A powerhouse panel of communicators weighed in on the best in public relations, marketing and internal communications.
In a year when communications professionals are tasked with guiding corporate reputations amid global mistrust, managing sweeping media changes, and helping organizations navigate AI and cultural flashpoints, Ragan Communications has launched the Zenith Awards. The new program showcases exceptional achievements across internal and external communications, public relations, marketing, and mixternal communications. With more than 60 categories, ranging from crisis response to AI-powered campaigns to social-justice storytelling, the awards are one of the most comprehensive programs in the field.
Ragan CEO Diane Schwartz describes the awards as the “pinnacle event for communications professionals,” noting that they provide an opportunity to celebrate excellence. Finalists were selected after a rigorous review of entries judged on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and measurable impact. Ragan assembled a diverse jury whose collective experience spans healthcare, finance, consumer goods, technology and global marketing.
The inaugural Zenith Awards Gala will be held Nov. 12 at the Hyatt Regency in Austin, Texas, co-located with the Future of Communications Conference. The red‑carpet event promises a night of recognition, connection and inspiration as winners are announced live on stage. It will serve as the capstone to a week of learning and networking, with finalists and industry leaders gathering to celebrate the storytelling and strategy that set new standards for excellence. Jurists from across sectors will be in Austin not only for the gala but also to share insights at the Future of Communications Conference and other Comms Week events.
Meet the jurists
Danielle Hughes — Vice President of Communications, BODYARMOR & POWERADE
Hughes leads all aspects of marketing communications for BODYARMOR and POWERADE, overseeing public relations, paid media, social media, influencer strategy, internal communications, executive messaging and reputation management. She has spearheaded product launches such as BODYARMOR Zero Sugar, BODYARMOR Flash I.V. and POWERADE Sours, and forged partnerships with Barstool Sports, Dude Perfect and Savannah Bananas. Previously, she worked at MSL Group and Ketchum Sports, supporting sports‑related brands and campaigns.
Ellen Gerstein — Senior Director, Content Strategy & Engagement, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer
Gerstein leads above‑brand digital and social content strategy for Pfizer’s global media relations and digital communications team. With more than 20 years of marketing experience, she has built successful social media engagement and held leadership roles across publishing, nonprofit and media organizations. Earlier in her career, she was Wiley Publishing’s head of global social media and manager of the “For Dummies” brand.
Kathy Kisiel — National Senior Director, Staff Effectiveness & Volunteerism, American Heart Association
Kisiel oversees national strategies that empower staff, engage volunteers and drive mission‑aligned results at the American Heart Association. She is recognized for translating big‑picture vision into actionable strategies and has expertise in sales, marketing, business development, nonprofit management and volunteer engagement. A “double Gator,” she holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida and remains active in her local community. The American Heart Association is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council.
Sarah Comstock — Executive Director of Employee Experience & Communications, Ally Financial
Comstock leads internal and executive communications for more than 10,000 employees at Ally Financial and oversees the company’s employee experience strategy. Her role includes employee listening, recognition programs, change management, persona development and journey‑mapping to ensure a supportive experience throughout the employee lifecycle. She is the principal writer for the chief executive officer and helps advance Ally’s purpose‑driven culture. Comstock earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and mentors first‑generation college students. Ally Financial is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council.
Gerry Rodriguez — EVP and U.S. Head of Brand Purpose & Impact, Edelman
Rodriguez is a communications executive with more than 15 years of experience advising boards and C‑suite leaders on brand trust, enterprise risk, stakeholder engagement and public affairs. As Edelman’s U.S. head of brand purpose and impact, he leads the firm’s North American advisory practice, integrating sustainability, equity and social impact into client operations. He serves on Edelman’s U.S. operating committee and global impact leadership team and heads the OutFront Taskforce, which advises clients on LGBTQ+ social‑issues positioning and inclusive leadership strategies.
Anita Guerrero — Vice President, Corporate Communications & Brand Management, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago
Guerrero has nearly two decades of experience leading brand, marketing and communications efforts for major B2B and B2C companies. At Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, she oversees brand and communication strategies that drive organizational growth and has led a comprehensive brand transformation — including a new name, refreshed store signage across 77 locations, a revamped website and a retail shopper brand designed to boost customer engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and management from Alverno College and mentors Milwaukee’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Elizabeth Whittington, APR — Senior Director, Executive Communications, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Whittington supports the president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by shaping strategic narratives that advance the institution’s mission. She leads initiatives that align executive messaging with organizational priorities and enhance the hospital’s global impact. Previously, she served as digital editor at CURE Media Group, earning a Medicine in the Media fellowship. A thought leader in health and science communications, Whittington holds a B.S. in biology, an MBA and the Accreditation in Public Relations credential.
Alexis Gilbert — Vice President of Brand and Communications, Dawn Foods
Gilbert oversees brand reputation and both internal and external communications at Dawn Foods, a 105‑year‑old global baking company. She partners closely with leadership to deliver executive communications, guide crisis response and ensure the company’s voice reflects its rich legacy and future vision. Her work spans team member engagement, media relations, thought leadership, and storytelling. Dawn Foods is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council.
Craig Thomason — Director of Global Employee & Executive Communications, Merck
Thomason counsels Merck’s executive team on internal and external communication strategy and supports enterprise initiatives that drive innovation. He previously served as associate director of strategic communications and planning in the company’s Enterprise Strategy Office, where he developed brand voice and communications strategies for transformation initiatives and employee resource groups. Before joining Merck, Thomason held leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, Bristol‑Myers Squibb and CIT and is a two‑time TEDx speaker. Merck is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council.
Joan Cetera — Vice President of Communications, PepsiCo Foods North America
Cetera serves as the day‑to‑day communications lead for PepsiCo North America, overseeing internal communications, executive visibility, corporate reputation and marketing communications. She previously led public relations strategy and reputation management for Frito‑Lay and has directed consumer communications at leading agencies, including Edelman, MSLGroup, OgilvyPR and GolinHarris.
Tracey Budz — Senior Director of Corporate Communications & Community Relations, Love’s Travel Stops
Budz leads communications and community relations for Love’s Travel Stops, overseeing internal communications, media relations, social media, executive messaging and philanthropic giving initiatives. Before joining Love’s, she spent eight years with Boeing, supporting communications for its Defense, Space & Security and Global Services digital aviation and analytics business units.
Adam Kiefaber — Senior Director of Content, Worldpay
Kiefaber, a former journalist, leads Worldpay’s content team to ensure the company’s voice and tone resonate across channels. His team also manages client advocacy, marketing research and thought leadership. After Worldpay separated from fintech giant FIS in 2024, Kiefaber played a key role in establishing the company’s corporate identity, mission and brand. He previously spent nearly a decade reporting for The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Cincinnati Post and CNN and serves on the PR Daily Advisory Board.
Steph Lund — CEO, MSQ Sport + Entertainment North America
Lund oversees client services, staff, growth and operational excellence for MSQ Sport + Entertainment in North America. She joined the agency in spring 2025 to launch its sports and entertainment division, following seven years as managing director and CEO of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment. A two‑time Workplace Wellness Awards “Top CEO of the Year” honoree, Lund previously served as senior vice president of public relations for Cornerstone and The FADER.
James Walker — Executive Vice President & General Manager, Weber Shandwick Baltimore
Walker leads integrated media client engagements across corporate, government and nonprofit sectors at Weber Shandwick’s Baltimore office. He holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in communication from George Washington University. Walker also serves on the board of the Y of Central Maryland.
Rachel Spates — Director of Communications & Employee Engagement, Sun Life U.S.
Spates is a marketing communications professional with extensive experience in sports and financial services. She serves on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Alumni Association Board of Directors and recently completed a two‑year term as its president. Spates joined the Board of Community Rowing, Inc. in 2024 and has held leadership roles with WISE (Women in Sports and Events) and Good Sports. An avid adventurer who summited Mount Kilimanjaro and earned her pilot’s certificate, she holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University and a master’s in sport management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Abbey Shilling — Director of Communications, Land O’Lakes
Shilling leads enterprise‑wide communications strategy and execution for Land O’Lakes, helping deliver messaging that enhances brand reputation and supports business growth. With more than 20 years of experience, she brings expertise in executive visibility, messaging, media relations and reputation management. Shilling previously served as deputy chief of staff and communications advisor on Capitol Hill. She holds a B.A. in English from Indiana University. Land O’Lakes is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council.
Lori Taylor — Global Head of Internal Communications, People & Culture, Morningstar
Taylor fosters transparency and alignment across Morningstar’s more than 12,000 employees. Since taking on the role in 2023, she has developed communication strategies to enhance organizational culture, increase resource accessibility and foster trust. Previously, she launched Allstate’s first corporate storytelling team and guided communications during major organizational changes. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University and believes in the power of storytelling to inspire collaboration and inclusivity. Morningstar is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council.
Kevin Dulaney — Executive Vice President, Innovation, SourceCode Communications
Dulaney is known for leveraging technology and data to craft integrated marketing strategies. With more than 20 years of experience, he connects insights across digital channels. He led the Digital Committee for the PR Council and is an authority on artificial intelligence whose insights have been featured in Business Insider. In 2024, he was honored as a Marketing Academy Scholar.
Kelly Calhoun, MSM, APR — Vice President of Communications, Cincinnati Children’s
Calhoun oversees communications strategies for one of the country’s top pediatric academic health systems. Her responsibilities cover culture‑building, recruitment, crisis management, public relations, patient/family relations and social media. She previously led communications at UC Health, served as assistant vice president for marketing and communications at Northern Kentucky University and headed marketing and communications for Mercy Health’s Cincinnati market. Calhoun holds degrees from Miami University and the University of Cincinnati.
Diane Schwartz — Chief Executive Officer, Ragan Communications
Schwartz is the CEO of Ragan Communications and the first woman to hold the role in the company’s 56‑year history. A writer and speaker with more than 25 years of experience, she has led the company to five consecutive years of unparalleled growth. Under her tenure, Ragan has launched initiatives such as Women’s Retreats, the Future of Communications Conference, AI Horizons and certificate programs, along with the Ragan Training learning platform.
Matt Kinsman — Chief Content Officer, Ragan Communications & PR Daily
Kinsman is a veteran content strategist who helps professional communities get the information and training they need. As chief content officer at Ragan Communications, he collaborates with media, events and membership teams to develop multi‑channel content strategies. His prior roles include vice president and executive director at the Software & Information Industry Association, vice president of content and event programming at American Business Media and executive editor at FOLIO: magazine.
Justin Joffe — Senior Director of Learning & Development, Ragan Communications
Joffe oversees the production of Ragan Training courses and learning pathways across Ragan’s products and services. He previously served as editorial director and editor‑in‑chief, guiding the company’s editorial strategy. A freelance journalist specializing in travel, arts and culture, media and technology, Joffe’s bylines include Vulture, Newsweek, Vice, Relix and Flaunt. Before joining Ragan, he worked for Muck Rack, PR News and The Observer.
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