WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Public Affairs Council recognized public affairs leaders for their contributions to the profession and their service to the Council during a recognition dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Nashville, Tennessee. The dinner was held as part of the Council’s Next Verse: Fall Board Meeting and Leadership Summit.

Among this year’s honorees was Margery Kraus, founder and executive chair of APCO, who received the inaugural Mack Hogans Trailblazer Award, presented by Mack Hogans himself. The Council established the award to honor leaders who have broken barriers, opened doors for others and helped shape the public affairs profession.

Kraus, a former national chair of the Public Affairs Council, founded APCO in 1984 and built it from a single Washington, D.C., office into a global advisory and advocacy firm. Under her leadership, APCO became one of the world’s largest privately owned consulting firms and the largest majority women-owned firm in the industry. Her career reflects the spirit of the new award, named in honor of Hogans, a pioneering public affairs leader and the Council’s first Black Board chair.

“Margery has helped shape not only the public affairs profession but also the careers of countless people within it,” said Nneka Chiazor, president and CEO of the Public Affairs Council. “Her leadership embodies what the Mack Hogans Trailblazer Award was created to celebrate: breaking new ground, creating opportunities for others and leaving a lasting impact on our profession. We’re proud to recognize her as the inaugural recipient of this award and to celebrate the exceptional leadership, dedication and service of all this year’s honorees.”

Distinguished Service Award

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Inc., received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her contributions and support of the Council and its programs. With more than four decades of experience in government affairs, Bartz has helped organizations navigate complex lobbying, campaign finance and ethics regulations at the helm of State and Federal Communications. A longtime member of the Council’s Board of Directors, Bartz is a dedicated and highly engaged member of the Council community.

Chairs Circle Recognition

The Council also honored Courtney Geduldig, who served as Chair from 2024-2025, as the newest member of the Chairs Circle. Geduldig is the founder and managing partner of VantageRoad Partners. The Chairs Circle is a new Board category recognizing former national chairs who have completed their service on the Executive Committee.

About the Public Affairs Council

Both nonpartisan and nonpolitical, the Public Affairs Council is the leading global association for public affairs professionals. The Council’s mission is to advance the field of public affairs and to provide its more than 600 member companies, nonprofits and universities with the executive education and expertise they need while maintaining the highest ethical standards. Learn more at pac.org.