PR Club of New England Announces Expanded Leadership and Strategic Vision for 2025-2026
The PR Club of New England is expanding its board and programming to help communications professionals navigate industry changes and rebuild connections following pandemic-era declines.
The PR Club of New England, the region's leading communications trade organization, has announced its expanded board of directors and strategic vision for the 2025-2026 term. Led by returning president Kaitlynn Cooney, the organization is positioning itself for long-term success through enhanced educational programming, professional networking events, and membership growth initiatives while honoring its 77-year legacy.
Founded in 1948, the PR Club has served as the premier community for public relations practitioners in New England but faced significant membership and participation declines following the pandemic. Through dedicated volunteer efforts and a focused rebuilding strategy, the organization has emerged with renewed leadership and a clear vision for expanding its regional impact. "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," said Kaitlynn Cooney, President of the PR Club and PR Director at Walker Sands.
The newly expanded board features additional support across key functional areas including content, programming, social media, and membership. The programming team includes Allison Logano from Tier One Partners and Angelica English from TEAM LEWIS, while content leadership falls to Abbey Clark of Health+Commerce. Social media efforts will be led by Abby O'Malley of Revenue Analytics, and membership initiatives are headed by Caitlin Kahle of Duffy & Shanley.
Membership benefits remain substantial, including free monthly passes to educational programming designed for professionals at all levels, discounted member-only pricing for events, and unrestricted access to exclusive Club content and resources. Corporate memberships provide additional advantages such as free Bell Ringer Awards entries, complimentary tickets to monthly programs, and sponsored blog posts highlighting member companies. Member organizations include top agencies, in-house teams, and consultants across the region.
The timing of this expansion reflects broader industry challenges. "As newsrooms contract and new technologies reshape how we tell and listen to stories, the Club's revitalization mirrors the need for communications professionals to come together, share expertise, and navigate change with confidence," Cooney explained. "The PR Club is here to help our members learn, grow, and build meaningful connections for the future."
The organization has also begun preparations for the 58th annual Bell Ringer Awards, scheduled for June 2026. These awards celebrate excellence in public relations and communications across events, content, and campaigns, along with professional achievement recognition. For updates on events and awards, members can visit https://www.PRClub.org and follow the organization on https://www.linkedin.com, https://www.x.com, and https://www.instagram.com.
Cooney emphasized the importance of community building in the current professional landscape: "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."