Welcome from PRSA NCC Chapter President Crystal Borde
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025! As the 2025 President of the PRSA National Capital Chapter (NCC), I am thrilled to begin another exciting year with our dynamic community of communication professionals. Your role as a member of this chapter is significant and integral to our growth and success. I’m honored to help strengthen and extend those benefits across our membership. Together, we will build on our chapter’s 75-year legacy of excellence, innovation, and connection to ensure this is a year of growth and opportunity for our communicator community throughout the DMV Metro Area.
This year, our board has identified the following three key focus areas to guide our work and enhance the value of your membership:
- Expand Networking Opportunities: Besides offering beneficial professional development events, we know that networking is essential to why you are a PRSA NCC member. We will host various networking events throughout the year to ensure all members—and even nonmembers—gain opportunities to connect. From informal meetups to happy hours, we hope these gatherings will help you cultivate meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, and expand your professional horizons.
- Connect Beyond PRSA NCC: Collaboration is essential to advancing our field. This year, we will actively co-program with communication, marketing, public affairs, advertising, and journalism association chapters in the DMV area. These partnerships will create unique opportunities for knowledge-sharing, skill development, and broadening your professional networks. We’re excited to offer these unique opportunities and can’t wait to see you take full advantage of them.
- Support the Future of Communications: We are committed to fostering more substantial connections with and supporting the next generation of communication professionals engaging as Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters at our local universities. I started in PRSSA as a Cal State Fullerton college student in California, leading me to this PRSA community as a professional. By deepening our partnerships with local PRSSA chapters and its student members, we aim to support and equip future leaders with the tools and guidance they need to thrive in our industry. With our time and mentorship, let’s demonstrate how “a rising tide lifts all boats.”
Also, I am delighted to share that the pandas are not the only new arrivals to DC this year. The PRSA ICON—the international public relations professional conference, will occur in Washington, DC, from October 28-30, 2025, at the Washington Hilton. ICON is a fantastic learning and networking opportunity for our chapter and region to the broader PRSA community. It offers a platform to learn from industry leaders, network with professionals nationwide, and gain insights into our field’s latest trends and best practices. Take advantage of the super saver rate and register today. Not needing to budget for travel and accommodations makes this year’s ICON a more affordable growth opportunity for NCC members and may make it easier for you or your organizations to attend.
Getting involved as a chapter volunteer a few years ago changed my experience as a NCC member. Volunteering in chapter committees and on the board of directors is a chance to give back and a powerful way to create stronger relationships with other members and add to your LinkedIn profile and resume. If you’re interested in making a more significant investment, email info@prsancc.org today with your interest. We have a variety of roles available, from event planning to social media management, and we’ll work with you to find the best fit for your skills and interests.
As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to share your ideas, participate in events, and take full advantage of everything PRSA NCC offers. We want to hear from you on social media, in membership surveys, emails, and messages. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Say hello and introduce yourself to chapter leaders at events. Your engagement and enthusiasm make our chapter of nearly 800 members exceptional and one of the largest and most engaged in the country.
Let’s make 2025 a year of connection. Thank you for being an essential part of PRSA NCC. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead. Onward!
Crystal Borde
2025 PRSA NCC President