The Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA NCC) announced the induction of Ben Finzel and Kate Perrin into the National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame. Finzel and Perrin will be honored at the virtual 53rd National Capital Excellence in Communication Awards on Thursday, Nov. 4. Tickets are available now.
PRSA NCC started the National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame in 1999 by inducting 50 leaders with significant accomplishments in the public relations field as part of the chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration. The Hall of Fame members hold more than a thousand awards, distinctions, honorary degrees, advisory positions, charity board seats, and who’s who citations among them.
“The PRSA NCC Board of Directors joins me in congratulating Ben Finzel and Kate Perrin for this important distinction of lifelong achievements,” said PRSA NCC President Lauren Lawson-Zilai,. “It is especially exciting to honor two individuals who have dedicated so much of their personal and professional energy to promoting underrepresented communities. Ben has been a long-time advocate for LGBTQ communities and Kate has promoted the advancement of women throughout her career. We are thrilled to honor them both as mentors, advocates and entrepreneurs who have paved the way for many and have been selfless in their actions.”
Inductee Ben Finzel is president of RENEWPR, a DC-based public affairs communications consulting firm providing counsel and outreach on strategy, messaging, media and partnerships. Finzel helped launch FH Out Front — the first global LGBTQ communications practice at an international firm — at FleishmanHillard in 2004 and served as its first global chair. Finzel’s other achievements include launching DC Family Communicators, a professional networking group for LGBTQ communications professionals, and The Change Agencies, the first national network of independently owned multicultural and LGBTQ public relations firms. Finzel was honored as one of 50 Legacy Leaders Over 50 by BEQ Pride Magazine. He was also named a Business of Pride honoree by the Washington Business Journal in 2020. He served on the Victory Campaign Board of the LGBTQ Victory Fund from 2007 to 2017. His business is certified as an LGBT Business Enterprise by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
“To be recognized by your peers is wonderful; to be honored by them is amazing. I still can’t quite believe I have done enough to be worthy of this recognition, but I know enough to be thankful and appreciative of this high honor,” said Finzel. “Thank you PRSA National Capital Chapter for including me in such inspiring company; I will be forever grateful.”
Inductee Kate Perrin used 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing communications to found PRofessional Solutions, LLC, the Washington, D.C., area’s first public relations temporary agency specializing in meeting the temporary staffing needs of area nonprofits, associations, government agencies and corporations. Prior to PRofessional Solutions, Perrin was director of public relations for the American College of Emergency Physicians. She chaired the first Washington Women in Public Relations PR Woman of the Year awards program in 1990 and was elected president in 1992. She has served on the Boards of the International Association of Business Communicators and Dress for Success DC, received the 2009 Women in Communications Matrix Award, and is an active member of the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Women’s Advisory Board and the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.
“This recognition from the National Capital Chapter touches me deeply. I have felt PRSA and I shared a commitment to promoting intelligent and meaningful practice of PR, and it is an honor to find they saw that in my career as well,” said Perrin.
Criteria for induction in the PRSA NCC Public Relations Hall of Fame includes 30 or more years of distinguished accomplishments, visionary leadership, mentoring, commitment to the profession, positive and significant impacts on the industry, and contributions to the local public relations community. Inductees must have worked in the Washington, D.C., area for at least 10 years. To view the list of Hall of Fame members, visit www.prsa-ncc.org/about-us/leadership/hall-fame-members.
Don’t miss the opportunity to honor these inspiring PR industry leaders at the National Capital Excellence in Communication Awards. Tickets are available now.
About PRSA’s National Capital Chapter
The Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA NCC) is a professional public relations association of nearly 1,000 members in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. PRSA NCC provides professional development programs, accreditation instruction, networking and contributions to a local nonprofit. PRSA NCC also promotes public relations education through five area Public Relations Society of America student chapters. For more information, please visit prsancc.org or call (703) 691-9212. Connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter with #PRSANCC and #ECAs2021.
