The PR Club of New England has announced its new and expanded board of directors and strategic vision for the 2025-2026 term, signaling a significant revitalization effort for the region's leading communications trade organization. Led by returning president Kaitlynn Cooney, the organization is committed to honoring its 77-year historic legacy while setting up for long-term success through educational programming, professional networking events, and membership growth. This announcement matters because it represents a critical rebuilding phase for a professional community that faced membership and participation declines following the pandemic, at a time when communications professionals face unprecedented challenges from contracting newsrooms and rapidly evolving technologies.
Founded in 1948, the PR Club has long served as the premier community for public relations practitioners in New England but faced significant challenges in recent years. Through volunteer board dedication and rebuilding efforts, the organization has emerged with a strong foundation and renewed leadership focused on expanding impact across the region. As Cooney noted, "For more than 75 years, the PR Club has been a cornerstone of New England's communications community, evolving alongside an industry in constant flux." The implications of this revitalization are substantial for professionals navigating an industry transformed by digital disruption and changing media landscapes.
The organization is introducing an expanded board featuring new members and additional support for key functions including content, programming, social media, and membership. The board includes programming leads Allison Logano of Tier One Partners and Angelica English of TEAM LEWIS, content lead Abbey Clark of Health+Commerce, social media lead Abby O'Malley of Revenue Analytics, Bell Ringer Awards lead Lana Tkachenko of Bob's Red Mill, and membership lead Caitlin Kahle of Duffy & Shanley. This expanded leadership structure enables more focused attention on critical areas of member value and organizational growth.
Membership continues to provide strong value with benefits including free monthly passes to educational programming, discounted member-only pricing for events, and unrestricted access to exclusive Club content and resources. Corporate memberships also include free Bell Ringer Awards entries, complimentary tickets to monthly programs, and sponsored blog posts spotlighting member companies. These enhanced benefits address the economic pressures many communications professionals face while providing tangible professional development opportunities.
The PR Club has begun preparing for the 58th annual Bell Ringer Awards, scheduled for June 2026, which celebrate excellence in PR and communications across events, content, and campaigns, along with professional achievement awards. This flagship event represents both the organization's historic legacy and its forward-looking commitment to recognizing professional excellence. As Cooney emphasized, "The New England PR industry is a small world, and we want to make it even smaller. We want to bring practitioners together to learn from one another, share ideas, and build a social and professional circle where fresh ideas thrive for collective growth at a challenging time in our industry."
The strategic importance of this announcement extends beyond organizational restructuring to address fundamental shifts in the communications landscape. As newsrooms contract and new technologies reshape how stories are told and consumed, the Club's revitalization mirrors the need for communications professionals to come together, share expertise, and navigate change with confidence. Members seeking to stay current on events and updates can visit https://www.PRClub.org for the latest information. The organization's renewed focus on educational programming, professional networking, and membership growth represents a timely response to industry challenges while preserving a 77-year legacy of supporting New England's communications community.
