Little Rock, Ark – Kristen Vandaveer Nicholson, APR, VP of Strategic Communications, has been named a recipient of the inaugural PRSA Women of Impact Awards, earning recognition in the Social Influencer category.
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced the 2026 honorees during its Women of Impact Summit & Awards at the Union League Club of Chicago. The new awards program recognizes women whose leadership, innovation and influence are strengthening organizations, advancing the communications profession and creating opportunities for others.
Kristen was among communications professionals honored across more than 20 categories spanning agency leadership, corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, technology, community impact and other areas of the profession.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects something I’ve come to believe over the course of my career: real impact isn’t just about the work you accomplish, it’s about the people you help grow along the way,” says Nicholson. “I’m grateful to work alongside an incredibly talented team and clients who trust us with their stories every day, because any impact I’ve had has been made possible by them.”
“These remarkable professionals demonstrate that leadership is measured not only by what we achieve, but by the people we inspire, mentor and empower,” said PRSA Chair Heide Harrell, MA, APR. “Their vision, integrity and commitment to excellence are creating meaningful change, strengthening our profession and opening doors for the next generation of communications leaders.”
The recognition shows Kristen’s work at the intersection of public relations, social media and audience engagement, as well as her contributions to the broader communications industry.
The awards were presented during PRSA’s Women of Impact Summit, a new program launched in 2026 to recognize women making a mark on the communications field while giving professionals a chance to learn from experienced leaders. The event covered topics such as artificial intelligence, sports and entertainment communications, measurement, influence and career legacy.
Congratulations to Kristen on this well-deserved national recognition!