PRSA National Capital Chapter Announces 2026 Leadership Team

WASHINGTON (November 20, 2026) — The Public Relations Society of America National Capital Chapter (PRSA NCC) announced its incoming leaders for 2026. The 2026 PRSA NCC Board of Directors will be led by Patricia Hernandez, Ph.D., Assistant Program Director of the Master’s Degree in Communication program at Johns Hopkins University, as the 2026 Chapter President.

“It’s a privilege to lead PRSA NCC at this time in our professional communicators community in the Washington, DC area,” said Hernandez. “My work with graduate students and practitioners shows just how rapidly our profession—and the DMV job market—is changing. In the coming year, our chapter will focus on deepening member connections, advancing professional skill building, and expanding support for communicators experiencing job or career transitions. I’m excited  to work with our board and members to support and strengthen our community and prepare us for the next evolution of our field.”

A scholar, strategist, and educator, Hernandez brings years of academic and industry leadership to the role. With deep expertise in program development, strategic communication, and research-driven design, she has spent her career building communication programs that blend practitioner needs with scholarly rigor. Her work has been published in the Journal of Communication Education, Journal of Media Psychology, Journal of Psycho-oncology, and the Handbook of Arab American Psychology.

Hernandez has developed innovative on-ground and online communication programs, including an online M.S. in Communication immediately following completion of her Ph.D. She teaches graduate courses in both public relations and communication at Johns Hopkins and previously served as chair of PRSA NCC’s Hall of Fame Committee. She also advises the Johns Hopkins Graduate Student Communication Organization and hosts a monthly speaker series..

Beyond academia, Hernandez has consulted for the CDC, higher education institutions, and small businesses, and received a PRSA Silver Anvil Award for an internship partnership program with the City of Riverside. She previously served as Vice President of Character Education at *Because I Said I Would*, where she led global strategic communication initiatives featured on the *NBC TODAY Show*.

Her current research examines the expectations communication professionals have for new graduates—helping identify the skills and competencies needed for the next generation of PR and communication leaders.

Hernandez has led and participated in service projects across six countries and three continents. When she isn’t teaching or leading, she can be found running on the National Mall or traveling the world.

The 2026 chapter leadership team brings together seasoned strategists, educators, agency leaders, nonprofit communicators, and public affairs experts representing the diverse breadth of the PRSA NCC communications community. The 2026 PRSA NCC Board of Directors includes the following:

President:

• Patricia Hernandez, Ph.D., Assistant Program Director, MA in Communication, Johns Hopkins University

President-Elect:

• Jennifer Strohm, MA, APR, Senior Director, Public Relations and Engagement, Fors Marsh

Secretary:

• Alex Budzynski, Manager, Digital Communications & Marketing, Volunteers of America

Treasurer:

• Alicia S. Davidson, Director of Federal Marketing, Mattermost Federal

Two-Year Vice Presidents:

• Remi Becker, Senior Associate Director, APCO Worldwide
• Mark Erwin, MBA, APR, Principal Consultant, Erwin Consulting Services

One-Year Vice President:

• Ilse Zuniga, Director of External Relations, Health Advocacy & Policy Communications, AARP

Two-Year Directors:

• Julia Burgos, MPS, APR, Chief of School & Community Relations, Alexandria City Public Schools
• Lisa Chensvold, Founder and Principal, Chensvold Communications
• Kelley Karnes, MBA, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, Council of Graduate Schools
• Carol Wilkerson, Director of Media Relations, Howard University

One-Year Directors:

• Leonard S. Greenberger, APR, Vice President, AKCG
• Staci Maiers, APR, Media Relations, National Education Association
• Megan Sweeney, Public Relations Director, American Staffing Association
• Rhyanna (Rhy) Wiethe, MSJ, Digital Communications Coordinator, NOVEC

Immediate Past President:

• Crystal Borde, Vice President & Community-Driven Communications Practice Lead, Vanguard Communications

About PRSA National Capital Chapter

The PRSA National Capital Chapter (PRSA NCC) is an association of communications professionals in the Metropolitan Washington region. As the largest PRSA chapter in the country, NCC advances the local communications profession by fostering collaboration, enhancing knowledge and skills and creating connections through robust, up-to-date, and inclusive educational, networking, and professional growth opportunities. For more information, please visit prsancc.org, or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Join in the conversation by using the hashtag, #PRSANCC