Celebrating Women’s History Month: Stories from the Women of PCI 

Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the remarkable contributions of women throughout history—and to recognize those shaping the present and future. At Public Communications Inc. (PCI), we take immense pride in being a woman-owned agency and in the talented, driven women who make up our team. Their stories, experiences and insights not only showcase the progress within the communications industry but also highlight the challenges that remain. 

To celebrate this month, we asked four women at PCI to share their journeys, the obstacles they’ve faced, and their advice for those looking to enter or grow in the field of public relations and communications. Their experiences serve as a testament to the power of communication, mentorship and resilience.

Mary Erangey 

Senior Vice President, Healthcare 

Inspiration for a PR Career:
Journalism was my inspiration. It still is. Initially I was inspired by photojournalists Margaret Bourke-White and Dorothea Lange, both of whom documented and humanized the toll of the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. Then I studied the career of broadcast journalist Don Hewitt, who created the CBS news magazine 60 Minutes. I knew I wanted to help tell stories that make people see and care about bigger issues. I was completely unaware of PR as a career path. I’m fortunate that I found PCI.  

Challenges Faced:
My timing has been a challenge. I graduated from journalism school in the midst of a U.S. recession, when unemployment was just under 8%. I adapted, moving to California to do in-house communications, first for the C.S. Lewis Foundation in higher ed, and then for Air Serv International in the nongovernmental humanitarian aid sector. I stayed with in-house communications working at DePaul University in Chicago, but I was still determined to get closer to my journalism roots. When I learned about PCI, its ownership team of former journalists and its client base, I jumped at an opportunity to join the agency.  

Making PR More Accessible for Women:
PR is such a welcoming field for women. That’s a benefit I do not take for granted. I’m also glad that PCI has a strong balance of women and men in leadership throughout our agency. Growth and advancement are available to all of us.    

Advice for Women in PR:
Adapt. Say yes to new challenges. Be willing to explore unfamiliar paths. And no matter how demanding your work life becomes, stay connected to the activities that inspire your heart.  

Jacqueline Rachev, APR 

Senior Account Supervisor, Nonprofit, Business & Government  

Inspiration for a PR Career:
I’ve always been a news junkie. I loved reading and telling stories and decided to pursue journalism in college with substantial additional training in public relations.  

I wanted to tell stories about issues, programs and services I believed in, so I spent 20 years leading communications efforts for nonprofit and social service organizations. And I’m grateful I can still support nonprofit and community-based organizations through my work at PCI. 

Challenges Faced:
I haven’t faced obstacles/challenges in PR due to being a woman, but I think PR/communications has faced challenges. Most concerning is the lack of sector representation at the table while leaders are considering strategies and making business decisions. Too often communications/PR practitioners are looked at as the people to just execute or “tell people about” ideas rather than provide strategic counsel on potential outcomes and impact of said decisions.

Also, I think there is general confusion or uncertainty about what public relations really is compared to marketing, advertising or publicity so leaders don’t know when or how to bring PR staff into decision-making situations. 

Making PR More Accessible for Women:
I’m not sure can argue PR isn’t accessible for women. If you look at PCI and some other agencies, PR seems to be dominated by women. However, PR is often overlooked as a critical business function, and maybe that’s because it is a “softer” skill often done by women.  

Advice for Women in PR:
Be curious and inquisitive. Ask questions and learn new things! Be passionate about your work – whether public relations, communications or your client. Passion will sustain you during the hard times. Advocate for yourself. PR practitioners are some of the worst people at promoting their work and ideas, especially if you’re a woman. Read Glennon Doyle’s Untamed to remember how awesome you are. Stay up on news, social media, AI and other communications trends and think critically about how you can incorporate them to improve your work. Help others. PR is a small world and word travels fast – good and bad. Make sure you’re on the good side of the story and known for excellent work, strong ethics and a spirit of cooperation to benefit all. \

Leigh Madden 

Senior Vice President, Healthcare 

Inspiration for a PR Career:
I was first inspired to pursue a career in public relations during college at the University of Illinois. I don’t think I truly understood PR until I took an advocacy course that really opened my eyes to the power of communication to drive social change. One of our projects focused on a syringe service program for needle exchange – a controversial topic at the time – and I saw firsthand how effective messaging and strategic communication could be used to shape public understanding and influence policy. That experience sparked a passion for using PR as a tool to make a real difference, and I’ve never looked back.  

Challenges Faced:
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my career and have faced very few challenges related to being a woman in PR. From the beginning, I had strong female mentors who supported and empowered me. I started at my agency early on, when it was not yet women-owned, but even then, it was a place where women had a seat at the table. When the agency became women-owned 19 years ago, it felt like a natural evolution that I was proud to be a part of. I know that’s not everyone’s experience, and I don’t take it for granted.  

Making PR More Accessible for Women:
Women have always played a pivotal role in PR, and it would be wonderful to see continued progress in supporting women in leadership roles. My leadership at our agency was fostered by my mentors and I think the continued development of pathways for women to grow into these roles will continue to strengthen the industry.   

Advice for Women in PR:
I can’t overstate the value of mentorship and the pivotal role it played in my career. I was fortunate to have mentors throughout my career who consistently encouraged me to step beyond my comfort zone. They believed that true growth comes from embracing challenges and not settling for the status quo. They encouraged me to take on projects and roles that felt intimidating at first but provided opportunities to learn and develop new skills. This mindset not only expanded my capabilities but also built my confidence in handling diverse situations.   

They also taught me the importance of taking ownership of my work. They advised that while it’s natural to make mistakes, it’s crucial to own them, learn from them, and move forward without excessive apology. This approach fosters resilience and demonstrates accountability, qualities that are invaluable in the PR industry.   

Seek mentors who will challenge and support you, realizing that by navigating the unfamiliar, we can truly discover our potential.   

Cait Luby 

Account Supervisor, Wildlife Care & Conservation  

Inspiration for a PR Career:
I’m not sure I ever had that “aha!” moment that made me realize I wanted to go into PR. I think I have always been drawn to the power of communication and how it is across everything we do – personally and professionally. It shapes how we connect with others, how we build relationships and how brands and organizations tell their stories. We all communicate differently, and what excites me about PR and keeps me inspired is helping organizations tell their story in a way that resonates with people.   

Challenges Faced:
I would say the biggest challenge I’ve faced in PR is the competitive nature of the industry. Healthy competition can be motivating, but sometimes, it can create a culture where you feel like you have to compete against your colleagues. I would say some of the best career moments I’ve had were not about outpacing someone else but came from collaboration and working together to build something incredible. Everyone has a different way of working, making our industry so great.  

Making PR More Accessible for Women:
So much of what we do is about our connections with people – whether that be clients or colleagues. I would love to see more openness in the industry – more people willing to take the time to network, mentor, and just have a conversation with those trying to start their career. A simple coffee chat or LinkedIn message can go a long way in making someone not only feel welcome but give them the confidence to go after a job opportunity.   

Advice for Women in PR:
You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. There are so many ways to be a leader and to make an impact – find your own style and lean into it! What matters is sharing your ideas in whatever way that feels most like you.