2026: A Year of Connection, Value and Opportunity at PRSA Phoenix

Posted on Jan. 16, 2026  /  PRSA Phoenix  /  Subscribe 0

Our Chapter Is In Good Shape.

We ended the year in the positive. Although we could use more volunteers, our membership of more than 200 makes us one of the largest chapters in the U.S.  In 2025, we held an amazing Copper Anvils Awards event, developed a vibrant mentoring program and hosted other informative and fun programs.  

Honored To Serve.

This is my second term on the board, having previously served from 2011–13. Although I have worn many hats within the organization, I have never served as president, so I’m especially grateful for the trust placed in me. I also recognize the big shoes I am stepping into following Savannah Driskill. Our chapter has benefited from many strong leaders, many of whom I’ve had the privilege of watching in action. Like them, our board members consistently show up for PRSA — bringing their unique talents and perspectives, which is what makes this chapter strong.

My gratitude for PRSA runs deep. As a PRSSA student at Northwest Missouri State University, I set a professional goal to earn my APR, inspired by a professor and a growing love of strategic communication. With the support of a chapter APR coach, I earned that designation in 2005, followed later by my master’s degree in 2020.

PRSA also played a pivotal role early in my career. When it was time to look for my first job, I reached out to each board member of the PRSA Kansas City Chapter and offered to buy them a cup of coffee. One of those conversations led to an unexpected opportunity — one board member was involved with another nonprofit that happened to need PR support. That connection turned into my first position in the field.

I’ve seen that same power of connection here in Phoenix. An invitation to help organize physical Copper Anvil award submissions led to deeper relationships with chapter members. One opportunity led to another and eventually, I found myself serving on the board of directors. Those experiences shape how I approach leadership today. I aim to return the favor by carving out time to connect with you this year — especially when you have an idea, a question or a suggestion to share.

As we look ahead, the board has identified three top priorities for the year: putting members first, communicating the chapter’s value and developing a strong pipeline for the future. These priorities are designed to make your membership more valuable, more connected and more sustainable.

Putting Members First.

Members will be at the center of everything we do in 2026. Beyond showing appreciation, we are committed to listening — welcoming new ideas, reaching out to members during renewal periods and planning ahead so members can do the same.

Communicating The Chapter's Value.

This year, we added a fundraising chair position to the board. In order to thoughtfully bundle opportunities for businesses to support the chapter, we first took a hard look at our value proposition. We hope that members can clearly articulate what the chapter brings to their professional lives. One way PRSA distinguishes itself is through its commitment to strong ethics, which is why I am reinstating the ethics chair position to ensure it receives the focus it deserves. 

Developing A Pipeline For Success.

Volunteer organizations depend on members who are willing to step forward. As a board, we must actively spark interest not only in membership but also in volunteering. Through conversations with members, I’ll be sharing what volunteering can look like at different stages of a career. For added stability, I would like us to begin working toward filling roles with both a chair and a co-chair whenever possible — building a deeper bench for future volunteer and board leadership. That takes more volunteers, but we can start to move in this direction.

On behalf of myself and the board, I hope you feel welcomed and encouraged to share your ideas, volunteer your time, attend events and bring your experiences to the table as we work together to advocate for our profession.

Let’s connect to talk about your 2026 involvement with the PRSA Phoenix Chapter. I’m always up for coffee.

Warm regards,
Julie Kurth, MS, APR
2026 PRSA Phoenix Chapter President

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