New cohort joins to support industry work across membership, mentorship, insights, events, campaigns and social workstreams

Monday 02 June 2025 – After concluding a competitive application process, Women in PR (WiPR) has announced the ten rising stars who will join its 2025 Shadow Board from across the industry and around the UK.

A judging panel consisting of representatives from the PRCA Equity Inclusion Advisory Board, Taylor Bennett Foundation, and PR Week, alongside WiPR committee members reviewed all submissions and were thoroughly impressed with the quantity, calibre and diversity of experience, expertise and background of the applicants. The search for the Shadow Board comes after WiPR saw record numbers of senior women applying to join its committee earlier this year.

The selected applicants will support the Women in PR committee for a 12-month period – assigned to specific working groups including campaigns, membership, social and digital, events, insights and evaluation, and mentoring – to ensure the organisation can deliver its action plan for members and the wider industry.

The 2025 Shadow Board includes:

Social workstream

• Megan Bennett, Senior Account Executive, Ogilvy
• Chelsey Wheeler, Deputy Head of Brand PR, Direct Line Group
• Rayo Yusuf, Account Manager, Hope and Glory PR

Events workstream

• Tori Halman, Senior PR & Communications Manager and UK Communications Lead, ZOE
• Hannah Horsfield, Vice President, FINN Partners

Campaigns workstream

• Bella Martin-Williams, Senior Account Manager, Grayling
• Maryam Chowdhury, Senior Associate, Golin London

Insights / Events workstreams

• Rupal Antoniou, Senior Healthcare Communication Consultant, Rupal Antoniou PR Ltd

Mentorship workstream

• Nicole Boahene Asomah, Integrated Marketing Communications Senior Executive, RSM

Membership workstream

• Sarah Mir, Account Director, Fight or Flight

Lindsay Landi, Women in PR shadow board and mentoring co-lead, commented on the appointments: “We are thrilled to welcome this diverse group of ten rising stars who bring experience across agency, in-house and freelance roles, as well from non-traditional paths to PR and representing regional UK perspectives as well as London. They will work alongside the Women in PR committee to advance efforts towards more inclusion, gender equity and meaningful change across the PR and Communications industry, while also accelerating their careers through expanded professional networks and the opportunity to build new skills and capabilities. We can’t wait to see how they help shape the work we do and are looking forward to seeing the impact they have over the next year.”

Ginny Paton, Managing Partner, Ogilvy and Women in PR Vice President also said: “Our Shadow Board is made up of some of the industry’s brightest up and coming stars – our future leaders.  We simply couldn’t do as much as we do without the help and support of each and every one of them.  We had more applicants than ever before and selecting just ten was an almost impossible task for our judges. We look forward to working closely with all of them this year.”

The incoming Shadow Board is looking forward to getting started, sharing their enthusiasm on the selection and motivation propelling them to support the Women in PR Committee.

Chelsey Wheeler, Deputy Head of Brand PR, Direct Line Group said, “Women in PR has helped me immensely over the past year since returning to work after maternity leave by expanding my network of likeminded women in our industry. Understanding that many women in PR face similar issues and concerns, the peer-to-peer advice has been invaluable. I am a big believer in paying it forward to other mid-career women, and especially mothers returning to work. I remain forever keen to develop and look forward to learning from the Women in PR committee as I support them.”

Rupal Antoniou, Senior Healthcare Communication Consultant, Rupal Antoniou PR Ltd said, “For me, this role is the perfect opportunity to champion diversity and inclusivity within the communications industry, creating pathways for underrepresented voices to be both heard and celebrated. The reality is – we all face unique challenges. These experiences can both build our resilience and impede our progress. Ultimately, I’m excited to contribute to a culture that not only welcomes every unique voice at the table but also celebrates diversity, empowering women to lead in their own authentic ways.”

Tori Halman, Senior PR & Communications Manager and UK Communications Lead, ZOE said, “I’m proud to join the Women in PR Shadow Board and help champion the next generation of women in our industry. Relocating out of London a year ago was daunting, I was worried that it might limit my PR career, but it’s been one of the best moves I’ve made. I’m passionate about showing that talent and opportunity aren’t tied to location or traditional hubs, and hope to encourage others to carve a path that works for them.”

Bella Martin-Williams, Senior Account Manager, Grayling shared, “I’ve been privileged to learn from many inspiring women throughout my career so far and I know first-hand the immense value of a supportive network. I’m delighted to be joining the Women in PR Shadow Board and to play a role in ensuring women across our industry have access to a community that encourages and empowers everyone.”

Megan Bennett, Senior Account Executive, Ogilvy said, “Joining the Women in PR Shadow Board is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people who are passionate about making a difference in the PR industry. I’m really looking forward to learning from others, sharing ideas, and contributing to positive change for the future of our field.”

Hannah Horsfield, Vice President, FINN Partners said, “I wanted to join the Women in PR Shadow Board because I’m eager to grow, stretch myself and learn from a diverse group of women across the industry. Coming from a small town in New Zealand and not having taken the traditional PR route, I haven’t always had access to internships or formal mentorship. This feels like a wonderful opportunity to expand my thinking, build meaningful connections and be part of something bigger than my day-to-day work.”