The PR Club of New England, the region’s leading communications trade organization, today announced its new and expanded board of directors and strategic vision for the 2025-2026 term. Led by returning president Kaitlynn Cooney, the PR Club is committed to honoring its 77-year historic legacy while setting the organization up for long-term success through educational programming, professional networking events, and membership growth.
Founded in 1948, the PR Club has long served as the premier community for public relations practitioners in New England, but like many other industry organizations, the PR Club faced a decline in membership and participation following the pandemic. Through the tireless dedication of its volunteer board and an aggressive commitment to rebuilding, the PR Club has now emerged with a strong foundation, renewed leadership, and a clear focus on driving growth and expanding its impact across the region while still honoring its prestigious history.
“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. “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. The PR Club is here to help our members learn, grow, and build meaningful connections for the future.”
The PR Club is introducing a board of directors featuring new members and additional support for key functions including content, programming, social media, and membership. The board includes roles such as Treasurer Myla Shaffer from Rhema Books & Numbers, Programming Leads Allison Logano from Tier One Partners and Angelica English from TEAM LEWIS, Content Lead Abbey Clark from Health+Commerce, Social Lead Abby O’Malley from Revenue Analytics, and Membership Lead Caitlin Kahle from Duffy & Shanley. These leaders will drive initiatives to enhance member value and organizational reach.
Membership in the PR Club continues to provide strong value for individuals and organizations. Benefits include 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 also include free Bell Ringer Awards entries, complimentary tickets to monthly programs, and sponsored blog posts spotlighting member companies. Member organizations include top agencies, in-house teams, and consultants. The PR Club offers individual memberships and three levels of corporate membership designed to fit organizations of all sizes. For more information, visit www.PRClub.org.
“The New England PR industry is a small world, and we want to make it even smaller,” says Cooney. “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.”
The PR Club has also begun preparing for the 58th annual Bell Ringer Awards, which will take place in June 2026. The awards celebrate excellence in PR and communications across events, content, and campaigns, as well as professional achievement awards. To stay up to date on events, Bell Ringer Awards updates, and other news, follow PR Club on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.
