Who We Are
Your mission matters,
and so does your story.
We believe that every mission-driven organization has a powerful story to tell — one that inspires action, builds connections, and drives meaningful change. By amplifying your message and sharing your impact, you can engage supporters, attract resources, and make a lasting difference in the world.
We Work With
Changemakers who are creating lasting and meaningful impact.
Zeal Communications prides itself on being a thought partner for mission-driven organizations, including nonprofits and private sector entities focused on public good. Our clients include organizations in the health, education, social services, and social impact sectors.
Our Values
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We lead with integrity.
Truth is the foundation of everything we do. We bring unwavering honesty and ethical principles to every project, building lasting credibility that turns clients into long-term partners.
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We communicate with purpose.
Every word matters when you're driving change. We craft strategic messages that cut through the noise and reach the heart of what matters, turning complex ideas into compelling stories that move people to action.
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We measure what matters.
Impact isn't just about reach — it's about real change. We set clear goals and track meaningful metrics, transforming data into insights that prove the power of purposeful communication.
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We amplify authentic voices.
Change happens when the right stories reach the right people. We help mission-driven organizations find and strengthen their unique voice, ensuring their message resonates with authenticity and creates lasting impact.
Meet the Founder
I’m Lauren, your partner in Doing good
Lauren Lawson-Zilai is the Founder and Principal of Zeal Communications. She has dedicated her career to leading purpose-driven communications that impact social change. Her strategic communication initiatives have affected legislation, changed public perception, and have resulted in education, job placement and training, and asset building for youth, older workers, veterans and military families, and people with disabilities and disadvantages to live more meaningful and equitable lives.
Lawson-Zilai’s work has been featured in industry publications including, DS Simon Media, PR Daily, PRNews and Ragan Communications. She invests time to share best practices and lessons learned as a speaker, moderator or panelist at various venues from corporations, professional associations, nonprofit organizations and universities, including Capitol Communicator, General Assembly, IABC, Microsoft, the National Digital Roundtable, PR Summit, PRNews, PRSA, WWPR, University of Maryland, George Mason University and George Washington University, to name a few.
Lawson-Zilai was named Ragan Communications and PR Daily’s Top Women in Communications; PR News’ Top PR Women of the Year and the PR News’ PR Professional of the Year: Nonprofit/Association; and a Washington Women in Public Relations’ (WWPR) PR Woman of the Year honoree. In addition, she is the recipient of the Platinum and Diamond Awards for outstanding service to PRSA NCC and the PR profession.
As part of a team, she has been honored with awards and recognitions from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), CLASSY, the Mobile Marketing Association, and Telly.
Lawson-Zilai is a past president of PRSA NCC and WWPR, the only woman to serve in both positions within the past 20 years. She serves on the National Digital Roundtable Board of Advisors; the President’s Leadership Council for Lycoming College, her alma mater; the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Women’s Advisory Board; the iHeartMedia Local Advisory Board; the Community Action Board for NBC4 Washington; and is an Executive Member of Dreamers & Doers.
Lawson-Zilai believes that the essence of a meaningful career is not solely based on what is achieved but how you help build through service to others.
Two quotes that Lawson-Zilai believes are guiding principles to her work, include:
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
- Winston Churchill
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
- John Wesley
News and Insights
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Lauren Lawson-Zilai on the Power of Communication
BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Heart of Giving Podcast
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![Founder Lauren stands in front of the Goodwill sign.]()
How to Fight Against False News
Crisis Ahead
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![A man reading a newspaper.]()
Fighting False News: Strategies to Combat Digital Misinformation
Newseum
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![Illustration of a person looking at their phone.]()
How Goodwill Has Battled Viral Misinformation for 15 Years
Ragan PR Daily
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Five Essential Steps for Responding to Negative Criticism
PR Daily
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Goodwill’s Influencer Program is a Model for Nonprofit Media Relations
PRNews
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How to Develop and Train Your Workforce
Wexler Marketing
Our Services
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Media & PR
We cultivate strong relationships to ensure accurate and positive coverage, connect with your target audiences, and successfully navigate the ever-evolving media landscape.
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Reputation & Crisis Management
We develop strategies to prepare organizations for potential reputational risks and manage crises to minimize damage and instill public confidence.
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Thought Leadership
We position organizations and executives as trusted voices in their industries by leveraging expert analysis, speaking engagements, strategic storytelling, media relations, and content creation.
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Writing Services
We write engaging, clear and strategic content for internal and external audiences that informs, persuades and builds relationships with key audiences.
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