NYSPRA ANnounces Jill wagner, APR, as our spring 2027 conference keynote speaker

Jill Wagner, APR, is an award-winning public relations strategist with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations communicate clearly, navigate crises, protect their reputations, and make better decisions when the stakes are high. She has advised executives, boards, and communications teams across education, government, nonprofits, healthcare, and other public-facing organizations. Known for cutting through complexity, Jill brings strategic thinking, candor, and practical solutions to challenging communication issues.

Jill is the founder of Jill Wagner Communications and Your PR Toolbox, a resource designed to help communicators and leaders strengthen their skills, judgment, and confidence through practical tools, training, membership resources, and group coaching. A frequent national speaker and trainer, she has presented at conferences across the country on public relations, crisis communication, leadership, trust, and becoming a more strategic advisor. Her work has earned local, regional, and national recognition, including ADDYs, Tellys, and Awards of Excellence from PRSA and the National School Public Relations Association.

Keynote Information: From Communicator to Strategic Advisor: Leading When Trust Is on the Line

School communicators are already doing leadership work, whether or not leadership is in their title. Communicators have the ability to shape and influence how an organization responds, what people understand, and boost credibility and trust.

In this candid, practical, and funny keynote, PR expert Jill Wagner, APR, challenges communicators to think beyond tactics to recognize the strategic value they bring to the table. Through real-world examples and lessons learned from years in PR, she’ll outline what it takes to step forward earlier, give advice with confidence, anticipate doubt, and help leaders and the organization make better communication decisions.

You don’t need to wait for permission, a new title, or an invitation to the table to lead. Your ability to direct communications in a clear, honest and strategic way can shape how your organization gets through its toughest moments and builds on its greatest successes.