Independence. Courage. Leadership.

Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, and a popular past PRSA ICON presenter, will present “Be A Lion: The Role of Courage in Leadership.” Ken will explore the critical role courage plays in effective leadership and strategic communication, offering practical insights for communicators at every career stage. I hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an engaging and valuable conversation.

Whether you're just beginning your career or have decades of experience, courage is a quality every communicator continues to develop. PRSA Oregon is here to support that journey by connecting communication professionals across Oregon and Southwest Washington and providing opportunities to learn, grow and lead — including face-to-face time together.

If you’re in the Salem area on July 20, I hope you’ll join us for our Communicators Social. And be sure to bookmark our events page to stay up to date on chapter programs and events.

One more thing: the call for entries for our 2026 Spotlight Awards & Awards of Distinction is now open. I encourage you to showcase the work you're proud of this year and celebrate it alongside your peers.

Happy Independence Day!

WEBINAR — JULY 8

Be A Lion: The Role of Courage in Leadership

Wednesday, July 8  |  Noon–1 p.m. PT  |  Free for PRSA chapter members  |  $20 for nonmembers

Ken will share practical insights and real-world examples to help communication professionals strengthen their leadership presence, make difficult decisions with confidence and effectively advocate for their ideas and organizations.

Ken holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF) and multiple certifications from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), including Certified Professional Coach (CPC), Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Master Practitioner, and COR.E Leadership Dynamics Specialist.

Ken is a certified executive coach, consultant and speaker with deep experience helping PR and communication leaders strengthen their leadership effectiveness and achieve measurable results. As principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, he partners with agencies and corporations to improve leadership confidence, team performance and organizational success.

This session is designed for communication professionals at all career stages who want to lead with greater confidence.

Free for PRSA Oregon members and members of other PRSA chapters

$20 for nonmembers

Register for our July 8 webinar here.

NATIONAL PRSA — NEW MEMBER WEBINAR

New Member Welcome Webinar

One of the best ways to connect with PRSA is to learn all about its benefits in this upcoming New Member Welcome Webinar on Tuesday, July 7 at 11 a.m.

This session gives new members a closer look at the benefits and resources available through PRSA, while helping you make the most of your membership from day one.

COMMUNICATORS SOCIAL — JULY 20

Let’s Get Lively in Salem on July 20!

July Communicators Social — Let’s Get Lively!

Date and Time: Monday, July 20, 2026  |  5–7 p.m.

Location: Lively Station, Salem

This event is free and open to nonmembers, with limited capacity.

Register today — space is limited!

COMMUNICATORS SOCIAL — AUGUST 18

August 18 Communicators Social: Meet the Media with The Columbian

Join PRSA Oregon on Tuesday, August 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for our next Communicators Social at McMenamins on the Columbia, located at 1801 SE Columbia River Drive in Vancouver.

Hosted by The Columbian, this casual gathering offers communication professionals an opportunity to connect with colleagues, expand their networks and enjoy an evening along the Columbia River waterfront.

Attendees will also have the chance to participate in an informal Meet the Media conversation with Patrick Malee, Business and Lifestyle Editor at The Columbian. As the newspaper of record for Clark County and Southwest Washington, The Columbian plays an important role in covering the people, businesses, growth and issues shaping the region.

PRSA Oregon will provide appetizers. Beverages will be available for individual no-host purchase.

Date & Time: Tuesday, August 18, 2026  |  4:30–6:30 p.m.

Location: McMenamins on the Columbia, 1801 SE Columbia River Drive, Vancouver

Reserve your spot at our August 18 Communicators Social & Meet the Media event.

SPOTLIGHT AWARDS — CALL FOR ENTRIES

Call for Entries! It’s Your Time to Shine.

The countdown is on! Entries for the 2026 PRSA Oregon Spotlight Awards & Awards of Distinction are open through Aug. 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Showcase the programs that made an impact this year – measurable results, complex challenges and standout campaigns are worth celebrating!

• Earn recognition from your peers

• Showcase your strategic impact

• Celebrate your team’s accomplishments

Entry fees:

• PRSA Oregon members: $120

• Non-members: $150

• Students: $45 (Must have been enrolled in a community college or university when the work was completed.)

• Pro bono: $0 (Work must have been developed and executed with no professional fees, reimbursement or remuneration.)

Need help with your entry? Watch our June 30 webinar, "How to Submit a Winning Spotlight Awards Entry."

STUDENT AWARDS

PRSA Oregon Honors Jack Ewan and Liz Cawood Award Winners While Recognizing Three Emerging PR Professionals

The Jack Ewan Award for Outstanding Public Relations Senior is presented each year to the outstanding senior member of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America), University of Oregon Chapter. The award recognizes both achievement and potential in a senior student in honor of Ewan’s legacy. The award, sponsored by the Oregon Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), recognizes and acknowledges high aptitude for academic performance, UO PRSSA accomplishments and the student’s future goals and aspirations.

A member of the UO School of Journalism and Communications faculty from 1964 until his retirement in 1985, Professor Emeritus Jack Ewan built the UO’s public relations courses into an accredited major. He founded the University of Oregon chapter of PRSSA in 1972, the first in the Pacific Northwest.

The 2026 Jack Ewan award winner is Tessa Campbell, who judges determined to have best met the criteria for the honor, bringing the best overall combination of exceptional academics, involvement in the UO PRSSA, and leadership experience.

“Her involvement in PRSSA shone brightly. She didn’t just show up, she kept with it, leading a 60+ member organization, planning major events, and helping connect students with professionals, requiring initiative and follow-through.”

“She also demonstrated high career readiness due to a clear sense of her strengths and how they translate into the real world. Overall, Tessa shows exemplary pre-career preparation to step into the profession in a meaningful way. She is on track to accomplish much as a future leader in the PR field.”

The 2026 Liz Cawood Award for Service is also presented each year to a UO PRSSA member for outstanding commitment to service to the organization and the community at large. The award is named in honor of Liz Cawood, APR, a founding member of the Greater Oregon Chapter of PRSA and the first UO PRSSA professional advisor.

This year, judges honored Ellie Acosta for the Liz Cawood award for making “significant, consistent and meaningful contributions to the UO PRSSA throughout her college years. She continues to contribute to increasingly deeper roles as incoming PRSSA chapter president in 2026-27.

“Ellie took the chapter through a successful rebranding process, encouraging engagement and securing funding,” said judges. “Her work as a sophomore to lead the chapter toward an alignment of goals and direction received the highest praise. Ellie’s leadership in fundraising and obtaining sponsorships of pre-professional tours and visits for members is commendable and worthy of community service distinction.”

To recognize excellence in academic accomplishment, career readiness and outstanding service, PRSA Oregon also awarded three public relations industry citations to UO PRSSA members Madison Price, Brenna Cline and Denali Williams as emerging professionals.

This year’s jury for each award comprised Judy Asbury, APR, Fellow PRSA, Associate Dean of Communications and Development at Lewis & Clark College Law School; Sally Ridenour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chief Content Strategist at the Oregon Department of Transportation; Mary Louise VanNatta, APR, Fellow PRSA, CEO at VanNatta Public Relations Inc.; and longtime jury chair and past Ewan award winner, Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA, Founder/President of Publix Northwest PR – PA. The award selection process was proctored by longtime UO PRSSA Professional Advisor John Charles Mitchell, APR, Fellow PRSA.

In this academic year, each winner displayed excellent academic performance as well as strong goals, career readiness and community engagement in preparation for their post-graduation lives. The winners were notified prior to the 2026 UO School of Journalism and Communication commencement ceremony held at Autzen Stadium on June 15.

NATIONAL PRSA — EMERGING PROFESSIONALS

PRSA Introduces New Emerging Professionals Awards

Do you know an emerging communications professional doing exceptional work? PRSA’s new Emerging Professionals Awards recognize rising professionals who are already making a meaningful impact early in their careers.

The awards recognize communications professionals with two to seven years of experience who demonstrate innovation, creativity, critical thinking, ethical practice and measurable results. Rather than focusing on age, the program honors achievement, leadership and contributions to the communications profession.

Eligible professionals from agencies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare institutions and other communications-focused sectors are encouraged to apply.

Deadlines & fees:

• Early-bird deadline: July 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT

  • Fee = $399 

• Final deadline: July 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT

  • Fee = $499

Recognize the next generation of communications leaders by submitting a nomination today.

Learn more and submit a nomination at the PRSA Emerging Professionals Awards.

MEMBER RESOURCES

Build Your Career with Mac’s List

Looking for your next opportunity — or simply thinking about what’s next in your career? PRSA Oregon’s partnership with Mac’s List gives members access to one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier career resources.

More than a regional job board, Mac’s List helps professionals build meaningful careers through practical job search tools, expert advice and career development resources. Job seekers can search hundreds of opportunities across Oregon, Washington and the Pacific Northwest, create customized job alerts and access a library of articles, podcasts, courses and career guidance covering everything from resumes and networking to interviewing and career transitions.

Mac’s List is also a valuable resource for employers looking to attract experienced communications professionals. PRSA Oregon members receive a $15 discount on a single job posting, making it easier to connect with qualified candidates throughout the region.

Whether you’re exploring a new position, advancing your career or hiring your next team member, Mac’s List offers resources to help you succeed.

Learn more, search jobs or post an opening through our PRSA Oregon partnership.

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Sally Ridenour, APR, Fellow PRSA

“I have been blessed to work on so many different things over the last few decades. It’s been fun, challenging and always interesting. I feel like a happy sponge soaking up knowledge and experiences.”

Currently serving on the PRSA Oregon board as an assembly delegate, Sally has been active in PRSA since 2000, serving in almost every board role. She’s a recipient of the William Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award and the Silver Anvil Award of Distinction. She enjoys volunteering with the chapter and credits her PRSA experiences with shaping her career and helping her grow.

“The things I’ve learned and the wonderful people I’ve met through PRSA have been a gift. You get what you put into it. Take advantage of all that PRSA offers.”

Outside of work, Sally loves solo traveling and has a knack for finding four-star accommodations on a two-star budget. She also loves board games, shopping for vintage treasures, entering recipe contests and snuggling with her two tiny dogs.

Connect with Sally on LinkedIn.

SAVE THE DATE — PARTNER EVENT

How to Write with AI: Bring Human Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence With Ann Wylie

Friday, September 18, 2026  |  8:30 a.m. – Noon  |  Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center

Location: Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center

17620 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188

Register here.

These important partnerships make it possible for PRSA Oregon to provide high-quality programming, professional development and community connections for communicators throughout the region.