Ragan Announces Jury For 2026 Zenith Awards

Ragan Communications has brought back the Zenith Awards for a second year to honor top campaigns, teams, and leaders across internal and external communications, public relations, and marketing. The program aims to recognize communicators who turn strategy into results that their organizations can see and feel, according to Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan.

The jury, which consists of experienced professionals from various industries, evaluated entries based on strategic thinking, creativity, execution, and measurable impact. The members bring experience across healthcare, nonprofits, retail, hospitality, technology, consumer goods, and agency work, according to PR Daily.

The jury includes Lynn Godfrey, SVP and chief experience officer at Blood Cancer United, who led the organization's rebranding effort, and Danielle Hughes, VP of communications at BODYARMOR & POWERADE, who oversaw the launch of new products and partnerships. Other jurors include Allison Colangelo, director of executive and internal communications at Pinterest, and Racquel White, chief communications officer at Labcorp.

The winners of the Zenith Awards will be revealed live on stage at the Edison Ballroom in New York City on November 5. The event will be co-hosted by NewsNation national correspondent Jessica Kartalija and Ragan's Jon Minnick. Finalists from leading brands and agencies will gather for an afternoon of recognition and networking.

The jury also includes Johnna Muscente, VP of communications and PR at The Corcoran Group, who leads a team that promotes the brokerage's strength and global affiliate growth. Michael Kaye, director of corporate communications at Upstart, and Amanda Ponzar, chief enterprise communications officer at Community Catalyst, are also part of the jury.

Other jurors include Lauren Stephens, executive director of internal communications at MGM Resorts International, who oversees internal communications strategy for over 60,000 employees, and Meghan Roman, AVP of internal communications at Victoria's Secret & Co., who translates the company's brand transformation into clear messaging for associates.

The Zenith Awards celebrate communicators who use strong storytelling, smart use of AI, and a sharp focus on impact to drive results. The awards are an opportunity for communicators to showcase their work and connect with other professionals in the industry.