From Scholar to Mentor: The Ripple Effect of Mentorship at Kaplow
At Kaplow, mentorship has always been a core output of our agency values of creating connections, sharing what we’ve learned and helping the next generation of communicators find their own path.
That spirit came full circle this summer through our longtime partnership with New York Women in Communications (NYWICI). Our 2026 NYWICI Kaplow Scholarship recipient, Maddy Wines, spent the summer learning alongside Kaplow Senior Account Executive Brianna Boone — herself a former Kaplow Scholarship Recipient and Kaplow intern.
We caught up with our scholar to hear what she learned about agency life, how the experience shaped her career goals and why she hopes to one day pay that mentorship forward.
Maddy’s advice for the next generation of NYWICI scholars? Take advantage of everything.
“Go to the events, introduce yourself to people, stay in touch with the people you meet, and ask every question you have,” she said. “Learn as much as you can from the people around you, stay connected with them, and hopefully one day become a mentor for someone else.”
That’s exactly the kind of ripple effect we hope to create!
Q&A with Maddy Wines, 2026 NYWICI Kaplow Scholar
What were you hoping to gain from the mentorship experience, and did it meet your expectations?
I went into the Kaplow mentorship program hoping to better understand what life at a real PR agency looks like and solidify whether I wanted to work at an agency after graduation. I was also hopeful to build a network of industry professionals I could learn from and turn to for advice.
The experience absolutely met those expectations. I was able to see so many things you don’t necessarily experience in a classroom or student-run firm, from real client deliverables and media monitoring platforms to how people manage their days and communicate across teams. Hearing from people at different stages of their careers also gave me a much better sense of what an entry-level role could look like and how a career in PR can grow and evolve over time.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned this summer?
The most valuable lesson I learned was the importance of giving back. There is such a deep culture of mentorship at both Kaplow and NYWICI, and everyone I interacted with seemed to have someone who had invested in them and helped them along the way.
I saw that especially with Brianna Boone, who was once a Kaplow Scholar herself and was mentored by those at Kaplow — and is now mentoring me through that same program. It showed me how the support you give one person can continue beyond that original relationship. I hope to carry that butterfly effect with me throughout my own career and eventually pass it on to someone else.
Was there a project, event or moment that was especially memorable?
There were so many memorable moments, from the Matrix Awards, where I was surrounded by accomplished women across the communications industry, to Cocktails & Connections at the Paramount Club, where I had the opportunity to introduce myself and build relationships. Each experience showed me the genuine connections and sisterhood behind NYWICI and Kaplow.
A particular highlight was my one-on-one conversations with Liz Kaplow. From AI and writing to business operations and client retention, Liz shared insights that were incredibly valuable as I think about my own future in PR. It was inspiring to learn directly from someone who has built such a successful career while also cultivating a strong community and culture at Kaplow.
What surprised you most about agency life?
What surprised me most was how much you have to juggle at once. In coursework and student-run PR firms, you’re usually able to focus heavily on one client or project at a time. At an agency, you’re balancing multiple clients, meetings, deadlines and priorities at once.
I expected agency life to be fast-paced, but I don’t think I fully understood how organized you have to be to keep all of those moving pieces straight. If anything, seeing that side of agency life made me even more interested in it because I’m energized by the variety and pace.
How has this experience shaped your career goals?
This experience solidified that I want to pursue agency PR after graduation. Most of my previous understanding of agency life came from coursework, so getting a closer look at the day-to-day gave me much more clarity. My time at Kaplow also gave me deeper insight into the beauty and lifestyle industries and made me more interested in exploring those areas.
Talking with people at different stages of their careers also helped me think beyond my first job and consider how a career can evolve over five, 10 or even 20 years. Having my resume and portfolio reviewed and regularly communicating with people at different levels also gave me more confidence in how I present myself and navigate professional conversations.
What advice would you give to future NYWICI scholarship recipients?
Take advantage of everything that comes with the opportunity. The scholarship itself is incredible, but there is so much more surrounding it through the mentorship, events, connections and NYWICI sisterhood.
Go to the events, introduce yourself to people, stay in touch with the people you meet and ask every question you have — even the ones you think might sound silly. One of my favorite parts of mentorship was having a space where I could ask questions without fear of judgment.
Most importantly, don’t think of the experience as something that ends when the scholarship year does. Learn as much as you can from the people around you, stay connected and hopefully one day become a mentor for someone else.
Tell us a little about yourself, your interest in PR and what the NYWICI Kaplow Scholarship means to you.
I’ve always loved storytelling, and PR gives me the opportunity to combine that with creativity, relationship-building and curiosity. Receiving the NYWICI Kaplow Scholarship felt like a vote of confidence that I’m on the right track, and the mentorship and community that came with it have given me even more confidence in where I’m headed.