15 Under 35 Awards
PRSA-NY is proud to introduce the 2026 15 Under 35 Class, recognizing 15 rising communications professionals whose leadership, achievements and contributions are making a meaningful impact across the industry.
Now in its 11th year, the PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Awards celebrate emerging talent working in and serving the communications industry across the New York City metropolitan area. This year’s theme, Shaping What’s Next, reflects a profession undergoing rapid change - and the emerging leaders helping move it forward.
The 2026 class represents the breadth of today’s communications landscape, with honorees from agencies, brands, nonprofit organizations, global institutions and independent practices. This year saw a 20% increase in nominations, making the selection process more competitive than ever.
Meet the 2026 PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Class
Vishakha Mathur | SKDK
Chris Swenson | HUNTER
Fatou B. Barry | PR Girl Manifesto
Kelly Delgado | Burson
Emma Soto | Burson
Caroline Yodice | DBC
James Sussman | International Rescue Committee
Courtney Curtin | Edelman
Andrew Cook | Andrew Cook Public Relations
Nick DeChicchis | Linqia
Madeleine Hillyer | World Economic Forum
Kaitlin Nicholson | EGAMI Group
Aanchal Khurana | WPP Media
Maya Bronstein | M Booth
Vanessa Grimm | Reckitt
Honorees were evaluated on their professional achievements, leadership, strategic and business contributions, service to the industry and their communities, and future promise. A panel of senior communications professionals selected the class through an anonymous judging process designed to promote impartiality.
Celebrating the Class of 2026
The 2026 honorees will be recognized at the PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala on Thursday, September 17, at Sony Hall in New York City, alongside outstanding communications campaigns and industry leaders from across the profession.
Join us in congratulating this year’s 15 Under 35 Class - and come celebrate the people and work shaping the future of communications.
*PRSA-NY | PROPHET EMERGING COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER AWARD
Awarded in 2025, one 15 Under 35 winner was chosen to receive the PRophet Emerging Communications Engineer Award in recognition for exceptional use of AI to improve brand performance for their employer and/or clients.
2025 Recipient | Olivia Zibaitis, Senior Corporate Communications Specialist at Yahoo