The PRSA CA Gold Coast Public Relations Professional of the Year Award is an individual honor bestowed by the PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter to recognize outstanding career achievements of local professionals in furthering the practice of public relations. 

Eligibility: Nominees must practice public relations in Santa Barbara and/or Ventura Counties. Individuals nominated must have practiced public relations for 5+ years. Nominees do not have to be current members of PRSA or PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter to be eligible for nomination.

The current year’s PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter president and all previous PRSA CA Gold Coast PR Professional of the Year Award honorees are ineligible. 

Award Criteria: 

• Nominee has made significant contributions to the public relations profession, exhibits exceptional leadership skills, has served as a mentor in the field, etc.

• Nominee perpetuates the highest standards and ethics of the profession in the practice of public relations 

The honoree will be presented with the PRSA CA Gold Coast Public Relations Professional of the Year Award at the chapter's September Leadership Luncheon. It is our hope that the honoree will be present to accept the award in person.

Entries due by 5 p.m. (PST), May 31

Submit entries via the Submit A Nomination button below.

Questions? info@prsagoldcoast.org

PRSA Gold Coast celebrated Julie Madsen, communications and PR manager with the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, as the 2026 PR Pro of the Year at a luncheon in Ventura on Sept. 23.

Chapter members and guests attended the event, along with PRSA Western District Chair Marisol Barrios Perez, to hear Madsen in an engaging interview with chapter Vice President Kelsey Buttitta, a former local news anchor at KEYT.

A Ventura native, Madsen shared how her background in journalism has shaped her approach to public relations, particularly her commitment to storytelling, empathy, and human connection.

Madsen reflected on her work to showcase her hometown on a world stage through major events such as the X Games. She emphasized the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and keeping the community at the forefront when navigating opportunities and challenges.

She highlighted the importance of being a reliable resource for journalists, clients, business owners, and other stakeholders. Madsen also credited her team with mentoring and supporting her growth, noting that their trust has helped her learn to “bet on myself a little bit more.”

“Representing Ventura is deeply personal,” said Madsen. “The magic comes from remaining rooted in the community and remembering the emotion behind the Ventura brand: ‘We share this beautiful place we get to call home.’”

2026 PR Pro of the Year Award

Julie Madsen

Communications and PR Manager

Ventura Vistors and Convention Bureau 

Pictured Left to Right:

Kelsey Buttitta, Vice President, PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter; Julie Madsen; Nancy Gill, President, PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter

2025 PR Pro of the Year Award

Heather Sumagaysay
Deputy City Manager

City of Simi Valley

Pictured Left to Right:

Heather Sumagaysay and Natalie Hernandez, President, PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter

2024 PR Pro of the Year Award

Jean Kelso Sandlin, EdD
Professor & Chair, Communications Department

California Lutheran University

Pictured Left to Right:

Dr. Jean Sandlin and Natalie Hernandez, President, PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter