PRSA New York Board Sets Bold 2026 Agenda With Expanded Big Apple Awards
From CommPro
As public relations enters a period of rapid transformation driven by accelerating AI adoption, media fragmentation, and rising expectations for trust, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America has unveiled its 2026 Board of Directors, a leadership team designed to guide the profession through a pivotal year of change and opportunity.
The new Board brings together senior leaders from agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and academia, reinforcing PRSA-NY’s role as a trusted professional home for communicators navigating complexity in the nation’s largest media market.
“We’re entering a pivotal moment for public relations, defined by new technologies, evolving media dynamics, and rising expectations for trust,” said Paul Cohen, president of PRSA-NY and founder and CEO of Attention Comms. “This Board brings the experience and imagination needed to help our community navigate that change and elevate the standards of our profession, from leadership development to the Big Apple Awards.”
Cohen brings more than three decades of agency leadership and global reputation counsel to the presidency, with prior senior roles at Milk & Honey PR and Ketchum. His career spans crisis communications, executive positioning, and purpose-driven strategy for organizations operating in high-stakes environments across North America, Europe, and Asia.
In 2026, Cohen’s priorities include delivering more frequent, high-value programming on a consistent cadence, expanding mentorship opportunities, strengthening member engagement, and positioning PRSA-NY as a forward-looking, stabilizing force for communicators operating amid uncertainty.
“PRSA-NY has long served as a professional home for communicators navigating change, complexity, and rising expectations for trust,” Cohen said. “The 2026 Board reflects the depth, diversity, and strategic leadership needed to support our members and advance the profession at a time when clarity, connection, and credible counsel matter more than ever.”
Cohen succeeds Ken Kerrigan, APR, adjunct faculty at New York University, who will serve as immediate past president and provide continuity and institutional leadership. Bill C. Smith, senior vice president at Highwire PR, will serve as president-elect.
“Public relations professionals have a growing responsibility to communicate with integrity, actively combat misinformation, and engage constructively with journalists and influential stakeholders as they navigate ongoing disruption,” Smith said. “In 2026 and beyond, we are renewing our focus on credible leadership and member resources to support accurate reporting, informed public discourse, and a healthier media ecosystem.”
Throughout the year, the Board will focus on delivering more frequent, high-impact programming, expanding leadership and mentorship pathways, strengthening member value and engagement, and advancing an action-oriented approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion across the profession. A dedicated Mentorship Committee will launch in 2026, reinforcing the chapter’s investment in developing the next generation of communications leaders.