NEW YORK — The PR Council has named its 2021 officers and board members, including Hotwire North America CEO Heather Kernahan, who has been elected chair.

Kernahan will be leading the PRC’s efforts to help member agencies grow and be profitable despite pressing issues including Covid-19 and diversifying the industry. Kernahan has been serving as interim chair since August, succeeding Jim Joseph, who stepped down when he left BCW for McCann Health North America.

“Last year’s dual pandemics — Covid-19 and racism — tested our members but also reinforced the power of our discipline,” Kernahan said. “By staying close to members and delivering the support they needed, when they needed it, we helped our agencies survive and even thrive in a challenging environment and significantly improved member satisfaction scores. The PRC is now positioned for a very successful 2021.”

Kernahan will be joined on the board by vice chair Chris Foster, BCW’s North America president; treasurer Mike Santoro, president of Walker Sands; and secretary Cheryl Gale, president of March Communications.

New board members are SourceCode managing partner Rebecca Honeyman; imre CEO Dave Imre; MSL US CEO Diana Littman; Day One Agency CEO Josh Rosenberg; Golin global chairman Ellen Ryan Mardiks; and Edelman chief diversity & inclusion officer Trisch Smith.

They join 11 existing board members. All board members serve three-year terms.