North America, Ruder Finn

At the same time, there is a clear sense that the future of communications will depend on how well the industry works together.

"Collaboration has always been a core value of mine and Kim Sample, PR Council President, has been a true inspiration in that regard. Through her leadership at the PR Council, she's consistently pushed for industry-wide collaboration to bring agency leaders together to share ideas and tackle today's challenges and big issues. The future of communications will be built through shared thinking and partnership. For the next generation of communicators, that is the opportunity: lean into collaboration, pair it with critical thinking and creativity, and use it to drive real impact."
Tiffany Guarnaccia, CEO & Founder, Kite Hill

And finally, there is a reminder that mentorship itself is not one-directional, but something built through mutual respect and shared experience.

"Lisa Sepulveda, the first chief people and culture officer, Edelman, has taught me the power of mentorship. Both parties learn from each other. We take on new challenges where we win or lose. I am fortunate to work with Lisa as a 'partner.' We support each other through good and tough times. We respect each other--the quality my mother Ruth Edelman said is the secret to a good marriage/partnership."
Renée S. Edelman, senior vice president, archivist and alumni relations, Edelman

Taken together, these reflections feel less like a collection of individual stories and more like a shared understanding of what leadership in communications really requires. It is grounded in trust, shaped by relationships, strengthened by curiosity, and carried forward through collaboration and mentorship.

What stands out most is that these lessons are not abstract. They are lived, observed, and passed from one person to another over time, shaping not only careers, but the culture of the profession itself.

That is what makes this work enduring.