The LAGRANT Foundation

RVSP Now! - Harold Burson Summer Internship Info Session

Last night’s induction into the 2025 PRWeek U.S. Hall of Fame was truly humbling. Being in that room with colleagues, friends, and leaders I admire reminded me why I’m still so committed to this work. Communications has always been about helping people move forward. It shows what teams can do together, it removes the barriers that can get in the way, and it gives communities the support they need to reach what they once thought they couldn’t. Thank you again to everyone who has shaped my journey: my family, the incredible Real Chemistry team, our clients and partners, and the mentors and friends who’ve guided me along the way. This recognition may have my name on it, but it reflects the shared belief and spirit of what we can accomplish together. Grateful for last night and looking ahead to what’s next. #PRWeekHallofFame

Among the many lessons my mother taught me, two have shaped everything I am: 1. Success is never the work of one person — it’s the work of a community. 2. Your voice isn’t just for telling stories — it’s for creating change that makes people and places better.** Those truths were top of mind last night as I was deeply honored to be inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame. Those who know me understand that recognition focused on me alone has never been something I seek. That reluctance comes from my upbringing. I was raised by an extraordinary mother — a trailblazing politician, a powerful storyteller, and above all, a courageous woman. She taught me that using your voice requires courage and a willingness to speak truth to power — especially when it’s uncomfortable. For me, that’s what this discipline should be about, and it’s what I’ve tried to model throughout my career. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁: • Transforming our function to focus on value, impact, and what truly matters — not just activity. • Standing up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular. • Balancing what’s good for business with what’s good for society. • Advocating for teams and cultures that reflect the world we live in, where everyone feels seen and safe. Leadership today demands more than pragmatism — it demands courage, conscience, and conviction. There was a time when we described our roles as the conscience of our organizations. I don’t hear that as much today. Maybe that’s intentional, maybe not — but I believe we’ve lost that North Star and replaced it with pragmatism. And pragmatism comes at a cost. Ironically, conscience is what our organizations need from us now more than ever. Real leadership isn’t about avoiding risk — it’s about knowing what’s at stake and having the courage to act anyway. And courage doesn’t always roar; often, it shows up in quiet, consistent choices. So here’s my challenge to all of us: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽. 𝗕𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀. 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘆. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 — 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 — 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. Thank you for this incredible honor. Congratulations again to the other PRWeek Hall of Fame honorees: Kathy Bloomgarden Vanessa Broadhurst Patrick Ford John Saunders Jim Weiss Let’s lead with conviction, honor, integrity, and courage — because our industry and our country need it now more than ever.