IABC Canada Names 2017 Master Communicators

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - The International Association of Business Communicators Canada Regions (IABC Canada) have named Linda Andross, ABC of Toronto, and Laurie Dawkins, ABC of Vancouver, as this year's recipients of the prestigious Master Communicator (MC) designation.

The IABC Master Communicator designation is the Association's highest honour in Canada. It recognizes outstanding Canadian communication professionals whose career achievements have raised the standards of organizational communication in Canada. Criteria include thought leadership, teaching and writing in communications, services and leadership in IABC, and overall contributions to the profession.

The 2017 Master Communicator Selection Committee chair, Anna Willey, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow, said the Committee, comprised of Master Communicators from across Canada, was impressed by the worthy recipients as nominated and as supported by their peers.

"Both Linda and Laurie are accomplished communication professionals who have made significant contributions to our profession in numerous ways throughout their careers," says Willey. "We are proud to honour them with this IABC Canada lifetime credential."

Linda Andross, ABC, MC

Linda Andross is an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) with more than 26 years' experience within the communication profession. She is co-owner/Managing Partner of APEX Public Relations and ruckus Digital + Design. Both companies have won multiple national and international awards for their excellence and innovation. Linda consistently demonstrates outstanding ability in communication strategy, program execution, client service and staff development.

Passionate about what she does and about giving back to the industry, Linda is a Past President of IABC/Toronto, a current IABC/Toronto board member and a member of the Peer Advisory Committee for Centennial College's PR program. She is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of communication professionals, having informally and formally mentored others throughout her career. She balances her family, work and volunteer life to give her best to each.

Laurie Dawkins, ABC, MC

Laurie Dawkins is an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) with more than 23 years' experience in the communication industry. She currently serves as Director of Corporate Communications for Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), where she leads a dynamic, award-winning team responsible for internal and external communication, employee engagement, digital development and social media. 

Laurie's career has covered all aspects of communications, from issues management, media and government relations, to corporate communications and employee engagement. Her diverse career has also spanned several industries, including mining, technology, advanced education and health care. She has built a reputation as an insightful, strategic and compassionate communication professional. Laurie is an active member of IABC locally, nationally and internationally, and a frequent mentor to new communication professionals. She has earned more than 20 industry awards and honours for her professional work and volunteerism.

A formal presentation honouring the newest Master Communicators will be held at the IABC Canada West Regional conference in Kelowna on October 24, 2017.

For more information about the Master Communicator program visit the IABC Canada website at https://iabccanada.ca/en/master-communicator-honourary-designation/

Our thanks to Cision for sponsoring distribution of this announcement.

SOURCE IABC Canada