We had received a few tips on this story earlier in the week, but now it is official. Susan Hager, founder of HagerSharp, has passed away.

Her 40-person, employee-owned agency worked for nonprofits and government agencies including the National Cancer Institute and the Department of Education. Hager also co-founded and served as the first president of the National Association of Women Business.

The Public Relations Society of America National Capital Chapter inducted Hager into its Hall of Fame in 2005.

"Susan was first a friend, second a mentor and third a partner. All three of those roles for me, personally, need to be addressed," said Garry Curtis, former executive vice president of Hager Sharp, who will assume the role of president and chief executive of the company.