PRSA-NCC Partners with Chief Influencer to Bring Leadership Insights and Learning Opportunities to Members
PRSA-NCC Partners with Chief Influencer to Bring Leadership Insights and Learning Opportunities to Members
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 17, 2026 — The Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) is partnering with Chief Influencer, a leadership series from Social Driver in partnership with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies, to connect PRSA-NCC members with conversations and lessons from leaders across industries and sectors.
Through the partnership, PRSA-NCC members will have opportunities to engage with leaders who have built trust, influenced others, navigated complex challenges, and made an impact in their organizations and communities. The series features executives, public officials, nonprofit and association leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, communicators, and other changemakers.
“One of the most valuable things we can do as communicators is learn from leaders who are willing to share how they built trust, navigated challenges, and gave back to their community,” said Trisha Hernandez, President of PRSA-NCC. “We’re excited to partner with Social Driver and Chief Influencer to bring those conversations to our members. These impactful insights that can help us become better communicators, better counselors, and better leaders.”
Chief Influencer has featured more than 150 conversations with leaders across sectors, exploring how they earn trust, communicate authentically, influence stakeholders, and inspire people to take action. For PRSA-NCC members, the series provides an additional resource for professional development and real-world learning that can be applied to executive counsel, public relations, public affairs, thought leadership, and organizational communication.
“Chief Influencer began with a simple belief: the most effective leaders do more than hold a title. They earn trust, influence others to act, and help people see what is possible,” said Anthony Shop, host of Chief Influencer and Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver. “After more than 150 conversations with remarkable leaders, we have seen that every Chief Influencer has lessons others can apply to their own work. This next chapter is about making those lessons even more useful for communicators, executives, and the people who advise them.”
The partnership launches this week alongside a new Chief Influencer episode featuring celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist Robert Irvine. Previous guests include GW President Ellen Granberg, craigslist founder and philanthropist Craig Newmark, Gates Foundation U.S. Program President Allan Golston, Oscar-winning filmmaker and Trevor Project founder Peggy Rajski, former Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, U.S. Senator Andy Kim, Public Affairs Council President Nneka Chiazor, Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth, and presidential speechwriter and author Terry Szuplat.
As part of the partnership, PRSA-NCC will share Chief Influencer episodes and resources with members through its website, newsletter, social media channels, and other member communications. Members will also have opportunities to nominate leaders they believe should be featured as future Chief Influencers.
The partnership will extend beyond the series’ traditional podcast format through live conversations, panels, and partner events. Chief Influencer has hosted programs with GW and participated in panels at national conferences and leadership gatherings. Upcoming programming includes a Chief Influencer panel at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual conference in September.
To kick off the upcoming season, Chief Influencer will host an Association Leader Power Breakfast on August 18, 2026, at PNC Bank’s PNC Place in Washington, D.C. PRSA-NCC members may be invited to participate as part of the partnership’s early programming.
About PRSA-NCC
The Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) is the leading professional organization for public relations and communications professionals in the Washington, D.C., region. PRSA-NCC provides members with opportunities for professional development, networking, leadership, and service while advancing the profession and supporting communicators throughout their careers.