New York Women in Communications Announces
the Second Annual Trailblazer Awards
NEW YORK, NY (August 12, 2025)—New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), the premier organization for female communications professionals, is proud to announce the celebration of the next generation of Trailblazers and the women who helped light their way in the worlds of communications, marketing, advertising, media and public relations. The NYWICI Trailblazer Awards will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Forbes on Fifth, NYC.
The Trailblazer awards will recognize exceptional emerging leaders who have been nominated by industry veterans, including past WiCi Award Honorees, past NYWICI Matrix Honorees, and NYWICI notables. Nominations were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges composed of WiCi Award Winners and Board leaders. The judges selected four honorees, who will be celebrated alongside their nominators as the second class of NYWICI Trailblazers. NYWICI will celebrate both the phenomenal women who paved the way and their protégés who are poised to redefine the communications, marketing, advertising and public relations landscape in the years to come. The 2025 Trailblazers and their nominators include:
- Talia Bender Small, President, The Female Quotient, nominated by Shelley Zalis, Founder and CEO, The Female Quotient
- Jessica Ling, Executive Vice President, Global Advertising, American Express, nominated by Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer, American Express
- Leah Seay Anise, Consumer Communications Lead, OpenAI, nominated by Eleanor Reece, Vice President, Global Communications and Corporate Relations at Whirlpool Corporation
- Danielle Wallis, Chief Marketing Officer, Connected Commerce & Head of Card Marketing, JPMorganChase, nominated by Tracy-Ann Lim, Global Chief Media Officer, JPMorganChase
This exclusive event hosted by NYWICI will build upon the success of the Matrix Awards and the WiCi Awards, which ran from 2013-2018. This event promises to be an inspiring evening, fostering meaningful industry connections and celebrating the achievements of women in communications. The evening will be emceed by Alexis Christoforous, Correspondent for ABC News.
“The second annual Trailblazer Awards continue our tradition of celebrating excellence and fostering a community where extraordinary women are seen and celebrated. These awards are more than just an event; they are our way to say thank you to the women who continually impact and influence the communications industry. This year, we are proud to celebrate another group of honorees whose leadership and visionary work has not only inspired us but has also illuminated the path for others to follow.” stated Brandi Boatner, NYWICI President.
For more information about the Trailblazer Awards and how to participate, please visit NYWICI.org. or contact Donna-Jean Plante, CAE.
About New York Women in Communications
New York Women in Communications is dedicated to promoting the highest standards throughout the industry and to providing education and leadership for the next generation. Founded in 1929, the not-for-profit association has more than 2,500 members — from senior executives to students and entrepreneurs to young professionals — representing a variety of communications disciplines. NYWICI’s mission is to support women at all levels of their communications careers, to help define the future of communications and stay ahead of the industry’s ever-changing landscape. The organization’s membership encompasses senior executives and other experienced communicators from a wide range of enterprises, young professionals, and students. NYWICI empowers women across communications disciplines to reach their full potential by promoting their professional growth, inspiring them to achieve and share their successes, and helping them navigate the evolving and converging world of communications. Learn more at https://nywici.org/.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Donna-Jean Plante, CAE
Executive Director, NYWICI
Donna-Jean.Plante@NYWICI.org