This year, who can say if I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, 2025, I have been changed for good. Like many, I jumped on the Wicked bandwagon this year, so I couldn’t resist inserting a Popular reference or two. While some of you may be Loathing this opening, I’m reminded that No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.
For those not on the Wicked bandwagon (why not), we’ll switch gears here to focus on the true meaning of this blog post – gratitude and em dashes. Or en dashes. As always, Thanksgiving is a great reminder to appreciate all the good fortune we have, and to find the joy in our everyday lives. Just the simple act of practicing gratitude is scientifically proven to make people happier, which I think is why this post is so often everyone at PAN’s favorite of the year. Gratitude and joy are linked.
Similar to gratitude, joy comes in different forms for different people. As my niece so often says, “don’t yuck other people’s yum.” A staunch reminder that we are all different, and that’s a beautiful thing. So maybe Wicked isn’t for you, just like Bravo isn’t for me (sorry, Natasha). But if we respect where we each find our joy and don’t yuck each other’s yums, we can almost always find a middle ground. A good reminder in a year that is once again defined by divisiveness and polarity.
As you head off to watch football, stuff your face and see loved ones, I encourage you to think about both gratitude and joy. There will always be things to divide us, but it’s been said (by me) that the purpose of life is to feel joy, to spread joy and to live righteously. Focus on that, and gratitude, and you’re bound to have a meaningful and fulfilling holiday season.
Hope you all enjoy the holidays and get to spend some time with friends and family because, truly, there is No Place Like Home.
Without further ado, check out below to see what everyone at PAN is thankful for this year. Lots of gratitude (for me) to go around!
Cheers!
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“Thankful for the TEAM effort everyone @ PAN HQ is putting into (Q4) to make the start of 2026 our best ever. Grateful for our two amazing MD’s @ PANBlast and PANUK. #proudCEO” — Phil Nardone, CEO
“I’m so grateful for the relationships we build at PAN. From day one it was always about the people, and it still is.” – Elizabeth Famiglietti, Wicked PAN
“I’m so thankful for the immense support from EVERYONE coming back from maternity leave! And of course, my angel pie son! 😊” – Kiah Anderson, SXMW
“This year, I’m incredibly thankful for my son and his smiles and giggles that light up every day. I’m also thankful for my village – both my family (human & furry) and friends who have been the best support system through this major life change, and all my PAN colleagues who allowed me to truly step away during my maternity leave and have been patient and supportive as I enter into working parent life!” – Sarah Geist, Wicked PAN
“I am extremely grateful for PAN’s DCC structure, which is truly a lifesaver, especially as I take on my OWN dedicateds. I am thankful to work with Grace G., Gabby H., and Alexis S., – the rising stars of PR – and thankful to each of them for trusting me with their PAN careers. Marki, my DCC, has been a shining star for me at PAN – this year and always – so cheers to being you! No, this is not a Marki-generated post. Yes, I promise that I wrote this myself. No, really, I wrote this myself. Cheers to a 2026 full of warm weather, working with the smartest group of people you know and constantly being humbled by tough PR situations.” — Kally Lavoie, Senior Account Supervisor, PAN Sunshine Squad
“I’m thankful for Marki’s commitment to the em dash despite ChatGPT’s best efforts to villainize it,” — Samantha Smoak, Director, Sunshine Squad
“In another year of unprecedented use of the word unprecedented, I’m incredibly thankful for my teams who can always, always find a reason to laugh. You make it easy to come to work, do hard things, and get results while having fun along the way. To Shelby and the baddies of cross-border payments, my indirect tax warriors, women of water tech, superstars of the supply chain, prince and princesses of digital invoice payments, my CX era crew, and the powerhouse team behind AI infrastructure – I am thankful for YOU!!” — LeeAnn Coviello, Wicked PAN
“I got really into Dancing with the Stars this season, so I’m definitely thankful for that…plus finally taking my five-year PANniversary sabbatical for two glorious weeks in September! I’m thankful that the last year of my twenties has been (mostly) really fun, and that I continue to work with fantastic people on every one of my programs!” – Emily Hubbard, Left Coast Legends
“My gratitude list feels limitless this year, but here we go: three years cancer free, hugging co-workers in person, 5K organized, remote work, Teddy Bear, $30K raised for ACS, advocacy work, clients changing healthcare, 10K done, falling in love, celebrating love, new babies to adore, and of course, team MOJO.” – Olivia Mannion, Pizza Bagels
“I’m most thankful for my healthy, happy family and our small village of family, friends, and local baristas that support us whenever we need it, and many times without being asked.” — LeeAnn Coviello, Wicked PAN
“Grateful for my wonderful partner and husband, Corey, who always makes me laugh and reminds me to find the joy and light in life. For my rambunctious, funny, and adorable son, Jett and his fluffy sidekick, Bear. Grateful for a firm that prioritizes work-life balance, which affords me the opportunity to spend lots of time making memories with them, at home and abroad, so I can show my son all the different cultures, POVs and people the world has to offer. For my health, so I can keep up with said rambunctious toddler… and for Marki, always Marki.” – Lauren Hill, VP PAN Japan, Pizza Bagels
“I’m thankful for my growing family (welcome G-baby), my PAN team for the amazing coverage while on PAT leave, and my wife for allowing the mustache to ride longer than it ever should. Lastly, I’m grateful to have coaches Variable & McDaniels back where they belong.” – Chris Nardone, SXMW
“I’m grateful to have clients I truly enjoy working with and a workplace that values work-life balance! I’m grateful my husband started making coffee at home instead of spending a billion dollars at Starbucks every morning and that the weather has dropped to a livable – if not enjoyable – temperature in Florida!” – Jess Tasman, PAN Sunshine Squad
“This year I’m grateful for PAN giving us an almost a full two-week Winter Break so I can road trip from Boston to Chicago to Canada. I’m also grateful for Olivia Dean’s new album, which will be the soundtrack to said road trip.” — Bri Ary, Wicked PAN
“I’m thankful for all my PAN colleagues as I head into year two, especially Marki who is the best (and most stylish) pickleballer I have ever seen! I’ve been fortunate enough to get to dip my toes into many different departments of PAN this past year and learn so much from my teammates. A special shout out to the BD Boyz, the OG Crew, The Syracuse Dream Team (Darlene & Adam), all our wonderful participants in the HBCU Lecture Series and Team HR! Can’t forget my appreciation for my now husband who tolerated all my nonsense planning our wedding this past October – oh and of course Phil & the C-Suite for listening to all things weddings as well.” – Lauren Gangemi, Wicked PAN
“I’m thankful that my wife and I are expecting a baby girl! I’m also thankful for everything my wife is doing/going through to make such a wonderful home for her in her belly 😊 #soontobeGirlDad” — Philip A. Nardone, III, Wicked PAN
“Thankful for read throughs, especially when they are with Marki.” – Caroline Estella, Wicked PAN (fine, Pizza Bagels)
“Thankful for Shelby, chaotic nights at Snafu, my PAN-sponsored Just Salad habit, and celebrating one year at PAN!” – Chloe Russell, Senior Vice President, Pizza Bagels
“Grateful for midnight cab rides and Marki’s epic pickleball skills, only outshone by her epic pickleball fit.” – Darlene Doyle, Wicked PAN
“I’m so thankful to be part of PAN’s creative team. In my humble opinion, we are utter powerhouses. eBooks. Websites. Socials. Videos. Logos. The list goes on and on. Have a creative need? Fill out the creative form 😉” — Brys Scotland, Wicked PAN and absolute destroyer of the em/en dash
“This year, there’s so much to be grateful for, but especially diet coke, work pals, Drake Maye (yuppp, the Pats are SO BACK), my family, good health, jazz music, travel, and of course, Marki, who is just the best dedicated ever!!!! – Julienne Hughes, Chief Security Officer, Wicked PAN
“This year I’m thankful for the warm welcome into this amazing agency and getting to work with some of the best minds in PR! Additional thankfulness is extended to Caroline Lidz for helping me find the Boston office, Natasha for introducing me to Bravo, and Ariel for sharing a list of book recommendations that will fuel my 2026 reading goal!” — Katie Murphy, Vice President, Wicked PAN
“Thankful for having the best clients alongside Marki, whose strategic guidance was instrumental to our uncontested success this year. Also for Harry Potter and book club. And cats. And Disney. And Marki, again.” – Kirsten Welch (Kash), PAN Sunshine Squad
“I’m thankful for all the good things that have landed in my life over the past few years and even more thankful that my PAN colleagues have supported my choice to make each one my entire personality. Among those blessings: finally securing my Real ID after an embarrassing number of attempts, surviving a Jersey Shore summer house shared by 10 people (3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom), and Lemonade Surfside. PAN itself has brought plenty to be grateful for, too, like the collection of ChatGPT-generated depictions of our PANhattan office activities and the specifically haunting AI rendition of Catherine Doyle being terrorized by the aggressively fast-moving Dunkin’ staff in the Rockefeller subway station. But nothing – absolutely nothing – tops my gratitude for Uncle Gussy’s and the deeply personal, mildly chaotic relationship I’ve developed with their finest employee, Henry. Honestly, everything else is a distant second.” – Lucas Dimini, PAN Pizza Bagels
“I’m thankful that PAN allows me to work and live in beautiful coastal Maine, for my family and my PAN Family and for Marki gently bullying us into sharing what we are grateful for 💗 .” – Ariel Novak, Wicked PAN
“Always thankful for Bravo and for PX, CX, EX, MX, and all the Xes. Grateful I joined the Funky Bunch this year and got almost as many shoutouts in this blog post as Marki, but not quite – obviously.” – Natasha Koleas, Real Housewives of Pizza Bagels
“This year, I’m mainly thankful that Marki still respects the use of an em dash (#ReclaimTheEmDash). I’m also feeling grateful for the fact that Real Housewives continue to commit legal wrongdoings and provide us with wonderful content, as well as Natasha for her real-time, breaking Bravo news updates. I’d be remiss if I also didn’t mention the Eagles Super Bowl win #GoBirds.” — Emma Nugent, Pizza Bagels (Philly, duh)
“I’m grateful for Team Media and our fearless leader, Ash Waters! I knew from the moment I entered the chat and was blasted by the team for how I like my coffee that this was the group for me. But in all seriousness, I’m surrounded by some insanely talented people who make magic happen and inspire me to be a better PR professional.” – Sophie Tolsdorf, Sunshine Squad
“I’m super thankful for skinny jeans and how flawlessly Marki rocks them.” – Azizza Brinson, Pizza Bagels
“I’m thankful to work in PR and help meaningful stories find their way into the world. Especially grateful for the client teams and partners who trust, challenge and collaborate with me every day. Their partnership makes the work more creative, more impactful and genuinely fulfilling.” — Matthew Briggs, Wicked PAN
“Super grateful this year for my wedding, for CX, for Sealed Fates, and that my dad got to meet and dance with my mentor/hero/idol/best friend Marki at my wedding.” – Kate Bothmann, Wicked PAN
“Thankful for redheads, and Bothmann – RIP.” – Britt Poulin, Sunshine Squad
“Grateful to celebrate 10 amazing years since becoming part of the PAN fam following PAN’s acquisition of Vantage PR in late ’15!” – John Vernon, Left Coast Legends
“After officially being at PAN for over a year (where does the time GO!!), I’m incredibly grateful for such kind and funny coworkers and being able to do my PAN East Coast tour this summer to meet so many of them in person. Also, could never forget how thankful I am to have Marki on not just one but two of my accounts because she’s simply the best.” – Gracie Ramos, Pizza Bagels
“I am so grateful to learn and grow alongside such kind, supportive people who’ve made a real difference in my co-op experience.” – Ayushi Patel, PAN Boston
“Wicked thankful for golf and Andover. Also – Marki. Together with our Funky Bunch, we continue to bring the heat to our pitches and I couldn’t ask for a better client relations partner. She’s wicked cool and has the best blue blazer that always brings home a W for us.” – Mark Nardone, Wicked PAN
“I’m so grateful for the teams that are formed for all of my clients – Genpact, Booz Allen, Vericast, DISCO, Edgebeam – and the teams that are built due to need, support, shared community, or just for fun. I’m looking at you Team Media, Laura’s Braintrust Chat, PANParents, and Court of Chats and Chaos. I always said I’ve stayed at PAN so long because of the people, and that is true now more than ever!” – Ashley Waters, Pizza Bagels
“Maine.” – Adam Novak, King of the North, Wicked PAN
“I’m thankful for my wonderful little family, the many friendships forged and deepened this year, and the Kindle Paperwhite Matthew Briggs and I both won at HIMSS to reinvigorate my love of reading (nearly 50 books strong!).” — Katie Johnston, Pizza Bagels
“I am incredibly thankful that Phil, Darlene, Mark, Elizabeth and Sarah placed their trust in me to lead the PAN UK team. And even more thankful that this absolutely epic UK team has been so welcoming and supportive (also helps that they’re rockstars at what they do too!). Joining PAN was without doubt the right decision and I’m so grateful to be ending the year as part of this team. Bring on 2026!” – Catherine Coffey, PAN UK
“This year I am extra grateful for the gift of time—time to slow down, time to show up for the people I love the most, time to travel & explore, time to laugh, time to recharge, time to be present, time to focus and time to enjoy the moments that have now become some of my favorite memories.” – Michelle Panico, SXMW
“Still thankful for Nik Barkley.” – Still the entire agency
“2025 brought me so much to be thankful for. I’m grateful every day for my amazing family, for HyFlex+ which allows me to work from anywhere (most importantly with my puppy Myles happily supervising), and for my boyfriend Alex whose support has meant everything this year. I’m also thankful for big milestones like moving into my first apartment and taking in every moment of my niece Sophia’s first year. I’m especially grateful for all the fun ahead this Thanksgiving week, from finally seeing Wicked Part Two to watching the DWTS finale (Go Robert!) and the start of the last season of Stranger Things, all with plenty of family time, food, and football. I wouldn’t be a true New Englander if I didn’t share how grateful I am that the Patriots are BACK. #GoPats” – Victoria Famiglietti, Wicked PAN
“Grateful for hot brown water.” – Ted Lasso, Richmond till we die
“I’m very grateful that I landed at PAN for my first job right out of college and for the friendships it has already given me in just 4 short months! HUGE shout out to my DCC, Shannon, for all her guidance and support as I find my footing in the world of PR. I am also so very lucky to have the best supes out there — Audrey S, Britt P, and Kate A — I couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for being so patient and always answering my long list of (sometimes silly) questions. Cheers!” — Rachel Patterson, VA (Pizza Bagels)
“Grateful for defying gravity and stealing my best friend’s, well really my only friend’s, fiancé.” – Elphaba Throp, the West
“So grateful to have landed at PAN this year and to have been welcomed with such open arms by all of my teams! It’s easy to be excited about work when you’re surrounded by a culture and colleagues as amazing as the ones here. I also have to give a special shoutout to Taylor Swift for powering my work from home playlists this year.” – Stephanie Libertucci, PAN Pizza Bagels
“Chole’s ghost, Tam Tam (IYKYK), the US/UK phrases and rogue terminology spreadsheet, that I haven’t been removed (yet) from the Left Coast Legends Teams channel so I can stalk keep up with my West Coasters. Marki’s treadmill typing (sup, ma?), LeeAnn’s AIM throwbacks, and of course, Shelby, without whom this dimension would lack a special type of crazy. Oh, and Gabby Redwine. Just like, generally grateful she matches my freak.” – Lauren Warble, Pizza Bagels
“Rounding us out as always, I’m thankful for so much this year. For Drake Maye, Vrabel and McDaniels helping my 10-games-won prediction come true for the Pats. Thankful Boston is getting a women’s pro soccer team – go Boston Legacy FC! For family and friends who always keep me on my toes and are unconditionally there for me. Incredible colleagues and clients who know how to balance work and play. The beautiful city of Lynn where I live, with its beach, Lynn Woods, and diverse community. Thankful for the rights I have that I never take for granted – specific thank you to the Supreme Court for doing the right thing and not agreeing to rehear Obergefell v. Hodges, which granted marriage equality to same-sex couples only 10 years ago. Thankful for lots of laughter every day, and for my rediscovered love of reading. And last but not least, grateful for every year I get to spend on this Earth. We’re but small cogs in a machine, and aging is a privilege that I will never complain about.”
