FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2021
CONTACT: Crystal Borde, cborde@vancomm.com

WASHINGTON — Brenda K. Foster, M.P.A., senior vice president of Vanguard Communications, has been selected as a finalist for Washington Women in Public Relations’ (WWPR) 2021 Woman of the Year award for her far-reaching impact on the field of strategic communications and public relations in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Foster was recognized at the 32nd annual WWPR Woman of the Year award ceremony held virtually on Thursday, November 18. 

Established in 1990, the Woman of the Year awards program is WWPR’s annual experience fostering camaraderie among women in public relations and culminating in a special ceremony that honors the achievements of those who have reached a pinnacle in the profession. One of three finalists, WWPR recognized Foster based on demonstrated ability in the communications field, contributions to the community and industry leadership qualities.  

“This is an incredible honor made sweeter by being in the company of such remarkable women, Woman of the Year winner Susan Waldman and fellow finalist Carrie Fox, who are such inspiring communication industry leaders,” said Foster. “I love this work, and I’m so grateful for the dedicated social change organizations and advocates we support. Using the power of communications to help people and their communities keeps me motivated and excited about the potential of this profession.” 

For more than 30 years, Foster has helped nonprofits and government agencies achieve their social change goals. Her 27-year tenure at Vanguard has seen her work on a wide range of progressive causes, from environmental advocacy to education, and public health to public power. Foster’s knowledge across all areas of communications is as deep and diverse as the subject areas she supports. She has counseled Farm Aid for more than two decades as it builds momentum for the family farm food movement, and she has helped the American Psychological Association connect the dots for Americans on the impact of stress on their health via its Stress in America™ survey. She’s also currently educating legislators and first responders about life-saving stroke surgery on behalf of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery. 

“We’ve been so lucky at Vanguard to have a front-row seat to Brenda’s impact, creativity and strategic counsel as a public relations professional for nearly three decades,” said Maria Rodriguez, president and CEO of Vanguard Communications. “We’re overjoyed that Brenda is being recognized for her extraordinary contributions to our clients, to the firm and to the next generation of PR leaders.” 

While not advancing the causes of her clients, Foster is generous with her time and her experience. She co-founded Progressive Communicators of D.C., which has a membership of about 1,500 top communications professionals working for causes that matter to the U.S. and the world. She is also an adjunct professor in the School of Communications at American University. She has served her community of Manassas Park, Va., as chair of the Manassas Park City School Board for nearly a decade, taking on issues such as equity, school lunch and school safety. In 2019, Foster was named a PR News Top Woman in PR and recognized in a group of women trailblazers who have had a tremendous effect in communications through their leadership and impact.  

WWPR is a member-based professional society cultivating and inspiring female communicators to reach their full potential in the D.C. market and beyond and committed to providing leadership opportunities, professional development, mentorship and industry networking. 

To learn more about Vanguard Communications, visit vancomm.com, “like” Vanguard on Facebook and follow Vanguard on Twitter and Instagram.

Vanguard Communications is a Hispanic woman-owned public relations and social marketing firm whose work is powered by and for people — the individuals, families and communities whose voices are the fuel for change. Since 1987, Vanguard has been working in the areas of health, wellness, energy, environment, education, international development, and diversity and inclusion in order to foster healthy communities and a thriving planet.

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