By Rhonda Morin, Oregon PRSA
For Ryan VanNatta Gail, MBA, CAE, public relations is about more than communicating a message. It is about bringing people together, making complex issues easier to understand and helping communities move toward common goals.
That approach has already made an impact early in his career—and earned him PRSA Oregon’s 2026 New Professional Award of Excellence.
Presented to a public relations professional who has entered the field within the past five years, the award recognizes Gail’s commitment to the profession through his career achievements, community service and professional leadership.
Colleagues describe him as a confident and passionate communicator who approaches his work with integrity, curiosity and a strong sense of service. He has developed a reputation for creating productive conversations, building consensus and helping groups turn ideas into action.
Those qualities have been especially evident in Gail’s community leadership. He participated in Leadership Salem, a two-year program focused on developing current and emerging leaders through civic engagement and regional leadership. During the program, colleagues saw his ability to naturally guide discussions, coordinate activities and bring people together around shared goals.
His leadership has extended to the Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board, where his collaborative approach helped strengthen the board’s community impact. Gail earned the confidence of his fellow board members and was elected president.
His professional work also reflects his commitment to addressing issues that affect Oregonians. Through campaigns such as Fentanyl Free Oregon, Gail has helped communicate about the synthetic opioid crisis and engaged audiences around an issue with significant community impact.
Whether he is leading a public awareness campaign, facilitating a community conversation or volunteering his time to strengthen the Salem region, Gail brings the same focus to his work: listen, connect and help people move forward together.
His early career offers a glimpse of the kind of leadership that can strengthen the public relations profession—leadership grounded in service, collaboration and a commitment to continuous growth.
Congratulations to Ryan VanNatta Gail, MBA, CAE, on receiving PRSA Oregon’s 2026 New Professional Award of Excellence.
Note: Story compiled from the recipient’s recommendation letters.
