The 2026 PRMuseum NextGen Awards

Recognizing the next generation of PR leaders and pacesetters

Takes 3–5 minutes. Payment required after submission.

The Museum of Public Relations, in partnership with PRWeek, is announcing its third year of the PRMuseum NextGen Awards, a program to recognize young public relations professionals who personify the character of trailblazers in the field whose contributions were often overlooked because of their gender, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, or other factors that caused them to be marginalized. What made these pioneers different was their resolute character — their refusal to let circumstances define their success. 

Recipients of the PRMuseum NextGen Awards will not necessarily be of the same backgrounds as those for whom their award is named but they will demonstrate the same character, with a record of achievement in the face of personal obstacles and adversity. And just like these trailblazers, they will show high potential to be among the industry’s future leaders and pacesetters. 

Each will be:

• A Self-starter. Shows unusual initiative and readily accepts responsibility.

• A Change Agent. Record of pushing the boundaries of culture and making brave changes within their workplace or industry.

• Deeply Curious. Unusually broad interests and perspectives. Fast learner.

• An Enemy of the Routine. Highly creative. Sees opportunities others miss. Innovative.

• A Strong Leader. Unusual ability to motivate others in achieving ambitious goals. Celebrates success. Learns from mistakes.

• Resolute. Determined and has overcome personal obstacles and adversity.

MENTORS

Awards will be given at PR Week’s 40-Under-40 event in New York City on October 21, 2026. And each winner of the PRMuseum NextGen Award will have the opportunity to receive a year of one-on-one mentoring by a current day PR trailblazer. As well as the recognition of winning and a trophy, the honorees receive a year of one-on-one mentoring by current industry leaders including David Brown, Professor and the Assistant Dean for Community and Communication, Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University; Ray Day Vice Chair, Stagwell; Dustee Jenkins, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Spotify; Stacey Jones, Chief Communicator, Honeywell; and Oscar Suris, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Televisa Univision;

About the PRMuseum NextGen Awards

The PRMuseum discovered the industry’s “Hidden History” when its research into the modern practice’s earliest years revealed practitioners who had pioneered in the field but were overlooked because of their gender, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, or other factors that caused them to be marginalized.

The awards are named after trailblazers in PR’s "Hidden History” who had those characteristics. Pioneers such as (left to right) Wilma Mankiller (1945–2010), who was the first woman elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and became a relentless advocate for improved education, healthcare, and housing services. Esther Renteria (1939–2007), a groundbreaking Latina journalist and civil rights advocate for social justice; Inez Kaiser (1919–2016), who was the first African American woman to own and operate a PR agency; and Bayard Rustin (1912–1987), a close advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., best known as the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, left a lasting legacy in both civil rights and LGBTQ+ history; and Lynne Choy Uyeda (b. 1938), the first PR firm in the U.S. owned by an Asian American woman and co-founder of the Asian Business Association.

Call for Entries

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The awards are open to public relations people with not more than 10 years’ experience in the profession at an agency, company, non-profit, government agency, or other institution. Candidates must be sponsored by their immediate supervisor or another senior person in their organization.

DEADLINE: June 15, 2026, 11:59 pm ET.
EXTENDED DEADLINE: June 30, 11:59 pm ET.
FEE: $350; EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT: Save $75 through June 15 — applied automatically at checkout

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED:
In August, in PRWeek

JUDGES

Entries will be assessed by a panel of seasoned public relations leaders of diverse backgrounds and experience. The judges include Steve Barrett, VP, editorial director, PRWeek; Carmella Glover, President, Diversity Action Alliance; Barby Siegel, Global CEO, Zeno Group; Kim Sample, President, PR Council; Jorge Espinosa, Director, Marketing Communications, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Reuben Stern, Missouri School of Journalism, New York Program; Rachel Spielman, Chief Strategy & Change Officer, RuderFinn; Kathy Rennie, Ph.D., APR, Professor, NYU, Kim Hunter, CEO, LAGRANT Foundation; Erik Carlson, CEO, Notified; Denise Hill, Ph.D., CCO, Lowe’s (former); Shelley Spector, Co-founder and CEO, PRMuseum; and Christina Chan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Regeneron. They will look for evidence that entrants have the same character as trailblazers in PR’s Hidden History and show high potential of being among the industry’s next generation of leaders and pacesetters. The judges will be particularly attentive to evidence that entrants overcame obstacles in their personal or professional lives to achieve their current position.

SUBMISSIONS

Submit your nomination using the link to the form below.
After submitting, you will receive a confirmation with a link to complete the entry fee.

RECOGNITION EVENT

The PRMuseum NextGen Awards will be presented this fall during PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” program in New York City.

Takes 3–5 minutes. Payment required after submission.

Please send an email to nextgen@prmuseum.org if you have any questions or have trouble with your online submission. That’s also the email to use if you’re interested in sponsoring the PRMuseum NextGen Awards or any other PRMuseum initiative.

Thanks for your interest in the next generation of public relations leaders.

The 2024 and 2025 Class of PRMuseum NextGen Honorees