Call for Entries Deadline:
Sept. 18, 2026

Honoring the women shaping trust, reputation and connection

Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards honor the women whose counsel, creativity and leadership help organizations communicate with purpose, clarity and impact.

This prestigious recognition program celebrates the communicators behind the messages, relationships and decisions that matter most. From public relations and media relations to executive communications, internal communications, crisis response, brand storytelling, data, technology, health care communications and social impact, these honorees represent the full strength of the communications profession.

They are the leaders executives trust. The strategists teams rely on. The storytellers who make complex issues clear. The counselors who protect reputations in high-pressure moments. The mentors who help others grow. The rising stars already leaving their mark.

Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards are more than a celebration of impressive work. They are a chance to recognize the people whose judgment, influence and leadership make communications essential to every organization.

Honorees will be recognized at a live event in early 2027, where they will join an influential community of communications leaders, peers and changemakers.

Whether you are nominating yourself, a colleague, a client, an executive, a direct report or a leader whose work deserves wider recognition, this is the moment to put their achievements in the spotlight.

CATEGORIES

THE WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS HALL OF FAME

 Hall of Fame Nominees

They are a true industry legend whose lifetime achievements have shaped the communications profession.

TOP WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS

 Agency Leaders

They lead their agency with vision, clarity and care, helping their teams and clients achieve meaningful results.

 Brand Storytellers

They bring a brand to life through clear, consistent and memorable storytelling across channels.

 Bridge Builders

They create meaningful connections among employees, leaders, stakeholders, communities and audiences.

 Change Agents

They lead important change inside their organization, helping people, teams and ideas move forward.

 Crisis Navigators

They bring calm, judgment and clarity to high-pressure moments, protecting trust when it matters most.

 Data Dynamos

They use research, analytics, measurement and insight to make smarter communications decisions.

 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions

They help build more inclusive communications, teams, workplaces and communities.

 Dynamic Do-ers

They roll up their sleeves, solve problems and get important work done.

 Executive Communications Leaders

They guide leaders through clear, credible and thoughtful communications that build trust inside and outside the organization.

 Health Care Communicators

They bring clarity, accuracy and compassion to complex health care communications.

 In-House Communications Leaders

They lead communications from within an organization, shaping reputation, culture, messaging and stakeholder trust.

 Internal Communications Leaders

They strengthen employee connection, understanding and trust through clear internal communications

 Leaders

They lead with confidence, empathy and purpose, earning the respect of their team and peers.

 Media Relations Leaders

They build trusted media relationships and secure meaningful coverage that strengthens reputation and visibility.

 Mentors & Coaches

They support rising talent, share their knowledge and help future leaders grow.

 PR Leaders

They lead public relations strategy with sound judgment, creativity and grace.

 Social Impact Leaders

They use communications to support causes, nonprofits, communities or mission-driven work.

 Tech Leaders

They bring technology and communications together to improve strategy, storytelling, workflow or results.

 Trailblazers

They create a new path that others want to follow.

 Visionaries

They see what is coming next and help their organization communicate with purpose and clarity.

RISING STARS (AGE 30 AND UNDER)

 Rising Star Nominees

They may be early in their career, but they are already making a clear mark on the industry.

HOW TO ENTER

All nominations must be submitted through the online entry form.

You’ll be prompted to:

  • Select the category or categories that best fit your nominee.
  • Complete a brief nomination summary outlining the nominee’s leadership, influence, results and impact.
  • Upload supporting materials, such as work samples, media coverage, performance data, testimonials, links, case studies, speaking engagements, internal recognition or other proof points.

Once your nomination is submitted, you’ll receive confirmation and additional details about the judging and announcement timeline.

Download the Entry Kit for full category descriptions, eligibility information, deadlines and submission guidance.

ENTER

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • The nominee must work in a communications role.
  • You can self-nominate or nominate a client or colleague from your organization or another organization.
  • You may submit nominees into more than one category for consideration.
  • You can nominate as many women as you'd like.
  • Hall of Fame entries honor lifetime achievements. All other entries reflect the nominee’s successes in the past 12 months.
  • This is a global award; nominations are accepted from all countries.
  • Contact Brendan Gannon with any questions about the nominations process.

This year’s program is open to any work executed between Sept. 1, 2025, and Sept. 25, 2026, inclusive.

ENTRY FEES

The fee for this program is $550 per nomination.

A late fee of $325 per entry will be added to all entries received after 11:59 p.m. Central time, September 18, 2026.

All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable.

W-9 Form / Tax ID Number Request

Ragan's Women's Circle

ENTER FOR THE RECOGNITION. WIN ACCESS TO THE CIRCLE.

Submitting your entry for a Top Women In Communications Award is more than a shot at industry recognition, it’s your path to something even more valuable: the Ragan Women’s Circle.

Honorees earn complimentary membership in this exclusive, curated community of women leaders across communications, marketing and HR. It’s a space built for the kind of candid, high-level conversations that don’t happen anywhere else.

Named a Top Women honoree? You’re in.

HERE’S WHAT THAT MEANS:

  • A private LinkedIn group of vetted peers who understand your world
  • A Connection Concierge, on-demand access to senior women leaders when you need a real sounding board
  • Online and in-person meetups to keep building those relationships
  • Discounts on future Top Women entries and event tickets
  • A digital badge and exclusive swag to mark the milestone

Membership is complimentary for all honorees, but you have to be named to get in. The first step is entering. Don’t leave this opportunity on the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I SUBMIT A NOMINATION?
Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards provide industry-wide recognition for women who are leading the profession through strategy, counsel, creativity, results and influence. For honorees, this recognition can strengthen professional credibility, support career growth and spotlight their contributions in front of a national communications audience. For organizations and agencies, it is a meaningful way to celebrate the leaders who build trust, protect reputation, guide teams and make communications work matter.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Nominations are open to women communications professionals worldwide. Entries must be submitted in English. Eligible nominees may work in public relations, corporate communications, media relations, executive communications, internal communications, agency leadership, brand communications, crisis communications, health care communications, technology communications, social impact communications and related fields.
CAN I NOMINATE SOMEONE ELSE?
Yes. You may nominate a colleague, client, executive, team member, direct report, agency partner or another communications leader whose work deserves recognition. Self-nominations are also welcome.
CAN I ENTER MULTIPLE CATEGORIES?
Yes. If a nominee’s leadership or work fits more than one category, you are encouraged to submit multiple nominations. Each entry is reviewed independently, giving nominees more opportunities to be recognized for the full range of their contributions.
WHAT DO JUDGES LOOK FOR?
Judges look for clear evidence of leadership, influence, strategy, results and impact. Strong nominations explain what the nominee accomplished, why it mattered and how their work affected their organization, clients, team, industry or community. The strongest entries include specific examples, measurable outcomes and supporting materials that help judges understand the nominee’s role and results.
WHEN WILL HONOREES BE ANNOUNCED?
Honorees will be recognized at a live event in early 2027. Entrants will receive additional details about the announcement timeline and event as the program progresses.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please email Brendan Gannon at [email protected].

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Morgan Einspanier at [email protected]. 

Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to trophies or certificates.