The PR Club of New England, the region's leading communications trade organization, has announced its new and expanded board of directors and strategic vision for the 2025-2026 term. This development matters significantly as it represents a concerted effort to revitalize a 77-year-old institution that faced membership and participation declines following the pandemic, at a time when the communications industry is undergoing profound transformation. The organization's renewed focus on educational programming, professional networking, and membership growth addresses critical needs for practitioners adapting to shrinking newsrooms and evolving storytelling technologies.
Led by returning president Kaitlynn Cooney, PR Director at Walker Sands, the PR Club is positioning itself as an essential hub for collective navigation of industry changes. Cooney emphasized that as newsrooms contract and new technologies reshape how stories are told and consumed, the Club's revitalization mirrors the need for communications professionals to come together, share expertise, and navigate change with confidence. The organization's commitment to helping members learn, grow, and build meaningful connections speaks directly to the challenges facing an industry in constant flux.
The expanded board structure introduces dedicated leadership for key functions including content, programming, social media, and membership, signaling a more strategic approach to serving the New England communications community. New board members include programming leads Allison Logano of Tier One Partners and Angelica English of TEAM LEWIS, content lead Abbey Clark of Health+Commerce, social media lead Abby O'Malley of Revenue Analytics, Bell Ringer Awards lead Lana Tkachenko of Bob's Red Mill, and membership lead Caitlin Kahle of Duffy & Shanley. This diverse leadership team brings expertise from across the communications spectrum, enhancing the Club's ability to address varied member needs.
Membership benefits continue to provide strong value with free monthly passes to educational programming, discounted member-only pricing for events, and unrestricted access to exclusive Club content and resources. Corporate memberships also include free Bell Ringer Awards entries, complimentary tickets to monthly programs, and sponsored blog posts spotlighting member companies. These offerings gain importance as professionals seek cost-effective professional development opportunities and visibility within the regional industry. The PR Club has begun preparing for the 58th annual Bell Ringer Awards, scheduled for June 2026, which celebrate excellence in PR and communications across events, content, and campaigns, along with professional achievement awards.
The organization's strategic vision emphasizes creating a tighter-knit professional community where practitioners can learn from one another, share ideas, and build social and professional circles where fresh ideas thrive. This approach recognizes that in challenging industry times, collective growth through shared knowledge and connections becomes increasingly valuable. Members seeking current information can visit https://www.PRClub.org for updates on events and organizational developments. The PR Club's revitalization represents more than organizational restructuring—it reflects a necessary adaptation to support communications professionals through industry transformation while honoring a 77-year legacy of community building.
