Renee has been my confidante and wingwoman for my whole life. Born in Chicago a year after me, she built an outstanding academic record at Phillips Exeter Academy, Yale, and Columbia Journalism School. She followed our father into the media world, working as a reporter at the Home News in New Jersey and then at Women’s Wear Daily. Eventually, she joined the family business—first at Edelman, then as one of the founders of our sister agency, PR 21 (now Zeno Group).
Here are some of my favorite Renee stories:
Courage — Renee contracted rheumatic fever at age seven and was confined to her room for an entire year. Only my parents and a tutor from the Chicago Latin School were allowed in—not her germ-carrying brothers or friends. Every day, she met me at the closed door for updates about her friends and the outside world. Renee was incredibly strong and resilient, and she went on to play JV tennis at Yale.
Soccer Goalie Extraordinaire — We played soccer in the alley next to our apartment building in Chicago. Renee was a stalwart in the net, blocking hard shots and kicking the ball downfield. That same alley was also the scene of a comic act of revenge on the bullies from Bateman, a reform school down the street from Chicago Latin. These kids routinely put stones in their snowballs. Renee lured them into the alley by calling to them from my bedroom window. I dumped a bucket of hot water on our unsuspecting tormentors. That’ll teach you to mess with Renee.
Entrepreneur — My father was bored within minutes of ceding the CEO role at Edelman to me. He wanted to start another agency. He spoke with Renee, and together they launched PR 21—Public Relations for the 21st Century. Renee was deeply embedded in tech circles, working with founders like Marc Pincus. The agency took off in the late ’90s and quickly became a veritable hot shop, with offices in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. She later worked for Larry Ellison at Oracle for nearly a decade. Today, Zeno ranks among the top independent firms in the world.
Custodian of the Family Legacy — Renee oversaw the creation of the Edelman Museum in our Chicago office—a true labor of love. She sifted through endless boxes of Dan Edelman memorabilia (he was a true pack rat), finding his WWII uniform and memos to General Bradley. She compiled case histories ranging from the Toni Twins to Sara Lee to Morris the 9Lives Cat. My father’s desk is lovingly restored, with his “Dan-o-grams” featured in a flying exhibit above it. Renee also keeps in touch with all the cousins on both Dan’s and Ruth’s sides of the family.
Devoted Sister — When I’ve had a rough time at work or in my personal life, Renee has been a constant presence—making sure my apartment was in order and that I had food in the refrigerator. We always swap gossip, which she calls “Info.” Renee offers the same level of support to our brother John, too.
When I’ve had to make hard decisions about Edelman, she has always been there to support me, encourage me, and remind me that Dan would have approved.
Renee still keeps us connected, organizing video calls for herself, John, and me—what we affectionately call “The Gashouse Gang.” She’s also become especially close to my wife, Claudia—explaining her brother, reveling in Sunday Chinese food, and celebrating every Jewish holiday.
Best Daughter — Renee gave up two years of her life to be in Chicago with our parents in their final years. She moved back into her childhood room and went to the hospital daily with my mother to visit Dan, who was in the ER for six months before passing in January. Then my mother was diagnosed with leukemia. Renee accompanied her to blood infusions and doctor’s appointments. She also oversaw the at-home care, ensuring the nurses were attentive. She was a selfless saint.
Committed Jew — Renee is a regular at Congregation Habonim, founded in the mid-1930s by refugees from Germany. One of her closest friends is Ellen Mendel, whose stories of Kristallnacht are simply stunning. It is Renee’s fondest wish to learn enough Hebrew to become Bat Mitzvah. She was extraordinary in her advocacy for the parents of the hostages taken on October 7, working with New York Times journalist Bret Stephens on an important article about the American families whose children were in captivity.
This year, we are gathering as a family on Friday in Charlevoix, Michigan, for five days to celebrate Renee’s birthday.
She is the best of us.
Richard Edelman is CEO of Edelman.
