Individual Award History
PRSA-NY recognizes individual achievement in the practice of Communications and Public Relations through several prestigious awards presented annually. Honors are determined by the PRSA-NY Individual Awards Committee with involvement from the Executive Committee of the chapter and support from Award sponsors. The awards are conferred annually at the chapter’s Big Apple Awards Celebration.
PRSA-NY | HAROLD BURSON AWARD
Established in 2021, The Harold Burson Award recognizes excellence in communications leadership by a non-agency practitioner: someone whose public persona, personal brand, and professional accomplishments encapsulate the values that BCW brings to its client engagements and those which comport with the industry’s leading practices, including an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. The award is sponsored annual by Burson which accepts recommendations from the PRSA-NY board/awards committee in their identification of the annual recipient. A representative from Burson presents the award to the recipient at the Chapter’s annual Big Apple Celebration.
2025 Recipient | Jon Harris, EVP and Chief Communications & Networking Officer at Conagra Brands
Jon Harris, EVP and Chief Communications & Networking Officer at Conagra Brands, is awarded the Harold Burson Award, which recognizes in-house leaders who exemplify modern communications excellence. Harris’ broad influence and focus on diversity, equity and inclusion mirror the values of the award’s namesake and of a new era in corporate PR.
PRSA-NY HAROLD BURSON AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025: Jon Harris
2024: Jonathan Adashek
2023: John Iwata, Yale University, former IBM
2022: Sally Sussman, CCO & EVP Pfizer
2021: Joseph Cohen, CMO & CCO, Axis
PRSA-NY | DANIEL J. EDELMAN AWARD
Established in 2022, The Daniel J. Edelman Award for Social Impact recognizes a public relations or media industry leader whose work embodies Edelman’s commitment to improve society. The Award commemorates the many contributions that Daniel J. Edelman made to the global communications industry.
The award is annually sponsored by Edelman which accepts recommendations from the PRSA-NY board/awards committee in their identification of the annual recipient. A representative from Edelman presents the award to the recipient at the Chapter’s annual Big Apple Celebration.
2025 Recipient | Sam Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief, TIME
Sam Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief, TIME, is the recipient of the Daniel J. Edelman Award for Social Impact which celebrates journalists whose work exemplifies a commitment to truth, public service, and a free press. Jacobs is recognized for his extraordinary leadership at TIME, where he has guided the newsroom through transformation, expanded global coverage, and strengthened its role as one of the world’s most trusted media voices.
PRSA-NY DANIEL J. EDELMAN AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025: Sam Jacobs
2024: George Stephanopoulos
2023: Bret Stephens, The New York Times and Sapir
2022: Al Roker, NBC Newscaster
PRSA-NY | BARBARA WAY HUNTER TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Established in 2023, Barbara Way Hunter Trailblazer Award, recognizes the impact of female leadership and the individuals who have broken down barriers, earned the trust and respect of their clients and peers and helped pave the way for future generations of women to excel in their careers in the PR industry. This award is the only PRSA-NY award specifically recognizing the impact of women on the communications profession.
The award is annually sponsored by HUNTER, the firm Barbara founded in 1989 and led until 1999, accepts recommendations (female only) from the PRSA-NY board/individual awards committee in their identification of the annual recipient. A representative from HUNTER presents the award to the recipient at the annual Big Apple Celebration.
2025 Recipient | Sam Marchiano, sports journalist; Professor, NYU Tisch Institute of Global Sport; Founding Board Member/Outreach Director Athlete Ally
Sam Marchiano, sports journalist; Professor, NYU Tisch Institute of Global Sport; Founding Board Member/Outreach Director Athlete Ally receives the Barbara W. Hunter Trailblazer Award. Marchiano’s work at the intersection of media, activism and education has opened doors for countless women in sports and communications, redefining what leadership looks like.
PRSA-NY BARBARA WAY HUNTER TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025: Sam Marchiano
2024: Cathy Renna
2023: Carol Cone, CEO, Cone on Purpose
PRSA-NY | JOHN W. HILL AWARD
PRSA-NY’s top and longest conferred honor, The John W. Hill Award, recognizes lifetime professional achievement in the practice of public relations.
Named for the founder of one of the world’s preeminent PR firms, the award has been presented annually since 1977. Recipients are public relations industry leaders (from agency, corporate, government, business, non-profit, education fields, etc.) who exemplify John Hill’s beliefs that experience, quality, integrity and judgement are the cornerstones upon which the profession has been built.
Candidates and winners are determined annually by the PRSA-NY Individual Awards Committee and presented to the Executive Committee for ratification. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following criteria:
Leadership in the development of the practice of public relations /communication.
Demonstration of the highest standards of integrity.
Fostering and promoting understanding among people.
Service to the public beyond the scope of the nominee's regular professional duties.
Promoting communications and understanding through education and the exchange of ideas.
Significant career history within the NYC metro area is favored, but not required.
Exemptions/Requirements
Nominees may not be the current PRSA-NY President, immediate past President or a recipient within the past 3 years of the PRSA Gold Anvil Award.
Recipients can only win once.
Award winners must attend PRSA-NY’s Annual Big Apple Awards Ceremony to accept the award.
2025 Recipient | Barby K. Siegel, CEO of Zeno Group
Barby K. Siegel, CEO of Zeno Group, receives the John W. Hill Award, PRSA-NY’s highest individual honor recognizing lifetime achievement in public relations. Siegel joins a prestigious line of industry titans who exemplify integrity, quality and leadership. Her tenure at Zeno has been marked by breakthrough campaigns and a people-first culture that have made the agency a global force.
JOHN W. HILL AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025: Barby K. Siegel
2024: Margery Kraus
2023: Tom Coyne
2022: Jeanne Salvatore
2021: Fred Garcia
2020: Jon Iwata
2019: Andy Polansky
2018: Roger Bolton
2017: Al Golin
2016: Grace T. Leong
2015: Barri Rafferty
2014: Bill Doescher
2013: Paul J. Gennaro
2012: Margaret Booth
2011: E. Ronald Culp
2010: James E. Lukaszewski
2009: Valerie Di Maria
2008: James E. Murphy
2007: Kenneth D. Makovsky
2006: David Finn
2005: Howard J. Rubenstein
2004: Richard Edelman
2003: Thomas Hoog
2002: Art Stevens
2001: Joan Capelin
2000: Philip G. Ryan
1999: Helen I. Ostrowski
1998: Jeannette Paladino
1997: David Drobis
1996: P. Michael McDermott
1995: David M. Bicofsky
1994: Denny Griswold
1993: Harold Burson
1992: Jerry Danzig
1991: John Sattler
1990: Phyllis H. Berlowe
1989: Joel Strasser
1988: Charlotte Klein
1987: Bert Hochman
1986: Barbara W. Hunter
1985: Sid Gross
1984: Richard Weiner
1983: Lloyd N. Newman
1982: John H. Paluszek
1981: Sondra K. Gorney
1980: Chester Burger
1979: Lee Bieringer
1978: Elaine Pitts
1977: George Hammond
PRSA-NY | EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING AWARD
The PRSA-NY Excellence in Mentoring Award honors individuals who continuously lead, guide and selflessly counsel and stimulate the careers of communications professionals at all career stages from entry level to senior levels. Candidates and winners are determined annually by the PRSA-NY Individual Awards Committee and presented to the Executive Committee for ratification. To be considered for this award, the candidate must meet the following criteria:
Leadership in guiding and inspiring the careers communication professionals at any level (entry level, mid or senior levels).
Demonstration of the highest standards of the profession in a selfless role as a mentor and ally.
Service to professionals beyond the scope of the nominee's professional duties (i.e. beyond the duties of a classroom instructor, professor, graduate tutor or direct supervisor in a business setting).
Provide evidence of mentoring excellence.
Exemptions/Requirements
Candidates whose primary professional role is as an educator are considered, however since their job description requires mentorship, these candidates are not automatically given additional consideration.
Nominees may not be the current PRSA-NY President or immediate past President or a recipient within the past 3 years of the PRSA Gold Anvil Award.
Recipients can only win once.
Award winners must attend PRSA-NY’s Annual Awards Ceremony, to accept the award.
2025 Recipient | Douglas Simon, CEO of DS Simon Media
Douglas Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, is honored with the Excellence in Mentoring Award, celebrating his decades-long commitment to helping emerging professionals navigate and thrive in the communications industry. Simon’s mentorship has spanned traditional broadcast, digital innovation and ethical leadership.
PRSA-NY MENTORING AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025: Douglas Simon
2024: Lynne Scott Jackson
2023: Patrice Tanaka
2022: Cherry Dumual
2021: Sandra Fathi
2020: Rochelle L. Ford, PhD.
2019: Lee Ann Germinder
2018: Shelley Spector
2017: Mike Fernandez
2016: Joe Cohen
2015: Michael Rinaldo
2014: Harry Zlokower
2013: David Grant
2012: Maria Russell
2011: Leslie Gottlieb
2010: Deborah Radman
2009: Bill Doescher
2008: Roberta Elins
2007: Emmanuel Tchividijian
2006: John Palusek
2005: Bob Stone
2004: Alex Stanton
2003: H. Fred Garcia
2002: Don Bates
2001: Michael Greece
2000: Ed Menniger
1999: Lynn Appelbaum
1998: Robert Weintraub
1997: Art Stevens
1996: Anthony J. Russo
1995: Terrie Williams
PRSA-NY | PRESIDENT’S AWARD
The PRSA-NY President’s Award honors a current or former member of the PRSA-NY chapter who exemplifies the highest standards of ethical conduct and outstanding service within the public relations profession and to PRSA and the New York Chapter. The annual winner is selected annually by the current PRSA-NY President and ratified by the Board of Directors. To be considered for the award, candidates must meet the following criteria.
Current (or recent past, within 3 years) membership in PRSA and PRSA-NY
Member in good standing and adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct
Outstanding service to PRSA generally and the New York Chapter in a particular year or time frame.
Nominees may not be the current PRSA-NY President or immediate Past President or a recipient within the past 3 years of the PRSA Gold Anvil Award or any other PRSA-NY Chapter Award in the same year.
Recipients can only win once and must be present at the Chapter’s annual Big Apple Awards Celebration to accept the award.
2025 Recipient | Helio Fred Garcia, President of Logos Consulting Group
Helio Fred Garcia, President of Logos Consulting Group, will receive the PRSA-NY President’s Award for his unwavering ethical leadership and service to the profession. Garcia, also a professor and renowned crisis communications expert, has consistently brought clarity and conscience to moments of institutional risk, political instability and social upheaval.
PRSA-NY PRESIDENT'S AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025: Helio Fred Garcia
2024: Jason Abrams
2023: Emily K. Graham
2022: Kevin Wong
2021: Kate Ryan
2020: Lynn Scott Jackson
2019: Henry Feintuch
2018: Olga González
2017: Joan Cear
2016: Art Stevens
2015: Lynn Appelbaum, APR, Fellow PRSA
2014: Deborah Radman
2013: Emmanuel Tchividjian
2012: Barri Rafferty
2011: Karen J. Arthur
2010: Grace T. Leong
2009: Sandra Fathi
2008: Michael P. Rinaldo
2007: Jeanne M. Salvatore
2006: Linda Krebs
2005: Liz Beck
2004: Christopher Guidette
Note on Diversity and Inclusion
As part of the chapter’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, PRSA-NY prioritizes diverse professionals in selecting honorees as well as professionals who advance DEI through their work. The PRSA-NY Board of Directors created a DEI Committee to incorporate and create programming, resources, and outreach to PR professionals of all races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and religions. The work of this committee is incorporated into judging for the chapter’s individual awards to create more equitable opportunities for industry professionals of diverse backgrounds and to educate PRSA-NY members, as well as the broader industry, about the contributions, needs and challenges of diverse PR professionals. Our industry is stronger when all PR professionals are celebrated and given platforms to educate others.
PRSA-NY | PROPHET EMERGING COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER AWARDS
Established in 2025, one 15 Under 35 winner will be 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. Criteria for this award are as follows:
Leadership in Driving Change: The nominee plays a key role in advocating for or implementing/championing AI-driven change within their organization or for clients, acting as a catalyst for digital transformation.
Innovative Use of AI and Data: The nominee demonstrates original and effective applications of artificial intelligence, data, visual storytelling or predictive analytics to enhance communications strategy, execution or outcomes.
Measurable Impact on Brand Performance: The nominee can provide examples of how technology/AI has been used to improve brand performance and outcomes—such as media visibility, engagement, sentiment, sales
2025 Recipient | Olivia Zibaitis, Senior Corporate Communications Specialist at Yahoo
Olivia Zibaitis, Senior Corporate Communications Specialist at Yahoo is the recipient of the PRophet Emerging Communications Engineer Award which honors the use of data, AI and predictive tools to deliver measurable results.