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2025 NSPRA Presidents Award Recipient: Lesley Bruinton, APR, President and Chief Executive Officer, School Spirit PR (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
The NSPRA Presidents Award is one of the highest honors bestowed on an individual by the association. Each year, the award recognizes a living association member for outstanding professionalism and integrity throughout a career as a school public relations practitioner and for contributing to the advancement of school PR. In addition, the award also recognizes the recipient’s active involvement and leadership at a national level as well as substantive professional contributions to NSPRA.
Lesley Bruinton, APR, is widely recognized as a trailblazer in school public relations—an innovator whose work has reshaped the profession and inspired colleagues across the country.
From leading crisis communications at Tuscaloosa City (Ala.) Schools during the area’s devastating 2011 tornadoes to launching national programs that support the growth and development of school communication professionals, Bruinton’s career reflects both courage and vision. “Lesley was born to do the work of school public relations,” shared Jason Gaston, APR, coordinator of public relations for Alabaster City (Ala.) Schools and a past NSPRA board member, in his nomination. “She’s unafraid, unapologetic and unwilling to settle for anything less than perfection.”
During her tenure as NSPRA president in the 2020-2021 school year, Bruinton helped guide the association through pivotal moments, including the selection of its current executive director and the creation of NSPRA’s first formalized strategic plan—an initiative that helped drive a 55% increase in membership. She helped initiate NSPRA’s first formal presidential transition meeting, ensuring continuity and stronger governance for years to come. She also led the content development of the association’s Leadership in School Communication (LISC) program, provided the vision for expanding the APR Cohort program to support members’ accreditation journeys, and helped to launch the NSPRA Academy Mid-Career program.
Bruinton’s contributions extend beyond programs and positions—they reflect a career-long commitment to strengthening the profession and supporting those who work within it. Whether encouraging new professionals, building connections across the field or shaping national conversations about the role of school communicators, she leads with clarity, purpose and conviction. Her influence is equally felt at the state level, whereas a two-time president of the Alabama School Public Relations Association, she led this state chapter of NSPRA to new levels of visibility, engagement and recognition.
While working in school districts, she also earned NSPRA’s prestigious Gold Medallion Award for superior school public relations programs and campaigns grounded in strategic communication best practices.
Bruinton is known not only for her strategic insight, but also for her deep commitment to mentorship. She has supported countless professionals on their accreditation journeys and continues to serve as a frequent speaker, awards judge and trusted advisor. Her leadership has consistently opened doors for others, encouraging greater participation, representation and collaboration across the field.
Now President and CEO of School Spirit PR, Bruinton continues to drive impact through consulting, mentoring and speaking engagements.
The nomination submission portal for the 2026 Presidents Award will open in January 2026.
The NSPRA Presidents Award is the highest honor bestowed by the association. It is given to recognize a (living) individual NSPRA member for outstanding professionalism and integrity throughout a career as an educational public relations practitioner and for contributing to the advancement of educational public relations. In addition, it recognizes the member’s active involvement and leadership at a national level as well as substantive professional contributions to NSPRA.
Eligible nominees must:
Current NSPRA Executive Board members and NSPRA staff are ineligible for nomination.
Nominations for the Presidents Award may be submitted only by:
Up to one Presidents Award winner may be identified each year. A screening committee will review all nominations. Considerations for selection include the nominee’s ability to meet the award criteria, the nominee's past awards and honors, the nominee's contributions to the school public relations profession and to NSPRA, and the nominator's statement as to why the nominee is deserving of the award.
The Presidents Award winner receives:
View a list of previous award recipients.