Vanguard Communications

08/19/2026

There’s a new acronym in the water: GEO—Generative Engine Optimization. 🌊

What does GEO mean for PR and communications professionals? In a new Bulldog Reporter blog, Vanguard’s LeAnne DeFrancesco breaks down what communicators need to know about AI-powered search, visibility, and the future of PR.

🦈 No shark attacks here - just practical tips and smart strategy to help your content stay visible in an AI-powered world.

Read the blog post here:

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the SEO … Dun dun dun … you now have to consider a whole new audience: AI. Regardless of whether you think AI is a technology to embrace or swim away from faster than a great white shark, how your content is framed externally Regardless of whethe...

08/13/2026

Access to information creates opportunity. Revisit this video we created with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program to help women entrepreneurs prepare for federal contracting opportunities.

08/12/2026

What an honor to serve an organization dedicated to supporting and inspiring our future leaders. 💚 In late July, Vanguard President and CEO Maria Rodriguez joined Girl Scouts Nation's Capital from across the world in Washington, D.C., for the 58th National Council Session and Girl Scouts Unite. As a board officer of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, Maria is proud to champion the next generation of confident, courageous .

08/06/2026

Inclusive communications begin long before you hit "publish." In her latest PR News article, VC Account Supervisor Savannah Young shares a practical checklist for creating campaigns that resonate with the audiences you want to reach:

Inclusive communications is not an afterthought. A campaign will only work if the people it is trying to reach see themselves in the message.

08/04/2026

🌟 Meet Valeria Hernandez — our fourth featured Comunicador! 🌟

From Miami, Florida, Valeria is a rising sophomore at The George Washington University studying international affairs and political science. She is a proud member of the Cisneros Institute.

This summer, Valeria interned with the League of Women Voters of the US, helping advance voting rights and ensure communities have access to the information they need to make their voices heard.

She hopes to pursue a career in international development and public policy, working to champion human rights and empower communities around the world.

📖 Read her blog, "Empowering Every Vote at the League of Women Voters." https://vancomm.com/empowering-every-vote-at-the-league-of-women-voters/

07/29/2026

🌟 Meet Nikki Frias — our third featured Comunicador! 🌟

From Bergenfield, New Jersey, Nikki is studying international affairs and business at The George Washington University, where she is a proud Cisneros Institute Scholar.

This summer, she’s working as a communications intern at Reproductive Freedom for All, strengthening her passion for public service by supporting communications to amplify reproductive freedom issues.

Driven by her goal of becoming an immigration attorney, Nikki hopes to build a career in public interest law, using advocacy and policy to expand access to justice and create meaningful change in her community.

📝 Read her blog: https://vancomm.com/advocacy-in-action-at-reproductive-freedom-for-all/

We're proud to support the next generation of communicators through Comunicadores for the Future, our paid internship program in partnership with GW’s Cisneros Institute.

07/23/2026

🎉 We're excited to share that Vanguard Communications has been recognized with an Honorable Mention in the 2026 PR News + Chief Marketer Experiential & Event PR Awards in the Best Crisis-Response Event Pivot category for our work supporting Farm Aid 40 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

When unexpected challenges arise, thoughtful strategy, collaboration, and clear communication matter most. We're proud to have partnered with Farm Aid to help navigate a pivotal moment leading up to this milestone event.

Curious about the situation? Learn more: https://www.farmaid.org/blog/statement-from-farm-aid-on-the-40th-anniversary-festival/

Congratulations to our incredible team!👏

07/22/2026

We love celebrating at Vanguard! 🎉 Senior Editorial Manager Catie Carreras is celebrating an incredible 10 years with us.

Our team and clients are truly fortunate to benefit from her dedication, expertise, and leadership. Join us in celebrating her milestone in the comments! ✨

07/21/2026

🌟 Meet our second featured Comunicador: Daniella Meza!

Daniella Meza is a first-generation student from Seattle, Washington, studying anthropology and public health at The The George Washington University. As a member of the Cisneros Institute, she is passionate about using communications to create meaningful community impact.

This summer, Daniella has interned at The Phillips Collection, where she has explored the intersection of art, community engagement and public well-being.

📖 Read her blog: “Fostering Community Engagement at The Phillips Collection,” to learn more about her internship experience and the lessons she gained throughout the program. https://vancomm.com/fostering-community-engagement-at-the-phillips-collection/

Comunicadores for the Future is a paid internship program created in partnership with The George Washington University's Cisneros Institute to help prepare the next generation of communications professionals.

07/16/2026

In a new Bulldog Reporter, Vanguard Vice President Dana Chomenko explores how community engagement and evaluation are evolving—and shares five key takeaways for building communications campaigns that create meaningful impact.

Read more ↪️

In public health, government, nonprofit and corporate communications campaigns, community engagement has become standard practice. We build partnerships, elevate local voices and try to meet people where they are. But as these efforts have expanded, so has the need to think more critically about wha...