Picture this: Carolina and I are sitting in our favorite coffee shop last month, laptops open, steam rising from our mugs, when we overhear three conversations happening at different tables around us. At one table, a PR professional is passionately explaining to a client how to navigate a crisis. At another, a nonprofit worker is on the phone, her voice filled with hope as she discusses an upcoming community event. And at the third table, someone is deep in discussion about government policy research, gesturing animatedly about public opinion data.
Three different worlds. Three different languages. But as we listened, something struck us –
they were all trying to do the same thing: connect, communicate, and create change.
That moment sparked an idea that would eventually become Bridging Voices: Transforming the World of PR, Nonprofit Communications & Government Relations – an event that’s now just days away.
Why These Voices Matter More Than Ever
In our increasingly connected yet somehow divided world, the professionals who build bridges between organizations and people have never been more crucial. Research consistently shows that public trust in institutions remains a critical challenge for communicators across all sectors. Meanwhile, studies from the Stanford Social Innovation
Review demonstrate that cross-sector collaboration can increase program effectiveness by
up to 40% (Laird, Quick , & Shaver , 2024).
But here’s what Carolina and I have observed through our work with PRofessionals & Coffee: these three sectors – PR, nonprofit communications, and government relations – often operate in professional silos, each developing incredible expertise but with limited
opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas and strategies.
The potential for cross-sector learning is significant. Research from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) ( Neal, 2025) indicates that 78% of communication professionals believe cross-industry knowledge sharing improves campaign effectiveness.
What if a PR professional could learn from the authentic storytelling techniques that nonprofits use to connect with donors’ hearts? What if nonprofit communicators could
harness the strategic messaging frameworks that government relations experts use to influence policy? What if government relations professionals could adopt the creative campaign strategies that make PR campaigns go viral?
The magic happens in the intersection.
The Voices We're Bringing Together
On Thursday, May 29th, at 7:30 PM, Carolina and I are bringing together three extraordinary
professionals who embody the best of their respective fields – and we can’t wait for you to meet them.
Deane Code will be joining us from APEX Public Relations, where she serves as Vice President. When I first connected with Deane, what struck me wasn’t just his impressive
track record in PR, but his genuine passion for the craft of communication. He understands
that great PR isn’t just about getting coverage – it’s about building authentic relationships and telling stories that matter. Deane will be sharing insights from the trenches of the PR world, offering wisdom that can only come from years of navigating the ever-evolving media
landscape.
Then there’s Prachi Shailendra, whose journey embodies the very spirit of transformation our event celebrates. As Manager of Communication and Events at COSTI, Prachi brings a unique perspective as someone who has navigated both the immigrant experience and the nonprofit communications world. Her story isn’t just about career success – it’s about purpose, passion, and the power of building bridges in communities that need them most.
She’ll be sharing how newcomers and career switchers can break into nonprofit communications, and how experienced immigrants can translate their past experiences
into new opportunities.
Finally, Adrian Macaulay from Counsel Public Affairs will bring his expertise in government
relations and opinion research. As Senior Director, Adrian works at the fascinating intersection of public opinion, policy, and strategic communication. He understands how data drives decisions and how research shapes the conversations that ultimately transform communities and countries. His insights into government relations, opinion research, and market research will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how public policy
really gets made.
More Than Just Another Panel
Here’s what makes this event different: it’s not just about learning from experts in their individual fields. It’s about discovering the connections, the overlaps, and the
opportunities that emerge when these voices come together.
During our hour together, we’ll explore:
• How PR professionals can learn from nonprofit authenticity
• How nonprofit communicators can benefit from corporate strategy
• How government relations insights can inform both sectors
• The shared challenges we all face in an era of information overload
• The unique opportunities that emerge when we bridge our professional worlds
But beyond the professional insights, this is about community. It’s about that moment when you realize that the challenge you’re facing in your nonprofit role has already been
solved by someone in PR, or when you discover that the government relations approach could revolutionize your organization’s advocacy efforts.
A Personal Invitation
As Carolina and I write this, we’re reminded of why PRofessionals & Coffee was created in the first place. It wasn’t just about creating another networking event – it was about
creating spaces where authentic connections happen, where stories are shared, and where professionals feel supported in their journey.
Whether you’re a seasoned PR veteran, a nonprofit communications newcomer, a government relations professional, or someone who simply believes in the power of strategic communication to change the world, this event is for you.
In a world that often feels fragmented, we have the opportunity to be bridge-builders. We can be the professionals who see connections where others see divisions, who find
common ground where others see only differences.
Join us on Thursday, May 29th, from 7:30-8:30 PM via Zoom. Bring your coffee, bring your questions, and bring your stories. Because the best transformations happen when we stop talking in silos and start having conversations that bridge our worlds.
The coffee shop conversation that started this journey taught me something important: we’re all trying to connect, communicate, and create change. The only question is whether we’ll do it together or apart.
I vote for together.
Ready to bridge voices with us? Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 29th, 7:30-8:30 PM. Registration details and Zoom link coming soon. This is more than an event – it’s the beginning of a conversation that could transform how we think about communication across sectors.
